Ch.341341. Blasphemy

Emperor Cecilia XI puffed on her pipe with a curt expression.

Though widely regarded as the most down-to-earth among all emperors in history, it was still unusual for her to personally involve herself in such a difficult mission.

“That man seems to handle people rather roughly, doesn’t he? Don’t you think so, Rad?”

The entrance to the bunker near the Void Zone, where the Pope was believed to be, was undoubtedly filled with the most elite fighters carefully selected from within the Holy Empire.

Just moments ago, she had been asked to come here immediately once the location was confirmed and draw attention. This would make it much easier for Darwood to infiltrate.

“Your Majesty. With all due respect, please shut your mouth!”

“…”

It was a surprisingly bold insubordination, but Emperor Cecilia XI merely puffed on her pipe with an embarrassed expression rather than flaring up in response.

That was understandable, as the Authority was single-handedly slaughtering all of the Holy Empire’s top fighters right before her eyes.

After all, she had stubbornly insisted on coming along despite the Authority’s desperate pleas to stay away from such dangerous places.

“Even for someone like me, trying to fight these guys while protecting Your Majesty would be exhausting. Why did you have to be so stubborn…!”

“…Hmm.”

At the Authority’s words, Cecilia’s eyes narrowed.

For someone who was usually gentle in most situations, this was a rare display of hostility in her gaze.

“Do you know how the previous emperor died, Rad?”

“…”

The Authority’s face froze for a moment.

“…This doesn’t seem like an appropriate topic for the current situation, Your Majesty.”

“No, I’m bringing it up precisely because of the current situation.”

Despite his protest, the Emperor continued speaking without concern.

“The ‘Dragon’s Bloodline’ flowing through the Imperial family is quite a famous curse. Isn’t that so? That’s also the official cause of the previous emperor’s death.”

“…”

“It’s not an unreasonable story. The Dragon’s Bloodline isn’t something easily controlled by human power. However.”

A bitter smile formed on the Emperor’s lips.

“There were some strange occurrences around that time.”

“What do you mean by strange occurrences…?”

“The fact that the previous emperor became particularly religious in his later years isn’t widely known. Nobody would have known except for me, his daughter.”

“…”

“It was around that time that his existing illness suddenly worsened, and my own illness also became more severe.”

Emperor Cecilia XI exhaled a deep cloud of smoke from her pipe.

“Now, what do you think would have happened if whatever demonic fragment inside me had also convulsed at the same time?”

“…”

“I would have died. If that man hadn’t firmly suppressed this demonic thing inside me.”

And the Empire, with its ruling bloodline suddenly cut off, would have fallen into terrible chaos.

At that time, the Council of Elders would have been eagerly waiting for an opportunity to start a civil war.

If that Darwood hadn’t prevented it, the continent would already have been plunged into horrific chaos.

“That Pope character has been playing games on a continental scale. By my estimation, even the Red Night incident must have involved his scheming.”

The incident that completely severed the Guardians, the Empire’s greatest military force.

With that alone, the Empire’s military power could be considered significantly diminished.

“…”

Hearing the Emperor’s continued words, the Authority unconsciously gulped.

“Are you saying the Holy Empire was behind some kind of plot?”

“It’s a suspicion that occurred to me now that things have come to this. I never had such doubts until now.”

To suddenly harbor such suspicions without any basis would be considered paranoia.

The important point to note is that in many special situations that occurred in the Empire, and beyond, there were numerous cases where traces of the Holy Empire’s involvement could be found.

“This could be considered my revenge. That’s why I’m trying to contribute personally, even if it means pushing myself like this.”

“…”

Hearing those words, the Authority’s eyes suddenly narrowed.

“What’s with that reaction?”

“I haven’t known Your Majesty for just a year or two.”

“…And?”

“Is that really your only reason?”

The Emperor chuckled and puffed on her pipe.

“I need to make a good impression, don’t I? The competition is quite fierce, after all.”

“…”

“If I have a son, I’ll name him Rad. How does that sound?”

“Go die, Your Majesty.”

With those words, the Authority began cutting down the reinforcements rushing toward them again.

Watching this, Cecilia XI smirked.

‘Now then—’

In truth, she was quite excited, despite appearances.

It might seem inappropriate given that a formidable enemy like the Pope was right in front of them, but she had a clear reason.

‘Let’s see how he gets destroyed.’

Because she would have a front-row seat to watch that self-important bastard get annihilated by the “real deal.”

●

I scratch my cheek with an awkward expression.

“…I said cheer up.”

So.

It was all well and good that I wiped out the chimera with the 3-Magi Combination Bug Extermination Spray.

The problem is that the ones who joined me afterward seem to be in a particularly bad mood.

“…”

Yuria and Lucien the Saint, still covered in sticky bodily fluids, glare at me like they want to eat me alive.

“I should get compensation.”

“…What compensation?”

“I’ll think about that later.”

“…”

Come on.

Hey.

Do we really need to worry about such things in our current situation?

“Listen. We’re about to face the strongest priest in a final battle—”

“You won’t give it to me?”

“…”

But I can’t exactly refuse when Yuria and the Saint look so unusually intense.

Somehow, the blade of the Severance that Yuria is holding seems to glow more blue than usual, and my stomach, which has been cut by it before, starts to ache at the sight…

“…I’ll decide based on how things go, then.”

I awkwardly reply while averting my gaze.

“You promised, right?”

“Did I promise?”

“…Please focus.”

I sigh and reprimand them as they speak with gleaming enthusiasm.

Just then, armed personnel from inside the bunker come pouring out, having detected our presence.

Thanks to His Majesty the Emperor and the Authority working hard at the main entrance, the numbers weren’t terrifyingly high, but still plenty—

“Die—!!!”

“Get lost—!!!”

“…”

With shouts that were hardly appropriate for people involved in religion, they were all cut in half with a single strike.

“…”

I’m sure the other side had prepared various things, but they could at least pretend to put up a fight out of respect for their efforts.

[These ladies are killing people without batting an eye, unlike their usual selves…]

‘Still, I don’t feel particularly sorry for them.’

[That’s true.]

These guys were probably at the forefront of the Pope’s atrocities, shoving innocent people into biological experiments and sacrificing them.

What I see in Yuria and Lucien’s eyes is that, plus “personal grudges.”

I’ve heard many times before about these two’s childhood experiences, and it’s obvious without looking that these guys contributed to those horrific experiences.

I don’t want to worry about such people dying.

And.

The guy behind the door we’re approaching now is the cause of all that misfortune.

“Come here-!!”

I think I might be getting used to this.

With that thought, I kick open the door and enter. Inside, the Pope sits quietly with his eyes closed, resting his chin on both hands.

His attitude of not even blinking despite enemies charging right up to him is worthy of respect.

“Yes. You’ve finally arrived.”

His following voice is also deeply imbued with that attitude.

“Shall we have a little chat? We must have much to discuss—”

“Hyah!”

The Pope’s neck twisted as my approaching fist connected with it.

Like a scene from a cartoon, his neck twisted round and round, and I could clearly see all the bones, muscles, and blood vessels inside being crushed.

“…”

“…”

Lucien and Yuria look at me with bewildered eyes from the side.

[…Didn’t you just say to respect the opponent’s efforts and fight properly?]

‘This one’s different.’

This guy definitely won’t die from something like this.

“That was something like a greeting.”

I say calmly while stepping back slightly.

“I know you’re not dead. Get up.”

Yuria and Lucien’s faces changed to expressions of “what are you talking about,” but soon turned to looks of shock.

Because the Pope.

With that grotesque appearance, was letting out a long sigh.

Then he adjusted his twisted neck with both hands, making a creaking sound. Lucien’s face turned pale at the grotesque sight.

And as if that alone restored his body to normal function, he shot me a contemptuous glance.

“…How barbaric. Do you know nothing of basic courtesy?”

“No, I don’t know about such things. So.”

I check my plan mentally while speaking.

This guy probably has hidden cards, and so do I.

This is a battle of who can play their cards more fiercely.

In other words.

There’s no reason for a long fight. Whoever strikes well first wins.

“Let’s communicate with our bodies. Ah, not in a weird way?”

Good.

Let’s kill this bastard quickly and finish this.

●