Ch.722Back to the Empire

“―That’s how it is, so return immediately.”

After organizing my thoughts about what needed to be done next while alone in my office, I called Leonore, Jahan, and Nigel to inform them about the news from the islands.

“Extrashafel was destroyed? By a dragon made of insect monsters? Isabella, that woman is still causing trouble even after death, seriously…”

Leonore sighed softly and shook her head upon hearing about the insect monsters, immediately figuring out who was responsible for resurrecting the dragon. Her expression suggested that even mentioning that name was disgusting.

Ah, come to think of it… the worm dragon Nidhogg could technically be considered Leonore’s half-sibling.

If the worms were capable of forming a dragon’s body even after their master’s soul had been destroyed, they must have been exceptional specimens directly spawned by Isabella rather than some mediocre mass-produced creatures.

Of course, if I were to say that out loud, Leonore would be absolutely horrified.

“First the eastern region, now the islands… the loss to national power is reaching critical levels.”

Nigel muttered with a concerned expression, seemingly worried about the empire’s future. Yes, it’s worth being depressed about. Among recent events, the only good thing was my victory over Orhan.

“At least Demian and Millia crossing the wall is fortunate…”

“Fortunate indeed. I expected it from Demian, but I never thought Millia would reach the realm of heroes so soon.”

Who would have thought my advice that a bow would suit her better than a sword would lead to the birth of the youngest hero? Was her kobold-level sword talent the price she paid to grow into a hero-class archer?

Of course, in the original story, Millia also appeared as a hero-class enemy when she fell to corruption… but I thought that was because the dark mana made her stronger than her natural abilities would allow.

I always thought she would eventually reach hero-class with steady growth, but I never expected her to rise so suddenly.

It’s a good thing, of course.

“So we’re just going back like this?”

Jahan couldn’t hide his disappointment with the retreat order.

Well, he followed Hersella all the way to the empire, so he probably doesn’t care at all about the empire’s losses.

The only thought in his head must be that Hersella’s filial duty, which seemed just one step away from completion, has once again become a distant goal.

“Yes, we have to go back. The matters of the Great Plains… aren’t something we can handle yet.”

I nodded in response to his question, stubbing out my cigarette in the ashtray.

For me, the empire’s safety was more important than Hersella’s revenge, and with my left arm gone and my strength greatly diminished, I was somewhat reluctant to face the third apostle lurking in the Great Plains.

Hersella might throw a fit when she wakes up, but I’ve already thought of what to say to persuade her, so there shouldn’t be any major problems.

…Right?

—-

[ Die. ]

On our way back after appointing suitable influential figures to manage the city.

Hersella, who finally woke up after five days and heard everything that had happened, responded by thrusting a tentacle of murder Karma toward my abdomen.

‘Wait, hold on!’

I quietly exclaimed while grabbing and crushing the tentacle of murder Karma with my right hand.

Even if I had just taken the hit, I probably wouldn’t have been injured thanks to my blessing, but I reflexively reached out in surprise.

[ What do you mean ‘hold on’? Not only did you steal my revenge, you lost an arm, let Targiyan escape, and now we’re heading back to the empire? Do you take me for a fool? Did you think I would just let this slide?! ]

When the tentacle aimed at my abdomen was blocked, Hersella pulled out a new one from behind my back and started hitting my head and back while shouting.

Fortunately, no one else was watching—if someone had seen this, they might have suspected it was some kind of self-harming mental illness. After all, she was beating me with power drawn from my own body.

‘Wait, seriously! Just a moment! Let me explain…!’

It didn’t particularly hurt, but it was strangely humiliating.

Besides, with my head being repeatedly struck, it was difficult to properly articulate the persuasive words I had prepared.

[ Damn it. Your body’s just become ridiculously tough…! ]

Hersella gritted her teeth in frustration, realizing her attacks weren’t causing any damage.

She seemed more than just a little angry, but all she could do was curse while pounding and stabbing at my entire body.

Not that she could launch a proper attack anyway.

She couldn’t take over my body without my consent, and without taking over, she couldn’t properly wield the power of murder Karma.

‘Please, just calm down for a moment and listen to me. I had no choice, okay?’

I somehow managed to concentrate and forcibly take back control of the murder Karma from her, then tried to calm the fuming Hersella.

[ My anger is also inevitable! You lying fraud of a woman! ]

‘I’m sorry about that, but I really had no choice. The murder Karma was nearly depleted from flying here so urgently—how could I let you take over? Besides, the situation was urgent with Ludwig on the verge of death.’

If it had been a situation you could have handled, I would have left Orhan to you. But at that time, it really wasn’t appropriate to entrust the revenge to Hersella.

The murder Karma was so depleted that she fell asleep after manifesting Extinction just once—in that situation, even if I had handed over my body to Hersella, it would have reverted back to me in about ten seconds.

[ Ha, didn’t that Ludwig end up dead anyway? ]

‘That’s just hindsight talking.’

She really knows how to hit where it hurts.

I knew Orhan was strong, but who could have guessed he was such a monster that he could continue fighting even after losing his heart?

‘Losing an arm is inconvenient now, but it can be healed with recovery magic, so it shouldn’t be a problem—’

[ Your little sister will have a fit. ]

‘…It won’t be a problem as long as Lena doesn’t find out. And listen, about your revenge—I’ve thought of everything. A way to definitively identify your enemy. That’s why we’re going back.’

After dozens of seconds of bickering, with Hersella having evolved from a rabid dog to a human capable of conversation, I tried to explain the excuse I had carefully crafted.

[ …Are you going to spout more lies? I won’t fall for it anymore. Eight out of ten words that come out of your mouth are lies! ]

‘But this time it’s really true! Just trust me once.’

Hersella showed endless distrust, making me wonder where the bond between companions sharing one body had gone.

Still, since she was more reasonable than before, I quickly began explaining my plan while waving my hand.

‘Think about it. Orhan is dead, and Targiyan and the Black Banner Army have returned alive—what do you think will happen in Aishan? Orhan doesn’t have just one child.’

We don’t need to worry about Amin since he’s an idiot, but the second son Sahakal seems competent enough to compete with Targiyan for succession rights within Aishan. There will surely be a civil war over the empty Kagan position.

‘If the empire marches toward the Great Plains, they might all unite against us, but if we leave them be, Targiyan and Sahakal will start fighting each other. For Orhan’s position. And naturally, their mothers’ entire families will join the conflict. Right?’

[ Hmm… yes, I suppose so. And? ]

Shouldn’t she understand by now after I’ve explained this much?

‘What do you mean “and”? Don’t you get it? You said it yourself. Your mother’s enemy is likely from either Targiyan’s or Sahakal’s maternal family.’

There’s a possibility it’s neither, but… let’s set that aside for now.

If neither side turns out to be the culprit, the only option left would be to implement Hersella’s plan to exterminate all middle-aged Ka’har.

‘Besides, Orhan mentioned it. The culprit who killed your mother was some valley something… a grand sorcerer with such a name.’

[ Yes, he did say that. ]

‘In other words, the civil war between Targiyan and Sahakal is actually a battle between an ordinary warrior clan and a grand sorcerer clan. Isn’t it obvious who will win?’

I smiled smugly as I fixed my clothes that had been disheveled by Hersella’s tentacle attacks.

This was the excuse I had prepared.

At this point, there’s no way to know which side—Targiyan’s or Sahakal’s—is connected to the sorcerer.

But if we let them fight and observe the outcome, won’t the answer naturally reveal itself?

‘Surely the so-called greatest grand sorcerer of the plains wouldn’t lose to a mere warrior clan, right?’

I don’t know which of the two is the culprit, but the one who wins in the end must be the true murderer of Aimela. And their mother is highly likely to be the third apostle.

‘So all we need to do is wait. Until Targiyan and Sahakal wage their civil war and a winner emerges. How about it? Doesn’t it sound like a good plan?’

[ Hmmmmmm… hmmmmmm… ]

Hersella groaned as if taking her time to consider. Even though it was obvious she was already half convinced.

[ Should I trust this fraud… am I being deceived again… but it does make sense when I hear it… No, but… has any plan this woman confidently proposed ever gone right? What should I do… ]

Hersella muttered quietly to herself for a long time, so softly I could barely hear her.

And then,

[ Once. I’ll fall for your silver-tongued persuasion just once more. But there won’t be a second time. Understood? ]

Finally, Hersella seemed to accept my words, calming her anger and nodding in agreement.

‘I’ll keep that in mind.’

I nodded, breathing a sigh of relief.

Thank goodness.

Everything went according to plan.