Chapter 164

Chapter 164

I Proposed While Drunk and Now the Princesses are Obsessed.

Episode 164: 0th Princess, Reunion, Forced Marriage (39)

The Emperor of the Empire appeared.

However, Valetta did not seem particularly concerned.

She never feared the Emperor in the first place. It was merely the inconvenience of having to obtain Jaekiel that truly upset her.

“Did I pamper him too much…?”

Valetta muttered softly.

In that moment, the woman’s sharp gaze was filled only with the desire to possess Jaekiel.

“No matter what happens, reclaim the Snow Ghost.”

The Demon Lord had, at some point, released the hand supporting her chin. Her golden eyes, rising like a full moon in her pitch-black gaze, only followed Jaekiel’s movements.

Even though the Emperor had appeared, there was not the slightest sign of surprise at his very presence.

The God of Hatred immediately opened his mouth.

“What do you mean by reclaiming…?”

“It means not to take his life. He is the pillar of the Demon Realm. He must be kept alive.”

The God of Hatred bit his lip.

In the Demon Realm, nothing was more absolute than the Demon Lord’s commands, but right now, it was hard to agree.

‘The pillar of the Demon Realm? No, he is the seed of the Demon Realm’s destruction.’

He had manipulated the stronghold of the Demon Realm, the Spider Goddess Akne, to free human slaves, and now he had summoned the Emperor of the continent after acquiring three powers… and they were calling him the pillar of the Demon Realm?

At least in the God of Hatred’s mind, it was incomprehensible. He then transmitted to the other Demon Gods.

─Even if I have to pretend it’s a mistake, the Snow Ghost must be killed. I will take the responsibility.

The other Demon Gods immediately nodded.

They already shared the same thought, but the other Demon Gods had been too afraid to act. Now that someone had stepped forward, there was no need to hesitate.

─Grim Reaper, it’s best if you strike first.

─No, I only follow the Demon Lord’s orders.

The Grim Reaper’s firm reply came back.

The God of Hatred spat and glared at the Grim Reaper, who leaned his long scythe on his shoulder. That guy was the most powerful of the Demon Gods, but he was no help.

In this situation, the God of Hatred had no choice but to act, which, in a way, was for the best. Didn’t the Snow Ghost launch a surprise attack against him last time?

He could now make the Snow Ghost pay for that.

The God of Hatred donned his white mantle and summoned his magic. Sharp waves of magical energy, like thorns, began to spread in all directions.

Kugugugugugu!

With that, he completely suppressed the Snow Ghost’s surroundings.

Crushing the opponent with heavy energy and then using martial arts to turn them into a bloody pulp—this was one of the tactics the God of Hatred often used.

He would probably feel like the gravity had suddenly increased tenfold. He definitely wouldn’t survive today.

However.

“…!”

Soon, surprise spread across the God of Hatred’s face.

It was inevitable. Despite being crushed by the God of Hatred’s energy, there was no sign of him struggling at all.

…Rather, he was simply having a calm conversation with the Emperor.

The Emperor was truly an emperor.

He carried himself with such ease, as if there was no danger at all. Thanks to that, Jaekiel, standing beside him, felt a sense of calm as well.

The hollow, lion-headed helmet turned towards Jaekiel. A low voice then spoke.

“Should I ask for the reason behind this, or should I first inquire about the crime? It seems you summoned me in quite an interesting way.”

Jaekiel lightly showed respect and responded.

“The defeat of Han Shin, the rescue of humans in the Demon Realm, the acquisition of key information, and even the conversion of the Spider Goddess…”

This was just a list of the things that came to mind immediately.

“I report that I have achieved numerous feats.”

He had also destroyed Han Shin’s city, but the real issue was escaping the Demon Realm. However, if he received the Emperor’s help, it was not entirely impossible.

Convincing the Demon Lord and all the Demon Gods to cooperate.

Or convincing the Emperor.

Jaekiel thought that, naturally, the latter would be easier.

“Isn’t the original mission supposed to include a return? Seeing you treat me as a shield, I’m honestly starting to wonder if I should even save you. Perhaps I should just leave you to die here.”

The Emperor spoke as if in disbelief. It was only natural; he had never been treated like this before.

But Jaekiel had already thought it through.

“I’m not asking to be saved for no reason. As always, I summoned you to propose a deal.”

“A deal? In this place, and in this situation?”

“Yes. I have now learned to harmonize the three energies. If I can return safely to the continent, I will use this power for the Empire.”

Thump. Thump.

Even now, Jaekiel’s heart was beating powerfully, with three rings of different colors pulsing together.

The Emperor immediately examined Jaekiel’s physical condition.

He placed his hand on Jaekiel’s heart, and, unlike with Akne, it seemed he could assess Jaekiel’s state just by looking at it. For a moment, he felt the illusion that his soul was being pierced.

Soon, the Emperor reacted.

“Heat energy, demonic energy, and cold energy… This can’t be. Does another person with such a constitution truly exist in this world? Your energy flow has improved greatly. You’ve even harmonized the spirits.”

The fact that the Emperor was amazed was a positive sign, but Jaekiel focused on the word ‘another.’

Was Jaekiel’s physique similar to the Emperor’s? Could it develop as endlessly as his?

It was right then…

“How insolent!”

A loud shout rang in his ears.

“How dare you speak of trivial matters in front of the Demon Lord? Your crimes are unforgivable, and I will bring endless pain to you right here!”

It was the God of Hatred.

A Demon God who fuels his power with hatred and anger. The size of his anger was immense.

He charged like a cannonball and threw a punch.

Kwang!

The space around the Emperor shimmered like a mirage and blocked the punch, which was wrapped in demonic energy.

Naturally, shock spread across the God of Hatred’s face.

“Jaekiel.”

Amid the chaos, the Emperor suddenly called Jaekiel’s name, as if there was something important to discuss.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Now that I see it, your physique is truly one of a kind. Perhaps I should look forward to a great future for you.”

It was not a scolding tone, nor a nagging one. It was just that the timbre of his voice was peculiar.

“…Perhaps it will be a rather lonely road.”

When Jaekiel felt a hint of regret in that voice.

Kugugugugugu!

In an instant, formless energy began swirling around, and the intensity was so great that the entire space seemed to warp.

The Demon Gods, who had been in an attack stanc,e were filled with questions. Even those with the highest positions, who were already immensely powerful, were shocked by this strength.

The Emperor was such a being.

Paaah!

Suddenly, with an overwhelming sound of destruction, all the demonic energy around scattered at once. The air cleared in an instant, creating a scene that seemed like purification had taken place.

“Have you raised your power? Emperor, are you serious?!”

Demon Lord Valetta shouted.

The unspoken agreement among the strongest to not interfere was now blatantly broken by the Emperor.

Kwaaahhh!

The Emperor’s energy had no color, but it naturally repelled demonic energy, so it was hard to tell how it spread.

“…”

It spread out like branches growing from a tree, extending wide, and simultaneously carrying an incredibly sharp energy.

All the demonic energy had once overwhelmed Jaekiel, but now the situation was different. The Emperor’s energy was suppressing and pressuring the energy of all the Demon Gods.

Whoosh!

Soon, the energy gathered and condensed into one form.

It had the shape of a human, but its presence was far from human. The movements of the Demon Gods froze for a moment.

The stronger one becomes, the less they feel fear when looking at others. Yet, for the first time in a long while, the God of Hatred felt fear. What stood before him was a transcendent being.

Creaaak.

The Emperor quietly clenched and opened his fist. The cloak attached to his shoulders lifted upwards due to the energy.

“That… is…”

The God of Hatred murmured quietly.

While working as a Demon God, he had been warned by the Demon Lord a few times. After living for so long, there were always things to be cautious about.

He had been warned to be cautious of armored beings shaped like the Grim Reaper.

“…The Formless Golden Lion, the Emperor.”

Now he understood. That was the Emperor of the continent.

The other Demon Gods fell silent at once.

There are moments when the mere existence of someone makes the difference in power feel overwhelming, and this was one of those times. It felt like a lightning strike above their heads, and instinct whispered of danger.

Valetta grimaced and gave an order.

“Demon Gods, be cautious, the opponent is dangerous.”

Meanwhile, the Emperor quietly turned his back to Jaekiel and spoke.

“You just listed your feats in detail. Quite impressive.”

Hooo.

He slowly assumed the stance of one in power.

“From now on, watch my movements carefully and learn.”

His momentum was so overwhelming that it was only right to call it the strongest.

“I will give you something even more precious than Sun Water.”

It was as if he were treating Jaekiel like a direct disciple.