Chapter 314

Chapter 314. Spoils of War (6)

After silently and cleanly dispatching the knights, I struck the back of Isola’s head, who seemed to be out of her mind.

*Thud*

With a clean sound, Isola fell unconscious. I carried her towards the ginkgo tree palace right behind us.

“I never thought I’d use it like this.”

The inner part of the imperial city was protected by all sorts of magic circles, prohibiting the use of magic.

Initially, I had planned to destroy half the imperial city with my divinity and take Isola away. But after thinking it through calmly, I realized there was a quieter way to get what I needed.

I had accidentally discovered one of the imperial city’s secret passages through an encounter with Vellego in the past.

“If I hadn’t known, I probably would have just barged in.”

But knowing it meant there was no need for unnecessary hassle.

I entered the imperial city as quietly as possible.

I had prepared for a day of lurking to time my move, but the moment I poked my head out of the passage, I could see the silver-haired Isola being dragged off by the knights.

It was as if she was begging to be captured quickly, a ridiculously convenient timing.

Thanks to that, I was able to secure my final spoil of war, Isola Deim Atar, much more easily than anticipated.

The reason for kidnapping her was really simple.

“When the tiger is away, the fox acts as king, doesn’t it?”

The lords of the Atar Empire, abandoned by the royal family.

Their private armies were quite substantial in size.

“There were quite a number of border officers as well.”

They even had enough time to gather personal assets during the escape process.

As a result, they didn’t completely lose their influence, even on Earth.

Due to the culture of loyalty and knightly oaths, a considerable number of knights still served these lords.

The lords forming alliances and having tensions was something I somewhat anticipated.

But that part never truly worried me.

‘All I have to do is make it so the fox can’t become the king, by putting another scarecrow as the king.’

I never intended to leave the Biharin, scattered worldwide, entirely to their own devices.

‘There has to be at least a leash.’

The association and I picked Isola for that leash.

Though she had an empty head, she still held the symbolic status of royalty.

‘Once I give a plausible cause for her to be a focal point, the rest is easy.’

Now that I’ve gathered everything I need, it’s time to return to Earth.

With Isola slung over my shoulder, I retraced the path back through the secret passage.

After emerging from the passage, I headed back to the temple.

“Ugh…”

Isola, draped over my shoulder like baggage, began to regain consciousness.

It seemed I had exhibited too much restraint, hitting her too softly since it had been a while since I laid hands on a civilian.

Upon recovering her senses, Isola commenced screaming.

“You, insolent! Release me this instant!”

But her defiance didn’t last long.

“Rawr!”

Seeing a monster in real-time—now unhindered by barriers due to Heily’s death—left her speechless.

“Should I really let you go?”

I asked, looking at the approaching monsters.

“Aah, aaah…!”

With panic, Isola clung onto my armor, her fingers hopelessly grasping at anything for reassurance.

Instead of calming her down, I jumped high into the air.

I did this to vividly showcase the reality of Gemeal, surrounded on all sides by monsters.

“Eek!”

Isola screamed as our position abruptly changed, while I stood poised in mid-air.

“Aaaagh!”

“Save us!”

The screams, echoing faintly from far below, were unnaturally clear.

Red blood, spilling from the gruesome massacre of monsters, filled the area with its scent.

“I can send you back to the imperial city if you want. Answer me, should I really let you go back?”

The monsters would eventually push into the imperial city and annihilate all the demi-humans; was she sure she wanted to stay in that land?

The trembling on my shoulder from Isola intensified.

After a brief moment passed, she asked in a pitiful voice.

“Why, why only me? What about the others…?”

Her question brought a thin smile to my lips.

“Since when did you care about others?”

Knowing full well the front exists.

Growing up in a world where people Die every day on that front.

Yet she led a lavish life, thinking it had nothing to do with her.

Would Isola have felt guilt about it?

Every now and then, she would generously distribute her wealth and derive a smug sense of superiority from it.

Just like she funded the orphanage for the survivors of the farm I saved in the past.

Admittedly, it helped significantly.

“But was it truly out of pure goodwill?”

Can it not be considered hypocrisy meant to elevate her self-worth?

“Stop sugarcoating things with half-hearted niceties and answer properly. Will you abandon your crumbling homeland or not?”

Forcing her to leave wouldn’t be a problem.

Isola had no power to defy the association’s intentions anyway.

But since she was awake, I intended to make her choose with her own will.

That way, she would be well aware that she has no place to return to.

Once transferred, she would comply with orders, faithfully acting as their puppet without needless mischief.

Waiting for her answer, I soon heard a small voice amid gentle sobs.

“Th-there, is it, is it safe there?”

Half-baked hypocrisy held no power against the desire to live.

“For now.”

“I’ll, I’ll go. Please take, take me with you…”

Isola’s response was not surprising.

I resumed my journey to the temple.

“Eek!”

As we traversed through the sky, Isola screamed again.

Ignoring her, I quickened my pace and soon reached the central temple.

“Sniff.”

Ignoring the sound of her sniffles, I headed towards the basement below the statue of the world tree.

Muttering sounds became audible.

“I’m way too dizzy… I feel like I’m gonna throw up…”

Draped like a bag over my shoulder, blood was rushing to her head, likely causing her stomach to churn.

I sighed briefly and adjusted how I carried Isola properly.

A typical princess carry.

Finally being able to see my face, Isola stared intently.

“Outsider… right?”

“What changes if I am?”

“Can’t you just answer…?”

“Why should I extend such courtesy to you?”

“Well, I’m still a princess…”

“Don’t delude yourself, princess. I’m not taking you because I cherish you.”

“……”

“No one will worship you anymore. I’m taking you because you’re useful, and if you stop being of use, you’ll have no place to stand.”

No matter how you’ve lived so far, from now on you’ll have to pull your weight like everyone else.

“But I’ve never really worked before…”

“Not because you couldn’t, but because you chose not to. Is living like that something to boast about? I have no intention of putting up with your sulking, so keep your mouth shut.”

Facing straightforward criticism and ridicule, Isola’s lower lip drooped.

Finally silent, I arrived at the destination with Isola in my arms.

Resting my hand on the gateway entrance, the previously closed entrance opened again.

Passing through, I walked toward the entrance connecting to London, uK.

“Consider this a warning.”

“Yes?”

“Cautiously mind your words and actions from now on. Bear in mind, there is no emperor to shield you.”

Before Isola could respond, I crossed the gate connecting to the UK.

Thanks to the message I had left before departing, Ethan stood waiting outside.

“K.”

“K, you say?”

At Ethan’s call, Isola asked in surprise.

However, both I and Ethan ignored her.

Here, Isola’s worth was exactly that and nothing more.

“Did I keep you waiting long?”

“If K called, I’d wait as long as it takes.”

Smiling, Ethan greeted me and subtly glanced at Isola.

I laid Isola on the ground and continued speaking.

“An official announcement will come from Lily soon.”

That the recent, final rescue operation had concluded, and that the target was Princess Isola, who had requested asylum from the association.

“Of course, it was all fabricated lies.”

It provided enough legitimacy for the Biharin’s support and was a cause for the lords from the Atar Empire lineage to rally behind.

Thanks to her, I can now encourage them to swear loyalty, claiming that their survival was owed to her.

“Make good use of her.”

“I’ve already discussed everything with the royal family. Thank you so much, as always.”

“After all, I stationed them in Europe for this.”

Most of the lords abandoned by the Atar Empire on the outer regions were stationed in Europe, with Isola in mind.

All agreements for the royal family to take custody of Isola in Britain were finalized.

“Providing her a prestigious exile, leveraging her name to control lords and knights as they please.”

Isola will become a highly useful pawn on the European front.

In return, she would receive a royal welcome, so it was not a bad option for her.

“Don’t forget what I said, Your Highness.”

I reiterated my words; she was taken only for her utility, causing Isola to grasp her dress firmly.

“With Vellego stationed at the London camp, it should be fine.”

I had already instructed Vellego to cozy up to the princess.

In return, it was agreed that he would receive personal relief supplies and a certain level of living aid.

He would likely put in effort for his own survival.

Attaching Vellego, someone familiar from childhood, was the last humane action I could do for that hypocritical puppet princess.

“Then I’ll be off. Let’s meet again sometime.”

“I really hope we meet leisurely next time.”

“That day will come at some point.”

After bidding farewell to Ethan, I crossed the entrance once more.

I transferred the items pilfered from the central temple’s basement to the outside of the South Korean entrance.

“Whoo.”

Following that, I conducted a round of checks to ensure no gate was left open.

Finally emerging from the entrance connected to South Korea, I announced,

“It’s over.”

A swift system message appeared the moment I dared to utter those words.

「The closure of the gateway and entrance is now commencing.」

Had it been waiting only for my return?

Its swift handling of matters was certainly remarkable.

***

“Keeping at this is…”

“However, there doesn’t seem to be any viable…”

“Perhaps today’s meeting is a perfect opportunity…”

In a Korean traditional restaurant, noted for its classical interior, there gathered high-ranking officials from the military and former military-associated congress members.

Their complexions were filled with worry, as they engaged in serious discussion.

Given that their professions, backgrounds, and political foundations—the military—were in a precarious situation, concern was natural.

The message from K stirred considerable waves amidst this.

Assemblyman Jang Yung-kang, the key player behind organizing today’s meeting, quietly sighed within himself amidst the ongoing talks.

“Do they intend to devour us, or genuinely seek cooperation?”

His mind was so preoccupied that he couldn’t recall the last time he got proper sleep.

Meanwhile, the smartphone he was tapping was filling with articles from the Palao Guild.

「(Palao Guild) Reveals World’s First Legendary-tier Item!」

「K’s Bold Announcement! ‘Will be loaned to guild members with qualification and value…’」

「World’s Strongest Guild, Palao—Where does their growth end?」

Even amongst guilds spearheaded by individuals, Palao was the largest.

And with the addition of a legendary-tier item, it was intimidating to think of how strong their influence and power might grow.

Simultaneously, knowing that K, the figure at the core of this intimidating phenomenon, was Korean, evoked a sense of hidden pride and relief.

Amidst the turbulent emotions, upon letting out a sigh…

Hurried footsteps approached, and someone knocked on the door.

The person who appeared was Assemblyman Jang Yung-kang’s secretary.

With a slightly flushed face, he informed the people inside the private room.

“He has arrived.”

K, the individual who orchestrated today’s meeting, had arrived at the restaurant.

Damned System