Chapter 92: The Holy Empire #3

Chapter 92: The Holy Empire #3

“Let’s divide the world in half, Michael.”

Sometimes I have thoughts like this.

If two rival competitors join forces, wouldn’t they become invincible?

What if Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola merged?

What if Chamisul and Cheoeum Cheoreom combined?

Of course, if such a thing were to happen in reality, it would likely be met with the iron fist of the law.

Monopolies ultimately do no good for the world. They only serve to line the pockets of the powerful.

However, this is the world of “Nine Stars,” far removed from the reality I lived in.

If Michael and I join hands, there is no one who can stop us. Or, to be precise, no one who can stop us even if they wanted to.

The strongest paladin at the pinnacle of martial power, and a necromancer leading an infinite undead army.

If we form an alliance, becoming the rulers of the world might not be just a dream.

However, there is one snag, and that’s the problem-

“Interesting.”

Michael nodded and said.

“It’s certainly a proposal that piques my interest.”

Could this actually work?

Michael’s reaction was better than I expected.

If Michael were to join hands with me here, there would be no need to consider the aftermath.

The story would simply end here. A happy ending, “The Conspiracy of Two Villains.”

And so, the world fell into the hands of villains. Clap clap.

Perhaps it’s not a happy ending for the people of the world. But that’s none of my concern.

“Michael, I already know your plan anyway. You’re planning to get rid of the Emperor soon and deal with the troublesome ministers, right? I’ll help you. It’ll be much easier if we do it together.”

“⋯You’ve been digging into my affairs quite diligently, I see.”

Michael’s eyebrows twitched. Michael did not deny my words.

Although it was a bombshell statement implying outright treason, it was just the two of us here anyway.

Given that we knew each other’s secrets, he probably didn’t think it mattered much.

“Yes. You have a point. If you and I join hands, everything will be easier. However…”

A sense of foreboding washed over me. Michael looked straight at me, a cold smirk on his face.

“You’re mistaken about one thing. I can become the ruler of this world on my own, without your help. I have no intention of sharing power with you.”

Well, it seems it had to end this way.

This was the only obstacle. If Michael, the party involved, rejected this proposal, everything would go back to square one.

“You’re surprisingly cute, Lich. Should I say naive?”

Michael chuckled, revealing his white teeth.

“You must have been confident in your ability to persuade me with that eloquent tongue of yours, but you were mistaken. I will conquer the entire world with my own strength. You just watch. Just like before, sealed away.”

This means it’s a bust.

I took a step back.

Michael’s movement was faster. Before I could react, Michael grabbed my wrist.

“I don’t know what trick you used last time, but you escaped like a rat. This time will be different. I’ve prepared a more certain seal, so look forward to it.”

There was no way to escape.

I could only mutter in exasperation.

“Ah, fuck.”

***

In the deepest part of the Sun Knights’ underground prison, in the darkness where not a single ray of sunlight touched-

Only a select few in the Empire knew that the Lich was imprisoned under strict surveillance.

Duke Droger of the palace was one of them.

The titles attributed to Droger were long and complex.

One of the nine sages permitted to approach the Emperor’s shoulder and whisper in his ear,

The minister overseeing the Empire’s laws and order,

In addition, the Duke of the Calas territory, the head of the Etiquette and Tradition Research Society-

In any case, all of this combined meant that Droger was one of the most important figures in the Empire.

He possessed power that even Michael found difficult to dismiss lightly.

Therefore, even without Michael’s explicit mention, Droger succeeded in pinpointing the Lich’s whereabouts using his own intelligence network.

“Duke Droger, I apologize, but my Knight Commander ordered that no one be allowed to approach this prison-“

“All criminals in this land are under my jurisdiction. Foolish one. If you have any complaints, tell Michael to come and argue with me directly.”

“Ah- Understood.”

The young knight, unable to hide his awkwardness, opened the door. As a subordinate merely carrying out orders, he was simply perplexed.

Droger clicked his tongue and entered the underground prison. His attendant followed, holding a torch with a worried expression.

The prison was full.

‘They speak of the sun’s grace, yet their actions are truly horrific.’

At a glance, the prisoners’ conditions were dire. Their gaunt bodies were emaciated, and traces of torture were visible.

‘Michael, do you have so many enemies? Are all of them enemies of the Empire?’

Those who opposed Michael often disappeared without a trace.

Droger was convinced that many of them had been secretly eliminated in this underground prison.

Thump, thump-

After walking for a considerable time, they reached the innermost part of the prison. There, a door guarded even more strictly than the others stood.

“Open it.”

The knights exchanged glances, and then, with no other choice, opened the prison door. Droger stepped inside.

“Oh- a visitor?”

A cheerful girl’s voice, unfitting for the gloomy atmosphere of the prison, was heard.

Lich Estel.

Estel was lying on her side on the bed, leisurely trimming her fingernails.

“What, another old man? How boring.”

“⋯Another? Hmm. Has someone else been here before me?”

“Well, yeah- I guess I’m surprisingly popular. They lined up to get my autograph, you know.”

Estel appeared perfectly fine. She seemed to be in good enough condition to make silly jokes.

‘Is that so? Well, there would be no reason to torture her. If the rumors are true, she’s immortal, so she can’t be executed either.’

It would likely be just imprisonment.

Thus, Estel seemed to be spending her time in prison leisurely, without a single scratch.

“I’m Droger. Though I’m a humble servant, I hold the position of Imperial Minister of Justice.”

“Minister of Justice? Wow-“

Estel drew out her words, as if in admiration, or perhaps half-mockingly.

Droger pulled up a chair and sat down.

“I’ll ask directly. Why have you come here? And alone, without your soldiers.”

“Well, why do you think?”

“⋯Answering a question with a question is not good manners.”

“But you’re asking something you already know. I don’t like being tested, you know. If that’s the case, it’s not fun, so could you please leave? I need to finish trimming my nails.”

Estel, having lost interest in Droger, picked up her nail clippers again.

Droger let out a low hum. Estel was right. Droger had already guessed why Estel was here without much difficulty.

‘If the Lich were truly an enemy of the Empire, she would never have come alone to be imprisoned so recklessly.’

What if ‘Hero’ Michael and Estel were in cahoots from the beginning?

If so, many of the suspicious events so far would be naturally explained.

In short, the Empire had been deceived for a long time by their staged play.

‘However, at some point, Michael betrayed the Lich. Yes. He must have done so eventually. Their secret affair was over, and the Lich was sealed… But if the resurrected Lich came seeking an alliance again…’

Droger’s mental calculator whirred intensely.

Although his deduction was somewhat off from the actual facts, it wasn’t entirely wrong either.

“Ah, right. I have something interesting. Would you like to hear it?”

Estel suddenly remembered and took out a small crystal ring from her pocket.

It looked like an ordinary accessory with no special function, which is why it wasn’t confiscated in the prison.

“What is that?”

“You wouldn’t know, as it’s not used in the Empire. A mischievous girl named Carmilla made it. Well- to put it simply, it’s a secret recorder that can record conversations at specific moments.”

“⋯A recorder!”

Droger’s eyes widened. Droger now fully understood what Estel intended.

“You preserved the conversation you had during your private meeting with Michael. Indeed, how cunning. You didn’t come to meet Michael without any ulterior motive…”

“If you’re interested, I can play it for you.”

As Estel pressed a part of the crystal, a small noise was heard, followed by a voice.

One voice was Estel’s, the other was Michael’s.

Droger forgot to swallow and focused intently on the conversation.

-Let’s divide the world in half, Michael.

-Interesting. It’s certainly a proposal that piques my interest.

-I can become the ruler of this world on my own, without your help. I have no intention of sharing power with you.

-I will conquer the entire world with my own strength. You just watch.

“Michael, you wicked brat…!”

Undeniable evidence of treason.

This alone was enough to push Michael to the brink. Droger gritted his teeth.

‘But, wait a minute.’

Droger calmed the heat rising in his head and thought calmly.

Droger wouldn’t be the only one to visit Estel.

Others with intelligence comparable to Droger’s. Powerful figures in the Empire must have also heard this conversation.

However, no one had come forward to accuse Michael.

‘Why?’

The powerful figures in the Empire are not fools. There must be a reason why they haven’t acted.

“You look troubled.”

Estel said, as if it were none of her business.

“Well, isn’t that the problem? Like you, old man, everyone is too weak to be Michael’s opponent. That’s why everyone is hesitating, isn’t it?”

“⋯Kuh.”

Droger could not refute her. Though it was frustrating, Estel was right.

The most powerful weapon that shatters all logic and evidence is strength.

Michael possessed immense power. The ministers were likely hesitant to act rashly due to fear of Michael’s strength.

‘Even if everyone joins forces, the outcome is uncertain. That’s how strong Michael is…’

And soon, Droger reached the same conclusion that the other ministers had already arrived at.

“I see. They decided to use you, Lich.”

Fighting poison with poison.

Using one poison to eliminate another.

To bring down Michael, who had seized control of the Empire, Estel was needed.