episode_0027

The Emperor Lecan of the Kareldean Empire.

Despite the countless people dying in the war he had started, the man pursued alcohol and women. His women were mainly composed of holy maidens.

Emperor Lecan often spoke about how only superior maidens, excluding the defective ones, were suitable for him as they were chosen by the gods.

Some knights and officials harbored great dissatisfaction with the emperor’s dissolute lifestyle, but there was nothing they could do. This was the empire. The emperor was nothing less than the nation’s deity. With his absolute power, he systematically executed those who dared to advise him.

“You say we shouldn’t wage war anymore? By what authority do you dare utter such words?”

Despite the unrest among the people due to the war, the country’s economy being in shambles, and soldiers dying in droves, Emperor Lecan disregarded it all and continued the war.

By plundering resources from other countries, exploiting labor, and even stealing resources, the war allowed the leadership of the Kareldean Empire to lead an even more prosperous life. Even if some soldiers were thrown away, they could conscript citizens from occupied territories to produce more soldiers, effectively creating a cycle of economic growth.

That’s how Emperor Lecan saw it. He believed it was his right. It was natural for the weak to be exploited, and as someone born as nobility chosen by the gods, he believed he had the right to enjoy everything.

Until now, every battle had gone in his favor, supporting his perspective. The number of occupied countries was hard to count, and this time, it was a crucial opportunity to swallow up the Phibron Empire in one go.

In fact, the news of allies’ victories on several battlefields had been resounding, so it was predicted that the fall of the Phibron Empire would not take long. However…

“Th… the Phibron… the Phibron Empire’s guys… monsters… monsters…”

One of the knights urgently shouted. When the emperor permitted his approach, the man hurriedly came forward.

“Get out of here.”

Emperor Lecan pushed aside the maiden who had been clinging to him and asked the knight:

“Your name, and your report.”

At that moment, the commander of the knights almost distorted his expression. He had come to report the situation several times, but the emperor Lecan couldn’t even remember his name. Perhaps it was because he heard the report when he was heavily intoxicated.

The man did not show any discomfort. Even if emotions were revealed in his expression, he knew exactly what would happen to him at that moment.

“I am Knight Commander Pedre. I have come to inform you of a serious problem on the battlefield, which I believe Your Majesty must be made aware of.”

“What problem?”

The emperor did not hide his irritation. His hands and gaze were directed towards an exquisite goblet of untouched liquor. If the matter was not important enough to disturb the drinking session, he vowed to kill the fellow named Pedre.

But the news that reached him was something even Emperor Lecan could not help but find interesting.

“A slaughterer has appeared on the battlefield.”

“A slaughterer?”

“According to the report, it is said that a person exists in the Phibron Empire who has slaughtered over 500 knights and mages with a single hand.”

“Hmm…”

The emperor pondered as he tilted his goblet. But then he muttered shortly after.

“Just making a fuss over a mere 500 people. The soldiers of the Kareldean Empire must number far more. If the numbers are lacking, gather and kill. If that’s not possible, capture civilians and threaten them.”

“That… that may not be feasible. It is said that with each person killed, this opponent absorbs strength into a mysterious orb…”

“If the opponent is a mage, can’t we respond with our own mages?”

“There were reports that they also handle swords…”

Emperor Lecan began to openly distort his expression. It was because the man was increasingly uttering nonsensical words.

“Did you see it yourself?”

“I didn’t see it myself, but I heard the report.”

“You’re saying that someone who has killed over 500 people single-handedly, mastering both magic and swordsmanship, exists in the Phibron Empire? Are you sure you understand what you’re saying?”

“Yes… yes, I do.”

“I’ll ask you again. Do you think what you’re saying makes sense?”

The emperor thought it was unbelievable. If the Phibron Empire really had such a monster, there would have been no reason to deploy it at this late stage in the battle.

If they had wanted to minimize damage, it would have been more advantageous to demand a ceasefire negotiation early in the war and use the so-called “slaughterer” as a bargaining chip. But now, with a significant portion of their forces already killed and the border breached, why rush to deploy troops?

Even the most foolish emperor wouldn’t be so naive as to believe that statement outright.

“The ones who failed their mission lied.”

The emperor’s conclusion was simple.

The person referred to as the “slaughterer” was a fabrication created by defeated knights on the battlefield. Fearing punishment for losing substantial forces without any achievement, they made false reports.

“It’s absurd to think about it again. How much did they take me for a fool?”

Emperor Lecan walked towards Pidre, sword in hand. Pidre realized what the emperor intended and desperately shouted,

“It’s not a lie! I saw countless blood and corpses on the scene! Your Majesty, you must listen to me. The one called the slaughterer was not something our forces could handle. Even now, we should consider the ceasefire treaty that the Phibron Empire previously requested…”

Thud

Blood spilled from the loyalist’s mouth as his body and face were separated. The maidens behind him, fearing even a scream, covered their mouths.

Emperor Lecan spoke as he wiped his bloodied sword as if cleaning it.

“Lowly men have always created fabrications to hide their incompetence. Ghosts and other nonsensical things like that. Isn’t that right?”

The emperor asked the maidens, but they were too frightened to answer. Perhaps they feared dying like the man who had fallen to the ground.

“Answer me. Do you think I am right?”

“Y-Yes.”

“Your Majesty’s words are correct.”

The reluctant maidens trembled in fear as they catered to the emperor’s whim. The emperor, as if his interest had waned, threw his sword and questioned the silent imperial knight commander, Bripenn, standing beside him.

“Bripenn, what do you think?”

“Your Majesty is correct.”

Only then did the emperor sit back down and drink.

“Your Majesty, I will take care of it.”

“Fine, it’s unsightly, so get rid of it.”

Imperial knight commander Bripenn carried the man’s body on his back and went outside. He took the body to a prepared space in the nearby cemetery and instructed those around to bury it.

He briefly gathered his hands and prayed. May a courageous young man not be born in this empire next time.

He briefly reminisced. Pheedray was a dedicated knight. He ordered the knight next to him.

“Tell Pheedray’s family that he died in battle. Provide them with sufficient funds as compensation and find a house in the rear of the battlefield to relocate them to a safe place.”

“Is… Is that alright? He was someone executed by Your Majesty… If this gets out, it could cause a big problem.”

“If there’s a problem, I’ll take responsibility.”

“…Understood.”

After a brief recovery, Bripenn blankly looked up at the sky. Tonight, for some reason, the brilliant starlight seemed resentful.

“This place, even ideals become a luxury for the weak.”

Bripenn briefly mourned the man and returned to the palace. He saw the emperor heavily intoxicated.

Bripenn despaired.

He did not believe in God.

If the goddess Luasta existed, she should have taken that man’s life first. Even if a god existed, the god had abandoned the Kareldean Empire.

Under an incompetent leader, the Kareldean Empire would endlessly repeat its misdeeds.

Helpless despite witnessing the deaths of his subordinates, it was a frustrating night.

— — —

Leaving the battlefield full of corpses and heading towards the territory of the Phebron Empire.

Choi Ye-bin continued to be on guard, but there didn’t seem to be any emotional issues. Well, Choi Ye-bin had experienced many similar situations in the novel she had possessed, so it was somewhat natural. However, the saintess next to her, Plimia, was different.

Her pupils were dilated, her hands trembled like leaves in the wind, especially when she saw the bodies of the Imperial Knights of Kaorelden; she would fall into fear at what was so frightening.

“Is it trauma?”

Plimia, who had almost met a tragic end despite her sacrifice for her country, seemed afraid of everything.

“They are the dead. There’s no need to be afraid.”

Plimia fell silent for a moment and then spoke.

“The Administrator said it was necessary, but… I’m just too scared. What if the people from the Phibron Empire betray us like Galad?”

McDarras scanned those around him and nodded.

“Tekelomon, the commander of the knights, that honest man wouldn’t do such a despicable thing. It wouldn’t be good for them to make enemies out of us in the first place.”

“I believe in Commander Tekelomon too… but clearly, I am their enemy. Especially if it’s the Administrator, I used to be a saintess of the Kaorelden Empire… I’m afraid… afraid that the same thing might happen again…”

Trembling with fear, the saintess stood still. I quietly took her trembling hand. The girl’s hand was so cold.

Plimia looked at me in surprise.

“Just until you feel calm.”

But her trembling did not stop. Her eyes kept darting to the many soldiers surrounding her. Her wandering eyes met mine.

How could there be someone so pitiful? She dedicated herself to her country, sacrificed everything for them, yet her life had fallen into ruin.

When I saw the post she uploaded on the community under the nickname “holly trust,” I honestly decided to come here out of curiosity.

However, for some reason now, I didn’t want to ignore her. I wanted to prove with my own hands that God does not betray and show that miracles happen if you earnestly wish for them.

“Don’t worry. Even if some people attack us.”

I quietly said while holding one of Flimia’s hands.

“I will protect you.”

Only then did the trembling in Flimia’s hand stop. She clasped my hand with her other hand.

“I believe you. You already helped me escape from hell once.”

As we were talking, the voice of Tekelomann, the commander of the knights, was heard.

“We have arrived.”

We had arrived at the imperial palace of the Phivron Empire. The plan had already been finalized. Every calculation on how to utilize the military power of the Phivron Empire had been completed.

The perspective is about how to negotiate with them.

The real war begins now.