episode_0032

Next to the imperial palace of the Kaelonden Empire, a grand party was taking place in the emperor’s massive villa.

The emperor, who had been busy frolicking with the maidens, seemed to have felt bored with his lifestyle, as he had invited a large number of high-ranking officials to the party. Of course, this was not just an impulsive action due to boredom. The excuse of irritation with mundane life was to some extent valid, but in reality, it was for the psychological stability of the officials.

Strange rumors have been heard recently. It is said that about 500 knights and wizards near the border were defeated by a single person, which is unbelievable.

Emperor Lecan immediately executed the man who spread such false rumors. It was only natural. If there had been such a monster in the Phibron Empire, it would have been sensible to deploy troops to the battlefield before the damage became severe.

“He must have made up such foolish lies to hide their incompetence and the embarrassment of being caught off guard.”

Emperor Lecan thought so. Incompetent people always find excuses, and this incident was no different from the usual excuses.

The man did not believe in the slayer. However, at the same time, he was not without anxiety. Rumors had spread that a merciless slayer was killing numerous people on the battlefield. Most of it was baseless hearsay, but there were also a few who claimed to have witnessed the slayer on the battlefield.

Those who claimed to have seen the slayer asserted:

His sword was so fast that it seemed invisible, and it could cut down all living beings at a distance. Furthermore, it was said that his magic instantly dyed the barren land with blood. Some high-ranking officials were genuinely anxious about such news, and even the knights on the battlefield hesitated to go to the forefront, fearing the reputation of the slayer.

“These fools.”

It seemed extremely incompetent in the eyes of the emperor to create a fearful existence and be afraid after just one defeat on the battlefield. However, the fact that this fear was affecting the officials was not a good thing.

Even the nobles possess the forces of individuals who have not yet been deployed to the battlefield, and they have abundant land and capital. If the nobles were to inexplicably unite and incite a riot against their enemies, an irreversible situation would occur.

In the powerful and authoritarian Kael’thas Empire, even the thought of inciting a riot against the enemy seems unlikely, but fear has a way of paralyzing human reason. Therefore, the emperor summoned all key figures to his villa. What the emperor wanted was to train them.

Despite the gathering of many people, the vast villa remained spacious.

As time passed and almost everyone had gathered, Emperor Lekan ascended a grand podium and captured the attention of those present. Slowly, he began to speak the thoughts he had carefully considered.

“Welcome everyone to this chaotic war, to this grand party. Many seem curious about the current state of this war, so I thought I’d share some news and host this grand party. How is it? I wonder if everyone is pleased.”

As the emperor finished speaking, numerous officials responded in loud voices, all maintaining their composure at once.

“We are honored to be in your presence, Your Majesty!”

“It is a great pleasure to be at such a grand party.”

“To be invited to such a sacred space during these tumultuous times, we could not ask for more.”

The greedy officials, eager to impress Emperor Lekan, nodded to someone and cheered, reaching out their hands.

The Emperor of the Kael’thas Empire instructed the Royal Knight Commander Bripenn, “Bripenn, broadcast a visual report of the battlefield situation.”

As soon as the emperor finished speaking, a map began to materialize on the wide wall through magical means.

It was none other than a top-secret military document recording the current battlefield situation—a comprehensive map of the area.

Those who roughly knew what was contained in the map immediately covered their eyes or bowed their heads to the ground.

Whether voluntary or involuntary, the mere knowledge of crucial military secrets often led to assassination. Even acquiring information was feared. However, the Emperor, seemingly aware of their concerns, laughed carelessly and shouted, “Do not worry, everyone. Would I gather such valuable people just to do something unnecessary? I simply wish to share news of the prevailing Karelidan Empire’s victories with you. I hope you all raise your heads and verify these documents.”

The Emperor’s words were not a suggestion but a command. Not a single person in that space was unaware of it. As soon as Le’kan Emperor spoke, everyone looked at the military secret documents. They detailed the Karelidan Empire’s deployment in various battlefields, the number of personnel involved, the casualties, and the extent of the enemy’s losses.

Most importantly, it clearly showed the current concentration of forces. Over a million troops were currently amassed in the central region. The overwhelming numerical strength still remaining, and the records of victory displayed on each battlefield, instantly erased their anxiety.

People looked at the situation map and exclaimed, “Once again, we realize there is no one who can match the great foresight of our esteemed Emperor! We are overwhelmed by this remarkable achievement, being able to serve faithfully under the great sovereign. We can only be grateful, again and again!”

As a man excessively shouted, praising the Le’kan Emperor, the Emperor gestured as if satisfied.

“When the Phebron Empire’s occupation ends, make sure to grant suitable land to the author,” the Le’kan Emperor told the Imperial Knight Commander Bripenn. Bripenn bowed and replied, “Understood.”

The chosen man, now honored by the Emperor, knelt on the ground, disregarding the surrounding gazes, and shouted, “I am utterly grateful, Your Majesty! Even if I die now, I have no regrets!”

Silence fell…

Commander of the Imperial Knights, Bripenn, bit his teeth and hurriedly bowed his head. He was afraid that his expression of distress might be seen by Emperor Lecan or others. The taste of bitter blood was felt in his mouth.

“Disgusting bastards.”

Many knights died in the war. It wasn’t as many as the knights of the Phebron Empire, but the casualties of the Kareldean Empire were by no means a small number. But how are they behaving?

In places where the Emperor’s eyes did not reach, the sound of bureaucrats each clamoring reached Bripenn’s ears.

“It’s amazing. There is even a battlefield where just 500 deaths killed over 2000 enemy forces. Indeed, our Kareldean Empire is undoubtedly favored by the goddess Ruasta.”

They calculated the lives of soldiers as mere numbers and then calculated profit and loss. As if they didn’t possess lives like their own, but were nothing more than expendable goods.

Nausea welled up. Despite countless knights dying in a war unjustly started, these foolish people who were pleased to have killed more enemies, and further, for the sake of land grabbing after occupation, wanted to crush the disgusting mouths of those who threw insults at the Emperor.

Bripenn, Commander of the Imperial Knights of the Kareldean Empire. He bowed his head to hide his expression, but he couldn’t conceal his trembling.

Finally, despite calling several times, the Emperor approached Bripenn, who was trembling with anger without a response, and tapped his shoulder before whispering in his ear.

“Bripenn. You seem to be forgetting, so let me remind you. Only the imperial direct saint can cure your younger sister’s incurable disease. She’s receiving treatment regularly now, so she’s barely holding onto her life, but don’t forget that I could change my mind at any time and kill the imperial direct saint, causing your sister to suffer terrible agony and die.”

“…I understand.”

Emperor Lecan kicked Bripenn’s shin without being seen by others and scolded him as if dealing with a bug.

“The fact that a mere swordsman with slightly better skills is making a fuss is truly peculiar. You, who are nothing more than a lowly fellow, pretending to be noble on your own, are truly repulsive.”

The emperor spoke quietly to him, as if brushing off dirt from the sole of his shoe.

“Do you think you’re any different from those beasts over there, spouting nonsense? In the end, they all prioritize their own interests. That’s why I like foolish humans. Regardless of their beliefs, ultimately, humans have a desire to protect what is precious to them, whether it’s money, people, or something else, which makes them easy to manipulate.”

Uncharacteristically, the Lecan Emperor poured out many words to Bripenn. This was because Bripenn was the emperor’s greatest insurance.

Bripenn possessed formidable strength that set him apart from ordinary knights and monsters. Initially, he was difficult for the emperor to control due to his fatal flaw of also holding useless beliefs, but after learning that only the imperial saint could cure his younger sister’s illness, he became a restraint that the emperor could use to control him.

“If you dare to do anything foolish during the war, I will kill your sister immediately. So, wipe that expression off your face. If this happens again, I will never remain silent either.”

Upon hearing this, Bripenn raised his head and smiled brightly.

“I would never do anything to harm Your Majesty, would I? My expression just twisted because I’m not feeling well.”

Despite Bripenn’s empty smile and trembling body, the Lecan Emperor paid no further attention. It was enough. Regardless of his true intentions, it didn’t matter. As long as he was a sword that could be wielded at will, his inner thoughts were irrelevant.

Bripenn checked the battlefield map once again.

The situation on the battlefield was stable.

“It’s going as planned.”

On the battlefield, soldiers of the Kaorelden Empire were killing numerous soldiers of the Pibron Empire. By revealing the battlefield map to his officials, the emperor indirectly conveyed his message.

“The battlefield is sufficiently advantageous. Therefore, do not believe rumors about unnecessary slaughter, and do not engage in futile actions.”

They once again regained control over the increasingly erratic behavior of Bripenn. Everything was going smoothly. Everything was going too smoothly.

The Emperor celebrated victory in advance, smelling the fragrance of exquisite wine on the round table. This was because the enemy forces that had fled to the central region were rapidly diminishing.

“Well, everyone, let’s raise our glasses while looking at the battlefield map. The foolish people of the Bripenn Empire rushed into the central region without even knowing their own territory and decided to engage us in a full-scale battle. The result is as you see. Even now, the knights of the Bripenn Empire are dying countless deaths, while our forces of the Kaorelden Empire remain intact.”

The Emperor savored the aroma of the wine, took a sip, and shouted again.

“After the despicable Bripenn Empire is destroyed, we will absorb all their manpower, resources, and anything else of value. If resources become abundant, I will ensure that the officials who have contributed greatly on the battlefield receive generous rewards.”

The officials began to talk to the attendants and knights who had followed them immediately. They were probably preparing to deploy the hidden remaining forces onto the battlefield. The collapse of the Bripenn Empire was already an established fact, so they intended to maximize their contribution by deploying their forces to the tilting battlefield and receiving as much credit as possible until the end.

Whether it was true or not, the Emperor rotated the glass filled with bright red wine in his hand, took a sip, and shouted.

“Everyone, laugh, shout, and enjoy the party. For the downfall of the Bripenn Empire and the eternal prosperity of the Kaorelden Empire!”

“For the Empire!”

“For the Empire!”

“For the great Emperor!”

People echoed, celebrating the early victory. However…

“What’s that? It’s strange…”

The map showing the real-time situation on the battlefield. The points on the map being displayed on the screen began to disappear, especially the green dots representing allies were vanishing rapidly.

“Has there been an error?”

“You’re talking nonsense. An error on the battlefield map?”

“But look! Those points keep disappearing!”

Only now did those who had failed to grasp the situation turn their eyes to the map. A green dot representing over a million troops. The nauseating number of green dots that filled the map was disappearing in real time, as if succumbing to a colossal disaster.

And it wasn’t just that. Around the palace, the loud wail of sirens echoed madly. The magically amplified sound began to spread as if it would tear eardrums apart.

[Invasion defense system activated. The forward defense line of the Kareldean Empire has been completely destroyed. Highest level emergency situation declared. Repeating. Enemy forces have invaded the territory of the Kareldean Empire. Evacuate immediately while the invasion defense system is activated…]

Evidence unfolding before their eyes. Sounds heard with their own ears. The basis for judgment was scarce, but their trust was strong.

“R… Run away…”

“Run!”

“Stop! Where do you think is safe…!”

“Get out of here! I will survive, I refuse to die like this!”

High-ranking officials began to flee outside. Their actions might warrant immediate execution if reprimanded by the Emperor later, but they chose to flee. Well, in this situation, worrying about immediate death was more important than future consequences.

In the paralyzed auxiliary building, the Emperor, unable to even respond, stared blankly at the map and muttered.

“It can’t be… In just one hour, all those troops are dead…?”

In an instant, a single word disturbed his mind.

[Massacre]

A razor-sharp blade was drawn across the throat of the man who was convinced that not even a god could kill him.