episode_0061

The speech was long, very long.

Though long, the sentences were concise, and despite being a speech, it contained no unnecessary words to provoke the citizens’ emotions. As if the fuel called wrath, ready to ignite dry kindling, was already abundant, the old man, who introduced himself as Cerebus, calmly laid out only information about the current situation.

“The Siege of Numenlora has failed.” He began with those words.

“The infiltration of the city was smoother than expected.” He stated that even though half of the Imperial forces had retreated, there was still enough power with the remaining forces to break through Numenlora. And the story of easily infiltrating the city.

“—And finally, Sword Emperor Orlando fell in battle after fighting the Armies of Death and their two strongest legion commanders.” And the story that Sword Emperor Orlando, after a final bloody battle with the Calamity, was ultimately defeated.

“However, the fates of the other heroes have not been confirmed.” He reported that news from Numenlora was unfolding too rapidly, and proper communication was not possible because all of the Imperial mages were ‘sacrificed’ for large-scale long-distance teleportation magic. Literally, he calmly delivered this extremely shocking yet honest account, stating that even Gram’s spies, who were mixed among the mages, were forcibly taken and ‘sacrificed’.

And finally.

“Children of the Navigator.” He said this.

“Fifty years.” First bringing up the weight of time, he began a speech, a true speech, that stirred the emotions of the citizens for the first time.

“On the day of the Elven Empire’s coronation, the Crown Prince went mad, extracted the Heart of the World Tree, and transformed himself into the Calamity. Numenlora fell, Aurelis Auboroom, the former Eldrad and Golden City, collapsed, and even Illatarion, the First Forest, Crisseldora, the continent’s foremost granary, and Argenna Silva, the Silverwood, gradually fell into their hands.”

Approximately two years. It took a little longer than that for the Elven Empire’s territory to completely fall into the clutches of the Armies of Death.

“Nevertheless, the Prophets stood by and watched their expansion because of a ‘destiny’ that claimed the continent would be destroyed if the Armies of Death were dealt with immediately.” And what was the result? A colossal war that split the continent in half began. Out of nearly 100 nations, a staggering 40 large and small countries were annihilated. Of the remaining half, another half are on the verge of destruction due to the continent ravaged by long wars.

…

“Children of the Navigator—” Your pride has crumbled.

“Your thousand-year Empire has fallen.” Calmly, as if it were something that should have happened naturally, he said this before hundreds of thousands of people.

“Someone will resent us, surely.” Since we overthrew the perfect nation built upon the perfect foundation laid by Feanor, they will resent us.

“But if this Empire were truly perfect, why did it crumble to the likes of us?” We are shadow forces. Even Gram, colossal among us, was a shadow force suppressed by the Empire’s justice, unable to even see the sunlight. We, who couldn’t even raise our heads before the giant that was the Empire, have overthrown the decrepit Empire and seized control of the current Empire.

“Was the Empire you considered perfect so weak that it could be toppled even by small fries like us?”

The Empire was perfect. However, after Feanor’s death, it was no longer perfect.

“There was ample time to eliminate the Calamity.” With the Empire’s overwhelming national power, it was possible. With the Empire’s strength, which was said to be capable of achieving victory against all nations on the continent by itself, it would have been more than enough. But despite having ample time. Despite possessing countless knights and mages who remained legends at the time, led by Orlando, and an immeasurable number of troops.

“The Empire merely stood by and watched the Calamity.” Because of the Prophets’ restraints. Because of a merciless few who possessed foresight, whom you considered omniscient. Even though most of them were not citizens of the Empire, the Empire followed their words and condoned the Calamity.

“What is the perfect Empire you envision!” “Is being swayed like a dog on a leash by those who aren’t even Imperial citizens the most perfect image of the Empire you envision?!” “Is that sight of wandering aimlessly, unable to easily defeat even an enemy that could be easily defeated rationally due to a few hypocrites, the perfect image of the Empire you envision?!” “Is the image of a weak, convictionless Empire, like a loyal hunting dog, the perfect Empire you desire?!” “Do you truly think that the Empire built upon the perfect foundation laid by Feanor should be such a pathetic state as this?!”

Thud— He leaned his hands on the railing and spread his arms high into the sky.

“Our Empire was originally meant to be the most perfect nation!” “It was the Empire that built perfect cities, developed perfect ports and trade routes, and possessed a perfect administrative system, along with the highest level of education and culture on the continent! It was our Empire that possessed the highest level of military strength, the most talented individuals, and inherited the most legacies from the greatest golden age!” “Then why should the Empire, which should have been the greatest, be swayed by mere slaves of fate who only possessed foresight, who aren’t even Imperial citizens! And why did the Imperial Family and Impurity give them the leash to control the Empire?!” “As long as this Empire, founded by Feanor, the symbol of fate, belongs to its citizens, the master of fate should also belong to the Empire! Then why should you be swayed by mere slaves of fate?!” “Do you still think the current Empire is right?!” “Do you still think those slaves of fate are justice?!” “Even though you saw your kin being brutally dragged to the battlefield for 50 years, even though you sacrificed your most precious things, do you truly believe these incompetent individuals, who failed to achieve victory, are worthy of being served?!!” “Do you still believe in their useless foresight, which led to defeat even though they kept all heroes alive as their ‘fate’ dictated for the subjugation of the Calamity!!!” “Even though all heroes lived, fate was wrong, and their foresight, which couldn’t even foresee the birth of the Calamity, was revealed to be trash!” “How long will you keep betting the continent’s existence on foresight?!” “The era when the continent’s fate was swayed by foresight has ended!” “The current reality, reached at the end of their guidance, must now be directly acknowledged and rebuilt from scratch!”

The grand plaza remained silent except for his voice, but in the eyes of the heroes, one could see the emotions contained within their gaze. The citizens wanted to unleash their wrath. They wished for the downfall of the Empire that had taken their kin and brought disappointing results, and wished for a new Empire and era, rebuilt from the atrocities of the Prophets that had accumulated over a long time. They wanted a world where Imperial citizens reigned as masters of fate, not an era where fate dictated everything, as Cerebus had said.

What they desired were grand and extremely difficult things, but Cerebus spoke with unwavering eyes, as if fearless.

“You might think we are not qualified to represent you, because we are part of the shadow forces opposed to justice!” “But consider! Among us Gram and those who falsely claim justice, who were truly the ones who took what was yours?!” “To oppose twisted justice, we became shadows, and now that the time has come, we have revealed our true intentions, showing what kind of justice we pursue.” “Now it is your turn to step forward and answer my sincerity!”

Creak— Rumble—

The colossal gates of the Imperial Palace opened, and Black Knights in thick armor appeared. And in front of the Imperial citizens, who were enraged but still hesitated to support them because they were shadow forces.

Thud— “Ugh…!” The Prophets, including the Consuls, who had been captured during the coup. And. “Release me! What is the meaning of this?!” The old Emperor, restrained, was thrown before the Imperial citizens gathered in the grand plaza.

“Have you ever seen such worthless wretches! Let go of this at once! Yes, you commoners there, quickly restore my palace for me! What are you doing? The Imperial Palace gates are open, aren’t they!”

The saying that the Empire’s foundation was strong didn’t just mean its overall societal system was robust. Thanks to the unique succession structure influenced by the Prophets, while never entirely free from the Prophets’ influence, only competent individuals ever became Emperor. The current Emperor, like previous ones, also understood very well how public sentiment flowed. If one were to ask why the Emperor uttered such outrageous remarks before the enraged Imperial citizens, it was because his mind had been shattered by immense stress from old age and the shock of the coup, and a special drug created by Fulcanelli and the [Witch]. Yes. To sway the citizens who hesitated until the very end, the Emperor had been deliberately made senile. And naturally, as Cerebus intended, to them, who had never seen the Emperor up close like this, they could only assume the Emperor before them was behaving as he normally would. “…” At the same time, they felt immense disappointment in their Emperor, to the extent that they threw away even the slightest loyalty they had held until the very end for the Shahlnu Imperial Family.

As if he wouldn’t miss the opportunity, Cerebus continued.

“You might think we are not qualified to represent you.” “But look at the Emperor.” “Despite taking away the precious sons and daughters of the Empire for war, far from apologizing for his own incompetence, that shameless appearance of looking down on you as commoners—do you think this is the kind of Emperor worthy of your loyalty?” “Probably not.” “So, I ask again.” “Do you still think we, as shadow forces, are not qualified to falsely claim justice?” “Do you still wish to live a cowardly life, bowing your heads beneath the incompetent Emperor and Prophets, instead of us?”

The madness began then. —Kill them all!!!! —Those dog-like hypocritical bastards!! —My son died because of those bastards!!!!

The enraged crowds, without exception, rushed forward to assault the Prophets and the Emperor. In an instant, the grand plaza was stained with chaos, and Cerebus wore a satisfied smile as he watched.

“It seems we’ve gained enough public sentiment, so my long and tedious speech is finally over.” Thud. Thud.

“It’s almost dinner time. How about we all have a meal together? There’s so much to discuss for the future, I hope the heroes will also attend.”

Cerebus had made an offer to the heroes, but from the heroes’ perspective, his words didn’t sound like a suggestion.

…

Dozens of Black Knights and mages scattered around. And the old man named Sargon, called the Judge. And even two unidentified individuals beside Creator Cerebus. Especially since the knight in golden armor, who treated Kara like a child, was one of the two, the heroes could only nod obediently.

Seeing this, Cerebus said, “Good.” He gave his characteristic hollow smile and led them.

“Follow me. I will treat you to the finest feast.”

Gram’s key figures and the heroes of the Shahlnu Stellarum Knights, symbols of justice. An uncomfortable gathering that seemed impossible to form was created, and the heroes headed to the banquet hall Cerebus had prepared.