Chapter 62 – The Next Incident Area is, Right There

“The safety and future of this Empire rests upon your shoulders. The expectations I place upon you are immense.”

At the Emperor’s words, the four students below bowed deeply.

“Not just you, but all the students of the Cradle. However, duty prevents me from summoning them all to offer my personal encouragement. I trust you will convey my feelings.”

When you return to the Cradle, tell them that the Emperor, the Imperial Family, and this Empire are counting on them. Please, relay that fact well to your classmates, seniors, and juniors.

Truly, these were extraordinary words. Hard to believe they came from the Emperor of the Empire. The students’ shoulders twitched, seemingly taken aback. (Except for Deus.)

“Continue to diligently pursue your studies. Follow closely in the footsteps of your teachers, your seniors and your own aspirations. And may you too become heroes, as those before you have done.”

The Emperor’s commendation was not long. The Imperial position itself was inherently busy, and prolonged audiences with the Emperor were rarely pleasant for the students.

Thus, the Emperor concluded at an appropriate point, offering a benevolent smile as he bid them farewell.

“Junior.”

Luciel sidled closer, gently tugging at Deus’s sleeve.

It was an instruction to wait quietly by her side instead of leaving with the others.

Finally, guided by the Imperial attendants, Nefertiti and the second-year student vacated the room first.

“Your Imperial Majesty.”

“Third Princess.”

The Emperor’s expression softened, wearing not the smile of the ruler of this nation, but that of a father with a daughter.

“The Third Princess, Luciel Margretel, greets her Imperial Father.”

“Welcome, come closer, Luci.”

At the Emperor’s words, Luciel’s lips curved into a smile, and she offered a light greeting.

“I trust Your Majesty has been keeping well?”

“If you were truly concerned about your father’s well-being, perhaps you might visit more often.”

“I believe it’s an improvement over my first year when I only came once a year.”

“Hoh hoh hoh. Yes, that is so.”

The desire was strong, at least while she was at Yoram, to be a student, not the Empire’s princess. Thus, Luciel herself avoided anything that might cast her in that light.

For example, going to the Imperial Palace, or directly inquiring about matters of the Imperial Family.

“I would speak at greater length, but with a guest present, I cannot.”

“Indeed, Your Majesty.”

With those words, Luciel subtly nudged Deus forward.

“This young man, here. Your Majesty.”

“Yes. I knew it the moment I saw him. Without needing his name, I recognized the hero who saved Yoram, the man who fought devils against all odds.”

*He must be pushing seven feet.* The princess beside him looks like a little girl. Thinking this, the Emperor slowly rose to his feet.

And then, descending from his dais, he approached Deus, stopping just before him.

“Deus, was it?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I have much I would speak of with you as well. But I, and you both, appear to be short on time. Is that not so?”

The broad strokes of the story had likely come from Luciel already. Thus, the Emperor had gone to the trouble of arranging this audience.

“Tell me in greater detail. What, precisely, could transpire within this Imperial Palace?”

*

—Swish!

After a chilling gust of wind, a man cautiously raised his head.

He’d succeeded. Fortunate. The situation could not be more ideal.

*There was nowhere to hide, practically. But then, the announcement of students being admitted from Yoram caused a momentary lapse in security. Thanks to that, I managed to sneak in.*

The most powerful are secretive not solely because of their authority.

The more that come and go. The more open it is, the easier it is for an infiltrator to slip through.

They foresee what deeds they might commit and seek to prevent them from the very beginning.

So it was with the Imperial Palace. For years, they had coaxed and pleaded with even the most loyal subjects, holding their families’ lives hostage to turn them to their cause.

Yet the opportunity never presented itself, wasting precious time, manpower, and resources.

Any longer, and the information might leak. The possibility of someone changing their mind loomed.

And so, they were considering watching the situation for a few more months, and if nothing came of it, abandoning the entire plan and starting anew from scratch.

But now, the opportunity had finally arrived. Taking advantage of the sudden influx of people, he had managed to sneak into the very heart of the Empire!

*Even though it is only a handful of us… it is enough. More than enough.*

Assassinate the Emperor? How could that be possible? Not with the Guardian of the Nation standing beside him.

If one could assassinate the Emperor with the Empire’s strongest shield at his side, anyone would have done it.

What he, what his comrades desired was only one thing. And for the new world they dreamed of, there was only one thing that must be done.

“Seals Stones.”

Ordinary people must no longer exist in this world. To be alive at all is to commit a sin.

Why, precisely, should these powerful, super-abled individuals fight, be wounded, and ultimately die for those who can do nothing but sit and be protected?

The strong rule the world. The weak are culled and meet their death—as is right.

Those who cannot accept this simple, unwavering logic may call them super-ability supremacists, or even fanatics and subversives, but it mattered not what they were called.

Why did the devils appear? To wipe away the imbeciles who can only be protected and this world along with them.

And before them, only the super-abled would survive. Becoming stronger, more remarkable, until they are finally the victors, the survivors!

*The location of the Seals Stones is already known. Each of us is keenly aware of what we must do.*

The thought of returning from this place alive does not exist within them.

Only for a new world, and for new rulers, am I willing to sacrifice this body.

“Comrade.”

Another man, cautious, approached and tapped his shoulder.

“Let’s move soon. The guard presence inside the Imperial Palace is being reinforced because of the guests who went in earlier. We must move now to ensure we can proceed with our task when they emerge.”

“Indeed. The time allotted to us is, at most, a scant hour.”

The Empire is not foolish. By now, they may have sensed something amiss.

Especially here, in the heart of the capital, within the Palace itself. They might have discovered a trace.

And. With a high probability. That fearsome woman is already on her way.

“Let’s go.”

“Let us.”

The abilities of these supremacists who have infiltrated the Imperial Palace are all of the ignition type.

And not ordinary flames, but those specializing in extreme explosions.

*

“…Ugh…”

A groan escaped the Emperor’s lips. The Imperial Guardian, Etendahl, who was providing close protection, was likely experiencing a similar reaction, though he tried to suppress it.

“So, your words mean…that by any route, through any process…it is inevitable?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. The emergence of demons is inevitable. Therefore, even if suppressed by human hands, it will not be easily prevented.”

To be precise, that was how the world was designed, so it was unavoidable. Deus was explaining it, however, as best he could, from the perspective of this world’s norms.

“They are targeting…this Imperial Palace.”

“As I have already informed you, the energy demons crave is the negative emotions of sentient beings. Especially fear and chaos, terror and despair, they are the ultimate feast.”

“….”

The Emperor remained silent for a moment after Deus’s words, then turned and walked back to his throne.

He sat down heavily and, after a long sigh, spoke.

“I fought with all my strength, upholding the will of the late Emperor, and had just cautiously begun to hope that the Empire would no longer waver. Why must such a thing occur in my reign?”

“….”

“Or perhaps, is it fortunate? That I can end this with my own hands before my reign ends.”

As if Deus’s prediction was unerring, a message arrived only minutes later.

“…A dispatch has just arrived from the Special Task Force. Several extremists are reported to be heading towards the capital.”

“Your Majesty. Even the Special Task Force could not have uncovered the plans of those who deliberately concealed their intentions. Thus…”

“The likelihood is high that the deed is already underway, wouldn’t you agree?”

As Etendahl and the Emperor exchanged words…

—Kugugu….

Short and faint, but unmistakable. A distinct tremor vibrated through everyone present.

Etendahl immediately moved to the Emperor’s side, and Luciel tensed visibly.

“Your Majesty.”

The Chamberlain rushed to the Emperor’s side, bearing urgent news.

“A massive explosion has just occurred on the outskirts of the Imperial Palace.”

“An accident?”

“That is… I regret to report….”

The Chamberlain, biting his lip and unable to fully hide his somber mood, continued.

“It feels not like an accident, Your Majesty. The vicinity… it is none other than the location of a Sealstone.”

“…So it seems. The predictions of that young hero standing there ring true with unsettling accuracy.”

At the Emperor’s murmur, Deus shifted his weight, drawing closer.

“Though I am but a humble servant, I shall execute whatever command you bestow upon me.”

Unspoken, yet obvious, was the nature of the order he awaited.

“Is there anything you require?”

“Though I am inadequate, I desire to pierce this darkness with my own strength, Your Majesty. However, in preparation for any eventuality, I implore you to keep the Third Princess and the Student Council President of Yorham by your side.”

“It shall be done.”

Nodding, the Emperor lightly clapped Deus on the shoulder.

“Carry out this imperial decree. From this moment forward, exert your utmost to welcome our ‘guest’.”

“Willingly shall I execute it.”

The war god, or perhaps a monster, straightened to his full height.