Chapter 66 – Welcome.

Imperial Guardian Knight, Etendal Lancedorte. He couldn’t hide his despair.

An incident had occurred in the Imperial Palace. Those insolent interlopers had finally crossed the line and infiltrated even this place.

Even if it was just one Sealstone. Even if they’d mobilized all their forces for the sake of just that one thing. Thanks to it, the Empire would all the more be able to blockade even that small possibility.

Even that single act was more than enough to scar the Empire’s pride.

Even if the price they paid was greater than what they gained, it didn’t make the resentment any less.

‘If I had my way, I’d execute these insurgents to the last man, but…’

There might be others out there, seeking to shake this hard-won peace. He also didn’t know when or where the newly emerged demon would appear.

The Imperial Guard, knights, and Imperial-affiliated ability users were already mobilized, but this was no time for complacency.

He couldn’t allow the situation to unfold as they desired. If there were those who fought to kill, then there also needed to be those who fought to protect.

And he was stronger in the latter than the former. He was one who fought by protecting.

For that reason, Etendal stood before the Emperor, leading him to the safest refuge. Until the immediate crisis subsided, the Emperor’s safety was paramount.

The Imperial Palace wasn’t burning, nor had it been conquered. Therefore, he needed to take care of the Emperor more than ever.

“Your expression is not so good, Guardian Knight.”

“…My apologies.”

“There is nothing to worry about. Rather, we can learn all the things the Empire’s enemies have worked so hard to hone from this incident, can’t we? The world is truly a strange thing, for eventually, one must inevitably suffer an attack to better understand how to deal with it.”

Rather, the Emperor seemed resigned, as if this was something that was bound to happen. His voice was unwavering.

He even laughed, saying that things were much better now than during the early days of the Gate, when the Imperial Palace and the capital were attacked every day. He also said that he was enjoying great fortune when compared to his predecessors.

Of course, he knew that the Emperor’s laughter was not genuine. He must be filled with grief and anger inside.

However, because there was a vassal before him. Because there were young ones watching this tragedy from behind.

Incidentally, the Emperor was accompanied by the Third Imperial Princess Luciel and the Duchess Nefertiti.

Normally, it would be right to separate even those two female students. Only the Emperor should be where the Emperor is moving to. Even he, the Guardian Knight, could only fulfill his duty of standing before him and protecting him.

But there was an Imperial command, and more than anything, Deus, that young man, had assured him that he would be of great help. He said that he had made many preparations as well.

“…”

Turning my head, I saw smoke faintly rising not only from the Imperial Palace, but from various parts of the capital.

A somber affair. If a Gate didn’t spontaneously open, then it meant the capital, the very Palace, had been attacked by someone.

Everyone was shedding blood and sweat to save all from those who antagonized this world. Some were left with permanent disabilities, others lost their very lives.

How could it be that the empire’s power couldn’t advance in a single direction, all because of a few discordant, impure elements?

And to think it stemmed from that nonsense about ability-based supremacy. The absurd claim that all who weren’t Awakened were meant to be culled.

If the noble souls who gave their lives until now could hear this, they would weep tears of blood. What, then, did they die to protect?

If they truly prioritized abilities, they shouldn’t have said such things. They were dismissing all the early Awakened as those who simply died in vain.

“…”

Ettendale, who had continued walking, abruptly halted. Without even glancing at the Emperor, he opened his mouth, staring straight ahead.

“Your Majesty, I regret to inform you, but I do not believe I can accompany you any further from here.”

“Guardian General?”

“There is something. It is not entirely impossible to break free, but…if we continue like this, it may very well follow us to your residence. It is best to shake it off here.”

As Ettendale spoke, the knights who had been following behind quickly positioned themselves around the Emperor.

“His Highness the Crown Prince has already been escorted to the other side. Her Majesty the Empress has moved with the other members of the Imperial Family. If only Your Majesty departs, at least this empire will not face a great sorrow.”

“…Wouldn’t it be better if you were by my side?”

“As you know, no one should approach Your Majesty’s residence. We cannot allow those wretched creatures to set foot there.”

What shield waits until the blade is about to pierce its user’s heart before attempting to block it?

A shield is meant to be used beforehand. To protect from danger without risking exposure.

The Emperor, too, knew there was no gain in persisting. As he turned to leave, he briefly looked at Luciel and Nefertiti, who were following behind.

“You two…seem to have no intention of coming.”

“Forgive us, Your Majesty. We wish to face the enemy alongside the Guardian General, however inadequate we may be.”

“I would have wished for you to come with me. But in this situation, any Awakened would refuse such a request. Even if it were an order. It is not the conduct expected of those who have received abilities.”

I will not stop you. I will not hinder you. Just… return with a great accomplishment.

With those words, the Emperor disappeared in the opposite direction, escorted by the remaining knights.

“Tell me honestly, Sir Lansdorrte. You wish I had gone as well, don’t you?”

“What can I do? If even one member of the Imperial Family were to be harmed, I would be the first Guardian General in seven generations to fail to protect them.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”

“And with the Lady Consort there as well. Sigh. Shouldn’t juniors listen to their seniors?”

Luciel tried to lighten the mood, engaging Ettendale in conversation, even for a moment.

But that conversation was soon cut short. A figure was emerging from beyond the smoke.

“Is it here?”

“Yes. It seems so. I knew it would come, but I’m not exactly thrilled.”

Clicking his tongue, Ettendale lightly waved his arm, and a semi-transparent shield materialized.

The technique of the empire’s strongest defensive Awakened. A moving fortress that even that saber could not penetrate.

Since abilities first emerged on this land, there have been many defensive Awakened. The most steadfast among them has held the position of Guardian General for decades.

In that long, arguably lengthy time, Ettendale was considered among the top three Guardian Generals of all time in terms of his abilities.

“I will take all attacks. You two must remain behind me.”

It didn’t matter what kind of training his juniors had received, or what kind of attacks they could unleash.

He would take all attacks. He had received the title of the empire’s shield, so he had to act accordingly. That was the price of bearing the heavy name of Guardian General.

“Wh-what is that?”

Neferti’s discomposure wasn’t without reason.

This wasn’t just any shadow. At first, she’d thought the Emperor, long vanished, had returned.

For who else could appear so lavishly adorned?

“Hail! This great and magnificent being!”

It wasn’t just the adornments. Though clearly a single voice, it felt as if hundreds shouted in unison.

One might think a dignitary of supreme authority had come. Dare she even say it, it was as if he played the part of the Imperial Emperor himself.

“Before me, all insignificant beings shall kneel!”

He rode a steed of blackened smoke, draped in ornaments that blazed with a fervent fire.

Lavish, yes, but not beautiful, not grand. Alien, perhaps, or even… grating, would be more apt.

He proclaimed himself king with a booming voice, yet it rang hollow.

An echo met with no answer. His eyes were already brimming with self-praise. He neither needed nor desired the accolades of others.

“…Is that… are those the ones they call demons?”

“Yes, Sir Lansador. Demons, without a doubt.”

For only that could explain the chill that now permeated the air.

This sensation, she was sure of it. It was the same she’d felt when facing Zagan, the demon who’d appeared at the Cradle.

“Hoh. So it is you. You are to be this great being’s first offering.”

“…”

Her brow furrowed involuntarily. The voice was far too loud, a grating screech like metal upon metal.

The content aimed to depict a king of great dignity, but the aura, the presence, fell leagues short of anything resembling royalty.

“I shall slay you and use your blood to spill even more!”

What a noisy fellow, she mused. Were all demons like this? With that thought, Etendahl slammed his translucent shield deep into the ground before them.

“Not a single attack shall reach these two ladies. Show me, then, the fruits of that hellish training you received from the young hero of the Cradle. Prove why that terrifyingly powerful junior of yours was so certain you’d both rise to the occasion.”

Luciel and Neferti exchanged a smile. Hellish training. Yes, that was precisely what it had been. A relentless torrent of torment.

But it had yielded a reward. Though they were far from proficient, they had succeeded, against all odds, in conjuring something from nothing.

—Shaaa!

Behind the shield, a sword of light coalesced in Luciel’s hand. Thus far, it was the same as before.

But then the sword flickered, shrinking to a dagger, then expanding to the length of a spear, all in the blink of an eye.

“I… I really can’t get used to this,” she murmured.

Beside her, Neferti floated slightly in the air, wrestling for balance.

A powerful wind swirled around her entire body, even forming tiny cyclones.

They were barely taking their first steps, at the very beginning. Normally, they shouldn’t be in this position.

But before them stood the Empire’s most steadfast shield. A solid pillar, preventing them from faltering, even if they wished to.

‘This time… definitely.’

‘A proper… a devastating hit!’

Luciel and Neferti repeated these words, with palpable desperation.

“If our training proves inadequate, then we’ll simply train for a few more months. With me, of course.”

Absolutely not. It wasn’t because Deus’s special training was terrifying, not at all.