Chapter 71 – I’ll Tell You Anything! Just Spare My Life!

A full-blown insurrection by the Ability Supremacists and a raid on the Imperial Palace. The resulting destruction of the Sealstone.

The appearance of the Gate, followed by the arrival of demons. Not just one, but three.

Considering all this, it’s fair to call it an unprecedented calamity.

Countless lives could have been lost or ruined. There was a high probability of losing many ability users.

And in the worst-case scenario, the entire Imperial Family could have been assassinated.

If that had happened, the Empire would have spiraled into uncontrollable chaos.

Everything they’d painstakingly held together would have collapsed entirely, ushering in a true hell.

But.

“Could this be called a blessing in disguise?”

Even amidst the half-ruined Imperial Palace, the Emperor couldn’t suppress the smile that cracked across his lips.

First, they managed to contain the situation with less damage than expected.

While the Imperial Palace was hit hard, the capital was relatively untouched, though it came close to disaster. Thankfully, Shabel returned just in time, rampaging through the city and cleaving monsters and insurgents in two.

There was extensive property damage, but relatively few casualties. More importantly, there were *no* fatalities.

The hastily mobilized ability users, the Imperial Knights and soldiers, even the Imperial citizenry – everyone kept their most precious possession: their lives.

Considering the Imperial Palace and the capital were attacked, they got off lightly.

No, beyond getting off lightly, it was like they suffered no damage at all.

Nothing is more important than human life. Losing millions is a worthwhile price if even one life is saved.

This has been the core principle guiding the Imperial Family since the early days of the Gate crisis.

Thanks to it, the Empire weathered this turbulent era without faltering.

‘Secondly, as expected.’

Even amidst this unprecedented threat, the Empire gained a newfound confidence from overcoming it all.

Those fearsome demons, not just one, but a whole three of them, descended upon them.

Yet, less than a day later, it was all over. The demons were… dealt with.

By now, the investigation team must be rushing around like madmen, dissecting every aspect of them.

Hope, that ability to believe in victory, is sharper than any weapon. More potent than any other power.

For humanity lives for tomorrow, fueled by that very hope. Truly, it is a greater gift than anything the Empire has ever gained.

“Your Majesty.”

“You have come.”

Luciel bowed her head respectfully. The Emperor regarded his daughter with a warm gaze.

“I confess, my daughter, I have often found you difficult to understand. Your stubborn insistence on the sword. Your choice to become an Adept, despite your position not demanding it.”

“….”

“But now I comprehend. I see why you chose this path. And I can say with pride, my daughter, that I am truly proud of you. I see now how tirelessly you have striven.”

Just as with Nefertiti, Luciel had no need to become an Adept.

The model of the Imperial family? Nay, one had to consider the collapse of morale should she fall.

That is why the offspring of the high-born are not placed in harm’s way. Not to appear considerate, but because any mishap will bring ruin of some kind.

Yet Luciel stubbornly took up the sword, became an Adept, and marched onto their battlefield.

And the result? She fought the creatures called Demons twice, and returned. A true Adept, possessing invaluable experience.

The Emperor lightly patted Luciel’s shoulder, then asked the question burning within him.

“What is the hero of the Empire doing now?”

“He says he has completed his business, and asks if he may return to his…nest.”

“Hmm. And the distribution of merit hasn’t even begun.”

Undoubtedly, Deus is the most deserving in this affair. None will dispute this.

He single-handedly slaughtered three Demons; to praise another above him would be treason, a betrayal that could fracture the Empire itself, punishable by immediate execution.

Deus likely knows he is owed praise and reward.

Yet he desires to return home, suggesting he has little interest in such things.

“Does this young hero have some other matter occupying his thoughts?”

The Emperor seemed to have sensed something. That his desire to depart so swiftly must be rooted in a powerful reason.

“In truth…”

After a moment’s hesitation, Luciel revealed what she had been authorized to share.

“….”

And a moment later, the Emperor spoke, his voice betraying surprise, bewilderment, and a faint flicker of hope.

“Is such a thing even possible?”

“I cannot say with certainty. But… if I know Deus, he will find a way. And he will achieve what he desires.”

“Hmm.”

The information gleaned from the Demons. They can no longer ascend. To ensure this, we must continue to unleash monsters, as we always have.

But it will not be easy. In the past, they were able to gather energy because we were ignorant. But our world has adapted.

This is precisely why the Demons changed their strategy, and ascended themselves. Monsters alone can no longer spread despair and fear.

They must personally destroy and kill everything anew, to turn this world into a realm of death.

“And Deus shattered that plan with his bare hands, Your Majesty.”

“So the Demons cannot amass energy as they once did.”

“We now know how to fight the monsters, how to close the Gates. We will not willingly surrender to their negative emotions.”

Furthermore, the Empire stands to gain something more from this.

“Your Majesty. Lord Sable Saber has heard.”

“Bid them enter.”

The Chamberlain withdrew, and moments later, a woman with pointed ears approached the Emperor.

“I am Shavel Saber. I come before your Imperial Majesty, rightful ruler and master of the Empire.”

“Welcome. You have endured much. Tell me, is the preparation progressing well?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Those foolish dissidents will now be assailed from all sides, branded as being in league with demons.”

It is just that those with power rule, and those without are ruled.

Those without power would call this an absurdity, but among those with power, some might think, ‘Perhaps it is not so bad?’

And so, collaborators were born, and betrayers emerged. No matter how fiercely they were stamped out, they would not disappear.

Like vermin. Like dust. No matter how thoroughly swept away, their recurrence was beyond even the Empire’s control.

But now, the situation has shifted. A demon has sprung forth from their deeds, and so it can be said that they worship beings who seek to burn this world.

When it is heard that “They do not seek to govern this world, but to burn it all and offer it as tribute,” who, indeed, would take their side?

‘The Empire has gained much indeed. A great debt is owed.’

At first, there was thought to grant Deus, the protagonist in all this, a noble title.

But that would risk reigniting the conflict between ranks, and so it was put aside for the moment.

For now, it is right to quell the remaining unrest and listen to the plan that follows.

“Third Imperial Princess. I have several concerns weighing on my mind.”

“I am listening.”

“First, it was said that the demons must expend something to cross over to this side. If so, we too may have to pay a similar price to cross over.”

“I am aware.”

“Second. If they were to exploit that in reverse, and cross over without any cost at all, it could lead to a catastrophe beyond our current reckoning.”

All of these were quite plausible points. Matters too pressing to dismiss lightly.

And so, Luciel hesitated, unable to give an immediate answer.

“Your Majesty.”

Ethendall, the Guardian General waiting outside, rushed in.

“Forgive my intrusion. Urgent news has just arrived.”

“What is it?”

“A demon has appeared in the Cradle.”

“…?”

The words struck the Emperor, Luciel, and Shavel with visible bewilderment.

Until now, demons had only ever appeared alongside the emergence of gates.

This had been confirmed by Deus, who had encountered and battled demons on three separate occasions, and further corroborated by information gleaned directly from the demons themselves.

Furthermore, there have been no reports of a new gate appearing within the Cradle.

The Seal Stones were replaced with faultless ones long ago, so we received no report that problems could occur.

But a demon has appeared? The Emperor posed a question, a suspicion forming in his mind.

“Have the dissidents stirred trouble once more?”

“That is… it doesn’t seem so.”

“Doesn’t seem so? Guardian General, what do you mean?”

“The truth is…”

With a look of disbelief, Ethendall replied in a voice thick with unease.

“It has disarmed itself, raised both hands, and is requesting surrender.”

A heartbeat. It was only natural that question marks bloomed above the heads of everyone gathered there.