The Light General, Sorura Von Lilaine said so coldly that it felt like heâd fall onto the frozen floor. There was even a curtain within this gloomy, dark room, and the secluded Emperor began to murmur to himself.
Sheâd always been cold, but after returning to the surface, she became much more passionate; her voice felt akin to a hot, sharp edge. He knew why. It must be because his loyal subordinate, Arema Steelworker, had died.
To think these two had been in a relationship. Moreover, he didnât think Arema would go so far as to sacrifice himself to save her. To be honest, him dying was only beneficial to him, as Aremaâs body had gone missing, but he wasnât going to tell her that.
âI was suspicious that Seagald had stolen Aremaâs body, forcing him to follow him, but⌠If that were true, then this woman wouldnât have come back alive. He either died, or he was taken by them.â
The Emperor pondered, but Sorura cut him off like a sharp blade.
âThis is the limit. We canât hold it off anymore. We have to do something. Your Majesty, you are personally needed⌠Or you need to send all of the remaining 12 Generals and the remainder of the elite troops.â
âMmmmâŚâ
The Emperor groaned quietly. To be honest, the current situation⌠wasnât good for him. Originally, the Emperor was going to wait for the undead curse to spread to the surface; when his people discovered the existence of the curse and became antsy, he would only then intervene.
He never had any intention of dealing with the source of the curse. Once heâd taken care of the curse, heâd then create a barrier. It was inevitable that the undead and their energy would seep out of the barrier once more, so the people would come to rely on him once more.
âThe situationâs⌠not good.â
âNo, itâs not. Iâm sure youâre already aware. Since your eyes see everything on the surface.â
âLilaine, are you mocking me?â
âYour Majesty, please leave everything to them.â
A new voice said. It was a tuxedo-wearing man, with both hands together and on standby near the curtain.
It was the Spirit Sword General, Kuroin Von Begner. He was the most loyal subject of the Empire and was part of the Four Heavenly Commanders, the Empireâs strongest. He cut his opponents down with his sword, which was hidden in shadow. Thus, he was called the Spirit Sword General and had only become stronger by turning into a Vampire.
âIâm referring to the alliance of religious orders, led by the woman who claims to be Kayâs disciple. Force those unsightly fools into your service, and let them and the ignorant people fight against the undergroundâs undead. Itâs a good chance to shut them all up.â
ââŚHoo, Kuroin. Thatâs impossible.â
Unfortunately, Kuroin wasnât very intelligent. Did his overzealous loyalty damage his brain? Though he didnât particularly like Sorura, he agreed with her nonetheless.
âThe people are far too discontent. Moreover, they have someone they can rely on. It might work if they and the undead destroyed each other, but if they were to win, thenâŚâ
The people would wholeheartedly support the religious orders. No, they were already close to doing so. The âlimitâ that Sorura had mentioned was referring to this.
If the Emperor waited any longer, and he left saving the Empire to Izuna and the religious orders, then⌠it was entirely possible for them to take his people and form an entirely new nation.
âThis is all because of him (Retadane). If he hadnât caused such a commotion on the surface, thenâŚ!â
This mustâve been his goal! Putting the Emperor into a situation where he was forced to intervene or mobilize all of his forces! Thatâs just how much Seagald had wanted revenge.
He felt goosebumps, even though Seagald was a lower level than him. It felt as though there was always a sword beneath his neck. Even now, the Emperor felt uneasy, as he didnât know when Seagald would come for him.
âIf I go, then⌠It would be the perfect spot to assassinate me.â
âEven so, we have no other option. Your Majesty, you just told us yourself that you had to intervene.â
âKeuuuum.â
The Emperor toiled over his choices. Honestly, heâd rather stay here and hide. With double or even triple the soldiers stationed to protect him!
However, that was an unattainable dream. âIfâ, âBy some chanceâ. Those two hypotheticals were just wishful thinking.
âSeagald Von Retadane. Heâs probably still alive.â
âI, too, would like to kill him right away. He canât hide forever. But we canât catch him from in here. We have to go out to do so. And we have to go out to kill him as well.â
ââŚâ
Sorura remarked, as if ignoring the Emperorâs opinions, yet the Emperor couldnât bring himself to say anything. Not only was it the truth, but she was also the last remaining light magician in the Empire.
She was crucial to stopping Seagald. She, too, knew this fact all too well.
âYour Majesty, you donât have to worry about a weakling like him.â
ââŚâ
Jirold Von Enard anguished once more. He knew his hand had been forced. The Emperor thought about how he could get what he wanted without being coerced. Ultimately, he came to a simple conclusion.
âYou go, Kuroin. Kuroin Von Begner.â
It was best to not move exactly as your enemy wished. That policy had always kept the Emperor alive time and time again.
âYour Majesty?â
âYouâll be my stand-in. I canât just leave here. So Iâll leave everything to you. Take the rest of the 12 Generals with you, besides the Light General, and all the elite troops as well. You must perform better than Izuna and her forces.â
For a second, the Emperorâs loyal clansman, Kuroin Von Begner couldnât believe what he was hearing. But he wasnât hearing things. The Emperor had opened the curtain and stared at him seriously. He was confused, but he quickly got on one knee and bowed to him in spite of this.
âI-I understand. I will break Seagald Von Retadane and Jissehanu, and bring them to you no matter what.â
âYou wonât be able to beat Jissehanu. However, he wonât likely be on the front lines. Kill Seagald Von Retadane. Heâs the one keeping the underground afloat, so if you kill him, then Jissehanu will retreat back underground.â
ââŚUnderstood!â
Jirold placed his hand atop Kuroin Von Begnerâs shoulder. The Emperorâs Lightning Bind flowed from his hand into Kuroinâs body, further strengthening him. This act served two purposes: helping him, as well as forcing his loyalty and preventing insubordination.
âSorura Von Lilaine.â
âYes, Your Majesty?â
The Light General looked at the Emperor with unconcealed contempt, yet the Emperor shamelessly gave her an order regardless.
âYou will replace Kuroin as my protector. If, and I mean if, Seagald comes for me during the chaos of the battle, then the only one who can detect him early enough and respond is a light user.â
ââŚAre you forcing me to stay behind?â
âI am essential to the survival of the Empire. If any harm befalls me, then you wonât be safe either.â
Sorura gritted her teeth and shook. The Emperor acknowledged her anger but wasnât going to try to understand it.
âMoreover, thereâs a high chance that Seagald comes for me. Light General, if you truly want revenge on him, then itâs best that you stay by my side.â
âDo you really think he can sneak in when you have so many magic traps set upâŚ?â
âHe went around the Empire eluding even my sight. Do you really think he canât do something more?â
The sound of her teeth grinding could be heard once more. However, the Emperor trusted that she, as one of his clansmen, as well as one affected by Lightning Bind, wouldnât be able to refuse his command!
ââŚI understand. I will do as you say. You disgust me though, so Iâll stay this far away from you.â
âLight General, itâs an honor that the Emperor requires your services, yet you dare toâŚâ
âGet lost already.â
ââŚUgh!â
In response to her rage, her body radiated light mana; Kuroin wouldnât dare approach her and just shrunk back.
Though heâd been strengthened by the Emperor, it didnât matter. It might be different for the Emperor himself, but Kuroin had no way of overcoming the Light Generalâs light. Sorura snorted and said.
âYouâre my stand-in too. Kill all the undead. Make sure they can never tread upon our soil ever again.â
ââŚHmph, I like the sound of that. Then, Your Majesty, Iâll come back after fulfilling your orders.â
âMy loyal friend⌠if you succeed, then I promise to give you a suitable reward.â
âItâs an honor!â
The Spirit Sword General deeply bowed his head, paid his respects to the Emperor once more, and quietly left. The Emperor merely stared at the recently emptied space, but soon closed his eyes and turned his attention to the shaking Sorura.
âIâll give you a chance to get your revenge. I promise you.â
âI wouldâve liked it better if that chance⌠came quicker.â
Sorura said hatefully and seething with rage, and then turned around. The Emperorâs gaze was automatically fixed onto her back.
Her elegantly curved body, having no signs of age, her captivating, flowing hair, and her scent, all of which remained unchanged even after becoming a Vampire, aroused him. However, he wasnât stupid enough to go after a woman whoâd just lost her lover and was filled with malice. Yes, a rose had thorns, but these thorns were filled with poison.
âWhere are you going?â
âI was given an unexpected mission, so I have to go and prepare. âŚSurely you can stay here by yourself for a short while?â
âOf course I can. Return after youâve prepared yourself. 2 hours should be enough, right?â
âHmph.â
She snorted, as if she could see right through him, and left. He wanted to force her onto her knees with his Lightning Bind oh so badly, but for some reason, it didnât work on her. Perhaps it was due to her element. There were so many facets of her that were displeasing to him.
âI should dispose of her once Retadaneâs been dealt with. I can just nurture another light user.â
Sorura, whoâd left the Emperorâs dark room, dusted her body off as if something dirty had gotten onto her. She then rushed over to her residence. Within her bedroom, which only she could enter, a single small bird awaited her.
[How did it go?]
No, it was a golem in the shape of a bird. Moreover, a young womanâs voice came from the golem!
Sorura, as if sheâd done this a few times already, walked over to the bird, or Rem, and⌠smiled elatedly and said.
âThe Emperorâs doing exactly as you said he would. Iâm ready⌠to open the gate whenever.â
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[Thatâs perfect. Weâll take care of the rest.]
âIâll leave the rest to you. âŚHero Izuna.â
[Of course.]
Her voice, coming from the golem, was a bit delicate, but it was unmistakably the vigorous voice of a young woman.
[Since Iâm fighting for the one I love as well.]