Chapter 13: Shut That Mouth

“How?”

At the Emperor’s single question, the noble was momentarily speechless.

“That needs further research…”

“Next!”

The Emperor immediately cut him off. A suggestion without a method is worse than none. Anyone can talk. Several more suggestions were made, but none were particularly useful.

“Your Majesty, must we really go to war with the Euclo Kingdom, which has never been conquered?”

A highly annoying and trivial voice came from the left side of the table. If only they would just shut their mouths. The nobles on the left nodded in agreement, seemingly criticizing the Emperor.

How ridiculous.

At least the nobles on the right used their heads, but those on the left made him want to sweep them away. They were just wasting the taxes collected from the people. Such elements exist everywhere, but having them right before his eyes made the Emperor’s stomach churn.

Kuro, sitting at the very front on the left, had a different thought. The nobles on the left supported him, while those on the right were on the Emperor’s side. He was already calculating how many more would join his side, imagining he was already the Emperor.

“Your Majesty, I believe it is wiser to focus on the Divine Beast rather than unification now.”

Finally, a dangerous bomb was dropped from the left.

It was a deliberate statement, but Kuro had no reason to be surprised. It came from Duke Santino’s mouth, after all. Instead, he appreciated Duke Santino for scratching the most itching spot.

“Only six months remain. The Divine Beast is more important than war. To preserve the Emperor’s position.”

“That’s right. We are very anxious right now.”

“Is there any sign of the Divine Beast manifesting? I’ve heard rumors…”

As Duke Santino launched the initial attack, other nobles joined in, crossing the line further. Their audacity was astounding.

Then, Duke Santino delivered the final blow.

“Your Majesty, what’s the point of unifying the continent if you lose the throne? How will you endure the agony of handing over the empire to the next Emperor?”

Swoosh.

The meeting room fell silent, not even a breath could be heard. Everyone froze, unable to move, not even their eyes, terrified by the Emperor’s presence.

Duke Santino, who had been speaking, was the worst off. His lips trembled, unable to blink because of the Emperor’s terrifying glare.

The Emperor’s Divine Sword flew menacingly, its sharp tip nearly touching Duke Santino’s right eye, hovering in the air. Even a slight movement, or if the tip moved just a bit, would result in a gruesome death. If it passed through, Duke Santino’s head would split open, leading to an instant, horrific death.

“Your Majesty… what is…”

“Shut up!”

A fool with no sense. Speaking at such a moment. Kuro, rushing to save his top supporter, looked utterly ridiculous.

“It seems everyone has forgotten who I am.”

The Emperor’s eerie voice plunged them into terrifying fear.

“It sounded like you were asking me to kill you just now. Wasn’t it, Duke Santino?”

Duke Santino was not in his right mind. He couldn’t answer, couldn’t even blink, fearing that if he did, he would be stabbed by the sword tip and die. His eyes were strained, and red blood vessels burst in his white sclera.

The air seemed to have been sucked out, making it hard for the other nobles to breathe, as if the sword tip was at their own eyes.

Sweat dripped down Duke Santino’s forehead, running down his neck. Even without the sword tip piercing him, he felt like he would stop breathing. His vision turned white, and his face turned pale as if all the blood had drained from his body, teetering on the edge of life and death.

“Move aside. There’s someone else to die in your place!”

As soon as the Emperor’s terrifying voice fell, Duke Santino mustered his last strength to move his head aside.

Whoosh!

The sword, barely missing Duke Santino’s ear, flew towards the closed door, emitting a blue flame.

Boom.

The Emperor’s Divine Sword shattered the massive door with a loud noise and flew outside.

Aaaah!!!!!

A horrific scream echoed from outside the meeting room, followed by a thud. The smell of blood wafted into the room, causing several to gag.

Duke Santino foamed at the mouth and fainted.

Swoosh.

The sound of the Divine Sword returning made everyone tremble, their hands and feet shaking.

Hovering in the air, the Divine Sword, dripping with bright red blood, slowly approached the Emperor. It buzzed and stopped before him, looking like a loyal servant awaiting the next command. The Emperor, with eyes glowing red, slowly reached out and grasped the sword.

“Finding and eliminating the rats planted in the palace one by one could be quite entertaining.”

The Emperor’s red eyes were fixed on Kuro.

Kuro had no courage to act in such a situation. He could only bow his head in deference.

The Emperor, satisfied with the changed atmosphere, slowly sheathed his Divine Sword. No one would dare speak out of turn again. They seemed to have forgotten why he was called the mad, bloodthirsty Emperor, but killing one of their planted spies was just the beginning.

How dare they plant spies in the palace! Such insolence!

Though his Divine Beast hadn’t manifested yet, the current Emperor was still Kalik.

Kalik, leaving the devastated meeting room behind, headed to the courtyard for fresh air.

Dein, following the Emperor, briefly glanced at the busy scene of removing the dead knight. Such men still existed in the palace. That knight had tried to steal military secrets. He deserved death. This incident would prevent the rats from running rampant.

Dein watched as Anton quickly prepared the black horse for the Emperor. It seemed he intended to go for a ride. Hoping everything would turn out well, Dein bowed his head to see the Emperor off.

***

I am the Empress.

I hold the second-highest position after the Emperor.

I must think about what I can do with this position, not just about the harm it brings.

To act as the mistress of this palace…

Bellita, quietly closing her eyes in her room, was self-suggesting. 

Like an Empress… like an Empress…

“Empress, Empress. Have you heard the news?”

A maid burst into the room, disrupting Bellita’s meditation. Her brow furrowed. Such noisy news was rarely good.

“His Majesty has beheaded another knight. The smell of blood is said to be overwhelming in the palace. I advise you not to go that way today.”

Ah.

Beheaded?

The memory of that day resurfaced, and Bellita clenched her trembling hands on her lap. Showing agitation in front of the maid was unbecoming of an Empress. She took deep breaths to calm her trembling hands without the maid noticing.

Once she calmed down, she noticed the maid’s overly excited expression. Her name was Liza, a talkative and always bustling maid.

Her fawning expression was extremely irritating. It was the typical look of someone trying to curry favor. 

What was so exciting about such a horrific event? 

Recognizing this attitude, Bellita threw a wary glance and reminded herself that she was the Empress.

Liza found it strange that the Empress showed no reaction. She used to be delighted, mocking the mad Emperor, but now she just frowned and stared coldly. She decided to say something the Empress would like more.

“They say the Emperor pierced his neck with the sword again. Blood was everywhere. Just another innocent knight dead. Why does he kill so easily…”

“Enough!”

“What?”

Liza foolishly asked again, not expecting the Empress’s response. She had only spoken as usual, but the Empress’s reaction was unprecedented. The harsh reprimand made the Empress seem like a different person.

“I said enough. Who told you to question me?”

Liza immediately shut her mouth. The Empress had always favored her for delivering such news, but this was the first time she had been scolded so harshly. It felt like being brutally cast aside. Liza’s eyes welled up with tears, not understanding why the Empress was being so harsh.

“Madam… I just thought… it would make you happy…”

“Shut that mouth.”

The Empress’s cold, blue topaz eyes pierced Liza.

“A person died. Why is that good news?”

“Well… because His Majesty killed someone… I thought it would make you happy…”

Though it might have been so before, it was no longer the case. She needed to make it clear that she had changed.

“From now on, there will be no joy in such events. So, do not speak carelessly.”