The Imperial City obediently opened the gate to us. Perhaps the defeat of the sacred beast made them realize that resistance was futile. The rest is probably because they realized that a human was leading the skeleton army. Well, I said that because I have confirmed that there were soldiers glancing at us from the outer wall of the city. In other words, inviting us in was also an sign of their willingness to have a discussion.
If the opponent is a magical beast, communication is useless. However, if the opponent is a human, it is a different story. It is not surprising to think that if negotiations are done well, the damage can be minimized.
“Katakata”
When the skeletons entered the Imperial City, they look into the silent city and their jaws clatter. The windows and doors of the houses, which were larger than the buildings in the kingdom, were closed, and the residents inside held their breath as they peered outside through a small gap. I wasn’t expecting a grand welcome but I still felt like a bad guy when I saw them this frightened.
……No, I am probably the most evil person in this kingdom. I was the one who killed their sacred beast after all.
Five rows of skeletons marched down the main street of the Imperial City. They were in sync, and the sound of their footsteps had a steady rhythm. I am in the lead. Suketarou is behind me, followed by Sukejiro and ten corps commanders.
“That’s the palace huh.”
The Imperial Palace is reflected in my field of view. In the center of the Imperial City, a palace built of colored stone towered over a vast site. On its outer wall were numerous stone statues in the shape of dragons overlooking the castle town. If you just look at the castle, it’s really impressive. However, I had a bad feeling when I think of the emperor inside the palace.
To begin with, as for why I came to the Imperial Capital? Well, it is already clear that this war was waged because of the Emperor’s decision. In that case, the only way to bring the war to an end is to force the emperor to admit defeat. Now, the question is whether the emperor who condones an invasion can so easily admit defeat. Therefore, I thought that I should create a situation in which the emperor would have no choice but to accept defeat.
First, the victory of the Allied forces. Second, the subjugation of the sacred beast. Third, the siege of the Imperial City by the skeleton army. Either that or by occupying the interior. When these are accomplished, the defeat of the Empire will be conclusive and the emperor will surely give up his dream of hegemony. Well, that’s what I thought.
However, now that I am looking at the Imperial Palace, I feel a strange uneasiness in my heart. Perhaps I misunderstood Emperor Dragnil. I don’t want to think so, but if it that’s the case, the worst is possible.
“………Got to be prepared for the worst huh.”
Now that we’ve come this far, there’s no turning back. We’ve already done enough. All I have to do is make the emperor promise to never touch the kingdom again.
I then led the skeletons into the Imperial Palace.
◇◇◇
It was quiet inside the Imperial Palace.
It’s not popular but the luxurious interior is eye-catching. I instructed the skeleton army to stand by and decided to go ahead with Suketarou in tow.
“Hii!?”
As we walked inside the castle, a woman, who is a maid I guess, saw us and hurriedly closed the door. When I listened closely, I can hear whispering voices coming from somewhere. All they are saying is that this kingdom is done for.
It’s not like I’m trying to destroy it though. I am just trying to have a negotiation to prevent another war from happening. Well, the skeleton army certainly has too much impact. It would not be surprising if the residents of this kingdom misunderstood.
“Katakata”
Suketarou is staring intently at the vase displayed in the hallway. It was a stately porcelain vase.
“Do you want it?”
“Katakata”
Suketarou says that he wants to put the vase in the tea room. It’s certainly a vase that would fit in a tea room, but storing it in the bangle right here would be a complete act of looting.
“Give it up. I have no intention of looting.”
“Katakata”
Suketarou feel depressed. I feel sorry for him, maybe I can look for a similar vase in the kingdom. I don’t dislike pottery either. As we walk down the aisle, I found a staircase leading to the top. We went upstairs in search of the Emperor, and soon, we found a door that looked like it.
“The emperor should be ahead. Are you ready?”
“Katakata”
Suketarou patted his chest and his jaw clattered as if he to say he is always ready. I plan to make a negotiation but just in case, we have to be prepared for a fight. My experience from observing the dragoneuts had told me to do so.
I placed both of my hand on the large door and began to push it with force. The door opens with a heavy creak and the other side that should be there is reflected in my field of view.
“It’s a throne room huh…”
I opened the door fully and then I stepped inside the room. The ceiling and walls were decorated with gold and the floor seemed to be made of marble. In addition to that, a red carpet was laid from the door to the front, the final stop was on an old stone throne.
There is a person sitting in the chair. He is nearly four meters tall. He has a slicked back purple hair and horns grow from the side of his head. He has a dandy and handsome look. His beard accentuated his dignity and he even exuded a calm atmosphere. The moment I saw the crown on his head, I am certain that the man in front is the emperor.
“Are you the Emperor?”
“…………”
The man refuses to answer my question. On the contrary, he was looking at me blankly with his chin resting on his hands.
“Katakata”
Suketarou moved to draw his sword. I immediately stopped him with the back of my hand.
“Don’t get involve in this. You should move back for a minute.”
Suketarou bows and leaves the room. Now that it’s just me and the emperor, we can have a discussion. I called out to the emperor again.
“My name is Shinichi Tanaka, an adventurer in the kingdom. I have come all the way to the Imperial City to talk to you directly.”
“…………”
“The battle has already ended in victory of the Allied forces. The sacred beast, Doran, who protects the Empire, has also been defeated by me earlier. There’s no escape for you now. I encourage you to be honest and admit defeat.”
“…………”
The emperor refuses to reply to my words.
Was he still in shock?
However, it doesn’t look like it. It is more like he is thinking about something than in a state of absent-mindedness. Besides, the Emperor is also observing me closely.
I then wait for the Emperor’s words.
“I should have put the kingdom on the back after all huh. It’s an error in my judgment.”
While muttering, Emperor Dragnil rose from his throne. His waist is equipped with a sword, and he gently pulls it out. There was a pleasant sound, and a pure white sword emerged from its scabbard.
I immediately used the analysis skill on his sword.
| 【Analysis Result: Doran’s Fang Sword: A holy sword created from the fangs of the sacred beast, Doran. The blade of the sword has a hidden holy attribute and it has a sharp edge that cuts through rock like butter. Rarity: SS, Overall Ability:–】 |
It is interesting that a part of a sacred beast is used as weapons. The Bull King sword I’m currently using is pretty good but I think it’s safe to assume that his sword is better than that.
The emperor drew his sword so I also drew mine just in case. However, the talk isn’t over yet. I don’t know what the other side intends to do, but since we have common language, I should try to persuade him. I didn’t really come to fight the Emperor after all.
“I’m not trying to destroy the Empire. I just want to stop the war. There should be no more sacrifices in the empire or in the five kingdom.”
The emperor narrowed his eyes at my words and snorted with laughter.
“Tanaka right? Where are you employed? The kingdom? Then I’ll give you a hundred times that amount. I’ll give you status, money and women as much as you want.”
“I didn’t come here to talk about such things. Didn’t I just say that I’m here to stop war?”
“With such an army of magical beasts, it would be easy to take down all the kingdoms. I really like your power. On this occasion, I’ll just close my eyes even if you say you’re a human.”
“I said, I came to stop the war…”
I can’t hold a conversation. The emperor is not listening to my words. The reason why he invited me inside the Imperial City was to draw me to his side. He doesn’t have a shred of consciousness that he is being cornered. This is the worst situation. What I feared is becoming a reality.
“Now, let me hear your answer. Will you be my subordinate?”
“I refuse. I have no intention of being a subordinate of anyone.”
“You’re declining the invitation huh… Then, I’ll make that army my own!”
The Emperor moved so rapidly that an afterimage can be seen. He got close me in a flash and he swept his sword sideways. I reflexively dodged the slash and jumped backwards to get some distance. It was a frighteningly fast attack. If I hadn’t done it right, I might have died from that blow.
“I am the Emperor of dragoneuts. You better discard the illusion that you can win.”
“I’ll refuse that too. I’m not that weak that I’ll raise the white flag right away you see.”
While exchanging words, I peeked into the status of the emperor.
| 【Analysis Report: Balam Dragnil: Emperor of the Estent Empire. Since he was a child, he has dreamed of world domination by the dragoneuts. He will not compromise on the sacrifices he makes to achieve it. Rarity: SS, Overall Ability: SS】 |
| 【Status】 Name: Balam Dragnil Age: 67 years old Race: Emperor Dragoneut Occupation: Emperor Magic Attribute: Fire Magic: Fireball, Fire Arrow, Flame Bomb Skills: Emperor’s Vessel, Dragon Transformation ▹Special: Dragon Beheading Slash, Self-regeneration ▹Advanced: Fang Strengthening, Dictatorship ▹Intermediate: Appraisal, Sword Emperor Technique, Awakening, Suppression, Great Dragon Breath ▹Beginner: Limit Breakthrough Evolution: Conditions not met <Evolution Condition:Sword Emperor Technique (Special Grade), Limit Breakthrough (Special Grade), Awakening (Special Grade), Self-Regeneration (Special Grade) > |
He said he was the Emperor of Dragoneuts, that was exactly right. I get the impression that he is living as an emperor to the core of his bones. Moreover, when I looked at his skills, they were all powerful. This means that he is not just sitting on a throne.
“Let’s continue.”
The Emperor rushes forward again at rapid acceleration. He unleashed a slash. I round up from the bottom and attacks. A high-pitched sound echoed in the throne room and sparks flew between our swords. Neither me nor the Emperor retreated a step as our swords crossed.
“For a small human, looks like you can do well huh.”
“Well, it’s funny that as a big guy, you’re just as powerful as me.”
“Don’t you think you’re being careless? Inferior specie!”
The emperor’s sword began to rapidly push against mine. As expected, our physical difference is a variable. In that case…
I used my skill, Paralyzing Eyes.
“Uh!-, this-.…”
As soon as his strength weakened, I flipped up the emperor’s sword in one go and then I slashed his body diagonally from above. The blade cut deep into his skin, delivering a decisive blow. Blood gushes out from his wound and it spreads on the floor eventually forming a pool of blood.
“Guu…………”
The emperor fell to one knee on the floor. It seems like my blow was quite effective as expected.
“If you admit defeat, I’ll spare your life. But in return, you’re going to give up your ambitions.”
“Kuu-… Kuhahahaha!!!”
The Emperor burst out laughing as he tore off the clothes he was wearing. With his upper body exposed, I realized why he was laughing. There’s no wound nor scar at all. It disappeared without a trace.
“No way! That recovery is too fast!”
“No matter what kind of wound it is, my Self-regeneration skill can heal it in seconds. I couldn’t help but laugh at your ridiculous words.”
The Emperor raises his sword again as if nothing had happened.
That Self-regeneration skill is beyond my imagination. I am beyond surprised at the efficacy of healing such a wound so easily. I even felt fear. I hadn’t paid attention to it before, but it seemed to be a ridiculous skill.
“Now then, I’ll land the blow this time.”
“What—?”
My right arm fell to the floor. At that moment, a large amount of blood gushes out from the cut area then an intense pain strikes me over.
“Guggaaaaaa!!!”
“Hey, looks like you have let your guard down when we are apart.”
Alarm bell rang in my head. It’s the skill, danger prediction. The previous attack can be seen as an attack that even my skill could not react to.
How did he do it? How did he attack me?
When I looked at him, he didn’t move a single step from that spot. In other words, it should be considered an invisible attack. Moreover, it has a wide range.
“Guu-… u-!… Haaa–haaaa-… I see, it’s the Dragon Beheading Slash…”
While holding the cut wound, I told the emperor the true nature of his attack.
Dragon Beheading Slash is a skill that creates long invisible blades. Its sharpness depends on the source of the sword, but it can definitely be a powerful skill if the conditions are right. In other words, he just severed my arm with an invisible blade.
“Are you satisfied that you know the answer? Then you can make it a souvenir to the underworld!”
The emperor then slashed his sword at me.
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.
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