Chapter 114
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 114
Chapter Title: Failure Means Rebellion, Success Means Revolution, But Success and Ruin... (6)
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"What a shame. If it weren't for Lord Kane's request, I would've torn your limbs off right then and there."
Lin shot him a sharp glare, and King Orlando flinched, shrinking back in fear.
It was only natural.
She'd seen him try to attack me earlier and got so furious that she really looked ready to kill him.
'I'll freeze you from the fingertips, one by one, and rip them off.'
With unfocused eyes that made it seem like she meant every word, who wouldn't be terrified?
In the end, though, King Orlando didn't die.
Because I asked Lin not to kill him.
He can't die.
He's a guest of His Majesty the Emperor.
The reason I asked her to spare him was simple.
To advance His Majesty's plan of turning the Pacific Kingdom into a de facto vassal state under the pretext of aiding it.
We'd tricked King Orlando into creating a situation where he had to 'request aid from the Carr Empire.'
On the surface, we were helping him reclaim the Pacific Kingdom.
If he suddenly dropped dead, that would be a problem.
It would rob us of the justification to 'save'—no, consume—the kingdom.
So, to ensure he didn't escape no matter what.
Even now, he was practically under arrest, surrounded by Lin, Jenny, and Scarlett.
Of course, preventing his escape was one reason.
"Miss Lin, Miss Jenny, Miss Scarlett. His Majesty the Emperor has issued a special request: Escort King Orlando, as a state guest, all the way to the capital."
"What?! No, what the...?"
The real point was to take these three—and King Orlando with them—to the capital, Carmen.
More precisely, straight to the imperial palace.
In other words, it was a full-on extradition.
"Oh? Really? That's quite the important commission."
"His Majesty won't offer any laughable reward, that's for sure."
"Hahaha! It's been ages since I last visited the capital!"
One might wonder why such a lavish force was needed for an escort.
That was actually one of the goals.
They were all heading to the palace together to officially join the 'Pacific Liberation Force' as mercenaries.
Of course, I was going too.
I'd asked His Majesty to let us come along.
...To be precise, I said I'd accompany them to the Pacific Kingdom.
Then these three insisted on coming with me because it was dangerous, no matter what.
In any case, the purpose of heading to the Pacific Kingdom was to gather intel on the 'demon' or 'one wielding demonic power' who had suddenly conquered an entire kingdom.
In the old days, I might've brushed it off as just another demon incident.
But after what happened in the Mera Federation, it nagged at me.
A demon—or someone using demonic power.
Hiding their identity, manipulating others from the shadows to achieve some grand scheme.
...Isn't that just like the mutant troll lord incident? And the Mera Federation too.
Now that I think about it, yeah.
The mutant troll case was the same.
Someone lurking behind the scenes, implanting demonic energy into the troll lord to mutate it... Could it be connected to the Mera Federation?
Whatever, I'll think about that later.
So, I had a hunch that the mastermind behind the Pacific uprising might be linked to the Mera Federation... or Demon King Kraksus.
Honestly, it was just speculation, and heading to the Pacific Kingdom—swarming with demihumans—was too risky for that alone.
But if His Majesty was personally deploying an army.
He'd surely send overwhelming force to wipe out the demihuman horde.
I could investigate the shadows relatively safely.
And if there was no connection to the Mera Federation or Demon King Kraksus, I could just chalk it up to another demon scheme I'd experienced.
Plus, it wasn't just imperial forces.
The three strongest from the Hasler branch were coming along too.
Honestly, I had zero worries.
"H-Hey! I don't want to go!"
King Orlando tried to resist.
"What did you just say...?"
Shwaaa—
As Lin's eyes lost focus and the air around them chilled.
He immediately shut his mouth.
Yeah, nobody wants to die.
"Don't worry too much. Well... we're not taking your kingdom entirely!"
"......"
Hmm, I meant it as comfort.
But it seemed to hit him like a fatal blow.
Whatever, not my problem.
For now, I should send a message to His Majesty. Mission accomplished.
#
"Yes, take your time coming. I say it again: I will reward you generously. The three who took on the 'state guest escort' as well."
[Understood. Thank you, Your Majesty. See you at the palace tomorrow.]
"Good. Rest now."
Karr 17th ended the communication with Kane and set down the now-dark communication orb.
The group, including Kane who had left Hasler a few days ago, and their 'state guest' under escort, would arrive tomorrow.
"I must prepare for tomorrow."
The emperor recalled what he needed to do.
Preparations to confine—er, accommodate—the state guest.
Preparations for the army heading to the Pacific Kingdom.
And...
"Phew. Lately, things have been... quite busy."
He let out a short, weary sigh.
Leaving the private room adjacent to his office, he returned to the imperial study.
"Welcome back, Your Majesty."
Someone had been waiting in the reception chair. They sprang up and bowed as the emperor entered.
Glittering platinum hair and matching gleaming white plate armor.
An appearance that screamed 'Knight of Light.'
It was the Knight of Light, Mersen Remnant.
"That communication just now... was it Saint—no, Instructor Kane?"
"Indeed. He's on his way to the palace to fulfill my humble request."
"...!!"
Mersen's eyes widened at the words.
'The Saint is coming...!'
Mersen's chest swelled with emotion at the thought of meeting the Saint Kane he revered once more.
But as if that weren't enough.
The emperor continued.
"Hasler's two heroes and Hero Scarlett will be coming too."
"O-Ohhh...!"
The Ice Witch or Goddess's sister aside.
The Goddess Jenny herself was coming.
Mersen's heart surged so intensely he worried about overload and cardiac arrest.
"...Are you alright?"
Karr 17th looked flustered at Mersen, who could barely breathe.
"I-I'm fine."
Mersen barely calmed himself.
He took a deep breath and sat back down.
"Ah, speaking of which, I have a request for you too."
"For me, Your Majesty?"
As Mersen tilted his head, the emperor nodded.
"Mm. It seems a group of demihumans has revolted and seized the Pacific Kingdom."
"...I see."
His face, flushed with excitement moments ago.
Hardened into cold sharpness in an instant.
The moment demihumans—those who had taken demonic power—were mentioned.
'...As expected of the Knight of Light. Even after spending time with Instructor Kane and picking up some odd traits, his core remains unchanged.'
He loathed evil more than anyone and absolutely eradicated it.
A hero closer to the ideal than any other.
To him, even humans who let evil into their hearts and became demon-possessed were targets for purge.
How much more so for demihumans who sold their souls outright for demonic power...
Thus, the emperor could ask without burden.
"Could you join Instructor Kane's group in the 'Pacific Liberation Force'?"
In other words, go purge the demihumans who seized Pacific.
"...Thank you for the offer."
But Mersen's reaction was a bit off.
Normally, his eyes would blaze, and he'd volunteer eagerly.
Especially knowing Kane and Jenny were participating.
Even without demons involved, Mersen would've jumped at the chance to go with them.
Yet.
"I cannot go."
Mersen bit his lip hard, clearly wanting to go desperately.
He wanted to, but couldn't.
Some circumstance prevented it.
"...No way."
The emperor instantly understood.
The reason Mersen, who had been holed up in Hasler lately, returned to the capital alone.
To monitor his father, Parus.
And Mersen didn't stop at watching; he kept probing with questions about lifespan rumors and curses.
The emperor knew this.
So he could guess why Mersen would refuse even purging evil alongside the revered Kane and Jenny.
"...Father asked me to go to the Mera Federation with him. In secret. Tomorrow."
"......"
Yes, that was it.
Parus... to his son.
Another hero like himself.
Was revealing his truth and trying to lead him down his path.
"Tomorrow, I'll go to the Mera Federation and uncover everything—their identity, goals, forces. All of it."
Mersen declared solemnly.
To eradicate an even greater evil.
To help the Saint Kane he revered achieve his ultimate aim.
Mersen was prepared to stake his life on infiltrating the Mera Federation.
"...Be careful."
Karr 17th could say no more.
It was infiltration; no support could be sent.
No aid could be given.
Only...
"Please convey my regards to Instructor Kane and Lady Jenny. Tell them not to worry about me."
"...Understood."
Promising to fulfill that small request was all he could do.