Chapter 828
Chapter 828
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 828
Chapter Title: The Tyrant for You
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“This is the perfect chance to let the Grand Inquisitor know. I possess supernatural powers.”
“...Supernatural powers.... Yes, I am aware, Your Majesty. It is only natural, given that Your Imperial Majesty wields the power of the Holy Grail.”
“I'm not talking about telekinesis. It's a different supernatural power.”
“......What kind of supernatural power might that be?”
“It's called the Insight Technique.”
The Grand Inquisitor's expression was one of skepticism. It was only natural—he'd never heard the term "Insight Technique" before in his life.
“You seem unfamiliar with it. Let me explain the Insight Technique, so wash your ears and listen closely.”
“I shall listen attentively.”
“The Insight Technique is the supernatural power that lets me see myself, see my opponents, and see the world. In other words, I can see through everything. I can pierce through those harboring treasonous thoughts, and even demons masquerading as humans are plain as day in my eyes.”
“......”
“Why can't you believe it? Don't forget that I have taken the power of the Holy Grail.”
“I-I believe it, Your Majesty. Your supernatural power is truly remarkable.”
“Let me see... The Grand Inquisitor... Ah, yes. You're doing splendidly. Your loyalty toward me is most impressive.”
“......”
The Grand Inquisitor fell silent. From his wary glance, it seemed he'd seen through my bluff. But he didn't dare contradict me. Not unless he had a death wish.
“Grand Inquisitor. Through my Insight Technique, I see that this woman is no witch. We cannot execute an innocent subject... Release her.”
“...As you command. However, the magical tool indicated that she is a witch.”
“You little... Grand Inquisitor.”
“I deem it necessary to summon her to the imperial palace for further investigation.”
“How clever of you, Grand Inquisitor. I like your handling of this. I shall personally verify whether she is a witch or not.”
The Grand Inquisitor ordered his men to release the woman. A magic circle was etched onto her wrists—a spell to prevent witches from using magic.
The commoners erupted in dissatisfied clamor. I shot them a glare laced with killing intent, and they clamped their mouths shut, averting their eyes.
“Your Majesty. May we begin the executions?”
I scanned the witches once more. No beauties caught my eye.
“Executions...”
“Your Majesty!”
One of the bound witches interrupted me.
“Your Majesty! I am not a witch! Please spare me! I am most certainly not a witch!”
Having seen me spare the other woman, she cried out in hope.
“I have no demonic organs in my body! Please check once more! I am innocent!”
Her plea was so earnest that the commoners began to murmur. Tch. I clicked my tongue. These stupid medieval peasants—swayed by mere words like that.
“Grand Inquisitor. Explain.”
“She has no demonic organs, but she is the daughter of a witch.”
I looked at the witch's face again.
It resembled a toad. Revolting. My brow furrowed involuntarily. Definitely a witch.
“Through my Insight Technique, I see that this wench is undoubtedly an evil witch. Carry out the sentence.”
The Grand Inquisitor echoed my command.
“Carry out the sentence!”
Flames erupted around the wooden stakes.
The witches' screams filled the grand plaza. The louder the screams rose, the more fervently the subjects cheered. Witches, born with mana unlike ordinary folk, burned for a good long while.
Eventually, the fires died out, and ashes scattered on the wind.
I rose from my throne.
“Hear me, subjects of the Empire.”
My mana-infused voice carried to every corner of the capital. All eyes turned to me.
“Today, Bellacarose Province was ravaged by the Archwitch. She hurled curses upon me and the Empire. This is a declaration of war from Witch Island.”
I surveyed the surroundings. The grand plaza bore the scars of the Archwitch's assault everywhere—clear signs of destruction. The subjects clenched their fists at the sight.
“Here and now, before you all, I swear this oath. I shall capture every witch in this world and purify them in fire. I swear it upon my name, Eugene Bellacarose.”
“Waaaaah!”
The subjects roared in cheers. They knew I was a tyrant, yet they rejoiced. As expected—when there's internal strife, divert their gaze outward. No wonder Japan keeps picking fights with Korea.
I continued.
“In the name of the Emperor, I declare a witch hunt. Those who slay a witch and bring her corpse shall receive 300 gold, and those who capture one alive shall receive a bounty of 3,000 gold.”
The commoners' eyes widened like saucers. The Grand Inquisitor and knights around me were equally stunned.
For reference, a family of four commoners lives on 1 gold per month. 300 gold is enough to live idly for 20 years, and 3,000 gold could sustain three generations. Capturing just one witch alive would change your fate.
Adventurers, mercenaries, and slave hunters would go mad hunting witches. I specified capture alive because there might be beauties among them. It'd be a shame to kill a stunner.
“Y-Your Majesty. The bounty seems excessively high...”
The Grand Inquisitor voiced his concern.
“It's fine. We can just print more money.”
“...Printing money.... Is that even possible?”
“Raise taxes. Then the money effectively multiplies.”
“......”
???
I sat upon the jade throne.
Before me stood the Prime Minister, the Grand General, the High Priestess, and the Court Mage. I had stripped bare in front of them all.
All eyes turned to the elderly man in a blue robe and white beard.
He was Roderick Sidraige, the current lord of the Magic Tower and Court Mage. With a tense expression, he addressed me.
“The Archwitch... offered her own life as sacrifice to curse Your Majesty. The lake's blessing couldn't ward it off because of that. However, the blessing is suppressing the curse. For the time being, at least, there's no need to worry about it.”
“As I thought. Is there a way to lift it?”
“......No.”
“Are you joking right now, Court Mage? Do you want me dead from this curse that badly?”
My eyebrow twitched. Sensing my displeasure, Roderick panicked, his beard quivering.
“No! This curse was staked with her very soul! The Archwitch's magical prowess surpasses mine! And curses are her specialty! No mage—not even I—can dispel it!”
It didn't sound like a lie. I turned to High Priestess Penelope.
“High Priestess. Dispel the curse. Divine power should handle it if it's potent enough.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The High Priestess approached me. Holy light emanated from her body. She extended both hands forward, gathering holy power above her palms. She directed it toward the part of me flickering with the curse.
The holy power fizzled out.
“......”
“W-What is this.... Let me try again.”
The same result. Her holy power couldn't touch the curse.
Tch.
Acting on my rage had yielded an unexpected gain. Sweet.
My mood improved, and I turned to the Grand General.
“Luteon.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Do you know of the Derreng Barony?”
“......Isn't it located in the southern reaches of the Empire?”
“Correct. I've heard rumors that the Derreng Baron's daughter is a stunning beauty. I intend to verify that myself. I sent a letter to the baron a week ago, but he claims she's too ill to enter the capital. Go with the army and bring her here.”
“......Shall I personally lead the army?”
“On the way, there's a village called Arvego. Apparently, a merchant there dares to use a name like mine. It irks me—wipe them all out.”
“Your Majesty. Forgive me, but massacring a village for such a reason will breed resentment among the imperial subjects.”
“Ah, I forgot to mention. Through my Insight Technique, I see that village plotting rebellion. Nip it in the bud. Uproot the seeds of treason entirely. And as you know, bring back any beauties you find.”
“......”
“Do you have objections?”
“I shall obey the imperial command.”
Luteon left the hall.
One remained.
“Prime Minister.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“This empire is mine.”
“...Indeed it is, Your Majesty.”
“Thus, the empire's lands are naturally mine as well. Yet there are scoundrels living on my land who refuse to pay taxes. And plenty of them.”
“...Your Majesty. Surely not.... No, that cannot be! Please reconsider!”
The Prime Minister's face paled. He dropped to his knees, bowing his head.
“Collect taxes from the nobles.”
“All the nobles of the empire will rise in revolt!”
“And if they do, what changes?”
I regarded the Prime Minister impassively. He broke out in cold sweat, his cracked lips trembling.
“...What tax rate did you have in mind?”
“60%.”
“...Please make it 20%. Do not forget that the nobles are also subjects of Your Imperial Majesty.”
“Fair enough. 30%.”
The rate could be raised gradually anyway.
“...Many nobles will not accept it. Especially the Grand Duke of the barren north...”
“The north is beset by snow year-round and raging blizzards, isn't it? If the northern Grand Duke voices discontent, I shall personally bestow mercy upon the north. It'll warm up to about 6,000 degrees.”
“Please show mercy.”
“This is an imperial decree. Do as commanded.”
“...I shall uphold the imperial decree.”
“Oh, and bring the black mages.”
The Prime Minister startled again. He swallowed hard.
“Your Majesty. They are criminals who violated the taboo. Vile wretches not worth associating with—please retract the command!”
“As of today, black mages are no longer criminals. Inform the subjects that imperial law has changed.”
“Please consider the positions of the Heavenly Church and the Magic Tower. The imperial palace needs their power. Especially the Heavenly Church, one of the empire's foundations.”
“Prime Minister. The empire's sole foundation is one: me. Don't forget that.”
“...I am deeply ashamed.”
???
Onyx Deovart and the other black mages followed the Royal Guard through the imperial palace. The imperial palace lived up to its fame in splendor. Over six grand palaces were visible alone. They headed to the innermost one, the heart of it all.
Onyx pulled his hood low—a habit from his youth. As leader of the Black Magic Society, he couldn't openly show his face, branded public enemy number one. Not until a week ago, anyway.
In other nations, perhaps not, but in the empire, black mages were no longer criminals. Though the stares were still hostile, they no longer faced bounty hunters or guards chasing them down.
Onyx's hand trembled as he gripped his hood. Joy mingled with fear. The current emperor was infamous as a tyrant. This could be a trap.
Unfamiliar footsteps joined the rhythm at Onyx's ear. He glanced up subtly, staring ahead. Coming from the opposite direction were robed mages striding confidently—the Magic Tower mages. They scowled at the sight of the black mages.
“For filthy gutter rats to crawl into the palace... These are the end times.”
“......”
Onyx glared at the white-bearded elder, Magic Tower Lord Roderick, with steely eyes.
The Royal Guard clicked his tongue.
“Lord Roderick. These are guests of His Imperial Majesty. Mind your words.”
“How desperate must I be to stoop to this? What is His Majesty thinking... with such lowly vermin.”
“Lord Roderick. Shall I report this conduct to His Majesty right now?”
Roderick flinched. Forgetting decorum, he bowed to the Royal Guard.
“M-My apologies. I got carried away. Please keep this from His Majesty...”
“Hoo. The throne room is ahead. Mind your conduct.”
The Royal Guard turned aside, exchanging brief words with the guards at the Great Hall's entrance. He opened the doors to the Great Hall, where the emperor and jade throne awaited.
“Your Imperial Majesty! Mages from the Magic Tower and Black Magic Society seek audience!”
Onyx gasped at the sight inside the Great Hall.