Chapter 86
Chapter 86
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 86
Chapter Title: On the Palm - 2
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As I hesitated for a moment before answering, the Emperor quietly spoke up.
“The lord of Dronor, Count Achain de Hoffman, has always been the most powerful noble in the south. As you know, he’s a descendant of the hero from one of the Four Heroes’ parties.”
“...”
“The moment he raised his voice, he strangely became the focal point.”
“What exactly is he trying to do?”
“He formally submitted a petition to me. He asked for the Knights of Light to be dispatched to Hasfil territory for a thorough investigation. And if that’s refused, he threatened to send his own investigative team.”
The Emperor rubbed his forehead there.
“Normally, we’d investigate even without a petition. But I know better than to meddle carelessly in the affairs of heroes.”
“Is that part of the imperial family’s education too?”
“Indeed. Heroes exist beyond the recognition of mere humans. An Emperor’s duty ends at providing maximum support without hindering their path.”
He looked straight at me then.
“So, can I have your answer? Convincing Count Achain of Dronor.”
“...”
“Think of it as a quest from me.”
I studied the Emperor carefully.
I could roughly guess his ulterior motives, but that didn’t mean his words lacked merit.
If I wanted to become the true hero, I needed to make my name known not just in the north, but in the south as well.
And the first step toward that was clear.
-Erase Kaild’s influence.
For that goal, convincing the lord of Dronor—the loudest voice praising Kaild in the south—was necessary.
But.
‘First, I need to settle things with this ant.’
I couldn’t focus on what needed doing with my nape itching like this.
I nodded first.
“I understand, Your Majesty.”
“Oh? Accepting the quest?”
“Yes. It feels like the Empire’s splitting between me and Kaild against my will. Division isn’t what we need right now.”
“I think so too.”
“Exactly. All humanity must join hands.”
I added one more thing there.
“With me at the center.”
The Emperor’s expression grew peculiar.
That night.
Serein received an extremely secretive summons.
When she’d commissioned Kaild’s assassination, the Emperor had given her a code phrase.
If anyone recited it, she was to take it as a message from the Emperor himself.
Just moments ago, an inn servant had brought a simple night snack as “service” and recited the code right before leaving.
Followed by a brief message... or order.
“Please come to the ‘Moonlit Night’ inn by 11 p.m. tonight.”
“Wow. You’ve even bought off the staff at a plain inn like this? How much do they pay you?”
“...Anyway, I’ve delivered the message. That’s all.”
The servant left.
Serein headed to the meeting place on time.
She saw an inn that seemed utterly shabby for the Emperor to visit.
There was only one guest.
Serein sat across from the waiting Emperor and spoke first.
“Is it safe to wander alone like this? The world’s a harsh place.”
“There are guardians watching over me from the shadows. You’re a hero yourself—didn’t you notice?”
“Our party has clear strengths and weaknesses.”
“Our party... So you’ve abandoned Kaild for Maide, I see.”
“That’s a harsh way to put it. I could say I’ve acknowledged Maide as the true hero.”
“You’re not driven by a sense of duty, but by your own goals, aren’t you?”
Serein smirked.
“Right. And that’s exactly why I joined Maide’s party.”
“Did he promise to strip you of your priestess role using his hero’s prestige? If he’s as I imagine...”
“No. He just said to handle it myself.”
“As expected. So my commission still stands?”
Serein delayed her answer briefly.
True, Maide hadn’t promised to use his hero’s authority to remove her from the priesthood.
Instead, he’d offered to invest a fortune when she started her potion business.
It seemed like a ridiculous promise, lighter than anything from the Emperor or Kaild.
Yet strangely, it shook Serein’s heart far more.
Of course, she didn’t voice any of that and gave a different response.
“Well. With even the Black Sun knights in the mix, do you still believe the Demon King won’t descend? Just because no oracle has come?”
“Indeed. Oracles are absolute directives.”
“To me, it feels like you’re deliberately ignoring the truth.”
“I know you’re free-spirited and sometimes insolent, but mind your words.”
“...”
“Let’s get to the point.”
The Emperor leaned toward Serein.
“You’ve probably guessed it already, but I’d like you to kill Maide.”
“You’re dropping Kaild now?”
“A few southern territories are making noise, but on the continental scale, the tide has turned. Kaild can’t make a comeback. But...”
“That means Maide’s reputation has risen that much.”
“Yes. That fraud could turn his blade on the Empire if he wanted.”
Serein let out a deep sigh.
“Maide won’t do that. His lifelong goal is to retire and live comfortably.”
“I wish I were naive enough to believe that.”
“Anyway, I refuse.”
“...”
“Don’t contact me again. I won’t ask you for my wish either.”
The Emperor’s face hardened.
He growled lowly as he continued.
“Are you sure about that?”
“Sure about what?”
“You know who’s protecting your parents.”
“...!”
“One word from me, and their heads roll. With their titles stripped, it’s not much of a political burden anyway.”
Serein desperately suppressed her trembling expression.
But it didn’t fool the seasoned Emperor.
“As I thought, you’re worried. Amazing, considering how they abused you.”
“That’s cowardly.”
“You can’t sit in this seat with just fairness. You forced me to resort to dirty tricks.”
“...”
“Soon, Maide will head to Dronor territory.”
The quick-witted Serein caught on.
“You want me to assassinate him there?”
“Exactly. Dronor’s already dying to get their hands on Maide. If he’s killed there...”
“You can pin it on the lord of Dronor.”
“Mm. I was quite surprised by Count Achain, who’s become the south’s focal point. He’s a threat to the Empire if he sets his mind to it.”
“...”
“Kill the fraud Maide and lay the blame on Count Achain. A perfect two-birds-with-one-stone plan, don’t you think?”
Serein honestly thought it was a good plan.
As long as she wasn’t the one caught in it.
She said.
“Why keep assigning this to me? Someone like Your Majesty could commission any top assassin guild.”
“Maide’s skills are formidable, but doesn’t he have that ‘Bright Death’ on his side? Last time, you complained it was an issue.”
“It’s tough for a priestess like me. But a team of elite assassins...”
“Offense evaded Alcahad’s relentless pursuit for over a decade without a trace.”
Serein was impressed.
‘That uncle was that good? He slacked off in Kaild’s party—must’ve been slacking on the job.’
Well. I’m no different.
The Emperor said.
“With a legendary assassin at his side, no top guild could touch him.”
“What about me?”
“At least you have a better chance than hiring outsiders. And with your parents’ lives on the line, you’ll give it your all, won’t you?”
“...”
“I’m counting on you, Serein Magnus.”
The Emperor stood.
And left without a farewell.
Serein glared at his back for a while before rising.
Then she returned to the inn where Maide’s group was staying.
The party had rented out a table and was waiting.
“I’m back.”
“Welcome back. Good work.”
Maide pulled out a chair for her and asked.
“How’d it go?”
Serein took the tea Risel offered.
And marveled inwardly.
‘Maide’s really something. How did he...’
How did he know the Emperor would summon me?
She took a sip and answered.
“Everything went just as you predicted.”
I’d anticipated a day like this ever since learning the Emperor had commissioned Serein to assassinate Kaild.
Once my fame surpassed Kaild’s, the Emperor would turn his blade on me.
‘It might’ve happened before the regression too.’
Serein stuck with Kaild and gave up the assassination, but that didn’t mean she’d given up on the Emperor.
Yet scouring my pre-regression memories, Kaild had never faced any real assassination threats.
On the contrary, the Emperor had boisterously cheered him on toward the Demon King battle.
[How did he handle it?]
‘Idria must’ve advised him somehow. Maybe grasped the Emperor’s weakness, or straight-up killed him and installed a puppet.’
[Casually saying terrifying things.]
Anyway, I’d predicted the Emperor would secretly summon Serein.
So I’d asked her to play along and report back.
“...That’s the gist of it.”
As Serein finished explaining, everyone erupted in outrage.
“As expected of an ant—must have a tiny brain.”
“To think he’d try to kill the hero, humanity’s hope. He doesn’t deserve to sit on the Empire’s throne!”
“Hehe. Mother, that Emperor’s your one perfect flaw. But humans are beautiful precisely because they’re imperfect.”
“What an oblivious fool. Pointing a blade at Maide.”
“Lord Grayde must be stomping in the afterlife.”
I savored the varied reactions before asking Serein.
“So? What’ll you do?”
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t you have to kill me? It’s not just anything—your parents’ lives are at stake.”
Serein flinched.
The party members halted their anger, cautiously watching her.
After much deliberation, she said.
“Uh, um. If possible, I’d like my parents to stay alive.”
“They’ve only brought you bad memories. Blood is thicker than...”
“No. I want to hear it from them later. There’s something I really want to hear.”
“What’s that?”
“That I’m not her sister.”
Understanding dawned, I tapped the table with my index finger.
“As much as I hate to say it, shattering your parents’ delusions won’t be easy.”
“Hehe. I have a plan. Curious?”
“Nope.”
“So, here’s what we start with...”
To protect my mental health, I tuned out and thought elsewhere.
Before heading to Dronor, I planned to confront the Emperor.
For that, I needed no liabilities on my side.
Then Serein’s voice reached me.
“What do you think? Enough to change their minds? I made the list based on what they did to me.”
“Wasn’t listening.”
“Wow...”
“As atonement, I’ll rescue your parents.”
Serein fell silent, then cautiously asked.
“How? The Emperor must have them hidden tight.”
“What’s your father’s name?”
“Uh, Isaac Magnus.”
“Hold on.”
I summoned Trail.
‘Let’s check.’
[Sure.]
[Used Eye of Omniscience.]
[Current Eye of Omniscience level is 3. Viewable secret rank: B-rank.]
[Selection condition: ‘Secret between Hyphon van Handman and Isaac Magnus.’]
[Secret rank: B. Viewing.]
B-rank? Pretty high.
The Emperor must’ve hidden it meticulously.
Soon, a screen appeared.
On it, the Emperor was speaking with former Count Isaac.
“Y-Your Majesty. Where are you taking me?”
“Count... no, not a count anymore.”
“Indeed. Thanks to Your Majesty.”
“Are you blaming me? After you went mad and tortured your own daughter like that?”
Isaac snapped then.
“That wasn’t torture—it was love! I’m not the mad one; my daughter is!”
“Whatever.”
“Even Your Majesty can’t just force...”
“I said whatever.”
He stopped.
Before a small room.
Inside was another door.
A room with a door inside.
Precisely, just a ‘door.’
‘What’s that?’
Doors normally separate one side from another.
But to the screen’s eye, there was no other side.
Just a doorframe standing alone on the floor.
I realized where that was.
A mysterious place whose location, creator, purpose, and method were unknown.
Where the grand search magic circle of Beyond was inscribed.
Where Dame had stored the heirloom book of Erenica.
‘Imperial Palace underground!’