Entry into the Imperial Capital

'So that's how it is.'

My hunch was right. Talos, the god of giants who started subscribing to me last, seemed like the type who couldn't stand impatience. Was my life really that frustrating? Thinking about it calmly, it wasn't because of my stuffy actions—it was just Talos's impatient personality.

How long had serialization even been going on? And he was already talking about making me emperor. Fighting the entire empire in my current state would be insane. Talos surely knew that, which was why he was pushing for a title promotion first.

Viscount Eter, captain of the Imperial Knights, dismounted his horse and rushed straight toward me.

"Baron Aron!"

"Well, if it isn't Viscount Eter. Long time no see."

"No time for that! Help us out!"

"What kind of abrupt request is this? I was already leading my army toward the capital on His Majesty's orders."

"A titan from legends has appeared!"

"Hahaha! You've developed a sense of humor since we last met, Viscount. Titans only exist in scriptures and myths. You must have mistaken it for a cyclops."

"No! It's not a cyclops! It's tall enough to leap over the capital's walls!"

"……."

I was genuinely surprised too. I'd heard tales of titans before. No one who knew legends or myths would be unfamiliar with them. Descriptions varied, but they were said to tower dozens of meters tall.

'Even a titan couldn't match me. Would Talos really set this up to get me killed? Probably a downgraded version.'

I saw it as a glimmer of hope for blocking Odin someday—he wouldn't drop an unstoppable foe right into the capital. Anyway, could I squeeze something out of the viscount?

"And?"

"And?! No one but you can take it down!"

"Why would I do it without compensation?"

"Compensation? There will definitely be rewards! I—I recommend promoting you!"

"Can you promise?"

"I promise!"

"Fine. Let's go."

The Imperial Guard Knights were the empire's elite. Their captain led the emperor's central army and could assume supreme command in emergencies. The position held immense power, which was why even the captain bore only a viscount's title. The previous captain had been a high-ranking count, proving its ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠influence.

If Viscount Eter vouched for my promotion, it was almost guaranteed. Earning a viscountcy before conquering the giantkin wasn't a bad deal.

The empire's capital, Brontia.

Duke McCain agonized over whether to flee or stay. Central nobles were already eyeing escape routes. If the walls fell, they'd bolt. He was no different.

Staying to defend the capital foolishly could mean getting trampled by a legendary titan. What use was posthumous glory?

Krurrr rumble!

"Gasp! The walls are crumbling!"

"Grand Marshal! Shouldn't we evacuate now?!"

The emperor's anxiety boiled over.

"Your Majesty! Not yet. The capital is vast. It'll take that giant half a day to reach here. Better to wait."

All the nobles crowded the terrace, gazing at the giant's might.

The capital's walls had been reinforced for centuries and were sturdy. High mages deployed in crises, and the empire teemed with skilled knights. Yet it wasn't enough against the titan.

Nearly 40 meters tall, its strength crushed magic-barriered walls. It seemed inherently magic-resistant, repelling spells that then crashed into the city, collapsing a building.

Kaboom!

Not far from the palace. The palace's defenses would block direct hits, but that alone unnerved Duke McCain.

'Should I flee now? Escorting His Majesty would shield me from later blame.'

As walls shattered and defenders crumbled, the emperor could endure no more.

"Duke McCain! What becomes of the empire if we ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠fall? Let's plan for the future!"

-How dare anyone threaten the empire's heart!

Kuuaaaang!

Puhahaha!

Suddenly, the titan's head exploded. Its massive body crashing down was a spectacle.

Only one man in the empire could slay a titan in one blow. The sole human who could raze the palace alone if he wished. Or rather, questionable if human at all.

"I-it's Baron Auron Blaine!"

"Auron Blaine!"

Murmurs!

Baron Auron Blaine's infamy was legendary empire-wide. A reckless thug who'd smashed countless territories en route here. Some nobles dismissed rumors as exaggerated—until the titan's head burst in one hit, banishing such thoughts.

Thud!

Kraka boom!

Baron Auron Blaine rampaged madly. Five titans had invaded; he was smashing their heads one by one.

"That monster……."

In short, Auron was a monster surpassing five such titans combined. Fear of him etched into the central nobles' minds.

Thud!

Kraka boom!

God's Fist unleashed devastating power. This fist art maximized efficiency, researching ultimate force application.

Screee!

Agility and strength surged dramatically; mana coursing through his body doubled his prior might.

Kuuaang!

Puhahaha!

A titan's heart exploded. Frenzied rampage drove gods wild.

And another message at the same time.

Right, levels. Using karma at the gods' shop accelerated growth, but leveling boosted base physical stats.

This time, he invested evenly in stamina, strength, and agility.

Swoosh!

"Ngh!"

Bones and muscles strengthened; he felt he could go a week without sleep. Vitality surged from deep within—like a game notifying HP and endurance gains.

Gods' sponsorships were scaling up. They once skimped on thousands; now nearing tens of thousands.

Draw out more ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠frenzy for bigger hauls—but growing subscribers was key.

"Oh ho!"

A gaze upon him. A new god considering subscription?

He entered Brontia, the capital. Though an imperial noble, this was only his second visit. Or first, since the prior was the protagonist's?

"Waaaaah!"

"The empire's hero has arrived!"

His infamy was notorious, but in war, he was near-divine: Auron Blaine. Citizens uninjured by him could cheer.

Indeed, he'd rarely harmed common folk.

From the palace charged a figure in resplendent armor, leading knights: Emperor Calbun. His presence was so commanding, one might mistake him for the titan-slayer.

Somewhat inept, but veteran in politics, he orchestrated such performances himself. With eroding authority, losing public favor would be disastrous. Politically astute.

"Welcome!"

Novel protagonist or possessed him—both knew defying the emperor outright was impossible, especially publicly.

He dismounted and knelt on one knee.

"I pay respects to His Imperial Majesty."

"Oh, hero, rise!"

Showing the empire's top knight and hero pledging loyalty. Political theater—Auron matched it.

"I led my army at Your Majesty's command!"

Murmurs.

Crowds watched, nobles hastily assembled—turning this into more than a formal event. Emperor and Auron wore masks.

Calbun smiled kindly, helping him up.

"Hahaha! What an honor for me personally that the empire's hero kneels. Without you, the capital would have fallen. Truly grateful!"

"No, Your Majesty. Duty of any imperial knight."

"Has Auron Blaine gone mad? Why so courteous?"

"He understands politics. This is practically official."

"Hmph, so not just a mindless thug?"

Whispers from nobles. Time for the knight captain to step up. Auron glared at Viscount Eter by the emperor.

Move now, or die somehow. Sensing killing intent, Eter paled and advanced.

"Your Majesty! Baron Auron Blaine obeyed your command, marching swiftly from the remote frontier. Crucially, he saved the capital—please promote him!"

Good. As expected. Gods approved.