The Emperor's Dilemma
That afternoon, after casually devouring the Magic Tower, I attended the meeting. As I entered the imperial palace, I could feel the changed atmosphere.
"Is that Marquis Aron?"
"Yeah, that's him."
"Is the rumor about his complete turnaround true?"
"Seems like it. Back in the day, knights dropped dead just for making eye contact with him."
"I heard he went through a lot of maids too...?"
"Nah, that's not true. They say he was just dating them."
"Ah, if only I could date a guy like that."
The maids' reactions were mostly like that. With his striking looks, overwhelming abilities, and the title of the empire's hero, it was no wonder. Especially since he'd risen from commoner to great noble in such a short time—that alone was enough to make their hearts flutter. And on top of that, I was unmarried. Sure, I'd passed the typical marriage age, but for nobles of this era, age wasn't much of a factor.
As I entered the emperor's palace, the debating nobles fell silent. Then came the hushed whispers.
"Grand Master swordsman, 8th Circle mage, and even the Spirit King. Rumors say he wields divine power too."
"Isn't that a bit of a stretch?"
"Would divine power be an issue for someone who monopolizes the gods' love? There are plenty of witnesses."
It was true. I could substitute karma for divine power. So it wasn't unreasonable to say I wielded every form of martial might in this world. Plus, converting karma to divine power was incredibly efficient. At this rate, I had no idea what kind of monster I'd become. Somehow, I had a feeling this expedition would be an easy win.
Even the emperor gulped as I entered. If I set my mind to it, I could slaughter everyone here without breaking a sweat. And that was just the start—I could obliterate the capital itself. Now that the Magic Tower was mine, it was entirely possible.
"I have come at His Imperial Majesty's command."
"Ah, y-yes, come in."
I plopped down in an empty seat. The emperor spoke about supplies and troop composition.
"I've prepared the 100,000 central army troops you requested, along with the materiel needed to advance to the border and three months' worth of rations. That should suffice, yes?"
"I'd also like official documents granting the right to requisition supplies and troops from the western territories."
"Hahaha! That's no trouble at all. Consider it done. Now, about the advance route... By the time you reach the western border, it might already be overrun. You could face chaotic skirmishes."
It would take over two months to march from here to the western border—even at top speed. The central army's 100,000 were all cavalry, yet it still took two months. The empire's territory was beyond imagination. Fall meant no need for hay, but food was still a massive issue. I had a solution, though.
"We'll transport the food by wagon."
"By wagon? That'll take over six months."
"I have a method, Your Majesty."
"And what might that be...?"
"I'll open a gate to move the entire army. Load the food onto wagons and send them through the gate as well. We'll arrive at the western border by tomorrow—no need for skirmishes even if the border's breached. Combat should already be underway by now, correct?"
"...!"
The emperor and all the nobles showed their shock. Punching open a gate and moving 100,000 troops through it? That was mobility beyond imagination. Everyone broke into cold sweats. If troops could move like that, in the event of my rebellion, they'd be conquered before anyone could prepare—utterly unstoppable.
"Y-Yes, quite."
"If possible, I'd like to depart by tonight. Tomorrow would be too late. If two million undead break through, no border defense, however sturdy, will hold for long."
"Mm!"
The emperor and nobles nodded in horror. Undead didn't tire. With two million, they could trample allied corpses and advance in a flash.
"We'll have everything ready by evening!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"No other support needed?"
"None. Grant me full authority, and I guarantee we'll annihilate the enemy with minimal losses to the empire!"
"Excellent!"
"But afterward... the promises you made to me..."
"Of course they'll be honored!"
"Then I'll prepare for battle and take my leave!"
"Go!"
Flutter!
I turned dramatically, my cloak billowing. No one would object to the supreme commander withdrawing to prepare for war.
In the imperial palace after Marquis Aron left, the emperor and nobles fell silent for a moment. His words had been truly shocking.
"...A gate, of all things."
"There are records of it. Gates used to move vast armies around..."
"Only possible for an 8th Circle mage, then?"
"Indeed."
Marquis Latos, the imperial chief mage, frowned as he spoke. A loyal servant of the empire, he worried about Aron's meteoric rise. With such a monster born, who knew what Aron would do after the war? Unimaginable.
"We must consider the post-war scenario."
"Post-war?"
"We need to rein in Marquis Aron. Otherwise, he'll surely reveal disloyal intentions!"
"That's premature! Two million undead could swell to ten million or more if the border falls. What does that mean?"
"..."
The emperor's words were simple common sense. Even a fool could see it. Aron was beyond genius. If a spy were here, they might abandon the war entirely. Starting sanctions now could mean the empire's doom. Such discussions belonged after victory.
Great General Duke McCain spoke up.
"His Majesty's right. Aron's a monster, no doubt. His birth is the empire's blessing—and perhaps its curse. But if the empire falls now? What power struggles after extinction?"
"But granting Ramsel territory and making the east a duchy..."
"Better than empire's fall."
"Sigh."
In the end, they'd given Aron the direst prescription. No better option existed. How else to stop two million undead? Only Aron. And now the Magic Tower joined. They could hold without issue.
That afternoon, the emperor mobilized every central noble to meet the departure timeline. He'd agreed: one day late, and the west would be razed; two days, irreparable.
He'd even considered abandoning the west. In the novel, the Death Lord appeared, devastating it, leaving the protagonist to struggle against a near-dead empire. But not this time. To absorb a healthy empire, swift advance was key. Good thing I'd reached 8th Circle.
100,000 troops lined up before the walls. Crowds filled the plaza; emperor and nobles came to see us off. Behind me waited over 300 mages. Rare for so many to join one war.
"Kekeke, been a while since I could stretch my legs."
"Lord Tower Master, you're really moving the tower to Blaine territory?"
"Why not? Gotta follow the boss."
"That's a massive undertaking."
"Heh heh, we'll be back in a few years. Keep the branch here."
"Got it."
The Magic Tower had already planned the move. After this war, they'd follow me to Blaine territory to train and advance realms. Pipe dream. Once there, they'd work till their bones broke. Plenty to handle.
The emperor gave a brief speech from the walls. He seemed desperate. He truly believed we could repel the enemy unscathed. He'd been more relaxed about abandoning the west, but no emperor wants that.
"The empire's vassal, Teron Kingdom, fell to the Death Lord, who raised two million undead to invade!"
"...!"
The imperial citizens reeled in shock. He'd revealed a top secret publicly. Extreme measure, to showcase his resolve.
"Without our great hero, not just the empire but the entire continent would be doomed. Humanity itself might face extinction."
Murmurs rose; faces paled. Extreme, but true to the novel's core. Without the protagonist, the empire fell. The Death Lord was apocalyptic.
The emperor briefly reclaimed the command axe he'd given me—for show.
"But the goddess sent a great warrior to save us. This is the empire's fortune, Vivian's grace upon this land. Marquis Aron Blaine!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"I bestow upon you the axe symbolizing imperial authority, appointing you commander of the subjugation army. All is at your discretion. Use this power to annihilate the empire's foes from this soil."
"I obey His Imperial Majesty's command!"
"Huzzah!"
Public delegation of full authority. A desperate bid to curb my rebellion. Touching effort. But would it work?