Seina, the elder of the Blue Tower, asked in disbelief.
However, it wasn't just Seina who was shocked—everyone in the room felt
the same. The fact that the Emperor, of all people, was going on an
expedition to the Demon Realm was truly a huge deal.
"To rescue the Auditor, the Emperor himself…?"
"I don't even know when the Emperor last left the Imperial Audience
Room. At least, in my lifetime, I've never seen it."
The Second and First Princesses murmured one after another.
The Emperor of the Empire was famous for many reasons, but one of the
most notable was that he never left the Imperial Audience Room.
In other words, it meant that he never personally got involved in matters
unless it was absolutely necessary.
The greatest power of the continent was heading to the Demon Realm to
rescue the Auditor. Every single detail was shocking, and everyone fell
silent for a while.
"Indeed, if His Majesty is going personally, it might render this entire
meeting pointless. He is that powerful, after all."
The Third Princess, Solana, muttered quietly.
It wasn't just Solana.
Everyone, relieved of their worries, had their expressions soften. The
Emperor's power was so great that even going alone to the Demon Realm
would make others feel secure.
It was then that Ilaref spoke.
"If the answers are sufficient, I'd like everyone to leave now. His Majesty
does not like to delay his orders."
At the same time, his gaze shifted to Seina.
"Furthermore, His Majesty mentioned that this expedition is highly
classified. Returning the elder of the Blue Tower while carrying out a secret
mission…"
He tilted his head as if asking if she understood.
"…Elder of the Blue Tower, I assume you understand the intent?"
"Ah!"
Seina let out a sound of astonishment.
Surely, all the magicians in the tower already knew that the Emperor
himself was going to rescue Jaekiel.
In other words, it was an opportunity to identify the magicians who were
allied with the Purple Tower. They were likely involved in politics, and it
was time to identify those who were complicit.
"I understand!"
Seina and Anes moved quickly.
The Emperor himself had taken Jaekiel's side.
Her heart began to race.
Thinking of the betrayal from the Purple Tower still made her teeth clench,
but now there was an opportunity to capture all the magicians who sided
with them. It couldn't be avoided.
However, just as they were about to leave the Palace, Seina and Anes's
group encountered a group of messengers coming from the opposite
direction. They were wearing purple robes sent from the Purple Tower.
"…!"
Seina and Anes's eyes widened in shock, and the other side was equally
stunned. How shocking must it have been for those who should have been
dead to be alive?
"…"
A strange silence hung in the air.
"Ah! The elder of the Blue Tower and the secretary of the Imperial Tower!"
Suddenly, one of the Purple Tower's messengers made the first move.
"We tried our best to rescue you from our tower, but you ran away without
even looking back! Do you know how much damage you've caused?!"
"What?"
"I've come to the Palace today to reveal all your sins! I will inform the
princesses and the Emperor of your filthy truths and request your
execution!"
"…"
Seina and Anes fell silent.
They were truly at a loss for words.
They had expected that the Purple Tower would get involved in politics.
After all, they had run away from the Blue and Imperial Towers with that
very possibility in mind.
"…"
But facing them now, Seina was left speechless, utterly shocked. It was
revolting to see them blame the Blue and Imperial Towers for their own
dirty dealings.
Seina opened her mouth, forcing down her nausea.
"Purple Tower, do you even have a conscience? You abandoned the Blue
and Imperial Towers in the underground maze, and now you have the nerve
to come to the Palace to speak of your pride?"
"I don't understand what you're saying. You clearly abandoned us… Are
you trying to deceive us again?"
"Hah… It's so disgusting I can't stand it."
Seina and Anes couldn't hold back any longer.
Anes drew on her telekinetic energy, while Seina extended her ice whip.
Boom! Boom!
Suddenly, the ground began to rumble.
Boom! Boom!
"The ground is shaking!"
"What is happening…?"
"Is it an earthquake?"
Everyone was suddenly alarmed, but the loud sound continued without
regard.
Boom! Boom!
It was only after a long moment that they realized it was the sound of
footsteps.
A lion-head shaped helmet.
Someone was walking out from inside the Palace, wearing a lion-shaped
helmet, full plate armor, and a cloak. The immense pressure was so
overwhelming that everyone involuntarily swallowed their saliva.
Then, they noticed something strange.
The helmet was modeled only after the upper part of a lion's head, meaning
the chin area was left exposed.
However, the chin area was completely hollow.
It was as if a ghost was inhabiting the armor and moving.
"What is that? An intricate telekinetic technique?"
"What in the world is that?"
Just as the Purple Tower's messengers were pondering this…
Crunch!
The space twisted and swallowed the messengers in an instant.
The sound of bones breaking, flesh grinding into meat. That was the end.
The messengers vanished without a trace, not even a shred of clothing or
corpse left behind.
"…"
The transcendental scene left both women speechless.
At that moment, as they were paralyzed in fear…
"Collect the sins of the Purple Tower."
The armor with the lion's helmet whispered.
"Once we return from the Demon Realm, we will immediately pass
judgment."
In the next moment, the figure disappeared without a trace, and only then
did Anes and Seina let out a deep breath and slump to the ground.
They couldn't even speak. Their thoughts had frozen.
The first time they had seen the Emperor in person.
…The tremor from that transcendent power didn't stop.
The Demon Realm city, Atra.
"What do you think? Atra is such a beautiful city, right?"
Akne, walking with her arms crossed, spoke to Jaekiel. Interestingly, even
though her gaze was solely fixed on him, she walked without any wobble.
"Feel free to consider it as your own body and look around every corner. If
there's any place you like, feel free to touch it. After all, you're my husband
now and also the lord of this city, aren't you? Hehehehehehe… I'm so
happy."
As she spoke, Akne repeatedly rubbed her chest against Jaekiel's crossed
arms.
"Can't you just keep your body still?"
"I'm sorry. My body just keeps yearning for you. Ah, in fact, I want to hug
you right now. I've never felt Atra to be this vast before…"
The population of Atra was beyond imagination.
Even though there were many demons roaming the streets, Akne paid no
attention to others' stares and continued her affectionate behavior.
"I've cultivated myself and this city, thinking only of you. What do you
think? Do you like it?"
The level of development in the city was extraordinary.
'It rivals the capital of the Empire.'
Jaekiel dared to think so.
It was evident not only from the population but also from the size of the
buildings and cleanliness. There were differences in the artistic aspects of
outward appearance, but it was undoubtedly a remarkable city.
"When compared to the city of Han Shin (God of Hatred) next door, this
one is even more beautiful. That guy has strange tastes, capturing only
humans and forcing them to work. No matter what he builds, he insists that
it must be mixed with human blood for the true flavor…"
'I must destroy it.'
Jaekiel thought.
The very existence of such a vile city disgusted him. While extracting
information from the Demon Realm, he would also bring down Han Shin's
city. He added another goal to his mind.
Then, at some point, something caught his eye.
"Could that be… a Dimension Gate?"
Jaekiel's gaze turned to a massive circular structure, the largest building in
the city.
"You recognized it immediately, huh? Yes, it's a Dimension Gate. Unlike
teleportation magic circles, it won't break no matter how many times it's
used. I've equipped it myself."
"What?"
The technology, the size.
Jaekiel was astonished by both.
First, the size was ridiculously massive. Even a full legion marching in
formation could enter all at once.
'And it's not even single-use?'
The greatest flaw of teleportation magic circles was that they were
consumable. But this was even larger and not single-use; it was truly a
marvel.
"Just when did the Demon Realm…?"
"I'm so glad you're surprised. It seems my efforts are being recognized.
Atra, the fruit of our love, will grow to become the capital of the Demon
Realm. And we'll keep developing it even more from here!"
Akne smiled seductively.
The more they explored the inside of Atra, the more Akne's smile deepened.
She was confident that Jaekiel would inevitably fall in love with the city.
Of course, the technology and progress were extraordinary…
Jaekiel was lost in other thoughts.
'This city… I might be able to make great use of it.'
Since there was a Dimension Gate, traveling between the continents was
possible, and it might be a way to quickly extract information or treasures
from the Demon Realm.
If he acted on this, it could certainly be a huge help.
It was something only Jaekiel could do. After all, he was both a human and
had earned the title of lord of the Demon Realm.
"Husband, husband. I'm so happy… Hah…"
Every now and then, Akne would rub her body against Jaekiel's as they
walked, sighing with pleasure, but Jaekiel had his own thoughts.
'I should also find a way to reform Akne.'
She had come too far for anything to be undone, but reform might still be
possible. Jaekiel hoped that, if possible, Akne, who had once been a
princess, wouldn't have to die.
Then, at that moment.
Just after they finished sightseeing in Atra.
In a brief instant.
"…!"
Jaekiel distinctly felt some energy.
It was faint, but unmistakably present.
And once he sensed it, it was a presence he could never mistake.
'…The Emperor?'
That was unmistakably the energy of the Emperor