“‘No way.'”
“Hmm…”
The Duke let out a groan after seeing Kail reject the proposal. He never imagined that Kail would turn down the offer to become king.
“Why not?”
“That bothersome position. What’s the point of having it? It’s just unnecessary work.”
“You’d become the ruler of an entire nation. A powerful leader with absolute authority.”
“What’s different from now?”
Hearing Kail’s innocent question, the Duke realized he was at a loss for words. That’s right. Kail already possessed unparalleled strength.
As the saying goes, all power comes from the tip of a sword—Kail, who held the world’s strongest might, essentially had the greatest power in the world.
What reason would a transcendent being, free from any obligations yet enjoying all rights, have to burden himself with the heavy crown?
“It’s… not entirely different.”
“Then I won’t do it. Oh, and Yuri’s due date is coming up soon. We plan to have the birth at our territory. Is that okay?”
“Just let me know when she’s ready to give birth.”
“Understood.”
With those words, Kail ended the communication with the Duke. After finishing the call and stepping out of the room, Yuri, who had been waiting outside, quickly approached him.
“What did you talk about?”
“You.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Master Zhang also said he’ll come here.”
“That’s good. I was worried the cold might be bad for the baby…”
“Aww, they give birth everywhere there, what’s the big deal?”
Though Kail meant to praise Yuri’s hometown, upon seeing her icy glare afterward, he promptly shut his mouth.
She stared at him with eyes as cold as the northern chill.
“…Still, warmth is better for the baby.”
“Yeah.”
Finally, Yuri smiled and looked at Kail. With just her gaze, Kail felt utterly subdued, acknowledging that he was both a doting husband and somewhat henpecked.
“I can’t win against her.”
If she were ever to lose her love for him, Kail wondered what would become of him… Already, he began to dread life after the baby arrived.
Even the Holy Sword wielder who could slay gods found his wife to be a formidable presence.
***
The Empire’s situation grew increasingly dire. It was like a powder keg ready to explode at any moment. Amidst this tension, news of the Crown Prince’s execution broke out.
“Your Majesty, we cannot endure this any longer.”
“…Yes. You’re right.”
The Emperor made his decision. The Empire was sick, and the illness had reached his very neck. Cutting off the infected part would mean death—but dying this way or that, the outcome wasn’t much different.
On this day, the gates of the Imperial Capital opened, and the Emperor’s Knight Order set forth. Comprised solely of superhuman Experts, the knight order effortlessly suppressed the revolutionary army with their magical staves.
Though there were Expert-level superhumans among the revolutionaries, they were scattered as key figures or officers throughout various locations.
A widely dispersed group of superhumans couldn’t compete with a concentrated, organized force. Thus, the knights began slaughtering the revolutionary army unilaterally.
“I’m just a regular citizen! Really!”
“P-please spare me!”
“Oh nooo! What did my child do wrong…!”
The method to distinguish between revolutionaries and civilians was brutally simple: anyone on the streets was deemed a revolutionary; those hiding were considered civilians.
Despite public outcry, the Imperial Guard mercilessly slaughtered without hesitation.
Upon hearing this news, officials from other kingdoms erupted into chaos.
“To think they’d suppress their own people by killing them.”
“That’s why I said not to kill the prince!”
“Whether the prince lived or died, this was bound to happen anyway.”
These were high-ranking nobles from various kingdoms who had dispatched their own Expert-level knights to the revolutionary army, planning to divide the spoils of the collapsing Empire amongst themselves…
But as their plans seemed to falter, the nobles fell into deep contemplation. Taking even one more step forward meant war. War with the Empire. No one welcomed that prospect.
Yet, they couldn’t abandon something so close to fruition. With the meal already prepared, how could they discard it just because some ashes had fallen atop it?
“…What if we did this?”
These nobles weren’t merely incompetent rulers born into privilege—they were seasoned operators who had maximized their innate talents and environments through relentless effort.
Power players capable of influencing their nations’ political landscapes gathered together, determined to devise a solution.
“We denounce the Empire’s massacre and send Masters under the pretext of protecting its citizens.”
“But wouldn’t that lead to accusations of internal interference?”
“Declare a holy crusade in the name of God.”
“Ahh!”
The high-ranking nobles gasped in admiration at the idea. What had sparked this crisis? Wasn’t it because the Empire’s royal family had summoned an Evil God?
Thus, declaring the Empire as minions of the Evil God Cult and initiating a crusade was perfectly justified. Moreover, hadn’t the current Saintess of the Holy Kingdom been struck by the Empire’s prince and fallen into a coma?
While they might hesitate to challenge a Pope or Saint chosen by God, they had ways to manipulate lesser clergy.
“However, we’ll need to adjust the ratios.”
“Given the Holy Kingdom’s collapse, if we provide military support, we don’t need to offer a large share. If things go well, we might settle for mere donations…”
“How about targeting only the Imperial Family instead of the entire Empire? Declare the Imperial Family as agents of the Evil God Cult, defeat them, then leave the aftermath to the revolutionary army. This way, we gain both moral justification and material benefit.”
The Empire’s downfall proceeded step by step.
***
The Meyer Clan is the shield of the Empire.
This title was bestowed upon them when Bell Meyer, the first clan head, swore loyalty to the Empire after reaching the level of Master.
Though no subsequent clan heads reached the Master level, the title remained, as another case like the first clan head could arise anytime.
The current clan head, Karl Meyer, proudly upheld the Meyer Clan’s legacy as the Empire’s shield.
‘What is…’
Thus, Karl deeply pondered over what to do about the Holy Kingdom, which declared a crusade against the Empire on the pretext that the Imperial Family were agents of the Evil God, and the Allied Forces who claimed to support the Holy Kingdom by sending troops.
They targeted only the current Imperial Family—the Dairos Imperial Family—not the entire Empire. They promised to leave others alone unless obstructed, but if resisted, they would deem them complicit with the Evil God Cult and annihilate them.
Should he let them pass, or should he stop them? This was Count Karl Meyer’s biggest dilemma.
‘What completes an Empire?’
Should he protect the Emperor, or overthrow him?
Does the Empire derive its name from the Emperor, or from the citizens beneath him?
Is the Empire’s shield meant to protect the Emperor, or the Empire itself?
‘I don’t know…’
But he couldn’t deliberate long. The Allied Forces would soon cross their territory, and he had to decide whether to block their path or let them through in that brief time.
His mind raced with thoughts profound enough to shatter his skull, and sighs filled Count Karl’s office.
It was during dinner that he somehow resolved his dilemma.
“—Is something troubling you, Father?”
“Hmm? Ah, Saega.”
At a family dinner where everyone gathered, Yuli, who had been preparing for childbirth while living with Kail, cautiously asked Karl.
Not realizing his own son sensed something was amiss, Karl, touched by Yuli’s kindness, hesitantly spoke.
“It’s nothing major.”
“Don’t say that. Please tell us. You’re like a father to me… Seeing you troubled pains my heart.”
“…Hmm. If you put it that way.”
Unable to resist, Karl reluctantly explained his predicament to Yuli. Hearing about the crusade and allied forces for the first time, Kail let out a bitter laugh.
After listening to everything, Yuli smiled reassuringly at Kail.
“Father, don’t worry. We’ll handle it somehow.”
“…Why ‘we’?”
“Do you think I’d ignore your problem? Kail?”
Seeing Yuli glaring at him, Kail sighed deeply. Though he tried to avoid politics, he couldn’t stay uninvolved.
Resigned, Kail shrugged, cut a piece of steak, and spoke.
“Yes, well… we’ll manage. Don’t worry about it, Father.”
“Kail…!”
Overwhelmed with pride at his son’s growth, Karl swallowed tears.
…He deliberately avoided thinking about how Kail planned to resolve the issue.
Annoyed, Kail finished his meal.
“What a hassle…”
***
The Allied Forces arrived at the Meyer Earl’s territory. Confident they’d pass through unimpeded like previous territories, they were mistaken.
Someone blocked their path.
“You have two choices.”
Facing an army numbering in the thousands, Kail declared irritably.
“Wait here, or turn back.”
SHWOOOSH─! A several-kilometer-long Aura Blade carved a boundary line before them. Among the army, a Master recognized Kail’s astonishing divine technique and realized his identity.
“The Holy Swordsman…!”
“Kail Meyer…”
“Why is the Godslayer here…?”
With no need for lengthy explanations, Kail smirked, shrugging as he surveyed the army. Naturally, the army came to a halt.
