364th Episode
Two Envoys.
One was Saria, the other was Diorica.
Originally, both were members of the Alstein family. But that was no longer the case.
Saria could no longer use the surname Alstein.
Diorica arrived at the Imperial Capital with her usual grace and dignity, but Saria’s appearance lacked such composure.
Jimy quietly observed Saria as she approached the Imperial Capital.
Saria wore modest attire without any form of armament. The metal wrapped around her body wasn’t armor but a manacle designed to explode upon reacting with mana. Additionally, several tendons appeared severed, making her gait extremely unnatural.
After assessing Saria’s condition, Jimy stepped closer to the boundary.
Standing on the other side of the barrier, Diorica invoked the Empire’s name and demanded an audience with the leader of the rebels.
Jimy paused for a moment before responding calmly.
“…Is that so? Enter then.”
Jimy took a step back.
Without hesitation or delay, Diorica entered the boundary alongside Saria.
Once inside, Diorica first freed Saria from the manacles.
Regardless of whether they were present or not, it was evident that Saria could not currently wield meaningful force. Her severed tendons made wielding a sword difficult, and her core had sustained damage, hindering her ability to manipulate mana.
It would take considerable time focused on rehabilitation for her to regain her former strength—a situation that would likely cause most knights to despair.
However, Saria seemed entirely indifferent to the damage inflicted on her body.
Click!
As Diorica completely removed the manacles, Saria swayed momentarily but quickly regained her balance and turned to Jimy.
“Ray, where is he?”
“…”
“Take me to him.”
Diorica expected Jimy to refuse Saria’s request.
But Jimy silently nodded once and began walking ahead.
Saria, despite her damaged legs, struggled forward while Diorica followed behind, observing their surroundings.
“…”
They had heard about the battle that unfolded in the Imperial Capital—how fierce and horrific it was. Despite mentally preparing herself, the sight of the devastated capital still defied belief.
“…”
Diorica repeatedly furrowed and relaxed her brow as she gazed at the ruined landscape of the Imperial Capital. The vibrant city she once knew now appeared desolate and unrecognizable.
Unlike Diorica, who couldn’t hide her distress, Saria focused solely on keeping pace with Jimy.
As they continued their silent journey, they eventually reached the Imperial Palace.
The exterior of the palace remained largely undamaged, thanks to the Emperor abandoning his attempt to stop Ray near the palace, preventing combat from occurring nearby.
Without seeking permission from anyone, Jimy boldly entered the palace.
Diorica hesitated briefly before following Jimy.
Saria, struggling with the frequent appearance of steps, wobbled often but persistently regained her balance and moved forward.
Passing through lengthy corridors and grand doors, they finally arrived at the last door leading to the imperial throne.
As the door opened, the three found themselves facing the Empire’s throne.
“…”
Upon seeing the throne, Diorica felt her breath catch.
Seated on the throne was Ray—or rather, Ray’s frozen corpse.
His arm severed, chest punctured, and body mutilated, the corpse occupied the throne.
“…”
Diorica unconsciously rubbed her lips.
Given the immense flow of mana surrounding the throne, it seemed some sort of preservation ritual had been enacted to keep the corpse intact—but for what purpose?
Was it to humiliate the Empire and mock its history by displaying this spectacle?
Had they placed the corpse of a traitor on one of the most revered symbols of the Empire?
If not for such intentions, why expend vast amounts of mana to continuously freeze the corpse atop the throne?
Gazing at Ray’s corpse, Diorica was perplexed about which emotions she should feel.
Even though she didn’t hold great loyalty to the Empire, the scene before her was undoubtedly repulsive.
Diorica had to exert significant effort to refrain from voicing curses forming in her mouth.
“…”
While Diorica’s expression twisted with conflicting emotions,
Saria silently approached the throne.
Despite repeatedly losing her balance, she pulled herself up and climbed the stairs toward the throne where Ray sat.
Finally, after much effort, Saria managed to fully gaze upon Ray.
Reuniting with her nephew after so long, Saria extended her hand as if to caress his cheek.
Crack!
However, Saria’s fingers froze solid before even touching Ray.
As she moved closer, her fingers not only froze but also stopped mid-air, cracking and crumbling.
Nevertheless, Saria persisted until Jimy intervened and grabbed her wrist.
“…”
Saria attempted to reach out further but eventually slowly relaxed her arm.
She then silently stared at Ray for a long time.
“…”
Saria suffered greatly due to Ray.
She nearly lost her life because of Ray’s choices.
Yet, Saria harbored no resentment towards him.
To Saria, Ray was merely family to protect, and the only emotion she could harbor towards him was regret.
“…”
Saria quietly shed tears.
She traced the wounds carved into Ray’s face with her eyes, sharing in his pain.
Jimy watched over Saria silently, wiping his face and sighing deeply.
Meanwhile, Diorica stood alone, grappling with conflicting emotions, shaking her head.
To Saria, Ray was her only family and the nephew she needed to protect, but Diorica couldn’t share or empathize with those feelings.
Moreover, the sight of the corpse seated on the throne was truly difficult to accept.
Eventually, Diorica left the palace alone, leaving Saria and Jimy behind.
“…”
Exiting the palace, the view of the Imperial Capital was still breathtakingly desolate.
Diorica let out a hollow laugh and frowned as she spoke.
“Are you going to imprison me?”
Turning her gaze, Diorica saw Luna standing there.
“Or kill me?”
The purpose of Diorica’s visit to the Imperial Capital was clear—to confirm Ray’s fate accurately.
Having entered the palace, Diorica had witnessed firsthand that Ray was indeed dead.
It wouldn’t be strange if the rebels wanted to silence her to prevent the truth of Ray’s death from reaching the outside world.
“Did you show me the throne intending to kill me from the start?”
“…”
Luna scanned Diorica with unreadable eyes before moving her lips.
“Why did you extend your favor?”
“…”
This time, Diorica paused briefly.
Saria had survived execution and remained relatively intact thanks to Diorica’s intervention.
Diorica argued that Saria was necessary as bait to enter the Imperial Capital safely and obtain information, thereby sparing her execution.
Without Diorica’s reasoning, it would have been challenging for Saria to retain her limbs in such a state.
Furthermore, Diorica persuaded Saria to remain calm by promising she would see Ray’s face.
Had Diorica not convinced her, Saria might have acted recklessly upon hearing about Ray and met a tragic end.
Thus, Diorica risked danger to personally accompany Saria all the way to the Imperial Capital.
This was the best favor Diorica could offer to Saria, and it would be her final gesture.
Diorica awkwardly cleared her throat and frowned deeper.
“Considering the years I’ve dedicated to the house, I’ve granted a temporary reprieve.”
In any case…
Saria’s fate was ultimately inescapable.
All the rebels occupying the Imperial Capital would die.
Even if Luna fled alone, survival was possible, but others had no hope.
Even Luna couldn’t escape with everyone in the Imperial Capital.
So, Saria’s death was merely delayed for a short while.
“Hmph…”
Diorica exhaled a short sigh.
Though she had grown quite attached to Saria during their time together within the house, it was time to sever ties.
Helping her this far was already considered Diorica’s utmost effort.
With a hardened heart, Diorica asked Luna in a detached tone.
“Is there anything you want conveyed to the outside through me?”
“Restore the Royal Magic Tower. Ensure I can utilize it whenever I wish.”
“…”
What kind of insane nonsense was this?
As Diorica’s confusion showed on her face, Luna continued.
“Ray wasn’t a fool.”
“…?”
“Would you think Ray paid such a great price just to prolong Bella and Lea’s lives for a short while?”
“What are you talking about…”
“Ray… will reclaim everything he gave to you.”
“…”
Diorica still couldn’t understand what exactly Luna was saying.
However, Luna turned away without clarifying Diorica’s doubts.
“Just go.”
“…”
Diorica stared at Luna’s retreating back before beginning her walk out of the Imperial Capital’s barrier.
A strange uneasiness lingered in her chest, but she was satisfied to have escaped the Imperial Capital safely.
There was no final farewell exchanged with Saria.
*
At the same time,
Phillip’s County was protected by a boundary established by Ropheiren.
A considerable number of troops surrounded Phillip’s County, waiting patiently.
When news from the Imperial Capital spread, Count Philip became a rebel overnight.
The neighboring lords gathered their forces and encircled Phillip’s County.
Despite having superior military power, the besieging lords refrained from immediate attacks and instead urged Count Philip to surrender.
Simultaneously, they ensured Phillip’s County was completely isolated, forcing them to deplete their stored supplies.
The supplies within the county were limited, and Ropheiren’s barrier wasn’t strong enough to repel the entire surrounding army.
Neither submission nor surrender was viable.
Even if they bowed down and surrendered, the number of heads destined to roll wouldn’t decrease significantly.
In this desperate situation,
Count Philip muttered in his office.
“I wonder if Alesya is still safe…”
All external communication was cut off, leaving no means to gather information.
Count Philip stroked his dagger while repeating regrets.
Demon King (6)
