"You lost control of Dolatia?" Glaring down at Nabe from his dignified throne, the emperor wore a deep scorn.
Her head bowed in shame, Nabe felt compelled to lie to get out of the strenuous situation. However, knowing better than anyone that her lies won't last long in front of the emperor, she looked him in the eye and spit the truth right out.
"Yes, my lord. The people have rebelled and they seem to be allying with any group that wants to threaten your throne," gulping down, she waited, panting for the emperor's next move toward her.
Being a devil, she was a master of deception, but trying to keep her demonic presence a secret from the emperor her body was being stripped of mana quickly. With every second that passed in silence between the two, she could hear her heart beating faster and faster.
'Thankfully, Michael isn't here.' Finding a silver lining to the situation, she tried to comfort her heart.
"Do you know why I sent you to that kingdom, Nabe?" The emperor asked, resting his chin over his palm.
Knowing the answer full well, she took a deep breath before saying what the emperor wanted to hear.
"If the people of Dolatia could trust me, a demon, then they could easily be manipulated to serve under a human master," her head downcast, she tried not to look him in the eye.
Had it not been so soon after he killed Almuld, the emperor wouldn't have tolerated such failure. Not in touch with his reasoning or emotions, the emperor decided to push the matter to another time. Taking any action when he wasn't completely aware of his surroundings, wasn't something that was too inclined to do.
"Get out of my sight for now, we'll discuss this matter later," fanning his hand at Nabe, he shooed her off like a dog.
For him the gesture was a simple lazy expression to get her out of the throne room, to Nabe, however, it seemed like an insult. Keeping those feelings confined within her heart, she got up on her knees and bowed her head to the emperor one last time.
"Very well, my lord-"
"Don't…" The emperor interjected.
Raising her head, Nabe noticed the emperor's finger directed right at her. It was a clear sign of his discontent, but for what reason, she wasn't sure.
"I didn't raise you to be a pawn, bloodfiend," his eyes reflecting the cosmos, gave off a disappointed look. "Do not ever call me lord again."
"I-I'm sorry, Father…" Wasting not a single more minute, Nabe turned around and began walking towards the little light that peek into the throne room from between the giants entrance doors.
Right as she got to the doors, the door opened inward. Slightly startled by the occurrence, her horror only grew when she saw Michael walking in through the entrance. Enshrouded in a golden glow, he seemed vibrant and full of life, which only irked Nabe since her nature was the exact opposite of his.
"Didn't know you were here," he said, standing right in front of her.
Frozen in place, Nabe had no idea what to say or if she should talk to him at all. Thus, shaking her head lightly, she moved past him with just a few words.
"I like that you dropped the earrings, your elven ears suit you better anyway," intentionally picking a sensitive, she managed to distract him long enough to escape the place without being detected as a demon.
Piecing everything together only after she was out of his sight, Michael let out a muffled grunt before turning to the emperor's throne once again. Walking closer to the emperor, he noticed discomfort still riding on his face. Wondering whether Nabe was responsible for it or not, he decided to ask what exactly had happened.
"Is something wrong, my lord? Did the Bloodfiend mess something up again?" Already used to the devil's shenanigans, he expected something similar to have occurred.
Bringing his gaze on Michael, the emperor shifted his head to rest on the other palm.
"You seem well," the emperor asked, ignoring Michael's questions completely.
Not being told about the emperor's plans wasn't something new for Michael, and so breezing past his own questions, he gave his master a polite bow before replying.
"Thank you, my lord," he uttered.
As he looked back up at the emperor after the bow, he noticed him putting up a contorted grimace. Now, whether it was because of him or just the general mood the emperor was in, Michael couldn't be any less sure.
"It's good to know that you've recovered from dying, but why are you here?" His eyes growing weary, the emperor felt his conscience waning away. "If it's about Almuld, then I've already killed him."
Growing drowsy, the emperor shut his eyes closed despite Michael still being right in front of him. Although the dragon slayer noticed the abnormal hints of strains in the emperor, he didn't question them for the moment.
"I'm aware, my lord, but…" Drawing his spear from his side, Michael held it firmly in his hands. "I've also been told that the demon Haruki is still terrorizing the empire, so if you deem it fit then I can-"
"You'll die," opening his eyes slightly, the emperor looked down on Michael. "Asmodia is helping him, and even if she's not as strong as the last time you faced her in her domain, she can easily swat you like a fly in a pincer."
Holding his finger up, the emperor swayed it in the air as if dancing.
"She's omnipresent, remember?" Pointing that out, the emperor let Michael know not to speak out his thoughts anymore. "And the only reason we could get her last time was because she-"
Breaking his own sentence, the emperor shut his eyes closed and reflected back on his memory.
"Just go now," he ordered, trying not to show his true emotions in front of Michael.
Confused by the strange behavior, Michael took a step forward to check up on the emperor. But before he could get too close, the emperor gave him a bloodied gaze.
"I said go, now!" He ordered him once more.
Knowing better than to push him right now, Michael stepped back and headed out of the throne room. After being left alone for a while, the emperor leaned back into his throne with a somewhat more relaxed posture.
'You used my love against me in that battle.' Hearing that familiar feminine voice in his head, he could only bleed from his heart in silence.
'I know, but I have to do it again if needed.' He thought, however yet again, the voice went silent.
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