Chapter 138: 138 Departure, Emperor Assassination?!
Something tremendous had begun. The Emperor’s endless speech parade that seemed like it would end any moment, but never did!
"...Therefore, I hope that our imperial forces will engage in battle with loyalty and pride, and achieve good results. Furthermore, if we consider this in the same vein as the subjugation of the barbarians...."
The Emperor was giving a speech to encourage and steel their resolve. The problem was that it was too long. Damn it.
"It’s a shame. Of all people, the Emperor had to be like a school principal. Am I going to grow old and die listening to this speech?"
As I sighed, my skin felt prickly. I realized there were too many gazes on me from my surroundings.
Looking around, I saw several Heroes staring at me.
They spoke quietly among themselves.
"Is that him? That handsome guy?"
"They say he single-handedly crushed Those Who Recite Sins."
"Fuck, they say he’s also a Lord?"
"I kinda want to fight him...?"
"I wanna fuck him."
"Dude..you are a man!"
Another sigh escaped my lips.
It was the reaction I expected, but in reality, there was far more of it than I thought.
It felt like gazes were surrounding me from almost all directions.
Isn’t this too much?
"This is truly perplexing."
More and more people were subtly glaring at me or staring with a competitive spirit. It was incredibly burdensome.
"This is not funny at all. We have to fight together, so why are they acting like this?"
"Hmph, that’s true."
But it doesn’t seem like there are any noble-looking humans here.
Praying for the speech to end quickly, I slightly lowered my gaze.
Of course, even then, I couldn’t escape the stinging gazes. Lumina laughed.
"You’re quite popular, aren’t you?"
"Shut up. I don’t like this either. It’s fucking burdensome."
"How about we just wipe them all out while we’re at it?"
"What kind of shit is this among allies?"
Wipe them all out? Are they telling me to go down the path of a mass murderer?
A Debauched Hero still keeps to a line! The problem is that it’s my line!
"...I wish for the nation to achieve prosperity."
Finally, the speech ended. With the Emperor retreating, the two commanders on the city wall leaped down.
Whoosh.
The Left Commander and Right Commander, who had landed safely, walked towards us.
Both were adjusting their expensive-looking armor. That would cost a fortune to buy, wouldn’t it?
Their presence easily drew people’s gazes. It was like an expensive, rare foreign carriage appearing among domestic carriage.
"I am Adolf, the Left Commander, in charge of the left army. Those whose names I call now will follow me!"
Adolf shouted, illuminating the nine halos on his chest. The Left Commander had brown hair.
Following him, the Right Commander, a blond man, stepped forward and smiled warmly.
"I am Winston, the Right Commander, in charge of the right army. Those whose names are called, please follow me. Let us advance for a better world!"
As the two expedition commanders called out names, the Heroes nearby naturally approached me.
What the hell are these bastards?
The bastards surrounded me and questioned me.
"Hey, did you really annihilate Those Who Recite Sins by yourself?"
"They say you also defeated the one who distorts reality with mere imagination?"
"Isn’t it all just bluff? You don’t look strong. You look like a girl, don’t you? Wanna fuck this brother?"
Everyone was busy doubting or scoffing or straight up asking me for sex. How dare they scoff at Lucian Vane of Ravenscoft, at me, the pseudo-butcher and Debauched Hero?
It was absurd, but I had backup. Someone who could prove that what I’d done was real.
It was my auntie.
"I guarantee it, he is stronger than anyone here. He’s on a different level than the likes of you!"
People who recognized my auntie started backing away one by one.
"Gasp, it’s the Saintess of Frost...!"
"What? That Ice Queen? Hiiiek!"
"Hey, get out of here. Quickly!"
People dispersed like a swift current. I couldn’t even laugh.
There was a brief commotion, but it was nothing significant. It’s a phenomenon that always occurs when one becomes famous.
"Hey, Debauched Hero Squad, Lucian! Is Lucian here? Lucian Vane!"
Adolf was calling my name roughly, repeatedly. I hurried over.
My comrades followed behind me.
I bowed my head and apologized.
"Ah, yes. That’s me. I apologize."
Adolf instantly scowled. Up close, he was handsome, but his face itself was etched with annoyance.
I didn’t want to be close to someone like him. He would clearly try to impose his own philosophy or beliefs.
"Hah, how absurd."
"Did you perhaps call out multiple times? I apologize. There was a slight commotion nearby..."
"No excuses needed!"
Adolf suddenly shouted. As I stared blankly, Adolf spat and yelled.
"At an important gathering for the nation, and a noble and commander of the Hero Squad at that, you’re chattering? With that kind of focus, you’ll surely handle the Demon King well!"
I was speechless. Well, I was wrong, but isn’t he overreacting? This feels unfair.
As I remained silent, Adolf fumed even more.
"While I am not in a position to command you, as the Left Commander, I will monitor your conduct."
"Ah, yes..."
"If you do anything that goes against my beliefs, even slightly, something will happen that will make your esteemed parents faint in shock, so be careful!"
"Ah, yes."
As we lined up, Adolf called the next person. He simply walked past us.
"No, it’s fine. You know, there are often people like that, aren’t there? People who claim to be patriotic but are utterly rigid."
Although he lacked tact, I didn’t want to simply understand him.
Because of his behavior, people around him would surely suffer. His own life isn’t necessarily the right answer, after all.
As I sighed, things were roughly organized. The subjugation force lined up in two rows, led by the Left Commander and Right Commander.
In that formation, we began to exit the capital.
Our destination was west.
It was the direction where the Demon King’s Tower stood.
"Waaaaaah!"
The cheers of countless people could be heard. They scattered flower petals wildly towards us.
"This time, please defeat the Demon King! We beg you!"
"Uncles, please die there, so I can take your land."
"Brothers and sisters of Dharma, be strong! You can do it!"
"Beat all those Demon King bastards to death!!!"
A boisterous atmosphere. I didn’t dislike this atmosphere itself. Rather, it felt quite fresh.
Honestly, isn’t that true? How many people receive the expectations of so many others in their lives? Of course, children from wealthy families might receive expectations from people of their own standing.
Setting that aside, as it’s not a typical life. In reality, it’s not easy to receive the expectations and encouragement of many people throughout one’s life.
Nor are there many people with such talent.
I also knew well that as much as those people received expectations and attention, they also received pressure.
A true first-rate individual would be someone who could overcome that here.
"Is this people’s anticipation? Their hopes? It’s heavy. It feels heavier than any other emotion...!"
Because I had never received such a thing in my life. Because I had never tried to bear the weight of a crown, it felt utterly unfamiliar.
So, without realizing it, I swallowed a gasp. But I also felt a sense of duty. Because with great power comes great responsibility.
I raised my head straight forward.
"I will definitely put an end to this with my own hands. After that, I will dye this world, which has found peace, with debauchery!"
I grinned. Yes, Demon King.
You are nothing more than an obstacle I must overcome.
Once I overcome you, the world will be mine. Everything in the world will be debauched!
"...You’re like a perverted male."
"Uh, Uhoooooh!"
Lumina placed her hand on my shoulder. I was startled. I thought someone had seen through my thoughts and came to catch me, you know?
"You’re not scared, are you? Let’s wipe them all out!"
Following her, Aki also said a word.
"Oh my, as soon as we leave the capital, many pitiful vengeful spirits are gathering, aren’t they? Let’s appease their grudges!"
Are they vengeful spirits who suffered at the hands of the Demon King? Lastly, my auntie.
"Nephew, put your worries aside. Your auntie is here, isn’t she? Fufufu♥"
"Yes, Auntie. Ah, I have something to give you."
I handed over an item I had obtained last time, called the Sorcerer’s Wedge Touch. Upon receiving it, my auntie’s eyes widened.
Then, she immediately composed herself.
"Hmph, a perfect woman like me doesn’t need something like this. Well, it’s a gift from my beloved man, so. Hmph."
"Hehe, I’m even more grateful that you’ll accept it, you know? Please use it well!"
I’m relieved she accepted it. I thought she’d have high standards since she’s the foremost Saintess in the Empire.
She was quite lenient with me. What a relief!
I subtly glanced at my auntie. Her face was faintly flushed.
Cute. Still, aren’t they reliable and powerful comrades to me?
The fact that I wasn’t alone boosted my spirits even more.
I chuckled and told my comrades.
"And I’ll do my best. To protect all of you, and to complete myself as a Hero!"
"Ooh, that’s the spirit! Awesome!"
"Lucian, you’re so cool!"
"Hmph, that’s my nephew for you!"
Hyaa, I feel great. Going on a Demon King subjugation as a Hero. Strengthening my resolve with my precious comrades.
"Haa...."
How should I put it? There was something I had always only imagined.
For some, that imagination might be about a dream idol or sex with the girl next door.
For others, it might be about achieving a small desired goal.
For me, it was this.
Meeting like-minded people, connecting, becoming close, and doing the same work together.
What was absolutely impossible in reality had become a reality here.
So I was happy. I was proud of myself too.
Right now, I felt like I could overcome anything.
"Let’s do well, Lucian!"
Smiling contentedly, I vigorously moved forward. I’ll show them what a Debauched Hero is!
＊＊＊
Meanwhile, in the Imperial Palace.
After finishing his speech, the Emperor sat on his throne, examining strategic documents. The reason was to review strategies and tactics.
"Hmm, if we cross one mountain, the Demon King’s Tower appears. A siege tactic here...."
The Emperor, Mesirai Karl Dharma, was once a capable strategist. It was thanks to his wisdom that the northern barbarians had not advanced further south than they had. The culmination of that was the subjugation of the barbarians.
Just as he was left alone, he ran a hand through his hair.
"It’s almost time for a meal."
The moment he put down the documents.
Creaaaaak!
The door opened, and someone stumbled in. Their body was covered in blood.
It was Alpa.
"Hmm? And you are?"
Alpa raised his head. Surprisingly, both his eyes were dyed black.
He stumbled towards the Emperor.
"Ah, we finally meet. You who live in a fleeting position, with a fleeting name. Emperor."
"...Who are you? You don’t seem to be merely someone being investigated for a crime."
"Who am I? You don’t need to know."
Alpa spread both his hands. Jet-black energy formed, then immediately materialized. Like a sword.
Swooosh.
And in an instant, it slashed through the Emperor. Looking back at the Emperor, who collapsed, spilling blood, something that was not Alpa laughed.
"As a gift on your way to the afterlife, I’ll tell you. I am the one who created you, and I was called the Demon King, for a time."
His mad laughter echoed in the empty room. The entire room seemed to shake from the insane, bursting laughter.
Baaam!
And then, jet-black energy exploded from his chest, and Alpa breathed his last.
A transparent form seemed to faintly rise from him into the sky.
Who could he possibly be?
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