Chapter 127: Master Emperor

Before I knew it, the sun had climbed toward its zenith.

The forest grew even more silent, exuding only a heavy, oppressive atmosphere.

Amidst it, Duke Alito Kright, who had stood firm with his twisted expression, was now steeped in despair.

Thud……

Before Duke Alito Kright’s eyes, the white lightning emanating from Raion’s sword shone vividly.

“C-Could it be… Ma-Master…… Emperor…?”

Even a Swordmaster was a rare existence, counted among only a few in each kingdom.

Naturally, a Grand Master, who was a being above them, could be counted on one hand across the continent.

But the ‘Master Emperor’ belonged to a different league.

A being who had transcended mere weapons to reach the pinnacle of martial prowess.

For ages, no one had risen to the level of Master Emperor.

Thus, it had been passed down like a legend.

[To command the white lightning not through a sword but through the body itself is akin to wielding divine power. This is called the ‘Master Emperor’…….]

Anyone aspiring to reach the peak of martial arts would have at least once heard such words.

Of course, Duke Alito Kright was not a military man but a civil official.

Yet even he knew of this saying, as if it had flowed down from legend.

“They say people call the current state that. Can’t you believe it even when you see it with your own eyes?”

Startled by Raion’s cold voice, Duke Alito Kright flinched.

In front of him, the mage Frace Therondia was frozen, unable to move.

It was because the scene reflected the split-apart body of Harold like a mirror.

“It’s time to end this.”

Raion moved his sword.

Shzzzt―!

Parsian, who had been crouched beside Harold, had his head sliced off.

The white lightning that had lingered on the sword had moved even before it made a sound.

After that, no one dared to move even a finger.

Step. Step.

In that tense silence, Raion sheathed his sword and spoke.

“Alito Kright, Frace Therondia. You will be publicly executed as criminals guilty of treason against the kingdom.”

“Th-That’s…….”

“T-Third Prince! I-I was deceived by the Duke, which is why this happened!”

Frace Therondia, who had been silent out of fear, hurriedly continued speaking.

“I never intended to betray His Majesty the King. B-But Alito Kright not only rallied the nobles but also dragged the kingdom onto the path of ruin. Because of that, I……”

It was clearly a ploy to pin all blame on Duke Alito Kright.

Frace Therondia had confidence in himself.

In any kingdom, a 5-Circle Archmage received tremendous recognition.

Considering the years spent to reach such a level, it would have been a waste not to preserve him.

That was precisely the trap he had set.

“Do you think the kingdom’s magical power would be in jeopardy without you?”

“His Highness the Third Prince could compensate for that. But I will still give my utmost loyalty! The Canel Kingdom will walk the path of gold!”

“And if you are still deemed unnecessary?”

“T-Treason was never my true will. His Highness the Third Prince is well aware of the kingdom’s decay, isn’t he?”

Of course, his words were not entirely false. Moreover, mages were indeed precious.

Raion had also invested considerable time for Caldein Flavan’s awakening.

“But can I truly trust you not to betray again?”

“It will never happen! I swear in the name of Raineas, the Goddess of Lightning and Wrath! My loyalty will remain under the name of His Highness the Third Prince!”

Even as he spoke, Frace Therondia’s fingertips trembled.

He could feel the murderous intent emanating from Raion.

His throat swallowed nervously every time he finished a sentence, knowing his head could be severed at any moment.

Gulp……

“A vow in the name of Goddess Raineas……”

It was a pledge comparable to one made with one’s life.

But it was still a long road before that could translate into true trust.

Raion narrowed his eyes, staring at Frace.

Then his gaze shifted to Duke Alito Kright, whose mouth was sealed in despair.

“Didn’t you commit your sins alongside him? I suppose you won’t quietly step back alone either.”

“Th-That is……”

“What do you intend to do?”

“……I will prove it! I will personally testify to Duke Alito Kright’s crimes!”

“Without evidence, only words?”

“I have it! I possess evidence of many deeds Duke Alito Kright committed!”

Exactly what Raion needed.

Seeing Frace bring it forth himself, Raion smiled inwardly.

“First, we’ll decide your fate after confirming that.”

With that reply, Raion’s gaze shifted elsewhere.

The bushes rustled as Jade and the knights appeared, seemingly arriving at an uncertain moment.

* * *

From dawn until the sun rose, the Canel Royal Capital had endured a significant ordeal.

By the time the Great Hall had been prepared, King Laskan Canel returned, his mood deeply conflicted.

“The ministers have worked hard.”

“Not at all. Rather, Your Majesty, I have heard that you have endured much toil.”

Stepping forward with the response was Marquis Salad, a top-ranking noble loyal to the king.

He had gathered with other nobles in the Great Hall but had nearly been killed by the Black Lion Order.

Had it not been for Raion’s personal butler, Patrick Waver, and the royal knights already stationed there, he would have been dead.

“Can what I’ve done even be called toil? In the end… it is the seed I sowed. And because of it, the people of the kingdom suffered. That alone is a sin.”

“How can Your Majesty think so? It was something you sought to resolve.”

“But the Third Prince led everything. Therefore, I intend to speak on an important matter here.”

“……Your Majesty!”

A tense air suggested that everyone had an inkling of what it might be.

Yet King Laskan did not speak of it immediately.

There were matters that needed resolving first.

“Let’s wait and see.”

It did not take long for others to arrive.

The large doors of the Great Hall opened, and Raion, Patrick, Jade, and Caldein entered with the prisoners.

The hall was filled with countless people.

Raion went before King Laskan and knelt on one knee.

“All the criminals have been apprehended.”

“Then let the others enter the hall as well!”

Another door opened.

From there came Queen Elina and Princes Ashuran and Barret.

All wore expressions of astonishment.

They ground their teeth as they saw Raion kneeling before them.

But upon meeting King Laskan’s gaze from the throne, they quickly composed themselves.

“Elina… and Alito Kright… I presume you know well what crimes you and the Duke have committed.”

“Your Majesty! This is a misunderstanding! You are mistaken!”

“A misunderstanding…?”

“I understand fully the gravity of my father’s mistakes. My fault lies in failing to stop them. So please, with your broad magnanimity……”

“Silence―!”

“Y-Your Majesty……”

Anger surged.

Frowning deeply, King Laskan sprang from his throne.

“Do you truly not know what you and the Duke have done against your territories?!”

“I am telling you it is a misunderstanding!”

“Even seeing the Duke right there, can you still speak such lies? How can you keep telling nothing but falsehoods!”

Queen Elina also had something she wanted to protect, even if she had to give up everything.

That was, of course, her sons Ashuran and Barret.

And herself, included.

She intended to somehow navigate the situation and survive.

At that moment, the eldest son, Ashuran, stepped forward.

“Your Majesty! Mother is entirely blameless. Everything was the fault of my maternal grandfather!”

Had they prepared their lines in advance?

For a moment, despite the twitching of Ashuran, Elina, and Barret’s brows, they did not stop speaking.

“Whatever you witnessed was a conspiracy to harm us! How could we deceive Your Majesty and the Canel Kingdom!”

“Ashuran… I will ask you directly.”

“Please, Your Majesty.”

“Did you personally manage the territories in Virand?”

“Eh? Th-That is……”

“Barret, I ask you as well. About a year ago, there was information that contraband was smuggled from Dolianche Territory through the Kingdom of Laboner to the Danas Federation. Were you truly unaware of this?”

The question was posed, and Ashuran and Barret’s expressions hardened.

Even as King Laskan continued to stare, they could not answer easily.

At that point, King Laskan’s gaze shifted to Queen Elina.

“Queen… there is evidence that secret funds from various territories flowed into your hands. How do you explain that?”

King Laskan had, over the years, prepared extensively.

Naturally, if it were not for Duke Alito’s rebellion, it would have been difficult to confront them so directly.

At that moment, First Secretary Raphael Price brought forth several parchment scrolls.

As the parchments were unfurled, the deeds of Duke Alito Kright and Queen Elina were recorded in detail.

“Th-This is… false! How can you not trust me!”

“That is correct, Your Majesty! Mother would never do such a thing. And of course, neither would we!”

Barret hurriedly tried to add his defense, but King Laskan’s expression darkened further.

“I am especially disappointed in you. Barret, to think you profited from contraband passing through Dolianche Territory. Did you take my orders to care for the subjects of the territories as a joke?”

“Y-Your Majesty……”

“And did you think I would not know that the contraband was Lev?”

Lev was the narcotic flower considered ‘forbidden across the continent,’ which Raion had previously encountered in the Praizen territories.

King Laskan knew this and could not help but be genuinely enraged.

“I will hear no further excuses.”

“Your Majesty! It truly was not us!”

“Silence! Queen Elina and Duke Alito Kright, all nobles involved in this matter, will be stripped of their status and authority. Regardless of rank, you will be imprisoned in Derap!”

Everyone’s expressions turned dark at those words.

Derap was the prison administered in the northern Arenvatz territories.

As the decision was made, many tried to cry out in protest, seeking any way to escape.

But King Laskan’s expression did not change.

The royal knights moved in and dragged them away.

“Raion… you have worked hard.”

“I only did what was necessary.”

“I have heard many things as the events progressed. You have a Swordmaster and a 5-Circle Archmage under your command, I hear.”

King Laskan’s gaze shifted to Jade and Caldein.

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