I paused for a moment before answering, and the Emperor quietly opened his mouth.

“Count Acaine de Hoffman of Dronoar was already the most powerful lord in the South. As you know, he’s a descendant of a hero from the fourth Heroes’ party.”

“……”

“When someone like that raises their voice, they naturally become a rallying point.”

“What exactly is he trying to do?”

“He submitted an official petition to me. He’s asking that the Holy Knights of Light be dispatched to investigate the Hasphil territory thoroughly. And if I refuse, he says he’ll send his own investigators.”

At that, the Emperor pressed his forehead.

“Normally, this would be something that warrants investigation even without a petition. But I’ve learned it’s best not to interfere in a Hero’s affairs lightly.”

“That’s included in imperial education as well?”

“Yes. Heroes are beings beyond human understanding. The Emperor’s role is only to ensure their path is unobstructed.”

He looked at me directly.

“So, can I hear your answer? Will you persuade Count Acaine of Dronoar?”

“……”

“Think of it as a quest from me.”

I studied the Emperor carefully.

I could guess at his ulterior motives, but his logic wasn’t wrong. If I was to be recognized as the true Hero, I’d need renown not just in the North, but in the South as well.

And the first thing I needed to do for that—

—Was erase Kaeld’s imprint.

To achieve that goal, persuading the lord of Dronoar, the loudest supporter of Kaeld, was crucial.

But first…

‘I’ve got to settle things with this damn ant.’

Can’t focus on anything with the back of my head itching like this.

I nodded first.

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

“Oh? Then you’re accepting the quest?”

“Yes. I can’t let the Empire be split in two over me and Kaeld. Division at this time is unacceptable.”

“I agree.”

“Indeed. All of humanity must stand united.”

And I added one last thing:

“Centered around me, of course.”

The Emperor’s expression turned… complicated.

That night.

Serein received an extremely discreet summons.

When the Emperor first commissioned her to assassinate Kaeld, he gave her a code phrase. If anyone recited that phrase, she was to assume it came directly from him.

Just now, a worker from the inn had brought her a complimentary late-night snack. Right before leaving, he spoke the code.

Then delivered a brief message—or rather, a directive.

“Please come to the ‘Moonlight’ Inn before 11 PM tonight.”

“Wow. Even the staff at regular inns are on payroll? How much are you getting paid?”

“…In any case, the message is delivered. Good night.”

The worker left.

Serein arrived at the inn at the appointed time.

It was a pitiful place, wholly unbefitting of housing the Emperor of the Empire.

Only one guest was inside.

Serein sat across from the Emperor and opened her mouth.

“You really think it’s safe to be walking around alone? The world’s not exactly a gentle place.”

“There are those watching over me from the shadows. You, too, are a hero—how did you not notice?”

“Our party’s strengths and weaknesses are really obvious.”

“Your party, huh… So, you’ve finally abandoned Kaeld and joined Mide.”

“That’s a pretty ugly way to put it. You could also say I recognized Mide as the true Hero.”

“I thought you were someone who acted based on your own goals, not some noble sense of duty.”

Serein smirked.

“I am. Which is exactly why I joined Mide’s party.”

“Did Mide promise to abolish the clergy profession for you? Judging by his personality…”

“Nope. He just said, ‘Do whatever you want.’”

“Just as I suspected. Then I suppose my commission still stands, doesn’t it?”

Serein hesitated for a moment.

It was true—Mide hadn’t promised to abolish clergy profession with the authority of a Hero.

Instead, he promised to invest a large sum in her potion business.

On paper, it was a laughably weak promise compared to what the Emperor or even Kaeld could offer.

Yet, strangely enough, it had touched her more deeply.

Still, she didn’t say any of this. Instead, she said something else.

“Tell me something. With even the ‘Black Sun’ appearing, do you still believe the Demon King hasn’t descended? Just because there hasn’t been an oracle?”

“Yes. The oracle is absolute. That’s how much faith I place in it.”

“Feels more like you’re deliberately ignoring the truth.”

“I know you’re free-spirited, even arrogant, but perhaps you should watch your tone.”

“……”

“Let’s get to the point.”

Slide.

The Emperor leaned in toward Serein.

“As you’ve probably guessed—I want you to kill Mide.”

“And Kaeld? We’re done caring about him?”

“Some southern territories are still making noise, but across the continent, the tide has clearly turned. Kaeld won’t be making a comeback. However…”

“That just means Mide’s name value has grown.”

“Exactly. That con artist is now powerful enough to pose a threat to the Empire itself—if he so chooses.”

Serein let out a deep sigh.

“Mide would never do that. His greatest wish is to retire and live in peace.”

“I wish I were naive enough to believe that.”

“Either way, I’m refusing.”

“……”

“Don’t contact me again. I’m not asking Your Majesty to grant my wish anymore.”

The Emperor’s expression hardened.

He spoke with a low, growling tone.

“Are you sure about this?”

“What do you mean?”

“You do know who’s protecting your parents right now, don’t you?”

“…!”

“With one word from me, I could have their heads taken. Their titles have already been stripped—it wouldn’t even be a politically risky move.”

Serein fought hard to keep her expression neutral.

But it didn’t work on the seasoned Emperor.

“So you do still care. Strange, considering how they abused you.”

“You’re disgusting.”

“You can’t stay in this position just by being fair and upright. You shouldn’t have forced my hand.”

“……”

“Mide will be going to Dronoar soon.”

Serein, sharp as ever, understood what he meant immediately.

“You want me to assassinate him there?”

“Yes. The Dronoar lord is practically rabid trying to take Mide down. If Mide were to be assassinated there…”

“You could blame Count Acaine.”

“Mhm. I was surprised at how influential Count Acaine has become. He could pose a real threat to the Empire if he wanted.”

“……”

“Kill that fraud Mide, then pin the blame on Count Acaine. Two birds, one stone. Isn’t it brilliant?”

Honestly, Serein had to admit—it was a good plan.

If she weren’t on the receiving end, that is.

She asked:

“Why do you keep trying to force this job onto me? Someone like you could easily hire the top-tier assassination guilds.”

“Mide is powerful, yes—but he also has the Bright Death following him. Didn’t you once complain about that very thing?”

“It’s hard for someone like me, sure. But if you send multiple elite assassins…”

“Even Offense, despite Alkahad hunting him for over ten years, never left a single trace behind.”

Serein was impressed.

‘That old man was that good? He was so lazy in Kaeld’s party—I guess he really was just slacking off.’

Well… same could be said for me, I guess.

Then the Emperor continued.

“If you have a legendary assassin like that by your side, no top-tier guild in the world would stand a chance.”

“And yet I would?”

“I believe your chances are higher than relying on outside help. Especially when your parent’s lives are on the line—wouldn’t that make you try your hardest?”

“……”

“I’m counting on you, Serein Magnus.”

Tap.

The Emperor rose from his seat.

And without even a farewell, he walked out.

Serein glared after his back for a moment before standing up herself.

She returned to the inn where Mide and the party were staying.

They had taken over an entire table and were waiting for her.

“You’re back.”

“Welcome back. You must’ve had a rough time.”

Mide gently pulled out a chair for her and asked,

“How did it go?”

Serein accepted the tea that Lisel offered.

And inside, she clicked her tongue in disbelief.

‘Seriously… Mide is incredible. How did he…’

How did he know the Emperor would summon me?

She sipped her tea and answered.

“Everything went exactly as you predicted.”

I had been expecting this day ever since I found out the Emperor had once commissioned Serein to assassinate Kaeld.

Once my fame outshone Kaeld’s, the Emperor would inevitably turn his blade on me.

‘Maybe the same thing happened before I regressed too.’

Serein had sided with Kaeld and refused the assassination, but that didn’t mean the Emperor gave up.

Still, no matter how far I searched through my memories from before the regression, I couldn’t recall Kaeld ever being in danger of assassination.

On the contrary, the Emperor had laughed heartily and openly cheered him on in the war against the Demon King.

[So how did he handle it back then?]

‘Idria probably stepped in—either she found the Emperor’s weakness or just killed him and installed a puppet on the throne.’

[You say terrifying things so casually.]

Anyway, I had predicted the Emperor would contact Serein secretly.

So I had asked her to play along and report back.

“…That’s the gist of it,” she said after explaining.

Everyone fumed.

“As expected of that ant bastard—he’s got the brain size of one too.”

“To think he’d try to assassinate the Hero, humanity’s hope! Someone like that shouldn’t sit on the Empire’s throne!”

“Hoo hoo. Mother, the only flaw in your otherwise perfect record is that man. But perhaps it is in humanity’s imperfection that its beauty lies.”

“He really doesn’t understand the situation, does he. Raising a blade to Mide…”

“Grade must be pounding the ground in the afterlife right now.”

After enjoying the various reactions, I turned to Serein.

“So? What are you gonna do?”

“Do about what?”

“You’re supposed to kill me, right? It’s your parents’ lives on the line, after all.”

Serein flinched.

The others stopped venting and turned to her cautiously.

After a long moment of silence, she said,

“Well… I mean, if possible, I’d prefer they stayed alive.”

“They’re probably nothing but bad memories for you. Is blood thicker than—”

“No. I just… want to hear something from their own mouths.”

“What is it?”

“That I’m not my sister.”

I understood exactly what she meant. I tapped the table softly with my finger.

“Not to be rude, but I doubt it’ll be easy to shatter their twisted beliefs.”

“Hehe. I’ve got a plan. Curious?”

“No.”

“Then let me tell you where I’ll start—”

To protect my mental health, I deliberately tuned out.

Before we leave for Dronoar, I plan to settle the score with the Emperor.

To do that, I need to make sure I have no loose ends left.

Just then, Serein’s voice called me back.

“What do you think? Isn’t this enough to make them change their minds? I made a full list of everything they did to me.”

“I wasn’t listening.”

“Wow…”

“As an apology, I’ll rescue your parents.”

Serein paused, then cautiously asked,

“How? I’m sure the Emperor has them hidden somewhere deep.”

“What’s your father’s name?”

“Uh… Isaac Magnus.”

“One sec.” Googlᴇ search novelꞁire.net

I called out to Trail.

‘Let’s check it.’

[Got it.]

<You have used the Eye of Omniscience.>

<Current Eye of Omniscience Level: 3. Accessible secret grade: B.>

<Search condition: “Secrets between Hyphen van Handman and Isaac Magnus.”>

<Secret grade is B. Accessing.>

B-grade? That’s fairly high.

The Emperor must’ve hidden it thoroughly.

Soon, a vision appeared.

In it, the Emperor was speaking with Isaac, the former count.

“Y-Your Majesty. Where are you taking me?”

“Count… no, you’re not a count anymore, are you.”

“That’s right. Thanks to Your Majesty.”

“Are you blaming me? You, who completely lost his mind and tortured his own daughter?”

Isaac began to convulse.

“That wasn’t torture—it was love! I’m not the crazy one, she is!”

“Whatever.”

“No matter who you are, this is coercion—!”

“I said that’s enough.”

Tap.

He stopped walking.

Before them stood a small room.

Inside was… another door.

A room with only a door.

‘What is that?’

A door is meant to separate two spaces.

But the door on screen had no other side.

It just stood there, planted in the floor.

And I knew exactly where it was.

A place of mystery—no one knows who made it, why, or how.

The place marked with Beyond’s grand wide area search magic circle.

The place where Dame offered up Erenica’s heirloom book.

It’s under the Imperial Palace.

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep