Chapter 85 – Two Survivors

Hell was not the worst place.

The grand palace where the great demon resided was as magnificent as the Imperial Palace, filled inside with countless servants, maids, and delicacies of all kinds.

When Rashid did not leave despite the portal to the mortal realm being open, the great demon invited him and coaxed him with all kinds of words, but his true intention was nothing more than begging him to leave quietly.

This was the result of returning after pestering him like that for a week.

“Do you think one can become friends with a demon?”

At the sudden question, Aria tilted her head.

“Can one become friends with a demon?”

“A guy who was completely smitten by my power to make demons surrender made a proposal. Saying we could help each other out, and that we should get along.”

“You must have gone through a lot of things.”

The power of Abyss Fall that Gehenna possessed.

Rashid coveted that power, and the great demon Gaap coveted the power of the Jaeger family that made great demons surrender.

The method Gaap proposed was this:

If he eliminated a great demon that annoyed him, he would present him with the power of Abyss Fall in exchange.

When Rashid’s reaction was lukewarm, Gaap presented him with a single opportunity as a bait disguised as goodwill.

That was, the power of Abyss Fall to send anyone to hell.

‘I can send at least one guy. It’s a taste of the power, but if it’s useful, I might have to visit that Gaap guy again.’

That was it for hell.

“More importantly, did you retrieve the Immortal Heart well? Honestly, I was keeping in mind to some extent the possibility that you might fail.”

It was a task ordered with nothing to lose.

The probability of success was about fifty percent.

Rashid had already set up another plan in advance in case she failed.

She did not hide her discomfort.

“To think you did not believe in me. This is quite unpleasant. Was I that untrustworthy to you?”

“Still, it’s a relief that you resolved it. But did the Imperial Family hand it over submissively? I doubt they handed it over so easily.”

Although she wore a displeased expression, she soon smoothed her face and responded.

“It was possible because there was a verbal promise to return it. Had it not been for that, they would not have handed it over.”

“Then, if you do not return it, there will be trouble?”

“Yes, they won’t sit still. Setting aside the Imperial Family, it is an item whose value cannot be measured. Since it is the heart of the First Emperor, which is still beating to this day.”

She asked.

“By the way, what on earth are you planning to use the Immortal Heart for? I secured it since it was an order, but I still have doubts.”

“Is there a need to explain?”

“But the one who will be in trouble if we don’t return it immediately is me?”

“Hand it over to me. I will take responsibility.”

“You, Chief Inquisitor?”

“Or do you want to keep holding onto that bomb-like thing? The Imperial Family is an immediate problem, but they are not the only ones who want it, are they?”

There was the Dharma Division that wanted the Immortal Heart persistently.

Given that their relationship with the Purgatory Coven had even gone sour, they too were serious.

Rashid informed her of the various risk factors that could stem from the Immortal Heart.

“If things go wrong, the entire Dharma Division might target us. The Dharma Division must want the Immortal Heart that strongly.”

“The entire Dharma Division… then will you continue to hold the Immortal Heart even knowing that, Chief Inquisitor?”

“I’m thinking about it. For now, securing it was the priority.”

Her doubts were not yet resolved.

“Unless you are going to sell the Immortal Heart somewhere… did you wish to obtain eternal life? I cannot understand it. Why are you trying to possess it even while overreaching like this?”

The Immortal Heart was a quite precious artifact that granted up to a hundred percent mana amplification and raised the mana stat by a whopping three points upon a successful transplant.

Also, since it was an infinitely beating heart, eternal life would be possible as well.

‘However, the failure probability is five percent. If it fails, you die.’

If it had been a game, he would have trusted the ninety-five percent probability and implanted it in himself.

But since it was reality, Rashid did not even think of such a thing.

‘The important thing is that it does not fall into Zodiac’s hands.’

The timing was too early, way too early.

If it fell into Zodiac’s hands at this time, the Evil Deity would arrive in this world earlier than expected.

While the other fellows were already tough to deal with, the moment the Evil Deity crossed over, the game would be over.

‘The Evil Deity is not something that can be caught. Preventing it from crossing over no matter what is the best option.’

Although she was full of questions.

Rashid was still unfriendly.

“Staying here is your choice, but I have no desire to keep a subordinate who constantly questions my work. Even if you do not understand it right now, it is a meaningful task, so if you are really dissatisfied, go independent. That will be better for both of us.”

“You mean you won’t tell me?”

“That’s right.”

Her expression was filled with discontent, but for some reason, it soon melted away like snow.

“Actually, I don’t care what you do. I only said it because I was worried since you are holding onto a dangerous item. If the Dharma Division targets you using the Immortal Heart as an excuse, that won’t just be your business, will it? We, your subordinates, will get busy too.”

Rashid laughed lightly.

“Isn’t that a good thing from your perspective? You will have a legal excuse to hunt the Dharma Division.”

“Yes, that’s true. So I’m actually looking forward to it a little.”

“Then that’s settled. Since you don’t seem to have any particular complaints. Do you have anything more to say?”

She asked worriedly.

“What are you going to do about the Imperial Family?”

“The Imperial Family?”

A faint smile played on the corners of Rashid’s mouth.

“Don’t worry about the Imperial Court.”

She tilted her head.

“Isn’t the Imperial Court more of a problem than the Dharma Division regarding the Immortal Heart?”

Rashid shook his head, almost with certainty.

“No, the Imperial Court won’t have that kind of leeway. Rather than the unreturned Immortal Heart, their heads must be splitting right now due to Kaiser, who has returned alive.”

Come to think of it.

His return from hell meant that the man who had fallen into hell with him had also returned alive.

“Did the leader of the Golden Age Party return as well?”

“Yes. He returned safely thanks to me. He must be settling the confusion within the party by now. And once the confusion is settled, he will step to the forefront.”

Rashid’s words continued.

“He fell into hell under the oppression of the Imperial Court and returned alive like a miracle. Do you think Kaiser would blow such a good opportunity? The masses will become even more enthusiastic about his return. They will accept the revolution not as a wildfire that will soon die out, but as a fixed destiny. Kaiser knows that well too, so he will absolutely not throw away that opportunity.”

The Imperial Court and the Golden Age Party.

It was about time for phase two.

Kaiser, having returned from hell, would call himself the ‘Immortal Drummer’ and incite the masses even more strongly, and would also obtain new power by contacting the military.

On the other hand, the Imperial Court, which had parted ways with the Guild Federation, would feel considerable financial pressure and experience popular uprisings occurring quite often.

Even so, it would not be a disadvantageous fight for the Imperial Court.

Unlike until now, the Imperial Princess would no longer walk on eggshells due to a certain event.

The return of the absolute imperial authority that everyone remembered.

‘In the end, it’s strength against strength. One of the two must break before it ends.’

Hearing Rashid’s words, she wore a complex and subtle expression.

It was probably the first time.

That she predicted the victory of the Golden Age Party.

“You really seem to believe the Golden Age Party will win, Chief Inquisitor.”

Rashid confirmed with an unwavering expression without answering.

Narrowing her eyes slightly, she suddenly showed a smile.

Rashid expressed his doubts.

“Why are you smiling?”

“It’s nothing. I will give you the Immortal Heart right away.”

She had no interest in politics, and revolution was not what she desired, but.

If the Golden Age Party won and they became the new masters of the Empire.

Who would be the person closest to the one who became the core of that power?

And what about herself beside him?

* * *

The weekly regular state affairs meeting.

In the aftermath of the cut in financial support from the Guild Federation, the Empire’s finances had already reached their limit.

Explicit anxiety and impatience were written on the faces of high-ranking nobles and cabinet members, and the meeting hall sank into a heavy silence.

In such an atmosphere, only the young Emperor, not fully understanding the seriousness of the situation, merely kept his seat while intimidated by their sharp gazes.

Within that kind of atmosphere.

The Prime Minister, Noctis, recalled the headlines of several newspapers he had read in the morning.

[“I am the Drummer!” Golden Age Party Leader Returns from Hell, Incitement in Full Swing Amid Public Enthusiasm —Imperial Capital News—]

[The Man Who Returned from Hell, Reincarnated as the ‘Immortal Drummer’. Crowds Enthusiastic Over Golden Age Party Leader —Imperial Daily—]

Their momentum, which had been regarded as a mere wildfire, had now deteriorated to a concerning level.

Especially the party leader who returned alive from hell was the problem.

Even under the oppression of the Royal Guard and the Imperial Army, he backed the firm support of the public, and was threateningly expanding his power while even beating a drum.

If this continued, catastrophe was as clear as looking at a fire.

“If this continues, we might not be able to stop the Golden Age Party.”

The Prime Minister was the first to speak.

The cabinet members and nobles present were saving their words, but generally agreed with what the Prime Minister said.

“I hear he’s even beating a drum to incite them lately? The ignorant crowd is being even more strongly incited by him who returned alive from hell. What on earth is the Internal Inspectorate doing, leaving such a person alone? Shouldn’t they have caught him long ago?”

Everyone’s gaze gathered on the master of the Internal Inspectorate.

Feeling the gazes, he opened his mouth as if to make an excuse.

“That matter has already been given to Inspector Varasha… No. I will take new measures.”

“I know there are already quite a lot of charges to arrest him on. He is from an enemy nation, and even espionage charges are being mentioned, right? Even if I am not an inspector, there are several things to link him to. At this point, aren’t you colluding with the Golden Age Party and openly turning a blind eye?”

“What do you mean by that! Colluding, indeed. Do you even know how that party leader has been running away before you speak?”

“And such a person is openly beating a drum and inciting the masses?”

The Director of the Internal Inspectorate swallowed his anger and changed his attitude.

Deciding not to take responsibility.

“They are armed rioters who even command a paramilitary organization. It is already out of the Inspectorate’s jurisdiction. It is a matter for the military to step in.”

The future of the Thousand-Year Empire was in jeopardy.

The Prime Minister spoke with a stiff expression.

“The military… as I recall, Your Highness Yennifer ordered even harsher oppression. Even so, if it’s to that degree, I am deeply concerned that it might be unstoppable now.”

The expression of the Imperial Princess, seated behind the young Emperor, stiffened.

She did not seem pleased that he, as the Prime Minister, concluded it that way.

“Prime Minister. The Royal Guard and the Imperial Army are suppressing and arresting the armed rioters who insulted the Imperial Family day and night. Why do you say such things?”

“Even so, their momentum does not die. Rather, it feels like the citizens, having harbored resentment after a clumsy suppression, are flocking even more to that drum-beating demagogue.”

Only now did his gaze turn toward the young Emperor.

“Your Majesty, it is already very late. Before it gets any later, it seems you must take special measures.”

The flustered Emperor, looking at the several cabinet members and nobles staring intently at him, did not know what to do.

“If you mean measures, what kind of…”

The Emperor, trailing off, called for her in a low voice.

“Yennifer…”

Stepping forward as if she had been waiting, she presented a solution.

“Your Majesty, summon the military leadership and call out the army. Since when does the military only guard the borders? The heart of the Empire is on the verge of collapsing to the rioters. If we even bring in the army, unlike until now, the rioters will be suppressed in an instant.”

It was a correct statement, but a few who knew the reality let out a faint sigh.

Unable to watch any longer, the Prime Minister stepped in.

“Your Majesty, the military’s dissatisfaction is considerable. Since the support from the Guild Federation was cut, serious problems have arisen in overall military supplies and salaries. Unless this issue is resolved, the military won’t step in.”

Other cabinet members added their words.

“If the agitation among the soldiers worsens due to insufficient supplies and back pay, no one can tell how the military leadership will behave.”

“Your Majesty, it is difficult to see the military as a reliable ally anymore. Aren’t they avoiding orders and dragging their feet even now? Before the situation worsens further, we must either straighten out discipline or present them with a carrot.”

Prime Minister Noctis.

To him, the priority was not the survival of the Imperial Family, but the survival of the Empire.

“Your Majesty, how about reviving the Council?”

“The Council? Yennifer said the Council absolutely cannot…”

The moment the Emperor’s gaze landed on his sister, the Imperial Princess, her expression became stern all at once.

“The Council is absolutely out of the question. Your Majesty strictly stated after that day that any act challenging the authority of the Imperial Family would not be tolerated.”

Since she was not the Emperor.

The Prime Minister sought the Emperor and asked again.

“Your Majesty, what do you think about resurrecting the Council? If it is in the same format as before, it seems it would have the effect of persuading the Guild Federation while maintaining the authority of the Imperial Family.”

He continued speaking, as if to emphasize.

“For now, securing a source of money to appease the military’s heart is the priority. The angry public sentiment would subside once the military moves, but if the military turns its back, it cannot be salvaged then.”

The Imperial Princess glared at the Prime Minister openly.

“Prime Minister. I have stated clearly. That any act lowering the authority of the Imperial Family won’t be tolerated.”

The Prime Minister did not back down either.

“Your Highness is not the Emperor, are you? I am asking for His Majesty’s intent right now.”