Chapter 95 – Romance and Dreams

She was.

Even if she killed millions or tens of millions,

she was a person who wanted to reign as Emperor.

“I know. What kind of woman she is. That is why this meeting will probably be an ultimatum. Still, we have to give her one last chance. Isn’t she… the lover of all players?”

Rashid’s expression stiffened.

“What kind of absolute garbage are you talking about? Lover, my foot. That woman does not get involved with anyone. Her extreme pure-bloodism and pride as an Emperor will never tolerate a human man.”

A representative example was Ryden.

“Think of Ryden. Even that poor guy is ultimately just used and discarded. Was there ever any romance between the two?”

Rashid shook his head openly.

“No, none at all. Even that great Ryden was rejected solely because he was human. That woman is originally like that. She never permits human men. I would rather recommend getting involved with the Witch. At least there is a possibility there.”

Kaiser stroked his chin.

He did not particularly seem to deny it.

“Actually, I already knew that romance with her was impossible.”

“Even so, were you trying to do such a foolish thing?”

“There is also such a thing as platonic love. Leaving her alive, even though she is someone who absolutely cannot be spared. I considered that romance.”

Rashid did not seem to empathize.

“I do not understand. If it were a game, I would just accept it, but this is not even a game. At any rate, it will be hard to persuade that woman. Ultimately, you have to kill her.”

“If she can be persuaded, there is no need to kill her.”

Rashid could not easily gauge the power of authority Kaiser possessed.

Because it was a completely unfamiliar power that he had never heard of or seen until now.

‘He has equipped a terrifying variable.’

When Rashid’s unsatisfied gaze fell upon Kaiser, he grinned.

“Why are you looking at me with those eyes?”

“Because I feel like my head is going to split because of you. I cannot get a sense of how much you will twist the situation with that mouth of yours.”

“Still, you think it is a relief, right? That a person with authority is on the same side.”

“Same side, my foot… But let’s say she is persuaded. What on earth is good about leaving her with authority? The reason that woman is a problem is entirely because of that authority. That is the root of all evil.”

All traces of laughter vanished from Kaiser’s face.

He had become somewhat serious.

“You do not need to worry about her authority. Because she will have to discard that power to reach an agreement with us.”

“Discard that power?”

Kaiser showed a small bottle containing an elixir.

“This is called the Elixir of Blindness, and I received it from Veronica. If she drinks this, she will be blinded for up to several months. Her authority is based on her Evil Eyes for now. If she loses her eyesight, the authority itself will not activate. I plan to control her authority with this.”

It was a dreamlike story.

“Do you think she would drink that? In the first place, the reason she can sit on the throne is entirely because of that authority, isn’t it?”

“Otherwise, her head will be cut off.”

“That woman does not know the future like we do. She will absolutely not think that she is going to die.”

In addition,

“Furthermore, I still remember. Even when her neck was placed on the guillotine, that woman showed no signs of fear at all. She kept both eyes wide open.”

Rashid still vividly remembered her eyes, which had been unwavering until the final moment.

If one saw that gaze, it was clear that her will would never be broken.

“She is not a woman who fears death. So you will not be able to persuade her with such things.”

Kaiser also did not raise any objections.

Because he agreed.

Instead, he began an unrelated story.

“Constitutional monarchy. If we persuade her, the Empire will become like that.”

Rashid tilted his head.

What on earth was he talking about all of a sudden?

“She will remain as a nominal Emperor, and that too is a democracy based on the Council. The Guild Federation will also accept it.”

“Hey, did you hear what I said? I said she cannot be persuaded.”

“If she survives, there is only one advantage. Her authority will not be a disaster, but will become our power.”

Rashid narrowed his brow.

The task he thought was absolutely impossible seemed not to be the case for him.

Kaiser’s words continued.

“Then we can suppress other villains with her authority. Because she would not want the world to perish either.”

“Complete fantasy. Are you saying that if we spare the Demon King without killing him, that Demon King will execute other Demon Kings as if repaying a debt?”

Kaiser did not deny it.

“That’s right. That is exactly what romance is.”

“This is reality. You should look for romance in games.”

Kaiser was firmer than expected.

“I told you before, didn’t I? This is my fight.”

For some reason, Rashid felt he would not be able to stop him.

“If she becomes a disaster, the one who will have the biggest problem is me. Since my neck will be sliced first.”

As he said, this fight was his fight, not Rashid’s.

The method was incomprehensible, but what was certain was the fact that he would be the one to suffer damage before it harmed Rashid.

“I will try my best to persuade her. If it succeeds, we will move down a completely different path from what we have known so far. Of course, it won’t be bad. Because she will become an ally.”

Constitutional monarchy.

Rashid thought about the form of government he had mentioned.

Without a doubt, the simultaneous existence of the Empress of Blood and the Council

was something that had never existed even once.

Probably no one had ever seen it.

“Have you tried it before?”

“No. This will be the first time. In the first place, playing the role of Kaiser is also my first time.”

“Mind-boggling. To think it’s even your first time.”

Rashid pictured a future where she survived along with the Council.

It could not be pictured.

Since it was an impossible future in the first place.

But since the person concerned was stubborn, there was no choice.

“Fine. Since you say you have authority, I will watch for now. Because you are still within the controllable range.”

“Controllable range? It seems there is something I do not know?”

“Anyway, that woman is all about her authority.”

Although he did not speak of it,

Rashid was also preparing for the case where Kaiser failed.

‘If I just give up the Immortal Heart, she is actually not that difficult of an opponent. Perhaps she is already finished.’

Just before they almost reached the meeting venue,

Rashid addressed him while picturing the events after the revolution.

“You said before that you received a proposal from Kane to join the Club, right?”

“Yes, I did. The reason Kane is not stepping forward right now is also because he is weighing options between me and the Emperor.”

“Join it. Go and play the spy role you are good at.”

Kaiser made a grimace.

“What on earth are you talking about? A spy? I am a person who absolutely detests spying.”

“Join. Since it is the price for respecting your romance.”

Kaiser asked with a reluctant expression.

“Is… such a thing really necessary?”

“It is an opportunity to monitor Kane and Zodiac from the shortest distance. Let me tell you once again, I am forcing this as the price for overlooking the crazy stunt you want to pull. Do not even think of refusing.”

“Sigh… Then, do I just have to monitor Kane and Zodiac well?”

“No, there is one more. But that one is not guaranteed to appear. Since it is a hidden one.”

“A hidden one?”

Kaiser, who had been assessing various villains, realized it late.

“Ah… is it her? The Heart of Infection?”

It was a villain whose very identity was unclear.

“Yes. But she might not appear. Whether she appears or not is completely random.”

“The Heart of Infection… I have not even met her.”

“Probably not. Since she is hidden. The probability of her appearing is half. In my opinion, she might be related to Zodiac, who touches dimensions…”

“I think I heard that her evaluation was similar to Zodiac? That there is no solution.”

“That’s why you need to go and monitor them well. Because we must make sure whether that woman appears or not. While you’re at it, you have to monitor those two fellows as well.”

“I don’t really feel like it, but since you are tolerating my romance, I have no choice either. Fine. Let’s try it. Spying.”

Before they knew it, they reached the meeting venue.

In front of the reception room, the ambassador of the Guild Federation and a few Imperial Guard knights were positioned.

And countless clerics were lined up densely around the hallway.

Ambassador Cockle, who had shown signs of anxiety, smiled brightly upon seeing Kaiser arrive.

“You’ve arrived, Party Representative! We were waiting for you. Her Majesty is inside.”

The two soon entered the meeting room along with Ambassador Cockle.

Inside, she, who was under the escort of Ryden, was waiting.

The Empress of Blood.

* * *

In the garden of the imperial palace, where roses bloomed in profusion.

“Your Highness.”

Turning her head at the familiar voice, she

could not hide her surprise upon seeing the freckled woman wearing glasses.

“Rina? You… are dead, are you not?”

Rina tilted her head.

“Am I dead? That cannot be. I am right here, alive and well, so I do not know what you are talking about.”

“…”

She realized late

that this was not reality, but her dream.

“Your Highness, I have something to tell you.”

Which had now become the past.

It was a small fragment of memory she had shared with her.

“Speak. I am listening.”

“As I have watched Kaiser, a Player, closely, he is one who possesses the power to manipulate the public with his tongue. In particular, he is strong at incitement. His talent for giving speeches is also excellent.”

“Does that mean his eloquence is brilliant?”

“Yes. Perhaps even Your Highness might be swayed and shaken by his words.”

“How could that be?”

“Your Highness, you must absolutely not underestimate the power he possesses. Furthermore, he is a Player.”

Rina Spiegel.

She warned her, picturing a future that might happen.

“I hope you will not have to meet him, but if by any chance you do meet him, you must never be swayed and shaken by his words. He will try to persuade and manipulate Your Highness by any means. He is like a snake.”

“Like a snake?”

“Yes, a wicked snake. So you must always keep your distance from him.”

“In any case. Do not be swayed and shaken by his words?”

“Yes, you must never be shaken. The moment you are shaken, the Empire will crumble.”

“…”

Rina displayed a faint smile to her.

“But you do not have to worry so much. The way to avoid being shaken by his words is surprisingly simple. You just have to use the power of authority on yourself. Then his brilliant eloquence will never be able to shake Your Highness.”

She slowly opened her eyes.

The surroundings were dark, and only the regular ticking of a clock echoed in the excessively spacious room.

“Light the fire.”

The bedchamber grew bright, and several maids arrived and bowed their heads near her.

She went and stood in front of the mirror in the bedchamber.

Once day broke, there would be a meeting with the ambassador of the Guild Federation.

According to what he conveyed, it was a meeting that the representative of the Golden Age Party would also attend.

Perhaps the content of the dream just now

was a trace left behind by her, who had vanished silently, to protect her?

She silently stared into the mirror, then used the power of authority on yourself.

“I will not be shaken by any words.”

She was the only person remaining in the imperial family.

If she were to be shaken,

the imperial family that had ruled the Empire for the past thousand years would gradually fade into the background of history and be forgotten by everyone.

No, it must never be forgotten.

That would be a matter for all members of the imperial family, including the ancestral Emperors, to wail in grief.

So she must never be shaken.

Never.