Chapter 27: Epilogue
One day, the Ninth Empire fell. It was a conclusion that defied any other explanation.
The fierce struggle between the emperor and the revolution had become meaningless.
Yet, the question remained relevant.
Emperor or revolution?
Emperor Wilhelm of Brandenburg renounced his throne, and the nobles loyal to the emperor bowed to their new ruler.
Thus, nine empires had risen and fallen, and finally, the Tenth Empire emerged.
“Thank you for answering the call.”
Since the Third Empire, there had been a tradition known as the “Imperial Tradition.” Nobles, clergy, and even the bourgeoisie of free cities gathered to decide the empire’s fate.
The Imperial Assembly.
In the imperial city of Ingelheim, the solemn gathering took place, and the ruler clad in black and gold finally appeared.
But it wasn’t just one person.
The powerful figures thought to have vanished with the Fourth Empire also made their presence known.
The murmurs ceased as if silenced by magic.
”……!”
“Is that… the North Continent’s Fourth Empire…?”
The emperor’s wife, once known as the Divine Sword, Grand Duchess Lancaster, and Charlotte of Saxony.
The emperor’s father, the continent’s greatest necromancer, Alan of Saxony.
The Night Raven Knights of Saxony, led by the formidable Sir Helmut Blackbear, and the Guardians of the Tomb.
Even the black magicians of the Black Tower, wielding undeniable “black magic” in an era where the magic towers had lost their color.
Whoosh!
The aura of the Night Raven Knights was no different. The nobles held their breath at the sight of the pitch-black aura blades and the aura avatars enveloping their bodies.
“An aura avatar!”
But that wasn’t all. Following the Night Raven Knights, the heavily armored infantry, armed with the “magic armor” once considered the revolutionaries’ secret weapon, appeared.
“Is that…?”
“The revolutionaries’ magic armor…?!”
The nobles gasped in shock, but Dale reassured them.
“These armors were always meant for our empire’s soldiers.”
As proof, the unmistakable emblem of the Night Raven was engraved on the black armor of the infantry.
In an era where a single warrior could overwhelm a thousand, these demons had proven their might, piling mountains of enemy corpses.
To the people of this era, those present seemed like nothing more than phantoms from the past. But they were no mere phantoms.
In the absolute zero that could freeze time itself, the ice had finally melted, revealing them from history.
Dale, along with the Saxon family and their knights and magicians, stood ready.
Yet, there was no need for them to move. The man who had conquered the Ninth Empire from north to south was enough.
The Grand Magus.
Not a foolish emperor or a hollow empire, but a true empire worthy of their loyalty stood there.
“Once again, I thank the nobles, clergy, and bourgeoisie for making the difficult journey here.”
At the forefront of the assembly, a throne awaited the emperor they were to serve. A throne forged from black gold.
Dale glanced at the throne and then turned to Charlotte.
“Charlotte, sit here.”
“Dale…?”
Yet, it was not Dale’s place to sit on the throne.
“For the sake of our child, please rest here.”
“But… there are other seats. We could call for…”
Charlotte hesitated, but Dale shook his head.
“I want you and our child to sit here before everyone.”
”…….”
Gently caressing her growing belly, Dale spoke. Charlotte did not hesitate.
Charlotte took her place on the black-gold throne. Standing by his wife’s side, Dale turned to his father.
“Shall we call for seats?”
“There’s no need.”
“Understood.”
Alan replied calmly, and Dale nodded.
“Please, everyone, be seated.”
Standing beside his wife, the ruler in black and gold spoke. A murmur spread through the assembly. Could they sit when the emperor himself had not? But Dale continued quietly.
“I wish for you to sit without feeling burdened.”
His voice was gentle yet brooked no argument. Finally, those gathered in the assembly took their seats. Silence fell once more, and in that silence, Dale spoke.
“Thank you for your loyalty.”
In the silence, Dale’s voice resonated. Across countless ages, unfamiliar empires and nobles were present.
He glanced around.
The Saxon family, who had always stood by him, were there. Even as nine empires rose and fell, they remained by Dale’s side.
He had no grand plans to change the world. No sins to atone for. All Dale wished for was one thing.
A world where he and his loved ones could be happy.
But for that, he needed his empire.
To grasp what he desired.
“In return for your loyalty, your rule and system will be guaranteed. Moreover, I will assist you with the threats you face.”
“Could it be the revolutionaries…?”
“Emperor or revolution.”
A noble muttered, and Dale nodded in response.
“Before that question, I hope you do not disappoint me.”
“How could we, Your Majesty!”
The nobles rose in unison, their voices a chorus.
“Is that truly so?”
Yet, as they raised their voices, Dale’s smile turned cold.
“You willingly knelt before me, offering handfuls of dirt, betraying the emperor to whom you had sworn fealty.”
”……!”
Gasps echoed throughout the room. It was true. In many ways, the fall of the Ninth Empire was a farcical comedy. A single man had terrified the emperor into fleeing, and from the north to the south, nobles had knelt one by one. A few foolish ones had stood against the man for Emperor Wilhelm, and they remembered well the consequences.
They remembered the endless army of lions stretching beyond the horizon. The grotesque fusion of flesh, blood, bone, castles, and cold weapons, birthing monstrous giants.
The Emperor of the Grand Magus Empire, the ruler in black and gold.
Those present had no grand loyalty. They trembled in fear, bowing desperately before the absolute ruler they could not defy.
“Ah, but you need not worry.”
In the chilling silence, Dale smiled quietly.
“Fear ensures loyalty. And…”
He continued, his voice steady.
“I can promise you that nothing in this world is more terrifying than betraying me. And it seems we have a perfect opportunity to prove that.”
The air grew colder. In the silence, Dale extended his arm.
Swoosh!
From the shadows of the assembly, black tendrils emerged. Cries of shock and confusion erupted among the nobles, but it was then.
“Do not move!”
Sir Helmut Blackbear’s voice thundered, and those in the assembly froze. The tendrils snatched a few nobles, flinging them before Dale.
“Hi, hiik!”
“Your Majesty! What is the meaning of this?”
At that moment, Charlotte rose before Dale. He held his breath for a moment.
“Charlotte…?”
“We know you have been colluding with the revolutionaries, selling out my husband and the empire’s secrets.”
”……!”
As the emperor’s wife, Charlotte spoke with the authority befitting her station. Murmurs spread throughout the room.
Nothing could hide the truth from the Shadow Lord. They could not deceive the blue webs that ensnared them.
“But as long as you remain loyal to our empire, we offer you one last chance.”
”……!”
“We will rule through fear. But we are not without mercy. Confess your truth and atone for your sins now.”
Charlotte spoke, not to those they ruled, but directly to the man beside her. As if speaking to Dale. In response, Dale remained silent.
“As she says.”
After a moment of silence, Dale spoke.
Latecomers knelt, bowing their heads, and began confessing in detail their collusion with the revolutionaries. After their confessions, they knelt before the emperor, begging for forgiveness. They finally understood that nothing could hide the truth lurking in the shadows from their sovereign.
All around them, dark tendrils writhed, ready to tear them apart at a mere gesture. Yet, when Dale quietly waved his hand, the tendrils retreated into the shadows beneath their feet.
He then turned his gaze to Charlotte. She wasn’t the only one asleep in this world of absolute zero. He could feel the life stirring between them, nestled within her.
The child of Dale and Charlotte, waiting to be born soon.
“Thank you, Dale,” Charlotte whispered softly. Dale responded with a gentle smile.
After smiling, he turned his head toward the people of the empire he was destined to rule.
The smile vanished, replaced by a face devoid of any emotion, as if the smile had been a lie.
That night, in the imperial bedroom of Saxon Castle.
“A merciful empire…” Dale muttered with a bitter smile as he sat on the edge of the bed.
He no longer wished to repeat the follies of the past. He didn’t want to become a figure of fear and dread, even to those he loved, and be isolated from everyone.
So, Dale turned his head.
Toward his people, his beloved wife.
“You have no more duties or sacrifices to make for this world, Dale.”
“This is the world that we, and our child, will rule.”
“Neither I nor our child want you to become a demon. Your parents wouldn’t want that either.”
Charlotte replied with a hint of sadness.
Hearing her words, Dale was struck silent, as if hit by a hammer.
”…I see.”
“I no longer wish for the world to fear and revere you.”
”…”
“You are a good person, Dale.”
But to those words, Dale found himself unable to respond.