Chapter 33

"Laughter couldn't be held back – I didn't expect the results to be so much to my liking."

The emperor gazed at the scene before him, in an exceptionally good mood.

– By releasing brainwashed monsters into the capital and simultaneously unleashing the legendary creature, the "Disaster Dragon," on the capital of the Kingdom of Creus, he would bring about its destruction. Immediately after, he would dispatch a large-scale imperial army to slay the dragon and, under the pretext of "rescue," take control of the kingdom.

When his subordinates presented this plan, the emperor's heart raced.

In reality, the "Disaster Dragon" only wreaked havoc for a short while before regaining consciousness and flying away without destroying the capital – but that was fine.

From the beginning, he hadn't expected much more.

Rather, considering the amount of money paid to that eerie "Monster Handler," it had been quite useful.

The dragon, which had been significantly enhanced by the "Demon's Heart" provided by the Misra Theocracy, received a blow from the imperial nation's new decisive weapon – the "Spear of Light" – and fell helplessly to the ground.

The emperor watched the dragon sink into the dust-filled capital and smiled.

"Even a dragon that has lived for thousands of years is, in the end, just a beast – nothing more than a pawn of mine."

So far, everything had gone according to plan.

Using large-scale concealment magic tools, the imperial army that entered the Kingdom of Creus was equipped with three mobile magic barrier generators – the "Shield of Heroes" – capable of withstanding even the dragon's "Doom Light," and four "Spears of Light" that could pierce even the dragon's scales.

In addition to these ultra-high-output magic beam weapons, which made the legendary "Doom Light" seem like child's play, the army included a corps of magicians to operate them, and 9,000 newly recruited soldiers equipped with the latest gear – the "Magic-Enhanced Sword," which could easily cut through iron, and the "Magic-Enhanced Shield," which nullified magic and deflected physical attacks.

Furthermore, the elite soldiers, selected through rigorous screening, were equipped with "Magic-Enhanced Cannons" capable of firing long-range attacks with the power of intermediate-level magicians and "Magic-Enhanced Armors" that almost completely nullified magical attacks. Their number exceeded a thousand.

In total, the army numbered over ten thousand.

The population of the Kingdom of Creus was less than a hundred thousand, and the number of people capable of fighting, including wandering adventurers, did not reach two thousand.

Moreover, how many of them could fight properly in this chaos?

At most, a few hundred, perhaps.

– An overwhelming difference in both quality and quantity.

The emperor couldn't suppress his laughter.

There were no longer any enemies for his empire.

This was a march to announce that fact.

– The script was already written.

For neglecting the management of the "No Return Labyrinth" and allowing the monsters inside to appear in the city –

For the foolish king's unnecessary greed, which provoked the "Disaster Dragon's" wrath and led to the kingdom's self-destruction. The foolish king and the foolish nation.

We, the imperial army, have come to liberate the people and the "No Return Labyrinth," a vital resource known throughout the world, from the mad Creus king.

In a sense, we are the "Savior Army" extending a hand to a nation destroyed by the foolish king's governance.

"Therefore – it must be thoroughly destroyed."

It would be easier to manage if it were reduced to rubble.

The emperor intended to build a new capital and a new magic tool research institute on this land.

For that, it would be more convenient if everything that existed now were to disappear.

The loyal citizens of the foolish king would become a source of trouble if left behind.

It would be better to kill all but the minimum number needed to justify the rescue.

That was what the emperor thought.

However, even the ruthless emperor felt a bit of regret when considering what would be lost with the destruction of the capital.

If the capital of the Kingdom of Creus were completely destroyed, the numerous labyrinth relics said to be stored in the royal treasury, which had been excavated in the past, would be buried under the rubble.

Some could be recovered with a search, but others would undoubtedly be damaged beyond use.

It was regrettable, but there was no choice but to accept it.

Though it was a pity, the fact that the cunning foolish king didn't utilize them suggested they weren't particularly useful.

"But – that one is a pity."

The "Black Sword" obtained from the deepest level of the "No Return Labyrinth."

That alone was a pity.

It was special.

An unknown metal that could not be damaged by any weapon or magic.

If its material and manufacturing methods were deciphered, weapons and military machinery would advance by leaps and bounds.

A suit of armor that could not be damaged by any weapon or magic.

A sword that could easily pierce any armor, even a dragon's scales.

A magic cannon capable of vaporizing an entire city, which was thought to be impossible with known metals.

And many other applications.

It had the power to change the world.

If it were in his hands, a literal revolution could be brought about.

If the manufacturing technology were established through analysis, it would not be a dream to monopolize an "invincible army" that no one could defeat.

That alone was a pity.

The misfortune of that super-relic falling into the hands of the ignorant and foolish king was regrettable.

If it were never discovered, its potential might be buried in history without ever being realized.

– But, the emperor thought.

Even if the "Black Sword" could not be found in the rubble, it would be enough to have the labyrinth that produced it.

There was a good possibility that similar relics made of the same material were still sleeping in the deeper levels of the "No Return Labyrinth."

With advanced weapons, the army could thoroughly explore and secure all the relics at the bottom.

There might even be even more incredible relics in the "Oldest Labyrinth."

If so, the empire would experience explosive growth.

The benefits and blessings this would bring to the world as a whole are immeasurable.

– That foolish king couldn't understand it.

The ignorant and foolish king rejected all the generous demands from the empire.

Therefore, he would be destroyed.

All his subordinates would be destroyed.

It would serve as a warning to other nations.

The only witnesses to the events would be those of the empire.

"Multiple narrators are not needed in history – one truth is enough."

The history told by the victors is the only absolute truth.

There is no need for other voices.

Even if there were survivors among the citizens, they could be silenced and sold into slavery.

The head of the commercial guild in the commercial autonomous zone had already been spoken to.

They were free to "acquire" refugees.

If anyone spoke out of turn, their mouths would be sealed.

"Still, quite a few seem to have survived."

The wind blew, and the dust gradually cleared, revealing the city before him.

The capital of the foolish king had not collapsed as much as he had thought.

The dragon, though it had rampaged spectacularly for a short time, had only destroyed about a quarter of the city.

The dragon, which was supposed to carry out a mass slaughter, had performed disappointingly.

The population of the capital had not been reduced by half.

If this continued, the imperial army would have to eliminate a considerable number of "rebels."

"– That will be an interesting challenge."

The emperor stroked his white-streaked beard and laughed.

The enemy had no power to resist the imperial army.

What was to come would be a one-sided slaughter.

Even the adventurers gathered from around the world were, in the end, just a collection of ordinary people.

They were no match for the imperial army, fully equipped with magic weapons.

That was the case.

However, there were some individuals who were a bit concerning.

Those who had accumulated extensive experience and mastered high-level skills, and possessed great power.

First among them were the – "Six Saints."

Sig of the "Thousand Swords."

Dandarg of the "Undying."

Karu, the "Reaper."

Miriam, the "Heaven's Bow."

Oaken of the "Nine Demons."

Sain, the "Holy Demon."

They were all monsters.

Furthermore, there were the presence of Ines, the "Divine Shield," a disciple of the "Undying," and Gilbert, the "Dragon Slayer," the right-hand man of the "Thousand Swords."

The prince and princess were said to have reached a level comparable to them.

And, though he didn't want to admit it, the foolish king was also a strong individual.

That was why he had continued to act arrogantly and insolently towards the emperor, relying on his brute strength.

– It was detestable.

The monstrous power of individuals.

The Kingdom of Creus had maintained its independence thanks to them.

"But, that ends today – the times have changed dramatically."

The emperor had previously ravaged numerous small nations with labyrinths in a one-sided manner.

By securing personnel through conscription and pouring all the knowledge gained from the study of labyrinth relics into the mass production of the latest magic-enhanced weapons, he had equipped and deployed his entire army.

With that alone, the armies of the opposing nations were scattered without a chance to fight back.

Now, military power was no longer dependent on training; "power" could be created through industrial might.

The proof was the ten thousand soldiers the emperor now led.

In the past, two thousand soldiers were enough to invade other nations.

But this time, it was also a show of force.

Ten thousand soldiers to instill fear and prevent any future resistance.

In a sense, it was a spectacle to demonstrate the fate of nations that dared to defy the magic empire.

– It was a show.

The advanced magic science of the empire would defeat the revered symbol of the past, the "Disaster Dragon," and dominate the foolish nation bound by outdated "traditions."

It would show the world that "legends" were outdated.

Along with the scandal of the foolish Kingdom of Creus, which brought about its own destruction through its own actions.

"Your Majesty, over there."

"What is it?"

One of the nearby guards pointed to a few figures in the distance.

Looking through the "Far Sight" magic tool, he saw a woman in silver armor glaring sharply at them.

The concealment spell on the imperial army had already been dispelled by a "Concealment Removal" spell.

"What is that?"

"– It's Ines of the 'Divine Shield.' There's no mistake."

The emperor clicked his tongue.

"Of all people, that woman is here."

The "Six Saints" were literal monsters, but the woman who bore the title "Divine" above "Saint" was a monster of a different caliber.

A woman literally blessed by the gods.

One of the world's living legends.

A monster among monsters who could block a dragon's breath with her bare hands and cut through "royal metal" without any tools.

But, the era dominated by such monsters – "legends" – was over.

Now was the age of us, the "wise" humans.

"No – this is perfect. Fire another 'Spear of Light.'"

"Yes, sir."

The woman's power was useful.

He was driven by the desire to somehow tame her and use her to the fullest, but she was a troublesome subordinate of the troublesome king.

She wouldn't turn easily.

Brainwashing was an option, but considering the effort required, it wasn't worth it.

It was a pity, but he would kill her here.

– The "Spear of Light."

The pinnacle of the research achievements of the "Disaster Dragon" – a magic weapon that had incinerated the dragon's massive body.

He would use the second of the four he had brought to the battlefield.

With that, even the "Divine Shield," said to be invincible, would evaporate from the heat upon impact.

Another "legend" would sink into oblivion at his hands.

The incomparably beautiful and monstrously strong woman would disappear at his command.

"– What a pleasure. This is why I can't stop waging war."

The emperor enjoyed watching historic cities being destroyed.

He enjoyed watching people being trampled.

He enjoyed dominating and destroying those he disliked.

The thought of satisfying these desires made his heart race –

It was a pity that he wouldn't see the foolish king's regretful face in the end – but that was fine. It was all about the result.

Now, he only sought the result of a complete victory.

… No.

Considering the stubborn nature of the physically tough foolish king, there was a possibility he had survived.

If, by some chance, the foolish king was still alive – yes.

Cutting off his limbs and keeping him in the palace's underground would be an interesting diversion.

There, he would make him regret opposing him until the day he died.

– Yes, that would be good.

The emperor thought about what would happen after he dominated the city and laughed with growing pleasure.

"The preparations are complete."

"Fire."

The emperor gave the order to his subordinate without hesitation.

Thus, the merciless light was unleashed.

The powerful magic, purified and amplified by the ultra-pure magic stone "Demon's Heart," flowed into the barrel of the "Spear of Light" – and was released as a glowing red line.

The destructive light writhed and headed straight for its target, and then –

"Parry"

In front of Ines, the "Divine Shield," a man with a dark sword stepped forward and deflected the light into the sky.