Chapter 39

The capital of the Magic Empire – the Imperial Capital Nell.

A huge city that serves as one of the economic cores of the continent and is politically central, governing the surrounding nations.

Within the sturdy walls built of magic iron, which protect the vast area of the city, stands a massive black iron gate – powered by magic, it bears magical runes that transmit power, and these runes emit a faint light.

Suddenly, the black gate began to move.

The heavy gate, endowed with a certain level of intelligence through advanced magic technology, detected the presence of its "master" approaching and moved autonomously, opening silently.

Through the narrow gap that slowly widened, an old man clad in resplendent golden armor darted in at a speed that defied the eye – and the horse, also dressed in golden armor, headed straight for the tallest and most majestic building at the center of the Imperial Capital, disappearing into it.

Once inside the building, the man in golden armor immediately dismounted and ascended to the top floor using a dedicated magic-powered flying elevator.

His destination was – the "Imperial Chamber."

The room where the throne is located, where the man who considers himself the "Emperor" of the world sits.

This is the room where the man should be.

The emergency flying elevator took him there immediately.

As he entered the room, a subordinate, seeing his dirty appearance, exclaimed in surprise.

"Your Majesty, what has happened to you –?

And what of the others…?"

The subordinate, a highly capable man with political skills on par with the Emperor's right-hand man, could not hide his confusion.

Because the Emperor was supposed to be leading ten thousand troops in an invasion of the neighboring Kingdom of Creus at this very moment.

"– It's fine. They were useless.

Disgusting… such incompetence. No matter how good the weapons, if the soldiers are as useless as they are, there's nothing to be done."

The Emperor bit his dry lips.

At that moment, he had fled out of fear.

But now, only anger welled up within him.

Why did he bring so many soldiers who were of no use?

Why did the capable subordinates devise such a plan?

To believe in it made him look like a fool.

– Disgusting.

"Y-Your Majesty – what is that –!?"

The man, whom the Emperor believed to be the most capable, continued to ask.

His voice was trembling.

The man was flustered, looking out the large window of the throne room.

The Emperor also looked in that direction.

"What is it – that, could it be –"

The Emperor did not ask what it was.

Because he had seen it in the sky of the kingdom just a while ago.

A familiar massive body was flying over the Imperial Capital, heading straight for the Imperial Palace.

"That is the [Disaster Dragon] – why is it here?"

The Emperor wondered.

He had ridden his horse at top speed without looking back, the wind repelling enchantment on the horse's armor allowing him to ride as smoothly as the wind itself.

At this speed, no one could catch up – so he thought, and did not look back until he reached the Imperial Capital.

But strangely, the horse had suddenly increased its speed at one point.

At the time, the Emperor, who was clinging to the horse's back, did not understand the reason.

But now, the cause was clear.

That was the reason.

"No – I thought it was defeated by the 'Spear of Light.'"

The Emperor asked no one in particular.

But without waiting for a response from his subordinate, he quickly answered himself.

At the same time, a chill ran through his body.

"Could it be – that it has been revived again?"

Yes.

In that country, there is a demon-like man – the [Holy Demon] Sain – who possesses an abnormal healing technique.

– Disgusting.

He must have revived the dragon.

"But why –"

Why is the dragon moving according to their convenience.

The 'Demon Race,' which has been hunted to near extinction by the Holy Kingdom and is now a rare resource, should all have been secured by that man.

Yet, why –

As he spoke, a possibility occurred to him.

Suddenly, the Emperor's head was consumed by anger.

"That man –!! That man must have betrayed us! Where is he?!"

The 'slave trader' who came from the commercial autonomous zone.

Managing the Demon Race, using the Beastmen, and controlling the monsters at will.

Surely, that suspicious man must have orchestrated something.

It must be so.

Despite all the attention and rewards he had given him.

The Emperor clenched his fists, trembling with anger.

"Lord Rude? He said he had an urgent matter and left for the commercial autonomous zone a while ago."

"– Damn, that fox…!! Fool! Why didn't you stop him!!"

"Y-Your Majesty, you said to give him special treatment – gah –?"

The subordinate, grabbed by the neck by the Emperor in golden armor, winced in pain.

No ordinary human could withstand the enhanced strength of a person augmented with 'royal metal,' and the man was thrown to the floor.

"– That's enough, bring it out. We'll burn the dragon with it."

"…Y-Your Majesty…? W-What do you mean by 'it' –?"

The man, choking on the Emperor's tyranny, still tried to understand his intentions.

"We will use the [Thunder of God]. Prepare it."

But – to the Emperor's command, the usually loyal man responded.

His face was filled with anxiety.

"Y-Your Majesty…! W-What you say!

It's still in the testing phase – the aiming is not properly adjusted, and using it now is dangerous…!! Not to mention, in the middle of the city…!!"

"Fool.

Can't you see what's in front of you?

The 'light' of that thing will burn everything.

If we don't act, we will be destroyed – do it immediately."

"But, the use at this stage may cause unexpected secondary damage – perhaps we should use another method –"

The Emperor cut off the man's continued objections and kicked him away.

The loyal servant, who had been thrown against the wall, lay motionless.

The Emperor, looking at the scene, ordered the other assistant in the room.

"Do it.

One shot is enough. If you fire, it will sink.

We have already proven it with the 'Spear of Light.'

If the power exceeds that, there will be no problem.

– And add the [Magic Tracking] enchantment to the barrel.

…If the aiming is bad, this will compensate, you incompetent fool.

Absolutely do not miss."

"Y-Yes! As you command!"

The loyal subordinate immediately began to carry out the Emperor's orders.

A look of satisfaction appeared on the Emperor's sweating face.

Yes.

This is right.

The plans have changed, but by using the supreme magic cannon, the pinnacle of magic science, to repel the legendary [Disaster Dragon], we will demonstrate the power of magic and the might of the Imperial Kingdom to the world.

That will not change.

If we sink this dragon, it will be achieved soon.

It's fine to crush the neighboring kingdom later.

And that is only a matter of time.

We have gained information from this expedition, despite the sacrifices.

The war has already begun.

From now on, it's better to confront them head-on rather than using the deceptive tactics proposed by foolish subordinates.

We will improve the supreme weapon, the [Thunder of God], and crush them with sheer force.

We have the superior national power, so there's no need for tricks.

A grand and majestic appearance is fitting for our Imperial Kingdom.

I will command it myself, not those incompetent generals.

Thinking of this, his face broke into a smile.

The Emperor, feeling elated, sat on the throne, the symbol of his authority.

"– Is it not ready yet? Hurry up."

"Y-Yes – I have just given instructions to the control room via the [Communication Magic Device].

I am now connecting with the gunner…!!

Please wait a moment…!"

"Hurry up, you slowpoke."

Then, a voice came from the [Communication Magic Device] connected to the gunner.

"[Thunder of God] – t-the preparations for firing are complete."

"Then, fire. Immediately."

"B-But – just now, we received a report from the Imperial Capital surveillance team.

There is something on the back of the dragon –"

"Be quiet, fire."

A few moments later – the magical light illuminating the throne room dimmed.

The [Thunder of God] requires all the magic power of the Imperial Capital.

The vast magical power generated by countless 'magic furnaces' installed throughout the Imperial Capital – this immense magical power is gathered, condensed, and released as a supreme lightning bolt that could burn even a god.

This is the [Thunder of God].

Its power far exceeds the 'Spear of Light,' which can be carried to the battlefield.

It is the symbol of human wisdom, the pinnacle of the Imperial Kingdom's magic technology.

The Emperor, looking out the large window, smiled.

It was a confident smile.

The dragon, which had nearly died once and was revived and used again, was a pitiful 'legend.'

This time, I will obliterate it completely, he thought.

The moment the Emperor thought this – all the lights in the Imperial Capital went out.

Then, the light was released.

A powerful, sun-like light, as if the sun had risen again, was fired from the long barrel made of an alloy of 'royal metal' and 'magic iron.'

It became the [Thunder of God] as its name suggests,

tearing through the sky and heading straight for the "dragon."

But – this is not the light of a god.

It is the light of man.

The light of human wisdom, the supreme light created by the most advanced wisdom on this earth.

The supreme light, now guided by the 'blessing' inscribed in its magical waves, will not miss its target.

No matter how much it tries to escape, it cannot avoid it –

It is a light of certain destruction.

If it hits, it will destroy anything.

After this, I will fire it directly into the kingdom.

Even if the labyrinth is slightly damaged, it doesn't matter.

We have already obtained a power that rivals that of a god.

Earlier, it was just that the foolish retainers did not allow it to be fully utilized.

This time, it will be different.

There will be no holding back.

I, the 'Wise Emperor,' will command it myself.

– The Emperor's face twisted with pleasure.

Now, the main event begins.

They have made us drink our own medicine.

Let's take our revenge.

The Emperor, his chest swelling with hope, witnessed the divine light envelop the dragon –

"Crack!"

But –

The dazzling, sun-like light –

somehow, it shot straight up above the dragon.

Then, the light ascended into the sky and split like branches of a tree.

"………………h………………?"

As the Emperor watched in astonishment, the countless branches of light changed their trajectory, drawing arcs and descending like meteors onto the Imperial Capital.

As they fell, they were guided by the magical waves inscribed on them, correcting their course as if drawn by a large 'magic force.'

One of the targets guided by the [Magic Tracking] enchantment was the Imperial Capital's primary magic power source – the 'Magic Core' – a facility built to accumulate a vast amount of magic stones collected from the nations, bought, and offered.

The place where the [Thunder of God] barrel was also located was the pinnacle of the Imperial Kingdom's technology.

It housed the history of the Magic Empire, spanning hundreds of years.

It was a symbol of authority – a testament to its superior power.

The human-created light falling from the sky headed straight for the multiple magic power sources supporting the core of the Imperial Kingdom.

The cluster of light heading for the 'Magic Core' shone particularly brightly.

As if – it was being drawn back to the place where it was created.

"– S-Stop it!! Not there!! Not there at all!!!"

The Emperor shouted to no one in particular.

But there was no one to hear him.

The subordinates had already left –

The Emperor was left alone on the throne.

And the sky of the Imperial Capital, visible from the window of the "Imperial Chamber," was painted a blinding white –

"– S-Stop –!"

That day, all the magical fires in the Imperial Capital were extinguished.