Chapter 97

- From the Emperor's Perspective -

"What is going on!"

No one answers my voice.

No one responds to the king's command!

Should I kill them all?

They are all useless, incapable fools.

Ugh, how detestable.

What is happening here?

The King of the Forest should either be dead or weakened.

Yet, now, what is this?

Everything was supposed to fall into my hands soon.

...Damn it!

"Excuse me."

The High Mage kneels before me.

A fortunate one who gained superior power through my strength.

And yet, a useless traitor.

My frustration grows as he speaks with a trembling voice.

"You say it's impossible to repair the crack?"

"...Yes, I've tried several times, but all attempts have failed."

"..."

"The mages who attempted the repair seem to have forgotten all their memories and magic."

"What happened to those mages?"

"...They are being monitored in their rooms."

"Kill them, I have no use for the useless."

"...But, my lord—"

"Kill them quickly!"

I give the order to the knight nearby.

The knights hesitate for a moment but then act.

The High Mage seems to want to say something, but don't waste time.

Those who can't act immediately deserve to die here.

"Fix it quickly, that is an order!"

"...As you wish."

I glare hatefully at the High Mage as he leaves the room.

If he fails again, I'll use him for enhancement.

But what is the cause?

I've reinforced the magic stones many times before, but suddenly it's impossible...

Damn, how frustrating.

They are all truly useless.

I tap the armrest of my chair repeatedly.

My frustration won't subside.

The magic stone barrier is useless?

The crack can't be fixed?

There must be something overlooked, those incompetent mages.

But that lightning, it threatened me... I'll remember who did it if I find out!

Overlooked.

Could this be from another country?

Using the forest as camouflage for something.

No, every country is full of spineless fools.

Who could stand against my powerful nation?

...But, an investigation is necessary.

I'll have the Second Knight Regiment look into it.

...

It's been a long time since I've come here.

The slaves lined up before me.

The best way to vent my frustration is to torment the slaves.

I've tried everything over the past few centuries and was getting bored, but it's time to recharge my sword.

Just in case.

Still, all the slaves are ugly.

Their ears on their heads are disgusting just to look at.

I'll make sure they serve some purpose in this world.

The red-black light of the magic sword I draw from its sheath is truly beautiful.

The supreme sword, found in ancient ruins, infused with the power of magic stones and the lifeblood of sacrifices.

What a luxury to wield such a sword.

A smile escapes my lips as I see the slave's face tense.

I swing the sword down in one swift motion.

"Ugh!"

Pain resonates through my arm.

What happened?

I look and see the sword enveloped in white light.

Someone runs over, calling my name, and holds my arm.

I glare at the pain, and one of the mages seems to be casting a healing spell on my arm.

Blood drips from my arm as the pain subsides, but...

My blood is flowing.

I have multiple barriers.

My blood... What happened?

...The sword, the power, the sacrifice... What happened?

I look at the sword.

The white light has already faded, and the sword lies on the ground.

I stagger to my feet and pick it up.

My beautiful red-black sword, now black and dull, the blade is in tatters... It's unrecognizable.

Moreover, some unknown white substance is entangled with it.

What happened?

What happened?

I slam the sword into the ground.

A crackling sound, and the blade breaks.

The magic sword, found with the magic stone, grown to be the strongest in the world through sacrifices.

Worthy to be held by me.

What happened?