Chapter 677

"The Allied Forces are like a giant beast in and of themselves, requiring enormous supplies every day. Therefore, it is best to disband them as quickly as possible once their purpose has been fulfilled. Fortunately, thanks to Heriot's existence, we can dissolve the Allied Forces in the shortest possible time. This brings about various effects, dispersing humanity's remaining strength across the continent and making it impossible for them to gather together. Heriot's power is the ability to transport armies itself, making it impossible for enemies to attack us, but possible for us to attack them as an army. After dividing humanity, we exert influence over each group. Resisting us is too difficult, even if they have the intention to do so. This strengthens the effectiveness of our rule. After gaining loyalty from each group, we will disband the Allied Forces. The fact that soldiers can return home without a long march is satisfying in and of itself. Knowing that it was thanks to the Demon King that they were able to return home will also have a positive effect. Of course, we cannot win everyone's hearts. Division will occur, and the seeds of it are scattered everywhere. But before we disband the Allied Forces, there is a task we must complete: the General Headquarters Mansion. On my left is Charlotte, on my right is Olivia Lance. They are the successors of the Empire and the symbols of the Divine Faith, respectively. In front of me are representatives of all the remaining groups of humanity. 'Hello, everyone. I am the Demon King, Bali.' This sight already means that I have become the ruler of the continent." "When I was unconscious, the first person to find and embrace Heriot was the Grand Duke. Anyway, many of the representatives here have already decided to be on my side before the war ends. Louise von Schwartz has taken on that role. The Imperial Army, which belongs to the Allied Forces, is already in our grasp. Of course, there were not only the Emperor but also many Imperial Army commanders present. They have already turned their backs on the Empire due to the tremendous betrayal that occurred in the Diane Battle. And Charlotte has completed the process of incorporating all the Imperial Army officers and commanders. They are no longer part of the Imperial Army. 'The Gladius Empire will disappear, and I will be the owner of the continent from now on.' 'I hope this will not be accepted as an absolute relationship of domination and loyalty, in an oppressive and rigid way.' 'Yes.' 'Let's think of it as a 'promise'.' 'I will help you when you need me.' 'So, help me when I need you.' 'There won't be much change.' 'The important thing is that there are still monsters roaming the continent.' 'It will take an incalculable amount of time and cost to rebuild the ruined civilization.' 'Of course, the suspicion and resentment that has accumulated towards me, and even the different races, are too deep for you to be loyal to me.' 'So, whatever you think inside, it's something I can't help.' 'What you need to do first is not excessive loyalty or offering something to me.' 'Do your best in your own position, for yourself.' 'Rebuilding civilization and restoring livelihoods.' 'That will be the task you need to perform before loyalty to me.' 'You don't have to give me anything.' 'I don't even have the intention to take it by force.' 'Just accept me.' 'And above all.' 'Live well.' 'That's the best loyalty you can offer.' They are not people who can give me anything. Just live well as they are. Rebuild the ruined civilization and stand up. Rebuilding and revitalizing the ruined civilization is my goal. So, the loyalty they can offer is not a few coins of tribute, but to rebuild the foundation to live on their own. What kind of terrifying words did they expect to come out of the mouth of the Demon King? You are all done now. Return what you have received. Foolish humanity will pay the price of defeat or an enormous revenge of blood if they resist me. Did they expect such words to come out? But when the order to live well in their own position came out, everyone had a bewildered expression. 'Don't think this is an easy order.' 'In this desperate era, I am giving you the most difficult order.' Live well. Is that easy? In this reality where most of civilization is destroyed and monsters still roam, living well is probably the most violent order. When I added that, everyone finally thought about how to live well, and their expressions became dark." "In fact, it seemed that everyone now understood that this was the most cruel and difficult task. Talking about death and blood was exhausting for everyone. There was no need to warn those who do not serve me or those who betrayed me. Such things can be discussed after they happen. 'I said I would help you.' It was a happy day. 'First, I will give you what I can give.' The war is over. 'For now, everyone goes home.' Go home, clean your feet, and rest. Everyone, without exception. * * * The Allied forces were not surprised when they heard that they were preparing to withdraw as soon as the entire army was settled. It was probably because they considered it a procedure for the return of the imperial army and the occupation war. However, when I explained that the withdrawal meant exactly that, everyone's expression became confused. They were all stunned when they heard that they could immediately move to their hometowns. They could return to their hometowns in just one day. Even those who lost their hometowns must have had a place to return to. And it wouldn't just be soldiers who wanted to go back. They all looked like they had been struck by a thunderbolt while sleeping. There is no need to fight the empire. You can just go back like this. You can just live there. The price of accepting my rule is only that. Everyone was amazed at this. No, isn't this strange? The sweet fruit you can get by accepting the rule of the Demon King. It would be a price to be suspected of being a poisoned chalice because it is too sweet. "I told you. Go back and be faithful to your work. But there is no more supply to feed you. Surviving on your own is not an easy task." That is by no means an easy task. Only then did everyone realize that being able to go back was not just a good thing and began to worry. "There is no need to talk anymore. Prepare to withdraw as soon as you are ready, and report to the prepared unit, and I will send you back immediately." There were even those who sat with a determined expression, as if they were preparing to say something great and willing to die here. Some seemed to be trying to say something dirty. But because of the meaning behind my words, they couldn't open their mouths. They were overwhelmed by the fact that they could go back immediately, and it seemed like they forgot what they were going to say. Their bewildered expressions were quite novel. "Go back and live well." That is the first commandment of the new continent emperor. But someone raised their hand among them. "Um... Demon King..." I don't know who it was. "What?" He looked puzzled. "If the Allied forces withdraw... how will you occupy the empire... do you have any thoughts...?" Seeing those who were curious if it was possible with only the remaining imperial and demon armies, that person seemed to be in a position to support me. Occupation of the empire. "Can I tell you about that?" Before I could say anything, Louise spoke up. "The emperor has already fled." I had already heard that. But the fact that the emperor had fled. " At those words, even the last loyalists of the empire who might have remained felt that they had disappeared. The throne and palace were empty. We just have to enter the empty palace. * * * Berthus gradually regained consciousness in the shaking carriage. "Having embraced everyone's sins, the symbol of evil must face death to prepare for the new era. However, all calculations were thrown off in the last moment due to Sabiolin Tana's actions. Berthus did not know where the carriage was going or where it had come from, but he could tell from Sabiolin Tana's plain clothes and unremarkable carriage that she was up to something. 'We have to go back.' That was the time for it, and that was all the plots and schemes for it. 'Why does it have to be that way?' Tears finally filled her eyes. 'I have to die. Someone has to take responsibility.' The death of the emperor will not extinguish all the flames of hatred or erase all sins, but at least some of it will disappear. Won't the number of people who resent the new era decrease if the emperor, who is the symbol of their resentment, dies? 'That's not courage, Your Majesty.' ... Sabiolin Tana finally kneels down and begs, 'Please... Please... I have lived my whole life just following orders. Loyalty doesn't require a reward, but I want to receive a reward for my devotion to the empire as Sabiolin Tana, the emperor's sword. Your Majesty, I want to receive a reward, not a payment.' 'Please, live on.' 'Even if it's a miserable life, even if it's the life of a coward, please live on.' 'That's the only reward this god wants... to live according to my will.' Berthus looked at his weeping knight, not on his knees but lying down with his eyes wide open. She had devoted her entire life to the empire, serving as a loyal subject and the emperor's sword. She had done everything, even the dirty and necessary tasks, without expecting anything in return. But now, as someone who had served the empire for so long, she believed she deserved a reward - to live on. She begged the emperor to let her live, even if it meant living a miserable and cowardly life. The emperor was moved by her plea and agreed to spare her life. However, Sabiolin Tana believed that living according to her own will was the only reward she wanted. Berthus couldn't tell whether it was better for the emperor to die and extinguish the flames of hatred or to live on as a coward, but he could only watch as Sabiolin Tana desperately pleaded for her life.