Chapter 1

I didn't wish to become an emperor myself.

Still, for these three years, I have reigned as the 66th Imperial Emperor.

And now, the emperor is about to conclude his role.

A noble man in splendid silver armor, sweating on his forehead, kneels before me on the throne.

"Your Majesty! The people are heading for this palace!"

In this white marble imperial chamber, only I, dressed in black robes, and this captain remain.

"I see. Captain of the Imperial Guard, keep the palace gates open. Order the soldiers to flee from the palace and under no circumstances allow them to harm the people."

"…B-but, that—"

"This is my command. The imperial decree of the Emperor."

The captain sheds tears. But he quickly wipes them away and bows his head again.

"Thank you for all your hard work."

I say this to him for the last time.

The captain raises his head, looking as if he wants to say something.

However, when I tell him to hurry, he nods and leaves the imperial chamber.

Once, I was called a recluse of the magic academy.

To be cherished by people now, life is truly unpredictable.

After the deaths of my father and brother, I became the emperor of this empire.

The empire was exhausted by the repeated overseas expeditions of my father and brother. During the fifteen years of their rule, the empire had fallen into ruin. Moreover, it invited wars with other countries and invasions by monsters.

Despite this, the princes and nobles only thought about enriching themselves. As a result, corruption spread throughout the empire.

The empire was like a dying patient.

At that time, my brother died in battle just like my father.

Among the dozens of princes, none wanted to succeed to the throne.

The arrow of choice fell on me, Rudis.

Originally, I was just a sage confined to the magic academy.

There was a reason for this.

The ability of my "Imperial Seal" was different from that of the other princes.

The "Imperial Seal" is the ability to command humans, dragons, and holy beasts, given only to the imperial family.

However, my Imperial Seal could command monsters.

Because of this, I was called the "spawn of the Demon King" and shunned even by my parents and siblings, let alone the palace.

Since I had a talent for magic, I requested to be confined to the magic academy.

After enrolling, I mastered and could handle even the highest-level magic.

This was because the ability of my "Imperial Seal" was useful.

The more monsters I commanded, the more my magical power increased.

Such a sage of magic was forced to become an emperor for political reasons.

Of course, everyone wanted to use me as a puppet.

But I refused to be a mere figurehead. If I was going to do it, I wanted to be a proper emperor.

I couldn't bear to see innocent people suffer because of the corruption and foolish policies of my father, brother, and other princes.

As soon as I became emperor, I implemented reforms.

And I led many wars to victory with my own magic and my commanded monsters.

With the end of the wars, people returned to the fields, and crops began to grow.

I drastically reduced the expenses for princes and nobles and increased the budget for the people.

Naturally, some princes and nobles rebelled. But I led the army myself and suppressed them.

This year, thanks to my reforms, the people can now choose their own magistrates.

They can participate in politics.

I have finally become a mere figurehead.

Just as the signs of recovery began to appear in the empire, this day arrived.

Other princes who disliked me spread rumors in the city that I was living a life of luxury.

Some of the people, upon hearing this, turned into a mob.

And that mob is now approaching this palace.

Although the number of people living in poverty had decreased during my reign, there were still many.

Moreover, the reputation of me as the "spawn of the Demon King" who commands monsters was still strong.

What the mob wants is the death of such a "spawn of the Demon King."

There are many people in this empire who have a grudge against monsters.

I am prepared to accept my impending death.

The emperor had become nothing more than a figurehead.

This is because I had completed the foundation for the future, and the people had begun to participate in politics.

In this empire, the role of the emperor has been completely fulfilled.

If the people are to take the center stage in politics, the emperor is nothing more than an alien presence.

So, I am no longer needed.

Of course, I have regrets.

As I reflect on these things, monsters begin to enter the imperial chamber one after another.

About fifty of them, of various races, from small to large, all approach me, making noises and shouting.

You might think they are attacking, but that's not the case.

They are the ones who have decided to follow my Imperial Seal.

"Everyone, you've come."

At my voice, a dark-skinned orc opens his mouth, spitting as he speaks.

"Mr. Rudis! What are you hesitating for! With us, we can wipe them out in an instant!!"

This orc is my commanded monster, named Vandar. He is the leader of the orcs I command.

He wears a simple loincloth and wields a massive axe as tall as himself, looking quite heroic.

"That's right! There's no need for you to come out! Just give us the order, and we'll turn those lowly humans into ashes!"

This is Arne, a succubus who uses barbaric words that don't match her beautiful face.

She shakes her black wings and tail. With her white skin, long brown hair, and blue eyes, she is quite striking.

Her minimal clothing highlights her good figure.

"Ah! Humans are so foolish! To turn against our Lord Rudis!!"

A handsome man with long blue hair, bleeding from his lips, shouts.

This man in a black coat, with his fangs showing, is the vampire Rois.

Behind him, a variety of monsters are making a ruckus.

...To be honest, it's incredibly noisy.

"Silence! My servants!"

At my command, the monsters fall silent.

"I called you because you foolishly refused my orders."

The monsters look dissatisfied with my words.

Among them, the blue slime Rune, who is my first commanded monster and a childhood friend, speaks up.

"We will fight for you, Your Majesty."

"No. You must flee to the west of the mountains as I commanded."

"No, Your Majesty!!"

Rune stands firm and responds to me.

The other commanded monsters also shout, "That's right!" and "We'll kill the humans!"

I listen to this and make a visibly uncomfortable expression.

In truth, I am very touched.

They are willing to follow me and fight with me.

However, I am truly no longer needed.

Moreover, I don't want to see these commanded monsters, who have shared meals and battles with me, get hurt.

Especially, if they kill the citizens here, the hard-won peace will be ruined.

The truce between the monsters and humans will be broken, and war will resume.

I steel my heart.

"Fools. I, Rudis Vin Arx Tot Rick..."

Um... I forgot my full name...

Actually, it's too long.

If I can't say my full name, I can't use the absolute obedience of the Imperial Seal.

To this, Rune continues.

"Ah! West Sacoch Clutch, sir."

That's right, that's my name. Rune is as reliable as ever.

He always reminds me when I forget.

Rune meant well, but the other commanded monsters all shout in anger.

"Idiot!!"

"Rune! What are you saying, you fool!"

"Eh?"

Arne and Rois' voices confuse Rune.

However, upon hearing my voice, he immediately realizes what he has done.

"...West Sacoch Clutch commands. All my servants, cross the Central Mountains! This includes those outside as well!"

A glowing pentagram appears in my hand—this is the Imperial Seal.

Taking a deep breath, I continue.

"By this act, the master-servant relationship between me and you is dissolved!"

The commanded monsters cry and wail, calling my name.

However, the Imperial Seal has the power of absolute obedience.

Despite their will, the commanded monsters head towards the palace's exit.

"Why! Boss, why won't you let us fight with you!"

"Lord Rudis, no! Please, let me stay by your side until the end of the world!"

They all cry out in near-despair as they leave the imperial chamber.

Thus, the imperial chamber becomes quiet.

I am alone in the chamber, with only the throne.

Tears stream down my face.

"Everyone... I'm sorry."

I wanted to stay with everyone...

But I quickly wipe away my tears.

I can already hear the angry voices of the mob.

I stand up from the throne and open the glass door to the balcony.

Standing on the balcony, I see the square below filled with people wielding sticks, knives, and torches.

Resolutely, I speak.

"I am the Imperial Emperor, Rudis Vin Arx Tot Rick West Sacoch Clutch! Dear citizens of the empire, did you call for me?"

I managed to remember my name without forgetting.

Hearing my voice, the crowd begins to stir.

But one man shouts, and the crowd suddenly falls silent.

"Spawn of the Demon King! You've been fattening yourself on our taxes! Our lives are still poor!"

"Indeed, I know many are still hungry! But the harvest is about to begin, and it will be several times larger than the one before last. When that happens, everyone's hunger will be alleviated!"

I respond to the man. I swear to heaven and earth that these are true words.

But the man and the crowd are not convinced.

"Do you expect us to believe that? This palace must be overflowing with treasure!"

"There is nothing of the sort here!"

"You're lying!"

"Then search! Search to your heart's content!"

That's right, go ahead. This palace has nothing left.

All that remains are the throne, furniture, and miscellaneous items.

I sold all the luxuries to fund the state.

I return to the throne.

The crowd seems to have started searching the palace thoroughly.

The palace becomes suddenly noisy.

They will realize there is nothing.

Perhaps, my life might be spared.

But that didn't happen.

When the crowd realizes there is nothing, they quickly calm down.

But a few, led by the man I spoke to on the balcony, come to the throne where I am.

"Did you find the treasure?"

"...Where did you hide it?"

The man still asks this.

But he must know there is nothing.

"There is nothing to hide. Perhaps you should check my stomach next?"

In response, the man grabs my collar.

"...Give it back."

"Give what?"

"...My girlfriend who died eight years ago."

I can feel the man's uncontrolled anger.

Anger at the emperor and monsters.

It's only natural that it is directed at me, the emperor and "spawn of the Demon King."

"...Where are you from?"

"From Alp Village in the north. If you emperors hadn't started the war, my hometown wouldn't have been destroyed by monsters."

"...I see. It's the fault of the emperors, including myself, for not protecting it."

The man, tears streaming down his face, raises his voice.

"That's right! It's your fault! If you hadn't been there! I could have been with her!"

"If killing me will make you feel better, then do it. I have a guilty conscience."

Eight years ago was during my brother's reign. I can understand why he feels this way.

But being an emperor means taking responsibility for everything.

Including the mistakes of predecessors.

I have done everything I could. Do as you please.

"...Damn! Damn it all!!!"

The man shouts and swings his sword at me.

Reflecting on my life, it was a rather trivial one.

Confined to the magic academy like a caged bird, and then forced to become an emperor, it was all about wars and entanglements.

The only times I was happy were when I was learning magic or spending time with my commanded monsters.

If there is a next life, I would like to indulge a little.

Travel the world, take a break now and then...

I close my eyes, wishing for these things, and meet the end of my life.