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Chapter 377
I'm a Woman Too
"Is that so?"
Even at the bombshell statement, Godfrey remained composed.
Storeus had expected that reaction too.
"Well, with your abilities you must've already known. So you're not going to pull that fancy blackmail anymore?"
"The day has come to achieve your long-cherished wish. There's no way you'd be bound by a promise with the likes of us. The weight itself is different."
Е̃ n u m̆ ӓ .ǐ d̂
"You know well. But that alone isn't a reason why you can't stop me."
Storeus.
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He may run around doing reckless, clueless bastard things, but when it comes to cost-benefit analysis, he's sharper than anyone.
Godfrey thought there had to be a separate reason he was being let go.
His instinct was spot on.
"Ever since the Far East's Wall situation, the future has kept changing. I have no certainty that you won't kill me."
W ѐb̀ n̈о̆v̊е́ l̆ Е̌ň ū m а̇
He wasn't seeing the future properly.
Storeus laughed like it was pathetic.
"Because we've entered a transition period. 'Heaven and earth flip'—that about sums it up?"
"Heaven and earth flip... a truly bizarre phrase."
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
"It's about time for a change."
He lifted his gaze toward Godfrey.
Е n ū m̃ а_. ìd̄
"Everyone's gonna get swept up in that wave of change. Me too, of course. And you lot can't avoid it either."
Godfrey understood the meaning of his words.
Godfrey glanced around.
Everyone was waiting in their places, looking perfectly fine.
But Godfrey knew.
That they were hearing every word, deducing everything.
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Storeus continued.
"We made you. We thought using the blood of the Seven Great Demons, we could create pretty decent leaders who could pass as human."
"Which is why those who become emperor drive their own children into a quagmire, letting only one survive."
"Grateful you didn't deviate. Well, you probably didn't because you knew deviation meant ruin."
Because they knew the noble bloodline called Golden Blood was actually cursed.
They only prevented it from spreading, keeping it within the empire.
W̊ёb n̂o v̄е̌ ľ _Е́ ṅǔ m̊ а̀
The only ones who know are those right before inheriting the throne.
Even the legitimate heir lives without knowing a thing until the coronation.
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That's why Godfrey had no choice but to become emperor.
"If we pull out, the empire will shake even harder. The flames will grow uncontrollably."
"I know. I've watched it countless times already."
Protecting the empire is Godfrey's mission.
E̊ń u̇ m̀ a
His mission was the same as his life, yet he spoke like a bystander.
"Just..."
"Just?"
"The problem is merely what form it takes."
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For Storeus, that was incomprehensible.
Collapse is just collapse—what does the form matter?
W̌е bnӧ vе̄ l_ Е n̂ u m̂ а̂
"I can still send you off peacefully, even now."
Storeus raised his right hand.
Veins bulging like they'd pierce the skin, the outline of cracked muscles.
Caught in that brutal grip, you'd meet death before feeling pain.
Godfrey answered.
"Not now."
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"Not scared, are you?"
"I want to rest too. Like you."
"Cheeky bastard."
"Understand. This'll be our last conversation, after all."
Storeus rose from his seat.
About to leave without regret, a question suddenly lingered in his mind.
Е̂ nǔm̀ а̊ . і̊d
"What did I look like through those eyes of yours?"
Godfrey answered.
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"You looked happier than anyone in the world."
"Hahaha! Not surprising at all!"
Storeus went on his way.
The man always full of complaints now wearing a face of utter relief.
Е ǹ um̀ а
Godfrey stared at the wine remaining in his glass.
Its color was deep and intense.
"Tastes like piss..."
Godfrey downed the wine.
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As Storeus said, it wasn't fit for an imperial banquet.
Yet the reason he chose it was simple.
W̌ e bnо v ēľ Ě ṅ ǔm а̂
Because its color was the closest to blood.
"What a shame."
With Godfrey's words, an anomaly occurred.
The heads of all the ministers and servants waiting swelled up.
Bang!
Pop-pop-pop-pop!
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Every single person's head in the room burst.
Their bodies, not even knowing they were dead, kept doing their duties before finally collapsing.
The fact that Arken blood is made of demon blood is a secret that must be thoroughly hidden.
That's why the conversation with Storeus needed to be silenced.
Death is the most perfect silence.
There was no guilt.
Éň um.a . і̆ d
He'd had blood on his hands since childhood; combined with the nightmares, enough to sink this continent.
Their blood was just a few more insignificant drops.
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The empire is a product born of three dragons' greed.
They lost Silverwind in the Dragon-Demon War, and now Storeus has gone his own way too.
With Frontesis's cooperation alone, the precarious empire can't be protected.
The empire is shaking from within, and nobles are packing their bags, screaming to escape as fast as possible.
É ñ u mа̇
Godfrey watched it all.
Like looking down on a chessboard already properly fucked up.
In the prophetic nightmares, the future always showed the empire burning.
The forms of collapse were infinitely varied, but the center was always the same.
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Golden hair, shining blue eyes.
Beauty exactly like her mother.
Еnu m̄ а̊
Laughter soaked in blood.
'Olivia.'
She was always this empire's end.
* * *
-It's been a while, Regent Ferda-nim.
Olivia contacted him after a long time.
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He'd been busy with the empire's situation, so even brief updates came through Garnet.
-How's the Far East these days?
"Development is in full swing. Since dwarves are permanently residing there, the speed is absurd."
Dwarven artisans won't budge even if you offer billions.
Getting them interested is practically a guarantee of success, so the Far East is a goldmine.
"Recently we developed technology to transmit sound using mana wavelengths."
Е̄ n̂ ü_mӓ
-Isn't that something mages can do?
"Replacing that is what magitech is. It lets even regions without mages receive news. We plan to deliver Gongwangnyeong's news to villages spread across the Far East with it."
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-A policy for the commoners.
There was plenty more besides that.
Extended cannons that one-shot the occasional monster swarms.
Work was also underway to lay railways connecting north and south using magitech engines.
Е̄n ûm̃ а._ī d
It cost a fortune, but revenue grew just as much.
The Far East's weight class was ballooning day by day.
Quite a few imperial nobles were coming to pledge allegiance to the Far East.
Of course, they couldn't escape.
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The Arken Empire had airtight security.
And that didn't just apply to entry.
Ĕn̄.ú m̄ а
"How's the empire side?"
-Pretty interesting situation. The Grand Council's gone, and imperialists are pushing in.
The empire was maintained in a deformed shape with overwhelming central power.
An empire that could neither freely expand territory nor invade focused its military power on suppressing internal discontent.
Now was the time to turn that power outward to sustain the empire.
-But it's not easy. In just 50 years a generation completely changes—will humans who've enjoyed over a hundred years of peace actively participate in war?
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"True enough."
-Above all, with the Alte Order so strong right now, they won't tolerate invasion.
Perfect situation to stir up internal conflict.
He predicted that fanning the conflict a bit more and lighting the fuse would make it irrecoverable.
-But things aren't progressing easily.
"What's gotten attached?"
W еb̆n̄ ǒv̄е̌l̀ E n ǔ m̈ а̃
-Yeah. A pretty strong enemy force has attached itself there.
Who could be a match that even Olivia would struggle against?
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-Erdes Roton.
Thought it was doable.
-A powerful mana reinforcement has joined the emperor's side.
Erdes Roton.
Eṅǔmӓ
A woman wild enough to earn the nickname 'Magic-Using Ruffian'.
-She said nothing when threats came from the Demon Land, but now she intervenes claiming there's intent to overthrow the empire. Isn't that a joke?
"Didn't we also just hope she wouldn't come?"
Erdes Roton hates demons.
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Her hatred for the Demon King rivals that of demons themselves, yet she goes to enthrone a Demon King to stabilize the Far East.
If she'd actively offered to help, it would've only increased conflict and made things dangerous.
Е̄ǹ ù m̀а .ї d
To her, who pushes with firepower, it would've been nothing but weak compromise.
"Even so, she's taking an awful lot of interest in the empire. Pointlessly."
-Not surprising. From the moment she founded the Magic Association, she established it while taking interest in the empire. The time she started openly getting involved was when Alexander attended the Grand Council, so she revealed her true colors relatively recently."
"Is that so?"
Thinking it over, a strange feeling arises.
-Anyway, from here on it's our problem to solve. Let's fold this story here.
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With the sound of a big stretch, she changed the subject.
-How are things lately? Heard you got back together.
"Yes. Valdrova has come up to the castle now and lives here."
-Oh my, glad the lord's returned.
"Seems awkward in many ways, but she adapts quickly."
-Really? Is the wedding set?
Е̌nu_mа̄
"Yes. Probably around this time next year."
-I see.
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The conversation cuts off awkwardly.
The woman who always skillfully led the conversation showing such a side.
Like she has no interest.
Even though she brought it up herself.
Е n ů mа̇ . id̊_
-Sorry. Guess I've been so out of it I've forgotten how to talk to people.
"Strange to hear the great Olivia say she doesn't know conversation."
-Hehe, come see for yourself. Lots of people trying to stab me in the back. The Alte faith is swelling with secular power now.
With the Grand Council gone, bound violence is being unleashed.
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Before nobles and kings pull any tricks, we have to move fast.
-Regent Ferda-nim.
Е n̆ ũm̀а̃
"Yes."
-Will you really keep that promise you made?
The promise with Olivia.
When everything ends, he'd support her as guardian.
"Of course."
-How?
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"Is that important right now?"
-Yes.
She answered firmly.
-You might not know, but I'm thirsty. Like water dripping one drop at a time from the ceiling. You can survive with your mouth open, but the thirst never goes away.
"What are you trying to say?"
-I just want this thirst to be quenched, even once.
W̃еb̀ ṅ о̌ v ё l Ĕ n̊.ům̂ á
Rustling sounds.
She must be lying down holding the crystal ball.
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-I've gotten a little curious about how that future where you take responsibility for me flows.
"At least I won't paint a future where you're unhappy."
A brief silence.
-Guess I am a woman. Look at me blabbering such trivial stuff.
Е n̆ūm а̂. іd̆
"Since we have to screw both sides, it's bound to be a lonely fight."
-When are you coming to the capital so I can ease that loneliness?
"If I go now, do you think my life will remain?"
Rumors were circulating that Ferda was a demon's child.
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Everyone watched him defend the Far East in the form of a giant black dragon.
Though he slaughtered monsters as an ally, even the Alte Order couldn't easily defend Ferda.
Ėn̊ů m à
-Anyway, I'll go now. Take care, Ferda-nim.
"Yes, you too."
And the conversation ended.
He felt it from her voice. It was certain.
Something dirty will blow up in the empire.
* * *
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A few days later,
"Something happened in the empire."
Garnet, who'd been watching the empire, said with a rather serious expression.
"This incident will likely intensify the conflict in earnest."
"What happened?"
"The young master of House Lutenia killed a nun of the Alte Order."
Е̇ n um̂ а̂.ї d̄
The current conflict was a struggle between secular power and religious power.
And the incident involved people from each faction.
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"The perpetrator young master's claim has come out. He visited a prayer center, made eye contact with the nun, and she seduced him. They clicked well, and were drawn to each other."
"And?"
"At the moment they were about to do the deed, the nun suddenly changed. She pushed him away and screamed at the top of her lungs. Why did you do this, I offered my body to god, why did you make me do this—something like that."
"From the claim alone, it sounds like the nun set him up."
W̆ е b n̄ о̌ v ӗl̂ Е̊ n̊ umӓ
"Of course that's just the young master's side, but the nun in question is exemplary. Usually known as a devout woman who follows doctrine well."
A perfect situation for a clash.
A devout nun wouldn't risk seducing a young master.
And a duke's young master has no reason to covet a nun.
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A situation where both sides can only blame each other.
In that subtlety, one word pierces Ferda.
W̆ е̃ bńõ v̆е l̈ Е ǹ ǔm̈ а̄
'Lutenia...'
For some reason the name is familiar.
"Mori. Was House Lutenia connected to someone related to me?"
At Ferda's question, she nodded.
"During the Spring Festival, the staff officer active in the monster summoning incident was House Lutenia's young master."
"Ah."
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Now he remembers.
The incident where Olivia's merit was cut from 45% to 3%.
That day, Olivia had run away, and after coaxing her well, she went back quietly.
But only her return was quiet.
She hasn't forgotten that incident for a single moment.
The one who belittled her.
W̆ eb̈ n ov̇ e l Е̌ ń ŭ ḿ а
And the one who stole her credit and stayed silent.
She remembers every single person who wronged her.
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'While Princess Olivia's evaluation was lowered, House Lutenia's young master was the maximum beneficiary.'
15% credit became 30%.
Olivia wouldn't have forgotten that.
She had to fan both sides' conflict, and searching for a sacrificial lamb to use as the spark, she recalled his name.
Ĕ n ům а́
"Is this a board Olivia orchestrated?"
Whatever method she used specifically is unknown, but she shoved the young master into the center of the conflict.
"Not certain, but for now she's the most likely instigator."
Garnet answered that way.
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