Volume 9 Chapter 57 Interlude (The First Emperor’s Rise)
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
I remember clearly the first time I met the brat.
His eyes were dark. But they were desperate eyes too.
”Are you… Commander Grano? Thank you for letting us—our class—join your mercenary band. I’m Takumi, the one trying to keep our class together.”
Back then, most of the ones who came with the brat to this world were dead, or had become courtesans. Maybe six left? Kotaro, Sayo, Tatsuhiro—they had some strength. But Takumi and Hikari? In battle, they were useless.
Even so, Hikari had charm, and Takumi could run errands well enough, so I kept him on as a gofer in the band. A mercenary band as big as mine needs more than fighters.
Berhardt liked Takumi. Funniest thing—our strongest guy hanging around the weakest. Kotaro got lessons in Heavy Sword from him too, but he died in the war with the Dragon Kingdom of Enied. Well, mercenaries die fast. That’s just life.
There was one more girl… when she shielded the brat and died, he changed. Got that grim, pressured look, and whispered with Hikari a lot more. What was her name… ah, Aria. Big-chested girl.
It was around then the brat started pulling tricks during accounting. Buying, selling—the books matched, the cash matched, so I let it go. But sometimes he came back beaten.
Turns out he was making shady deals with black marketeers. Said he made good money, so I let Berhardt guard him for a cut of the profit.
And damn, the money rolled in. Berhardt would get bribed with booze and women, so even he couldn’t explain it. More like, he couldn’t even understand it.
”They just start selling dirt-cheap on their own, then get mad about it, y’know? Makes no sense. I just knock ’em down and toss ’em out of the market.”
”Heh. With that explanation, I don’t get it at all, Berhardt.”
”I told ya, it’s weird! The brat’s buying is ruthless. Sometimes he bankrupts the other guy. Not that it matters—they’re all scum anyway.”
Time passed, Tatsuhiro died in battle. From the start, Takumi’s only classmates left were Hikari and Sayo. Sayo left in the Northern Kingdom, said she’d become a courtesan. Her ice-snow magic was decent, but her will was gone.
”Thank you, Nasu-kun. You too, Kou-kun. Thanks to you both, I lived a bit longer. But I’m sorry, I can’t anymore… please, let me just pray for your safety.”
”Sayo-chan, don’t! Don’t talk about becoming a courtesan…”
”No, I can’t. I don’t want to kill myself, but… I don’t want to die like Haruka. Being eaten alive by a black dragon… I can’t.”
So in the band, it was just the brat and Hikari.
At that time we were in the Quvar Empire. The place was famous for its gambling-mad emperor, Raphastia, though back then it was still a real nation. He had a Skill called “Winning Hearts,” made his vassals work while he slacked.
That’s when the brat met Cartera.
Black hair. These days it’s nothing, but back then, in Quvar, black hair wasn’t welcome. So even when Hikari and the brat sat in taverns, they got looks.
”Should we head back first, Commander?”
”Don’t be stupid, brat. If you leave, I’ve got no one to drink with.”
”But I don’t drink, Berhardt-san. I’m just keeping you company.”
”Gahaha! Don’t sweat the details. Talking with you’s the most fun anyway. …What, you eyeing that courtesan over there?”
”No, I just thought she looked lonely…”
”Hmph. Black hair, huh. No wonder she ain’t got clients. With those looks and that chest, she oughta be in a high-class house. Guess black hair’s hated more than I thought.”
That girl—Cartera—looked timid, serving drinks, getting rejected, bowing her head. Then Hikari went up to her. Said something, and Cartera blinked in surprise. I remember that well.
”Takumi-kun, her name’s Cartera. Hey, tonight, buy Cartera-san. She and I will love you together.”
Yeah, Hikari was a strange girl. Had no self. Always moved for others. Who pushes her own man to buy a courtesan? That was Hikari.
We stayed in Quvar for a while. Honestly, with the money we split from the brat’s schemes, we didn’t need to fight. Mercenaries fight to live, after all. Sure, some fight for the fight itself, but not me.
During that time, Cartera fell hard for the brat. He loved her back plenty too.
And Hikari… she started acting weird. I even asked if she was okay. She looked at me, face flushed like she was in heat, and said “I’m fine.”
Didn’t know how to react. The brat also started hanging around gambling halls then. Berhardt always tagging along, happy as ever.
”Hah! Crazy, boss! The brat’s running the gambling hall now!”
”Yeah, I just realized myself. With how much he was raking in, not shocking.”
A few days later, turns out he was emperor. No joke—just like that. The gambling-mad Raphastia lost it all and sold the country. We only learned later.
The brat and Berhardt came back to the tavern all fired up. We welcomed them like usual.
”Gahaha! Amazing, huh! Takumi did it!”
”…Brat—or should I say, Your Majesty the Emperor?”
”Brat is fine, Commander Grano. Anyway, we’re heading to the palace now.”
”Huh? Well yeah, you’re emperor.”
”Commander. I want you to be a general.”
”Big promotion, huh, Commander.”
”And Berhardt-san, I want you to be the strongest man in the world.”
We were stunned, but the next day he already had the imperial army and Hikari raiding a Labyrinth, hauling back treasures by the cartload. When the brat decided something, he always moved fast. Past or present, same kid.
”Cartera… here’s the promised medicine. But… are you sure?”
”Yes. I trust Hikari. And I want to burn my life for you.”
Cartera swallowed three potions at once. Later I learned—they were the kind that almost surely kill you, but if you survive, you gain immense magic power.
Even one success was a miracle. She drank three—and lived. From that moment, she radiated power beyond human. That’s how Cartera became the “Eternal Witch.”
Berhardt got some medicine too. Safe kind. Still, the idiot was nervous.
I can still laugh remembering it. “Boss, this really safe? Ma always told me not to drink strange potions…” And I told him, “Quit whining and drink it already.”
From there, it was Quvar’s history.
Hikari married quickly, became Empress, bore a child, then died from weak health. She seemed broken even before, but pushed herself to give birth. The brat cried hard. With Sayo gone too, he was all alone.
After that… not many cheerful stories. It was war. Conquest, destruction, ruin.
As a war dog, I didn’t mind much. But later, knowing Livia was behind it all, it makes sense. Every battle was her hand.
Well, boring talk’s over. Let’s laugh about Berhardt’s dumbest moments and drink. Tonight’s for remembering him.
Notes:
• Grano – The Black Flame General, a legendary figure from Quvar’s past, now resurrected as part of the First Emperor’s ghostly host. Known for his ruthless tactics and unwavering loyalty to the Emperor, Grano commands a significant portion of the undead army. He is disdainful of the living, particularly those who oppose the Emperor’s plans, and shows no mercy in battle. His presence, alongside other legendary generals like Belhart, underscores the immense threat posed by the Emperor’s forces. First mentioned in v9c7.
• Tatsuhiro – Classmate, Kahoru’s customer.
• Hikari – 4th Division leader. Stressed, relies on Takumi.
• Sayo – A Cup. Non-virgin. The younger sibling in the fake-sibling couple.
• Dragon Kingdom of Enied – It is Weed’s homeland, appeared as part of his introduction, notable for its elite Guardian Knights.
• Berhardt – ‘Black Sword King,’ 1st Division vice-commander, once hailed as the empire’s strongest swordsman. Simple-minded, straightforward, often teased as everyone’s toy, but unmatched in battle. Slaughtered Sheryl’s guards, captured her, later fought Chinatsu. First appears v9c11. Reminder: Muscle-headed swordsman who laughs through bloodshed.
• Haruka – Witch of Destruction — Silver-haired, F-cup. Former class vice-president, now a powerful witch. Wields the Agilaus Staff, capable of devastating ritual magic. Became the world’s strongest after acquiring the ‘Dark Emperor of the Abyss’ as a familiar. Exhibits exhibitionist tendencies, often seeking public intimacy with Takumi. Deeply devoted to him, balancing her role as a leader with her desires. First appears in v1c1 Prologue.
• Raphastia – A once-renowned general who now serves the First Emperor in the underworld army. He is referred to as a ‘Holy Corpse,’ indicating his undead state. Raphastia retains his self-awareness and will, which is unusual for the undead, and his loyalty to the Emperor remains unwavering. He is described as having a raspy voice and is one of the key figures in the Emperor’s command post. First appearance in v9c8.
• Cartera – Eternal Witch — The First Emperor’s mistress and a resurrected sorceress of immense power. Cruel and seductive, she takes pleasure in destruction and defilement. Her loyalty to the Emperor is absolute, and she shares his desire to end the world. First appears in v9c3.
• Livia – 8th-ranked imperial witch, heir of Cartera and friend of Lilus (Neige’s sister), whose death drove her to hate Quvar. Austere, sharp, and feared, she opposed the Ghost Army and toppled Emperor by using then betraying Gritch, secretly backing Princess Sheryl. First appears v9c3. Reminder: Brilliant witch who twists loyalties to save the world.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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