Chapter 198 Imperial Capital꞉ A War Council Through the Eyes of a Servant
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”GUOOOOOOOOOOO!!”
”P-Please, have mercy…!? A-Agh, GYAAAAAAAAAAAAA!?”
The ferocious roar of a beast and the shrill screams of a woman echoed from behind the door.
Well, technically he isn’t a beast, but… wait. Given that he’s currently pouncing on a woman, I suppose he might as well be one?
As I pondered such trivialities, the cacophony of voices and impacts grew even more violent.
”GRUOOHHH… GUOOOOOH!”
”Ah… I-Iaaahhh…”
After a while, the sounds from within subsided into silence. Once I confirmed the appointed hour had arrived, I rapped my knuckles against the door.
”Your Majesty. Emperor Regdahl¹. It is time.” Sirius said.
”…I see. Very well, open the door. See to it that the room is cleaned.” the Emperor replied.
”Yes, sire.”
I signaled to an attendant waiting nearby to summon the cleaning crew, then I pushed the door open.
”Whoa…”
The air in the room was thick with a stifling, heavy scent. On the bed lay a beautiful woman, stripped entirely bare and collapsed on her back.
Her legs remained parted as her body continued to twitch intermittently; His Majesty’s seed was visibly leaking from her. She likely wasn’t even conscious anymore…
”Your Majesty, your garments… Oh. You’ve already finished changing.” I said.
Standing before me was a massive beastman, already clad in a crisp, sharp military uniform.
He possessed a visage reminiscent of the Gardan²—the lion-headed demon monsters that dwell within the depths of the Demon Forest³—complete with a coat of thick, white fur.
His fangs were sharp and his gaze piercing. This imposing figure was the sovereign of the Egdia Empire, Lord Regdahl.
His Majesty’s daily life is managed by an incredibly meticulous schedule. I am the servant tasked with that very time management—Sirius.
I was originally royalty from a small nation, but after it was occupied by the Empire, fate eventually led me to serve as His Majesty’s personal attendant.
”Naturally. The coming war council promises to be a turbulent one… I found it necessary to suppress my inner ferocity beforehand. It was a sudden request, but you handled the adjustments well, Sirius.” the Emperor said.
”Thank you, sire.”
In truth, this time slot had originally been reserved for an audience with His Majesty’s son.
However, His Majesty had mentioned that his blood was running quite hot… so a concubine of former royal blood was hastily prepared for his chambers, and the meeting with His Highness the Prince was rescheduled.
Judging by her state, the woman had been handled with considerable violence to sate His Majesty’s urges. Bite marks were scattered across her skin… Ordinarily, His Majesty is a perfect gentleman, but I’m told that at times like these, he deliberately unchains his bestial nature to reclaim his calm.
I hope to become a strong, magnificent man like His Majesty one day…! His insights are always so incredibly educational!
”I have already seen to the cleaning crew. Your Majesty, would it be acceptable to review the council materials as we proceed to the hall?” I asked.
”Umu. Let us depart, then.” the Emperor replied.
I walked down the corridor alongside His Majesty. The castle in the Imperial Capital is so vast that I still find myself getting lost in certain sectors when I’m alone.
Since the areas His Majesty frequents are limited, I haven’t quite mastered the entire layout of the palace yet.
I handed the prepared documents to His Majesty. He scanned them while walking and promptly returned them to me.
He had already perused the preliminary reports; most of this was likely redundant information to him. Finally, we arrived at the war council chamber.
”His Imperial Majesty has arrived!”
As the heavy doors swung open, every soul in the room snapped to attention to greet him. The majority were beastmen, though a few humans were peppered among them.
Participation in this council is restricted to the elite Dominator class of the Empire. Even members of the Imperial Family are rarely granted entry. This was truly the ultimate gathering of the Empire’s top brass!
Even as a mere servant, being permitted to witness such a council is a profound honor.
Speaking is strictly forbidden for attendants during the session. In fact, very few people in this room are permitted to voice their opinions at all.
* * *
”…So, the Hero’s strength is the real deal, then.”
Currently, the discussion was centered on the ongoing conflict with the Emmeld Kingdom⁴.
The most powerful beastman knight divisions on the continent—warriors who had never known defeat—had apparently seen two of their units completely annihilated.
The adversary was the Hero, the Kingdom’s special-grade combat asset. Reportedly, there are only four of them… but if they managed to wipe out two of our elite divisions, their prowess must be legitimate.
”Curse them…! A mere backwater nation on the frontier dares to…!” one lord growled.
”However, we have received intriguing intelligence from the Information Department. Word has it one of the Heroes is capable of utilizing healing sorcery.” another added.
”What!?”
”If that is the case, surely the Holy City⁵ won’t remain silent?”
”Could they be agents of the Holy City? Is it possible they are covertly providing aid to the Kingdom?”
”Could the Hero actually be… one of the Holy City’s ultimate weapons, the Holy Flame Ten Brave Warriors⁶…!?”
It was then that His Majesty finally intervened.
”I find it distasteful to let a discussion devolve into mere conjecture…” Regdahl said.
”H-His Majesty…”
”Without concrete evidence, this debate will remain aimless. …First, let us acknowledge the valor of the Hero who overcame two of our knight divisions. I shall present them with a sword in my name.” Regdahl declared.
”Eh…!?”
”What…!?”
What a shock…! To think His Majesty would choose to send a sword to the very Hero who slaughtered his knights as a tribute to their skill…!
S-So this is what it means to be a true man…! Your Majesty… recognizing the enemy’s worth and bestowing a reward…! S-So incredibly cool…!
”Furthermore… if they possess such talent, I would much rather have them serve my Empire. Withdraw the troops from the Kingdom for now.” Regdahl ordered.
”Ha…!?”
”Your Majesty…!?”
”It is a simple fact that we misjudged the Hero’s capabilities. For the time being, concentrate solely on information gathering. Hahaha… to think the Kingdom could, even momentarily, obstruct my path of conquest…! I suppose even a decaying Great Power retains some of its old bite!”
Showing such magnanimity toward a tiny frontier state…! What a grand soul he possesses…!
”…Are you certain, sire? Could this not encourage the insurgent elements within our own borders?” a general asked.
”It might. But in that case, we shall simply suppress them with absolute force and remind them who their master is.” Regdahl replied calmly.
Indeed, the Empire’s territory is vast, and rebellions do occasionally flare up in the outskirts. However, the Empire’s response to treason is nothing short of Draconian.
They do not engage in dialogue or negotiation. They simply crush the opposition with overwhelming power, and the family of the instigator is executed as a grim public warning.
”For now, a feint will suffice. We shall make it appear as though we have yielded to the Kingdom… or rather, to the Hero. The rest will depend on the intel we gather… but if it is feasible, I want them under my banner.” Regdahl said.
”I doubt it will be quite that simple…”
”Naturally, if they prove recalcitrant, we shall simply resume the assault. Brute force is hardly the only way to win a war, after all… is it?”
His Majesty flashed a predatory, ferocious smile.
But to think that after hearing about the Hero’s threat, his first instinct was to recruit them…! A vision no ordinary man could conceive! Truly magnificent, Your Majesty…!
As the strategy regarding the Kingdom was finalized, logistical matters like budget and personnel shifts were deferred to other departments. Once the reports on other fronts were concluded, the Information Department began distributing new materials. His Majesty’s expression grew sharp.
”Hmph… now for the main event…” Regdahl muttered.
Upon hearing His Majesty’s tone, the lords’ faces were overcome with surprise.
It seemed His Majesty viewed the upcoming topic as even more critical than the Kingdom that had just dealt the Empire its first-ever defeat at the hands of its beastman knights…!
”Report.”
”Yes, sire. Our Information Department, with the invaluable aid of Princess Listarte, has concluded a preliminary survey of the Demon Forest.” an officer stated.
”What…!?”
”The Demon Forest…!?”
”Why investigate that place now, of all times…”
About half the room looked bewildered, while the other half remained stoic. It seemed half of the attendees were already privy to the situation.
Those who were shocked likely hadn’t imagined that Lady Listarte had been flying her Skygoon⁷ as far as the forest’s heart. The intelligence officers provided a detailed briefing.
They detailed how a Council Member of the Republic had entered into a trade agreement with a figure known as ‘the Magic Labyrinth King⁸.’ They highlighted that the goods were peerless agricultural products that could only be cultivated in the depths of the Demon Forest.
As the supporting documents were reviewed, the gravity of the situation began to sink in for everyone.
Drinks were served in the council chamber at this moment. Everyone partook, and once again, half were stunned while the other half remained calm.
”Some of you may be experiencing this for the first time. This is a fruit cultivated deep within the Demon Forest—a juice made from an ‘apple.’ Various high-end fruits, along with gourmet dishes and spirits derived from them, are already circulating within the Republic.” the officer explained.
His Majesty has already sampled several varieties of fruit wine imported from the Republic.
I was once allowed to finish the dregs… and it was unquestionably a flavor fit for a king…!
The materials included projections of the wealth accumulated by the Republic’s Council Member and the potential market shift. The intelligence officer articulated these points with precision.
”The Republic’s financial power was already formidable… but this has significantly bolstered their ‘Wild Points,’ so to speak.”
”But is it truly possible for anyone to survive, let alone live, in the depths of the Demon Forest?” one lord questioned.
”Umu. I recall that centuries ago, many adventurers sought to conquer those uncharted lands… but the survival rate was a mere two percent, was it not?” another added.
”No… the circumstances have changed. With a sufficiently trained unit and modern equipment, a breakthrough is within the realm of possibility.”
”The issue of the miasma remains a significant hurdle, however.”
The Demon Forest… the continent’s most notorious uncharted territory, a deathtrap teeming with demon monsters.
Indeed, the notion of someone dwelling there and successfully managing a plantation would be unthinkable to most.
”The Information Department has already pinpointed the stronghold of this ‘Magic Labyrinth King.’” the officer revealed.
”What…!?”
”This discovery was made possible through the direct cooperation of Princess Listarte. Please turn to page eight of your materials.”
The officer elaborated on the findings.
He described how a portion of the forest’s interior had been leveled into flatland. At its heart sat a massive estate enclosed by high stone walls, housing an expansive plantation. Furthermore…
”The existence of sorcerers capable of flight… has been confirmed…!?” a lord gasped.
”Yes. At least three… and all of them were reportedly young girls.” the officer replied.
Aside from His Majesty, this news was a revelation to everyone; the room erupted in shocked exclamations.
”Flight sorcery…! It has actually been perfected…!?”
”Absurd!? If there are multiple practitioners…”
”This will completely upend the continent’s balance of power…!”
”I see… so that is how they were transporting their goods to the Republic…”
Some of the finer details were beyond me, but apparently, having even a single flight sorcerer radically alters how military units are deployed. For whoever controls it, it is a staggering advantage.
Moreover, current weaponry and sorcery would struggle to neutralize targets maneuvering at high speeds in the air.
”Flight sorcery… could the Kingdom’s sorcerers have been the ones to complete it…?” a lord asked.
”No. On the contrary, the Kingdom recently had one of their own royals kidnapped by one of these sorcerers.” the officer answered.
”What did you say!?”
”Then this Magic Labyrinth King is…”
”Yes. It is highly probable they are in a state of open hostility with the Kingdom.”
The immense market value of the King’s crops, the subsequent economic impact, and the unprecedented feat of operationalizing flight sorcery.
Once the gravity of these facts was established, His Majesty finally spoke.
”I have christened the territory ruled by the Magic Labyrinth King as the ‘Promised Land⁹.’” Regdahl declared.
”The… Promised Land…?”
”Indeed. The land that promises the future prosperity of our Empire. I intend to bring this Magic Labyrinth King to heel and place him under my command. Furthermore, the land he has reclaimed shall be placed under my direct administration.” Regdahl said.
”Ooh…!”
His Majesty outlined his grand vision. Allowing the Republic—their future rivals—to reap such vast profits while ceding the advantage of flight sorcery was something the Empire could not permit.
Furthermore, he asserted that only the truly powerful had the right to be called ‘King.’ He would not suffer a mere merchant-king to flaunt such a title.
”I shall be plain. My priorities are the Demon Forest first, and the Hero second. Control of flight sorcery will allow us to dismantle the Kingdom and Republic with ease. And if the Hero can be brought to their knees, even the Holy City will be within our reach.” Regdahl stated.
”……!”
”The Holy City…!”
”The sequence is clear: the Demon Forest comes first. Seizing that territory alone will yield incalculable wealth. It will cripple the Republic’s economy while delivering the secrets of flight into our hands…!” Regdahl concluded.
It seemed His Majesty viewed the subjugation of the Magic Labyrinth King as the most direct path to continental dominion, even over the conquest of the Kingdom.
To my ears, his logic seemed unassailable.
”Furthermore, unlike the Kingdom, I doubt they possess a military of any significant caliber. Given the scale of the territory, the population cannot be large. The only obstacle is our inability to easily deploy a large force… does anyone have a suggestion?” Regdahl asked.
Sending an army into the heart of the forest was a suicidal prospect for most.
However, it was also a land that would fall instantly if even a small, elite force could be successfully inserted.
”It is a difficult conundrum…”
”The maps suggest the Kingdom’s borders are closer…”
”It would be folly to march an entire division from our own territory.”
The room fell into a thoughtful silence until the intelligence officer spoke once more.
”Our options are limited. Initially, perhaps we could pressure the Republic’s Council Member to facilitate a meeting with the Magic Labyrinth King?” the officer suggested.
”Do you believe they would comply so readily? No Council Member is so naive as to miss our true intentions behind wanting such a meeting.” Regdahl countered.
”Haha, quite true. Then… perhaps we should have the Skygoon transport our finest warriors directly?” the officer proposed.
”Wha…!?”
It was clear the officer had been leading toward this bold strategy from the start.
”We are already preparing to send a sword and an imperial missive to the Kingdom, are we not? At that time, we shall include a demand. Tell the Kingdom’s Skygoon rider to fly into the Demon Forest and deliver Your Majesty’s letter to the Magic Labyrinth King. If they comply, we shall promise to withdraw all our forces from their borders… what say you?” the officer asked.
In essence, they would use the Kingdom’s own assets to deliver His Majesty’s word.
That letter would state: ‘A diplomatic envoy from the Empire will be arriving shortly; see to it that they are received with the highest honors.’
”I have heard that the Kingdom’s rider was once repelled while attempting to scout the King’s estate. The enemy clearly has aerial defenses… we cannot risk our own precious Skygoon riders in such a gambit, after all.” the officer added.
The plan was to use the Kingdom as a pawn to deliver the message, then have Lady Listarte ferry the Empire’s most elite warriors for the ‘envoy’ visit.
”Once we have established a foothold, the rest is elementary. If their defenses are as meager as we suspect, our elite unit can seize the territory on the spot. If they prove more formidable, we can use the ‘diplomatic exchange’ as a pretext to shuttle in our beastman knights over multiple trips. Once our numbers are sufficient, we simply take it by force.” the officer explained.
Surely no one would dare refuse the Empire’s ‘request.’
Besides, His Majesty is known for his benevolence toward those who submit. The Magic Labyrinth King would likely be honored to serve the Emperor rather than cling to a hollow title.
”What are your thoughts, sire?” the officer asked.
”Hahaha… not a bad plan at all! I have resolved to claim the Promised Land by any means…! However, I will not rely on the Kingdom’s rider.” Regdahl said.
”Eh…”
”To do so would be to signal that I am somehow hesitant to confront the Magic Labyrinth King directly…! For the initial envoy, we shall send Listarte herself! If they dare to lay a finger on her, that shall serve as our casus belli. A war between the Empire and the Magic Labyrinth King… how fitting!” Regdahl laughed.
”………!”
I was stunned. Your Majesty…! To risk your own daughter, the Princess…! Even though Lady Listarte is our only Skygoon rider…!
”Hahaha…! Besides, a conflict with the King is not yet a certainty. If possible, I would prefer to bring them under my wing without spilling a drop of blood. To reclaim such a forest is a feat worthy of praise, even for a human! Wouldn’t you agree?!” Regdahl asked.
Ah… that was it. His Majesty is a man who pays homage to true strength and talent, even in an enemy.
Just as he had done for the Kingdom’s Heroes…! T-This is what it means to be a man…!
”We shall begin with a gesture of friendship. If they bow to me, then so be it. But if they show no sign of submission, then we shall follow your plan—slowly build our forces under their very noses… and once the trap is set, we shall hunt them down.
—
Summary:
Emperor Regdahl of Egdia holds a war council after engaging in a beastly tryst with a concubine. The council discusses the threat of the Emmeld Kingdom’s Heroes, whom Regdahl surprisingly chooses to honor with a gift to lure them into his service. However, the primary focus shifts to the ‘Magic Labyrinth King’ in the Demon Forest, who possesses advanced crops and flight sorcery. Regdahl plans to send his daughter, Listarte, to bring this mysterious figure under his control.
—
Character Insight:
Regdahl is portrayed as a complex ruler who balances raw, predatory instincts with cold, strategic brilliance. His willingness to acknowledge the ‘merit’ of enemies like the Heroes shows a pragmatic ego; he doesn’t just want to destroy strength, he wants to own it. Sirius’s blind admiration provides a chilling perspective on how the Emperor’s brutality is normalized and even idolized within the Imperial hierarchy.
—
Behind the Scene:
The contrast between the ‘civilized’ military uniform and the Emperor’s literal lion-like physiology highlights the theme of ‘beast vs. man’ prevalent in the series’ world-building.
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T/L:
Notes:
• Regdahl – The Emperor of the Egdia Empire. A large beastman with a face reminiscent of a lion-headed demon monster (Gardan) found in the Demon Forest. Features white fur, sharp fangs, and a powerful gaze. Known for a disciplined schedule but also for intentionally releasing his ‘beast nature’ to maintain calm.
• Sirius – A young servant in the service of Emperor Regdahl. Formerly a member of royalty from a small nation occupied by the Empire. He is currently in charge of the Emperor’s time management.
• Listarte – Judiette’s younger half-sister. A beastman sorceress and the only Imperial citizen capable of riding the Skygoon. Have long dark hair.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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