Chapter 476 Emperor Demandyl
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
A few days later. In the Kingdom of Canaria, the Ancient Elf Carley-known to many as “Haha-sama (Mother)”-had moved past her long-awaited “stroll” and was beginning to truly enjoy her “vacation.”
Meanwhile, to the east of the kingdom in the Wielope Empire, the very place from which she had suddenly vanished, Emperor Demandyl Wielope was reaching the end of his rope.
”Have you still not found Haha-sama (Mother)!?”
His roar of fury echoed through a chamber of the majestic imperial castle. The targets of his reprimand were a detached unit of the Shadows¹, the secret operatives who had pursued Carley into the Kingdom of Canaria. Their leader, Gustav, was naturally absent, but his subordinates-his “brothers”-remained bowed low, as motionless as statues.
Yet, like the Emperor, their hearts were far from calm. Since before the founding of the Wielope Kingdom, Carley had been the one to assist the First King, protect the people, and guide the nation. In all of Wielope’s history, the country had never been without her.
In the early days of the founding, before the Royal Palace even existed, she had been relatively free. She had assisted neighboring settlements, gathered intelligence, and even marched to the Holy City to protest their policies.
But those were stories from centuries ago. Records indicated that for the last two or three hundred years, her only interest had been “babysitting” the royal line. For Carley to suddenly vanish… it might have been a light “stroll” to her, but to everyone else, it was a cataclysm.
The Shadows felt this as much as the Emperor did. To them, she was more than a national asset; she was their mother, their family, and their mentor. They were shaken to their core.
”There is no mistake that she headed for the Kingdom of Canaria!?” Demandyl demanded.
”No, Sire. Gustav’s nose is certain,” a Shadow replied. “If he said he could track her, then he has undoubtedly reached her side… Which means, though I loathe to say it, something must have happened to him.”
”Grrr…!”
The Shadow left the implication hanging. If he suggested something had happened to Haha-sama herself, there was no telling how the Emperor would react. Even the Shadow was afraid that saying it aloud might make it a reality.
Naturally, the Emperor was thinking the exact same thing. He couldn’t keep his composure. Crash! His arm swung out, sweeping documents off his desk and sending a heavy candlestick clattering to the floor.
It was night, yet despite the fallen candlestick, no fire spread. The candles were not lit. Instead, the room was bathed in the glow of a Night Light Wand². The very magic circuit within that wand was a clue to Carley’s whereabouts, but the Emperor was too distraught to notice.
”Why… why has Haha-sama abandoned us!?”
”Surely she would never do such a-“
”THEN WHY HASN’T SHE RETURNED!?”
Demandyl threw a tantrum, never imagining for a moment that she had simply left because she found a man who made interesting magic circuits. He agonized over whether the Empire’s policies had offended her, but Carley was never one to hide her feelings. If she had a grievance, she spoke it plainly.
Had an emergency occurred? If so, she would have consulted them first.
Then-though he didn’t want to imagine it-had agents from the Kingdom of Canaria infiltrated the castle and abducted her? No, that was impossible. Carley’s chambers were more secure than the Emperor’s own bedroom, and she herself was far stronger than any of his guards.
”How heart-wrenching, Lord Demandyl…”
”Please, Sire, stay strong…”
Unable to watch the Emperor’s agony, one of the Shadows brought in several of his women. Even for a man as lecherous as Demandyl, the crisis was usually his priority… though the feel of a soft chest pressed against him did manage to restore a bit of his vitality. In the end, a man found no solace quite like a woman’s touch.
He had to consider his next move. If the Shadows were unreliable, he would have to question the Kingdom of Canaria directly. If they played dumb, he would mobilize the army. He was weighing these violent options when a Shadow suddenly stiffened.
”What!? Is that true!?”
”What is it?” Demandyl asked. “A report?”
”Your Majesty, I have good news! One of the men who headed for the Kingdom of Canaria is returning!”
”Is it true!?”
The kneeling Shadow pressed a hand to his ear, receiving a magical transmission. The Emperor leaned forward, eyes wide. Shortly after, a man who had accompanied Gustav to Canaria materialized, oozing out from the shadows on the floor.
He had likely bypassed horses entirely, running from Canaria on foot while pushing his stealth magic to the limit. The Shadow looked utterly haggard.
”You’ve returned! Speak-what of Haha-sama!?”
”She is safe, Sire!”
”I see… I see!”
Demandyl slumped back, flooded with relief. But it was too early to be entirely at ease. If she was safe, why wasn’t she home?
”However… the situation is complicated,” the messenger added.
”Go on. I’m listening.”
The Shadow explained everything. Carley had gone to Canaria on a whim, treating it like a stroll. Her goal was to see the “man who makes interesting magic circuits.” Due to their own blunder, she had been counterattacked and captured. He described the terrifying power of the man’s magic circuits but noted that the enemy was surprisingly civil. She was being detained, but treated with the utmost respect.
The Emperor looked up at the ceiling, rubbing his forehead.
”Unbelievable… she really is a handful. Why couldn’t she have just told us?”
”She said… ‘If I told you, you wouldn’t have let me go,’” the Shadow reported.
”Sigh…”
Demandyl let out a long, weary breath. He knew she was right. If she had said she was going to visit an adult goods shop because she was curious, he never would have allowed it. He felt a small pang of regret, realizing his own overprotectiveness had pushed her to this. But regret could wait.
”And their demands?”
”Sire, they officially claim they intend to return her courteously. However, given the recent assassination attempt on the Saint, they say they cannot simply return her for free after such an intrusion.”
”I thought as much. Are there any specific requests?”
”No, Sire. They seem confused as well. They intend to ask Haha-sama herself about her status and role within Wielope.”
”Did she not try to escape?”
”On the contrary, she seemed eager to talk. She even said, ‘For the sake of the Great Wish³, this might be for the best.’”
The Emperor crossed his arms. If she claimed it was for the Great Wish, it must be true. Even if his judgment differed from hers, an Elf’s perspective was focused on the long term.
He wondered if she would reveal the secret of the Great Wish to the Queen of Canaria. He had to assume she would. The secret was out… but perhaps the price was worth it.
What should he do? Relations with the Kingdom of Canaria had been sour since his father’s time. They had even traded blows recently. He had hoped to eventually annex them, but that dream was dead. The Emperor realized his path of conquest was over, but even that was a small price to pay for Haha-sama’s safety.
”We will send a formal envoy. Our stance will depend on their move and her condition, but for now, we go as friends. Do not provoke them.”
”By your command!”
The attendants scrambled to follow the decree. In a single night, the Emperor had swung from rage to despair to relief and finally to a decision. Exhaustion hit him like a physical weight. He considered burying his face in his consort’s chest again but restrained himself, letting out another deep sigh.
The messenger Shadow shifted awkwardly. “Um… Sire? I have one more message from her.”
”What!? If there’s more, say it!”
”Yes… well… she said, ‘I had them sell me every High-Class Slime-Pal⁴ they had in stock, so look forward to it. If there is anything else you want, let me know.’”
”Huh…?”
Emperor Demandyl didn’t just sigh; he lost his grip on reality and slid right off his throne, landing in a heap on the floor.
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Summary:
Emperor Demandyl of Wielope is in a state of panic over the disappearance of Carley (Haha-sama). He eventually receives word that she is safe in the Canaria Kingdom but has been ‘captured’ due to her own curiosity about adult magic circuits. Relieved but exhausted, Demandyl decides to send a friendly envoy to negotiate her return, realizing his plans for conquest must take a backseat to her safety.
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Trivia:
- Carley is actually stronger than the Emperor’s elite guards.
- The ‘Night Light Wand’ in the room is a product of the shop Carley visited, which Demandyl fails to realize.
- The mention of a ‘Holy Figure’ (Saint) assassination attempt provides the political context for why Canaria is being difficult.
- The ‘Great Wish’ is a long-term goal shared by the Elves and the Empire’s founding history
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Character Insight:
Demandyl shows a softer, more vulnerable side through his attachment to Carley, moving from a ruthless conqueror to a concerned ‘son’ figure. Carley’s motive is revealed to be pure whim, yet she justifies her situation as potentially beneficial for their ultimate goal.
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Behind the Scenes:
The author uses the ‘Slime-Pal’ as a comedic undercut to the high-stakes political drama, highlighting the absurdity of the series’ premise.
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• Carley – Ancient Elf ‘Mother’ leading Wielope Empire assassins—young human looks with ancient aura, long green hair, carefree villain vibe calling Emperor ‘Dee-bou.’ Never birthed but matriarch figure, grants Forest Blessing, stays chill even tentacle/slime-trapped.
• Demandyl – Emperor of the Willope Empire. Known as ‘Dee-boy’ (Dee-bou) by Karla. A man past middle age approaching old age, wearing opulent robes. He has children and wives.
• Gustav – Leader of the Wielope Empire’s elite ‘Shadow’ assassin crew—captured in royal dungeon & victory parade hit, now snagged by shop defenses. Die-hard Emperor loyalist, shakes at the thought of Carley getting hurt from political fallout.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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