Chapter 227 The Imperial Conference ②
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
At Father-sama’s¹ declaration, the chamber erupted in a low, frantic murmur. After a few seconds, Father-sama raised one arm, and the room fell into a deathly silence.
”The participating nations shall be the Empire, the Holy City², and the Republic. At the very least, these three. The Emmeld Kingdom³ follows. Furthermore, I intend to have the Labyrinth King participate as an observer,” the Emperor said.
”Th-that’s…”
”A meeting… that transcends national boundaries?”
As always, Father-sama’s vision is staggering. A gathering of the three great powers… such a thing is unheard of.
(And yet… if it is limited to those three, it might be surprisingly feasible…)
None of those countries are currently in open conflict with the Empire. The Emmeld Kingdom, however… their participation would be a diplomatic nightmare. We are still at war with them, and ensuring Father-sama’s safety would be nearly impossible.
”It is merely a concept for now. The hurdles to its realization will be high,” Father-sama continued. “However, the Holy City is just as starved for information regarding the Demon God as we are. In exchange for what we know, it is entirely possible they will share the histories passed down in the Holy City… or perhaps some lore that connects directly to the Demon God’s nature.”
Father-sama explained that he had already dispatched an envoy to the Holy City. Regardless of the outcome, it seems Father-sama intends to travel there personally to facilitate the sharing of intelligence.
”Your Majesty… you would go yourself!?” a councilor asked.
”Precisely because I go in person, the other party will be forced to take our words seriously,” Father-sama replied.
That may be true, but I suspect Father-sama also wishes to survey the roads and topography leading to the Holy City with his own eyes. Deep within his mind, the possibility of military action against the Holy City must surely remain.
Should Father-sama truly visit, the Holy City will be sent into a frantic scramble to prepare for a state guest. That is likely why he sent a messenger ahead.
(…Though knowing Father-sama, there is a fair chance he might simply go incognito.)
That seemed more and more likely the more I thought on it. It would certainly be a faster way to handle things.
”Anyway, regarding the Demon God, there is absolutely no sufficient information, and in a sense, the Empire possesses the most information. With its whereabouts unknown even now, it is not something we can do anything about from our side. First, we exchange intelligence with the Holy City. Eventually, we will frame this as a continental threat to bring our neighbors to the table… that is the image. Does anyone care to voice an objection?” Father-sama asked.
As Father-sama laid out this clear path forward, a palpable sense of relief washed over the room. Nothing had truly been resolved yet, but the ability to cultivate such an atmosphere is a testament to his skill as a ruler.
”The vision regarding the Demon God is clear. However, what of the Labyrinth King? Your Majesty previously declared the lands he rules to be our ‘Promised Land⁴,’ and set a policy to bring them under Imperial control…”
It was inevitable that this policy would be questioned. We cannot hope to subjugate Labyrinth King-dono through sheer force of arms. Not when the full extent of his military might remains a mystery. To clash with him now would be folly.
Yet, the question carried a sharp undertone: “Will the Emperor truly go back on his word?” A stinging tension crackled through the air.
”Fuhahaha…! Make no mistake, I have not abandoned my claim to the Promised Land,” Father-sama said, laughing.
”Oh? Then you still intend to force Labyrinth King-dono—the man who repelled the Demon God—into submission?”
”That would be the ideal outcome. As I have said before, I want the Labyrinth King under my banner. However… I find myself in his debt,” Father-sama said.
”A debt…?”
At that, Father-sama turned his gaze toward me and Older Sister. Naturally, every eye in the room followed his lead.
”He saved the lives of my daughters, my elite beastman knights, and my subjects. That is an indisputable fact,” Father-sama said firmly.
”………”
”The Empire owes the Labyrinth King a great debt. I have no mercy for fools who forget their station, but I shall always accord proper respect to those of true merit—especially those to whom I am indebted. If the sovereign of this nation cannot show basic courtesy to a man who saved his kin simply because that man is human, then none of you could hold your heads high as my subjects. Is that not so?”
”I… I see…”
I must admit… that thought had not even occurred to me.
I am a member of the Imperial family who can ride Luman-chan. Older Sister and her cohort are irreplaceable beastman knights. Not to mention the residents of the Kaibel territory. Thinking back, Labyrinth King-dono saved every last one of them.
Indeed, the Empire owes him a formal show of gratitude. Had he not intervened, two Beastman Knight Orders, Glazheim-dono of the Imperial Heaven Eight Swords, and I myself would likely be dead. The capital itself might have been erased. To the Empire, the loss would have been catastrophic.
”I certainly want the Promised Land. But I will not play the part of a vulgar tyrant who demands the possessions of his benefactor. I do not consider myself such a fool, nor do I intend to go down that path,” Father-sama said.
It seems Father-sama has decided to shift his entire approach toward Labyrinth King-dono. Though, based on his words, he hasn’t given up on the land itself.
He is moving from a hard stance to a soft one. He likely intends to spend years weaving a relationship with Labyrinth King-dono.
”In any event, the only men I have ever truly wished to meet were the Hero and the Labyrinth King. As for the latter, I am appointing Listarte and Judiette as my representatives. They shall handle our diplomacy with him. The finer details will be settled in time, but for now, my priority is the information exchange with the Holy City,” Father-sama declared.
I have spoken to Father-sama many times about the Demon God and Labyrinth King-dono. I also told him of the term the Demon God used: <Holy Womb⁵>.
To be honest, I still don’t understand its true meaning. But the Demon God claimed it could bring forth a being capable of destroying even an entity of his power.
(Father-sama said we must keep the
If I were the Demon God, my first priority would be to eliminate the women capable of birthing my destruction. As long as we sisters remain in the capital, we are inadvertently painting a target on every citizen’s back.
On the other hand, the Demon God also said this: a child capable of destroying evil can only be born from a union with one who can rival his own power. And he swore never to set foot in the Demon Forest⁶.
(There is only one man who fits that description… I wonder if Labyrinth King-dono even knows…?)
The Demon Forest is likely the only sanctuary where the Demon God cannot reach. Father-sama undoubtedly intends to use us sisters in his negotiations with Labyrinth King-dono.
I stole a glance at Older Sister. I wonder… what is she thinking?
The meeting adjourned once the policies toward the Demon God and the Labyrinth King were established. However, establishing an information network for when the Demon God appears is an urgent matter. Father-sama and the military high command immediately departed for further deliberations.
Father-sama mentioned he would organize a defense force in the capital while keeping the
(And yet, if the Demon God were to appear here… I doubt even the Beastman Knight Orders could truly protect us.)
In a way, while we sisters are the ultimate weapon against the Demon God, we are also the primary threat to the lives and treasury of the Imperial Capital. All because the Empire lacks a definitive way to fight back.
…For the sake of this world, perhaps we sisters require protection by a power greater than the Empire.
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Summary:
The Emperor shifts the Empire’s geopolitical stance, proposing a coalition with the Holy City and Republic to face the Demon God. He acknowledges the Labyrinth King as a vital benefactor, pivoting from conquest to long-term diplomacy. Listarte realizes she and her sister are targets of the Demon God due to their ‘Holy Womb’ and considers the Labyrinth King their only true protector.
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Trivia:
- The Empire is currently at war with the Emmeld Kingdom.
- The Emperor is considering military reconnaissance disguised as a diplomatic visit to the Holy City.
- The ‘Holy Womb’ secret is being withheld from the public and the council to maintain a strategic advantage.
- The Demon God swore not to enter the Demon Forest, which is the Labyrinth King’s territory
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Character Insight:
The Emperor demonstrates high-level ‘Realpolitik,’ admitting a debt of gratitude to avoid internal dissent while still harboring ultimate ambitions for the ‘Promised Land.’ Listarte moves from a passive princess to a self-aware strategic asset, recognizing the danger her existence poses to the capital.
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Behind the Scenes:
The author uses this chapter to transition the series from localized conflict into a continental-scale narrative involving major global powers and theological mysteries.
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• Glazheim – Member of the Imperial Heaven Eight Swords. Known as the ‘Castle Slasher.’
• Judiette – An Imperial Princess of the Egdia Empire and leader of the Purple Dragon Knights. A beastman with orange hair styled in an outward-pointing short cut. She has a brave, fierce face, visible abdominal muscles, and a powerful build. Usually wears a midriff-baring tank top and hot pants in private. She is extremely confident in her physical abilities and her second-grade Secret Treasure Orb.
• Listarte – Judiette’s younger half-sister. A fox beastman sorceress and the only Imperial citizen capable of riding the Skygoon. Have long dark hair. Wearing ornate Imperial princess robes with gold trim. A cup.
• Lista – Judiette’s younger half-sister. A fox beastman sorceress and the only Imperial citizen capable of riding the Skygoon. Have long dark hair. Wearing ornate Imperial princess robes with gold trim. A cup.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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