Chapter 32 Final Move
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Late at night, Imperial Capital is shrouded in silence.
”…morning, already, huh?”
A bright light akin to the morning sun illuminated his closed eyelids, and Emperor Fredrin II woke up from his sleep and groaned a little.
Fredrin II’s mornings began early. He would awaken as the morning sun rose, commencing his day by wielding a sword in the courtyard. Though he no longer ventured onto the battlefield, he refused to forget the movements of a strategist. He harbored a desire not to rely on a cane in his old age and maintained this daily exercise routine even amidst the current crisis.
However, as Fredrin II opened his eyes, it was not the pleasant morning sunlight that greeted him, but a deep crimson glow shining through the window.
”What is this?”
The bedroom, bathed in light intense enough to turn the white walls a deep red, was terribly eerie. Fredrin II rolled out of bed and forcefully tore open the curtains.
What met Fredrin II’s gaze was a red full moon hanging in the night sky.
”…A red moon?”
Fredrin II muttered to himself as if questioning his own words.
This moon did not float in the sky, but rather engulfed it, or one could say, expanded to become a colossal moon. He has no memory or knowledge of a red moon. At the very least, there is no way that there is a red moon that is bigger than the moon he is familiar with.
”His Majestyyy, His Majestyyy!!”
The cry of the imperial guard could be heard from outside the bedroom. From his voice and manner, it was clear that he was extremely anxious, and just as Fredrin II was about to question what the red moon in the sky was.
A shockwave of ear-splitting noise shook the imperial capital.
It’s the sound of a musical instrument that shakes the sky. It is both divine and ominous, beautiful and ugly, captivating yet repelling. It is the trumpet’s celebratory salute that heralds the end.
This melody reminiscent of the Northern Lights (Aurora) raced through the night sky. Quite literally, it transformed into a myriad of colors, coloring the red moon──
Immediately after, a dazzling red light enveloped the imperial capital.
Fredrin II instinctively crouched and hid behind a wall. At the same time, an imperial guard who opened the door was bathed in the red light head-on, emitting a startled cry and collapsing to the ground.
The light lasted but a moment, as if something had burst into light.
”Hey, are you okay?”
”Um… yes.”
As the light subsided, the imperial guard stood up and responded to Fredrin II’s question. His eyes blinked rapidly as if still affected by the blinding light, but there were no obvious changes in his vision being impaired or any other abnormal conditions at this moment.
And then Fredrin II noticed something, peering out of the hole like a rabbit, he looked outside the window.
The bedroom, enveloped in a deep red light, had somehow regained its everyday appearance. And in the night sky, there was no red moon to be found, only the familiar white crescent floating in the sky.
The event that seemed to have lasted only a minute was like a dream, yet the clamor of screams mixed with the chaos from the town below taught that the moment was definitely not a dream or an illusion.
”His Majesty, are you unharmed?”
At that moment, a man burst into the room with heavy footsteps. He was dressed in casual attire, carrying only a sword, but it was evident that he hurried to the castle in response to the disturbance.
”Cedric, are you safe as well?”
The man Fredrin II called Cedric was Duke Marshall. He was one of those who witnessed the descent of Azuriela and the dragon’s attack with Fredrin II that day.
”Yes. Have you seen that moon?”
”Yeah.”
Fredrin II nods as he gazes up at the night sky, now restored to its usual look.
”It is as I suspected…”
”Even without everyone saying it, I understand what you’re going to say.”
Fredrin II meets Duke Marshall’s gaze.
”Ring the emergency summoning bell for the nobles. Then mobilize the army to maintain order in the city below.”
The castle, a symbol of the imperial capital, presents a desolate sight. The gates are destroyed, and now, a red moon floats in the night. The people of the imperial capital are deeply frightened, and there is a possibility of riots breaking out.
The empire may collapse from within before being destroyed by Babellion. Or perhaps, that is precisely Babellion’s intention. With a sharp gaze at the sky, Fredrin II calls for his servants to assist in changing into formal attire.
* * *
Less than an hour later, nobles began to gather in the castle’s meeting room. Not all the nobles, of course, but only those who regularly attended the daily meetings.
On this particular day, however, the room was filled with an intense silence, unlike the heated arguments that had filled the room during the day. Everyone wore an equally uneasy expression, as if their minds were elsewhere.
And it was only natural, Fredrin II thought. It wasn’t just because they were still half-asleep; their expressions revealed everything. While they didn’t understand the true nature of the red moon, they all understood who was responsible for it.
It was impossible for humans to place a red moon in the sky. Those who had not witnessed Azuriela’s descent or the dragon’s destruction finally came to understand it physically – they were made to understand. They were beings beyond human comprehension.
Now, the heavy atmosphere hung over the nobles like a burdensome weight, leaving everyone breathless and unable to speak.
However, they couldn’t remain silent and face each other forever. There was no choice but to break the silence, and Fredrin II decided to take the initiative. He intended to start by confirming the whereabouts of the nobles who had not yet appeared in the meeting room.
”Ah, Your Majesty, I apologize for the impoliteness.”
There was a knock on the conference room door.
Fredrin II thought to himself that the latecomers had arrived. However, the face of the imperial guard who appeared from the open door was so pale that it showed no trace of color.
”Y-Your Majesty, everyone… I-I bring this…”
The imperial guard’s voice trembled. And the nobles who were closest to the door gasped when they saw what was being brought in from behind the guard.
The imperial guards were carrying statues. There were three of them, but it made no sense to bring meaningless statues to this place.
Curious, Fredrin II focused his gaze on the statues.
”Marquis Riodore, Marquis Barellun, Marquis Granham.”
Someone else among the nobles uttered those names, and at almost the same time, the faces of the statues matched the faces of the people in Fredrin II’s memory. The first noble who screamed, Count Jackzane, stumbled back a few steps as if his legs gave way. Everyone approached the statues, emitting sounds similar to gasps, to get a closer look.
”It must be a lie, there’s no way something like this could happen.”
”And that light, what could it be?”
”Marquis Riodore… Could it really be a noble of his caliber…”
”Are they really alive?”
”It must be certain that they are dead.”
Everyone opens their mouths, each with their own thoughts, but it goes without saying that fear is etched on everyone’s faces.
The three statues are twisted with fear and surprise. It is unknown what has happened to them. Did they turn to stone immediately upon receiving the light of that red moon, or did something that turned them to stone appear before them?
”Hey, there’s something written on the back of Riodore!”
Duke Marshall, who had rushed towards the statues, shouted. Upon hearing those words, Fredrin II stood up from his seat at the head and rushed over, pushing aside the circle of nobles to peer at the back of the statue.
”We are always watching you.”
The moment he read those words aloud, Fredrin II felt as if he made eye contact with Riodore,
”Those who are against us.”
Fredrin II glanced at Marquis Riodore’s face and then slowly turned to take in the nobles in his line of sight.
”This is the power of Babellion that you are opposing.”
Although nothing affiliated with Babellion had materialized, it could only be attributed to Babellion’s actions.
”We are always watching you… Those were the words Azuriela uttered as she left that place. Therefore, Marquis Riodore and the others should be seen as turned to stone for opposing Babellion.”
Fredrin II had not forgotten the words spoken by Azuriela. He had thought of those words as a warning, implying that he knew what would happen if they attempted to attack Babellion and raise an army.
However, he was mistaken. Those words were not a metaphor or anything else; they were meant in the truest sense of “we are always watching.” Even with the utmost vigilance, their awareness was still lacking.
Babellion always monitored the meetings as Azuriela said, and took action against Marquis Riodore, who opposed them. Instead of killing him openly, they chose to petrify him.
No fool here fails to understand that this is a demonstration. It was the perfect move, silencing the nobles who proposed without any viable strategy, completely overriding their emotions with fear.
”And naturally, that red moon as well. Such deeds cannot be done by human hands. Azuriela’s words are not falsehoods; there is a god in Babellion with enough power to destroy the world.”
While not spoken aloud, Fredrin II saw this as an opportunity.
With the absence of Marquis Riodore, and the loss of momentum among the opposing nobles due to the red moon and petrification, it is an ideal situation for Fredrin II, who wants to steer following Babellion.
Furthermore, it was clear that Babellion, instead of using force against the empire that did not demonstrate a posture of simultaneous compliance, chose to employ the quiet tactic of assassination. This confirmed that Babellion had no intention of easily destroying the empire.
Taking Alfred and Lucia hostage, yet refraining from annihilating the imperial capital despite possessing the power to do so from the sky, could be seen as an indication of Babellion’s willingness to engage in dialogue, despite the hierarchical relationship.
It was with this in mind that Fredrin II was convinced that there was a path to survival, a way for the empire to be saved.
Therefore, the first step is to align with Babellion’s direction.
”I have silently observed your arguments until now because I understand the reasoning behind each side… But that ends now. Even if our gates and city walls are blown away from the sky, I will reiterate this to the fools who still cannot see reality. The empire has zero possibility of eliminating Babellion through force. And the victory we seek is for the empire to continue under Babellion’s leadership and to ensure the innocent people are not killed.”
Fredrin II was a submissive, but it’s not a simple matter of who is right and who is evil. What is important is to find a way for the empire to survive and for the lives of the people to not be lost.
”I also have the feeling that this empire cannot be reduced to a mere vassal state. However, since Babellion, which far exceeds our common sense, has metastasized into the Empire’s territory, I think it is foolish to try to respond using common sense.”
It has been over 500 years since the Empire was founded, but of course it was not a great power from the beginning. The current empire is built on the accumulated history of dozens of great former emperors who literally risked their lives to carve out or protect their territories.
Fredrin II knows better than anyone the weight of responsibility that comes with history.
Fredrin II believes that a country is a living thing. A country has no set shape. This does not only mean the visible shape of a country, such as its borders, but also its position and the way it should be as a country.
If you die, it’s over, but if you live, you can rise again. This is the most important lesson in life that Fredrin II learned from his father. It’s a maxim that comes true because he goes on the battlefield as a war emperor, and it’s a saying that he lives by. That’s important. You can run away, but as long as you’re alive, you can always come back.”
”Therefore, I come to Babellion myself to follow what they want, and I have no choice but to use words to find a way for us to live.”
If Babellion is willing to talk, you may have a chance of winning through discussion. Even if there is no chance of winning in battle, there is a chance of victory in discussion.
”If there are still people who are against it, please come forward!!”
No one objected to Fredrin II’s cry.
* * *
”His Majesty. The empire is united in obedience.”
”Thank you for your hard work”
Upon hearing Shiki’s report, Charles had a look of ‘I guess that’s it’ on his face and heaved a huge sigh of relief in his heart.
About an hour ago, Charles ordered the elimination of three key opposition figures, including Marquis Riodore, as a warning. The reason was simple and clear – they had conspired to harm the emperor.
Of course, this was merely in the planning stages, and Marquis Riodore had only confided in two individuals whom he trusted explicitly. There was a significant possibility of a change of heart during the development of the operation.
The task ahead involved considering whether it was possible to assassinate the emperor, rallying under the new emperor, Clovis, afterward, and dealing with Babellion. However, with Babellion as a major obstacle, every part of the plan was difficult.
It was obvious to even the least astute that investigating Babellion would be incredibly challenging. So, the chances of the plan succeeding were actually quite low.
One might argue that Marquis Riodore’s selection was just bad luck. If there was any mistake, it was that the plan had been spoken aloud. It’s not like Shiki had been reading minds.
However, by speaking it, it caught Shiki’s attention.
So Charles used this opportunity to make a move. He chose to petrify rather than kill. This was to make it more clear that Babellion was a supernatural being.
And the person who executed the plan is Azuriela.
[Fetal Warning]
That is a debuff skill that Azuriela is good at. When the battle begins, it is activated as a field effect and has the brutal effect of extending the enemy’s recast time by 3 seconds.
However, the effectiveness of skills has little to do with planning. The only thing that matters is the effect of the blood-red full moon floating in the sky. Although it is merely a threat, it can be expected to be effective against the people of the empire, including the emperor.
”…But now we’ve finally taken a big step forward.”
”Yes, that’s a big development for Babellion.”
Felshiol nods while saying something similar to Charles’ monologue.
”It would be unreasonable to make the choice to destroy a country with one’s own hands in a day or two.”
The Emperor’s decision to relinquish half of his empire, even in the face of invasion, is not a simple one. Charles understands this well.
Even so, he insisted on obedience to emphasize Charles’ frustration with an empire that lacks decisiveness and to highlight the difference in their positions.
Just as a slave unquestioningly follows the orders of their master, the empire must fully submit to Babellion to further reinforce understanding.
”However, the Emperor is indeed wise. Humans, the higher their position, the more they cling. And the more they have, the more they refuse to lose. Normally, even though we demonstrated the difference in our power, it would not have been easy for the Emperor to make the decision to sell the country.”
Despite this, the Emperor immediately showed willingness to comply. This was due to the display of absolute power, but still, his flexibility and swift judgment are admirable.
Whether Charles could make such a judgment himself is likely a negative. For example, if he were transported to a vastly superior world, it would be challenging to immediately surrender all of Babellion’s authority, including the tower and his subordinates, to the local country.
”It goes without saying that dealing with Babellion… is not something that can be easily done when dealing with mere humans who can’t even measure their own abilities.”
”It would be better not to take too much, not as a reward… but in order to secure what we truly desire. It would be preferable to make requests that would allow the Emperor to triumphantly return to the imperial capital. However, we cannot afford for Babellion to be seen as having lost.”
In the smooth governance of Babellion, it is still important to effectively utilize the Emperor as a piece. Therefore, it is necessary not to lose the centripetal force.
”I would like to consider a compromise, a middle ground.”
In order for the Emperor to maintain centripetal force, it is necessary to achieve results in negotiations with Babellion that begin from this point. In other words, to give results that would make the nobles think, “Truly, he is His Majesty,” when everything is over and he returns to the imperial capital.
However, it must not be perceived that Babellion has successfully manipulated him. It is not about letting them win, but rather about not letting them lose. Striking the right balance is difficult.
”Have you put together a plan for our demands to the Empire?”
”Yes. We are currently in the final confirmation stage. I believe we will be able to show it to Your Majesty tomorrow.”
”I leave the content to you.”
Allowing the Empire to participate in negotiations is only the starting point. The most important thing is what kind of agreements they make and how they will govern.
While Charles is currently the ruler, Haruto acknowledges that he is just an amateur. Despite the difference in absolute power, when it comes to politics and diplomacy, he cannot measure up to the Emperor.
However, Felshiol and the others, including Charles’ subordinates, fill the holes that Charles has. While Charles can decide everything, frankly speaking, it would be a waste of talent.
”Don’t make any mistakes in the details.”
”Understood.”
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.