Volume 9 Chapter 51 Day Three (The First Emperor’s Past)
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Sheryl, quick to grasp meaning, struggled to measure the intent behind the words of the man before her, Nasu Takumi.
”You are… Takumi-sama, aren’t you? Then, are you also the First Emperor, Your Majesty?”
”That’s right. Though honestly, I only learned I was here in this era a little while ago. Looks like I’ve climbed pretty high this time—’Ruler of McGaref,’ they’re calling me. Probably the best I’ve done yet.”
He answered with a calm smile, light and casual. Even in the short time they spoke, Sheryl had to admit the memory of Takumi Nash and the man before her were the same.
”For an ordinary person, it’s hard to grasp. But simply put—me, and your beloved Takumi-kun, we’re the same. Closest word is probably… copy.”
”Copy…?”
”Like a traced drawing. That Livia bastard keeps the original stored somewhere, and uses divine power to drop copies into the world from time to time. So debating which one’s the ‘real’ one is pointless. We’re both copies.”
The strange words nonetheless fit. Even though Cartera had overwritten Sheryl’s master with the First Emperor via Enslavement Magic, her loyalty to Takumi had not wavered.
”…I see. You are also Takumi-sama.”
”Yeah. Skills, personality, all the basics are the same. But sorry—right now, I’m about to do something cruel to you. Hate me if you want.”
The First Emperor sat before her, meeting her gaze. The more she looked, the less difference there was. Sheryl remembered: Takumi Nasu had once said the same words—‘Sorry. Hate me if you want’—before taking her by force.
”First, I’ll tell you this. Your father was assassinated by some minister named Gritch. And Flavia—your elder sister—her death has been announced. That means you are officially recognized as holder of Quvarian Empire’s authority.”
”No… Father, Elder Sister… already gone…!”
”It’s true. And Sheryl, I want to buy the Quvarian Empire from you. How much will you sell it for?”
”T-that is…”
”It’s an order. Name your price.”
Magic surged in the Emperor’s command. Harmless enough that she could not resist, Sheryl’s keen mind supplied a fair number.
”Mm. That sounds about right. Then I’ll buy Quvar for that. With a 99% discount, payment in installments.”
His signature Skill—Discount. With a single stroke, the First Emperor reclaimed the empire.
”That’s a deal.”
”Yes… I recognize it as a valid contract. I have sold Quvarian Empire to Your Majesty.”
”Buying Quvar twice… feels strange.”
Smiling, he looked around the room.
”Almaria, Sheryl, and that ponytail girl. I excluded you from the Perception Obstruction, so you all understand what I just did, right?”
”Yes. And now I see.”
Almaria, once court witch of Quvar, gave a bitter smile.
”So it was with this Skill that Your Majesty first seized the empire. I always wondered. Even as much a fool as you were, I thought, surely not even you would outright sell a nation.”
”Correct. It was wordplay, in a gambling hall. Raphastia went bankrupt, named her own price, and thanks to Hikari-chan’s Lucky Charm Skill, I nailed the win.”
”Hikari-chan… the Empress’s name.”
”Yep. Ah, that was satisfying. You don’t get to buy a country every day. If only the rest of our class were still alive—it would’ve been the best story to tell.”
As he spoke, the atmosphere shifted. His expression darkened. He stepped closer to Sheryl.
Her breath caught. His eyes were the same as Takumi’s, but colder, twisted with something else.
”I’m sorry, Sheryl. You’re a dear descendant. But the royal line can’t be left alive. They need to fall, hated villains to the end.”
”Then… why torment us this way…?”
”Call it… service. A final courtesy before the end.”
The menace in his smile deepened. His words rang too close to memories she wished to forget.
Sheryl’s mind wavered. The loyalty, the love for Takumi… and the horror of what stood before her now.
Darkness crept in.
Her last thought before it closed over her was that the line between the two men—the one she loved, and the one before her—was fading away.
The chamber filled with tension, despair, and the sound of breath held too long.
* * *
What followed was cruelty. Sheryl, Stella, and even Almaria knew there would be no escape. The First Emperor, warped by Livia’s poison, pressed down on them with Enslavement Magic until their hearts and wills blurred.
For Sheryl and Stella, it was both tragedy and betrayal, their final night alive.
By the time the Emperor stepped back, only silence remained.
Notes:
• Sheryl – Second Princess of the Quvarian Empire, a striking beauty with red hair. Initially appears as a diplomatic envoy, but she is a reformer within the empire, seeking to atone for Quvar’s past betrayals, particularly the destruction of the Northern Kingdom. Sheryl is highly intelligent and politically savvy, using her position to gather secrets and undermine the empire’s plans to destroy McGaref. She is also a slave to Takumi, bound by enslavement magic, and tasked with sowing chaos within Quvar. Despite her circumstances, she maintains a sense of duty and hopes to bring about change. First appears in v6c26.
• McGaref – Fortress city, adventurer hub.
• Takumi Nash – Councilor of the McGaref Autonomous Government commanding the Liberation Army.
• 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.
• 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.
• Quvarian Empire – Ruling kingdom. Harsh world, restricted freedom.
• Gritch – Minister of Internal Affairs, shrewd and power-hungry, allied with Roshima and exploited Katarina’s grudge. Manipulated by Livia, he slew the Emperor with poison, dreaming of ruling as regent and claiming Sheryl or his daughter’s marriage into royalty. Betrayed and denounced, he died in agony and his line was erased. First appears v9c2. Reminder: Ambitious minister undone by his own scheming.
• Almaria – ‘Witch of the Dead Arm,’ ex-Quvar court witch turned 2nd Division vice-commander under Raphastia. Dutiful but hot-tempered, she shoulders his neglect, mocked as everyone’s toy yet deadly with assassins from the underworld. Slew Rex Velacoat, captured Sheryl and Stella. First appears v9c11. Reminder: Earnest witch cursed to babysit a gambling general.
• Hikari-chan – 4th Division leader. Stressed, relies on Takumi.
• 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.
• Hikari – 4th Division leader. Stressed, relies on Takumi.
• Stella – A royal guard and Sheryl’s companion, who was also enslaved by Takumi. She harbors hatred towards Takumi for violating her, but enslavement magic forces her obedience. Stella is a viscount’s daughter and understands the political implications of her situation. She accompanies Sheryl in lewd acts as a form of penance and to cope with their shared shame. Her defiance is internal, but she follows Sheryl’s lead in their intimate moments. First appearance in v6c29.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply