Volume 3: Chapter 15 - Emperor

Night.

The stars dotted the vast starry sky and the silver moon quietly illuminated the magnificent Imperial Palace of the Antasia Empire.

After leaving the battlefield, our group returned to the Imperial Capital without stopping.

The moment we arrived, I was immediately summoned to the Imperial Palace.

Passing through one heavily guarded corridor after another, I finally arrived before the Emperor's private study.

Knock! Knock!

"Enter."

A calm voice sounded from inside.

Upon hearing it, I slowly pushed open the heavy wooden door.

What came into view was a room illuminated by several Magic Lamps.

Bookshelves filled with ancient books lined the walls, while an enormous map of the continent hung behind a broad oak desk.

Standing before the window was a middle-aged man, wearing a white robe embroidered with golden silk. His golden hair was neatly combed, while his golden eyes were majestic like a lion.

Even without releasing any aura, he naturally gave off the dignity expected of the ruler.

He was the ruler of the Antasia Empire.

His Majesty, the current Emperor, Emperor Leonhardt Reid Granite.

I immediately lowered my head and knelt on one knee, "Your Majesty."

"Rise! I trust your investigation has concluded. Report everything."

The Emperor said slowly, directly asking about the important matters.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

I stood up before organizing my thoughts.

"The battlefield has been completely investigated."

"We confirmed that the incident was caused by members of the Love God Cult. Their corpses were discovered surrounding a derailed magic train."

"Judging from the remaining ritual traces, they attempted to summon the Projection of the Love God through a large-scale sacrificial ritual."

"However, the puzzling thing is that they only used the passengers on the train as a sacrifice which is very bizzare. Normally that amount of people shouldn't be able to bring down a projection of an Evil God."

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"I suspect something fishy is going on."

The Emperor silently listened without interrupting then golden eyes showed a thoughtful look.

"Sacrificing passengers on a single train is indeed not enough and your suspicion isn't wrong."

"What about that unknown Crowned One? Did you find any clues?"

"Your majesty, we detected two Magic Signatures, one of which was suspected to be the Crowned One however we couldn't track because they disappeared suddenly at one point."

"The Mage Corps suspects that the Crowned One used Spatial Movement to leave which left no trace."

"At the same time, Divination Magic also can't track them. The Crowned One is suspected to have comprehended the Law of Destiny."

Listening to the words, the Emperor visibly frowned.

Law...

This is a very heavy word in this world.

Sun rises from the East, sets in the West; the Apple falls down to Earth; the Tide come and recedes; the river flows downstream; the ice melts into water; the stars move in specific trajectory; the earth revolves around the sun...

Everything is law, everything is a rule upon which the world operates

Only those who had worn the Crowned could begin to comprehend them, and only an existence who sat on that legendary throne, could truly wield them.

A Crowned One who had comprehended the Law of Destiny...

Even among Crowned Ones, such an existence would be extraordinarily terrifying as Destiny was one of the Highest Laws in the world.

"Roland, what thoughts do you have about this newly emerged Crowned One!?"

The Emperor suppressed the myriad thoughts in his mind and asked his subject his true thoughts.

Hearing the world, i couldn't help but look up into those golden eyes.

After a moment, I lowered my head and said, "Your Majesty, if I am being honest them that Crowned One isn't simple. Being able to avoid Divination and being able to send back the Evil God's Projection, his strength isn't as simple as a newly promoted Crown."

"However, him being unknown until now shows that he prefers solitary ascetic life."

"I believe that finding him will not be easy task. However if we can invite him to join the Empire, it will definitely strengthen the Empire greatly."

The Emperor nodded which seemed to indicate that he agreed with my thoughts.

He looked at me and slowly said, "Roland, you have been with me since I was crowned as the Crown Prince. Among everyone in the Empire, you are one of the people I trust the most."

"Therefore, I will leave this matter entirely to you."

My heart trembled slightly and I immediately lowered my head.

"I will not disappoint Your Majesty."

The Emperor slowly turned around and walked toward the enormous map hanging on the wall.

His gaze fell upon the vast territory of the Capital of the Antasia Empire before gradually moving toward the distance.

"This unknown Crowned One!! If he is willing to stand with the Empire, then no matter what conditions he asks for, we can negotiate. But..."

"If he chooses to become an enemy..."

Although the Emperor did not continue speaking, I already understood the meaning behind those unfinished words.

A Crowned One could never be allowed to threaten the Empire.

After a long silence, the Emperor spoke again.

"Expand the investigation. I want every intelligence network in the Empire mobilized."

"The Imperial Shadow Guard! The Intelligence Bureau! The Royal Academy! The Adventurers' Guild and even the Star Observation Tower."

"Pay close attention to every unusual individual who has appeared within the Empire during the past decade, especially those who possess talent related to Space or Destiny."

"Even if there is only the slightest clue, report it immediately."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

I answered without hesitation.

The Emperor looked out through the window toward the distant night sky.

"The appearance of an unknown Crowned One... The descent of an Evil God's Projection... And a ritual that should have been impossible...

"I have a feeling that this is only the beginning. The peaceful era that has lasted for thousands of years may not remain peaceful for much longer."

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