Episode 252. The Emperor’s Gift
The palace.
In contrast to the tense, explosive atmosphere of the Tohun Plains, the palace was completely calm.
The solemn music had long since stopped. Telmah didn’t bother to order the music to start again.
Telmach was soaking in a huge bathtub. The bathtub was filled with cubes of ice, but what was unusual was that they were all black.
Saaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh.
Telmah’s body, emitting steam, amidst black ice. These ices were meant to draw out the poisons within the body, including magical poisons.
It didn’t mean that he had poison in his body, but it was a monarch’s custom that had continued since the time when Lilic was a kingdom. To be exact, it was since Lilic became entangled with the Assassin Swordsman.
Telmah knew the true nature of the Assassin’s Blade, and yet he was not so reckless as to let his guard down.
Even though they were vassals and blood relatives, the Assassins were capable of injecting an unknown poison into the Emperor’s body.
“No problem.”
Telmah let out a deep sigh and placed both arms on the railing with his back against it.
Behind him stood the chamberlain wearing a blue mask, and at a distance from him, the head of the Imperial Department, Rulfo, was bowing his head.
Two people trusted by Telmah within the palace.
In other words, these two know the absolute power of the Emperor, so the Emperor willingly turns his back on them.
“Rulpo.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
Telmach had taken off his mask, but from Rulfo’s angle, only his back was visible.
“Give a shortlist of candidates who are likely to become the next general and report back. Don’t worry about the rumors currently floating around the palace, and look ahead 15 years.”
“Understood, Your Majesty!”
Rulfo lowered his body and answered in a loud voice.
The general is usually chosen from among the 17 legion commanders, but he goes through a thorough examination before being selected. Several institutions in the palace step forward as the examination body, and the Imperial Order is one of them. It is the hidden examination body and the most trustworthy.
‘After 15 years… … .’
Rulfo thought about it quietly. There was no other reason why the Emperor had mentioned a specific time period.
There will be a slight time difference, but it has been decided that in about 15 years, the Assassin Swordsman will disappear from this world.
A showdown with the Assassin Sword Master.
Of course, since they were opponents, the power of the continent’s famous families had to join in.
However, it was an unchanging fact that the backbone of the punitive force was the imperial army.
‘How many of the current legion commanders are said to be close to 7 stars?’
Rulfo thought about the talents he knew of in the Imperial Military, one by one.
Once the full-scale selection process began, there would be a large-scale verification of the imperial edict, and information provided by the Emperor would also be passed on to him.
‘It is not necessary to have absolute power due to the nature of the position of general.’
It just so happens that former General Haneke and current General Lemonlie were figures who were widely known not only as commanders but also as warriors.
In order not to tarnish their reputation, they must also be equipped with inaction.
“your majesty.”
“Speak.”
“When do you foresee General Lemonreeve retiring?”
“hmm…….”
Telmah waved his arm, causing the black ice cubes to ripple. Then he picked one up and held it up to the sunlight.
“Two years later would be appropriate. I hope you retire with honor.”
The head of the imperial office bowed again.
In fact, since the title of General was a symbol of the empire, it was rare for one to resign in a dishonorable manner.
Even if they harbored malicious thoughts, the Imperial Order and the Assassin Sword Master could sort them out in various ways.
For example, even Haneke, unlike in reality, was not listed as a loyal figure in the ‘Tower of Light’.
In that case, we can now look ahead two years and begin to organize traffic. Select the final candidate and eliminate that candidate’s political enemies in advance.
“… … .”
There had been frequent talk within the palace and the Grand General’s Office about a successor to Lemonlive, but this was the first time the Emperor had directly mentioned it.
‘It’s probably because of the mistake in this operation.’
Although it is still unknown how ‘Operation Sunset’ will end, the current situation is certain according to the words of those in charge.
Dump is a natural target for assassination, and General Lemonlive must also take off his uniform.
“Lemonleave, I remember when that old man was appointed general.”
It was 13 years ago, right after Haneke’s death. The decision to assassinate Haneke had been made earlier, so it was already decided that the next commander would be Lemon Lieb.
In Telmach’s mind, the somewhat moved face of Lemonlieb was drawn again. Even though he was old, there was no one who could erase Haneke’s traces.
“The machine of the silver wall. That was a really good nickname. Unlike Haneke, he knew how to figure out what I wanted. Although, it was a bit annoying that he was only obsessed with catching up with the dead Haneke.”
The emperor spoke in the past tense the whole time. It seemed that Lemonlive had already been excluded from his mind.
“That day, as the Emperor, I gave the new General a small gift. I modified the machine and placed a magic stone inside it.”
“… … .”
“It was a magic stone with explosion magic built into it. It was made to work only on that machine.”
Rulfo swallowed hard. If someone of the Emperor’s caliber could describe it as an ‘explosion’, then to the criminals it was like the end of a city.
It was strange to call such a magic stone a ‘gift’, but this was also typical of Telmah.
“It was a magic stone that would only manifest when two conditions were met. One was when Lemonlive’s heart stopped. The other was when the machine’s output reached 100 percent.”
“Then, what if something happens to General Lemonlive right now… … .”
“I wonder if that will actually work, but it’s more than enough to clean up the meadows.”
As expected, there was a reason why the general was sent alone.
“Anyway, that old man isn’t the same as before. If he returns safely, I’ll have to make him return the machine. It’ll only be a headache if he explodes in the system for no reason.”
That was when.
Something floated in front of Rulfo and approached him. He lifted his head slightly and looked, and saw a sword engraved with the Emperor’s symbol.
The Emperor’s message through a telescope.
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‘Who do you want me to kill?’
As if reading the thought, the Emperor’s soft voice continued.
“Lemon Leaves is Lemon Leaves… There is another person who is disappointing in this operation.”
“Your Majesty, please tell me who that ungrateful person is.”
“The Tide Control Officer.”
At that moment, a smile appeared on Rulfo’s face as he leaned down towards the floor. For Rulfo, who had always been annoyed by Caranca’s rudeness, this was finally his chance.
‘Your Majesty would never just ignore Karanka’s mistake.’
Two Grandbirds crashed to their deaths for no apparent reason. Furthermore, it was Caranca who made things worse by trying to recover from the situation on his own.
“but-“
The emperor continued speaking.
“First, kill one of the two. Give them their swords and order them to kill each other with skill. The one who survives will be given a two-year reprieve, but in the meantime, you will search for someone suitable for the position of the Commander of the Geojo.”
Rulfo was given another mission.
The Giant Controller lives in complete protection and secrecy, but it is not an impossible position to replace. After all, Caranca is not the only one in this world who responds to the ‘Heart of Graham’.
If we consider only the importance, ‘Heart of Graham’ is important, and the controller who can handle it comes next.
If he searched the continent, he would surely be able to find someone to perform the duties of the Geotto Control Officer. Of course, as soon as he was selected, his old life would disappear completely.
“Go away.”
Rulfo went out, setting an example.
The Emperor continued to enjoy the coldness of the unmelting black ice. With a light gesture, the ancient, majestic music recorded on the magic stone began to flow out again.
The emperor snaps his fingers to the beat of the music.
He was thinking about the old General Lemonlive, especially the part that had made Rulfo flinch.
In fact, the explosion wasn’t the only gift. The magic stone would activate if Lemonlive died or if the machine’s output reached 100 percent. The explosion would occur exactly 15 minutes after that.
But what happens to Lemonlib during those 15 minutes? Lemonlib will reach a level he has never reached before.
He, who had not advanced beyond the 7th star, enjoyed the ultimate power for the first and last time, for exactly 15 minutes.
“Wouldn’t this be appropriate as a gift? It’s like enjoying the 8-star realm, which is an extra-human realm.”
The chamberlain, who had been startled by Telmah’s voice, turned his head again when he realized that it was a soliloquy.
“Of course, he himself may not be aware of it… . In any case, it is your inferiority complex towards Haneke and the Emperor’s broad tolerance for him.”
Telmah continued humming with a satisfied smile, seemingly satisfied with himself for praising the old man.
* * *
Gulp.
Haneke wiped the blood flowing from his forehead. Blood was also flowing from his forearm as he wiped it away, which only made his appearance even more miserable.
He looked at Lemonlive standing across from him. The halo of light coming from the machine was stronger than ever, and it made the large Lemonlive look unusually large.
‘Is this the extent of the power that opens everything?’
A sense of defeat. A sense of defeat that he had not felt for a long time came over Haneke.
Suddenly, I became curious. Have you ever felt defeated by Lemon Liv even once in your life? He was a comrade who had maintained a close friendship since they first became comrades, but he was an opponent to whom you had never lost even once.
It occurred to me later that feelings of defeat and helplessness might have been more familiar to Lemonlee than anything else.
“But you don’t seem to know anything. Even the fact that you have brought despair to me.”
Light was still pouring out of Lemonliv’s wide-open eyes and wide-open mouth. He had already lost consciousness. He had given up everything in the single-minded effort to defeat himself.
“This is what they mean by 8 stars.”
Knock knock. Haneke looked down at the pouring blood.
After he died and grew up, he thought he too could see the Eight Stars, but he was so helpless in front of the true Eight Stars.
By the way, what would happen if the heart stopped in the incarnated state? It would most likely be eternal destruction. And he wouldn’t be able to return to Rubin’s inner world either.
“Ugh.”
I stood up, gritting my teeth. I had to stop it at all costs. If I couldn’t stop Lemonlive here, all my plans and long-cherished desires would be over.
Lemonlie waited for Haneke to come at him again. Although unconscious, it didn’t seem like his goal was to eliminate him. Was his only goal to make him feel despair?
“Blane! Imakarum!”
Haneke shouted. Only then did the two men who had been watching from a distance with anxious eyes react and take up a fighting stance.
Just as Lemonlie had lost consciousness, Haneke could no longer rely on his pride alone. He needed Blaine and Imaccarum, no matter how helpful they might be.
“There will be one chance. Whoever it is, cut out his heart!”
Haneke shouted, regrouping the seven layers of aura.
At the same time, Imacarum and Blane scattered to both sides and began to rush towards Lemonlive.
Kwakwakwakwang!
Push! Push!
The three of them pressed Lemonlive from their respective positions. Lemonlive, whether out of boldness or unconsciousness, did not even offer much defense against Blane and Imacarum’s attacks.
Its only target was Haneke. It only reacted to Haneke’s attacks, and only disabled his Auror.
“Now is the time!”
Indeed, their chance has come.
One chance.
When Imacarum struck the ground for the third time and then responded again, Blane was thrown far away and then returned.
Push!
Haneke’s sword plunged into Lemonlie’s heart. It was his heart, to be exact. Deep enough that the handle of the sword sank into his chest.
“Now… now it’s all over, Lemonlive.”
Because it pierced my heart.
“Haa, haa.”
Imakarum and Blane also took a deep breath while resting their hands on their knees. Haneke also tried to draw his sword.
“… … !”
Lemon Liv, who stopped at the moment when his heart was pierced.
Yet the aura surrounding the machine does not subside. It even emits an even stronger light.
“…I’m not dead!”
His death had nothing to do with the cessation of his heart. Now, Lemonlive was nothing more than a monster controlled by machines.
Kwak.
Lemonlie’s other arm grabbed Haneke by the neck. The overwhelming force forced Haneke to drop the sword he was holding.
“I… I defeated you.”
A mechanical word.
Perhaps it is my true feelings that have broken through my consciousness.
Soon, Lemonlie’s machine gun climbed onto his shoulder, intending to pierce Haneke’s heart with it, just as Haneke had plunged the sword into his own heart.
at that time.
Swoosh, woosh.
“… … ?”
Haneke saw a Roynecro floating in the air behind Lemonlieb’s back.
Mint colored eyes. It’s Tina. Tina was coming towards me at a fast pace.
And on top of that… … .
“…Rubin.”
But even if he’s Rubin, would he be able to deal with this monster?
At that moment, Lemonlie’s machine gun reached out to Haneke.
Crunch.
Rubin, caught between Lemonlieb and Haneke, barely manages to block the attack.
The impact caused both arms to vibrate violently. Rubin used both of his dark smokes to block the attack. But it was still this bad.
“Lu, Rubin… . You’d better run away… .”
Haneke said with difficulty. It was not an opponent that could be defeated. Even if the divine beast Elkio and the still weak Layubia were to attack, they would not be able to defeat this eight-star monster.
“I know I can’t win now, Lemon Liv. I’m just trying to stop.”
What Rubin did next was incomprehensible to Haneke.
Rubin, who blocked the machine’s attack, did not counterattack or evade. Instead, he let the flying sword fly and deliberately cut his own arm.
And then he grabbed Lemonlive’s machine gun with his blood-stained, red hands. That was it.
Phew… Phew…
Everyone who saw it noticed that a major change was beginning to occur in the machine.
