00254 <-- Episode 254 The Path of the Overlord (2) -->
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After taking over the Queen’s private room, Lilstein was taking a short break.
An old man came to see him. It was Principal Tarios, who presided over the surrender ceremony of the Church of Inasius.
Tarios asked with a sigh.
“Do you really have to do this?”
It was not only the Church of Inasius that Lillestein demanded an oath of allegiance.
Even the long-standing sect of the Sun and Moon Stars was forced to show loyalty. The Holy Land of the Stars had long since fallen to Lilstein, and now even the Temple of the Moon had to submit to him.
The only place left is the Order of the Sun, whose headquarters is in the Kingdom of Theorant.
It was truly an outrageous act that did not even fear God.
“Even the wicked Rusclan Empire respected the Church of the Sun and Moon Stars, Your Majesty. How could you become a foolish tyrant?”
Lilstein chuckled at the old man’s words.
“Of course, Jim could follow their footsteps if he wanted to.”
In any case, the Sun and Moon Stars Church was not completely independent during the imperial era. Although it was nominally independent, it was clearly under the Empire’s control in reality.
“Yeah, I can do it if I want to do something like closing my eyes and pretending not to know.”
Lilstein snorted.
“But why does Jim have to do that?”
He was now a being comparable to the first Rusclan the Great, an absolute being who could push through anything he wanted.
“I admit that fact. Surely the anger of the people is of no value to Your Majesty now.”
Tarios’ eyes lit up with anger.
“But it would be foolish not to fear even the wrath of the goddess.”
Lilstein didn’t answer with something like, “I’m not afraid of the wrath of an invisible god.”
Rather, he admitted it frankly.
“The wrath of God. That is truly terrifying.”
It was true. Few people have feared the transcendent, the invincible destiny as much as Lil Stein.
That’s why we came here.
“Isn’t it a blessing? We no longer have to fear the wrath of God.”
Tarios looked exhausted.
If the opponent had been an ordinary tyrant, he would have reprimanded him for being arrogant and foolish. Of course, the price for that would have been his own life.
Lil Stein wasn’t that type.
After calculating coolly, I concluded that this was enough to withstand even the intervention of God or the tyranny of fate.
The old man sighed.
“I just can’t understand Your Majesty. No, not just me, but everyone else too… … .”
In that moment, Lilstein’s complexion changed slightly.
“I know.”
It’s so subtle it’s hard to see, but it has a strangely melancholic expression.
“Jim is a difficult being to understand. It’s unfortunate that he was born that way.”
He waved his hand.
“I won’t talk to you any more. Get out.”
After the ban was issued, Lilstein was alone again. Suddenly, he looked at the Terranor evangelism hanging on the wall.
It was a map where the Kingdom of Safar and the Church of Inasius had been erased. His vast territory stretched across the continent in an L shape.
Another kingdom in between, made up of mountains.
Looking at it, Lilstein nodded.
“Now, is it the time for the time-limited guy’s base?”
***
Even after clearing out the Papacy of Inasius, Lillestein did not immediately advance north. He had a place to stop beforehand.
The destination was the black ivory tower of the Abranzel Plateau.
At the top of the ivory tower, the current owner of the ivory tower, the black Idealun, holds out both hands with a dejected expression.
“I admit that I lost the challenge.”
In his hand he held a staff of dark hues, a black rod that was the evidence of the tower’s owner. Lilstein shrugged as he accepted the rod.
“I guess it’s not that hard, right? It’s going to go back to its original owner anyway.”
A woman in her fifties who had been standing behind Lilstein stepped forward.
“Magian Brundil, the black name is yours again.”
Brundil bowed his head gracefully as he accepted the black load.
“Thank you, Your Majesty Lilstein.”
Next to Brundil stood another old Magian in blue robes. It was Tranden, the former Lord of the Blue Ivory Tower.
They were once two people who had their positions at the top taken away by Seongshihan and Barak and were imprisoned in the Eye of Night. They were released again when Lilstein took control of the country.
Tranden asked anxiously.
“When do you plan to restore the Blue Ivory Tower, Your Majesty?”
It seems that Brundil is getting impatient to see his position restored. Lilstein replied with a smile.
“It won’t be long. Just wait patiently.”
Anyway, the next destination was the Kingdom of Rattenberg.
***
Trylgard, a border fortress in the southern part of the Kingdom of Rattenberg.
Standing on the fortress walls built at a strategic point in the rugged mountains, High Commander of the Kingdom, Higher Zulderan, looked at the scene before him with a stern face.
A large army of nearly 20,000 men was surrounding the fortress. It was the army of the Demon God, who possessed numerous superhuman and god-level swords.
‘There’s absolutely no chance of winning… … .’
Grabbing his sword, Julderan looked gloomy. There was no way they could deal with the army of the Demon God, who even the world’s saviors and immortal witches could not defeat.
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‘But I can’t surrender without even fighting!’
Standing before the terrified Black Lion Knights and three thousand fortress soldiers, Julderan delivered a long speech.
“Soldiers of Rattenberg! Show our pride! Prove that we are not meant to be trampled upon! That is the only legacy we can leave to our descendants!”
A loud cheer followed.
“Eww!”
It was more of a scream or an escape from reality than a shout. Watching the scene, Julderan and the Black Lion Knights tried to calm their minds.
I was prepared for defeat.
I was prepared to face death.
I will definitely protect the honor and pride of a knight!
But barely ten minutes into the battle, Julderan realized he had made a grave mistake.
There existed in the world an overwhelming fear that could easily crush any pride or honor.
Golden swords of light swirl throughout the air. The divine weapons of the saviors of the other world, the twelve swords. When five people unleash them at the same time, a whopping 60 swords of destruction fill the sky.
What followed was the great dark cloud of destruction and the sky of annihilation that Lilstein had unleashed.
From the beginning, the gap was so overwhelming that even resistance was impossible.
“Pears, raise the white flag!”
It only took 30 minutes for the Zulderan and the Black Lion Knights to lose their will to fight.
And three days later, Lillestein was receiving the surrender declaration of Einz I at the palace in the capital city of Latenzel.
***
“I swear my eternal loyalty to His Majesty the Rilstein.”
As he handed over the crown, Ainz I made a humiliated expression. For him, who was still young, this situation must have been truly an unbearable humiliation.
On the other hand, Lilstein showed little interest in the Ainz in front of him. He didn’t even bother to receive an oath of loyalty.
It would make sense, for a traditional Moon Order or a country like the Church of Inasius that was part of the same second-tier faction, it would have been meaningful to subdue them. But would a brat like Ainz even be noticed?
After quickly finishing up the surrender ceremony, which was like roasting beans in a lightning fire, he started asking about the really important matters.
“You said this place was underground?”
About 40 Crimson Knights who were subdued by Seongshihan are currently sealed in the basement of the Latencell Palace.
I want to find out what exactly they did as soon as possible.
“Come on, guide me!”
The eyes of Lilstein, who was urging him on, sparkled brightly. He looked even more excited than when he won a war and conquered other countries to expand his territory.
Reigning as king is certainly enjoyable, but it is a paltry pastime compared to discovering the beginnings of new magic.
The old chief chamberlain, who had faithfully served the royal family since the days of Zexenguard, sighed and bowed his head.
“This way, Your Majesty Lilstein.”
***
It was a dark basement lined with arched pillars.
A bonfire hangs on each pillar, illuminating the surroundings. Under the firelight, numerous crystal caskets are illuminated. These crystal caskets contain knights in red armor.
Standing before him, Lilstein uttered a thoughtful verse.
[Rise up, my slaves!]
About 40 crystal balls shattered simultaneously with an explosive noise.
Kwaaang!
Dozens of red knights stood tall amidst the fluttering crystal shards. No matter how much Alita’s blood sealed them, they could not be stopped when Lilstein himself stepped forward.
It was time to slowly and carefully examine the reclaimed Crimson Knights.
A dark red stain on the knights’ armor caught his eye. It was dried blood.
“Is this it?”
Lilstein made a slight gesture. The bloodstain fell away on its own, crumbling into powder and gathering in his hand.
Concentrate your mind in that state. The tattoo on your right arm emits a faint light.
“indeed…….”
After a while, Lilstein smiled.
I figured out how to block the orders from the Scepter of Domination. And I immediately figured out a solution.
“I guess I can use my blood to create a new magical tool for domination.”
Since the confusion was caused by using Rusclan’s blood, it could be resolved by increasing the power of the magic using a stronger catalyst.
However, this was a conclusion that was only concerned with immediate solutions. It did not provide a fundamental answer to why this happened.
The girl called Alita, a descendant of Rusclan, still has many secrets left to uncover.
The real reason why her blood confuses Lilstein’s magic.
And that other-worldly summoning technique of immense power.
It would be impossible to explain this in this place. The facilities and preparations are too inadequate.
This was only possible after returning to the Red Ivory Tower and conducting full-scale research.
“First, I need to get some samples.”
Lilstein waved his hand in the air. The dark red blood stains on the forty or so knights all turned to dust and gathered in his hand.
He stared at the crimson powder swirling in his palm, lost in thought.
One thing is certain.
“That girl is the most powerful Rusclan bloodline left on Terranor.”
But that fact alone does not explain the events that have occurred so far.
‘Unless another hypothesis is supported.’
Lilstein muttered with a serious face.
“Does that mean… … that the ‘Legacy of Rusclan’ can recognize that child as the true successor to the Empire?”
***
Besides unraveling the mystery of the subdued Crimson Knights, Lilstein still had important work to do.
He finally identifies the unidentified advisor who has been assisting Seong Si-han and harassing him with all sorts of schemes.
‘With Shihana and Karen’s personality, it’s impossible for them to come up with such thoughts, so all the tricks they’ve been using up until now must have been their doing.’
He was hit in the back of the head several times because of his schemes. However, I was more impressed than angry. He was a wise man who even made Lilstein admire him several times.
He was also a man who successfully carried out the complex practical work of rebuilding the Kingdom of Rattenberg, which was one of the poorest of the poor, and establishing links with other countries.
He is very capable both as a staff member and as a practitioner.
He is truly a talent that is not to be missed.
‘Higher Endawyn will be bringing him in soon.’
Feeling slightly excited, Lilstein waited leisurely.
Soon the office door opened and a middle-aged man with a goatee and a saddle entered the room. As soon as he saw Lilstein, the middle-aged man fell flat on the floor.
“I present to you His Majesty Lilstein, hero of the great revolution and true ruler of Terranor!”
Lilstein’s expression slightly frowned. It was a truly mean attitude.
Well, there’s nothing particularly surprising. That’s just the way the author is.
Although he has now acquired the empty titles of Duke of Rattenberg and Prime Minister, perhaps because he has managed to do so well, his true nature is not lost.
“Hmm… … .”
Ignoring the middle-aged man, Lilstein turned to Higher Endowin.
“But what about that guy? Did he miss it? I clearly received a report that he was secured.”
Endarwin hesitated, seemingly at a loss as to how to explain it.
“……that is…….”
And he pointed at the middle-aged man who was lying face down.
“It’s interest.”
“huh?”
“So, the person Your Majesty was looking for is Lee Ja.”
“Didn’t Jim clearly ask you to bring Shihan’s real staff?”
Lilstein’s eyes widened. What on earth are you talking about, bringing a scarecrow like this?
Endarwin smiled bitterly. He could almost feel Lilstein’s feelings.
He felt the same way. Endarwin was also well aware of the fame(?) this middle-aged man had enjoyed ten years ago.
“I have checked several times, Your Majesty. I can’t believe it myself… … .”
The man was trembling like an aspen tree and couldn’t even raise his head. Looking at him made me lose confidence even more…
“All the evidence is clear. There is no room for doubt.”
Endarwin declared in a soft voice.
“He is the real aide of the Lord Shihan, the mastermind of Rattenberg that we have been looking for, the Dark Sage.”
“But, but this is… … .”
Unusually, Lilstein stuttered as he looked down at the prone middle-aged man.
He was continuing to flatter people with such low standards that even a fairly stupid traitor would not dare to say anything, and it was not appropriate for the current situation.
“If you spare my life, I will do anything I can to save my life! Long live His Majesty Lilstein!”
Lilstein muttered absentmindedly.
“… … It’s just Kelteron, right?”
