Chapter 453
Swoosh!
I pulled out a branch of Everblack from my pocket.
As I suddenly brandished the black thorny staff, those around me looked puzzled.
Most seemed to think, 'What can he do with just a twig?' However, a few realized what I was holding and were shocked.
"You, that couldn't possibly be...?!"
The most astonished was Fernandez on the other side of the river.
No wonder. As far as Fernandez knew, the only such tree was in the imperial palace.
He had no idea that this tree was originally created in the dungeons of the Lake Kingdom, that its crafting method was preserved within those dungeons, and that the scattered non-human races had the materials for this tree.
"Since I've been crawling around the southern outskirts, I managed to get my hands on one, Lord of the Central."
Mockingly, I brandished the branch of Everblack, swiping it through the air next to me.
Creeeak...!
The space split open.
Using the power of Everblack, I had opened a temporary portal to the spirit realm.
I inserted the end of the branch into it.
Swishhh!
The branch, absorbing the power of the spirit realm, instantly extended its tips into the depths of the other world, like spreading roots.
"You must have had a tough time fighting alone against them in that place for so long, haven't you?"
I grinned and spoke towards the opened portal.
"Now, come back and rest. The people of this world need your care."
The man isolated in the spirit realm.
The true leader of the empire.
My trump card for this war, and at the same time, the most powerful one-
"...Father."
As I called out to him,
Crash!
I felt a strong grip seizing the end of the branch.
I pulled back on Everblack, causing the extended branch to rapidly retract-
And the man holding its end was pulled into this world.
Thud...
As the man set foot in this world, the portal to the spirit realm closed.
Fwoosh...
Simultaneously, the branch of Everblack in my hand turned to ash and disappeared.
It seems a small branch like this is only good for a single use as a lifeline, a single beacon.
It doesn't matter.
The main objective has been achieved.
"..."
The man who returned to this world slowly opened his eyes.
Between the disheveled black hair, eyes shining with an unhuman brilliance, golden and sparkling, appeared.
A man sculpted by the gods from gold instead of clay.
The half-owner of this world.
The only emperor of the Everblack Empire.
Traha 'Peacemaker' Everblack... had returned from the spirit realm.
"Sigh."
He looked up at the sky, swept his feet over the ground, took a deep breath, and ran his hand through his disordered beard.
"Even rolling in the mud, this world is better."
My father- the real emperor of the Everblack Empire, laughed hollowly.
"There's no lie in old sayings."
***
Panic ensued.
Not only the people on the south side of the river but also Fernandez on the north, and even the Imperial Capital Defense Forces under his command, were all frozen.
The emperor, thought to be dead after his disappearance, had suddenly returned.
"It's... it's a fake."
One of the soldiers from the 1st Legion, who had been pointing their spear at us, exclaimed.
"His Imperial Majesty has been missing for over a year! There were widespread rumors of his death! It's impossible for him to appear so suddenly, it must be a fake...!"
"A fake, is it?"
The emperor turned towards them and chuckled.
"That's an interesting story. If there is a fake who can impersonate me, I would very much like to meet them."
"Uh, agh...?!"
With the natural aura of a supreme being emanating from behind him.
The emperor, while walking towards them, whispered softly as he looked around.
"I am a unique existence. Even if a fake could mimic my appearance, they could not replicate the light that my soul possesses."
"..."
"Who dares to call me a fake? Let anyone come forward and present their evidence."
No one stepped forward.
They could only tremble and face the emperor's return.
"It is I."
The emperor clicked his tongue briefly.
"How can you wear the imperial uniform without even recognizing me? Either discard your weapons or take off the uniform, make a choice."
Clang!
Clang...!
Weapons clattered to the ground from the hands of the 1st Legion soldiers.
The soldiers who dropped their weapons prostrated themselves before the emperor.
"Your Majesty...!"
"Emperor Your Majesty!"
"We meet the supreme ruler of the empire!"
"Please forgive our rudeness...!"
Following suit,
"Yo- Your Majesty!"
"The Emperor of the Empire..."
Some of the quick-witted fallen kings who were pointing their weapons at us hastily lowered them.
"We hope you have been in good health!"
"It seems there's been a misunderstanding. We never intended to oppose you..."
"We were merely deceived by Fernandez's smooth talk!"
The situation reversed in an instant.
Hostility dissipated in a flash.
Most of the blades and spearheads that were aimed at us fell to the ground. The emperor, surveying this scene, gently smiled with his arms crossed behind his back.
"This is quite the alliance. Leaders from the frontiers have all gathered here."
Then, the emperor's gaze met Dusk Bringar's. He narrowed his eyes and gestured subtly.
"And I see several leaders who dislike me as well."
"..."
Dusk Bringar, folding his arms, stared intently at the emperor. The emperor casually ignored his gaze and continued.
"Bringing together so many monarchs in one place, it must be..."
After scanning the area, the emperor finally looked at me.
"My youngest, Ash. It was you."
"Yes, Father."
I bowed respectfully to the emperor.
"It's been a while since we last met in the spirit realm."
"Back then, I thought this wayward boy was tirelessly wandering in the spirit realm... but the tables have turned. This time, you saved this old man."
The emperor brushed his haggard face with his hand.
"I was almost at my limit. If you hadn't pulled me out, I might have indeed met my end in that spirit realm."
In truth, I could have rescued the emperor immediately after obtaining the branch of Everblack a few weeks ago.
However, there was a spy in the camp. It would have been problematic if this trump card was exposed to Fernandez prematurely.
Therefore, I occasionally peeked into the spirit realm to make sure he was still alive.
After confirming he had enough time left and waiting for the right moment, I rescued him just now.
Knowing this yet choosing not to mention it, the emperor nodded and expressed his gratitude.
"Thank you, Ash. I will never forget this deed."
"It was nothing but my duty as a son."
Then I smirked and turned the point of my comment elsewhere.
"...Unlike our brother who did something a son should never do, who is also present here."
The emperor slowly turned his head northward - towards the other side of the river.
"My dear second son, my Ember Keeper."
"..."
Fernandez gave a wry smile, as if embarrassed.
"...Father. You have returned."
The emperor let out a short sigh.
"Yes, Fernandez. You closed the portal to the spirit realm... I was isolated there for quite a while. Had I been trapped a bit longer, I might have indeed met my fate, just as you planned."
"..."
"Fernandez, my son. Did you covet the throne so much that you wanted to remove your father?"
The emperor spoke with an unexpectedly calm voice, showing no anger.
"If that's the case, why didn't you speak honestly? You are astute, and I might have seriously considered abdication."
"I have no interest in the throne, Father."
Fernandez shook his head.
"There were tasks to be done as the representative of humanity, tasks you surely would not have approved of... That's why I did this."
"So, you're saying these tasks were worth removing me for?"
"Yes."
"And now that I have returned, you still intend to declare yourself emperor and confront me?"
"Yes."
Fernandez did not hesitate. Only the soldiers of the Imperial Capital Defense Forces around him were taken aback.
"After coming this far, what's there to hesitate about, Father? As the ultimate leader of humanity, I intend to follow the path I've chosen to the end."
"..."
"Even if it means crossing swords with you, Father. That's the path I will take."
Fernandez showed a firm grip in front of his chest.
"I'm prepared for this. Even if the whole world fails to understand, I will walk this path."
"You believe it's the right path?"
"No."
Fernandez shook his head heavily.
"It's not about being right. It's the only path available."
"..."
The emperor, silently observing Fernandez, turned to me.
"Ash."
"Yes, Father."
"I entrust you with the emperor's proxy authority. Use my name to settle the situation."
The emperor let out a long sigh.
"I'm too old and weary to deal with my own people who've shown their fangs at me."
"Your name alone is enough. Please take a rest."
I grinned and stepped forward in front of the emperor.
Then I raised my voice loudly.
"Imperial Capital Defense Forces!"
The soldiers around Fernandez flinched.
Fernandez had been managing the internal affairs of the Imperial Capital as the administrative minister for a long time, making the Imperial Capital Defense Forces practically his limbs.
But, even so... they were soldiers loyal to the emperor.
Fernandez had announced the death of the former emperor and ascended to the throne. But now, with the former emperor not dead and returning like this.
Any cause or justification they had becomes worthless.
And without a cause or justification, an army ceases to be an army.
They are nothing more than a mob of hooligans.
"Make your choice right now!"
I extended my hand forward and presented them with a choice.
"Will you remain as part of a rebellious group following a false emperor?"
"...!"
"Or will you remain as loyal and honorable soldiers of the empire, dedicating your lives to the true emperor!"
A wave of uncertainty spread.
Just a few minutes ago, the Imperial Capital Defense Forces were flawless, but now cracks were spreading among them.
Officers and soldiers alike, unsure of what to do, looked around in agitation.
I inwardly smirked.
That's what I said, people. Choose your side wisely.
The highest rank in the empire is not the first, second, or third prince. It's, of course, the emperor!
From the beginning, my plan was to hold onto this line!
"In the name of Traha 'Peacemaker' Everblack, the great Emperor of the Everblack Empire-"
Backed by imperial authority, I shouted loudly.
"The true soldiers of the empire, the real loyalists, seize the traitor right before your eyes!"
"...!"
And then,
Click! Click! Click!
Just as the World Guardians Front had split into two before, now the Imperial Capital Defense Forces were divided.
The soldiers belonging to the Imperial Capital Defense Forces rapidly broke away and pointed their weapons at their own comrades.
And the tips of their swords and spears were aimed at the one who was once their master... Fernandez.
"You, you all...!"
"What are you doing now!"
"Shut up! Who are you pointing your swords at right now!"
"I am of the Imperial Capital Defense Forces! The shield of His Majesty the Emperor! I stand with the Emperor!"
The soldiers of the Imperial Capital Defense Forces, now split in half, shouted at each other.
And amidst them.
"Ash..."
Surrounded by his own troops who were now pointing their weapons at him, Fernandez trembled with a mocking laugh.
"...Truly an astonishing turnaround."
I smiled back broadly.
Thanks for the compliment, brother!