Die, Puppet Emperor!

In the Emperor's quarters.

After returning from Honest's palace and following his father's daily schedule, the young emperor sat in his lavish throne within his grand bedroom. The layout of his quarters was modeled after his father's, with no alterations.

Sitting on a large, luxurious chair on the golden-tiled floor covered by a crimson carpet, the young emperor rested his elbows on the desk as he eagerly flipped through a book that recorded the glorious achievements of past emperors.

Ironically, despite being in his own bedroom, the young emperor stubbornly wore the imperial robes and cloak that symbolized the supreme authority of the Empire. His attire was immaculate, and the emperor's scepter, the symbol of the Empire's ultimate power, rested on the desk in front of him.

On the wall directly in front of him hung a portrait of the late emperor and empress.

Though he mimicked every aspect of his father, the young emperor was not the same. His small, frail frame couldn't even rest comfortably in the chair designed for his father's build, leaving his feet dangling awkwardly. The sight was almost comical.

On the backrest of the chair was an intricately engraved shield bearing a dragon emblem, the Empire's symbol of honor and conquest. It represented the royal family and was a symbol of the Empire's spirit and faith.

Yet, at that moment, it seemed weak and pathetic. When did the mighty Empire, with its thousand-year legacy, come to rely on such a young child to sustain it?

"Your Majesty, supper is ready," a servant cautiously said.

"Wait a bit longer. I must finish today's notes," the young emperor said cheerfully.

The emperor's discipline and drive gave him the potential to become a wise ruler—if only he had someone to guide him. But... no one would give him that chance.

Except for General Budou... Honest wouldn't, the Revolutionary Army wouldn't, and neither would Selene.

"Alright, you may bring the meal now—"

Boom!

Just as the emperor was about to order his meal, a deafening explosion echoed from all directions.

Though the glass didn't shatter, the palace began to tremble slightly. The opulent chandelier hanging from the ceiling swayed in the aftermath of the explosion, and immediately, shouts rang out from the palace guards outside:

"Assassins—!"

The next moment, Bang!

"Protect His Majesty!"

The palace doors were flung open as a large group of imperial guards rushed in.

"Your Majesty! There's chaos in the palace! Assassins—!"

"They're attacking from Prime Minister Honest's residence!"

The captain, relieved to see the emperor unharmed, knelt on one knee and said, "Your Majesty, I have already sent guards to support Prime Minister Honest, but for your safety, please evacuate the palace immediately."

"The most secure place in the capital right now is the Imperial Guard headquarters. Please, make a decision quickly!"

"But we don't know Honest's condition yet. How can I flee while the capital is in danger? This is my home! I cannot let it fall to rebels!" the young emperor exclaimed angrily as he donned his ceremonial hat and grabbed his scepter.

"What about the Imperial Guard? Where is General Budou? Go inform him to assist Prime Minister Honest!"

Hearing this, the captain grew increasingly anxious. My emperor, this is about your life! How can you worry about Honest now?

Because Selene and Budou had influence, Honest had no power over the Imperial Guard. In retaliation, Honest had removed the guard's presence from the palace's inner quarters.

"The Imperial Guard is stationed at the palace gates, far from here... Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

"No! I am the emperor of the Empire! How can I retreat while my subjects die for me? I will not flee—"

Suddenly, a voice interrupted, "Haha, well said, Your Majesty!"

The emperor turned to see Prime Minister Honest approaching, breathless and covered in dust.

But something about him seemed... off. Why were his steps so... light? It felt out of place, but the emperor brushed it off. In such a chaotic moment, odd behavior was understandable.

Pushing past the guards, Honest angrily barked, "You useless fools! Are you hoping I'll die? What are you waiting for?! Go kill those rebels—get out there! All of you, get out!!"

Perhaps due to Honest's long-standing authority, the captain quickly complied, shouting, "Yes, sir!" as he led the guards toward the battle.

"Minister, what's going on? Who is attacking?" the emperor asked, visibly relieved to see Honest.

"It's the rebels from Night Raid, but don't worry, Your Majesty. They will be eliminated shortly," Honest said as he casually sat down at the table and reached for a piece of meat.

"Hmph, once this is over, I will make sure every last one of them is eradicated!" the emperor declared fiercely.

"Hahaha... Your Majesty, you truly are becoming more like your father," Honest said, a twisted smile forming on his face.

"Th-thank you..." The emperor began to respond, but suddenly, thwip! His expression froze.

In a split second, Honest had plunged a thin needle into the emperor's neck, piercing a vital artery.

"Die, puppet emperor..." Honest muttered coldly.

In the next moment, a cloud of white smoke billowed out, and Honest's large, bulky figure shrank rapidly, transforming into a girl with headphones.

It was none other than Chelsea. She gently removed the needle from the emperor's neck.

As Chelsea stood up, the emperor's body slowly slumped to the floor, lifeless. Though not dead yet, his end was near.

"Puppet emperor... was that directed at me?" In his final moments, the emperor's thoughts weren't filled with anger or hatred. Instead, they lingered on the word puppet.

In some ways, puppet emperor was an even more cutting insult than tyrant.

"Puppet... why?" Blood began to trickle from the emperor's mouth and nose as his vision blurred. In his fading consciousness, he thought he saw his father and mother.

"Father... Mother... I'm... sorry... I failed you..." Straining to lift his head to gaze at their portrait, the emperor's final words escaped his lips before his outstretched hand fell limp to the floor.

The last heir of the Empire's royal bloodline—was dead.

Standing nearby, Chelsea calmly chewed on a lollipop, her expression unreadable. "Mission complete. Time to leave."

Boom!

"Your Majesty!!!"

...

Under the soft moonlight, atop the back of a flying danger beast, a pair of crimson glowing eyes slowly opened in the night sky.

"The emperor... is dead..."