“Hah…”

Is this the consequence of past sins?

In the first place, they were not my real ancestors, but being the emperor now, such distinctions hardly matter.

“Well, in truth, it wasn’t such a misguided decision. The damage from the war wasn’t too great, and since then, the empire’s dominance has only solidified.”

It was a remark fitting for a dragon, someone who considered most people as insignificant as pebbles on the roadside.

Indeed, unlike a Master, who is extremely difficult to kill without another Master, a mage can be defeated by a well-organized force of Experts if you’re willing to accept some losses. So, it’s likely the Empire didn’t suffer greatly against a nation where mages were the primary military power.

… The fact that I’m starting to agree with that statement shows I’m not entirely sane either.

Though what happened to Edelvine was indeed tragic, I can’t allow their descendants to destabilize the Empire.

After all, I am not a philosopher or some idle thinker—I am the emperor of this empire.

“Besides, didn’t the late emperor order the complete eradication of Edelvine? So why are their descendants still alive?”

“Half-hearted work, it seems. Isn’t that an Arhan tradition? Honestly, even you aren’t exactly the meticulous type.”

Well… that’s true.

I, too, typically only devise broad strategies and leave the details to be handled as they come or to the discretion of my subordinates.

The previous emperor likely felt content once Edelvine was destroyed and the other kingdoms bowed down, losing interest after that.

“Well, it’s not such an important matter now. It might be a bit of a nuisance, but they’re hardly a real threat. Even at their peak, that kingdom couldn’t stand against the imperial power, so what could their descendants possibly do?”

In a typical situation, that would’ve been true, but it bothers me now.

I told the Grand Duke about my plan. My aim to wage war against all the kingdoms, excluding the Tower and the Holy Kingdom, and unite humanity.

The Grand Duke’s eyes lit up as if he’d heard something fascinating.

“Oh, uniting humanity, is it? Do you really believe that’s possible? Many emperors have declared such a goal before.”

“It’s not a question of whether it can be done or not. It must be done. Grand Duke, do you really think the beastfolk and elves will remain idle forever?”

“Hmmm?”

“Even before the Demon King’s forces rose to power, there had been numerous conflicts between humans and these races.”

“That’s the first I’m hearing of this.”

“It didn’t happen in the Empire. It’s the story of kingdoms that share borders with them.”

“The beastfolk, sure. But the elves too? I thought they only cared about the Great Forest?”

Elves are known for their indifference to the world, so long as no harm comes directly to them.

Even in the war against the Demon King’s army, they only joined the fight after one of the Demon King’s commanders marched into the Great Forest, burned part of it, and killed some elves.

“As you know, Grand Duke, some humans are quite foolish. Idiots, blinded by the elves’ beauty, abducted a few of them. And the kingdom involved chose to protect those responsible.”

“Oh, they kidnapped elves, did they? Quite the bold individuals.”

“Fools, more like. They had no idea what they were dealing with. In response, the furious elves sent their knights out into the world.”

“Elven knights… that’s a term I haven’t heard in a long time.”

“They delivered an ultimatum to the kingdom: return the kidnapped elves immediately and execute everyone involved.”

“A reasonable demand, even a just one. So what went wrong?”

“One of the main culprits was royalty. The kingdom, therefore, outright denied that the abduction ever took place.”

“They made the worst possible choice.”

“Yes, as soon as the kingdom denied it, the elves declared war. Three guardian knights led the charge and overwhelmed the kingdom.”

“What became of that kingdom?”

“Jer and Anon divided and absorbed it.”

With all the royals, nobles, and knights wiped out, the kingdom was ultimately erased from history, its lands claimed by its neighbors. I had heard rumors of some royals escaping, but they had lost all their power and couldn’t dare to demand their land back from Jer and Anon.

“But wasn’t this clearly the kingdom’s fault? The elves are rational beings. If the kingdom had punished the culprits and apologized, it wouldn’t have escalated this far.”

Sigh.

I’ve been sighing more often these days. I replied to the Grand Duke.

“Grand Duke, the issue isn’t their rationality. The problem is that they had the power to annihilate a kingdom with ease, and the Empire knows almost nothing about them.”

“Even if they’re not enemies of the Empire?”

I nodded.

“If we remain ignorant of them, simply assuming they’re not our enemies, then we’re relying on their rationality to protect us. That’s not the Empire’s way.”

The Empire must always be the strongest on the continent.

If there are alliances with other powers, they should exist because of the Empire’s goodwill, not because we’re unprepared.

Even if the elves one day decide that waging war on humanity is logical, the Empire must be able to crush them.

As I said this, I noticed, without realizing it, my eyes were glowing a deep shade of purple.

Seeing my resolve, the Grand Duke gazed at me with an almost enraptured expression.

“I see… You truly are a descendant of the dragon’s blood.”

Never forget that arrogance, and continue your training.

With those parting words, the Grand Duke disappeared somewhere, and I returned to my training as well.

Five months into my stay in the North.

I received numerous letters from my cousin Fried, but I sent them back unread. Frio, who had been idling around with nothing to do, was also sent away.

And then…

I held a coldly burning flame in my hand, turning it over and examining it.

“Dragon Tongue, is this something I can actually master?”

Although I’d transcended the laws of magic, I still hadn’t mastered the Dragon Tongue.

“Haha, didn’t I tell you from the start? It would take a long time. But more than that, I’m impressed you’ve already reached the level of an Archmage.”

At first, I only saw Dragon Tongue as a means to become an Archmage, but as I continued my training, I realized it was much more than that.

But I can’t afford to keep clinging to Dragon Tongue forever.

“Master, I think it’s time for me to return.”

“Return? Where to, exactly?”

“Where else? To the imperial capital, of course.”

“But it hasn’t even been six months yet…”

“My goal for coming to the North was to reach the next level of mastery. Staying here another month won’t help me learn Dragon Tongue any faster, so I think it’s time to head back.”

“Well then! I shall accompany you!”

“For Real…?”

What on earth is this dragon talking about?

“Master, weren’t you bound to the North, unable to leave?”

“Hah? What in this world could possibly bind a dragon?”

That’s… true, I suppose.

“I’ve heard you’ve never left the North since the founding of the Empire.”

“That’s simply because there’s no place more to my liking than here. I’ve had no reason to leave.”

“You didn’t even move when various emperors sought your help…”

“Hmph! Why would I lift a claw for those I don’t care for? If there’s an agreement, and they come to me personally, I might help, but I’ve never felt compelled to make the effort myself.”

Faced with the Grand Duke’s brazen reply, I found myself unable to respond.

“Why are you so opposed? Is there any reason I can’t go to the capital?”

As my expression hardened, the Grand Duke grew irritated, her tone sharp. But when I still didn’t answer, she seemed deflated, her words trailing off.

“Or… do you just dislike being with me…?”

“Master.”

I straightened my posture and spoke firmly.

“I am the Emperor of this Empire.”

“Mmm, I’m well aware of that.”

“No, Master, I don’t think you fully grasp the situation.”

To this dragon, the title of Emperor likely meant nothing more than being the ruler of the land established by her kin—a mere figurehead, a leader of humans. That’s probably how she saw it.

“Everything in the Empire must be under me. Do you know why I rarely visit the North, and even then, with only a minimal entourage?”

“I had assumed it was because you didn’t particularly like me…”

“It’s because you, Master, are an exceptional being. You respect the Emperor, but you do not fear me, and you’re not under my control.”

“What does that matter? I have no intention of harming the Empire or you…”

“Not because you can’t, but because you choose not to. As I’ve said before, the Empire—and its Emperor—do not rely on anyone’s goodwill.”

A long, long time ago, during an era when seven kingdoms, three magic towers, and a holy nation coexisted, there was a black magician.

With one hand, he commanded darkness, and with the other, he raised the dead. He wiped out an entire kingdom, making his name infamous across the continent.

It took him less than two days to plunge a kingdom into death, and for its people to become servants of the black magician.

Even considering it was the smallest of the seven kingdoms, the speed was unimaginable.

The remaining powers immediately went on high alert, and the strongest warriors across the continent rose, some seeking revenge for the fallen kingdom, others aiming to boost their own reputations by slaying the black magician.

A Master who had survived, by sheer luck, thanks to being outside the kingdom at the time, charged at the black magician in a fit of tears and rage, only to be defeated and transformed into a Death Knight, eternally bound to serve the very enemy who destroyed his home.

The so-called “King of Mercenaries,” along with his entire mercenary company, was turned into the black magician’s vanguard, set loose to massacre other mercenary groups.

“I am the living embodiment of death.”

It was as if the black magician’s sole purpose was to wipe out every living being on the continent. His reign of terror was indiscriminate.

Kill, raise the corpses, and kill again.

A month after the black magician had first revealed himself, the seven kingdoms had been reduced to four, and the three magic towers became two.

The Holy Nation, which had boldly raised an army to vanquish the dark force, focused solely on defense after losing five Masters, including their Paladin Commander.

The remaining kingdoms and magic towers formed an alliance to prepare for the growing threat of the black magician.

The beastfolk, fearing the black magician’s army would grow too large, sent assassins to kill him, but they failed. In retaliation, the black magician’s forces invaded their lands, prompting the beastfolk to join the anti-black magician alliance.

Only the elves remained aloof, quietly observing the situation from within their great forest.

As time passed, the continent had dwindled to just two kingdoms, a single magic tower, the Holy Nation, the beastfolk, the elves, and the black magician’s army.

While the beastfolk prepared for a final stand and the elves deliberated over joining the fray, a young girl appeared.

This girl, a disciple of the Sword Saint, who had become one of the most fearsome Death Knights, made her debut by slaying five Death Knights with a single sword.

It was the first true victory for the alliance, which had been losing battle after battle, awaiting their inevitable demise.

“I will be your hope,” she declared.

With each swing of her sword, hundreds of the undead fell, and every battlefield she entered turned to victory.

Emboldened by her triumphs, the alliance sharpened its resolve for a counterattack, and recluses—those who had given up hope or had other reasons to remain hidden—began to reappear, one by one.

On the day she defeated her former master, the Sword Saint, now a Death Knight, a figure descended from the heavens.

“I acknowledge you,” said a dragon, folding its immense black wings as it landed before the girl.

“I have never encountered a being like you in my long life, one who twists fate,” said the dragon, whose wings spanned the sky, now in the form of a black-haired man approaching the girl.

“Radiant human, I shall bless you. Your soul will not be cursed, and your body will not be poisoned.”

From that day forward, no lich could stand in the girl’s way, and the army rallying beneath her banner only continued to grow.

“Your sword shall never dull.”

“Your eyes shall see only the truth.”

The black dragon returned to her time and again, blessing her, and sometimes appeared on the battlefield himself to sweep away the undead.

As the girl roamed from battlefield to battlefield, eliminating the Masters who had fallen under the black magician’s control, the alliance began to breathe more easily. They no longer suffered crushing defeats.

“This cannot continue if we want to end the war.”

Though they no longer retreated, they couldn’t push back the endlessly reviving undead army. The girl, now the de facto leader of the alliance, convened a meeting.

“We can only end this war if the black magician dies.”

She looked around the room as she continued.

“I will form an assault team. Only Masters and those as powerful as mages will be able to join. Only then will we have a chance to win.”

The leader of the last remaining magic tower, the continent’s only Archmage, spoke up.

“If we fail after forming such a team, humanity will be doomed.”

“If we don’t kill the black magician, humanity will die a slow death,” the girl replied.

The Archmage was left speechless, and one by one, the others in the room began to support her plan.

“I will join you,” said a prince of a fallen kingdom, gripping his sword.

“I think I could be of help,” said an assassin who once ruled the underworld of three kingdoms, sharpening his dagger.

“More than a Master, huh? Including myself, there are eleven of us left. We will all join the fight,” declared the leader of the beastfolk.

“There’s no other choice,” the Archmage added, agreeing to join the assault force as well.

With eighteen Masters, thirteen Mages, and a single Archmage, an unprecedentedly powerful force was formed, prepared to strike at the heart of the black magician.

The continent’s greatest spearman cleared the path ahead, while the youngest-ever Paladin Commander blessed the group.

The mages downed mana potions like water, unleashing grand spells, and the assassin eliminated the high-ranking undead blocking their way.

By the time the assault team reached the black magician, only five Masters remained, and the Archmage was the sole surviving mage.

“You managed to come this far,” the black magician said, his voice dripping with disdain.

“Now, it’s time to end this,” the girl declared, her eyes gleaming with resolve.

As the black magician summoned a wave of darkness, the Paladin Commander called forth a brilliant light.

“Kiriya, bless us.”

Though the light couldn’t completely dispel the darkness, it was enough to shield the group temporarily, buying the Archmage time to cast a spell.

The sky split open as thousands of lightning bolts crashed down upon the black magician. Hellfire engulfed the undead army that remained, and the earth itself transformed into spears, trying to pierce the black magician’s body.

“It’s useless.”

The lightning couldn’t penetrate the black magician’s shroud of darkness, and the earth’s spears passed through him without causing any harm.

“Despair.”

At the black magician’s command, the fallen undead rose once more. Among them were liches that the girl thought she had already vanquished, and Death Knights who had yet to reveal themselves in battle.

“I’ll handle those,” the beastfolk king growled, smashing his fists together as he glared at the undead army that had come back to life.

“I shall join you,” said the Archmage, catching his breath as he redirected his attention toward the undead forces.

The girl, standing firm, tightened her grip on her sword.

“I will cut you down and bring peace to the souls of the people.”