Chapter 73
Chapter 73: Hero (1)
"Oh Moon, I've given some thought to my troubles."
Before order was established in the Labyrinth, the world was harsh.
Humanity's territory was narrow.
The Monster's domain was vast.
The strong tried to conquer the Labyrinth to save humanity.
"What good would it do if the Subjugation Parties held back the Labyrinth, only to have the reclaimed surface turn into a sea of fire?"
The remaining weak waged desperate wars to claim the narrow land.
"Oh Moon, behold this ruin. Don't you feel it too? I did not go into the Labyrinth to protect this pile of embers—."
The strong returning from the Labyrinth lamented at the sight of ruined cities.
The founding Emperor of the Empire was among them.
"So a brilliant idea came to me. Listen well."
He gazed at the moon in the night sky, his eyes gleaming with intensity.
"If the strongest of the strong were to unify and rule the continent as one, if their bloodline were to protect that land eternally! Would peace not find its way to this world?"
A truly ingenious concept.
The founding Emperor's eyes were filled with conviction.
【What is this...】
The moonlight in the night sky wavered.
It felt like looking at some madman.
"Oh Moon, grant me that power to illuminate the darkness."
The founding Emperor continued speaking, ignoring such moonlight.
"Then shall the Empire become a shield protecting all the people by making the continent one."
Those words became a great oath between the Moon and the sublime Empire.
【Emperor, you are mad. However...I believe in you.】
"Oh! Yes, Moon, then."
【The wish to make the continent one. I shall watch over you.】
The Moon answered that dream and bestowed the Power of Moonlight upon the founding Emperor.
The oath soon became a covenant, creating the duty of the Imperial Family.
"The Imperial Family exists because the people exist."
That will was passed down to his children through the ages—
The story of the birth of the Arman Imperial House that the First Prince Leonardo heard in his childhood.
"Leo, this is the crown left behind by the Founding Emperor, Your Majesty. Take it, and feel it. This weight is the very life of the people."
At that time, his father, the Emperor, made him hold an extremely heavy crown.
'The crown was so heavy.'
Understanding the meaning, Leonardo grew up to live as a Subjugation Party member of the Labyrinth.
For the obligation of the Emperor's firstborn son was the duty to conquer the Labyrinth.
For that obligation, Leonardo had lived a long time within the Labyrinth.
"Riferoze, I am truly grateful."
However, the duty of protection he carried ended sooner than expected.
A Major Anomaly called an unprecedented phenomenon occurred in the Labyrinth, and thanks to Riferoze's help, he was able to conquer the uppermost floor.
"I will surely repay this kindness. I swear by the Moon!"
The commander of the Subjugation Party, the First Prince, lowered his head in deep respect toward the white-haired girl.
His attitude was very courteous.
Somehow, it was even more earnest than when addressing the Emperor.
"Haha! If you've received kindness, you should repay it naturally...why do you speak as if doing something gracious?"
Toward such a prince, Riferoze raised her fist with a smile.
It looked as though she were about to flick him, with her middle finger slightly protruding between her knuckles.
Flinch!
"T-that is..."
The prince stumbled backward in alarm.
"Just joking."
Riferoze turned her back with a whoosh and said this.
'So that's why they call her the white-haired witch...'
She was eccentric.
Willful and lacking even a trace of courtesy toward the Imperial Family.
However, the prince had long since given up expecting etiquette from her.
She was strong.
Overwhelmingly so.
'And whatever revelation or whatever it is, she understands the Floor Master's patterns and weaknesses...'
The prince watched Riferoze's back.
She understood not only the Floor Master's patterns and weaknesses but also the types of rewards that would appear.
The reward for the first conquest of the uppermost floor was overwhelmingly excellent.
"My share, have it passed on to my disciple once you deliver the message."
Yet she yielded even the reward and suddenly departed.
Leonardo rubbed his eyes.
'I feel completely bewitched—.'
To hand such an item to a fifteen-year-old...
It wasn't something that could be understood as a lack of greed.
Moreover, her figure as she left was no different from when she arrived.
Pure white sacred robes and a large greatsword.
The prince asked toward her back:
"Are you certain you won't be leaving?"
Right after the Floor Master's death, a massive stone monument rose before the Subjugation Party.
This was proof of conquering a floor and the only way to exit the Labyrinth from the uppermost floor.
'Surely she doesn't intend to remain in the Labyrinth until the next floor opens...'
Repeating the upper floors of the Labyrinth destroys one's humanity.
Moreover, when a new floor opens, a spatial distortion occurs, making it even more dangerous.
This was one of the prohibitions passed down in the Imperial Family.
"I must take that one."
Beside the white-haired girl, an ivory-like hand moved smoothly.
The way she waved her hand carelessly, even from her back, looked very troublesome.
This signified her determination.
"However! If you end up breaking down like a slayer because of this."
"Me?"
At the prince's concern, Riferoze manifested her divinity.
Kuoong!
A massive cross-shaped form bloomed behind her.
The six wings that burst forth from the cross surrounded Riferoze, forming the shape of an egg.
Witnessing that power...
He felt certain that nothing corrupted would ever harm her.
"My Father shall protect me."
She turned only her head to look at the prince.
Everything about Riferoze was pure white, yet her eyes alone were dyed in golden light.
Moreover, her pupils were extremely dilated, feeling like a cat's just before a hunt.
Gulp!
'Again with that fanaticism.'
Immediately, the Subjugation Party cried out madly.
"W-we believe!"
"Waaaahhhhh!!!"
Frightened by that fanatic gaze, all of them praised and cried out to the god Astia.
The prince was even among them, shouting.
'Such intense faith.'
"Wahhhhh!!! Long live Lady Astia!"
The Subjugation Party's cries continued until Riferoze disappeared from their sight.
Only after the white dot vanished above the red lava did the prince place his hand on the escape monument with an expression of dread.
'To entrust the disciple of such a fanatical witch...'
The monument opened a portal, and the prince recalled the message she had left behind.
"Find the brat named Erik."
"He's an incredibly cute kid, and when he grows up, he'll be very handsome. That's why I'm waiting for him to grow."
"Anyway, pass my words to the brat. If you can, take good care of him."
For some reason, the prince's entire body trembled with goosebumps.
***
'So the Empire had this kind of background.'
Erik, having finished his conversation with the Emperor.
He too had heard the story of the Empire's birth.
'So that's why they were so obsessed with unifying the continent...'
The Imperial Family, generation after generation, seemed to have a screw loose.
Instead, they displayed overwhelming talent in whatever they became fixated upon.
The First Prince showing immunity-level adaptation to the Labyrinth.
The Second Prince, a genius of war.
The Princess, favored by magic.
'Occasionally, a failure like the Third Prince is born, but...'
It was natural for any prestigious house to produce one or two failures among their children.
This wasn't something to worry too much about.
Erik focused instead on the Emperor's obsession.
'The Unification War of the Continent will definitely happen.'
A fact anyone could predict.
The name of the Empire's strongest military was the Continental Unification Army, and they even named the largest and most luxurious palace where the Emperor lived the Continental Palace.
This was the current Emperor's will and the goal of the Imperial Family passed down through generations.
"War. A necessary thing."
Erik, looking at Park Chang-ho, concluded thus.
The harsh battlefield of a conflict zone.
The life he experienced there had honed Erik sharply.
War was cruel, but it was a weapon that must be wielded when necessary.
'The timing is also appropriate.'
Especially in a situation where world-changing events occurred alongside the Great Cataclysm Patch, it would be even more efficient.
"Park Chang-ho, you understand from what you've heard, but the Possessor problem is similar. If strong individuals who know the livelihood of the Possessed gather them and manage them eternally."
Erik approached Park Chang-ho, who was huddled in a corner of the Director's Office.
"Would your lives not become peaceful?"
Park Chang-ho trembled with a shudder.
'A crazy world...'
The conversation between the Emperor and Erik was not ordinary.
Park Chang-ho had heard many things he should not have heard.
'Aaron or something—.'
From the public hearing of a marquis holding the rank of Marquis in the great empire.
To the words about wielding one of the four pillars supporting the nation, Duke Raffin's faction, as one pleased.
'Even to a continental war.'
The crazy declaration to plunge the entire continent into war for the sake of peace.
Moreover, Erik muttered in a similar context to the Emperor, saying he would rule the Possessed himself...
Either conquering war to achieve peace.
Or building a utopia for Possessors through strict control and management.
'It's too contradictory—.'
From the perspective of Park Chang-ho, who was more familiar with the democratic Republic of Korea, these were incomprehensible words.
As such a thought crossed his mind, a massive shadow fell over Park Chang-ho.
"S-save me."
Park Chang-ho, habitually begging for his life, suddenly had a strange thought.
'Is there a reason to kill me?'
Based on what he'd seen of Erik so far, it seemed he kept him here because there was some use for him.
He was imposing from his very frame.
His way of thinking and behavior were also fearless, making him a terrifying person.
'But as a result...'
He was the savior of the Possessed.
An existence that would make Park Chang-ho not be rejected in this world.
Moreover, since he even owned an auction house, Erik would need Possessed individuals to use it.
Thus, Park Chang-ho gathered his courage.
"Is there anything you would have me do, Your Majesty."
Like one who had grasped the gold medal at an Olympics watched by hundreds of millions, boldly—.
He raised his crouched body and looked up at Erik.
"Did you hear the entire conversation with His Majesty?"
"...Yes."
"Then the explanation becomes easier. As you heard, the Labyrinth gave humanity 60 days of time."
Erik led Park Chang-ho to the front of the Director's Office.
Beyond the wall destroyed by the Royal Guard, iron cages were filled.
The gazes of the Possessed within the cages were fixed on Park Chang-ho and Erik.
"Gather those involved in construction, Necromancer classes, and create plans for city design."
Erik, surveying them as well, spoke thus.
'City design before conquering the Labyrinth?'
It was a part he couldn't understand, but Park Chang-ho intelligently recited what needed to be said.
"I will accomplish anything!"
Erik nodded with satisfaction.
'You make an effort to live when you have a place to return to.'
Erik too had only truly accepted this world after he had a place to return to.
***
"—Your Majesty, Director Erik has arrived."
Normally, a herald of the Imperial Palace would blow a trumpet and recite Erik's title, but now, no nobleman could hear a glorious announcement of entry into the palace.
In times of national crisis, those in positions above cannot recite blessings.
Whether king, queen, general, or even emperor—it's all the same.
This was the will of the Empire.
"I will resume the State Crisis Council."
Erik's massive frame immediately drew attention, but soon, all nobles and officials turned their gaze toward the Emperor.
In a tense atmosphere, the Emperor raised his hand.
His rough fist clenched.
"Bring forth the criminal, Marquis Aaron."
Officials in black uniforms dragged forward Marquis Aaron.
A marquis with a haggard face appeared between the officials. However, his clothing and body remained intact.
This was possible because investigation of nobility is conducted primarily through mental magic.
"Begin."
When Marquis Aaron and the officials reached the center of the grand hall, the Emperor lowered his hand.
At that very moment.
Whoooosh!
The officials unrolled a massive scroll and began to recite Marquis Aaron's crimes.
"The crime of insulting the family of Erik, appointed directly by His Majesty as the Director of the Possessor Management Bureau and a Saint of the Astia Religious Order, which maintains friendly relations with the Empire."
Though the target of the insult was not specified for protection of their identity, everyone knew who it was.
'—Priestess Ruelle.'
She was called the Saint of the Empire and was the most popular figure in the Imperial Capital.
In times of national crisis like the Great Cataclysm, a figure toward whom the people's hearts turn is a weighty matter.
Everyone nodded.
In an atmosphere of understanding, the officials' words continued.
"The crime of reaping unjust profits by using Possessed individuals since the time when the Immediate Execution Law for Possessed was in effect."
The nobles tilted their heads.
Didn't everyone know about it and do it quietly?
Even the Northern Archduke, sitting right in front of the Emperor, had been openly conducting business using Possessed individuals...
'Was the officials' grand procession called just for these two charges?'
Even with such a stern imperial decree, it didn't make sense.
The arrival of the officials constituted a crisis equivalent to the annihilation of an entire house.
"—Mental magic is ineffective against Marquis Aaron. Initially, we suspected the involvement of high-tier black magic, but..."
The officials, reciting the investigation results, trailed off with a somewhat awkward expression.
Their gaze turned toward the Emperor.
A look in their eyes asking if they could continue speaking.
The Emperor nodded softly.
"Ahem. Marquis Aaron has been revealed to be a Possessor."
The officials announced a very shocking result.
Marquis Aaron was a Possessor.
How?
'Even the Third Prince was...'
When you thought about it, it was simple.
If even the Imperial Family was Possessed, why couldn't a marquis be one?
Since the Third Prince incident, there had been no separate divine blessings bestowed upon nobility or the Imperial Family.
The Empire was a nation of Imperial Family Supremacy.
If they relied on divine power, it would affect the Emperor's authority.
Most of the Empire's nobility were atheists, and only occasionally made donations for appearances' sake.
'That's why His Majesty accepted the Saint into the Empire...'
By now, all eyes naturally turned toward Erik.
Erik, with his arms crossed, sat without much interest in his surroundings.
He merely glared at the marquis with blazing golden eyes.
'Cha Ye-rin—.'
As seen in the Duke's Magic Tower, she was a Possessor.
However, for public punishment, Erik had extradited her to the Imperial Capital.
She couldn't be disposed of like the Third Prince.
Erik desired her public punishment.
[Cha Ye-rin / Lv.87]
[Class: Mage – Elementalist]
[Unique Trait: Mental Manifestation]
Her soul was a Korean woman, and from the fact that she had undergone a second class advancement, it appeared she had been possessed for at least several years.
However, the problem was her level.
It was nearly impossible to raise that level without entering the Labyrinth.
Moreover, Marquis Aaron didn't even have titles obtained from killing civilians like "Pleasure of Murder, Slayer."
In other words, it meant the local nobility had helped level her up.
'If the Empire is at this level, other nations are beyond mention.'
The reality Erik had been worried about was arriving.
The civilization of Possessors and this world would begin to blend earnestly.
Many nobles would also profit by helping Possessors.
'That bastard released the Dongtan Misirok look.'
Marquis Aaron, who had sent clothes showing the Possessor look to his subordinate, the Director of the Possessor Management Bureau.
At first, he intended this merely as a pretext to check on the Magical Alliance, one of the Empire's great factions.
However, as time passed, Erik's suspicions about Marquis Aaron only grew.
'Duke Raffin—.'
From the look of the Duke's Magic Tower, there was definitely an accomplice.
The equipment and system of an automated magical tool factory was too grand to have been merely recreated through magic.
'A factory manufacturing magical tools for the entire Empire's daily life.'
It was a scale that required either actual operation of a factory or equivalent knowledge to realize.
'There may be more Possessors among the nobility.'
Like the Third Prince and Marquis Aaron, individuals in high positions were difficult to interrogate as Possessors.
Wasn't this evident even from the community, where there were often mentions of people in the Empire's information bureau?
"Tch. Following the First Prince, now a Marquis too!"
"What is this...!"
"Wait. Haven't your actions been strange lately?"
"Look here, Count Yoren. Is it cowardly to suspect using factional alignments?"
"If the third-in-command of the Magical Alliance is a Possessor, isn't there reason to suspect you, a senior member of the alliance?"
The Grand Hall became chaotic.
An offensive against the Magical Alliance, the faction of Duke Raffin, had begun.
The Emperor intended to settle this before things escalated further.
"—Enough."
The chaos ceased, but the eyes of mutual suspicion remained.
Especially the Magical Alliance faction faced serious looks of suspicion.
"I understand your concerns. However, Director Erik has a solution, so do listen to it all."
At a single word from the Emperor, all eyes turned toward Erik.
From the front row, where the Empire's officials sat, Erik rose from his seat.
Whooooosh!
He rose with resplendent divinity, regarding the nobles.
"With His Majesty's permission, I wish to share divine blessings with the nobles of the Empire."
Though he spoke of blessings, it really felt like he was going to conduct an ideological inspection.