Kill the Emperor

Translator: AkazaTL

Pr/Ed: Sol IX

***

Chapter 92: Spirit Soul Magic Armor (2)

“I ask you, please speak so I can understand. What do you mean by babies?”

Eventually, I had no choice but to ask again.

Sherazade shook her head side to side as if frustrated and raised a finger to speak.

-I mean our cute spirit babies!

What Sherazade’s finger was pointing at was the Spirit Soul Magic Armor placed simply on the table.

“You-you did say spirits just now, right?”

-Then what would I say other than spirits?

“There are spirits inside this necklace?”

-Un!

Perhaps frustrated by my reaction, Sherazade eventually clenched her fist and thumped her chest.

Looking at her appearance, I recalled the fact that Sub-Dragons existed with extraordinary affinity with spirits.

But…….

‘Spirits have already abandoned the surface. That is why this magic armor, which contained the power of spirits, received so much attention. But you are saying that what is inhabited in the magic armor is not the power left behind by spirits, but the spirits themselves?’

I slowly retraced my memories.

Clearly, when Scada used this magic armor before my regression, he had never actually manifested a spirit.

‘If Scada knew that actual spirits inhabited this magic armor, there is no way he wouldn't have manifested the spirits. If Scada could have manifested the spirits and used their power, it would have been a great help to him who was cornered on the defensive.’

However, Scada did not summon spirits until the final moment approached, and eventually, the Spirit Soul Magic Armor was shattered by Gillian's sword.

This meant.

‘Does this mean Scada couldn't detect the existence of spirits even while awakening the magic armor through 6 stages?’

I asked Sherazade a question to verify the situation once again.

“Sherazade, you know that after the Age of Myths ended, all spirits abandoned humans and returned to their own world, right?”

-Un. While studying human history last time, I learned that part clearly. I was so sad that I couldn't see the spirit friends I used to dance and play with every day before I fell asleep.

Since both Sub-Dragons and spirits were existences like legacies of the now-forgotten Age of Myths, Sherazade seemed to feel a strong sense of kinship with spirits.

“But you are saying right now that spirits who left the side of humans are sealed in this necklace. What is the basis for thinking so?”

-Basis? What on earth do you mean by basis?

Sherazade shook her head side to side this time as well and spoke.

-Master, can you explain with a basis why your body gets cold if you stay outside in midwinter?

Sherazade seemed to want to say that her feeling the existence of spirits was something closer to instinct rather than explanation or understanding.

-I can't give an explanation or anything like that. But I can clearly feel it. Those cute babies are gathered together inside that necklace and sleeping soundly.

“When did you feel that?”

-Just a little while ago. Because I contacted the Master right away as soon as I felt the sensation.

Perhaps the 'little while ago' Sherazade mentioned referred to the time when I injected mana into the Spirit Soul Magic Armor as a test.

‘Did Sherazade, who is connected to me by the Geas, detect the existence of the spirits sealed in the magic armor?’

Scada was a great mage comparable to Alexar of my past life.

But…….

‘Even if he is a great mage, his affinity with nature isn't necessarily special. In the first place, spirit power has a fundamental difference from mana derived from Runes or Aura.’

Because of that very fundamental difference, Gillian and Alexar of the past had to exert all their efforts to penetrate the protection of the ‘Spirit Soul Magic Armor’.

Scada, who was receiving protection by the power of spirits, was like an impregnable fortress to both Gillian's Blade Aura and my mana.

However, a Sub-Dragon is an existence much closer to the essence of nature than humans.

Apart from the power she possessed, it wouldn't be strange if Sherazade noticed the existence of spirits that Scada couldn't detect.

Furthermore.

‘Since she is royalty of the Sub-Dragons. Perhaps she possessed a specially superior affinity for nature…….’

Having learned an unexpected fact, I asked a question with shining eyes.

“So, how many spirits did you detect in total?”

-I don't know the exact details well. The babies are hugging each other and sleeping soundly so I can't see their faces. I think I could know if I went a little closer.

Sherazade didn't give an answer, but I guessed that the number of spirits sleeping in the magic armor would be equal to the number of Great Elements symbolizing each nature.

Because spirits are existences that pursue harmony.

If elemental spirits are really sleeping in the magic armor, I can draw out the power of those spirits with Sherazade's assistance…….

‘If it’s this, I can deal with Gillian!’

I felt my heart pounding.

One of the biggest worries that had been plaguing me was how to deal with Gillian's sword.

In a one-on-one battle, suppressing Gillian with magic was practically close to impossible.

Even if I trained the sword to death from now on, catching up to the talent for the sword that Gillian possessed was equally impossible.

However, a clue to this extremely difficult problem had revealed itself from an unexpected point.

‘This girl, she is more competent than I expected?’

I ended up looking at Sherazade's face without realizing it.

This gluttonous princess with incredibly beautiful hair and eyes was more useful than I had initially imagined.

-Why-why are you looking at me with that expression?

“No. It’s nothing.”

-……A-anyway, quickly bring that necklace to me. Then I will try waking up the babies.

For some reason, Sherazade blushed and avoided my gaze.

“I also want to do that, but it is impossible right now. My business hasn't finished yet.”

-Then I will fly there. That works, right?

“No, that won't do either.”

-Why!

“If I say no, it means no. I will return as soon as possible once the work is done, so wait there.”

Bringing Sherazade to the capital of the Empire is dangerous.

Although I didn't know the reason, I, who felt this intuition strongly, firmly stopped Sherazade from coming to the Empire.

-Got it. Then I will hold it in for now. Instead, you have to come quickly.

Only after a long time passed did Sherazade bend her will to fly to the Empire.

-Babies, wait just a little bit. The master also stays healthy and comes back quickly!

With a greeting to the spirits as the last, the communication with Sherazade ended.

And I, left alone, lay down on the bed and fell into thought.

Was it because I reaped a harvest I hadn't even thought of? My mind, which had been dizzy from the meetings with Themia and Isabella, felt much calmer.

‘……Who will be the one dispatched as the envoy of Maganus?’

Unlike the small and medium-sized nations who were arriving one after another or whose arrival was imminent, the delegation of Maganus was taking its time and not showing itself.

Since the Magic Kingdom Maganus was the only nation within the continent that could compare its national power with Akrishima, they were likely engaging in a battle of pride.

‘Still, since Scada has decided to dispatch a delegation, he wouldn't send just anyone. If it is a figure with enough weight to come here……. One of Scada's brothers or disciples will come.’

I recalled their faces remaining in my memory one by one.

As expected of Scada's close aides who were renowned throughout the continent, not a single ordinary person could be found among the figures coming to mind.

And as for me,

‘Whoever comes as the envoy, I must attract that person's attention. Only then will my name reach Scada's ears, and only then can I attempt a deal with him.’

Of course, I was gaining some fame among the delegations of each country for repelling the assassins inside the airship.

But this was insufficient to captivate Scada's fastidious aides.

Whoooosh-

Around the time I was lost in thought to find a way to attract the attention of the Maganus delegation.

“……!”

A roar I hadn't heard in a very long time rang in my ears.

I immediately got up from my seat, pulled back the draped curtains, and looked out the window.

Whoooo-

“You guys! Can't you be quiet! We have to go to where the 1st Prince is, so why are you being so noisy!”

I saw a large black shadow I hadn't seen in a very long time, and the figure of a man shouting towards that shadow.

Red hair stretching in all directions, a massive physique reminiscent of a statue and muscles that looked like they would burst, thin lips that didn't match the physique, and a scar cutting long across his forehead.

‘……That guy was here.’

On my lips, having confirmed the face of the man shouting, the smile of a hunter who spotted prey formed.

“Tch! Hey, there. You guys drag these fellows and groom them immediately. Since they are guys to be presented to His Highness, pay special attention to their appearance. Got it?! I’m going to give my greetings to His Highness.”

The red-haired man shouted continuously and then strode towards the palace where the 1st Prince, Themia, was staying.

Looking at that exceptionally brawny back, I muttered in a low voice.

“Roxanne, Bahmut…….”

***

“The 4th Prince has arrived.”

“The fourth older brother?”

Isabella, who was immersed in evening training for a long time after finishing an early dinner, wiped her sweat and shook her head.

‘What brings a person who was always stuck in the laboratory here?’

But her thought was brief; Isabella soon picked up a towel, wiped her sweat, and spoke to the servant.

“Escort him inside. I will tidy up here and go in. Ah, and bring out some peach snacks. My fourth brother likes peaches.”

After giving the order to the maid, Isabella finished a simple wash and immediately changed her clothes.

No matter how little she cared about her outward appearance, it wasn't polite to greet her half-brother who visited after a long time while wearing practice martial arts clothes.

“……♪♫”

A hum burst out continuously from the mouth of Isabella, who was going to meet the 4th Prince of the Akrishima Empire, ‘Suleiman Tercios’.

Compared to the 2nd Prince who didn't feel like a human at all, or the 7th Prince who didn't think to hide his overflowing ambition, the fourth older brother was a half-brother she felt some affection for.

‘If only something could be done about that stifling appearance or old-fashioned personality, it would be better…… Pft.’

A smile formed on Isabella's lips as she recalled the 4th Prince, who looked like a bookworm always stuck in the laboratory and immersed only in unidentified research.

“Did you wait long? Brother.”

“You’re here. Isabella. Long time no see. Haha!”

As Isabella opened the door of the reception room and entered, Suleiman, who was waiting for her, welcomed her and offered a greeting.

“Brother, by the way, didn't I tell you to exercise a bit and take walks too? Looking at your face, you didn't listen to what I said, right?”

Suleiman's skin, met after a month, was still white enough to look pale, and the thick glasses settling on his eyes were also the same.

“Sorry, sorry. I have been a little busy lately…… Haha!”

Towards his younger sister who scolded him as soon as they met, Suleiman scratched the back of his head with his unique sheepish expression as he always did.

Pale skin and limbs that one would believe even if told they were a woman's. A good-natured smile buried with his trademark shyness.

Towards her brother who came to find her with the appearance exactly as she ‘knew’, Isabella showed a broad smile and invited him to sit.

“Please sit, Brother. By the way, who is the person behind you?”

“Un. The introduction is late. This friend's name is Zephyros. He is a researcher helping me.”

Behind Suleiman, there was one boy with a small physique who had skin as white as his.

Suleiman smiled and introduced the boy to Isabella.

“He is handling work at Brother's laboratory?”

Since Suleiman's laboratory was known to have the highest level among all research institutes in the Empire, Isabella had no choice but to show a surprised expression at the fact that such a young-looking boy had a position there.

“Un. Even if he looks delicate like this, he is a very outstanding talent. Actually, the reason I brought this friend here today is also that I need this friend's help for the content I will explain to you.”

“Delicate, even if others say it, isn't it something Brother shouldn't say?”

“Ah, is that so? Ahaha. What are you doing, Zephyros? Without offering greetings to our Princess.”

Suleiman, who showed a unique laugh at the joke Isabella offered, looked at Zephyros and spoke.

“Zephyros Madkit greets the Princess. Although I am an absurdly lacking person, thanks to the 4th Prince granting me favor, I am receiving the grace of serving His Highness.”

“Nice to meet you.”

Should it be called typical of Isabella, who is famous for being polite even among the Imperial family of the Empire?

She spoke formally towards Zephyros, who seemed to lack in both status and age compared to her, and bowed her head lightly.

“…….”

Isabella's cheeks and the nape of her neck, as she bowed her head slightly, were slightly flushed as the heat of training had not yet fully subsided.

Snicker.

And seeing that appearance, Zephyros showed a smile unbeknownst to Isabella.

Isabella never saw it, but it was all too visible to Zephyros's eyes.

“……!”

The energy of sticky lust dwelling in Suleiman's eyes looking at the smooth nape of the bowing Isabella's neck…….