Chapter 98: The Emperor’s Confession
"Didn’t you plan all this to get her out of your way? To secure the throne for yourself?" the supreme god taunted the emperor.
"Yes, I did. I did everything to claim the throne. My mother wanted it too. But she never attained the position of a concubine; she was treated like any other woman who didn’t even deserve the title of a wife. So I pursued it. What’s wrong with that?" the emperor retorted, his voice filled with frustration.
"I wanted the title at any cost, but she kept obstructing my path. Libena, the former duchess of Ablia, my sister, always stood in my way. Why would I stop? She whispered in my ear that she wanted me to ascend the throne."
"She continually told me that she wanted me to obtain the title I deserved. But when it came to the throne, she stepped back. When she was offered the throne, she didn’t decline, nor did she recommend me, but agreed to take it. So how should I have regarded her? Like a sister or like an adversary?" The emperor’s anger intensified.
"So, you hired the mercenaries?" the supreme god inquired.
"Yes, I did. I didn’t seek your assistance. I managed it on my own. I replaced the driver of their carriage. I transformed them into highly skilled mercenaries, instructing them to leave the driver’s seat empty once they reached the cliff. They complied. However, that wasn’t enough for me. I craved more. I yearned to see her in agony. I wanted her to weep and beg for her life."
"So, I arrived at the location. I donned the attire of those mercenaries. I concealed my face and approached the carriage. She was pounding on the carriage door in fear, with her husband present. When they attempted to exit, I thrust my sword through her, causing her unimaginable pain. That moment brought me profound satisfaction. Her terror, her agony, her cries were gratifying. You claimed I had never wielded my sword before. I did. I used it to end her life, plunging it into her body repeatedly to let her blood flow."
"I repeated the same with the duke. But he was innocent. He succumbed to shock, requiring little effort on my part. The problem arose when their son wasn’t in the carriage. That’s when my plans went awry. Nevertheless, it didn’t go entirely wrong. I shoved them off the cliff, and their bodies were shattered against a massive rock beneath," he recounted with a maniacal grin.
"Your greed knows no bounds. You truly are the embodiment of avarice," the supreme god remarked.
"That sounds like a compliment, my lord," the emperor replied, bowing his head. However, their conversation was abruptly interrupted by a sound.
"Who’s there? Show yourself immediately!" the emperor demanded, fear evident in his voice.
"Who’s there? Reveal yourself!" The Emperor rose to his throne, shouting, his heart pounding.