◈ 475. [Side Story] Tidying up (2)
A few days passed quickly.
Is it because the emperor who has ruled the empire for a lifetime has returned? The turmoil in the zodiac quickly calmed down.
The emperor at once took back the power he had divided among his sons.
In the blink of an eye, he completely seized military and administrative power and stabilized the situation in the imperial capital.
He commanded the front line directly on the spot in various parts of the ecliptic that had become a mess, reassured the citizens and hurried to restore the damage.
When the emperor, who had been away from home for several years, showed such an active appearance, the citizens also responded.
The remnants of the growing thorn trees were removed, the shutdown protocol magic circle was completely demolished, and the collapsed imperial palace and surrounding buildings were also quickly cleared.
Also, the emperor quickly announced a plan to compensate all the citizens who had been harmed.
Investigators were dispatched throughout the city to estimate the citizens’ damage, and citizens’ complaints quickly subsided.
And it wasn’t just these material things to sort out.
All the soldiers who joined Fernandez were punished.
Although all of them were brainwashed by Fernandez, it was not an indulgence, even if it was an extenuating factor.
In particular, the Aegis Task Force and the Magic Corps have been conspiring underground as Fernandez’s limbs. The emperor did not forgive them.
“Considering Fernandez’s brainwashing, I won’t destroy the three tribes or be savage.”
The emperor delivered a terrifying verdict in a calm voice.
“All members of the group will receive appropriate punishment according to the seriousness of the crime committed by each member.”
Other than that, the Imperial Defense Army, which had been split into two, and the Imperial Army’s 2nd and 3rd corps, which followed Fernandez’s orders but turned to us.
And the imperial guards who opened the door to us received different punishments and rewards according to their actions.
‘This is why I told you to stand in line… … .’
and.
These rewards and punishments did not apply only to the troops under Fernandez.
It was something that had to be dealt with within the world defense front as well.
***
“Thank you very much for all of you who participated in the Battle of the Imperial Capital. Because you risked your life and fought, we were able to save the New Terra and all the citizens of the empire.”
A place where the heads of each faction belonging to the world defense front were summoned.
I looked around and gave a nice smile.
“In recognition of your hard work, I would like to reward you in the name of the imperial family.”
A smile crossed the faces of most kings, but a look of disgust crossed the faces of a few kings who hated the empire to the bone. It’s good to be consistent.
“Now first… First, I will call out the names of those who will receive the ‘prize’.”
I opened the list and recited the names of the kings written on it in turn.
Their faces, which had been smiling at first, became more and more hardened.
That would be the case, and the list I am announcing now is… … Because they were the names of the kings who once betrayed me under Fernandez’s instructions at the River Iris.
After the name was called, I folded the list and threw it back, shrugging my shoulders.
“For those of you above, I will give you the prize of ‘exit from the world defense front’ as of this time.”
“… .”
“Thank you so much for your hard work. I will pay for this expedition, so pack your things and go home.”
The kings whose names were called opened up. what. Why are you pretending to be surprised, you kids?
During the Battle of the Imperial Capital, there was no rush, and there was a need to maintain power on this side, so there was no punishment.
Now that the situation was sorted out, it was rotten flesh that needed to be cut out.
‘Bastards who can betray at any time for my own benefit.’
If it wasn’t for the shame that I had the emperor card, they would have stuck to Fernandez’s side and stabbed me.
What if the war situation is unfavorable after fighting the monster with these guys?
The demon king will only save your life, so if you say one word, betray the humans, you might overturn the entire front line saying that you will live.
I’m short… … No, you say you’re so thorough that you won’t forget each of these betrayals?
“Ah Prince Ash! wait for a sec… .”
“I am gathering you for a cause.”
He glared at them and shot them coldly.
“But you were blinded by the pursuit of power and tried to betray us.”
“… .”
“The real battle that our world defense front will later unfold in the southern hinterland will be harsh and difficult incomparably with this battle for the zodiac.”
I growled at them who became mute after eating honey.
“This time we fought in the center of the world, there was at least Kongo to share with everyone. I might have been able to leave a legacy that would make my neck strong in your country in the future by being in the eyes of the emperor.”
“… .”
“But there is no such advantage in the war against the monsters that will unfold over the next year. We must fight only to survive and to protect everyone else in the world.”
The monster front is where you fight for survival.
In the face of a huge crisis approaching the world, we must put down our tribe and interests and join forces.
Failure to adhere to these basics is worse than not joining.
It’s better to get rid of those who will only get in the way. It went well this time.
I growled.
“I don’t need bats like you on this road.”
“… .”
“Pack your bags and leave. When you say nice things.”
I spit it out coldly and was about to turn around but
said “You promised to forgive me, Prince Ash!”
“Stop that and listen to us!”
“Please think about our position as well.
“It’s not because we covet power, but because we are the heads of each country! In that situation, we have no choice but to decide which side is better for the national interest!”
The kings who had been ordered to leave urgently clung to me.
“This will never happen again! My promise, even a blood letter!”
“I will devote myself to the world defense front in the name of our country!”
“If you give me one more chance… !”
I smirked inwardly.
The reason why they are so servile to me is simple.
I am the only prince left in the empire now.
In other words, it means that the next emperor will be me with a very high probability.
Of course, I want to look good. If I truly ascend to the throne, I will sit on that throne for many times longer than the period in which the world defense front suffers in the south.
The hard work is short and the honey dripping time is long.
It’s worth investing in, so it must be servile.
“great.”
I smiled and shrugged my shoulders.
“If we can prove your sincerity, if we can clear up the last ‘misunderstanding’, then there’s no reason to stop joining us.”
“Ash Prince… !”
“I will give you one last chance.”
Although it would be right to cut out these people in order to build an ideal army.
To be honest, it’s not even a situation where I can relax that much.
In the future, the invasion of monsters will become even more intense, and the monster front will not be able to afford to borrow even ant hands.
Even these guys should be used as subordinates.
At these kings, who look relieved, I grin wickedly.
“I hope you will make good use of this last chance.”
Of course, this ‘last chance’ will be very harsh and difficult.
You’re going to have a hard time, you opportunist children.
***
I generously rewarded the kings and the heads of power who had been consistently on my side from the beginning.
Those who have helped me since the battle with the 4 different races and goblins… … Besides that, a few new ones.
These can be trusted. You have to take good care of it.
In this way, things in the ecliptic were organized one by one. I slowly started preparing to return to Crossroads.
With the emperor’s troubles sorted out, it was time to return to the real battlefield.
“Prince is here!”
I entered the Wintersilver Merchant Headquarters building. Currently, my men are using it as a temporary lodging.
‘I used to have a detached palace… … .’
It exploded in the air this time… … Serenade willingly lent her building to me, who was homeless. not even thank you
Upon entering, I saw my heroes stretched out almost like corpses. oh my.
“uh… The boss is here… … ?”
“Oh Ash… … You’ve been… … .”
“Prince… am… .”
In turn, Quylan Verdandy Damian spat out.
These are the heroes I left at the entrance when I entered the imperial palace in battle a few days ago… … .
I left it there to secure my escape route, but I didn’t know that the entire imperial palace would fly up.
So, it is said that those who remained embarrassed easily subdued the attacking Fernandez army.
The problem is Kraken.
This damn monster I summoned and left behind kept trying to eat Fernandez’s army, and when my heroes tried to stop it, it seems that it rather attacked my heroes.
So these three heroes and their party members suddenly had to do a Kraken raid that they couldn’t even sell… … .
Fortunately, during the battle, the summoning maintenance time expired and the Kraken disappeared, but thanks to it, it was stretched out like this because of the hard work to die.
‘I think the Kraken will turn it into a slaughter house… … .’
I’ll have to take it out after the next summon cooldown and make it a bit harder. If I touch my heroes one more time, they’re really going to sesame oil in the grass, you bastard!
And beside these three stretched out heroes,
“Your Highness… You came… … Cool!”
“… .”
Junior is also falling over and dying.
It is said that during the battle with Reina, all the remaining elements of the heart were processed and it is no longer a terminal life.
Aside from that, it seemed that he was so overworked in the battle that day that he was so bloody.
‘no… If this is the case, how is it different from the time limit… … ?’
They say it will get better soon, but anyway, I need to recuperate for a few more days.
‘Anyway, all wizards are too glass cannons. I need to start with some physical training.’
… Except for me. I can’t train Because you’re busy. Yes.
After they looked around, I headed to the next room.
The next room was a dining room with a large table, where five familiar gamblers were playing poker.
Gamble Club.
Fortunately, all of them survived.
The other four were not seriously injured, but only Violet was beaten so badly that her whole body was covered in bandages.
Apparently, he was caught by Lord Reina and beaten to dust on a rainy day.
“So the emperor risked his life to come in and launch an operation… .”
As they passed the cards, the gamblers lowered their voices and whispered.
“Where is the gold and silver treasure?”
“Did everyone pack something valuable?”
“Would you have had time to take care of that… .”
“Hey, I think it’s fortunate that no one died and survived. I thought I was leaving the job in a chaos.”
Violet grumbled.
“Because I thought it was really going to end! In particular, I almost lost all of my business to that enemy wizard.”
“Oh my god, did that wizard even try to break your hand?”
“no? Tried to scratch my pretty face. This is my base.”
The rest of the gamblers snorted. Even though Violet is covered in bandages, it seems she has room to throw poop.
“Ery fold!”
Violet declared, throwing the deck of cards she was holding onto the table.
“Anyway, as long as I get the reward promised by the prince, I will give up on this game… … ! Wash your hands and never go to a gambling table again!”
Violet was retelling the story that she would live on this board forever.
I smiled and quietly passed the room. Gamble clubs should continue to be useful. I’m sorry, but I can’t allow you to retire.
I passed through the hallway and entered a spacious warehouse. The warehouse was huge like an upper level building, and the non-empty ship Geronimo was moored here.
Kelly Bay and Hannibal were working hard to fix Geronimo here. I waved at them and approached them.
“I told you to take a break, are you still working?”
“How are you? What would you do if you stayed still? Just a little prick. It’s more rewarding to fix this unreasonable guy this time.”
“You are here, Your Highness the Prince!”
In this battle, Kelly Bay made a big success by driving an airship with her own hands.
Thanks to that, it looks like his back sprained again from overdoing it, but since he’s subtly strong, I don’t think there’s anything to worry about.
Although he brought Hannibal and the party of elementals, they were placed in the last row throughout the battle and thanks to that, he did not fight with people.
I brought them in to give credit to the half-blood community they belong to and to enhance their standing, not to make them commit murder.
After talking about this and that, we talked about our future schedule.
“Since everyone is still a boner, I think I’ll go back slowly after taking a few more days of recuperation on the Crossroads.”
“Draw it, while I’ve come all the way here, I stole some of the imperial craft… No, I want to learn it and apply it to Geronimo.”
Kelly Bay cleared her throat when Hannibal asked cautiously.
“Come on, Your Highness… By the way, would Crossroads be okay?”
“of course. Who are the rest of the kids?”
My strongest duo of knights remained at Crossroads.
Evangeline has perfectly completed the temp setting, from the exclusive equipment to the final armor [Snow White], and Lucas is also in a complete state with an exclusive weapon and 1 skill farming extremely well.
The armor should be replaced with new ones soon.
Here, the existing crossroad defense force remains intact, and many other heroes are lined up.
It’s not a boss stage, and you won’t be able to beat the regular stage monsters.
“I bet my middle name on being perfectly safe!”
I patted my chest and said confidently.
It was then.
“majesty-!”
Serenade came running urgently. A huge falcon on her slender shoulders… … One Jeon Seo-eung was hanging.
“That’s that urgent message!”
“huh? Are you in a hurry? What is it?”
It must have been the news brought by Jeon Seo-eung.
Serenade ran in front of me with a pale face and took a deep breath.
“That’s it… That is… !”
I swallowed a dry saliva. What a shocking news that made Serenade so embarrassed?
“The Big Cross Road… .”
And at the words of the serenade that followed,
not only me but also Kelly Bay and Hannibal opened their mouths at the same time.
“They say that Crossroads has been taken over by monsters… !”
“… .”
quiet for a while.
After the hellish silence passed, I finally spoke out.
“… radish.”
It was almost a scream.
“What nonsense is this nonsense?!”
