Chapter 253
“Your Majesty! No matter how much of an artifact it is, it cannot endure infinitely! I will create a brief opening to cast the teleportation spell, so please at the very least, escape!”
Isis, who had always been by the Emperor’s side, shouted while focusing on maintaining the barrier magic, looking for a chance to help the Emperor escape.
Normally, the Imperial Knights, who should be the Emperor’s sword and shield, suddenly drew their swords toward him. Thankfully, sensing the unusual atmosphere, Isis quickly utilized the artifact she always carried to wrap the barrier magic around them and avert the worst situation.
However, no matter how much of the Empire’s greatest Great Wizard she was, and no matter how many power-amplifying artifacts she used, that was all she could do. It was overwhelming just to block the swords of dozens of Imperial Knights, let alone counterattack.
Right now, the barrier magic was protecting them, but it wouldn’t be strange if it broke at any moment. If that happened, they would both surely lose their lives. That’s why Isis aimed to ensure the Emperor’s escape before her own. With the power of her selflessness, it wasn’t that difficult.
However, sitting in the highest chair of the Audience Room, looking down, the Emperor remained silent. Instead, she only took out and gazed at a hand mirror she always carried.
“I expected maybe just an assassin would come, but I didn’t think it’d get this elaborate. I suppose it’s only natural; ordinary assassins would have difficulty targeting my life.”
The Emperor gazed at her reflected face in the mirror. But what she was looking at wasn’t just her face; it was the remaining lifespan revealed by her Insight Eye.
Born with special abilities, her two eyes, named Insight Eye, provided her with immense power. Her innate talents and disposition were already at a continental level, and with the power of the Insight Eye, seizing the Empire at such a young age was not a daunting task.
However, if one could see the intentions and results of all things in the world, how could that be considered a proper life? She had always suffered from lethargy. It was boring.
Consequently, she had engaged in various bizarre acts unworthy of an Emperor’s dignity. Sneaking out of the castle to catch a glimpse of the rumored Hero without notifying her ministers was one such act.
However, lo and behold. The rumored hero was undoubtedly the daughter of the House Deretia, a lineage passed down from the previous Hero, yet the Insight Eye displayed a silver-haired girl next to her as the Hero.
Between the rumors and the Insight Eye, the Emperor naturally trusted the Insight Eye. Rumors can easily be lies, but the Insight Eye, accompanying her since birth, had never misled her.
Of course, that didn’t mean the blonde Deretia daughter wasn’t interesting. The information the Insight Eye provided about her was filled with intriguing content. Among them, the most eye-catching words were “regressor” and “5th round.”
Naturally, the Emperor wasn’t so dense as to miss that meaning. Moreover,セルリアン was eyeing her in an uneasy manner, making it even more difficult to miss.
Therefore, the Emperor approached Selian to tease her by getting closer to the silver-haired girl she fancied. Ignoring Selian’s glares, she stuck around all day, urging her to disappear.
Many things happened after that. Elysia’s Academy, where Griffin Academy was located, was attacked, causing the two who were always together to part ways.
Of course, she knew that in the end, they would reunite to subjugate the Demon King. Elysia was undoubtedly a Hero, and Selian would never leave Elysia’s side.
The Emperor didn’t suggest the gamble to Selian for no reason. It was merely a prediction based on the facts revealed by the Insight Eye.
Numerous events unfolded thereafter, and Selian and Elysia gradually became special figures for the Emperor. At least, being with them ensured there wouldn’t be a dull moment.
But that was now coming to an end.
The Insight Eye revealed even what the Emperor didn’t want to see. It was none other than the Emperor’s own remaining lifespan. No other lifespans were visible, yet her own was starkly clear.
That truth deeply impacted the Emperor’s lethargy. Knowing since childhood, since coming of age, about the day she would die was such a futile matter.
But even when the Emperor recognized the meaning behind the numbers regarding her lifespan, she merely became lethargic, not despairing.
Her lifespan was merely one of the many facts the Insight Eye revealed. The Insight Eye always told the truth. If it said her lifespan was limited, then that was fate. Nothing more.
Thus, when the Emperor decided to bid farewell to Elysia, whom she considered a friend, instead of waving her hand silently as usual, she offered a greeting. A sincere farewell.
Yes. It was just an ordinary farewell for others. Just an ordinary farewell that was slightly special for the Emperor.
The end approached moment by moment. Considering the time left, this barrier couldn’t hold for long. Thinking that this was truly the end, the Emperor spoke.
“Isis, do you remember what I told you before?”
“I don’t know what you’re referring to, but let’s think about escaping for now! The enemies are merely looking for an opening; if you hide for a moment, it can be suppressed quickly!”
“No. I won’t leave.”
“Your Majesty!”
Of course, it wasn’t difficult for Isis to risk her life to make him escape. But the fate revealed by the Insight Eye wasn’t that simple. The Insight Eye informed her only of indisputable facts.
Even if she escaped this place, death would still remain unchanged.
In that case, it would be more correct to let her endure rather than throwing away the precious life of Isis. That was always the ‘correct answer’ the Emperor had adhered to.
She had already calculated and predicted what would occur after her own demise. Roles were divided, and arrangements made to avoid unnecessary disputes and departures. Saving Isis was one of those plans.
“Isis, I’ve given you many orders over time, but I’ve never once asked a favor.”
Of course, the warm-hearted Isis would never abandon him and flee. If Isis had been by the Emperor’s side since childhood like a mother figure, then the Emperor was equally a daughterly figure for Isis.
“So, as a last request, please abandon me and run away. That will be ‘the answer’ to protect the Empire and, furthermore, the continent.”
Thus, the Emperor nudged her to ensure she couldn’t refuse. She used the word “request” on purpose. The Emperor knew Isis couldn’t refuse. All the emotions the Emperor had never shown were calculated actions.
Indeed, Isis hesitated, her expression strange, lost in contemplation over the Emperor’s request.
She would likely ponder and ponder. Yet the Emperor was confident she would ultimately accept his request.
“…Then let’s both die here together.”
Before Isis’s answer arrived.
“What…?”
“Did you not hear? I said let’s die together here.”
“W-what are you talking about! Isn’t this the answer to protecting the continent from the Demonic race!”
For the first time in twenty-five years, the Emperor, who had never been flustered, stumbled over her words, visibly confused. Surely, according to her expectations, Isis would have accepted the request and not been able to ignore the word “request”… She shouldn’t have refused, given her sense of duty to guard the continent…
“Your Majesty. No mother in the world wants to send her daughter away first.”
The truth.
Amidst it all, the Insight Eye revealed that Isis’s words were completely truthful.
“Please overlook the insolence of one daring to assume the role of Your Majesty’s mother. If you cannot forgive, then please survive here and judge me.”
Of course, the Emperor had no thoughts of punishing Isis. Rather, the Emperor’s mind was overloaded and could not think straight.
“I don’t know what you mean by the ‘correct answer,’ but if you’re not there, it’s just ‘incorrect’ for me. As a wise Emperor, please do not make the mistake of suggesting ‘incorrect’ to your vassal.”
Truth and sincerity.
For the first time, a genuine expression appeared on the Emperor’s face as she looked at Isis.
It was not a calculated false expression, but a sincere look of true surprise.
“Don’t worry.”
Amidst the chaos, a new voice awakened the Emperor’s mind.
“If it’s the Emperor I know, you wouldn’t make such a ridiculous mistake. Right, Your Majesty?”
