Chapter 55
Episode 8: The Emperor’s Successor
Slaine stood in the imperial throne room with Selen. They had something important to discuss with the Emperor.
「Selen, are you truly renouncing your claim?」
「Papa, stop making me repeat myself! I have no interest in the throne. I’m creating my own organization!」
「Very well, live as you wish.」
With Selen renouncing her claim to the throne, Slaine was officially designated as the next Emperor, becoming Crown Prince Slaine.
As Crown Prince, he now commuted from the court to the academy, gradually learning governance. He also began attending state policy meetings, which offered him more insight into the internal affairs of the Leone Kingdom.
Although the Kingdom was indeed preparing to invade the Empire, the increasing monster raids throughout their territory meant they needed to stabilize their own lands first, delaying their advance.
Unintentionally, Celestia’s actions against the Kingdom were protecting the Empire.
At one of these policy meetings, Slaine advised the Emperor on preparations to confront the Kingdom.
「Once Leone stabilizes its territory, they will certainly launch an invasion. We should begin reinforcing the border guard to prepare for war.」
「But wouldn’t that risk provoking them unnecessarily?」
「Now is the time, precisely because they’re focused on stabilizing their land.」
「Indeed. By strengthening the border guard, we can spread their forces thin, forcing them to spend time and resources on their own stability.」
「Slaine, we will adopt your proposal. Reinforce the border guard immediately!」
Following Slaine’s recommendation, the Empire increased the defenses along the border with the Leone Kingdom.
➖➖➖ Slaine’s Perspective ➖➖➖
With Selen giving up her claim, I was officially appointed Crown Prince.
Now, becoming Emperor will allow me to support Celestia. First, I must earn the trust of my subordinates. I need to actively voice my opinions in the state policy meetings to make my presence known.
I want to rush to Celestia’s side right now, but I can’t show her my unpolished self. I must become a worthy Emperor who can stand by her, taking careful steps to reach that day.
I don’t want our parting in Spica to be our last. I have things I want to tell her when we meet again…
–
Episode 9: The Crown Prince’s Struggle
I issued orders to find and kill the Heavenly Child, but no reports have come in about 【Shadow】 or 【Chronos】. When I summoned the leaders for an explanation of the current situation, all I received were excuses like, 「【Shadow】 has no operations outside the country,」 or, 「【Chronos】 is under such tight surveillance in the Empire that they can’t act freely,」.
So, I’ll act. If we invade the Empire and make it our territory, we can simply investigate every woman there. I attempted to mobilize the military for an invasion, but the king’s advisors said, 「With the increased activity of monsters domestically, we can’t initiate an invasion until things are stabilized.」
If clearing out the monsters in the regions would enable an invasion, I’ll strengthen the forces in those areas and order a suppression campaign. But these monsters appear suddenly, wreak havoc, then vanish without a trace, making them impossible to track.
As this strange phenomenon continues, I can’t help but think of the Heavenly Child. She must be hiding within the kingdom, somehow controlling the monsters. That demon could likely command monsters with ease, so I ordered a city-by-city search. Capturing the Heavenly Child should only be a matter of time.
But just when I thought so, the king issued a cease order… stating that any further persecution of citizens would endanger the very survival of the Leone Kingdom.
True, a few years ago, I used mind magic on young girls and their parents across the country to peer into their subconscious. Many suffered psychological breaks as a result, but that’s in the past. The foolish citizens couldn’t possibly remember.
The king likely sees my initiatives as a threat to his throne. I don’t have time to waste; I need to arrange a discussion with him and reveal the matter of the 【Countdown of Life】 to gain approval for this operation.
As I thought this, the king summoned me at the perfect time. I’ll explain the grudge I bear against the Heavenly Child and swiftly secure permission to capture and kill her.
➖➖➖Leone Kingdom’s King’s Perspective➖➖➖
David’s recent behavior is troubling…
He’s disregarding the counsel of his vassals, and now, he’s even concerned with the monster attacks in the regions, going so far as to reinforce the local forces…
This approach is far too forceful for governing a nation. It’s as if he’s forgotten the backlash from when he previously searched for the Heavenly Child by probing into the subconscious of young girls across the kingdom with mind magic.
I suppose it’s time to summon David and remind him of the responsibilities that come with becoming king…
–
Episode 10: Fortress Overthrow
As we continued destroying forts and barracks, the kingdom couldn’t remain idle, and they started strengthening their forces. Yet, while the kingdom’s reinforcements increase, my army of familiars has grown even more.
Dungeon floor bosses reliably possess magic cores, so I’ve formed familiar contracts with all of them. Additionally, monsters with magic cores are abundant in high-difficulty dungeons, so my familiars have been increasing rapidly♪
Training this influx of familiars is now handled by the Parallel Thought Butler, not Roha. Since familiar contracts link me with my familiars, I realized the Parallel Thought Butler can communicate with monsters via telepathy. Now, the Parallel Thought Butler focuses on training, while Roha, as the army commander, concentrates on battle leadership.
With our forces now well-equipped, Roha and the Parallel Thought Butler approached me for a consultation.
『Celestia-sama, the army of familiars has achieved remarkable growth. I discussed this with Roha, and we wish to attempt a fortress siege. What are your thoughts?』
『Master, with the strength of our current forces, we could assuredly take a small fortress. Please consider it.』
『If you’re both of the same mind, I have no reason to disagree. However, please avoid excessive casualties… I don’t see my familiars as expendable pawns.』
『Master… We are deeply honored by your words for creatures such as us. We will carry this out without losses and ensure complete destruction.』
With that discussion, we decided to proceed with the fortress siege. Our target: the Calvinhal Fortress, which connects to the capital of Procione Province, Procione City—a fortified structure equipped with cannons and a heavy, drawbridge-style iron gate.
This time, rather than attacking from outside, we’ll infiltrate from underground and launch an ambush from within. It will take two weeks to prepare, from the summoning to the ambush.
I performed summonings at four locations, and from there, my familiars burrowed tunnels to infiltrate the fortress from underground.
Two weeks later, the siege commenced. Once the Parallel Thought Butler confirmed that preparations were complete, the airborne units drew attention from above by letting out battle cries from an altitude out of artillery range. With all attention focused upward, a massive tremor opened gaping holes in the ground, and an army of monsters surged from beneath. The soldiers, prepared only for external attacks, were thrown into chaos and unable to react. My familiars swiftly dispatched the panicked soldiers one by one. The fortress gunners, unable to aim the cannons within the fortress, were also overwhelmed by the airborne units that seized this moment of distraction.
In less than an hour after the ambush began, Calvinhal Fortress had fallen. News of the fortress’s downfall, overrun by monsters, spread quickly within Leone Kingdom, leaving them unable to focus on any invasion plans.
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