I Became the Master of the Empress

229 – 233

She flips through the report to the next page.

-Flutter.

A sigh of relief escapes her as she reads the updates from various departments and the Roman City Hall.

“It has quieted down a bit.”

The fervor that had overheated since the Pope’s death over a week ago has subsided, just a little.

Thanks to that, the daily casualties and fatalities have decreased, and property damage has lessened.

It seems the citizens of the empire felt they had no chance against the soldiers, as steadfast as steel.

Personally analyzing the reports, it appears the protesters have shifted to attacking specific facilities at night, reducing casualties and fatalities.

“Phew. Finally caught a break.”

While reading the next intelligence report, a significant phrase catches my eye.

“Two ships entered the Roman port?”

Looking into the details, two ships entered the port at night, and efforts are underway to identify who they are.

“What’s this?”

The report suggests that no items were found on the ships, and the movements of those exiting the port suggest they might be high-ranking knights.

Why would high-ranking knights enter at this time?

Judging by the two ships, there can’t be more than 20 of them.

Unless they’re all swordmasters, there’s little they could do with such numbers.

“Is this for incitement?”

I contemplate requesting further investigation from Karl but decide against it.

The intelligence department is already overloaded. While the arrival of the knights is irksome, allocating limited resources would be burdensome.

It’s bothersome, but I decide to let it slide for now.

However… if they’re caught doing something strange, they won’t die a pleasant death.

With that thought, I turn the page.

The lords of the empire and city representatives have gathered to establish a provisional council.

Their first move after forming the council was unexpected; they didn’t mobilize the entire army.

What’s going on? Why is there no movement?

I’m somewhat relieved by the report that internal information gathering is underway and that it will take time.

This time, luck was on my side.

I was worried that the provisional council might quickly gather forces and attack, so it’s a relief that things have turned out better than expected.

“The civil unrest has been quelled for now. Time to focus on the Locusts. Good, things are moving in the right direction.”

Preparations to capture the Locusts entering Roman in a few days are progressing smoothly.

The paladins are training and praying, sharpening their teeth to kill the demons, while Sena has persuaded the nuns and priests to join forces once the Locusts enter the palace.

And in secret, the papacy is transferring a vast amount of holy water to the palace’s underground for the soldiers.

With this much preparation, even high-ranking demons should be manageable, though part of me can’t shake off the unease.

The power of the black magic I witnessed was beyond imagination.

The building exploded with just one spell from Amon, which was beyond my expectations.

After discussing with the Pope, we decided to store the relic in the underground pantry.

A powerful relic radiating divine energy.

It would be suspicious to keep it in the palace, so we chose to store it in the old torture chamber.

Thick bricks and soil should serve as a barrier.

In a few days, I plan to evacuate my mother-in-law and sister-in-law to the Golden Knights outside of Roman.

In case I fail.

Such an event should not occur, but I prepare for the one in ten million chance.

I hope they are safe, for if we fail, they must become the empire’s focal point.

In the worst-case scenario… I would have to kill Theodora.

“I have done all I can.”

I eagerly await the Locust’s arrival.

***

On the way to Roman, Locust cannot hide his excitement at the news.

“The Papacy has vanished, and the Pope is dead!”

He cannot help but feel joy at the demise of an old foe.

The Pope and his followers were always a thorn in the side of the demons.

The heroes and saints they chose always brought frustration to the demons.

Locust believes this is his revenge on them.

A smile never leaves his face.

“Not much longer now! The world will soon be engulfed in the terror of destruction.”

Once Locust impregnates the emperor himself and bestows the souls of tens of thousands into the offspring, the Devil King’s crown will be complete.

He is satisfied with the thought that the world will fear a powerful new Devil King unlike any before.

“O Chaos, we take the first step in toppling your great adversary, El, from the heavens. Watch over us.”

“We are worried. The Duke is a cunning man…”

“I agree. Perhaps it’s time to retreat?”

Beta and Theta have witnessed the Duke’s deeds.

The Duke, who gives great gifts to powerful enemies.

But those gifts always contained poison.

Those who accepted his gifts were not few in number.

Beta and Theta consider the Duke to be the most untrustworthy and cunning character in the world.

“Are we still on that topic? The Grand Duke desires eternal life. Look! This contract is still in effect.”

The magical energy emanating from the contract.

The Grand Duke uses the blood of another prisoner, making that prisoner the subject of the contract.

The contract states that the prisoner will actively cooperate with the demon clan, with a clause exempting him from failure.

In other words, the prisoner is supposed to actively assist the demon clan, but what can a prisoner in jail do? Thanks to the exemption clause, he’s still alive, and the contract remains in force—a fact unknown to Locust and the demon worshipers.

“But still…”

“And why would you insult one who has chosen to stand with us? Do not speak ill of the Grand Duke in my presence. He is a loyal servant of Chaos and a vassal of the Demon King.”

Locust firmly believes in the Grand Duke.

‘We hope this is our concern…’

‘After all, there is a blood contract.’

The suspicion leans heavily towards not trusting the Grand Duke. All the evidence suggests that the Grand Duke could indeed be a demon worshiper.

“Haha… A virgin and a married woman. How amusing. They say the current Empress is quite a beauty.”

Locust’s expression indicates he finds the current situation very intriguing.

A virgin and a married woman.

‘What a contradictory situation?’

Yet, from her, a noblewoman of high lineage, a Demon King is to be born.

And the father of the Demon King’s body will be Locust himself.

He eagerly wishes to arrive in Roman as soon as possible.

***

Is it finally tomorrow?

Not long ago.

My mother-in-law and Joy, who refused to leave this place.

I had the soldiers safely extract the two of them out of Roman.

I should have met with them personally… but I lacked the courage to face my mother-in-law’s murderous intent, so I sent only the soldiers and Agrippa.

I heard they tried to stay by all means, but Theodora intervened and sent them off.

Does she know the palace is in danger?

Or is it an intuitive decision?

To be honest, I feel Theodora has grown quite a bit.

According to recent intelligence reports, an imperial secret order came down to Roman, thwarting an offensive.

How Theodora managed to issue the command, evading the eyes of Agent Roderick, who was monitoring her every move for the intelligence service, I cannot fathom.

The letter she sent to William and her grandfather contained nothing but everyday conversation… How did she do it?

Though I wonder what magic she used… there’s something more pressing at hand.

Locust will enter Rome tomorrow.

Preparations are underway to activate the triple walls and the hidden mechanisms in the imperial palace to prevent his escape.

Triple walls.

Just as the name implies, they are walls.

They are hardly sufficient to contain the demon kind that can fly through the skies.

That’s why the Gold Dragon, Rike El Sadat, has installed a massive magic circle within these walls and the palace.

A magic circle spread to prevent demons and monsters from taking to the air.

In the long history of the Human-Demon Wars, not once has this magic been breached, so even Locust won’t be able to escape.

Not even the notoriously powerful Demon King could break through.

Meaning, once Locust enters the palace and is attacked by the paladins and priests, he will have nowhere to flee.

Whether it’s Theodora and I who perish, or Locust and his demon worshippers.

The showdown will be tomorrow.

And the outcome will completely alter the continent’s landscape.

***

“Tomorrow is finally the day.”

Sena had been meeting with the cardinals for days, proposing to bring the priests and nuns with her to the palace tomorrow, but the response was not favorable.

Initially, they opposed the idea, citing danger, but after obtaining the duke’s permission and informing them of the current situation, the cardinals, who had been skeptical, were shocked beyond belief after a few of them met the pope with the duke’s consent.

They had never dreamed that all their actions were to capture the demons that endangered this world.

But now is not the time to praise the duke and be moved by his sacrifice.

The scattered priests and nuns must be instructed to assemble in the square tomorrow morning and head to the palace upon receiving the signal.

Tomorrow… we must overcome our fears and write a new history.

“Your Highness Devian, please take care.”

And so, she prays fervently for his safety.