I Became the Master of the Empress

230 – 234

-Squeak!

-Squeak!

-Rumble!

Upon hearing that Locust was nearby, the city gates were opened early at dawn.

As the heavy gates swung open with a resounding noise, I reaffirmed today’s resolve.

The gates parted, and soon, a man with familiar jade-colored hair and four masked men escorting him appeared.

Behind them, about a hundred men could be seen.

I mount my horse and head towards them.

-Clop, clop.

Locust, seeing me, beams a bright smile.

He speaks up.

“It’s been a while.”

“Have you arrived?”

As I greet him, the four men also nod in acknowledgment.

“Come, let’s go inside. Everything has been prepared in advance.”

Hiding my murderous intent, I lead them to the carriage I had prepared earlier.

“Please, get on.”

As I urge them, Locust and his escort climb atop the carriage.

“You should come along too. I’m quite interested in the achievements you’ve made.”

At Locust’s words, I smile.

“Very well. I shall share the tales of my accomplishments.”

During the carriage ride to the imperial palace.

I casually recount how I executed the pope and quelled the uprising of the empire’s citizens.

“Ha ha, you are even more capable than your father. I will make sure to convey to the Demon Lord the services you’ve rendered for us, and you shall receive a grand reward.”

“Such words honor me. Now that the emperor is confined within the palace. I hope you will grant us the Demon Lord’s mighty vessel.”

I say with a beaming smile, and Locust nods in agreement.

“Ha ha, you are indeed a loyal subject.”

-Creak.

The carriage comes to a halt.

We have arrived.

Finally… this will be your final resting place.

I open the carriage door and step out as I speak.

“We have arrived at the palace. Please, alight.”

With that, I step out of the carriage, subtly waving my palm as a signal.

This gesture is a directive to release the paladins lying in wait in the torture chamber beneath the palace kitchen.

As I lead him towards the kitchen, the paladins will subdue Locust.

“Ah, so this is the famous palace built by Rike El Sadat.”

I say, watching Locust’s bright smile as he gazes upon the majestic palace.

“I shall guide you to where the Emperor resides.”

“Very well, lead the way. And Alpha, Beta, Theta, Delta, prepare for the human offering.”

“Yes, your command is received.”

“Hm? If you wander the palace alone, you may clash with my soldiers, so I shall assign you an escort.”

“Your Grace, we appreciate your concern, but we prefer to act independently.”

I’m sorry, but that won’t be possible.

“However, the palace guards are not kind to strangers. I do not wish for unnecessary bloodshed until I have formally introduced you to them.”

With that, I gesture to the soldiers guarding the palace.

“If anyone dares to challenge these men, deal with them in my name.”

“Yes!”

After assigning the soldiers, I say to Locust.

“Now, let us enter the palace.”

I lead the way, looking at the grand palace.

The absence of servants and the presence of heavily armed guards make the atmosphere feel strangely awkward.

“Such opulence. Is this Sadat’s taste? Indeed, she always had a penchant for grandeur.”

The Gold Dragon Sadat may have ordered the construction of this palace, but… it’s a building several thousand years old, perhaps it hasn’t been renovated?

“I’m not sure. But have you ever seen Sadat before?”

At my question, Locust nods.

“Seen her? She was a reptile desperate for the child of the first hero.”

“I see.”

The first hero, a victor in life.

He built an empire, established a harem, and was said to have had many beautiful women.

To this day, he is still revered by all.

“Well, even she couldn’t escape death.”

I nod and head to the kitchen.

***

Alpha, Beta, Theta, Delta.

The moment the four of them, escorted by soldiers, were about to leave the imperial palace,

Suddenly, the soldiers thrust their spears at the hearts of the four.

“Kuhuk!”

“Ugh!”

Pierced in the heart by the spears, they let out short breaths…

‘Ah, we’ve been done in by the Grand Duke…’

‘The blood pact has been broken!’

They draw their last breath with expressions filled with agony.

***

As soon as the Locusts left, Agrippa ordered all of them to be killed.

The demon worshippers fell helplessly to the ambush of the crossbowmen lying in wait.

In less than five minutes,

Agrippa, having confirmed that all the demon worshippers had collapsed before they could do anything, thanks to thorough preparation and ambush,

Ordered the soldiers to check for any survivors and carry out a confirmation kill, and then commanded the activation of the defensive magic of the walls.

“Commander Agrippa, the defensive magic will be operational in five minutes.”

From the watchtower of the triple walls, a great light ascends to the sky, gradually lowering its angle.

“Is that so? Understood.”

Once this magic is complete, the Locusts will have nowhere to run.

‘Devian… can you do it?’

Once the magic is activated, Philip and Martin will lead the giant brigade towards the imperial palace.

Hoping that Devian remains unharmed until then.

The fate of the empire rests in his hands.

***

“What?!”

The Roman people feel bewildered by the mystical sight of blue light rising to the sky from the watchtower of the walls.

That is… the magic that has been passed down through generations to protect Romans from demon invasions.

“The… The demons have invaded!”

“What the?! What’s happening?!”

Amidst the growing chaos within the Roman interior.

People dressed as priests and nuns rush towards the imperial palace.

And the ten men who witness this.

They look at each other and nod in understanding.

***

As he follows the soldiers sent by him towards the royal kitchen, a mystical light catches his eye through the window.

“Has it finally begun?”

The blue pillar of light visible through the window.

It’s the magic that has protected Roman since ancient times.

If it’s activated… it means the Locusts have entered Roman.

It’s time to hunt the high demons.

He fervently believes that he will return to him unscathed.

Oh Elisi, please protect him.

***

“You scoundrel?! What have you done to my men?!”

While I’m leading him to the kitchen, Locust wears an expression filled with rage.

“Huh? Are you connected to them somehow?”

I had ordered that if any demon worshippers were separated from Locust, they should be executed.

But I never imagined there was something connecting them.

“You scoundrel!”

As Locust transforms into his repulsive true form and lunges at me, the nearby soldiers swing their weapons at him.

-Clang!

“What?!”

He blocks the attack with his hard carapace…

“I’ll kill you all!”

Watching the enraged Locust, I blow the hidden horn in my bosom with all my might.

-Peeeee!, Peeeee!

As I sound the horn, its call is echoed from afar, filling the imperial palace.

Just like a beacon fire.

Darn it… Let’s hold out until the Paladin Squad arrives.

As I think this.

Locust blows away the surrounding soldiers with one hand.

-aaargh!

-aaagh!

Such monstrous strength… I haven’t seen anything like this since Mary.

I hastily draw my sword and dash to the kitchen.

“Stay right there! I’ll drain all your blood!”

A chilling murderous intent at my back makes my throat tingle.

“Stay right there! You b*stard!”

“You think you can escape?!”

-Patter-patter!

My legs move tirelessly, suppressing rough breaths, and as I sneak a glance back, there’s Locust, flapping his wings, in pursuit.

He raises his sharp claws to attack, and I block with my sword.

-Clang!

Darn it… What kind of claws can withstand steel?

“Ugh!”

I need to run, but if I lose strength here, I’ll be severely wounded by those sharp claws.

“I don’t know how you hid the blood contract, but it’s over now!”

The loathsome locust-human raises his left hand to attack me, and I roll to the side.

“Ugh!”

I straighten up, pondering.

Running away is impossible.

Not to mention the physical difference, being able to fly is just cheating!

As I’m internally debating this.

“Saint Light!”

“Holy Divine!”

Behind me, the resounding voices of knights spread, and a pure white light and golden glow rise against Locust.

Thank goodness.

“Ugh! You scum of God! aaargh!”

As Locust shouted loudly, the lights dimmed, but the paladins wielding maces charged towards him.

“Phew… I survived.”

“It’s not over yet. When are the priests and nuns coming?”

“They agreed to come by 8 o’clock.”

A paladin helps me to my feet.

Soon after, the Pope walks in with a leisurely stride from behind.

“Foolish beings who oppose God. I shall let you experience the power of God firsthand.”

A pure white, grand light forms in both of his hands.

“God Bless!”

A warm and pure white light strikes Locust.

Locust rolls on the stone floor, bouncing off it.

I pause for a moment, watching him.

Is this the end?

“Sniff… Do you think I’ll be extinguished with just this?!”

Locust grimaces as he rises from the stone floor.

“Ugh…”

Locust, with his lips tightly bitten, spreads his wings wide and soars.

“I’ll even take the emperor with me!”

Thinking to myself as I watch Locust break through the ceiling and ascend.

Did he go looking for Theodora? Unfortunately, she’s underground.

I’m not foolish enough to have left Theodora in the Gold Area, am I?

Currently, Theodora is in the torture chamber beneath the kitchen.

Well… buying some time like this isn’t too bad.

After all, I need more people to deliver the finisher.

***

Locust swiftly searches the imperial palace.

Annoying guards appear, but they are no match for Locust.

“Where are you?! Emperor! Where?!”

Locust, unaware of the existence of the Gold Area where the emperor stays, breaks through the last floor of the palace and rises high into the sky.

‘Damn it… Where is the emperor?’

Given the grand scale of the imperial palace, even one floor houses an immense number of rooms. And with several such floors, even the swiftest locust has its limits.

‘Should I flee now?’

For a high demon like myself, fleeing is akin to disgrace. But if I die, summoning another high demon to this land will take an enormous amount of time.

“It’s late, but to flee…”

In that moment, looking up at the sky…

He blankly stares at the defensive magic he saw when Roman was attacked.

“Damn it! Damn it all! Deviaaang!”