TL/Editor: raei
Status: ongoing
Illustrations: none
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After Diana failed to counter Zion's question and lowered her head weakly, the chaotic battle in the training ground quickly concluded.
"How could demons exist so brazenly in the heart of the imperial palace!"
Along with Zion's existing forces, others who had regained their senses joined the battle, slaughtering demons as if making up for their previous inaction.
In truth, the demon realm never stood a chance even without their help.
Zion had been meticulous, considering every variable and deploying overwhelming force.
"We must spread word of this! If we break through the barrier's weak point and esca- GURK!"
CRUNCH!
Creating weak points in the barrier had been part of Zion's plan to herd the demons together for mass elimination.
Though the battle ended decisively, the Agnes Empire was completely upended afterward.
Thanks to the tens of thousands who attended the World Competition, news of what happened in the training ground instantly spread beyond the capital to the entire empire, shocking its citizens.
"Is that really true?"
"How could this happen!"
The peace maintained under the Agnes name for a hundred years was crumbling.
No, it would be no exaggeration to say it had already collapsed.
The number of demons revealed at the World Competition far exceeded people's imagination.
The chaos only intensified since many high-ranking nobles who participated in the Agnes Conference were among them.
"Could there be some even around us..."
Suspicion spread like wildfire.
Realizing demons could be anywhere, people began doubting their colleagues and even family members, spreading intense tension throughout the empire.
Naturally, the World Conference proceedings following the competition fell apart.
"From now on, investigate anyone in the family with even slightly unclear backgrounds or sudden personality changes."
As soon as the World Conference ended, the gathered leaders hurriedly returned to their domains to begin reorganizing, while the Three External Worlds' leaders rushed back as well. �
If this many demons existed in the imperial capital's heart, they must surely be in their own territories too.
While the entire empire descended into suspicion and chaos-
"They say he's declared war. Well, preparation for war to be precise."
Zion's declaration of war preparations against the demon realm at the World Competition remained the hot topic.
Though it was just a declaration from a royal without the throne, making it technically ineffective, things were different when that royal was Zion Agnes.
After all, he was closest to becoming the next emperor.
Moreover, his support had naturally skyrocketed after he not only predicted this situation but reversed it to annihilate the demons.
Though he could have enjoyed that attention and taken a break after successfully concluding such a major incident, Zion instead moved even more swiftly afterward to root out the remaining demons in the capital.
'I'll eliminate them all before they can recognize and respond to this.'
Had he identified them all in advance?
Using knowledge from the chronicle and two top-tier intelligence organizations, Zion's movements exceeded imagination as he systematically destroyed the hidden demons.
This internal cleanup was essential preparation for war, making it one of the most crucial elements requiring attention.
The Fifth Princess visited the busy Zion not long after.
"You're still staying here? You could move to a larger palace now."
Diana's eyes were deeply sunken as she spoke after taking a sip of coffee Fredo had brought to the reception room.
She had likely lost sleep from the countless thoughts and concerns filling her mind.
'To think I'd end up visiting this place.'
A bitter smile crossed her lips at this thought.
Just earlier this year, she had received Zion in her own office.
The reversed situation now unavoidably soured her mood as it reflected her current position.
"I like it here."
Zion briefly answered while studying Diana.
A silent question about her purpose.
After watching him with wavering eyes for a moment, the Fifth Princess slowly spoke.
"First, I want to know if there was truly no exaggeration or lies in what you said at the Rulers' Conference and World Competition."
"Are you being foolish? Or deliberately blinding yourself in denial?"
Acrimosia snapped at the subordinate demon who had been visiting increasingly often lately.
"Has Zeloth made a move himself?"
"N-no, it's not that. It's about the empire."
"The empire? What happened?"
"Most of the demons under the Five Great Demon Generals in the capital have been eliminated."
Both Archdemons' eyes began trembling violently.
---
In the Sinking Star Palace's training ground.
SLASH!
CLANG! CLANG!
A man and woman crossed swords there, facing each other.
It seemed to be the Ascalon family's style of qi-less sparring, as no mystical qualities could be felt from their exchange.
After the match continued for some time-
CLANG!
With a clear sound, one of the two swords flew upward.
Seizing that opening, Zion's blade pointed at his opponent's throat.
"...I've lost, Zion."
After briefly looking at the sword at her throat, Evelyn shook her head and sheathed her weapon.
The reason for their current sparring was simple.
A few hours ago, Evelyn had visited the Sinking Star Palace to finish their interrupted duel from the competition, and Zion had accepted.
But unlike before, this match lacked intensity.
Not only was it qi-less sparring, but Evelyn herself, who had requested it, couldn't focus.
"You've truly grown so much. Incomparably more than before."
The Second Princess's eyes held even more complex emotions than Diana's during her earlier visit.
"Thanks to the millennial ogre heart from before."
Evelyn smiled faintly at Zion's words before continuing.
"Word of the coronation ceremony is spreading."
Of course, this referred to the imperial throne.
"It had been mentioned occasionally before... but after what happened at the competition, it's fully surfaced. Given these chaotic times, they probably think the throne can't remain empty any longer."
Evelyn also knew which royal was being discussed for the ceremony.
The very person before her - Zion.
She paused, looking at him.
Her eyes held both affection and concern.
After silence stretched for some time-
"Take the throne."
These shocking words finally left her lips.
This wasn't said impulsively.
It came after thousands, no, tens of thousands of moments of consideration.
The events at this World Conference had made Evelyn realize.
That she truly knew nothing.
That she had only seen the empire's superficial peace, never even trying to uncover the shocking truths beneath.
Therefore, Evelyn believed she wasn't qualified for the throne.
Moreover, she believed Zion needed to become emperor to truly protect the empire.
Only her brother.
Only Zion Agnes.
Because he alone had grasped all these truths and confronted them.
'Though I thought he couldn't bear the throne's heavy burden...'
Zion was already shouldering an even greater burden alone.
When had her eternally weak little brother, who always followed her calling her "sister," grown so much?
'Perhaps now I can truly rely on him...'
With this thought and a gentle smile, Evelyn repeated her words to Zion with firm resolve:
"Zion, please take the throne."