CHAPTER 100
The Emperor stood facing Obiseut, gripping Sephelia in one hand and Musatre’s sword in the other.
Obiseut’s face, filled with rage, was enough to silence the surrounding creatures with chills down their spines.
“What do you want? Do you wish to save Ermeore’s light? It’s almost all spent; there’s nothing I can do.”
“I know that much.”
The Emperor glanced at the dimming spark of his eyes before returning his gaze to Obiseut.
“Return your daughter, and stop absorbing Ermeore’s light. It’s so faint now, it’s like missing a sip of water for you.”
At the Emperor’s demand, the Demon King and her daughter, along with Kaligo, looked at him simultaneously.
Ignoring their shocked gazes, the Emperor laid out his terms.
“If Ermeore’s light is completely consumed by you, the Demon King, she won’t be able to cross the river of the dead. Whether she goes to heaven, falls back to hell, or reincarnates, all chances for the dead will be lost.”
It was unusual for someone like Arabelle or Ermeore to fall into the underworld without dying.
Most humans, upon death, cross the river of the dead to be judged by the three Wise Women. They are given one of three fates: eternal happiness in the celestial realm, an inferno in the underworld, or a chance at reincarnation.
Ermeore, whose soul's light was fully absorbed by the Demon King, was doomed to disappear without crossing the river of the dead.
If Obiseut refrained from taking the last bit of light, the spark would naturally extinguish, allowing Ermeore’s soul to cross the river of the dead.
“And,” the Emperor said, bringing Musatre’s sword closer to Sephelia’s neck, “let Kaligo cross the river of the dead with Ermeore.”
Obiseut’s pale lips twisted into a sneer.
“Kaligo is a creature that uses dark magic to wreak havoc in the human world. Even if he crosses the river of the dead and is judged by the Wise Women, he’ll just end up back here.”
Agreeing with the Demon King’s words, Kaligo lowered his gaze, calming his heart that had been wildly beating.
“That’s for the Wise Women to decide. The times are changing. Your world of ancient gods is fading, and new religions are emerging. The Wise Women no longer act solely as judges of your old myths but as arbiters of the new faiths.”
Religion was in a transitional phase. The ancient gods had lost their power over the human world, though they still influenced the afterlife they had established.
However, the rapid spread of new religions was shaking even that foundation.
“I hear the new religion’s judges are quite lenient. They might even be sympathetic to a snow leopard who endured a thousand years for his loved one.”
Kaligo’s transparent glassy eyes met the Emperor’s.
The Emperor spoke slowly, looking at Kaligo.
“Even if he can’t go to heaven, he could get a chance at reincarnation. He’ll endure any trial they demand for the hope of meeting his loved one again.”
The Emperor finished, casting a cold glance at Obiseut.
“These are my terms. Compared to the life of your only daughter, it’s quite a generous offer.”
“Think carefully. If you take Sephelia’s eyes, you can spy on any place you want. From the treasure vaults holding enemy secrets to their camps planning war strategies. You could build the great empire you desire much faster.”
Kaligo’s sullen words were met with the Emperor’s mocking smile.
“Are you worried about me? Heltered is already the foremost empire. I made it so with my abilities, and I will continue to make it the world’s greatest empire on my own. Do you think I need such a trinket?”
What an insufferable man. There wasn’t a hint of humility, only arrogance and brazenness. Kaligo’s throat tightened, preventing him from saying more.
Breaking the brief silence, a cold, emotionless voice spoke.
“I accept the terms.”
Obiseut, after briefly looking at her only daughter, raised her staff to end the negotiation.
If she delayed any longer, her reputation among the creatures would be tarnished.
Not only had the Emperor passed through the nine gates, but he also held Sephelia's life and demanded further terms. She couldn’t show any more weakness to the creatures she ruled.
As her staff struck the rock, sparks flew, and a golden paper emerged from the flames. It marked the agreement between the Emperor and the Demon King.
As an invisible pen inscribed their names on the golden paper, Obiseut retrieved her daughter. Ermeore and Kaligo were allowed to live in the enchanted forest where her soul resided.
When Ermeore’s light naturally faded, Kaligo was permitted to drink a painless poison and cross the river of the dead with her.
Kaligo’s body reverted to human form upon death, was to be placed in a location designated by the Emperor, to be carried out by one of the few Demon King’s spirits that could enter the human world.
A faint, wavering spark moved from Obiseut’s hand and stopped above Kaligo’s head.
When Obiseut struck the rock again with her staff, the fiery hellish cavern transformed into a peaceful night forest.
“Leave here, and do not spread your human stench any further,” Obiseut said, gesturing vaguely towards a dimly visible staircase. Sephelia, now back with her mother, rubbed her neck and glared at the Emperor with burning eyes.
Kaligo stepped closer to the Emperor, lowering his head and tapping the rock with his front paw.
There was nothing to say in parting. We were nothing to each other. Not friends, not anything. Just allies temporarily united by a common goal.
Yet, Kaligo, hesitating over what to say, was met with the Emperor's quiet voice.
“If you are reincarnated... whether it’s years or centuries later if you are born into the Heltered Empire, you will see a world where even orphans from commoner backgrounds can become knights.”
Kaligo's lips trembled as he looked up at the Emperor. He wanted to speak, but words were caught in his throat, only warm air escaping.
The Emperor spoke first.
“Thank you.”
It was a dry and brief statement, but it reached deep into Kaligo's heart.
He was still an insufferable man. He preempted what I wanted to say. Kaligo nodded. The warmth he felt on his lowered head seemed to fade away.
As the snow leopard raised his head, the Emperor’s retreating figure filled his tearful eyes.
The shimmering light dancing on the Emperor’s shoulders gently illuminated him.
The countless wounds covering his body, hidden beneath torn clothes, were visible. The Emperor’s figure, holding a sword and walking boldly through the underworld, was dazzlingly beautiful and awe-inspiring.
In the imagination of a sixteen-year-old boy receiving a knighthood before the Emperor, his eyes sparkled like dreaming.
With each step the Emperor took, the forest disappeared, leaving only darkness ahead. As he sprinkled the powder given by Espéral on the path, it spread and illuminated the way.
The red eyes kindly gazed at Arabelle's soul light. Even just being close offered comfort to his wounded body. The warm light delicately soothed his exhausted form.
Nevertheless, the Emperor did not loosen his grip on the sword as he quickly approached the staircase.
It was not a moving hill. It was the official door connecting the underworld and the human world. A firmly closed door where monsters gathered to invade the human world.
Frightful and grotesque monsters appeared in all directions. Their sharp fangs and claws threatened the Emperor as they approached. The hot flames they spewed at him felt like they were burning his skin before retreating.
However, due to Obiseut’s obligation to fulfill her promise, they could not touch the light of Arabelle and him. Despite their frustration at losing their prey, the monsters could only watch as the Emperor ascended the stairs.
The Emperor, with an arrogant expression and without a flicker of emotion, was detested. The monsters’ eyes bulged and they stomped the ground in anger, but the Emperor did not stop his march.
The Emperor’s long legs climbed the high stairs steadily. As he ascended the spiral stone steps, numerous monsters peeked out from behind the walls, roaring and baring their teeth.
At last, the sharp hawk-claw symbol from Obiseut’s feet began to appear on the ceiling. As he approached, the small circular door became visible.
Standing at the final step, the Emperor controlled his breath discreetly.
Reaching up to push the circular door, it opened easily, contrary to his expectations, with a squeak.
The monsters gathered below the door wriggled, trying to get out, but were immobilized as if covered by a veil. The Emperor led Arabelle’s light out through the door with his hand.
As the light left the door and floated above him, the Emperor also poked his face out.
The Emperor, exchanging glances with Espéral who held Arabelle's light in his hand, gave a small nod.
Behind the Emperor, the stone door began to close rapidly. After quickly placing something through the crack, he withdrew his hand. The roaring sounds of the monsters faded quickly as the door closed tightly.
“As promised, I’ve cast the ancient gods’ net at the entrance.”
The Emperor raised his chin and spoke to Espéral, who nodded in satisfaction.
The net woven from the ancient gods’ hair would add another layer of barrier to prevent the underworld’s monsters from entering the human world for some time.
The ancient gods across the Aether River sighed in relief and smiled.
Standing tall, the Emperor straightened his knees and back, breathing in the fresh air. He had never realized how delightful the scent of nature could be.
The Emperor’s crimson eyes, reflecting the bright light of Arabelle, shimmered. For the first time, a faint smile appeared on his lips.
Espéral and Berel hurried to Arabelle, who lay in the flower field. The Emperor followed them to approach Arabelle.
Elves surrounded Arabelle, protecting her. Arabelle, eyes closed as if asleep, looked peaceful.
Espéral knelt beside Arabelle and guided the glowing light to her forehead.
Softly, the light settled on her forehead and quickly vanished. Golden dust shimmered on her now smooth forehead before scattering into the air. Everyone around forgot to breathe as they looked down at Arabelle.
The Emperor, kneeling on one knee opposite Espéral, had his jaw tightly clenched. Thick veins bulged on his hand gripping the grass. The wind brushed his damp hair aside.
In an instant, his ruby-red eyes detected something, trembling with indescribable emotions. Among the many feelings, one was certain... love.
Love for the woman with the light brown, round eyes gazing up at him.
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