Chapter 499: Future
“Misha-sama, I—I was just drinking alone in the tavern…”
Before the “Important Figure” whose face only appeared in the Kingdom Daily, Raj had begun with a tense, stammering voice. But as he thought of the bright future ahead, his words flowed more smoothly—until his tone turned fiercely indignant.
“.Those damned Demons tried to corrupt me into betraying His Majesty! Even if it cost me my life, I’d never do such a disgraceful thing!
Right away, I realized the danger. So, risking my very Life Force, I acted without hesitation—immediately reporting the incident to the Public Order Unit.
That’s the full story, Misha-sama.”
Raj stood stiffly before Misha, hands clenched tightly at his sleeves, offering a servile, eager smile.
Misha gave a gentle nod, a faint approving smile playing on her lips.
“Excellent. The Empire will never forget your Loyalty, nor will it fail to reward any citizen who risks their Life Force to make a Contribution.
This Demon was no ordinary foe—it’s a high-tier threat. You’ve earned a bonus of over two hundred Golden Nael, First-Class Citizen status, and full rights to claim your reward at the Imperial Reward Bureau. You’ve earned it.”
“Yes, Misha-sama!” Raj instinctively straightened his back, his face alight with excitement and euphoria, his lips twitching into a broad grin.
Though he’d nearly died, he’d made the right choice.
Two hundred Golden Nael—what a fortune!
Before being dismissed by Supervisor Yelson, his monthly wage was barely one Golden Nael, and even that was often docked for rule violations.
That sum would take nearly twenty years of nonstop labor in the factory to earn.
For him, it was nothing short of a life-changing windfall.
This money would wipe out all his debts—and still leave enough to buy a shop near the Imperial Square, where he could live a life of leisure.
And First-Class Citizen status? Even more valuable. Beyond subsidies, it granted higher social standing, privileges in every aspect of daily life.
Baron George, the famed “Imperial Dreamer,” had joined the military on the strength of that very status.
The days of hardship and despair were over.
Now, before Raj stood a life of superiority, wealth, and a bright future.
His fate had been irrevocably changed.
Tears of joy welled up in his eyes, streaking across his weathered cheeks.
In his mind, he already saw his former coworkers bowing respectfully, calling him “Raj-sama.” He pictured Supervisor Yelson, once so cold and dismissive, now fawning with a nervous smile.
Had Misha not been present, he might have dropped to his knees and bowed to the corpse of Asher—this wasn’t a Demon from the Deep Abyss.
It was a divine gift, a harbinger of his new life.
And King Kai Xiusu—the one who set up such a perfect reward system—was truly a great ruler!
How could he have ever harbored doubt toward His Majesty?
Humans are creatures of the real world. As a beneficiary of the Empire’s blessings, why wouldn’t he place his faith in a sovereign who could grant him such prosperity?
All the bitterness from past struggles vanished like smoke.
Now, Raj’s heart held only one word: Loyalty.
With countless thanks, Raj bowed and hurried away—nearly running toward the Imperial Reward Bureau, his future stretching before him like a golden path.
As she turned her gaze from Raj, Misha’s expression grew solemn once more.
Though she could detect exaggeration and self-flattery in his tale, she understood—it was human nature.
The core of the story was true.
One thing was certain:
This Demon had infiltrated Isdalia, and had harmed Imperial citizens.
“Cough, cough…”
“By Kai Xiusu’s name, that Demon… it was terrifying! Bullets couldn’t even wound it!”
“My leg’s trapped under the beam… it hurts so much…”
“Help me! Please!”
“Anna… Anna is dead! I saw it—she was cut in half!”
“God, no…”
From the ruins of the tavern came the cacophony of survivors—coughs from dust-choked lungs, cries of the wounded, wails of those who had lost loved ones.
For Raj, this was a godsend—a chance to change his fate, the grace of King Kai Xiusu.
But for the victims, it was pure, senseless disaster.
White-robed members of the Medical Response Unit arrived swiftly—collecting corpses, casting healing spells, tending to the injured.
“Move aside, civilians! No loitering!”
“Clear the area! Imperial Guard Execution Quest—disperse immediately!”
Imperial Guards pushed back the crowd, set up cordons, examined the Demon’s traces, and gathered scattered remnants.
The Tiefling and Ogre who had fought moments before now clasped hands, exchanged unit designations, and began clearing the battlefield together—reflecting on their ordeal.
The Tiefling captain of the Public Order Unit approached Misha, voice heavy with regret:
“I’m sorry, Misha-sama. We failed to stop this Demon. You had to intervene yourself.”
“You did your best,” Misha replied, her gaze fixed on the smoldering ruins of the tavern. She frowned.
“These Demons are growing bolder.
I must report this to the Prime Minister.”
As she spoke, her golden pupils flickered faintly, threads of fire curling around her slender frame like living smoke.
A crackling sound filled the air as the Sorcerer vanished—leaving only embers dancing in the wind.
---
Imperial Council Building, Batalia Hall.
This was the Prime Minister’s office—lavishly decorated, with a dragon carved into the vaulted ceiling.
Ogre Lanpu stood by the window, gazing through the stained-glass floor-to-ceiling pane at the bustling city below—the endless construction, the throngs of people on the streets.
Then, without turning:
“Come in, Misha. I know you’re here.”
Misha opened the door carefully, bowing slightly.
“Good morning, Prime Minister. You remain as wise as ever.”
Though she now carried a hint of arrogance, she still held deep respect for this man—the one who had first brought her to the attention of King Kai Xiusu.
And more importantly, he was the Empire’s Prime Minister.
“I’ve come to report,” she said.
Lanpu turned, his voice calm. “I already know. A Miyu Demon infiltrated Isdalia. It slaughtered Imperial citizens in broad daylight at the Imperial Square—on Coronation Day.”
Misha nodded, her expression grave.
“These Demons grow bolder by the day. To infiltrate Isdalia—during such a sacred festival—is not just an attack on the people. It’s a naked provocation against the Empire… and against King Kai Xiusu himself!”
By the end, her voice carried a sharp edge. Her golden eyes flared with a fierce, almost incandescent fire.
Lanpu spoke slowly, sternly:
“Misha, Spellcasters must remain rational. Never let anger blind your judgment.”
Misha realized her lapse. She lowered her head, voice tinged with remorse:
“My apologies. I lost my composure. I will follow your teaching, Prime Minister.”
Lanpu gave a slight nod. He began pacing the hall, then turned again to the window, staring at the bustling nation below—steam locomotives thundering past, their whistles piercing the air, belching rolling clouds of steam.
He murmured:
“Deep Abyss Demons… they are formidable enemies. A serious threat to the Empire.”
He knew only too well: over the past year, such attacks had occurred more than a dozen times across the Empire.
But never before had one reached Isdalia.
Most incidents were swiftly contained by local forces.
But in several cases, casualties were high.
Some Informants were killed on the spot.
These attacks were eroding public trust—damaging the Empire’s image.
For an Empire built on strength and conquest, it was unthinkable to become a victim.
The Empire of Ashen Plunder had always been the aggressor—invading other nations, claiming their lands.
Its citizens were the children of the great Red Dragon, warriors beneath the vast dragon wings, destined to fight for the Great Blueprint.
They were never meant to be prey.
“Don’t worry, Misha,” Lanpu said, a cruel smile curling his lips.
His grotesque face twisted with confidence—his yellow, clouded eyes gleaming with ruthless resolve.
“The Empire’s military strength is rising. The Stellarfallen are about to return.
But even more important…”
He turned toward the north, eyes fixed on The Origin of the Ember Nest—a grand oil painting on the wall, depicting the dragon and the Ogre.
His gaze burned with frenzy and devotion, as if seeing the noble figure himself.
“The Great King Kai Xiusu is awakening. I can feel it—the Master grows stronger.”
Misha’s eyes widened, her voice filled with awe:
“King Kai Xiusu… is awakening?”
“Yes,” Lanpu said, his grip tightening on his ornate staff, the wood creaking softly.
“The Empire will eradicate every pestilent, fly-like Demon. We will achieve complete victory.
I swear—by the fire of the Ashen Flame—those creatures will regret ever provoking the Empire of Ashen.”
A fierce smile spread across the Ogre’s face.
He didn’t care that moments ago he’d preached calm.
The time for restraint was over.
(End of Chapter)
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