I Became the Master of the Empress

2 – Episode 2

As the sun sets, people are kneeling in the center of the massive stone arena.

In front of them, a knight dressed in a splendid armor unfolds a long parchment and reads aloud.

“The emperor, holding a grand position, betrayed humanity by colluding with demons…”

Before the knight, there are men with desolate expressions.

They seem to have given up everything, with their heads bowed and ropes tightly bound around them.

“Furthermore, they disregarded imperial customs, mocked the Imperial Council, and persecuted their own successors…”

The expressions of hopelessness on their faces.

Perhaps because they endured severe torture, they may welcome a quick death.

At least if they die, they won’t suffer cruel torment.

“P… Please… spare us…”

A young boy who appears to be around 10 years old stammers as he opens his mouth, but the knight continues to read the parchment silently.

“And they mocked the imperial laws, plundered the imperial subjects…”

Those who witness this scene may find it difficult to accept.

Because… right in the middle of the arena, dragged like criminals…

Are the emperor of the empire, the crown prince, and the princes.

The emperor, hailed as the holy ruler who receives loyalty from the imperial subjects, the crown prince who is loved by the imperial subjects, and the princes who vowed to be loyal to the empire for generations, have been brought to the arena to be slaughtered by the noble family.

The one responsible for this terrible situation…

Is my biological father, Duke Valoran, the ruler of the Francesco Grand Duchy.

Under the pretext of assisting the Eastern border, Valoran led an army and invaded the capital.

With the help of bribed gatekeepers, they successfully carried out a coup d’état, crossing the capital’s walls.

That’s why…

Noble men of high status being treated in such a way.

A cunningly successful coup.

In order to stabilize this situation.

The emperor of the empire and the noble men.

Those noble individuals are being forced to kneel and persecuted as if they were criminals in this position.

“Therefore, in accordance with the verdict issued by the Imperial Council, I will execute the current emperor and the noble men who colluded with him!”

As the host declared, executioners with their faces covered by black cloth entered and stood respectfully next to the emperor and the noble men.

– Oooh! Rebels, step back!

– This verdict is invalid!

– Release the emperor!

– Traitor! Baloran, step back!

– The empire belongs to the emperor and the council!

However, some of the empire’s citizens who could not accept this situation shouted.

The loud cries of angry citizens filled the coliseum.

Apparently displeased by that, the duke standing next to me shouted.

“What are these executioners doing! Quickly! Execute those wretched creatures of evil!”

“Don’t do it! Stop it! They said they would spare our families!”

Beside the duke, a beautiful woman named Theodora Augusta knelt down and pleaded.

Her bright gray hair and crimson eyes prove that she is a noble presence.

Although her lush gray hair touches the ground, it seems that it is not important at the moment.

As the executioner grasped the handle with both hands, she leaped towards the balcony.

In an instant, she reached out her hand into the air, but the ruthless executioners swung their massive axes high.

And then, in an instant…

-Thunk!

With a chilling sound, 14 heads rolled on the floor.

Princess Theodora, who witnessed it…

Wait, Theodora, who became Princess just yesterday, reached out her hand in vain…

But she can’t undo the death she has already faced.

“Oh! Noooo!”

She screamed and staggered, as if about to faint, and I quickly supported her.

“Mother… Are you alright?”

She is younger than me, but she is the fiancee of the Duke, the future wife of my biological father.

Well… She can’t really become my mother. If I kill the Duke tonight…

It will be my only lifeline to save my own life.

-Slap!

My cheek stung in that moment.

And a bitter taste of blood in my mouth.

Did my lip burst a little?

“Devian! What are you doing?”

Valoran’s fiery eyes glared at me.

Valoran, who always looked for an opportunity to kill me.

Now that the Emperor, who had restrained himself until now, is dead, Valoran will soon try to kill me.

I politely lower my head to Valoran, whose eyes shine like a beast.

– Hmph.

For now… I have to bow. He might find fault and try to catch and kill me…

I lift my head, forcing a smile, and speak brightly.

“I apologize, Your Highness. But you see, you are marrying the new Empress tomorrow, and I just wanted to prevent any harm to your face, Your Highness.”

This beastly person planned to marry the new bride the day after killing her father.

Does emotion exist? Or is he like a psychopath I’ve heard of in this modern age?

I hide such thoughts and focus on acting as much as possible, feeling a little relieved.

Valoran snarls, flaring his nostrils.

“Just disappear…”

Upon hearing his words, I glance around the room.

The attendants who have served our household for a long time look at me with fearful faces.

And in one corner, the Empress and the second Princess weep endlessly with desolate faces.

I quietly hand over the drowsy Theodora in my arms to the palace doctor.

“Please take good care of the new Empress.”

I briefly bow to them and leave the room.

Expect, Valoran…

You won’t make it through tonight.

So determined in my heart, I step into the execution ground.

As I walk along the long, winding corridor, a handsome blond man approaches me and speaks.

“Are you okay, Your Highness?”

“Yeah, so… is the plan going well?”

Agrippa nods in response to my question and offers me a handkerchief.

“Even your guards are somewhat compromised, so they will all attend the banquet during the change of guard.”

As Agrippa hands me the handkerchief to wipe my lips, I notice the red blood stains and say,

“Well then… what about the watchtower?”

In the original novel, when the princess Hwantaenyeo is about to escape through the secret passage in the watchtower of the palace, I cannot just let go of my lifeline, so I say…

After looking around, Agrippa quietly whispers in my ear,

“We have already stationed soldiers in the place you mentioned.”

-Sigh.

“Really? That’s a relief. What time is the party being held?”

“At… 9 o’clock in the evening.”

I nod in response and say,

“Don’t make mistakes… you know?”

Agrippa chuckles in response to my words and says,

“Don’t worry.”

“If it goes well… I’ll make you my son-in-law, and perhaps your descendants will rule the Grand Duchy.”

I say I’ll make him my son-in-law, but I actually hope he becomes my son-in-law.

Agripa becomes the supreme commander of the allied forces that will save humanity alongside the heroes when the demon lord resurrects.

And the child between my younger sister Mary and Agripa will become the future duke…

I don’t have any regrets.

I… I just dream of living peacefully and dying.

“hahahaha, I only need Lady Mary, not the Duke.”

I don’t understand why Agripa, who is so handsome, is so infatuated with that wild mare-like girl…

“Well… never mind,”

I look towards the hallway I came from.

“We need to finish this quickly… and capture the gods.”

Even if I had to kill Valang with my own hands, if the gods don’t listen to me, everything will be in vain.

I have prepared in advance, but… I don’t know what choices they will make, and it worries me a little.

Maybe, like the emperor just now, my subordinates might turn against me.

So, I can’t easily overlook this part.

“Don’t worry. The officers are on your side, my lord.”

I nod at those words.

“That does give me some relief.”

Actually, it doesn’t. In reality, we’ve only managed to recruit two generals…

It should go well…

I’m a bit worried and scared, but it’s something that must be done.

“It will go well. You’ve been preparing for quite a long time, haven’t you?”

I smirk at his words.

I am ready to execute my plan to kill my father, Valoran.

***

The die is cast.

A famous saying from ancient Caesar.

Just like him, now, at this moment.

I cast the die.

In the dark night.

Relying on a small lantern, I walk through the darkness.

“Hoo… Hoo…”

When the owl’s cry brushes past my ears,

I glance around.

A brightly lit, splendid palace.

The deceased emperor’s majestic appearance is admirable, even in death.

Perhaps it’s because dwarves, elves, and dark elves built it together?

Although it’s an old building, its brilliance and grandeur do not fade even after its owner’s death.

“Thud… Thud…”

The sound of my footsteps softly echoes on the stone path.

I move into the darkness, leaving the grand palace behind.

Crossing the back garden of the palace, a sturdy watchtower stands at the eastern end.

For many years, this watchtower, which may have lasted longer than the palace itself, has become a symbolic building that has lost its meaning.

I walk towards that place.

-Knock-knock.

I knock on the old iron door…

-Squeak…

I hear the sound of rusty hinges.

“Sire… have you arrived?”

A familiar face appears in the darkness.

“Yes… what about the princess?”

In response to my question, Agripa shakes his head.

“She hasn’t arrived yet.”

I nod my head in response to his words.

“She’ll try to escape today. So… keep a close watch.”

Agripa looks puzzled at my words, but nods his head.

“Do you doubt her?”

“To be honest… it’s hard to believe. Not only is it surprising that there’s a secret passage leading out of this tower… but also to know when she’ll try to escape… it’s hard to believe.”

-Tsk.

“Well, shall we make a bet once it’s over?”

Agripa also chuckles and responds to my words.

“What kind of bet are you suggesting?”

“When I come back alive… there will be a mountain of things to do.”

I say, looking at Agrippa, who is listening to me in silence.

“Then… how about working overtime for a month when that time comes?”

Agrippa makes a disapproving face as if asking what that means in response to my words.

“hahahaha… I don’t really like working overtime, do you?”

-Sigh.

“But still, we have to do it in the future. Because there will be a price to pay for the position you will rise to.”

“I am not aiming for that position.”

I say, staring piercingly at Agrippa.

“If today… Valoran dies… you will need my permission to marry Lady Mary, right?”

When the current lord Valoran dies, I will be the next lord. It is essential for the members of the family for Mary to marry Agrippa. Therefore, my permission is necessary.

“So you should help me, who has gained power.”

“Well… I need to think about Lady Mary and the wine for the wedding.”

I say with a wry smile.

“I have already promised to pass on the grand kingdom to your child and Mary’s, so…”

I continue, patting Agrippa’s shoulder.

“I’m counting on you.”

“I’m counting on you” has various meanings.

If I fail in the battle… and die, I entrust the future to you.

And… I entrust my only younger sister to you.

Perhaps Agripa doesn’t know.

“Well… let’s try our best. Anyway, please come in. The mercenaries are waiting impatiently.”

Following Agripa’s words, they enter the surveillance tower.

Inside, three soldiers and one woman can be seen.

Among them, a familiar man nods his head and greets me.

“It’s been a long time, Gongja.”

“Carl… you’ve been through a lot.”

The man laughs at my words.

He has a bear-like build and thick neck muscles that appear sturdy.

They claim that Carl is extraordinary.

“Let me introduce our party.”

Carl points to a man with long, black hair, who looks gloomy.

“His name is Hans. He’s a master of dual swordsmanship.”

I extend my hand as if to express my delight and say, “I’m Devian Lion. Nice to meet you.”

Hans shakes my hand, extending his own in response to my words.

Looking at Hans, Carl continues, “Unfortunately… please understand that he can’t speak well since his tongue was cut off in the past.”

Upon hearing this, Hans looks slightly crestfallen.

“And the woman next to Hans…”

At those words, a woman who looked like a wild cat appeared next to Hans.

“Hello. My name is Rebecca,” she said.

I was a little surprised by the unexpected character.

“I am an assassin who mainly uses daggers and poison,” she explained, and then returned to her original expression, reaching out her hand and saying, “Nice to meet you. Please don’t be surprised by my confusion, as you are such a beautiful person.”

Rebecca, who had a slightly cute feeling despite her slightly common appearance, smiled brightly and took my hand.

“Oh, come on! Just call me anytime you need an assassin later.”

Despite her common and cute face, the thick calluses on her palm suggested that her skills were extraordinary.

“hahahaha,” I laughed at her words. “I have a lot of people to deal with later. I will contact you often.”

“Oh, my… Just contact me through Karl later!”

“I will contact you soon,” I said to Rebecca, who even winked at me.

“The man next to Rebecca is Jason. He is good at using a spear.”

And next to him was a tall man with a well-balanced physique.

Reaching out my hand, I said, “Nice to meet you. My name is Devian.”

Jason holds out his hand and says, “Nice to meet you. I’m Jason.”

The unexpected words are heard.

Is that so… You’re also a victim of Valoran.

I feel a strong sense of camaraderie with this person named Jason.

“Now… It’s time to start moving, everyone, get ready.”

Agrifa begins to hand out armor and weapons to the mercenaries.

And I watch that, calming my anxious heart.

It will be fine…, it will be fine.

Saying so, I look at Karl, Rebecca, and Jason, armed like guards.

Jason, being a former giant soldier, looks a bit small in his armor, but there’s no other choice for now.

“Well… Let’s go, everyone.”

Saying that, I immediately speak to Agrifa.

“If… I fail… please take care of things.”

Agrifa responds to my words with a bright voice.

“It will be fine.”

-Swish.

“Yeah… I’ll be back.”

Saying so, I leave the watchtower.