Chapter 1273

Chapter 1273

𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Boleyn’s subordinate Egan, disguised as Prince Rudin, could not understand the situation before him.

‘I was sent flying after being punched by a mere eunuch?’

His abdomen was throbbing with pain, to the point that it was hard to breathe. He believed that he had suffered a few broken ribs from just that mere punch.

The more shocking part was the hundreds of assassins of Immune disguised as the troops of the Luvien Imperial Army being slaughtered despite launching a surprise attack on the eunuch.

It was supposed to be the day when the new emperor was born. That was why the people escorting “Rudin” were the strongest in Immune. They were the top 1% of their ranks, children who had been kidnapped yet survived the harsh and inhumane training to become Immune’s killing weapons.

Yet these supposedly lethal killing weapons were quickly cut down, their blood dyeing their clothes red. Silence fell upon the entire corridor. Both the rebels and the soldiers of the Luvien Imperial army assisting them stared in stunned silence at the eunuch.

Amidst that silence, someone muttered, “Supreme Eunuch.”

“...”

“...”

The power that the eunuch was hiding was so overwhelming that it could make anyone tremble. Alas, the operation name was a tad shitty. After a brief moment, they realized that the one who muttered the words Supreme Eunuch was none other than Nerva.

After muttering those cringey words, Nerva immediately tied Emperor Cardin and put a gag in his mouth.

“Lord Nerva...?!”

“What are you doing right now?!”

The Luvien Imperial Army knights roared as they leapt toward Nerva. The one who growled the loudest among the knights was Anden, the knight who took over the position left behind by Sword of the Gods Commander Don.

Even if Nerva was the emperor’s father, how could he gag and tie up the current emperor?!

‘This is a very shitty situation.’

The main reason why Nerva had been very cautious when dealing with Cardin’s brainwashing was because his son was set to obey Boleyn and Rudin’s orders. So, if Rudin suddenly ordered Cardin to kill himself, then he could bite his tongue or stab himself in the heart. There were two ways to terminate the brainwashing: either kill Boleyn or Rudin, or for Cardin to overcome the brainwashing himself.

Initially, he planned to sneak Brod in so he could help Nerva kill Rudin. Unfortunately, that plan had to be scrapped.

“Lord Nerva, it doesn’t matter who you are or how strong you are, if you do not release the emperor, I will make sure to cut you down!” Sword of the Gods Commander Anden growled.

With cold sweat still dripping down his back, Nerva grabbed the sword behind him and said, “Emperor Cardin is under the effects of brainwashing. The culprits are the rebel prince Rudin and the Pillar of Death Boleyn! Don’t you find his actions unusual?! Don’t you find it weird?!”

The soldiers of the Luvien Imperial Army flinched at that. However, there was something that they found incomprehensible.

“Then, why didn’t you tell us in advance?!”

In their eyes, Nerva’s actions were strange too. If he knew, he should have saved the brainwashed Emperor Cardin and helped them prepare for the incoming rebels.

‘Isn’t it because I have been waiting for Boleyn to leave?!’

They had been moving in the dark and keeping things under wraps to wait for the path where Cardin would not die to open.

“Even if His Majesty is brainwashed, your actions are still far too rude!”

At this moment, Nerva realized it wouldn’t matter what he said. Whatever came out of his mouth would still eventually lead to a conflict. Realizing that a fight was something he could not avoid, Nerva tightened his hold on the sword as he watched the soldiers of the Luvien Imperial Army approach him.

Meanwhile, Rudin’s face grew ugly. He thought,

‘Nerva knew about the brainwashing?!’

Regardless, everything was within their plans even if that was the case. Then, another question opened up. Who was this Supreme Eunuch? Upon pondering, he realized it did not matter who the man was. Having one exceptional eunuch on their side would not make any difference. After all, Rudin had almost become one of the Pillar Candidates. He was a strong man who could rival the dukes of the Luvien Empire.

“Are you an eunuch who has been castrated in your childhood? Did you build your strength inside the palace? You have amazing determination and will.”

“...”

Rudin did not know if the eunuch had been serving the palace for a long time or he had just arrived recently. Nonetheless, there was one thing that he knew. This eunuch must have endured a lot of suffering(?).

Anyway, no one present could go against him. Rudin moved, his speed almost twice as fast after he activated the Swiftness skill.

Ordinary people wouldn’t have been able to follow his movements with their eyes, what more with their hands? Even if they knew that he was aiming for their necks, they wouldn’t have been able to do anything.

“...?” Alas, Rudin was stunned when Brod raised his hand and grabbed Rudin by the neck. Appearing in a flash of light, he was immediately slammed straight into the ground.

“Urk!” Rudin coughed as he looked at the man behind him.

The rebel troops, and only their tens of thousands of soldiers, ran in the corridor and charged at Brod.

“Eunuch’s Supreme Swordsmanship.”

Aside from the Mercenary’s Pinnacle Swordsmanship and the Emperor’s Pinnacle Swordsmanship, Brod had also learned and mastered more than a dozen of the most potent swordsmanship in the continent. However, he never used any of them since their level did not reach the level of the Mercenary’s Pinnacle Swordsmanship and the level of the Emperor’s Pinnacle Swordsmanship.

That was not all. Brod could not currently use the Emperor’s Pinnacle Swordsmanship. This was partly because he had suffered a severe penalty after he was revived. According to the penalty, he would only be able to recover his entire strength in a year and a natural manner. The problem was that Brod's days were numbered. He only had at least a month left to live. Since he was in this state, he could only use the swordsmanship he could activate.

Thankfully, the second chapter of the Ardan Swordsmanship, or the Eunuch’s Supreme Swordsmanship, was quite good when wiping out many enemies gathered together in a small space.

“Second Chapter. Dashing Leopard.”

Shwaaaa!

Everywhere the swordlight passed by, a head would fall off. Just like that, thousands of assassins died. Annihilating all enemies—that was the first operation, the operation Supreme Eunuch.

Rudin stood again and rushed at Brod, his dagger aiming for his heart this time. However, he was sent flying away with a single punch just like before. Brod then ran toward the rebel forces and obliterated them.

“What great strength...” Ben murmured weakly.

The vassals of the Beyond the Heavens Empire were suffering from severe injuries and were all incapacitated. The worst part was Rudin had used skills that prevented their natural healing abilities from taking effect.

All they could do was watch this unknown Supreme Eunuch(?) slaughter all enemies by himself. Of course, Rudin did not stay idle. He kept on trying to cut the eunuch’s head off but the man did not even allow him a single attack.

When they turned to the other side, they saw Nerva rolling on the ground after accidentally suffering an attack. He had also been fighting a fierce battle. Suddenly, Nerva jumped up and ran somewhere else.

“...?”

Everyone looked at him in confusion. Then, they saw him stop in front of Cardin. He raised his hand and slapped Cardin firmly.

“Get back to your senses, Cardin!”

Thwack, thwack, thwack!

Nerva slapped Cardin in both cheeks to the point where his cheeks had turned red. It must be burning now with pain. Regardless, Nerva did not care, as he was also in a hurry.

Cardin needed to wake up and break free from the brainwashing and say the words,

‘I have been brainwashed.’

If he said those words, things would be much easier for Nerva. Unfortunately, no matter how hard he slapped Cardin, he could not undo the brainwashing.

Kiiiiiiiiiing!

A strange sound rang in the entire corridor at that moment. Rudin, who had been fighting fiercely against the Supreme Eunuch, had completely changed tactics.

At first, they planned to kill all of Cardin’s men. Then, Rudin would have Cardin appoint him as the next emperor and allow him to ascend the throne. But the situation had changed. They also had to change their tactics. Now, Rudin wanted to kill Cardin and take over this place altogether.

Rudin had realized that he could not get past or overwhelm the Supreme Eunuch. However, if he killed Cardin, he could at least disrupt this man’s rhythm.

As an assassin, Rudin possessed the power to kill a target with a single attack.

“The Dagger’s Cry.”

A dagger that was invisible to the naked eye shot out. This dagger could pierce through his enemy even if he did not make a move.

Kiiiiiiiiiing–!

The dagger released a loud cry as it shot for Emperor Cardin’s heart. Nerva hurriedly slapped Cardin while saying, “Foolish brat! Do you hate me this much?!”

“...”

Cardin did not answer. He just stared at Nerva, the gag still in his mouth.

Nerva roared, “So, you became an emperor even though you did not want to become one?! You foolish brat!”

Cardin had always been a nerd. He did not desire power; instead, he enjoyed nature and the arts. He also loved to read. But Cardin worked hard to become the emperor, wanting Nerva to look at him and recognize his worth.

Nerva had been a tyrant. During those days, he never once looked back at his family. Regardless, he was different now. He had already let go of a lot of things. The tyrant, created by his severe inferiority complex and jealousy of Brod, had become normal.

Nerva jumped in front of Cardin and blocked the attack for him.

Thud!

The grotesque sound of flesh being torn apart rang in the corridor as the dagger pierced through Nerva’s chest.

Rudin laughed when he saw the blood dripping down Nerva’s mouth. He sneered, “There’s still some more left here!”

The Dagger’s Cry skill could be activated nine times in a row.

Kiiiiiiing!

Kiiiiiiiiiiiiing!

Kiiiiiiiing!!!

Kiiiiiiiiiiiiing...

Nerva spread his arms wide open and accepted the invisible daggers coming his way without backing down. One of the daggers pierced through his arm while another broke the bones on his shoulder. Another pierced a hole through his left thigh while another sent his prosthetic arm flying away.

Nevertheless, Nerva’s spirit did not waver. He continued to endure even though he only had one arm left. Unfortunately, it was not enough. In the end, Nerva collapsed in a pool of his blood. Nerva stretched his trembling hand and held Emperor Cardin’s own.

Thud!

Nerva, slowly losing his strength, looked up at Cardin. At that moment, he saw a dagger fly in and cut off the gag that covered the emperor’s mouth.

Now, Cardin’s mouth was free. Rudin was delighted. It was time for the brainwashing to take effect. Cardin could now say that he would surrender and give up his throne. He could now order everyone to back off. And finally, he could declare that Rudin would be the one to inherit the throne. Once he said all of that, they could handle the rest.

Swoosh!

At that moment, Emperor Cardin squeezed Nerva’s hands. Light had returned to the eyes of the emperor.

***

The dukes followed behind Emperor Cardin, who was strolling in the back of the palace.

There was Duke Laghman, who had been serving the emperor since he was a child. He was a reliable friend and companion to Cardin and had been with him since he received the teachings of Beradon.

There was also Duke Vakkaman, who had recently risen to this position. He was someone who was sincerely devoted to the emperor and the throne.

There was also the Sword of the Gods Commander Anden, a man with a soft heart and the firm will and determination to protect the kind Emperor Cardin.

Emperor Cardin had always known one thing.

‘Father wants Sir Brod to become the Luvien Empire’s emperor.’

This was the bitter reality that he had to face.

–

The Luvien Empire is very special.

Cardin looked up at the sky with a slight smile on his face.

–

It is the Immortal Nation. A nation that has no ancestors or forefathers.

That was right. The Luvien Empire had no ancestors, forefathers or founding fathers. The first emperor was Nerva, and Cardin succeeded him. But why was it called the Immortal Nation when it was only established recently?

–

This is because this is the Battle God’s nation.

Only those with the emperor's blood could sit on the emperor’s throne. This was a law that all empires followed. That was not the case for the Luvien Empire. It was a nation that originated from the Battle God. In the first place, Nerva and Brod had competed to obtain the Luvien Empire and become its emperor. And the one who then sat on that throne was Nerva.

–

Will you follow me no matter what choice I make?

Everyone nodded in answer to Cardin’s question.

The one who respected the emperor, wished for the prosperity of the Luvien Empire, stayed by his side because they cared for him... all of them would support him no matter the choice he made.

The expression on Cardin’s face turned sad. He became an emperor to receive his father’s acknowledgement and attention. However, he failed to obtain anything even after sitting on this throne.

‘Perhaps, to him, I’m nothing but someone who shares his blood.’

***

Clench!

Nerva felt Cardin’s hand tighten its hold on his hand. Cardin had finally awakened from the effects of the brainwashing, and heard Nerva's words as he protected him from the Dagger’s Cry.

–

If we can survive this, then...

Cardin could feel the love and care in his father’s trembling voice. His father cared for him. That was why he stood before him and protected him desperately from the flying daggers.

Nerva’s voice was filled with tears and laughter, as he said...

–

...would you like to go fishing with me?

He had put everything down and just wanted to live the life of an ordinary wealthy person, with him.

“I am stepping down from the position of the emperor.”

“...!”

“...!”

[The Luvien Empire’s Emperor Cardin has declared that he is stepping down from the emperor’s throne!]

Everyone froze. Meanwhile, Rudin and the rebel forces cheered loudly.

Cardin did not know what exactly was happening. However, he knew his father better than anybody else. He knew what kind of board he had created and what moves he wanted to make. So, he declared, “The one to inherit the throne will be...”

Rudin spread his arms as he laughed loudly.

“...Brod.”

“...?”

A flash of confusion appeared on everyone’s faces. What kind of bullshit was Cardin spouting? Didn’t Brod die in the hands of Nerva? The Luvien Imperial Army had witnessed it. They even collected his body and brought him to the Luvien Empire. There were also witnesses from the Beyond the Heavens Empire.

At that moment, Nerva turned to look at the eunuch, who had quietly appeared behind Rudin. The exhausted Nerva smiled at the eunuch and said, “Well, I think it’s fine for us to skip the second operation.”

The eunuch’s figure suddenly began to change. He grew from a height of 170 centimeters to a height of 200 centimeters. Then, the armor and crown Nerva had prepared before with his own magic appeared. The crown slowly landed on Brod’s head while the cloak carrying the symbol of the Luvien Empire fluttered behind him.

The final operation was supposedly called Eunuch Emperor Brod. As it turned out, the true name of the final operation was...

Nerva murmured, “The True Emperor, Brod.”

[Former Emperor Cardin has appointed the Fallen Wretched Emperor Brod as the next emperor of the Luvien Empire!]