Vol 1 Chapter 34 – The Empire’s Scheme【Vol 1: The Beastkin Hero Arc】

The moment Allen woke from the dream, he focused on grasping the situation.

How long had he been asleep? It felt like only a few minutes.

His own body was completely fine, aside from the back of his hand.

What about Leonhardt?

Sweeping his gaze over his surroundings, Allen’s eyes widened completely beneath his mask.

The village had been reduced to a vacant lot without a trace. The ground had caved in on a massive scale everywhere. In one of those circular cratered terrains, Reisel lay collapsed and covered in blood.

Nearby, Leonhardt was on one knee, breathing heavily.

As Allen instinctively tried to rush over, Vier, who was facing him, stopped him.

“Wait. Don’t move right now.”

“What?”

“Just keep pretending you’ve lost, Obsidian Knight.”

Wait, why is my true identity exposed?

He instinctively brought a hand to his mask, but it hadn’t come off. Could it be she had seen that dream from earlier, too?

“That day, you were the only one who came to save us in that cold dungeon. Even though things ended up like this, I know your desire to help was genuine. So, I’ll help you just this once.”

Leaving Allen instinctively frozen in place, Vier looked up at the sky.

When Allen followed her gaze, the gap in the clouds wavered. That was the true identity of the anomaly he felt when Reisel descended.

Static ran across the empty space, and it revealed its form.

Lights beamed out, illuminating the area all at once.

To put it in perspective, it was a massive, mechanical ship. A flying battleship equipped with numerous gun batteries.

“Kings of all nations, please behold. Witness the strength of the Artificial Heroes we possess.”

The battleship began to descend, stopping at a fixed distance. A fortress was built atop the ship, and from inside that fortress, far-seeing crystals scattered into the sky.

Furthermore, alongside those crystals, a crimson dragon soared up from the deck.

On the dragon’s back was the figure of Helmis, grasping a sound crystal.

“The heinous criminal who murdered the previous Imperial Emperor, the Sixth Seat of the World Knights, Leonhardt, is on her last breath. I trust you now understand that Artificial Heroes possess combat power on par with the World Knights.”

Reflected in the dozens of crystals scattered across the sky were the figures of the various nations’ Kings, whom Allen also knew. What was starting here?

It was a spectacle that looked as though a World Council meeting was being held right here and now.

“We shall provide this power to the nations that desire it. The Empire has no intention of monopolizing this strength. The era is shifting to one where those who wish to obtain a Brave Core may do so.”

The speech continued.

“The era of fearing the demon race has ended. An era where we no longer rely on the World Knights is upon us. However, this power is exceedingly dangerous. We must carefully select the nations permitted to possess it.”

A World Council unfolding in the middle of the sky.

Beside Allen, who knitted his brows in suspicion, Vier provided an explanation.

“Exhausting Leonhardt through continuous battles, then having her fight Null and Eins to expose the defeat of an active World Knight to the eyes of the Kings. Up to this point, everything has proceeded exactly as the Empire intended.”

“You mean this was all according to their script?”

Vier nodded.

“And nations that do not align with the Empire’s will shall not be allowed to possess Artificial Heroes.”

I see. Helmis was hiding above the clouds this whole time just to show this spectacle to the Kings.

Nations unable to secure special-grade military assets, and those that can. Which side should the Kings choose?

The answer was right in front of them. The Kings projected in the crystals began to voice their agreement one after another.

“Lord Helmis. Our nation supports the Empire. We approve of the execution of the World Knight who committed high treason.”

“My Lemuel Kingdom does as well.”

“It cannot be helped. The Insteria Principality also supports the Holy Empire.”

The other nations followed suit.

Aside from the countries close to the Beast Kingdom, even the previously neutral nations sided with the Empire.

“Wait, wait! The Empire cooperated with the Demon Lord and intensified the Human-Demon Great War! They are a nation involved in the deaths of millions of people!”

“King of Rig Aqua. You foolish king dancing to the tune of baseless rumors. Do you not realize that your decision to neglect your national interests will eventually lead to your nation’s ruin?”

Helmis declared this, pointing his finger while remaining atop the crimson dragon’s back. The capital of the Beast Kingdom lay in the direction he pointed.

“The tide has been decided. Null, Eins. Deliver the finishing blow to Leonhardt. We shall advance toward the royal capital to apprehend the Beast King and hold him accountable for the crime of harboring a heinous criminal.”

Although injured, Null and Eins still looked capable of fighting.

Confirming their acknowledgment, Helmis began heading back to the battleship.

“W-Wait, you bastard! I won’t let you head to the capital!”

Leonhardt shouted, but Helmis didn’t look back.

The moment the dragon landed on the deck, the battleship began to move once more with a heavy, profound rumble.

The ship of steel blew away the clouds as it departed.

The Beast Kingdom was in danger, but Leonhardt’s life was in immediate peril.

“None of this would have happened if it weren’t for you, Leonhardt. We are the monsters you created. Die cursing yourself!”

Null and Eins approached Leonhardt. Reisel tried to stand up while trembling to protect his master, but he collapsed immediately.

Eins kicked away the greatsword Leonhardt swung, and Null wrapped his hands around her neck.

“Guh, gah!”

He slowly applied more pressure. Gripping her neck with both hands as if to prolong her suffering, he gradually choked off her airway.

“You bastard.”

“Die, Leonhardt! Just die!”

The strength faded from Leonhardt’s resisting arms, and they dangled limply.

On the verge of death, she hallucinated the back of a knight clothed in black.

“A-Allen.”

Did you come for me?

By the time he realized it, Allen was already sprinting.

Maintaining the physical capabilities he had enhanced by circulating mana through his entire body, he kicked Null in the side of the head with all his might.