Chapter 136

Many people watched my joyful appearance with blank expressions.

‘Oh, this.’

I immediately realized my mistake but couldn’t help it. It was a hero-grade skill book for mages, which held immense value due to the long time required to develop mage skills. With such a book, a Player could instantly transform into a powerhouse capable of unleashing level-5 magic spells, providing tremendous firepower during castle sieges.

‘I never expected to find one even after defeating thousands, including the Flame Monarch… Since castles can only be defended by heroes, I must pass this on to the Flag Regiment.’

I organized my thoughts and looked around at the people. Harmony approached me and said quietly, “This is Han Jae-yeon, Emperor of the Human Empire. She killed the Flame Monarch and his minions alone, saving me from being sacrificed.”

Her soft voice caused a stir among the people.

“The Flame Monarch really died? Is it true about the divine message appearing in the void?”

“But if it’s really true…”

“Isn’t the Human Empire that new nation to the north? I heard they’re thriving by pushing back monsters.”

Of course, not everyone believed her words.

“It can’t be! That monster was akin to the incarnation of fire, defeated by a human?”

“Wake up! The demonic people aren’t opponents humans can defeat! Haven’t you seen how the White Knights and soldiers were annihilated?”

“Moreover, even if they die, they will resurrect after a certain amount of time! It is likely the same for the Flame Monarch!”

The plain became noisy. Voices rose everywhere, with some people even starting to argue. Of course, this didn’t last long.

Fwip!

“Ack! Police! Police!”

“Everybody get out of the way!”

Flames flared as monsters rushed onto the plain—hellhounds, large imps, fire golems, and more demonic people than all the others combined. As these creatures surged forward, spewing flames, people scattered in every direction.

“It has been a while… Should I throw it?” I took out the bone longsword from my inventory.

Then, as I took my throwing stance, a demonic person holding a large shield at the front of the monsters sneered at me.

“You fool! Who would fall for such an obvious attack?! We don’t know how you dared to harm Birgna-nim but…”

I threw it without hesitation.

Boom!

The air burst open. The bone longsword shot out like lightning, crushing both the monster and its shield, sweeping away dozens behind them.

A smile emerged involuntarily on my face.

“Your dialogue is too long.”

I couldn’t stand seeing these lackeys acting arrogant without any heroes among them.

“Now! Overwhelm him!”

“Take him down!”

However, at that moment, the humans also started their attacks. Instead of focusing solely on overwhelming me with monsters, they launched surprise assaults against those mixed within the human ranks!

The difference between ordinary humans and monsters was clear, but with my attention divided, I couldn’t prevent attacks aimed at my heart or head. Even the demonic people disguised as humans were being identified and eliminated.

“Take revenge! Show those wicked demons what divine judgment is!”

“Waaaaah!”

In just ten minutes, this plain that had been a stage for a performance transformed into a battlefield. People produced weapons from seemingly nowhere to slay the monsters. Of course, the monsters didn’t passively accept their fate.

“You trash aren’t even fit to be sacrifices!”

“I will burn you!”

“Grrr… Woof woof!”

Despite suffering significant losses due to the surprise attack, the monsters, still stronger than humans, continued their assault.

“Ack! W-We are on the side of the Flame Monarch! Don’t attack us!”

“Push back those stupid traitors!”

“Bishop! This heretic!”

Blood was spilled on the sand, and screams rang out everywhere. The rapidly changing situation made me sigh involuntarily.

“What a mess.”

If they had just stayed quiet, I would’ve taken care of everything myself. Despite being called an emperor or whatever, it seemed unrealistic to expect them to handle things alone.

“Sister! It’s dangerous here! Let’s get out quickly!” Edward exclaimed.

“Edward, this is the safest place,” I replied calmly.

“No, what are you talking about?! Can’t you see them coming?!” Edward pointed at the monsters swarming towards us. There were hundreds, ranging from high to rare level grades.

I looked around. Blood was pouring out continuously in this moment. One option was for me to join in and sweep away the monsters… However, the process would result in excessive damage.

“We need to stop fighting first.”

“Uh, Emperor-ssi? In this situation…”

Regardless of Edward’s confusion, I tapped on the ground.

“Come forth.”

As if it were an illusion, the earth beneath the monsters swarming towards me split open.

Kuuwaaaaahk!

“Keeek!”

“Aaaargh!”

Hundreds of monsters were thrown aside like marbles as something resembling a massive pillar surged upwards from below. It was a crawling building, not as big as a mountain but large enough to rest against one. The land worm raised its colossal head towards the sky and opened its four-parted mouth wide.

[”-----!”]

A wave of sound, possibly a roar, shook the surroundings.

”…”

“N-no way…”

“It can’t be…”

The high-pitched screams that filled the plains instantly turned silent. The overwhelming presence of the landworm was enough to make anyone abandon any thoughts of resistance, whether they had anger management issues or were mentally ill. Even Don Quixote wouldn’t dare charge against this land worm.

“Ah, really… its size is unbelievable even when seen again.”

“S-S-Sister. What type of monster is this?”

“Oh my. Is Edward scared?”

“W-Who? Who is scared?” Edward shrank back.

Then at that moment:

Fwip!

Flames erupted everywhere. I looked around and saw monsters mixed among the people, causing them to scream loudly.

“I-I will burn all these humans if you interfere!”

“Ooh, human-type monsters acting human.”

I wasn’t confused. This was a problem I had anticipated from the beginning.

Pop!

As soon as I tore the Return Incantation Scroll, I arrived at the Fire Demon’s Palace. It was possible because I cleared the hell difficulty dungeon before reaching Ignition.

“He has come!”

“That monster…!”

“Revenge for the Flame Monarch…”

Upon arriving at the castle, I saw monsters gathered around it. The Flame Monarch wasn’t present. Just like with the Ice Queen, I killed him immediately after clearing the dungeon to avoid unnecessary damage due to potential traps.

“What revenge? If anyone sees this, they might think I’m a bad player tormenting good monsters.”

They were quite energetic but just leftovers once swept aside. In no time, I pushed them back and sat on the throne.

[Han Jae-yeon-ssi is attempting to engrave the throne!]

[Congratulations! A guild has occupied the Fire Demon’s Palace!]

[A new castle lord: Han Jae-yeon.]

After completing all my work, I tore the teleportation scroll. The coordinates entered were naturally the temporary city of Ignition. It took me just 10 minutes to return to Ignition after finishing the siege.

“T-The demonic people have disappeared!”

“What does it mean to succeed in the siege?”

“This…what is going on here…”

Upon returning to Ignition, I saw confused people everywhere. Of course, not everyone was like this.

“Betrayer! Traitor of humanity! My younger brother died because of you!”

“Seize those lackeys! They had a good time collaborating with monsters until now!”

I observed individuals who had sided with monsters and oppressed humans being beaten mercilessly.

I didn’t bother paying attention to them. After all, I liberated these people with my power, but their situation was different from other refugees until now.

‘Firstly, there is enough food.’

There were mountains of hellhound meat distributed by the Flame Monarch’s factories throughout the city. Of course, it would eventually run out, but they weren’t grateful for receiving scraps at this moment.

‘Furthermore, this place…is too far from the Human Empire.’

Currently, the refugees of the Holy Empire had gathered in Ignition, located between A-1 and B-1. In other words, it was in the most remote corner of Lower Left Corner, close to the bottom edge on a Go board. From the perspective of the Human Empire, it was practically on the opposite side of the continent. It wasn’t a joke; they were thousands of kilometers away, making it nearly impossible to deliver supplies or bring them back to the empire.

‘Using a teleportation incantation scroll would be possible but… it can only handle thousands, not millions.’

Of course, this didn’t mean that my actions were futile. I was aware of all these circumstances before arriving here.

“Listen up!”

Hooomg!

As soon as I spoke, the land worm moved its body, causing a gust of wind around us.

“Ahhk!”

“M-M-Moving! It’s moving!”

“My God…!”

People started panicking. Confused, I asked,

“No, why are you suddenly scaring them?”

[I’ve been feeling lately…] The land worm responded, [Their reactions… seem somewhat amusing to me… isn’t that strange? In the past, I hardly noticed them at all…]

”…”

The land worm was starting to develop dangerous emotions.

“Hmm. Hmm. S-Still, restrain yourself for now. I have something to say.”

[I’ll do it again if you get too bored.]

“No, you aren’t five years old…” The creature’s childish behavior gave me a headache, but I calmed down and started talking. “I defeated the Flame Monarch and conquered their stronghold! As a result, all demonic people disappeared, but the monsters that were conquered by them will return!”

This is what I told them afterwards:

1. There is a pillar of light in the southwest. It will soon become a castle with an inexhaustible fountain and houses inside.

2. In the dungeon located at the center of the castle, there is a large iguana (ordinary) that drops food.

3. The Human Empire will occupy the place where the Flame Monarch resided. If you come here and apply for asylum, we will accept after an appropriate review.

Immediately, protests arose.

“But! The Black Pearl is the dragon vein owned by the Holy Empire!”

The Black Pearl was the Fire Mausoleum, now known as the region named Flame City. I looked at the protesting man.

“Really? How strange. I took it from the Flame Monarch. I haven’t seen any army of the Holy Empire there.”

“B-But on principle…”

I lightly cut him off. It wasn’t worth continuing this conversation.

“What a shameless principle.”

”…”

The man’s face turned red with anger at my words but he couldn’t say anything more. This was the Land of Midgard—a chaotic era where cities were maintained by strength alone. There were limits to asserting rights even when receiving help.

‘Well, there is no need for coercion.’

Yes. Isn’t it up to each person whether they use coercion or not? They could have used it if it wasn’t for the landworm behind me, which was as big as a building.

“The war isn’t over yet. The Flame Monarch may be dead, but stronger monsters will continue to emerge.”

“We must…prepare for the war?”

“Otherwise, you won’t survive.”

I didn’t immediately incorporate these one million people into the Human Empire. There were obvious physical problems that would arise from doing so.

‘Instead, I can select some to protect Flame City.’

That was my conclusion. Rather than forcibly bringing them into the Human Empire, I intended for them to guard this area according to their own goals.

“Harmony.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. They have all been gathered,” Harmony responded when called upon. Hundreds of people had already assembled behind her.

“Miss Harmony! What are you doing now?” Men armed with weapons shouted angrily. Their momentum was quite fierce, but even then, Harmony didn’t turn her head.

“I decided to follow His Majesty since he saved me.”

“You aren’t moving alone now!”

“Aren’t you just a useless freeloader in troubled times? Didn’t I hear those words from your own mouth?”

“Eek…!” The man’s face turned red but he couldn’t cause trouble in front of me. Otherwise, I would’ve thrown him to the landworm, which was unfortunate.

Anyway, Harmony spoke as she led the people forward, “There are 41 actors from the Great Hall, 81 members of the orchestra, and 11 writers with their families and relatives. If Your Majesty accepts them, they will offer the best works and stages.”

“Yes,” I replied while pulling out hundreds of Return Scrolls from my pocket. “That is all I desire.”

This was the moment when talents more valuable than a thousand armies fell into my hands.