The Empty Throne was housed just outside the Flower Room.
The palace gates were grand beyond measure, unmistakably bearing the architectural style of the Great Kingdom from 800 years ago.
As someone who had traveled through time from that era, Kozuki Toki found the design overwhelmingly familiar.
"Imu-sama awaits you inside."
After pushing open the gates, Nusjuro did not enter but instead stepped aside—even bowing his head slightly toward Kozuki Toki.
This gesture made the already unsettled Kozuki Toki raise an eyebrow in surprise.
The Five Elders... were beings of such amicable temperament?
Impossible, no matter how she thought about it.
Yet here was Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, bowing to her.
Though...
She accepted this bow with complete composure.
After all, as descendants of the Twenty Kings... they ought to pay her homage.
"You were right about one thing—I was indeed one of the girls who stood by the Archangel..." Kozuki Toki lifted her gaze to meet the towering Nusjuro.
"But as descendants of the Twenty Kings... you are utterly unworthy."
"So what should I say?"
"Each generation is worse than the last."
At these words, Nusjuro abruptly raised his head, locking eyes with Kozuki Toki.
Yet in that instant...
He faltered.
This outcome shocked even Nusjuro himself.
Though his power far surpassed this woman's, he inexplicably felt a tremor from the depths of his bloodline...Fear.
"Had enough of looking? If so, I'm going in." Kozuki Toki chuckled softly as she observed Nusjuro's stunned, speechless expression, then stepped through the open palace gates.
Watching her retreating figure, Nusjuro tightened his grip around Shodai Kitetsu.
The chilling aura of the cursed blade steadied his mind.
"What exactly happened during the Void Century, eight hundred years ago?"
"Though we, as the Five Elders, have access to all authentic historical records... is what we've seen truly the real history?"
"Perhaps... some answers lie with Kozuki Toki, the user of the Time Fruit."
....
Kozuki Toki walked alone into the palace that housed the Empty Throne.
She lifted her gaze toward the vacant seat.
Her eyes were filled with... Nostalgia.
After all, this was a throne that had existed since eight hundred years ago.
After the Twenty Kings established the World Government, they jointly forged the Empty Throne—a symbol of the world's center.
And the Twenty Kings vowed that no one would ever sit upon it, representing equality among nations and a pledge that the strong would never rule alone.
But as everyone knew...
Such words were usually worthless.
Thus, the "Empty Throne" was occupied by an entity known as "Imu."
Arrogant, supreme...
Yet not particularly involved in governing the world.
Only when someone dared to rebel would Imu raise a hand to annihilate them.
Simple, brutal... And somewhat dull.
Kozuki Toki shifted her gaze from the Empty Throne to its surroundings.
Twenty swords embedded in the ground around the throne symbolized the peace sworn by the Twenty Kings.
To others, these were historical relics.
But to Kozuki Toki, they were weapons once wielded by familiar faces.
"Don't these things feel familiar to you?" A woman's voice echoed from the side.
From the Flower Room behind, emerged a figure clad in robes and a crown, with only two eyes visible.
If there were no mistakes, this was the legendary "Imu."
As Kozuki Toki watched Imu approach gracefully, she couldn't help but frown.
This overwhelming sense of familiarity—where did it come from?
Imu did not descend from the dais but instead approached the Empty Throne and slowly took a seat.
"I do feel familiarity... but now that you're here, that hardly matters anymore." Kozuki Toki raised her head.
"More than the Empty Throne, I want to know who you are—the one sitting upon it. If I'm not mistaken, you must be a descendant of the Twenty Kings. Then you should know their vow that no one would ever occupy the Empty Throne."
"Lady Toki... no, I should call you Toki of the Amatsuki family." Imu shook her head slowly, an unusual warmth seeping into her tone.
"If you are the Toki I know, then you should understand... that vow was nothing but scrap paper from the start."
"Even if it was scrap paper, discovering someone has broken it still fills me with... rage."
"Is it just anger?" Imu tilted her head slightly. "This is... the final archangel, the last wish."
A glint of sharp light flashed in Kozuki Toki's eyes.
In that very instant, her hands had already grasped the hilts of Kogarashi and Oto.
"As expected of you, Toki. The killing intent you directed at me in that moment... truly commendable."
"Who exactly are you?" Kozuki Toki's expression had completely changed.
At first, there was only mild curiosity.
But now...
She was fully serious.
After all, this person called "Imu" had just spoken of events that were never recorded in history—yet had truly occurred.
Imu remained seated steadily upon the Empty Throne... though she had removed her crown.
And instead of answering directly, she deflected with vague words.
"You must be wondering—how could this person before you know things that happened eight hundred years ago yet left no trace in historical records?"
"Then all I can say is... your confusion will only deepen from here."
"Because I not only know the relationship between the Archangel and the Twenty Kings, but I also know that the Archangel and Joy Boy were originally friends, but ultimately became enemies due to conflicting stances."
"It was also thanks to the Archangel. Otherwise, with Joy Boy's immense power and his control over the three Ancient Weapons, how could the Twenty Kings have overthrown the Great Kingdom and sunk it beneath the sea, causing the sea level to rise by two hundred meters?"
"And most importantly..."
"I know perfectly well that you, Toki... are the adopted daughter of the Archangel."
After the final words were spoken, Kozuki Toki remained silent...
Only to suddenly draw her sword and charge toward Imu.
"Clang!"
The blades of her twin swords were instantly blocked by the unsheathed Shodai Kitetsu.
"You shall not... disrespect my master."
---------
Read 40 chapters ahead and support me on patreon.
patreon (.)com/Newbietranslator