Chapter 278: Death Sentence with Reprieve
Imperial Palace, inside the luxurious reception hall.
Emperor Legate sat on the main seat, sizing up the two people standing side by side below him. His gaze lingered on Serie for a moment before shifting to Rhodes.
"Fidel sent you here. What is the matter?" Legate cut straight to the chase.
Rhodes looked directly at the ambitious Emperor. Without any pleasantries, his words were direct and forceful. "The demons in the North have launched a massive invasion. The situation is critical; no single nation or race can resist them alone."
"Fidel hopes—or rather, demands—that the Southern Unified Empire deploy troops immediately to jointly resist the demons. This is a matter concerning the survival of the entire human race."
Legate's brow furrowed.
Demands?
This word made him extremely unhappy.
But he didn't flare up immediately. His attention was focused more on analyzing the true purpose of these two.
Were they simply here to apply pressure for reinforcements, or did they have other motives?
After all, he had just selected the user for the Holy Sword, and the target—Serie—had delivered herself right to his doorstep. It was hard not to suspect they had sensed something.
But if they had sensed something, shouldn't they be hiding far away or turtling up inside the Magic Association? Delivering themselves like this... what kind of game were they playing?
He leaned forward slightly. "Resisting the demons is naturally the Empire's duty. Please rest assured, the Empire's army will march North soon."
His words sounded grand, but both Rhodes and Serie heard the perfunctory tone within.
Soon?
Which day exactly?
After the Kingdom of Ersten and other nations have exhausted themselves fighting the demons?
"However, this is..." Legate seemed to notice Rhodes for the first time and looked at Friedrich.
"Your Majesty, this is Lord Rhodes," Friedrich introduced.
When he first heard the name, he was also surprised. Coupled with the faint yet powerful aura on the man, he had a vague premonition that this Rhodes wasn't just sharing a name, but was the God-slayer himself.
But how was that possible?
"Rhodes?" Surprise flashed in Emperor Legate's eyes. He repeated the name, then the corners of his mouth curled up as he looked at Serie. "What an interesting name. I didn't expect Lady Serie would take a human with the same name as the God-slayer as an apprentice."
His tone carried a barely perceptible mockery, seemingly implying some twisted taste on Serie's part.
Serie remained expressionless, as if she hadn't heard.
Rhodes bore the Emperor's gaze calmly, though inwardly, he was already considering how to teach this Emperor a lesson.
Seeing his probe was ineffective, Legate steered the conversation back. "I am aware of the troop deployment. The Empire has its own arrangements and will certainly not let human territories fall into demon hands."
He tried to seize the initiative in the conversation.
However, Rhodes's next words froze the composure on his face instantly.
"Your Majesty is righteous," Rhodes smiled suddenly, his tone becoming meaningful. "Coincidentally, on our way here, we happened to hear some interesting rumors from the dwarves."
"I heard they poured all their efforts into forging an extraordinary weapon for Your Majesty? Congratulations."
Crack.
A faint snapping sound came from the armrest under Legate's fingers.
The muscles on his face tightened instantly, and his pupils contracted. Despite his efforts to control it, shock and killing intent leaked out for a split second.
The dwarves?! Those greedy bastards, they dared to leak it?!
No!!!
Perhaps it is just a probe?
Legate forcibly suppressed his churning emotions. His face darkened, and his tone became stiff. "I do not know what you are talking about."
"The Empire does have trade relations with the dwarves. Purchasing some military equipment is perfectly normal. As for any 'extraordinary weapon,' that is pure fiction."
"I fear it is not fiction, is it? At least regarding honor, dwarves do not lie."
Rhodes was telling the truth on this point—provided, of course, that the dwarves had actually told him.
He said this solely to test Legate's reaction.
Sure enough, Legate stood up abruptly, obvious displeasure on his face. "Mr. Rhodes, the Southern Unified Empire is not the Kingdom of Ersten. Its internal affairs are not for outsiders to gossip about, nor do I need to explain to anyone what weapons my army is equipped with!"
Unlike Ersten, the Southern Unified Empire had no relationship with Serie and didn't need to act based on her mood.
He had been polite earlier only due to their strength and identity, but Rhodes's words had exhausted Legate's patience.
His gaze swept coldly over Rhodes and Serie. "If you two came for this matter, you may leave."
With these words, he had essentially torn up any pretense of friendliness.
Legate's attitude was clear: My business is none of your concern.
Rhodes looked at the fierce but inwardly guilty Legate and sneered in his heart.
Such an intense reaction only proved his guilt.
That weapon was likely even more troublesome than imagined.
Rhodes stopped pressing about the Holy Sword and switched to pressing for action. "Then please, Your Majesty, state a specific time for troop deployment."
"Anytime," seeing he couldn't deflect, Legate stated bluntly. "The Empire's army has long been ready to go North to resist the demons."
Rhodes smiled but said nothing.
Go North to resist demons? More like looting a burning house.
Taking advantage of the absence of the main forces of Ersten and other nations to strike directly.
Truly scum!
In his heart, Rhodes had already sentenced this Emperor to death, with a reprieve. Whether the sentence would be carried out depended on whether the man knew how to turn back from his misguided path.
Unbeknownst to him, Legate opposite him had also sentenced Rhodes and Serie to death—but with immediate execution.
Legate stared at Rhodes. In his heart, he had concluded that these two were definitely not here just for the troops.
Fidel must have sensed something. Especially this guy named Rhodes; he seemed to know even more inside information.
They absolutely cannot be allowed to live!
But they absolutely cannot die in the Imperial Capital. The culprit would be too obvious.
Legate suppressed his killing intent and sat back on the throne, squeezing out a smile. "If you two are worried, you can set out with the Empire's vanguard elite legion. We can depart immediately."
"That way, you can witness the Empire's determination and efficiency in resisting the demons with your own eyes. How about it?"
Trying to lure us out of the capital to finish us off.
Rhodes understood Legate's intent immediately.
"That is excellent." Rhodes nodded. "Then, as Your Majesty says, we will travel with the army."
"Good!" The smile on Legate's face widened.
Watching the retreating figures of Rhodes and Serie, Legate whispered instructions to Friedrich beside him. "Advance the plan. Before reaching the northern front lines, I want to see the heads of these two people!"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Friedrich responded in a low voice.
Walking out of the palace, Rhodes looked up at the gloomy sky of the Southern Empire.
"He can't hold back anymore. He wants to make a move," Rhodes said softly to Serie beside him.
Legate's killing intent just now had been almost completely exposed; Serie must have sensed it.
"Perfect." The elf responded with a smile, but that smile carried a few traces of danger.
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