Chapter 276: Death Penalty with Reprieve
Inside the luxurious reception room of the palace.
Emperor Leggett sat on the main seat, looking down at the two people standing side by side below. His gaze lingered on Serie for a moment before turning to Kurtz.
"What brings you here? What does Fidel want?" Leggett asked, getting straight to the point.
Kurtz looked directly at the ambitious emperor, offering no pleasantries, and spoke directly and forcefully: "The northern demons have launched a massive invasion, and the situation is critical. No single nation or race can withstand it alone."
Fidel hoped, or rather demanded, that the Southern Unified Empire be immediately required to send troops to jointly fight against the demons; this was a matter of life and death for the entire human race.
Leggett frowned slightly.
Demands?
This message made him very unhappy. That damn Fidel!!.
But he didn't react immediately; instead, he focused on analyzing the two men's true intentions.
Is it simply a request for help and pressure, or is there another motive?
After all, he had just selected the user of the Holy Sword, and the target, Serie, had delivered herself directly to his doorstep. It was hard for him not to suspect that the other party had noticed something.
But if they really sensed something, they shouldn't have hidden far away or stayed cooped up in the Magic Association. What kind of idea is it to come knocking on their door like this?
He leaned forward slightly: "The Empire is naturally duty-bound to fight against the demons. Please rest assured, the Empire's army will soon be heading to the north."
These words sounded grand and dignified, but both Kurtz and Serie could tell that they were just being perfunctory.
Soon?
What day was it?
After the Kingdom of El and other countries have exhausted their strength against the demons?
"But who is this…" Leggett seemed to notice Kurtz only then and looked at Friedrich.
Friedrich stepped forward. "Your Majesty, this is Kurtz," he introduced.
When he first heard the name, he was somewhat surprised, especially when paired with the faint yet powerful aura emanating from the other party. He seemed to have a vague premonition that the Kurtz in front of him was not just someone with the same name, but the real Godslayer.
But how is that possible?
"Kurtz?" A hint of obvious surprise flashed in Emperor Leggett's eyes as he repeated the name. Then, a smile curved his lips as he turned his gaze to Serie. "What an interesting name. I never expected that Lady Serie would take a human with the same name as the Godslayer as her disciple."
His tone carried a subtle hint of sarcasm, seemingly implying some kind of perverse sense of humor in Serie.
Serie remained expressionless, as if she hadn't heard.
Kurtz calmly accepted the emperor's gaze, but in reality, he was already considering how to teach the emperor a lesson.
Seeing that his probing had failed, Leggett steered the conversation back on track: "I am aware of the matter of sending troops. The Empire has its own plans and will certainly not allow human territory to fall into the hands of the demons."
He was trying to take control of the conversation.
However, Kurtz's next words instantly froze the composure on his face.
"Your Majesty is truly righteous." Kurtz suddenly smiled, his tone becoming somewhat meaningful. "It's quite a coincidence that on the way here, I happened to hear some interesting stories from the dwarves."
"I heard they poured their hearts and souls into crafting an extraordinary weapon for Your Majesty? Congratulations!!"
Click.
A slight crackling sound came from the armrest of the throne beneath Leggett's fingers.
His facial muscles tensed instantly, and his pupils contracted slightly. Despite his best efforts to control himself, the shock and killing intent in that instant were still revealed.
Dwarves?! Those greedy bastards, how dare they leak it?!
NO!!!
Wait, perhaps it was just a test?
Leggett forcibly suppressed his turbulent emotions, his face darkening and his tone hardening: "I don't know what you're talking about."
There is indeed trade between the Empire and the Dwarves, and the purchase of some military equipment is perfectly normal. As for any extraordinary weapons, that's pure fabrication.
"I'm afraid it's not entirely unfounded, is it? At least when it comes to honor, the dwarves don't lie."
Kurtz was telling the truth, provided, of course, that the dwarves had actually told him.
He said that simply to test Leggett's reaction.
Sure enough, he stood up abruptly, his face showing obvious displeasure: "Mr. Kurtz, the Southern Unified Empire is not the Kingdom of El. Its internal affairs are none of the business of outsiders, and there is no need to explain to anyone what kind of weapons my army is equipped with!"
Unlike the Kingdom of El, the Southern Unified Empire has no connection with Serie and therefore does not need to consider her feelings.
He had been polite before only because of the other party's strength and status, but now Kurtz's words had exhausted Leggett's patience.
His cold gaze swept over Kurtz and Serie: "If you two came here for this matter, then you may leave."
Having said this much, it's practically tantamount to tearing off the mask of civility.
Leggett's attitude was crystal clear: It's none of your business what I do.
Kurtz looked at the blustering but cowardly Leggett and smiled inwardly.
His strong reaction proves that he has a guilty conscience.
That weapon is probably more troublesome than we imagined.
Kurtz stopped pressing the matter of the Holy Sword and instead demanded, "Then please, Your Majesty, specify a concrete time for the deployment of troops."
"Anytime is fine," Leggett said bluntly when he realized he couldn't get away with it. "The Empire's army is already prepared to go north to fight the demons."
Kurtz smiled without saying a word.
Heading north to fight the demons? He's just taking advantage of Eldia's misfortune, isn't he?
Taking advantage of the fact that the main forces of the Kingdom of El are not present, we can make a direct move.
What an opportunistic scoundrel!
In his heart, Kurtz had already given His Majesty the Emperor a loose death sentence; whether it would be carried out depended on whether the Emperor would realize his mistake and return to the right path.
Little did he know that Leggett, sitting opposite him, had also sentenced him and Serie to death, and with immediate execution.
Leggett stared at Kurtz, now sure that these two were not there solely for military matters.
It must be that Fidel has noticed something, especially this guy named Kurtz, who seems to know even more inside information.
They must not be allowed to live!
But he absolutely cannot let them die in the capital, otherwise the murderer would be too obvious.
Leggett suppressed his murderous intent, sat back on the throne, and forced a smile: "If you two are worried, you can set off with the Empire's vanguard elite legion. We can depart immediately."
"This will allow you two to witness firsthand the Empire's determination and efficiency in fighting the demons. What do you say?"
Oh my, they want to lure themselves out of the capital to resolve the issue. You really couldn't wait a little.
Kurtz immediately understood Leggett's intention.
"Very well." Kurtz nodded. "Then we will go with the army as Your Majesty has said."
"Very good!" Leggett's smile widened.
As Leggett watched Kurtz and Serie's departing figures, he whispered to Friedrich beside him, "Move the plan forward. I want to see their heads before we reach the northern front!"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Friedrich replied in a low voice.
As Kurtz walked out of the palace, he looked up at the gloomy sky over the Southern Empire.
"He can't help but make a move," Kurtz whispered to Serie beside him.
Leggett's murderous intent was almost completely exposed just now, and Serie must have noticed it.
"Perfect," the elf replied with a smile, but there was a hint of danger in that smile.
[End of Chapter]
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