The Emperor—or rather, the Crown Prince—sat alone in the now-empty room.
Everyone else around him had fallen under the influence of dark magic. Even Benita had his memories wiped by it, so there was no need to concern himself with him.
What truly demanded his attention right now was—
– Go ahead and try to kill me if you want. Let’s see if it’s really that easy.
That audacious provocation, delivered with a mocking smile from Shekina—that was all.
The Crown Prince genuinely wanted to kill Shekina right there. One move, one strike, and it would’ve been enough to take the girl’s head.
But what held him back was the deadly killing intent radiating from the figure standing right behind Shekina, and the equally formidable aura emanating from Arthur, who sat beside her.
Had he killed Shekina then, he wouldn’t have walked away unscathed.
“What a nuisance.”
Clicking his tongue, the Crown Prince downed the now-cold tea.
“But it’ll be taken care of soon enough anyway. No need to get involved unnecessarily.”
He thought of Lucifer.
Lucifer, who ground his teeth and clenched his jaw every time Shekina’s name came up—surely, even if left alone, he’d make sure she died.
Losing future peace over a moment of impulse would be foolish. So the Crown Prince decided it was best to wait and watch, hands off for now.
Then suddenly, he recalled Shekina’s parting words.
– Well, I mean… I’m not royalty, so I don’t really understand that hunger you have for the emperor’s throne.
– Are you really happy living like this?
“Ha…”
Without realizing it, the Crown Prince clenched his fists tightly.
– Why… why are you doing this?
The dying screams of the former Emperor, just before he perished by the Crown Prince’s own hands, echoed in his mind.
– Is it because you think I’d pass the throne to Benita? You! You know better than anyone that you’re unfit for that seat!
– You’ll be cursed! Even in death, I’ll curse you!
A pounding headache started pulsing in his temples as he pressed them with his fingers.
Unfit.
He wasn’t the right man to inherit the throne.
His temperament was cruel and merciless—hardly the makings of a benevolent father to the people.
But he disagreed.
That’s why… he killed his father.
– Are you really happy living like this?
He was happy. No—he had to be happy. That was the only reason he killed his father, shed his old face, and lived on like this, in this twisted form.
And so—
“I must see this through to the end.”
The Crown Prince—no, the Emperor—muttered to himself.
***
Returning to the lodging, Shekina collapsed onto the bed.
Her whole body was sore, likely from all the tension she’d been holding.
“Ugh, I feel like I’m dying.”
She let out a long sigh and stretched out. Seeing this, Dehan, who had been standing nearby, spoke up.
“You were in danger.”
“I know.”
Shekina casually scratched her ear.
“But backing down there wouldn’t have made that bastard go, ‘Oh, you’re all good kids, I’ll let you live.’ No way. You have to push back hard to make them wary.”
“….…”
And if you die doing that, what’s the point?
Dehan barely held back the words that rose to his throat, pressing his forehead as though trying to calm himself.
Just then—
“Lady Shekina! I brought you some warm tea!”
Arthur burst into the room, his usual bright smile on his face. But underneath that smile, there was tension—he knew very well that his careless actions earlier had nearly caused serious trouble.
“Arthur.”
Sure enough, Shekina’s expression was grim.
“Don’t go wandering around on your own like that. You almost got yourself killed today.”
“But I only wanted to help you, Lady Shekina.”
“No.”
Her reply was sharp and final as she glared at him.
“Don’t do that again. It throws off my entire plan.”
“…Alright.”
Arthur lowered his shoulders, clearly crestfallen. But Shekina didn’t go out of her way to comfort him. Instead, she changed the topic.
“I keep thinking about it…”
She muttered to herself.
“The kidnappings of the kids. I’m pretty sure the Emperor and Lucifer are involved.”
It started as a suspicion, but after today’s conversation, she was convinced.
– The one who gave me power… told me something.
– He said it’s possible to transfer one’s soul.
It seemed the Emperor was trying to transfer himself into Benita’s body.
But that kind of thing couldn’t be easy—it wasn’t the sort of thing that succeeded in one go. Most likely, he was waiting to see Lucifer succeed before attempting it himself.
“To be precise, it looks like the Emperor is the one kidnapping the children.”
And he’s offering them to Lucifer as part of the deal.
Shekina tapped the table with her fingers, frowning.
“If I can find that connecting thread and blow it apart, that’d be ideal. But the problem is figuring out where it is.”
At her murmur, Arthur tilted his head.
“Why?”
He asked, as if he truly didn’t understand.
“Do we really need to go that far?”
Shekina widened her eyes and looked up at Arthur, her expression screaming, What kind of ridiculous question is that?
“What are you even saying? I’m saying that’s the easiest way to get rid of the Emperor.”
“…Get rid of the Emperor?”
“Well, are we just supposed to leave him be? Who knows what kind of damage that’ll cause.”
She clicked her tongue in frustration.
“Besides, the people under him… they’re just pitiful. Don’t you think so?”
The servants, whose minds had been stolen by the Emperor’s dark magic.
Benita, who would soon lose his body.
And the countless children going missing.
If the Emperor and Lucifer were gone… then maybe they could all finally be happy again.
Well, on top of that…
Ding!
[SYSTEM]
Important Hint!
If the Emperor dies, Lucifer’s power is likely to weaken significantly!
[SYSTEM]
Why not give it a try?
Seeing the system send her a message like that—
‘That confirms I’m on the right path.’
Stretching again, Shekina muttered to herself.
“First, let’s get Yuriel onto the Papal seat. Then I can start investigating the capital slowly.”
“Yes, understood.”
They’d push Yuriel into the position of Pope, use the still-influential temples to boost his authority, and then follow the Emperor’s trail—ultimately aiming to bring him down.
As she continued piecing the strategy together quickly, something struck Shekina as odd.
Yuriel wasn’t there.
“…Wait, where’s Yuriel?”
Arthur blinked in confusion.
“He wasn’t here when I got back…”
“What? Then where is he?”
“Oh, we parted ways near the prayer room.”
A chill crept over Shekina.
“…How long ago was that?”
“Hmm…”
Arthur checked the clock casually and replied.
“Four hours ago?”
You’ve got to be kidding.
Shekina sprang to her feet.
“He’s been praying for four hours? What, is he trying to conquer the world or something? Is that why it’s taking so long to finish his wish?”
“…Uh, maybe?”
“‘Maybe’?! Are you out of your mind?!”
Even Dehan now sensed something was seriously wrong.
“…Did priest Yuriel go missing?”
Right at that moment—
Ding!
A notification popped up for the first time in a while.
[Side Quest: Find the Missing Yuriel!]
Yuriel entered the prayer room and hasn’t been seen since. Where could our sweet, innocent, pitiful Yuriel be? Did someone kidnap our precious Yuriel? Find him!
Reward: (Why would there be one?)
Failure: Death (Obviously!)
“You’ve got to be kidding me!”
Seriously, if there was one wish she could have granted, it’d be to punch this damn system—just once.
Shekina shouted, trembling with fury.
