Chapter 7. The Conditions for Ascension

The perfectly equipped imperial palace bath and shower facilities gushed with hot water.

If she had ended up in a primitive medieval or early modern world…

‘This would have been an unimaginable luxury.’

What made this possible was the pinnacle of insane scientific and administrative power—the existence of power plants.

Surprisingly, the imperial capital, Aleis Tenaum, had both tidal and wave power plants, one at the estuary where the sea met the river and another by the cliffs.

The turbines running there must be generating electricity.

Electricity, plumbing, and even hot water.

Axia thought to herself—

She didn’t understand all the details, but long live the steampunk world.

Even after refreshing herself with a thorough bath and changing into light silk garments, Axia’s mood didn’t improve much.

Because the moment she finished bathing, Ayer handed her a piece of paper.

—

[Twelve Labors]

As the proxy of Awrath Aibalique, obtain the consent for ascension.

1. Lycanthrope – Corinth
2. Orc – Wolf
3. Merfolk – Endeia
4. Fae – Yaretusa
5. Troll – Apia
6. Dwarf – Tavris
7. Giant – Anatman
8. Elf – Ruslan
9. Dragon – Melchiader
10. Abaddon
11. Anun
12. Quenfid

She stared at the list, her expression darkening.

…She understood up to the part that said “Awrath Aibalique”—that was the Emperor’s name.

But “Ascension”?

And more importantly—

“The non-human races listed here… the Emperor wiped them all out.”

“…There is at least one survivor from each.”

Right then, Ayer subtly gestured toward the top of the document, drawing her attention to a name that was all too familiar.

[Lycanthrope – Corinth]

“Right. That son of a bitch… he’s a werewolf.”

Lycanthropes were a broad category referring to species capable of shapeshifting into animals.

Naturally, werewolves fell under that definition.

So one of the last nine surviving non-humans was him?

‘This is a pain. I already feel like I’ve made an enemy out of him…’

Axia clicked her tongue, tapping her fingers against the paper.

But Corinth was already the Emperor’s subordinate.

Why make her go and get his consent? Why not just have the Emperor do it himself?

‘And what the hell are these at the bottom?’

[10. Abaddon
11. Anun
12. Quenfid]

“…Ayer. Setting aside the others, why are the names of Hell, the Underworld, and Heaven listed here?”

Those were the Three Realms that, according to legend, had been sealed off by the Emperor, completely severed from the current world.

“Well, you see… His Majesty must also obtain ascension approval from those three realms.”

With an awkward smile, Ayer smoothly poured tea and explained.

“Only then will His Majesty fulfill the conditions to elevate from ‘Guardian of Humanity’ to ‘God of Humanity.’”

“…A god?”

“Yes.”

Ayer pushed a fragrant cup of tea toward Axia, speaking with a cheerful tone.

“That is what Ascension means—becoming a god. It is His Majesty’s ultimate goal.”

“If you’ve lived for ten thousand years, can’t you just declare yourself a god without all this hassle?”

There were already plenty of religions that worshiped the Emperor as a deity. One of them had even been adopted as the state religion.

“No, at this point, mere titles and prestige are meaningless.”

When Axia voiced her opinion, Ayer shook his head.

“In order for His Majesty to attain divinity, he must gather the consent of all intelligent beings in this world and receive approval from the three spiritually connected realms.”

Only then—

Ayer suddenly lowered his voice.

“…With that power, he could ‘cure’ the vampires. Restore them to humanity.”

“A cure, huh.”

‘So that’s why vampires weren’t included among the surviving non-human species.’

Axia set down the teapot that had been resting on the tea warmer, then—without hesitation—brought the back of her hand to the flickering candle in the warmer’s center.

Sizzle—!

Even as her skin met the flame, her hand remained unscathed.

Fireproof. That was a defining trait of the Pyro Clan vampires.

“I don’t breathe, I don’t burn, my heart doesn’t beat. I don’t need food, water, or even something as trivial as tea. Do you really think vampires, who’ve already gained immortality, would want that so-called cure?”

Axia scoffed, withdrawing her hand and tapping her cup with a finger.

“And to think he actually believes he can become a god. Does he have any proof? Or is this just what happens when you live too long—does the Emperor have some kind of delusional disorder after ten thousand years?”

“Ah… please refrain from saying such blasphemous things. I have to report this entire conversation to His Majesty, you know…”

Ayer fidgeted anxiously, looking like he might cry.

“I am, after all, your assigned observer. You already suspected that, didn’t you?”

“That’s fine. Report everything as is. The Emperor won’t mind.”

Axia leisurely took a sip of her tea, savoring the aroma.

“He really thought that by making his assassin his proxy, I’d actually worship him? If anything, that’s just more proof that he’s insane.”

The doubt that had been swirling in her mind finally slipped out of her mouth.

“I don’t even know your real face. I don’t know your real name. For all I know, the real Emperor could be the one controlling this automaton while pretending to be my steward.”

It was practically a provocation, but Ayer remained unshaken, responding with surprising composure.

“Well, considering I was designed to create that very suspicion, I suppose I can’t argue with you.”

‘So they accounted for that possibility too, huh.’

While Axia scowled, Ayer simply smiled.

“It’s amusing that you would think a lowly-born man like me could be compared to someone as exalted as His Majesty… but I suppose I can’t help feeling a little flattered.”

Axia’s irritation flared as she snapped at him.

“Unlike you, I hate the Emperor. Every time I see that face of yours, it fills me with rage. If I lose my temper, I might just punch that puppet’s face to pieces or break it altogether.”

“Oh, this automaton has dozens of identical bodies. Even if you destroy them all, by the time you reach the last one, the first one will have already been repaired and reissued.”

Ayer’s reply was so smooth, so casual, that Axia froze mid-sip, her teacup hovering in the air.

“…You’re telling me there are dozens of these disturbing, life-sized Emperor dolls?”

“If you damage this face, you will only accumulate further charges of blasphemy, and I will have to write a formal report for each incident. More importantly…”

Ayer hesitated for a moment before shrinking his shoulders and adding in a small, nervous voice,

“Because of the sensory link with the automaton… every time you hit this body, I feel the pain too. Please don’t do that…”

“Ugh…”

‘Damn it, that face is cheating!’

Axia turned her head away, internally screaming.

Fine… fine. She knew she had just been nitpicking with ridiculous suspicions.

‘There’s no way the Emperor would go through the trouble of disguising himself as a servant, looking up at me with those pathetic puppy eyes, just to personally wait on me!’

That was taking paranoia a little too far. Axia sank into self-reproach for even entertaining the thought.

Still, no matter how much she tried to rationalize it, one thing remained bizarre.

The Emperor’s attitude toward her.

“…Ayer. You’re being surprisingly casual with the Emperor’s face. Is that really okay?”

“Oh, well, considering the workload I handle as His Majesty’s proxy, he’s generous enough to allow it. More importantly…”

Ayer winked playfully.

“…As long as His Majesty doesn’t find out, it’s fine.”

“Alright. I think I can start treating you a bit more comfortably now.”

Reaching her own conclusion, Axia let the tension slip from her shoulders.

‘So he lent his face to his administrative proxy.’

It made sense.

A ruler who governed over two-thirds of the known world couldn’t possibly have that much free time.

The sheer volume of administrative tasks must be…

‘At a level only a superhuman could handle.’

Even from an objective standpoint, Axia had to admit—

The Emperor was remarkably competent at ruling.

If she compared him to historical figures from her past life, he was like an Alexander the Great who never died young.

Infrastructure, road maintenance, law enforcement, disaster prevention, domestic affairs, disease control…

There wasn’t a single area of governance that his influence hadn’t touched.

‘Even though there’s a prime minister and a crown prince to handle state affairs…’

The scale of the empire’s bureaucracy was so immense that the Emperor absolutely did not have time for leisure.

He was likely the kind of person who could use ten bodies and still not be able to finish his work.

“Feel free to speak casually with me. We’ll be seeing each other often from now on.”

Ayer, having sensed Axia’s shift in attitude with eerie precision, smiled smoothly and bowed.

“I will personally handle all information relay and support for you within the imperial palace. Any tasks that need handling during the day, just leave them to me.”

So Axia decided to test him.

“In that case, I’d like to see my foster father—the Count of Thracia.”

“…Ah.”

Ayer’s face immediately twisted into an awkward grimace.

Amused by his reaction, Axia pressed further.

“I’d also like to visit the Territory of Thracia. I am the acting lord now, aren’t I? Before I start this ‘Twelve Labors’ nonsense, I have some things to take care of.”

“Uh… well…”

Ayer’s expression turned even more pitiful as he looked at her.

‘Looks like he’s struggling with my requests. I must be making things difficult for him.’

Axia felt a wicked satisfaction welling up inside her.

But hey—wasn’t he the one who told her to ask for what she needed?

“What’s wrong? Too hard to grant?”

“…These are matters that require His Majesty’s approval. I can’t give you an immediate answer.”

“Then I’ll need an audience with him. Let’s go.”

“…Pardon?”

Ignoring Ayer’s visibly flustered reaction, Axia stood up.

“It’s daytime, isn’t it? The Emperor should be working right now.”

“A-ah, w-wait! His Majesty is currently in his office, but—”

Judging by how Ayer’s response stuttered and lagged, his real body somewhere in the imperial palace was likely scrambling to check the Emperor’s schedule.

Too late. Prepare yourself.

“I don’t want to hear any objections. Lead the way.”

‘Even if the chances are low… I still need to check.’

She had to see Ayer and the Emperor standing side by side.

At the very least, she needed to confirm that they weren’t the same person.

“…Ha. Alright, I understand.”

Ayer sighed, rubbing his temple.

“Normally, His Majesty does not grant audiences without prior notice, but… since you are his proxy, I suppose an exception can be made.”

With another weary sigh, he pulled out a piece of black fabric.

“This veil will shield you from the sun. Please wear it while we go.”