Chapter 323 - 236: Arch-enemy? A Mere Buffoon

Chapter 323: Chapter 236: Arch-enemy? A Mere Buffoon

The Divinity from the battle for it had been the closest their plan came to success. Although time would eventually prevent even a True God from interfering with the Real World as freely as a Demigod, that wouldn’t be an issue in the near future. This would have bought the Eldest Prince and Princess Philo enough time to grow.

A shame...

In the end, it all fell apart at the last second!

The Divinity was snatched away by some unknown Tier Four powerhouse...

And it had been snatched away in the Endless Sea, of all troublesome places. It left them with an arsenal of methods they couldn’t deploy...

It gave them the distinct feeling that fate itself was targeting the Terra Empire.

A shadow of gloom fell over their hearts.

WHOOSH—

Just as the six people in the inner chamber were knitting their brows in worry, a gentle breeze swept through. A figure cloaked in golden light suddenly appeared within, his hands clasped behind his back as he gazed out the window.

Beneath the golden light that no one could penetrate, his expression was serene.

As if he wasn’t the one about to die.

"Your Majesty!" "Father!"

The instant the figure appeared, the six people in the inner chamber rose and knelt on one knee, saluting respectfully.

Indeed, the one who had just appeared was the most powerful person in the Terra Empire—the Emperor of Terra himself!

His power was immense. So immense, in fact, that despite being a Knight, he could tread into the Mysterious domain of Wizards and conceal his true name. As a result, even though he was a newly ascended Demigod, no one remembered his true name. They only knew him as the Emperor of the Terra Empire.

Yet, the more powerful the Emperor was, the greater the impact of his fall would be on the Terra Empire.

"Rise," the Emperor said with a smile, his hands still clasped behind his back as he gazed out the window. "There is no need to be so worried. Let events run their course. Trust in yourselves, and trust in the Empire."

At his words, they hesitantly rose from the ground, their eyes still filled with worry as they looked upon the Emperor.

Clearly, a few words were not enough to dispel their anxieties.

The Emperor didn’t turn to look at them, but he understood their thoughts. He gave a helpless smile, then turned around, his gaze calm as it fell upon the Eldest Prince and Princess Philo.

"I am not merely comforting you. The Empire will not cease to function without me. Perhaps my own Sense of Presence has been so strong that you have forgotten... it is true that only a nation with a Demigod can be called an Empire. But the Empire existed long before I did."

"But—" The Eldest Prince and Philo, however, showed no trace of joy at their father’s counsel. Instead, their faces filled with sorrow, because this man standing before them was their father.

In a world like this, where ultimate power resides within the individual, the relationships between most kings and their children were quite harmonious. There was a very clear standard for who could take the throne: strength.

Forcing someone without sufficient strength onto the throne would only lead to a swifter death.

So their relationships were actually quite good. This was especially true for Philo, whose eyes were thick with sorrow.

Rumors circulated that her relationship with the Emperor was strained, but that was just a smokescreen they had created. After all, if their relationship were truly poor, why would the Emperor have given her an Emperor’s Decree?

But it was precisely the Emperor’s Decree that filled Philo with even greater guilt. No matter how one looked at the situation, the Emperor’s impending death seemed to be inextricably linked to her.

If the Emperor truly fell to the siege led by the Master of Billions of Flesh, she, Philo, would deserve "top honors" for her role in causing it.

It couldn’t be helped. The Emperor’s Decree was convenient, but it created far too much of a stir. Once used, the other party immediately knew who was behind it. Everything in this world has a price, and now it was time to pay the debt.

Moreover, the Master of Billions of Flesh might not only rally the Outer Gods who had used the Emperor’s Decree to weather the backlash. Other Outer Gods—ones who hadn’t used the decree, or had never even dealt with her, but had dealt with other Mad Witches, like a certain one named Solomon—would likely join in as well.

The reasoning was simple. Normal Mad Witch rituals were protected by the Gate of Legends. A Mad Witch’s personal information was typically difficult for Outer Gods and their subordinate Churches to obtain.

But that protection was limited to the two parties involved in the trade.

Those Outer Gods who had been cheated by Isaac couldn’t track, or even perceive, any information about him. Philo’s information, however, was not protected in the same way. If the Outer Gods learned of this, they would very likely join the Master of Billions of Flesh in besieging the Emperor!

’If we can’t get Isaac, we’ll get you instead!’

You could say that her current regret was directly proportional to how gratifying it had been to use Emperor Philo’s Decree back then.

Unfortunately, there were no second chances in this world. By the time she realized the cost of the Emperor’s Decree, it was far too late.

"Enough. You are my proudest son and daughter. How can you wear such expressions?" The Emperor looked to the Eldest Prince and admonished him. "Though you have completely fused with the [Boundless], you must not slacken in your Cultivation. You and Caesar will have your battle sooner or later. No one can prevent it."

As he said this, the Emperor glanced at Mensa and the others. Their expressions grew solemn, and they nodded, putting aside any ulterior thoughts they might have harbored.

"Yes, Father. I will not disappoint you!" the Eldest Prince affirmed with a serious nod.

The Emperor said nothing, merely shaking his head. ’If his only motivation is not to disappoint me, he’ll likely be no match for Caesar. After all, that boy managed to reach Tier Three first despite his lack of resources, even after having his Authority stripped away.’

He could strip Caesar of his Authority, but not his innate talent.

A shame his fated death had left him so little time. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been forced down this extreme path, needlessly planting a hidden danger within the Empire.

’I’m not some incompetent Emperor with no tolerance for others!’

A shame...

Having addressed the Eldest Prince, the Emperor’s gaze fell upon Philo, who was mired in self-reproach. He sighed internally.

’If there’s anyone I’ve wronged, it’s my eldest daughter...’

"You need not blame yourself. I foresaw my fated death long before you were born. I was the one who arranged for you to become a Mad Witch. I anticipated this day’s situation long ago; it is the result of my own choices. Philo, you must remember, the most terrifying thing in this world is always the unknown. So, compared to a completely unknown fated death, this future—being besieged and killed by Outer Gods—is one I at least have the power to fight back against!"

As he spoke, the Emperor reached out and stroked Philo’s head.

"Could it be... you...?!" Philo looked up at the Emperor in surprise, then gave a self-deprecating laugh. "Of course. How could a truly powerful individual ever willingly bow to fate? ’Compared to someone truly powerful, I still have so far to go...’"

Seeing Philo fall into her brooding melancholy again, a flash of helplessness crossed the Emperor’s eyes. This, perhaps, was the one thing he could not yet let go of.

’To be born in the same era and kingdom as a Mad Witch like Isaac... is undoubtedly a tragedy.’

"Take your time. There’s no need to be anxious. And remember, if I do not survive this fated death, you are to abandon the path of the Mad Witch completely. As you are now, you are no longer suited for it."

He knew these words would be a further blow to Philo, but the Emperor said them anyway. They were harsh, but they were the truth.

This series of events had completely shattered Philo’s morale. In her current state, if she tried to bargain with those old foxes, the Outer Gods, she would be devoured with not even a scrap left behind.

Besides, with the foundation she had now, she already possessed the potential to become a Demigod. There was no need for her to continue risking her life.

"Yes, Father."

Just as the Emperor had predicted, Philo showed not a hint of reluctance at this arrangement, instead nodding as if it were only natural.

Mensa took in the scene and sighed inwardly. ’What a pity. In the end, time was not on our side. Under my guidance, Philo was so close to escaping Isaac’s influence and becoming a true Mad Witch. A shame...’

"Well, I have said all that needs to be said. I am going to prepare for battle. You should all do what you must. Rest assured, if I die, the Empire will certainly fall into chaos for a time, but it will not fall. Have a little more faith in the Empire."

With that, a breeze once again stirred abruptly in the inner chamber, and the Emperor’s figure vanished without a trace.