Chapter 222

Chapter 222

[Ah, the Great Ivant’s…]

“I thought I told you to read the room a little.”

The emperor cut off the Pope’s greeting. The Pope also seemed to have noticed that there was something wrong.

[Yes. But I don’t know why you’re asking us for the location of the saintess. It wasn’t us that kidnapped her.]

“Whew, you’ve grown courageous since the last time.”

Ridrian frowned. The Pope’s casual tone during this hour of despair seemed to have touched his nerve. His hand was shaking from trying not to destroy the orb.

[… I do have some guesses as to where the demon’s base is.]

“Where is that?”

Ridrian’s mood changed instantly. Even the Pope was startled.

[Ma….]

“Ma?”

[Magalia Mountain. Three thousand years ago, the place where the last dragon put its nest, I hear that’s where the demon’s base is located.]

Magalia was located at the west end of the continent. It was almost the opposite direction of Lucretia, which was located southeastern of the Empire.

“Is that true?”

Ridrian showed suspicion. He was right to be suspicious.

‘He teleported from Lorkdie to Magalia that fast?’

[Of course. It was a secret that we were barely able to find. The demons are our arch nemesis. We need to find them and destroy them.]

Ridrian stayed silent for a moment. Then he scoffed.

“You know the person who wrote that letter was the Pope from a few generations ago, yet you keep talking.”

[Hm, I know I can’t say much about that, but that’s why we’re trying our best to assist the saintess.]

The Pope answered seriously, but Ridrian wasn’t listening. There was nothing holding him back now that he knew where she was. He threw the orb at Dylan and put his cape on.

“Send all the crusaders there and kill all the demons. If there’s a single scratch on Iona, I’ll make sure you’ll pay for it even if she tries to stop me.”

[….]

The Pope remained silent, realizing that Ridrian was someone who would uphold his promises. This integrity was a key factor in Ridrian attaining his position. The Pope felt a wave of unease as he recognized that Ridrian’s threat was not to be taken lightly, causing a cold sweat to form on his brow.

[I’ll keep that in mind.]

As the Pope disappeared from the orb, Raven called Ridrian quickly.

“Your Majesty?”

“I’ll go ahead first. Take care of the rest.”

“Your Majesty!”

Raven stepped in front of Ridrian. There was anger and annoyance in front of Ridrian.

“I thought I warned you. You think I’ll go easy on you?”

“I know. But please leave it to the knights and crusaders. You are an Emperor of a great empire.”

Ridrian scoffed even at Raven’s plea.

“I think you’re mistaking something.”

He stood looking down at Raven.

“The reason why I became an emperor was to pay off my guilt to Lily. And now the Ivant is at a place where I wanted it to be. It would run fine without me.”

“But…!”

Contrary to the previous situation, the Empire still required a charismatic Emperor to lead. Chancellor Ivan possessed great talent, but charisma was not his strong suit, and Raven was not deemed suitable for the role of Emperor.

Ridrian, with a gentle smile on his face, declared, “I am now embracing the future. With my guilt towards your Empire resolved, the Empire without Iona holds no significance for me.”

Raven found himself unable to utter a word. The despair-ridden berserker had transformed into a man who had discovered the capacity for love.

‘He won’t listen. I don’t know if this is the best for him.’

He had no choice but to believe in Ridrian’s strength. The emperor in front of him was so strong that it didn’t seem like he was human.

“… I’ll contact Heneven. The magical circle closest to Magalia Mountain is there.”

“Prepare as quickly as possible.”

“Yes, sir.”

Heneven was the furthest west of the old Alto Kingdom. It would take three days on a horse from there to Magalia. But it would take less if Ridrian ran himself.

“Ivan.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“If my return is delayed, you take care of my work.”

“Pardon?”

Chancellor Ivan’s eyes widened at the sudden declaration of his candidacy as an emperor.

‘He wants me to run this giant Empire?’

The emperor’s insane speed of work wasn’t something Ivan could do. He wouldn’t have time to play with his wife at this point and work forever. Ivan shook his head.

“There’s no need! I, I politely refuse. You will bring back Iona safely! For sure!”

Ridrian chuckled at Ivan’s plea.

As he went towards the cottage with a magic circle, everyone in the room followed him. It was that moment. A soldier ran in quickly for a report.

“Urgent report! There are demons in Vanmon!”

Everyone stopped.

“Demons?”

Ridrian looked annoyed. Demons weren’t a problem for him, but for others, they were critical. ‘How annoying. But if I just leave like this, Iona will nag me.’

Dylan stepped up.

“Go ahead.”

Dylan withdrew his sword.

“I’ll take care of the demons. Please focus on saving the saintess.”

Ridrian stared sternly at Dylan. He hated the crusader for not being able to protect Iona twice, but his skill was the best in the group.

“And please take care of Young Lady Deron as well.”

“We’re also here, Your Majesty!”

The knights of Ivant also shouted.

“We haven’t fought, so we’re full of energy! Please let us fight!”

“We’ll protect the people here. Please save the saintess!”

“Please take good care of the saintess!”

Ridrian was in awe at the knights. They couldn’t say a word normally, but now they’re asking him to save Iona.

But as he realized that this was the respect Iona earned with her own power, he became soft.

‘Honestly, everything is a surprise since loving you.’

He carefully touched the doll he was carrying. He wanted to see her as soon as possible.

“Then I’ll leave it to you.”

Ridrian, for the first time in his life, trusted someone else to take care of something.

‘I’m coming, Iona.’

***