Chapter 316: 166. A Minor Preparation (Part Two)

Translated by A Passing Wanderer

Edited by RED

**

Ragnarok.

That was the name given to the event known as the ‘Twilight of the Gods’, found in the Northern European myths.

The legend said that when the end of the world began, the gods tried their best to stop its advent. They struggled so hard, yet in the end, their world still fell, heralding the dawn of a brand new era.

That’s why I came up with that title, with that legend as the basis.

However, there was one crucial difference from that story to ours. This was a different world. A world not populated by the gods, but mere mortals.

“Everyone below the rank of Marquis, vacate the audience chamber immediately. However, all Archbishops and Cardinals, you shall remain.”

I issued a command, and the nobles hurriedly obeyed. The Paladins also started moving as well, leaving the audience chamber in an orderly fashion.

Once they were all gone, I then revealed the advent of the end of the world to the highest-ranked nobles of this empire. They froze up stiff where they stood after listening to my explanation.

“Your Majesty, is this really true?!”

They stared at the members of the Frants Royal Family with distrusting eyes, but their suspicions didn’t last for long. The Holy Emperor suddenly vacating the throne, then temporarily handing the position of the Holy Emperor to his successor, were ample enough proof for them.

“Leak only the littlest information to the other, lower-ranked nobles. Your aim is to eliminate the voices of dissent as much as possible,” I ordered.

I had already brought up Ragnarok before everyone. The lesser nobles would surely fail to understand the meaning behind that term, and seek to find the answers from the high-ranking nobles.

They would be wanting to know just what was going on here.

But if they learned the truth, a major commotion would surely break out. That’s why we needed to hide the truth as much as possible while leaking only the bare-minimum necessary information to restrict the potential unrest.

I continued on, “Summon all the nobles of the empire.”

Gods existed in this world, but it didn’t take a genius to figure out that they would never get directly involved.

“Send a secret communique to other nations. Warn them of the major crisis about to hit them, and to get ready for it.”

We lacked enough power to stop the giants right now.

“And announce this to the rest of the continent. We shall be summoning any and every skilled Priest and Alchemist, as well as those possessing a variety of talents. Announce that we shall not hold back on our support to these people.”

As such, we simply had no choice but to reinforce our combat strength.

“Charlotte.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“My ten thousand troops plan, we shall restart it right away. Prepare enough holy water, plus the wonder drug, as well.”

Charlotte, having noticed that the atmosphere had gotten very heavy, bowed her head deeply. “As you command, sire.”

“Another thing. I bestow the rank of Marquis to Hans Jerurami.”

Charlotte flinched a little, and raised her head to look back at me.

The nobles were also starting to say something, but I simply grasped the warhammer’s handle with both hands, before slamming its large head on the floor.

I injected my divinity at the same time it landed, causing a deluge of sparks to flood out.

‘So, this is the lightning bolt…’

The floor cracked from the impact, and the arcs of electricity coursed throughout the audience chamber, rumbling loudly.

The nobles staggered unsteadily before stumbling back.

“The end of the world is coming for us. I implore all of you not to be blinded by the idea of petty little benefits. If not…” I held my head high and glared straight down at the gathered nobles, “…do you have a problem with me?”

They obediently lowered their heads.

Sure, I had just made a former commoner into a Marquis. Opposition to this move would surely be quite vocal. However, I needed Hans’s strength if we were to successfully repel the invading giants. No, let me be clear, it wouldn’t just be Hans alone, but Charlotte and Alice, too.

Not only that, Luan and White, and even Shuppel would prove to be a major help later down the line.

Even if I had to become unreasonable and forcibly make it happen, we simply had to reinforce our troops. Our neighbouring nations would vocally oppose this, and our citizens would grow worried about the military build-up.

Even then, I wasn’t planning to back down.

…Even if this was the path of a tyrant, I must…

I sucked in a deep breath and declared loudly, “We shall not stop at nothing and will try every method at our disposal. But if anyone wishes to oppose or obstruct our decision, then tell them to come and directly address me. If it’s for the sake of the Theocratic Empire and they manage to convince me, then I shall react favourably to them. But if not, if their voice of dissent comes from their obsession over their petty benefits, then…” I made myself loud and clear to all the nobles present, “You shall not escape severe punishment!”

**

(TL: In 3rd person POV.)

‘The air about him has completely changed.’

That was the thought currently filling the heads of Seran and the twins.

The overriding impression they got from their initial meeting with Holy King Allen Olfolse after such a lengthy absence was pretty much ‘ordinary personified’. The vibe he gave off was similar to a commoner you could easily find in a city’s avenues.

Not a shred of the refinement, grace, or dignity befitting a member of the Imperial Family could be felt from him.

But now, everything about him had changed. Every step he took carried this indescribable weight. After he settled down on the throne, he displayed a level of charisma so powerful that he even managed to arrest and keep the attention of all the high-ranking nobles.

The meeting came to an end, and the nobles retreated from the audience chamber. Even Charlotte left Allen’s side.

Seran couldn’t even hide her stunned expression while staring at Allen sitting on the throne. But before she could say something, her eyes caught the sight of him holding his forehead and sighing deeply.

“Man, I’m tired.”

“…”

She smiled wryly at this sight. It seemed that he was pushing himself.

But then again… He was now filling the position of the Holy Emperor. Not only that, he had even witnessed the beginning of the end of the world, and his own future self standing as the spearhead to stop the world’s impending destruction. His reaction now seemed wholly understandable.

It was the same thing as him suddenly needing to answer the call of protecting the many kingdoms found on this continent and the countless lives living in those nations.

“I apologise for burdening you like this, Your Royal Majesty the Holy King.”

Seran observed the correct decorum when addressing Allen. She held the corners of her dress delicately and elegantly bowed her head.

But Allen simply waved his hand at her display of etiquette befitting the esteemed daughter of a noble family. “Please don’t, sister. I’m already feeling tired as is. At the very least, speak to me as you would normally, please.”

“But Your Royal Majesty…”

Now that his ascension to the Holy Emperor’s throne had been all but verbally confirmed, she had to observe the correct etiquette. Most importantly, though, the impression he gave off now was too deeply engraved in her psyche to treat him the same as before. He really looked like the sole ray of hope that could stop the end of the world.

“I beg of you, sister. Please don’t.”

“…Alright, got it. When we are in a private setting, at least.” Seran smiled faintly back at him.

Allen massaged his forehead roughly before taking another glance at her. “Oh, and sister.”

“Mm?”

“I’m sorry about this, but judging from the flow of the events, I don’t think I can deal with the incident with the Farmer. I’ll only get busier from now on, so when looking at the severity of that situation, it…”

Seran resolutely shook her head. “Sorry, but I can’t yield on that one.”

Allen furrowed his brow at that.

She quickly waved her hands in a fluster. “Ah, wait. Don’t misunderstand me. I’m not saying this because of some petty emotions or anything like that. I told you, didn’t I? The Farmer incident is just an excuse. When I saw the Farmer, I also saw the future of the world. The only reason why I could see those two visions at the same time must’ve been because the Farmer incident is somehow related to the end of the world.”

“Which means…?”

“The end of the world is connected to this vampire called the Farmer. If that’s not it, then there’s some other connecting thread between the two.”

The thread of fate extended back from the end of the world to either the Farmer, or one of the humans that the creature had abducted. That’s what Seran wanted to emphasize.

“We may find a hint there on how to stop the end of the world. That’s why I believe my Divine Aura had activated in that manner.”

“…I see.”

There was no more reason to hesitate, in that case.

If there really was a connection between this incident and the advent of the world’s destruction, then he definitely couldn’t afford to waste time anymore.

Allen addressed Seran, “I shall summon the Order of the Crimson Cross.”

However, they weren’t going to be your regular Crimson Cross members, because every single one of them had been tattooed with the Aztal Runes.

“They shall directly ferret out all the demon worshippers.”

Fin.