The disturbance in the capital subsided. It was thanks to the timely appearance of the emperor, who was said to have been in seclusion due to poor health. The mere presence of the emperor, the father of all people, was sufficient to immediately vanquish the confusion in the imperial castle and the capital. The fleeing nobles and officials immediately returned and prostrated before the emperor, and the royal guards were reassigned from protecting the imperial family to stabilizing the security of the capital. There were quite a few nobles who chose not to return for fear of the emperor’s wrath, but no one paid much attention to them. Anyway, the cowardly deserters would soon face their demise along with their families. Once that happened, what would happen to the power and wealth they held? It would obviously be handed to those who kept their places and those who quickly returned to lay down before the emperor. In other words, the return of the emperor didn’t simply signify the calming of the chaos. Rather, it provided new opportunities to nobles seeking to go higher up the chain.

“Sirs, focus on stabilizing the capital as soon as possible.”

“Send messengers to the cities and villages under the empire’s direct control. Inform them that I will punish anyone who dares to act rashly.”

“Summon the commanders of all the legions to the imperial castle.”

“Send a messenger to the third prince. Tell him to disband his army immediately and report to me. I will not hold him accountable for anything he has done until now, nor will I question him for it. The escort of the third prince will be left to the soldiers of Maren’s King.”

The emperor’s commands were timely and impactful, but his last command was especially shocking. If nothing else, the nobles and officials of the imperial castle now knew that the third prince would become the new crown prince. However, the emperor was leaving the escort of the future crown prince to the forces of a foreign monarch rather than the royal guards. This could only represent one thing—the emperor held Maren in the highest regard.

More specifically, he wasn’t simply holding Maren in the highest regard. His command signified that he trusted the King of Maren more than any of the nobles in the empire and even more than the empire’s own army. As such, it was an understatement to say that the nobles and officials were shocked. In addition, their pride was hurt as well.

However, no one dared to go against the emperor’s command. Although none of them had personally seen the fate of those who led soldiers and the holy artifacts in protest against the Marecasio, they still knew what happened. Marecasio Caravan was daunting enough, and it was essentially suicide to confront the King of Maren. After all, he had thoroughly dominated Marecasion Caravan and even destroyed the holy artifacts. In addition, there was a rumor that the King of Maren had ‘rescued’ the emperor, although the truth of the matter wasn’t quite clear just yet.

No one was crazy enough to attempt to berate or undermine the emperor’s benefactor in his presence. As such, the imperial castle of the Roman Empire once again resumed its normal functions thanks to the emperor’s presence and the King of Maren behind him.

Several days later, Prince Localope finally arrived at the imperial castle.

***

It became clear that Prince Localope had been in a rush to the capital. His armor and clothes were caked with dust, his complexion was rather poor, and his beard was scraggly after being left alone for several days. He looked closer to a wandering knight rather than a prince of a glorious bloodline.

However, his rough appearance emphasized his dignity.

Thud, thud, thud…

Prince Localope proudly strode through the great hall. Galfredik, Princess Lilisain, Romari, the elven warriors, and the beowulf warriors followed behind him. Their appearances weren’t very different from Prince Localope's. In fact, they looked so dirty and rough that it was questionable if they should even stand in front of the emperor. However, the officials and the nobles greeted Localope’s party with loud cheers. The emperor had already declared that Localope would be established as the new crown prince and that he would be enthroned as the new emperor in a few months.

The old generation was over. From now on, what would unfold would be the era of the young lion, the new leader of the great empire.

***

“Fool.”

The emperor was rather composed. He had already completely driven out the drugs from his body with the help of Zescard and Lefersha, and he had also recovered to an extent. His current appearance was rather contrasting with the charismatic appearance of the empire’s absolute ruler, who had shown his dignity and glory in front of the empire’s nobles. Voltaire was similarly surprised. He had only ever known and remembered the authoritative, stern emperor.

“Your Majesty…”

Voltaire struggled to raise his head. He had been waiting on one knee for his disposition.

“Did you want immortality? Did you truly think you could lead the empire alone for a thousand years? You stupid, foolish child,” the emperor chided.

“…”

“However…”

Voltaire remained silent while biting his lips. However, what was contained in the eyes of the emperor as he stared at his unfilial child was sadness instead of anger.

The emperor continued. “Even that foolishness could be said to be my fault. And that foolishness… is the evidence that you take after myself—that you are my son.”

“…!”

Voltaire cringed visibly when he heard his father referring to himself as ‘myself.’ The emperor continued while staring at Voltaire with a complex expression, “I once floundered after falling into the same temptation as well. I longed… for immortality. I was filled with yearning and envy for the Marecasio.”

Voltaire’s eyes quivered at the emperor’s—or rather—his father’s confession.

The emperor continued. “They were the biggest helpers to me and the empire, but at the same time, they were the most serious threats. Yes… they were a necessary evil.”

“…”

“As you may well know, there are no true means to control the Tribe of Darkness. It started the moment our founding fathers made a covenant with them along with the Holy Empire. Instead of driving away the Dark Clan, they embraced the Dark Clan and attempted to keep their powerful mysteries and authorities fenced within the empire’s borders. Perhaps that was the best they could do at the time. I’m sure that our founder wasn’t adamant on disregarding the safety of the empire and pushing it back into despair and darkness immediately after procuring it through hard work.”

“…”

“However, that was a mistake. It was a choice that should have never been made. It was a foolish act akin to shoving a protruding tumor back into one’s body. It had to be removed, even if the flesh were ripped and we were to bleed, even if we would be in danger.”

“Y-Your Majesty…”

“You and I fell into the temptation and the delusions of the Marecasio. The same was true of our predecessors. The Tribe of Darkness, the tumor known as the Marecasio continued to grow in the heart of the empire because of our fear—our yearning. And this is the result. The imperial family has brought itself to ruin. No, it brought a disaster on the empire.”

“Keugh…”

Voltaire bit his lips. The emperor was speaking in a calm tone of voice, but his words were sharp and accurate.

“Do you know why I unburdened you from your position as the crown prince?” asked the emperor.

Voltaire raised his head once again. Why was the emperor asking an obvious question? Wasn’t it because he had committed an unforgivable crime? Was it not because he had placed the empire in danger, despite his status as the crown prince?

“It is because you can never escape from the illusion of the Marecasio. And… the same goes for myself as well,” the emperor continued.

“…?!”

“The cozy relationship between the Marecasio and us concluded long ago. However, my royal self and you… To be precise, none of our ancestors realized that. Perhaps they knew it but chose to feign ignorance. A honeymoon of hundreds of years… It simply doesn’t make sense,” said the emperor.

“...”

“The two of us can never admit that the honeymoon is over, as we were already captives of delusion. We cannot ever dream of breaking the chain of delusion with our own hands. However, Localope is different. Localope is the only one who can break the chain of darkness. Do you know why?” the emperor asked once more.

He calmly peered down at Voltaire, who was staring up at him with trembling eyes. The emperor continued bitterly. “It is because only Localope has seen and experienced the real darkness, the true monarch of the darkness by his side.”

“…!”

“The clan masters? The Marecasio? They are not the true darkness. Loaclope has seen and experienced the true vampire—the only vampire lord,” he continued.

Jan Eugene Batla. The thought of the man alone caused Voltaire to become stiff and distraught.

“We saw the fake darkness and attempted to peer into it. And that is why we fell into temptation without knowing its true horrors. However, Localope is different. He knows exactly how dangerous it is. That is why he will never step into the darkness, and that is why I am planning to leave this empire to Localope. So, Voltaire—no, my son.”

“…!” Voltaire trembled. He couldn’t remember the last time the emperor had referred to him as such.

“Wouldn’t it be right for us to take our leave as relics of the old times?” said the emperor.

“Father…”

Voltaire’s head dropped. At last, he finally came to a realization. The empire would soon become engulfed in a new storm. There would be war—a war with the vampires…

Voltaire knew that he could not stand at the vanguard and the same was true for the emperor. Those whom the vampires once held captive could not and should not stand at the vanguard.

***

“…”

Galfredik, Romari, and Princess Lilisain were stupefied. Silence descended on them after Eugene was done with his story. It was a rather unexpected sight, considering the personality of the three people, but Eugene’s story had truly been shocking.

He was a dragon from the Demon World, and jokes aside, he really had been the Demon King. Everything he had achieved and experienced until now had simply been ‘enjoyment’ for him.

The three people didn’t know what to say, and Eugene stared at them in silence. He had already expected such a response. He had even thought of leaving without meeting them, and he would have done that if the past him were to make the decision. If he had been the same existence who had just stepped onto this world, or if he had been the same as when he made his promise with Zescard, he would have left without saying anything. After all, what did it matter if he had a vassal with a ferocious face when he didn’t really care about his only child? What did it matter to him that he had met and journeyed together with a wizard who resembled a raccoon? Just what exactly was so special about a peculiar, or rather, an annoying elven princess, regardless of whether she had given him her blood or not? After all, he was a dragon. Similar to the many things he had experienced and many beings he had encountered in his long life, he would have disregarded them as equally insignificant as the others and left without saying anything. However, the opportunity presented to him by the Beholder wasn’t just simple entertainment.

“For me, the time I spent with you is nothing more than a short moment,” Eugene said.

The three turned their gazes toward him, and he met their eyes one by one. There were many different emotions contained within their eyes.

Eugene then continued. “I have lived a long life. I have been a dragon for more than a thousand years. It is perhaps true that nothing is special to me.”

Romari nodded while biting her lips, Galfredik was deep in thought with a stiff look, and Princess Romari stared at Eugene with quivering eyes.

“However, this was the first time I felt emotions,” Eugene added.

“…!”

“Although it was very weak and faint, I definitely had feelings for all of you. Although it was but an instant, the time I spent with you all was more special than anything else. That is why I thought you deserved to know the truth.”

“The time we spent—did you enjoy it?” Princess Lilisain asked. Her voice sounded different from usual.

Eugene nodded. “It was fun.”

“Then!” she exclaimed.

Romari and Galfredik’s eyes widened. It was the first time they saw her react so vigorously. However, Princess Lilisain disregarded the two people and continued with tears in her eyes. “Then, was it not just simple entertainment? Were we really nothing more than Your Majesty’s playthings?”

Princess Lilisain knew…

Pure-blooded elves lived much longer lives than humans and even other elves. Wasn’t that why she had always been cautious about entering a relationship with others? Wasn’t that why she had given her heart to Eugene—to the dragon in front of her?

“Please tell us. Were we really nothing more than your—”

“Joy, happiness, anger, sadness, frustration. Hope,” Eugene said.

“…!”

“They were the fiercest and most affectionate days of my long life. And all of you were in those days. All of you are…”

Eugene stared at them one by one. He then smiled and said, “All of you were my people.”

The immortal finally made an acknowledgment after realizing his feelings, and it caused a great stir in the hearts of the three. A faint smile appeared on Princess Lilisain’s lips.

Indeed…

Perhaps she had been wanting to hear such words from him.

Indeed…

That was enough for now.

***

Three months later, the empire patched up its wounds under the leadership of the emperor. The benefits and faults were evident in the previous political system, so the power balance of the empire was corrected. The power of the central rule was disbursed, and local administrators were given greater authority and duties. Cities outside the empire’s direct jurisdiction were given perfect autonomy, and above all, greater freedom was granted to the other races. It was worthy of note that a separate territory was granted to the Tribe of Darkness. They were given a large piece of land located between the Roman Empire and the Holy Empire, and one of the clan masters was appointed as the king. A kingdom of vampires had finally been erected.

Many people considered it a natural course of action. The Dark Clan played the greatest role in helping Localope become the crown prince and the emperor. It was somewhat strange that one of the clan masters had ascended to the throne rather than Jan Eugene Batla, but everyone still agreed with the empire’s decision.

However, a handful of wise men shuddered when they realized the hidden significance of the change. Vampires were inside a large fence known as the Roman Empire up until now. As such, they had shown obedience and had never bared their fangs. But now, the beasts had gathered together into a kingdom. Everyone would congratulate them and join in the celebrations, attempting to establish good relations with them, but it would soon become evident that the extremely dangerous beasts had formed a large organization in the shape of a kingdom. Perhaps the beasts would realize their power before anyone else, and perhaps they would fight amongst themselves.

It wasn’t particularly difficult for those wise men to infer the different outcomes of the current change. Among the few was the young Emperor Localope I, who had finally ascended the throne.

Great chaos and war—an era of disorder was imminent, threatening the short, sweet time of peace, and the very few wise men were beginning to make their preparations. In the meantime, the name of the person responsible for starting the tide was slowly forgotten. He had stopped making any appearances after relinquishing all of his positions. No one had any idea that the one responsible for creating the turbulent era was about to bring change elsewhere.

***

“Are you ready?” Zescard asked.

Eugene responded, “What’s there to prepare? I’m fine as I am.”

“I’m coming as well!” Mirian shouted.

“Right. You’re the only thing I need to take,” Eugene said.

“Kieeeehhhh!”

The spirit grinned, then popped into her leather pocket. It was now a place of rest more familiar and comfortable than even the golden castle she often talked about.

The eyes of the Beholder turned to his brother from another world. His brother had recovered his powers to some extent, and he was still the same brother as when they first met.

He wasn’t a dragon, but a vampire lord, a member of the Dark Clan.

Wooong! Wooong! Wooong!

The Beholder stared at the passage, which swirled violently while emitting a strange sound.

“What are you going to do when you get there?” asked the Beholder.

“I wonder. Perhaps as usual, whatever I want to do?” Eugene answered.

“It was a silly question. You had always been like this, brother,” Zescard commented.

“Right. I had always been like this. Then…” Eugene grinned before turning around. Zescard watched as Eugene strode toward the passage without hesitation.

However, just before Eugene could enter the corridor, he called out to him. “If you plan to live as a dragon in that world, you’d better stay quiet for a while.”

Eugene stopped right in front of the passage. Soon, he answered in a low voice with his back still turned to Zescard, “No, I have no plans to live as a dragon there. I’m tired of it.”

“Hmm? Then?”

Eugene turned his head slightly, then smiled to reveal his beautiful red eyes and fangs.

“Living as a vampire lord had been more enjoyable than I thought. I plan to learn more things in that world—especially on how to live as a vampire lord.”

Eugene stepped into the new world, not as a dragon, but as a vampire.