He Became The Most Insane Emperor Of All Time [EN]: Chapter 105

“Great Warlord, another new tribe has joined our cause.”

“Good. Things are progressing smoothly.”

The one called Great Warlord, though more commonly known by the derogatory term ‘Barbarian Warlord,’ paused, lost in thought as he listened to his subordinate’s report.

“Any news about the Archduke?”

“None. Fortunately, it seems he hasn’t awakened yet.”

“Yes… that’s fortunate.”

He said it was fortunate, but his expression didn’t reflect it.

He hadn’t intended to defeat Hector with a mere surprise attack.

Rather, he had been hoping for a true showdown.

He didn’t want their rivalry, a shared destiny forged in the North, to end in such an anticlimactic way.

“…But he has crossed the point of no return. What are the demons doing?”

“They are leading their followers to continue searching for relics.”

“Tch, I didn’t expect much, but they were never truly interested in the North anyway.”

Moreover, he disliked how the warriors of the North were abandoning the Kalibal faith and beginning to worship the dark gods of the demons.

But without an alliance with the demons, there would be no opportunities left.

An opportunity to voice the concerns of the North, a region neglected by civilization, plundered by demons and other races, and discriminated against even after embracing civilization.

For that cause, he had risen up, even if it meant allying with detestable traitors.

Because someone had to speak out.

“Great Warlord, there are still many who hesitate to join us. No… rather than hesitate…”

“They’re siding with the Frostwing Tribe’s Queen, aren’t they? This is troublesome.”

Many tribes had joined the rebellion, but conversely, some remained neutral.

More accurately, rather than neutral, they were coalescing into a third force.

Under Hildegard, the Queen of the Frostwing Tribe.

She wasn’t cooperating with either the loyalists or the rebels, and that alone was hindering the absorption of tribesmen.

“What shall we do?”

“We’ve given enough warnings, so we have no choice but to use force. Send troops, but send demon troops rather than our own.”

“Understood, Great Warlord.”

Having made the decision, Harthgar’s mood turned bitter once more.

Hildegard, like the Archduke, had once been a comrade who envisioned a shared future for the North.

It was disheartening to be hostile to her now.

“Great Warlord!”

“What’s the matter? Why are you making such a fuss?”

“It’s a disaster! The loyalists are quickly gathering tribes!”

“What? How?”

“Well… they’re challenging the tribes’ trials and subjugating them with terrifying momentum…”

It seemed that his worries weren’t limited to the Frostwing Queen.

* * *

Krrrr!

An icy gorge where one could usually appreciate the stark beauty even in the bitter cold.

But now, it was a scene of terror, with massive glaciers collapsing due to artificially induced avalanches.

“Ha, this trial is something else!”

Zzzzzzz-

Why am I in such a place?

Why else? It’s work.

Kaga Gaga gak!

The Holy Sword, imbued with Aura, made a bizarre sound as it cleaved a glacier in half.

Kugung!

As the halved glacier crashed into both sides of the canyon with a deafening roar-

“Kalibaaaaaaaaal!”

A group of barbarian warriors jumped from above the canyon.

All of them wielded large warhammers engraved with runes.

Kwagwagwagwagwang!

They struck down with their hammers in unison.

I avoided the attack aimed at me, but the hammers struck the ground with tremendous force.

The ground buckled and shook, causing a powerful earthquake.

“Give up now, Black Knight King. The problems of the Northerners will only be solved by Northerners.”

“You’re going to let the traitorous factions allied with the demons devour you? I can’t allow that to happen.”

Chuck.

“And is there a need for words? Obey the logic of the strong. Isn’t that your way?”

“Ha! You know it well! Then let’s begin again! Rockskin Tribe! Let’s go!”

“Kalibaaaaaaaaal!”

They charged once more.

I didn’t back down and met their charge head-on.

Hwararararak-

“You’re not used to the cold, are you? I hope you can withstand the heat as well.”

Chwaak!

“Keuk!”

Blue and red flames intertwined.

Those struck by the sword were now covered in inextinguishable flames.

No matter how strong one is, it’s difficult to fight with fire consuming their body.

“Uooooooo!”

But they fought fiercely, even as the flames threatened to overwhelm them.

Each individual was indeed a warrior worthy of being called a match for a hundred men.

However.

Tteok.

“Now only you are left.”

“Hoo, Hoo… that’s right.”

They weren’t strong enough to be my opponent.

High-speed movement, weakness identification, nerve acceleration, shadow blade.

I could deal with them using only those techniques. There was no need to exert my full power with abilities like Imperial Soul or Divine Magic.

No matter how strong they were, it was only natural that I would prevail, having become unbelievably strong through countless battles.

Ttak-

Hwarararak-

The wounds of those who had fainted from the flames were now being healed by those same flames.

The flames of purification possessed a dual nature: they could burn anything away, but also heal.

“You don’t have to worry about your subordinates.”

“Thank you… but I won’t surrender because of that.”

“Of course, I know. So let’s settle this.”

Cheok cheok-

I pointed the Holy Sword at the chieftain, and he raised his warhammer once more.

“Kalibaaaaal!”

“For the Empire!”

He and I exchanged attacks and crossed paths.

Kaang!

The black helmet was struck by his hammer and sent flying.

As the helmet came off, revealing silver hair, I turned around without a scratch.

He slumped to the ground.

“I lost. You are strong.”

“I am strong. But now the Empire is also strong.”

Strong enough to take care of you.

There will be no more discrimination and neglect of the Imperials.

Never, under my rule, will that happen.

“Hoo, Hehe… I hope so.”

Despite his chest wound, the old chieftain rose and walked towards me.

Red blood stained the white snow, but it seemed insignificant to the strong barbarian warrior.

“The Rockskin Tribe will fight for the Empire according to your will. This hammer is the proof.”

He swore allegiance by offering his warhammer.

“I accept that oath.”

I picked up the hammer.

Then lightning struck from the sky and swirled around the hammer.

“T, This can’t be…!”

The tribesmen who were watching the trial and duel were astonished by the miracle.

[A miracle has occurred in response to divinity.]

[The Holy Artifact Thunderfury has been created.]

[Those who have witnessed your miracles and achievements become ‘followers’.]

[Divinity increases further.]

That’s how I subjugated another tribe.

* * *

“That’s seven places for you, right?”

“I have five.”

“Twelve places combined. If things are going smoothly, they’re going very smoothly.”

Not only me, but Igrid was also visiting various tribes and demanding their allegiance to the Empire.

Of course, most of those who maintained neutrality didn’t respond to mere words.

They demanded that, if we wanted to persuade them, we had to endure their trials and challenges.

In the Kalibal way.

“Well, it’s not beyond my capabilities, but it’s something that can kill you if you’re careless. It’s a very effective tradition.”

“You can verify trust, courage, sincerity, and strength. What’s the problem?”

I couldn’t help but laugh at Igrid’s attitude, as if he was genuinely asking what the problem was.

Of course, he wasn’t wrong. If you’re going to challenge a trial where your life is on the line, you’ll need trust and courage, and it’s a good way to test your strength.

But as a civilized person, I knew more refined methods than that.

“Can’t we just have rational and reasonable negotiations?”

“It’s hard to distinguish lies with cunning words alone.”

“Well, that’s not wrong.”

Whether it’s politics or diplomacy, is the truth always told when it’s conducted with polite words?

It’s often a polite way of deceiving, so even if you’re being scammed, you risk your life, which might encourage a bit more honesty.

“Then where are we going next?”

“…Frostwing Tribe. We have to go there first.”

“There are many tribes left, but you’re singling out that one. Is there a specific reason?”

“The remaining tribes follow that tribe’s lead.”

“I see. Then let’s hurry.”

While the Wizard Lord was calling for reinforcements, we continued to increase our local support.

“But why doesn’t the Barbarian Warlord try to persuade them in this way? Didn’t you say he was strong too?”

“That’s right. But he’s not qualified.”

“Not qualified? Even I, an outsider, am doing it?”

I expressed my doubts, but Igrid responded as if it were obvious.

“He used tricks in his sacred confrontation with the Archduke. Because of that, he lost the right to challenge the tribes.”

“I see. Are there still those who join the rebels even so?”

“Even if he lost his credibility, he didn’t lose his power.”

“It’s surprisingly complicated. The logic of the North.”

It wasn’t just about following the strongest tribe; there seemed to be a certain code of conduct.

Anyway, we were heading to the Frostwing Tribe while engaging in such small talk.

-Uooooooo! Kalibaaaaal!

-Warriors, don’t back down!

-For the Frostwing!

“They’re in battle. Let’s hurry.”

When I arrived, they were in the midst of a fierce fight.

They were battling against figures wearing spiky horned helmets and armor, and creatures resembling red, fire-breathing bears.

The barbarian warriors fought bravely, but the situation looked grim.

[Light Wings Deployed]

Shuuuuuuuu-

Immediately after dismounting, I took flight and soared into the chaotic battle.

Shushashashashashak!

“Keuh!”

“What!”

“Oh, is that a demon? Not a human?”

As soon as I landed, I unleashed shadow blades enhanced with frost flames in all directions, targeting those who appeared to be enemies.

They were mortally wounded, cut and stabbed by the blades.

But the faces revealed as the helmets shattered were far from human.

Grayish skin, horns sprouting from their faces in addition to those on their helmets.

A race mixed with demons – demons themselves.

-Keureureureureu!

Meanwhile, the fire-breathing monster they were using spewed flames and charged towards me.

It seemed that the flames of purification wouldn’t be effective against a fire-breathing creature.

A cold-based ability would be perfect, but Igrid was occupied elsewhere, so I swung the shadow blade first.

Chwaak!

-Kehaaaaaaaak!

“A tough guy.”

The creature was severely injured but endured, refusing to be cleaved in two.

It seemed I would have to cut it directly with the sword, but dealing with such a large body could be troublesome, even for me.

“Fall back.”

Suddenly, a cool voice echoed from nearby.

I quickly retreated from the intense chill that washed over me.

Jjeojeojeojeojeok!

“The Queen is here!”

“Ooooooo!”

The demons and monsters in front of me were instantly frozen solid by the sudden cold.

The warriors cheered at the sight.

It wasn’t Igrid who had intervened; when I turned around, I saw a cold-looking female chieftain – no, a queen – with silver hair.

Strictly speaking, she was a female chieftain, but she possessed the regal bearing of a true queen.

“Who are you?”

“…Shadow.”

“The famous Black Knight King.”

“That’s what I’m called.”

She approached me and demanded my identity. I hesitated for a moment, wondering whether to reveal that I was the Emperor, but I decided to stick with Shadow for now.

“Are you the Queen of the Frostwing?”

“Everyone calls me that. Though I’m not truly a queen. More importantly….”

She fixed me with a fierce gaze.

“What is your relationship with my daughter, the knight from the South, that you are traveling with her?”

She looked like a mother ready to drive away a troublesome suitor who was bothering her daughter.