He Became The Most Insane Emperor Of All Time [EN]: Chapter 143

I Became the Greatest Crazy Emperor – Episode 143 (143/300)

I Became the Greatest Crazy Emperor 143

The World Tree.

The culmination of the elves’ creation, embodying their souls and spirits.

With a history far longer than humans, the elves created a sanctuary for their souls: the World Tree.

“I don’t know what kind of morbid taste it takes to build a palace under such a World Tree.”

Although beautifully crafted, the palace nestled beneath the giant tree’s shadow felt somewhat gloomy, or perhaps it was just my imagination.

Of course, now was not the time for sightseeing.

“Are you the Emperor of the Empire?”

Before the palace, flanked by the High Elf Royal Guards—the elite of their remaining forces—an elderly elf official approached me.

“I am the Emperor. And you are?”

“I am the Prime Minister of the Kingdom, here to greet the Emperor of the Empire.”

“So, you’re the Prime Minister. I can’t say I’m particularly interested.”

I spoke with a sneer, my gaze sweeping over the Royal Guards lined up behind him.

“The Spirit King is nowhere to be seen. Is that great guy hiding behind the throne again?”

“The monarch of a nation speaks very harshly.”

“Etiquette and formalities are for those who need them.”

Why would an emperor who runs around with a sword in hand, personally leading from the front, bother with polite diplomatic language?

“That’s not entirely wrong. Diplomacy is for equals, and loses its essence when it’s not between equals.”

“You understand that well. So, is that why you did what you did during the last civil war?”

Invasion, instigation of rebellion, a plot to destroy the entire Empire.

Though the tables have turned, the elves were originally trying to crush us with force.

If I hadn’t been there, the Empire would have surely collapsed. Of course, the elves weren’t the only ones trying to destroy the Empire during the civil war.

“Well, I’m sure you’re not here to reminisce about the old days, so what’s your purpose? Are you here to surrender?”

“I want to negotiate.”

“Negotiate? Didn’t you just say that diplomacy is for equals?”

You’re hardly in a position to negotiate with me right now.

Even if you charged at me with those meager Royal Guards, it would be useless. I and the Legions following me could handle them in an instant.

Dragging this out wouldn’t benefit the elves either.

The elves, whose command structure seems to have collapsed, are killing their own people.

They’re still dying, so prolonging this will only lead to further losses.

“That’s right. We are no longer in a position to negotiate. Therefore, I will accept everything you demand. In other words… ‘unconditional surrender’.”

Looking at the Prime Minister’s indifferent expression, I smirked.

What are these guys thinking? Are they going to sign a surrender document that says, ‘The World Tree is just a big tree’?

“Do you even know what that means? It means you have to give me everything I ask for.”

“Of course, I know. Take whatever you want. You can take gold, silver, and treasures. You can take our citizens as slaves. You can tear the nation apart or destroy it. Do everything according to your will, Your Majesty.”

It was quite a sight. Have they given up completely? No, the Prime Minister’s demeanor was resolute.

“It’s a lopsided negotiation, but negotiations are established when both sides want something. You must want something too, right?”

“There is nothing we want to ask of you.”

“No, there must be something you desire.”

What are they trying to gain while giving up everything?

“It’s about time, isn’t it? Because you elves live longer than us.”

“…….”

“Even if you give up everything, you’re thinking that the Empire will falter again someday. Or… that you’ll be able to seize the opportunity again.”

Even if they are thinking that way, it’s not an absurd idea.

The lifespan of elves is at least two or three times that of humans, and particularly long-lived individuals can easily live for 500 years.

As a race that lives that long, even if they are enslaved, they cannot be let off guard unless they are killed.

But is it really beneficial for the Empire to kill them all? Well, I don’t know.

‘If we can just use them, there aren’t many high-quality slaves like these guys.’

Instead of a massacre that only yields some wealth and corpses, it is much more rational to enslave them and absorb their technology and knowledge.

If possible, it wouldn’t be bad to divide them and use them as second-class citizens or puppets.

“……You know us well. You were truly a formidable enemy, but how did we end up facing you like this?”

“You should know why you ended up like this.”

The reason why they were driven to such extremes. There is only one reason.

“The Spirit King. It’s because of him. Isn’t it?”

“…….”

“Come to think of it, I want to ask, was this negotiation approved by that Spirit King?”

It didn’t seem like it.

“……I said I wouldn’t ask for anything, but I will reveal just one request.”

The High Elf Prime Minister, who seemed exhausted, let out a heavy breath and continued.

“Please kill our king, the Spirit King.”

It was a request that was difficult for a vassal to utter, but it was unavoidable for them.

* * *

Inside the World Tree Palace, there was a place called the World Tree Hall.

I heard that it was a place to hold banquets and balls, but it also had another purpose.

There was a huge stone door that allowed entry into the interior of the World Tree.

Standing in front of that door, I said to the Legions following me.

“I will go in here alone.”

“As you wish, Your Majesty.”

The Royal Guard Captain spoke as the representative of the Legions.

In the past, they would have stopped me, concerned for my safety, but now their doubts about me had vanished.

They simply believed in my victory without question.

Koo-oong.

The huge stone door was pushed open.

Inside, there was only a vast darkness like the maw of a monster, but I stepped into it.

“Let’s see how beautiful this place is.”

Before long, I passed through the darkness inside the World Tree.

And what I saw beyond was a terrible sight.

-Hoo-oh-oh-oh-oh…….

The souls bound to the roots of the World Tree were suffering even after death, providing the endless nourishment that this giant tree craved.

-Hee hee hee hee hee……!

-Let’s burn them, freeze them, play with them!

-Let’s play together!

It wasn’t just the World Tree that was feeding on them.

Spirits with pure malice were also torturing and devouring the souls, playing with them.

Yet, paradoxically, the sight was colorful and beautiful at first glance.

“What an elegant place, the elves’ hell.”

Whirr-urr-urr-uck-

“So, I’ll burn it all down like hell.”

Thwack!

I planted Silver Rose into the ground and spread flames of purification in all directions.

-Kee-ah-ah-ah-ack!

-Don’t do that, it hurts!

-Bad human!

Shoo-ah-ah-ah-ack!

All sorts of spirits from all directions rushed towards me as if pouring down.

If anyone or anything were exposed to it raw, they would be torn to shreds.

[Multiple Shadow Blade Maximum Deployment]

[Imperial Soul Stage 2 Release]

The shadow blades split into hundreds of branches and began to intercept the spirits.

By raising the Imperial Soul to Stage 2, I created a shield by exerting powerful divine power.

[Frost Magic Flame Deployment]

“Burn even more fiercely, enemy of the Empire.”

-Kyaa-ah-ah-ack!

-It hurts! It hurts!

The flames of purification were intensified by the addition of frost flame magic.

The flames of purification, which ravenously devoured the surrounding spirits, were now burning the place that was once a paradise for spirits and a hell for victims.

It was a scene as if a huge forest was engulfed in flames.

Crackle-crackle-crackle-

Perhaps it was because a fire started burning inside its belly.

-Boo-oh-oh-oh-oh.

The World Tree was screaming in agony.

The roots of the World Tree were rampaging.

-Grrr-err-err…….

At the same time, the souls that were the nourishment of the World Tree, and the sacrifices that had not been offered long ago, began to flock.

All of them were grotesquely twisted as if half-melted, or had tree roots protruding like tentacles from all holes such as their mouths, noses, and ears.

“It’s terrible. How many lives have you devoured, monster.”

Just because it’s fresh and beautiful doesn’t mean it’s not a monster.

Even if it takes the form of nature, there’s no guarantee that its malice won’t be directed at humans.

The World Tree in the form of nature, and the spirits connected to it, were just more evil than demons.

-Kyaa-ah-ah-ah!

Churr-urr-urr-uck-

Soon, the monster’s offspring were rushing in.

As if I were a delicious nourishment, as if they were trying to extend their roots.

“Come, I will end your miserable fate here.”

[Silvatein Humanoid Type Deployment]

[Silvan Cannon Deployment]

Wee-ee-ee-ee-ing-

The armor transformed and deployed Silvatein Mode.

Immediately, I transformed Silver Rose into the Silvan Cannon and prepared to fire.

[Silvan Cannon Maximum Output]

[Silvan Cannon Ready]

“For the Empire!”

Kwaaa-ah-ah-ah-ahng!

A white particle beam was fired, whitening the view.

All the victims of the World Tree that had been in front of me disappeared.

“Hoo, hoo…….”

[The available remaining amount of Imperial Soul Stage 2 is running low.]

I had eliminated countless enemies that were rushing in, but I had used too much power in a short period of time.

Of course, the World Tree would have suffered considerable damage as well.

However, I still had someone I truly had to face.

“Long time no see, Emperor.”

“Spirit King.”

That match was now walking towards me.

He was looking at me with arrogant eyes, but my gaze towards him was endlessly cold.

“My advice to you doesn’t seem to have been very helpful.”

“No, it was helpful, Emperor of the Empire.”

“Ha, helpful? So, is that why you’re in this state now?”

I shouted at him with contempt.

“Look around you. Everyone is screaming. They are all your people. They made you king. They all died by your hand. You didn’t listen to my advice at all.”

Those who wear the crown have the duties of those who wear the crown.

But the Spirit King didn’t show any of that at all.

“No, I listened to your advice. And that’s why I did this.”

No, he misinterpreted the meaning differently.

“They made me king. So, I just decided their fate with my own hands. So that you couldn’t.”

“Ha, it’s just disgusting. You’re a disgusting bastard who only knows himself.”

“That’s what a king is, Emperor. A king doesn’t know people’s hearts.”

Chuck-

“Then you have failed, Spirit King.”

I pointed my sword at him.

“You will be defeated, your people will abandon you, and you will no longer be a king.”

“Then prove it, Emperor!”