He Became The Most Insane Emperor Of All Time [EN]: Chapter 16

Became the Greatest Crazy Emperor – Episode 16

Became the Greatest Crazy Emperor 16

The moment I realized the Divine Power, I felt the capacity of my soul expand.

Just like when I first became aware of Aura, Divine Power also granted me a new sense.

“Again. I’ll win this time.”

Whoosh-

A world where everything stood still.

A space of spirit and soul, not matter.

I was able to recreate the spirit world I experienced during the Pope’s worship ceremony.

“Here I go.”

Weeeing-

And then, I was able to summon the souls of the warriors I had faced at that time once more.

[The soul of the First Emperor (early stage) exhibits a fierce fighting spirit.]

[The soul of the First Emperor attempts a more aggressive attack.]

I could compete with them again in the spirit world and make up for the lack of training in the material world.

I was able to supplement practical experience that could not be obtained through physical training alone.

Fatzatzatz!

Kaaang!

“Hoo!”

The sword of the soul collided with my silver holy sword, scattering white sparks.

No sooner had he retrieved his sword than he thrust it, aiming for my lower left abdomen.

I quickly lowered my sword to deflect the thrust.

Taat!

However, my opponent used the reaction force of the deflected force in reverse to quickly rotate and launch a counterattack.

The speed was so terrifyingly fast that it felt almost unreal.

Chaeing!

But I have also grown.

After blocking his spiraling downward sword with an upper guard, I used the slope of the sword’s edge to redirect it.

Such skill couldn’t create a significant opening against a master.

The gap that could be created was literally fleeting.

But that was enough.

“I see it!”

Shasak!

Pooook!

The silver holy sword pierced his heart.

It was a close call, successfully stabbing him just before his sword could cut my neck.

[The soul of the First Emperor (early stage) has admitted defeat.]

[Completed the Trial of Valor – Soul of the First Emperor (early stage).]

[Acquired 200 Divine Power points.]

[Trial of Valor – Soul of the First Emperor (growth stage) has been unlocked.]

“Hoo, barely won.”

Since the last worship ceremony, I had sparred with this soul 13 times in a row.

And this was the first fight I had ever won.

Defeating him in the worship ceremony was only possible with Leonis’s help.

Whether Leonis intended it or not, if he hadn’t whispered words of courage, I wouldn’t have been able to win with my current capabilities alone.

“It’s unbelievable that this isn’t even his prime.”

Returning from the spirit world to reality, I took a breath and reviewed the sparring.

The soul recreated the era when the First Emperor, who founded the empire with mythical feats, had not yet fully revealed his power.

Even though his capabilities were far below his prime, he was stronger than me and most knights.

No, maybe even the commander of the Imperial Guard would have to take a step back against this soul.

“Does that mean the First Emperor was that strong?”

Or were the knights of that time just that good on average?

Either way, it’s amazing, but personally, I’d rather it be the former.

If it were the latter, it would mean that human potential has regressed that much.

As someone who has to accomplish many things with the current humans, it would be really troublesome if it were the latter.

“Come to think of it, it’s about time to move on to the next stage.”

I made the church, which could become a useful force, if not powerful enough, my ally.

Declarations to sway public sentiment have already begun through the church.

Mainly focusing on what happened in that worship ceremony.

“Now is the perfect time to start something.”

Leaving the training room and walking through the corridors of the Imperial Palace, I decided on the next thing to push forward.

I cleaned up the capital’s thugs to establish security and brought the merchants on board as allies.

I reorganized the Central Army and even brought in the church to start swaying public sentiment.

At least the capital was now firmly under my control.

“Now is the time to unleash that power, Commander of the Imperial Guard. Is the army ready?”

A barracks reachable just outside the Imperial Palace.

There, the Commander of the Imperial Guard and general-level knights were holding a military conference in formation.

Everyone was attending the meeting with a solemn look.

The sloppy appearance they had shown a while ago had now disappeared, and everyone was full of focused intensity.

“Yes, we are ready to execute the Demon Realm recovery operation at any time.”

An army that has sharpened its blades through rigorous training.

The first military operation starting with that army was a large-scale campaign into the Demon Realm, which spread across the central, northern, eastern, and western parts of the empire.

“I believe everyone is aware of the importance of this operation plan.”

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

It is not just a military operation to eliminate monsters.

Many things depended on this military operation plan.

Economic benefits from recovering the Demon Realm, of course.

Improving supply lines within the empire, which had been a chronic problem.

Checking the separatist faction of lords by demonstrating official military power.

Even the consolidation of the pro-emperor faction, which is a side benefit.

If this operation succeeds, you get all of that.

A much easier and faster solution than racking your brains over agendas and policies in the Imperial Palace all day long.

I have been working hard until now to ensure its success.

“Then it’s time to march.”

Now it was time to prove the results of the training so far.

* * *

“What? Did Your Majesty… lead the army and march out himself?”

When Stella von Reichshire, the Archbishop of the Purification Order and Prince-Elector of the Eastern Imperial Territory, visited the Imperial Palace again,

she received an unexpected answer.

“Yes, His Majesty has left with the army, Archbishop Stella. You’ve missed him.”

The story that the emperor himself left the Imperial Palace leading the army was a sudden development for Stella.

Empress Dowager Selena, who delivered that answer, felt the same way, so Stella’s surprise was even greater.

“But what is the reason for wanting to see His Majesty? I believe you have already met him once before.”

The Empress Dowager asked the reason while serving tea and simple refreshments.

She asked with a very kind demeanor, but of course, her intention was as sharp as a dagger.

Even if she is the face of the Purification Order, why is she, who can be said to be the leader of the East, showing interest in the Emperor?

To find out the enemy’s weaknesses? No, it was too confident to assume that.

If the purpose was to be hostile, she would have acted more insidiously and secretly.

That meant that there was some other intention besides hostility.

“That is… I am sorry, but it is too sensitive an issue to share with Her Majesty the Empress Dowager.”

“Oh, is that so? Then you don’t have to tell me, Archbishop.”

The Empress Dowager did not become impatient or angry even if she did not receive an answer, but rather calmly came up with a better solution.

“Then how about going to see His Majesty in person?”

Without hesitation, she was going to bring her before him.

If the purpose of meeting the Emperor was not hostility, and if she could be drawn in as an ally or something similar,

there would be no loss to the Emperor or the Imperial Family at all.

And so-

“Is that why you came to me now, Mother?”

“That’s right, Franz.”

The army marched towards the Demon Realm.

Following that army, the Empress Dowager brought Stella to me.

“It may be a bit sudden, but this is an opportunity, Franz. You know better.”

“Of course, it is.”

If it’s an opportunity, it’s an opportunity.

The original plan was to cut ties with the Pope and take over the church.

However, that plan was thwarted when I met the gods.

Because to others, it seemed that the Pope had really demonstrated great divine power.

His suspicions vanished completely unless I exposed them.

Instead, the church swore obedience and loyalty to me, so it turned out well in the end.

“I didn’t know how the Purification Order would react, but I didn’t expect them to come so directly.”

I expected some insidious behind-the-scenes maneuvers or espionage.

So I had both my mother and Jurgen prepare for it, but they came to me so openly.

“No, it seems a little different from that.”

“Different?”

“In my opinion, it seems that Archbishop Stella came personally, not on behalf of the Purification Order.”

“Personally?”

Archbishop Stella came to me personally.

Come to think of it, it was true that she only brought a small escort and official attendants.

But when I saw her at the Imperial Palace last time, she had a completely businesslike attitude.

The reason she came to me was to use me when exposing the Pope’s scandal, so she intended to get to know me briefly.

But the only reason she would be interested in me now was one thing that came to mind.

“Is it because of that incident after all?”

“Do you have something in mind?”

“Ah, yes. A little bit. Anyway, I will meet her in person as my mother said.”

That time when all five guardian gods gathered.

Could Archbishop Stella have witnessed that too?

I couldn’t be sure, but I couldn’t think of anything else.

I didn’t think it was impossible for someone who was a little closer to being a religious person than me.

In the end, it was something that could only be known for sure by facing each other.

“It hasn’t been long since we last met, Archbishop Stella.”

I met her alone in a quiet place somewhere in the forest heading towards the Demon Realm.

It is not a very safe place for the ruler of a country and the leader of a force to have a secret meeting.

So it was a place I chose on purpose.

It seemed like a good opportunity for her to play tricks on me, but at the same time, it was a quiet place where I could use lethal force at any time.

“Yes, Your Majesty. I apologize for daring to ask to see you again while you are busy.”

“No, you don’t have to worry about that. If it’s a matter important enough to take up my time.”

It was also a warning that if it was a trivial matter, it would be a problem, although that was unlikely.

Stella might feel threatened by this situation, knowing that we are rivals.

She was not only very calm but also had a look of reverence.

“Your Majesty, I dare to ask.”

Somehow, just looking at her eyes, I could easily guess why she came to me now.

Because those eyes looked like a religious person facing an object of worship.

“In that ceremony some time ago, did you meet them?”

As expected.

She was grasping the fact as if it were too natural.

“The word ‘met’ is inappropriate.”