He Became The Most Insane Emperor Of All Time [EN]: Chapter 258

The magic power of the Great Demon I had absorbed began to surge, as if rebelling and trying to break free.

“Astaroth, it would be a misjudgment to think I wouldn’t have anticipated this much.”

I didn’t succumb. I immediately deployed my Soul World, resisting Astaroth’s attempt to dominate me.

-It’s useless, Emperor. I have already begun to devour your soul. Even your Imperial Soul will not be able to protect you.

As he said, the Soul World was being consumed by the Great Demon’s magic. At this rate, I might really lose control.

But I calmly closed my eyes and focused my mind.

‘If you can hear me, answer me, Great Demons.’

I focused on the part Astaroth was missing. He thinks he’s the only one who can handle the souls of the Great Demons, but that’s not the case.

Soon, the Great Demons and I faced each other in the Soul World.

-Emperor, you killed us and now you want our help? You’re incredibly shameless.

-That’s right. What reason do we have to help you?

The Great Demons, subjugated to Astaroth’s magic, expressed their resentment. They were all uncooperative, but I scoffed.

“So, you want to stay absorbed by Astaroth like that for the rest of your existence?”

-Y-You…!

“You seem mistaken. I have other ways even without you. But you don’t. I hope you’ve considered your own situation.”

It wasn’t a joke; I really had other ways to overcome this. It would be more accurate to say I had many.

With the Abyss Heart and the power of the Spirit Realm, it’s easy to back up some of my power externally. Astaroth, who doesn’t know me well, doesn’t anticipate it, but I could escape this situation whenever I wanted.

But the reason I’m not doing that is…

“It’s simply because I don’t want to lose your magic. Don’t misunderstand.”

If I used those methods, I would lose the magic of the Great Demons that I had gathered with such effort. The moment I draw in the power backed up externally, I have to destroy Astaroth, who has penetrated inside, externally, and naturally, the magic would be extinguished.

-Kuh… Even so, we have no reason to help you.

-What do we get for helping you?

Of course, I can’t expect their help with just this.

But fortunately, I could give them what they wanted.

“I’ll give you freedom in return.”

-Freedom…?

“Yes. Freedom to no longer be bound by this seal, freedom for you to be reborn someday.”

I can release the subjugation of their souls bound by Astaroth’s magic. If I do that, their souls will be free. Whether they are reborn as demons again or reincarnated as other beings, it’s their freedom.

Is it okay to release the souls of the Great Demons so easily?

‘Well, what does it matter? If they’ve been trapped until now, they must have reflected a lot.’

Even if they are reborn as demons again, their power won’t be what it used to be, so they’ll just become fodder. Smart ones will just reincarnate as other beings and live well.

“What will you do? Will you listen to me and fight for freedom, or will you sink with Astaroth?”

-…Fine, I will help you. But I’m not helping for your sake.

What is this, a tsundere [a person who is initially cold and hostile but gradually shows a warmer, friendlier side] or something? But good is good.

“Me neither, of course.”

-Then prepare. It’s fun to think about how Astaroth will be shocked. Keuk keuk.

Maybe it’s because they’re demon bastards, but they looked very happy at the thought of messing with someone else.

Anyway, as soon as preparations were complete, I withdrew the Soul World.

“Uahahahaha! I! Have taken over the Emperor’s body!”

Astaroth, thinking he had won when my resistance disappeared, was filled with joy. Of course, it was too early to rejoice.

“Now I will- rule not only Hell but also the Empire-”

-Are you going to rule? You have big dreams.

“…You…?!”

I mocked him as I regained control of my body.

“Ah, no! My magic… it doesn’t listen…!”

-That’s right, because I released the souls of the Great Demons who were subjugated.

“Lies! There’s no way that’s possible-”

-There’s no reason why it wouldn’t be possible, because the body your soul is dwelling in now is mine.

“Uaaaaa-!”

The freed souls of the Great Demons tear Astaroth’s soul to shreds. They may be fighting each other with magic, but there was no way Astaroth could win a 6:1 fight.

-No! I will avenge- rule the world…

“…Dreaming nonsense ends here.”

I wanted to say go to hell—but now you can’t even go to hell.

Astaroth’s soul was extinguished like that, torn to shreds, without being able to enjoy freedom or reincarnation.

“That’s done.”

I regained control of my body.

No, it wasn’t just regaining it.

“Power is overflowing. This is the magic of the Great Demon.”

The magic of the seven Great Demons was entirely mine. The power was so immense that it felt like I could destroy anything.

-Keep your promise, Emperor.

-You promised to release us.

But then, I heard the whispers of the Great Demons. They helped me, so they were demanding freedom as promised.

Releasing them wasn’t difficult, but there was a slight problem if I released them.

Because I couldn’t fully handle the magic of the Great Demons alone, I couldn’t exert my original power until my soul vessel grew larger.

Considering that, I needed to keep them around longer, but…

“I will keep my promise. Please, live virtuously when you are reborn.”

-Finally, I am free.

-Thank you.

I released them without any regrets. I had no desire to hold onto those who wanted to leave.

Moreover, I had to think about expanding my soul vessel, not holding onto them and relying on them.

“Anyway, I killed them all. I should go back now.”

There was no reason to stay here any longer, so I went outside the seal.

Everyone was already waiting there.

“Your Majesty.”

“Balthazar.”

“…I behold the true conqueror of Hell.”

But their, the demons’ attitude had changed quite a bit.

“I behold the true overlord of Hell and the Emperor of the Empire, who has defeated all the Great Demons.”

Following Balthazar, Lizel also showed a different respect than before.

“Your attitude has changed.”

“How could I be disrespectful to the true ruler of Hell?”

“I have no intention of ruling Hell, but well, that’s good. Make sure you devote yourselves to the Empire more than you follow me.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

With this, Hell also joined the Empire’s alliance.

However, it was difficult to call it a complete victory.

“A considerable number of demons have joined the Demon Realm. Does this mean the power of the Demon Realm has grown even more?”

I had clearly won in Hell, but I couldn’t completely annihilate the hardliners. They went straight to the Demon Realm and entrusted themselves to the protection of the Creator God.

As a result, the Demon Realm now possessed even more power.

‘Maybe that’s what they were aiming for from the beginning.’

The Creator God seemed to want to have the demons under his command instead of fighting me in Hell. Of course, if I had failed, that would have been a benefit in itself. Perhaps from the Creator God’s point of view, either way was fine.

“Father! You succeeded easily as expected!”

“Hmm, keep some dignity, you rascal.”

Meanwhile, Kyle was acting like a child in front of me. He was acting dignified in front of the demons, this guy…

“Ehehe… More than that, what are you going to do now?”

“First of all, my work here is done. Hell has been stabilized, and the demons have sworn allegiance.”

“But they still don’t have fiefs to give them. We have to conquer the Demon Realm, but…”

“Well, we have to prepare slowly.”

Thud-

I put my hand on Kyle’s shoulder.

“Preparing that is your and the North’s responsibility. Can you do it?”

“…Of course, Father. I can do it!”

Kyle answered vigorously. I was very satisfied.

“Good, then shall we go back?”

It was time to leave Hell.

* * *

“You’re back, honey?”

The first person to greet me when I returned to the Imperial Palace was Sarah.

“Yeah, I’m back. Was there anything unusual in the Imperial Palace?”

“There was nothing unusual in the Imperial Palace.”

‘In the Imperial Palace’? Then there was a problem with something else.

“Yes, of course, there was. What do you think it is?”

“I have too many guesses to know.”

“Oh, it’s something related to me too. Well, I’m no longer an admiral since I’m the Empress now, though.”

Admiral? Then it’s something about the sea.

“Don’t tell me, did you find out something about the West Sea?”

“That’s right. I haven’t landed on that continent yet, but it’s being protected by a powerful magical force, as expected.”

“I already know that. Is there any progress?”

Sarah nodded without disappointing my expectations.

“Yes, I found out how to break that magic. But that… it seems like I need the help of the Abyss.”

“The Abyss… you mean I need Ktalion’s help.”

“That’s right. Why don’t you go visit him?”

“Coming back from this expedition and going straight to another expedition? It’s not easy.”

Of course, I have no intention of just playing around. I have to move busily as much as I have responsibility.

“I don’t know if it’ll be comforting, but don’t just go alone, take the Crown Prince with you too.”

“Leon too? Why?”

“Well, you have to finish the old business in the Abyss too.”

“Old business… Ah.”

Come to think of it, Ktalion had previously been promised the bloodline of the Imperial Family. Somehow, I avoided marrying him off.

If it’s as promised, should I marry the Crown Prince……?

“I thought Ktalion wouldn’t make an issue of it anymore.”

“He just put it on hold for a while. You should go and finish it properly.”

Sarah didn’t say how to finish it. It was as if she didn’t care if Ktalion and Leon got together.

I don’t think that’s impossible either. However…

‘I don’t really want to force Leon if he doesn’t want it.’

I’m not denying the necessity of a political marriage, but I don’t want to make my sons marry against their will. This is undeniably a double standard.

“How about Leon? Does he want to?”

“Well, he’s always been clear about his attitude when it comes to Imperial affairs.”

Leon has never prioritized himself over the Empire.

“Hmm… It’ll be the same even if I talk to him. Well, I should at least let the two meet.”

“Do that. And while you’re at it, find out how to enter the West Continent.”

“Yeah, yeah, you seem to have a lot of fun using your husband, wife.”

“Of course, hohoho. Don’t worry about the Imperial Palace and come back.”

Sarah had become very accustomed to taking care of the Empire while I was away. Well, honestly, she might be better as a ruler, so I had no complaints.

More than that… I’m wondering whether to give Ktalion my son or not.

Is there a way to politely refuse without making the other person feel bad?