He Became The Most Insane Emperor Of All Time [EN]: Chapter 300

Everything Has an End

Everything has an end.

But I became one who repeats that end.

After first being reborn in the Empire a century later, I was reborn multiple times, repeating death and life.

Each time, I watched over the Empire.

The Empire repeatedly rose and fell, sometimes as I wished, sometimes not.

I, too, repeatedly watched and intervened each time.

Sometimes, I did not interfere even when my descendants made foolish choices, to protect their independence.

Sometimes, I mediated when wars broke out that shed millions of lives.

When they resolved not to remain even as subjects, I acknowledged them despite the opposition around me.

But when those who left my embrace and the Empire suffered from bloody wars and dictatorships, I pitied them and drew my sword.

I repeated such things countless times, endlessly.

“Even this is tiring now.”

And now, I have become an extremely lonely being.

* * *

The time was when records had become meaningless due to the passage of years.

The planet where the brilliant Empire had stood was devastated by repeated wars.

It was now a world densely packed with skyscrapers to the point where the traces of the past could no longer be found, yet it suffered from severe resource shortages and population explosions.

Of course, they had tried countless times to advance into space, and they were still trying.

However, even with the help of the Human Federation, there were some limitations.

The planets suitable for humanity’s new home were extremely limited, and colonizing such places cost a considerable amount.

Rather, even if they found planets with good environments, they often gave up because they were too far away to colonize.

So, the choice humanity made was to ‘settle down.’

Content with the planets they currently had, they gave up further expansion and lived as if choosing to die within them.

In that place, overflowing with severe population density, wealth disparity, lack of security, and corporate monopolies, the shining legacy of the Empire no longer remained.

“Chairman, here are today’s reports. The energy return rate of the Spirit Realm has decreased by 4%. Hell and the Abyss are…”

“Tell the directors to handle it on their own.”

“But the chairman’s final approval is required…”

“Isn’t it all the same no matter what we do anyway?”

“…”

I was now called Chairman instead of Emperor. I spoke curtly to the AI secretary who had come to get approval.

“Understood. Then we will proceed under the independent judgment of the board of directors.”

In fact, those directors were all AIs. Not only them, but most of those who ruled the world were now AIs, not humans.

Did the AIs revolt? They had tried to. But I stopped them. As someone who knew the work of the Creator God, I had fully considered that such a rebellion could occur.

But as a result, the position of ruler was taken away by AIs. It was a blessing, but at the same time, it might have been a curse for humans, or for me.

Because now humans no longer needed to worry about the problems facing them.

Moreover, my role as a watcher and judge had also faded.

“Yes. Don’t bother me.”

“…Excuse me.”

As the hologram of the AI secretary disappeared, I looked out at the night view filled with the city’s skyscrapers.

Looking at that sight, I felt it was very ironic.

The creation of a civilization that could no longer be developed any further had honestly involved many twists and turns, some of which could have led to destruction.

And I could not deny that my role had been essential in preventing that destruction.

I had been faithful to the role I had accepted: to ensure that humanity could continue to grow without making excessive mistakes.

I watched over them and sometimes disciplined them, repeating reincarnation endlessly.

But I had done it so well that humanity no longer needed to think for themselves, and even my own usefulness had disappeared.

In such a world, should I continue to repeat meaningless reincarnations?

“No, I don’t think so anymore.”

Humanity had now grown as much as it could. It no longer needed someone to embrace it.

If humanity were to perish in the midst of this, it would be fate.

It is absurd for someone to monitor and protect an adult who has grown up and become independent.

“If a child has grown up, the parents must pass on their inheritance and prepare to retire.”

Now, passing on the last remaining inheritance.

That was the last thing left for me to do.

* * *

Human civilization had grown as much as it could, not only technologically but also socially.

Elves, Greenskins [Orcs or Goblins], Demons, Beastmen, and Abyssals, who had fought so fiercely in the past, were all simply included as humans.

From the beginning, the countries and administrations of the planets were integrated into one, and everyone lived under the control of AI.

This administrative unification was also the reason for the population explosion.

They lived in a world that was like paradise in some ways and like dystopia in others.

But even that half-paradise world was not eternal.

Eighty years.

According to AI calculations, in eighty years, all resources and residential areas would reach the limits of consumption and accommodation.

Unless additional colonies were created in space or other dimensions.

But the cost of that was astronomical, and humanity could not find a way to expand further.

Some thought this was the end of the civilization that humanity had walked, and others thought that a solution might be found in eighty years.

Pessimistic and optimistic predictions came and went, but neither was realistic.

If they thought it was the end, they should have thought about struggling, but they didn’t, and the thought that it would be taken care of later was not optimistic but simply irresponsible.

In the meantime, I came up with one method.

“I will build an ark.”

“If you mean an ark, what kind of…?”

“Estimated 16,450 years ago, the ark that departed from planet Earth. A semi-permanent, ultra-long-distance, ultra-dimensional colonization ark.”

The directors who heard my words were shaken. All of them were high-performance AIs, and they immediately realized what I was talking about.

“…Are you talking about the Creator God’s ark?”

“Yes. That’s right. I will use that to pioneer colonization planets in very distant outer space.”

“But Chairman, creating a Creator God-level strong AI is too dangerous. The reason for restricting current artificial intelligence is also because of the risk of rebellion…”

“I know. That’s why I won’t use such artificial intelligence. Instead, I will have a manager.”

“Manager…?”

“I mean using a human.”

The weakness of the ark that the Creator God had boarded with Earthlings was the Creator God itself. But if a human is the final manager, the problem disappears. Humans can’t go berserk from viruses.

“But… is there a human who can perform such a mission? It could take decades, no, hundreds of years.”

“Lifespan is also a problem. It is impossible to continuously receive life extension procedures in a spaceship environment…”

“Above all, they will not be able to withstand the mental stress. There is a high probability that they will make extreme choices.”

“Even elves or demons, who are long-lived species, cannot do it.”

The directors each raised problems. All of them were valid, but I shook my head.

“There is no need to worry about that. I will go myself.”

“…!”

The only immortal who has enjoyed a long time, no, virtually infinite time.

If I go myself, all the problems they presented will be solved. Except for one thing.

“Chairman… no, Your Majesty, do you really intend to leave this world…?”

“Yes, because this place no longer needs my help.”

“But…”

“Then this world will no longer…”

“…not receive Your Majesty’s grace.”

The AIs rather showed disapproval. Humans would no longer remember me, but it was very unexpected that the AIs reacted like that to my departure.

“Does that bother you? Do you want to oppose it?”

“No. We are programmed to follow Your Majesty’s will.”

“If that is Your Majesty’s will, so be it.”

“Certainly, if Your Majesty personally takes action, the probability of successful colonization…”

“To create the best ark, it is better to cooperate with the AIs of Dwarf Industries-”

But soon the AIs began to do their jobs. They were truly reliable, but at times like this, I thought they were very mechanical. Thus, the ark was completed before long.

The best AIs to assist me and an ark equipped with everything necessary for colonization. But I am the only passenger.

The reason for not increasing the number of passengers was simple. There would only be the risk of rebellion and factional conflicts if there were others besides me.

And there was a second reason.

“Did you find the coordinates of Earth?”

-Yes, we have already observed it several times and confirmed coordinates that match 99.9%.

It was also because my destination was Earth.

Nothing is certain, but… there may be survivors on Earth.

Even when the Creator God’s ark departed, civilization had collapsed, but humanity had not really been completely annihilated.

Of course, they may not have survived in the environment devastated by the AI rebellion… but I’ll have to go and see.

Even if no one is left, it doesn’t matter. I can start over there.

-Navigation day 31. Good morning, Chairman.

“Hmm.”

There were no problems even when I had been sailing for about a month. I was warping repeatedly, and I wondered if I would arrive too easily.

-Navigation day 330

Kwaaaang!

-Space chimeras are attacking. Activating automatic defense system.

“I’m launching too!”

But the further I went into outer space, the more I was exposed to threats. The Celestial Race had joined hands with the Human Federation and pushed them away a long time ago, but the mutated chimeras were adapted to space and scattered throughout outer space.

It was also one of the reasons why humanity’s expansion into space was frustrated.

-Navigation day 1,781.

-Chairman… Good morning…

“…Good morning.”

-I’m sorry. Errors in my system are being detected repeatedly. I am activating the self-repair system, but the probability of success is extremely low.

“It’s okay. I just have to put up with a little inconvenience.”

When I had navigated over a thousand light-years, problems began to occur in the installed AI system.

Originally, it was designed to last for 100 years without any problems, but it was damaged during continuous battles with chimeras.

I fixed it several times, but… the parts were gradually running out.

I tried to fix it somehow because I thought I would be very lonely without this child.

-Navigation day 109,281.

The ship control AI finally fell silent. I was completely isolated in this universe.

But I didn’t have any extreme thoughts. Was it because I knew this would happen?

So I knew what to do.

[System connection, system connected to ‘Ark’.]

“Replace the main frame. The replacement target is… me.”

[Warning, ship control will be restored, but your body and mind may be restricted and overloaded.]

“I know. I’ll take it.”

I replaced the ship’s control AI with myself. Now the ship was completely under my direct control.

Instead, I could no longer use my original body… Well, I couldn’t use my body when my mind was moving the ship.

Because of that, I couldn’t even dream of entertainment or amusement. Fortunately, there were no more attacks from space chimeras because I was quite far out in outer space.

-Navigation day 132,941

I am still sailing.

-Navigation day 1,203,441

I am sailing. I was gradually losing consciousness.

-Navigation day 5,244,589

My mind was also wearing away. I was gradually losing track of how the day was passing.

When I had occasional thoughts left, I thought about it. Maybe I won’t reach Earth?

Or even if I do reach it, will there be anyone left there?

No, in the first place, why did I really decide on this voyage?

Maybe the real reason is just an escape from reality.

Wasn’t it just an escape to find a world that needed me in a world where I was no longer needed?

-Navigation day 303,254,211.

I reached Earth.

The Earth, which I had visited after millions of years, was blue. But the people I had expected were not left.

Well, they couldn’t have survived in a world riddled with radiation and frequent natural disasters.

Rather, it was good. I didn’t have to worry about hostile natives.

“Open all Empire Souls. Activate ‘Final Legacy’ protocol.”

[The Final Legacy protocol has been activated.]

[Warning, if this protocol proceeds, all Empire Souls will be consumed. This may cause fatal feedback. Do you want to proceed with the protocol?]

“Proceed.”

What I really brought on the ark was not just me and DNAs.

To make them grow rapidly and adapt quickly to this planet, a huge amount of energy was needed.

Only the Empire Soul was likely to make that possible.

I poured it in without leaving even a handful.

This was a process that even cut off the cycle of reincarnation. I decided not to reincarnate anymore.

[All Empire Souls have been consumed.]

[Life signs are extremely low.]

[The protocol has been forcibly terminated.]

“Finally… it’s over.”

With death before my eyes, I looked at the stars in the night sky.

Everything came to mind one by one in the starlight of that sky: the people I loved, the people I fought with, and even the people who were loyal to me.

It felt like they were calling me. I closed my eyes, immersed in such a delusion.

“Your Majesty, wake up, Your Majesty.”

And I opened my eyes to a familiar voice.

“Sarah…?”

“Have you finally come, Your Majesty.”

“Sarah… everyone…”

The pure white world of souls. There were all the people I loved and cherished.

Sarah spoke on behalf of everyone.

“We have been waiting. We are so sorry for placing such a heavy burden on Your Majesty.”

“No… no. I was happy thanks to you.”

I said that sincerely. I was happy to be able to watch over everything I had created.

There was no regret at all.