He Became The Most Insane Emperor Of All Time [EN]: Chapter 78

“What is the status of the World Tree?”

“It is growing without any issues, Your Majesty, the Spirit King.”

The elves’ fortress was created using earth and nature spirit magic.

The fortress’s role was to protect the young World Tree growing there.
The plan was to use it to destroy the Empire in one fell swoop.

“Smooth. It’s going too smoothly to be fun.”

The Spirit King, seated on an oak throne, spoke with arrogant declaration as he gazed at the young World Tree.

It was a replica that couldn’t compare to the World Tree, the ‘Tree of Long Years,’ which was the source of the elves’ power, but the effort put into this was by no means small.

The number of humans used as ‘nutrients’ to create it was in the tens of thousands. All the Druid followers were used.

“The resources invested, the spirit affinity consumed, it’s incomparable to anything I’ve ever done.”

Hundreds of years since he ascended to the Spirit King’s throne.

The countless achievements he had made to become the elves’ emperor, and the numerous feats he accomplished while leading them after becoming emperor.

This was an endeavor that required more effort than anything he had ever done.

“The moment this is completed, the Empire will be destroyed.”

Their civilization would be destroyed, and without the elves’ permission, they would not be able to harvest crops from any land.

Humans would easily lose their lives just by setting foot, and they would be left with only two options: to become fertilizer or slaves.

“Even with such destruction before their eyes, you are late, human emperor.”

The Spirit King was consumed with a mixture of regret and triumph as he recalled the emperor who had opposed him.

He was clearly weaker than himself, but his spirit was unyielding.

The Spirit King had been looking forward to a showdown with him.

“It’s too much to compare that guy to the founding emperor, but…”

At least he thought he would show a little more potential.

“Well, that’s ultimately the limit of inferior humans.”

The Spirit King leaned back on his throne, sneering coldly.

He was accomplishing what even the great ancestors had failed to do.

And he would become an even greater being.

The Spirit King’s expectations were now shifting to that.

“Your Highness, scouts have discovered Imperial troops advancing.”

“Hmph, they’re only coming now. They’re far too late.”

The growth of the young World Tree was nearly complete.

Of course, even after its growth was complete, it would take time to erode the entire Empire.

But the first disaster alone would be enough to shake the Empire.

“Even if they attack here now, it’s too late, and they can’t possibly break through this perfectly fortified place.”

A naturally fortified fortress built with spirit magic.

Elite elven warriors stationed there.

Not only them, but the Spirit King himself could also step into battle at any time.

Even if the Emperor brought all his forces, he would not be able to easily destroy this impregnable fortress.

The Spirit King smiled gleefully, imagining the human emperor arriving here late and falling into despair.

“Your, Your Highness. The thing is……”

“……?”

At that moment, the messenger delivering the report looked perplexed.

“……The Imperial troops are not coming here.”

“What? What are you saying?”

The Spirit King doubted whether he had misheard.

They gathered their forces and set out, but they’re not coming here?

If not here, where else would they go?

“They seem to be heading towards our territory. To the nearest city……”

They are not coming to the fortress.

Instead, they are heading to the elves’ territory.

It seemed they intended to attack there.

Hearing those words, the Spirit King chuckled.

“Ha, is that the best you can do, human emperor?”

A suicidal all-out war with damage taken into account.
A strategy to destroy the enemy as much as they are hit.

At first glance, it seems impressive, but isn’t it just a pathetic act destined for ruin?

Or perhaps he was doing this because he didn’t know what the Spirit King was planning.

Either way, the Spirit King couldn’t help but laugh.

“This is so boring, there’s no need for me to step in-“

“Your Highness! Urgent news!”

The moment the Spirit King was about to give up his expectations, he had to doubt his ears once again at the messenger’s following report.

“The Emperor, the human emperor, is coming here alone!”

“……!”

Contrary to the Spirit King’s thoughts, Franz wasn’t just thinking of a suicidal all-out war.

While sending troops to retaliate against the elves,

He was coming here alone to face them.

* * *

“They’ve made it quite grand.”

They said they had built a naturally fortified fortress that was impregnable, but seeing it in person, it was beyond that level.

A moat made entirely of cliffs, and conversely, walls created by the ground rising up.

The gate was firmly blocked by layers of thick trees and rocks, and the area was full of bushes and trees perfect for ambushes.

It was truly a fortress and castle made using natural objects.

“So, you’re all gathered here, huh?”

Without a doubt, I could feel the elves hiding in various places, aiming at me.

The moment I came within range, they would surely shoot arrows to turn me into a hedgehog.

“But I have to repay what I’ve received.”

The Spirit King came out alone to face the army.

So, I’ll pay him back in the same way.

By doing so, I would make them clearly feel it.

So that they would clearly understand what it means to stand against the Empire, humanity, and me.

“Then, shall we begin?”

[Mana Heart Output Deployment 250%]

[Imperial Soul Stage 1 Release]

[Divinity has increased by 100%]

[All authorities, divine spells, and magical effects have been amplified.]

[Tier 1 Imperial divine miracles and authorities can be used.]

Whirr! Whirr!

The Holy Sword blazed.

Burning wings unfolded.

Feeling my soul growing, I flew towards the elves’ fortress.

Shushushushuk!

A rain of arrows flying to cover the sky.
The sight of those dark arrows all appearing to converge on a single point, me, was thrilling yet beautiful.

“But I can’t just take it.”

Whirr!

I swung the Holy Sword, burning with purifying flames.
The flames spread out as if to burn the sky covered with arrows.

Most of the arrows flying towards me were burned by the flames.

Most of them, that is.

“I guess I can’t burn them all with just this.”

The elves were not easy opponents.

They were naturally stronger and more predatory than humans from birth.

Unlike the arrows or bolts fired by soldiers, each of them could imbue their arrows with aura [magical energy].

Because of that, there were many arrows that broke through the flames.

“Then how about this!”

Flash!

[Divine Spell ‘Blessing of Arrow Evasion’ activated]

[1,000 Divinity consumed.]

[Upgraded to Divine Authority from Divine Spell due to the enhanced Divinity by the Imperial Soul.]

[Immune to any arrows for 1,000 seconds.]

Swish! Swish! Shushuk!

The arrows flying like guided missiles were all missing.

Indeed, the effects of the divine spell were strengthened, and this was truly worthy of being called a miracle.

“Then it’s my turn now, pointy-eared bastards!”

The fortress they rely on.

Even for such a fortress, the cliff-like moat or the high walls like small mountains are not significant to me, who is flying.

But while I am only one person, the other side is a large army of ten thousand.

Killing them one by one would be endless.

Then area attacks were the only answer.

[Divine Spell ‘Authority of Purification – Scourge of Flames’ activated.]

[2,000 Divinity consumed.]

The blazing wings of fire burned even more splendidly.

In that state, I flew over the heads of the elves on the natural walls.

Each time, fireballs of death fell upon their heads.

“Kuaaaaak!”

“F, fire! Put it out quickly!”

“Knock that guy down!”

“The arrows aren’t hitting!”

The elves swept up in the flames were screaming.

Some shot arrows to retaliate, but none of the arrows hit me.

On the other hand, I attacked them even more fiercely.

Not only did I fly around and spray flames, but I also swung the blazing Holy Sword, scattering fiery sword winds in all directions.

Occasionally, I would dive like a bomber, plunging into the ground to cause explosions, and then fly back up, spreading firestorms.

Thorough area attacks covering the surface.

In an instant, I burned hundreds of them.

There was no need to thoroughly kill each of them.

Rather, it was even more beneficial to make them suffer without killing them.

Puff! Bang!

But as if they wouldn’t be easily defeated, the arrows that had missed began to explode near me.

The arrows with fire spirits exploded, attacking me with flames and shrapnel.

[Authority of Protection has absorbed the enemy’s damage.]

[328 Divinity consumed as compensation for neutralizing the damage.]

“So, they’re not easy opponents after all, huh?”

Natural powerhouses.

They seemed to falter for a moment, but they were quickly coping.

In particular, those shots just now were sharp snipes that would have undoubtedly hit under normal circumstances.

The snipers were hiding in various places, aiming for my heart.

Perhaps they were waiting for the Blessing of Arrow Evasion to end.

“Area attacks alone are not enough.”

Area attacks that pour down on a wide area without specifying a target.

They are effective in an absolute many-on-one fight, but inefficient for killing snipers hiding behind allies.

“Then I have no choice but to combine it with pinpoint attacks.”

Since the enemies are a large army, the number of snipers is also quite large.

It’s not enough to target one or two.

An attack that can hunt them all at once, quickly.

“I’ve already mastered that a long time ago.”

[Skill ‘Shadow Blades’ activated]

[The skill’s effect is greatly increased due to the Imperial Soul’s effect.]

[Shadow Blade Efficiency Amplification 353%]

Hundreds of shadow blades extend out.

The target is the hidden snipers.

Of course, figuring out their location is a separate matter.

But that’s not a problem either.

[‘Watcher’s Web’ deployed]

[Neural Acceleration Amplification!]

[Current Neural Acceleration Rate 152%]

In the slowed time, countless webs of aura are scattered.

The snipers could not escape from the web.

All of their locations were identified, and the shadow blades rushed towards them.

Papapapapapak!

The snipers were being killed off in an instant.

Most of them couldn’t even react and were instantly killed with their hearts or heads pierced on the spot.

Some quickly dodged, but the shadow blades were even more persistent.

Whiririk!

“I, it’s bending!”

Seokeok!

The blades followed them.

Of course, the shadow blades don’t chase on their own.

I am controlling them all.

Still bombing all around.

It was something that required a high degree of concentration, but it wasn’t impossible for me, who had the ‘Genius’ trait.

“Is the entrance area cleared by now?”

It doesn’t really matter for me, who is flying, to distinguish the entrance.

Wheeeeeeng!

“Hmm?”

At that moment, a fierce fireball was flying quickly towards me.

Peoeong!

I dodged it, and it exploded. Of course, I was out of the explosion range, but that wasn’t the end of it.

-Burn them all! Salamander!

Kyareureureu!

The exploded flame transformed into a spirit resembling a small lizard.

At the same time, it spewed flames at me.

I was barely able to avoid the attack with evasive maneuvers.

“You’re not going to stay still, Spirit King?”

The attack came from the giant World Tree standing tall in the center of this fortress, far away.

The Spirit King was waiting there.

“I’ll go and burn you all together soon.”

Along with your race, your kingdom, and everything on your throne.