Chapter 35: Arken Empire

There is nothing that humanity cannot conquer.

Under that motto, the Arken Empire has enjoyed an era of prosperity after the death of Godwin.

The first emperor, Jeffrey Arken, was a great hero, strategist, and politician.

He declared that he would establish the foundations of an empire that would not collapse even in hundreds of years.

And that declaration continues to prove true to this day.

The current emperor of the Arken Empire, Godfrey Arken, is the most incompetent and greedy king.

If it were another kingdom, his capricious policies and greed would have led it to ruin in less than three years.

However, he has ruled like that for forty years.

He is still in power, and the empire still stands.

It could be said that the emperor’s authority comes from the heavens themselves.

‘But the emperor’s authority comes from the warehouse.’

The treasures accumulated by previous emperors and the sacred artifacts are what sustain the empire.

To be able to touch that warehouse means to share in that authority.

And there is no noble who does not know it.

‘They are blinded by gold and submit to it.’

The more incompetent the emperor is, the more they flatter him; the more he errs, the more they praise him.

Corruption will only accelerate, the foundations of the millennial empire of the first emperor will collapse, and the fall will be inevitable.

“So, what do you plan to steal?”

Zed asked, incredulous.

“The sealed warehouse.”

“The sealed warehouse…”

The sealed warehouse.

If the treasury warehouse holds riches and sacred artifacts, the sealed warehouse holds the opposite evil things that must not be revealed.

There lie magical books left by demons, as well as objects and texts developed by their followers.

Zed’s expression became even more bitter.

Robbing the treasury warehouse was already a suicide mission, but the sealed warehouse was like adding fuel to the fire.

“Just in case… could you tell me what you plan to steal?”

There was no problem in saying it.

“From the grimoires of the great demons, something called Barbatos’s shadow magic.”

Barbatos, one of the seven great demons of hell, known as the demon of shadows and intrigue.

“Barbatos…”

Zed murmured seriously, then raised his head.

“…Who is that?”

“You don’t know him?”

“Not even those damned followers of Amon mention him much… but Barbatos… I have never heard of him.”

Although he is one of the seven great demons, he is the one with the least influence and is almost unknown.

“It is normal that you don’t know him. Unlike other demons, he has no followers.”

More than being insignificant, it was intentional.

Barbatos prefers to act in secret.

He knows that maintaining a low profile is advantageous for using his abilities, so he does not demand rituals or great sacrifices.

‘Although the conditions are extremely demanding.’

Shadow magic has the most difficult requirements among the magics left by the great demons.

Even the most basic spell that Perda used, “Shadow Hand,” is difficult for most mages to handle.

That is why there are almost no followers of Barbatos, nor people interested in his grimoire.

‘That is why it can be used as a trump card.’

Being a little-known magic, no one knows how to counter it.

In magical combat, surprising the opponent is key.

“Suppose you steal that shadow magic…”

Zed expressed his discomfort.

“How do you plan to get there?”

Perda crossed his legs.

“You tell me. How would you do it?”

“You’re leaving it to me?”

“It’s your specialty.”

“I’m not a thief. The only thing I’ve stolen are women’s hearts.”

“Stop the nonsense and answer.”

“Hmm…”

Zed rested his chin and thought.

After five minutes of silence, he spoke.

“There have been many who tried to rob the empire’s warehouses. Even a group that is said to have half succeeded was made up of ten people.”

“And?”

“In my opinion, it would take at least twenty people and a year of preparation. Are you going to hire twenty thieves?”

“No.”

Twenty people for a year.

He did not have time for that.

“Then, how much time?”

“Right now.”

Zed was speechless.

It seemed useless to even argue.

“If you want to do it right now and without leaving a trace… then it means I have to do it alone, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Ten people failed. How do you expect me to do it?”

Perda looked at him seriously.

“You can.”

Zed felt like he was going to lose his mind.

But the absurdity was not only his.

‘He exaggerates too much.’

Zed Swallow.

Now he was only a womanizer, but he had talent as a master thief.

One of his achievements was having infiltrated the imperial treasury warehouse, something no one else had achieved.

‘And without planning.’

Officially it was three times, but according to him, it was twelve.

That meant he already knew the weaknesses of the security system.

‘Of course, that’s in the future.’

He could not expect that level yet.

For now, he was still just a seducer, not a thief.

Perda knew it and still proceeded with the plan.

“There will also be information about the red eyes.”

“…!”

Zed stopped complaining instantly.

His eyes sharpened.

“Are you sure?”

“I have no intention of breaking our deal.”

Zed had made it clear that he would leave if he were used or deceived.

That is why he did not hesitate.

His answer was simple.

“Then I will do it.”

Everything was proceeding according to Perda’s plan.

***

Before acting, Perda went to see Count Consilus.

“Greetings, regent. I have heard that you will travel to the empire.”

“That’s right.”

“May I ask the reason?”

“In fact, I wanted to ask you that. There is no reason to go, but even so I must do it.”

“Ah, I understand.”

Consilus stroked his beard.

“Would it not be a good idea to mention the vacant position of Thessalos Walcher? Something like that a new candidate is needed…”

“I have already thought about it. There is a suitable candidate, but he has not appeared yet.”

“If you allow me, I can search for him.”

He could give details, but he did not want to.

If that person found out, he might hide.

So he responded briefly.

“When you see him, it will take your breath away.”

“B-breath away? What exactly do you mean?”

“There is no need to specify. You will know when you see him. Give the position to that knight.”

“Understood, as you order.”

They had not managed to recruit wandering knights, but they were still searching for defenders for the territory.

Someday one would appear.

Consilus thought of something else.

“Would it not be convenient to consult about the Grand Council?”

“The Grand Council?”

“Yes. All kings and nobles of ducal rank or higher of Serdes must attend. We need someone to confirm your identity. It would be good to go there under the pretext of informing the emperor or the imperial family.”

The emperor and the princes.

He did not like them, but he would inevitably have to deal with them.

“Fine. I will use that as an excuse. How is the situation of the empire?”

“A disaster.”

Consilus shook his head.

“A tripartite conflict is currently forming.”

“Who are the leaders?”

“The emperor, the crown prince… and the second prince.”

“The emperor is fighting against his own sons?”

Consilus nodded.

“I know it sounds absurd, but that is how it is. There was a time when the crown prince and the second prince tried to dethrone the emperor through politics.”

“But they failed.”

“Yes. Although the emperor is incompetent, when it comes to his power he is ruthless. He provoked a conflict between the crown prince and the second prince over the right of succession, and thus managed to suppress the situation.”

Instead of confronting an existing enemy, he creates a new one by proposing a different future.

If in that process he only generates conflict, power weakens and its essence is lost.

‘As they say, even a rotten fish is still a fish…’

If he has survived this long, it is for a reason.

“On the surface, then, it is a three-sided struggle.”

“On the surface… yes, on the surface it is so.”

Consilus felt curious about the use of the word “surface,” but did not pursue it further.

Perda thought about the three and asked.

“If you were in my place, whom would you support?”

“In my case… I would say the second prince.”

“Why?”

“The second prince has always prioritized national defense. He has traveled through many regions defeating monsters and securing territory for the empire. He is also interested in the eradication of creatures. He is as outstanding as the first emperor.”

Just as Consilus said.

In fact, the base of the second prince was formed by military forces that the crown prince could not recruit.

He tried to compensate for his lack of power with achievements.

“Of course, it is not a perfect answer either. If he truly cared about defense, he would have extended his hand to this eastern frontier region.”

“That is true.”

After hearing his opinion, Perda nodded.

“Then I will write three letters. To the emperor, to the first prince, and to the second prince.”

“Do you want me to help you?”

The empire still believed that Count Consilus had more influence than the regent.

But Perda shook his head.

“It is not necessary. I will send them in the name of Regent Valdrova.”

“If that is your wish…”

Perda wanted to know their intentions.

The one who is thirsty digs the well, and the one who needs it reaches out.

He wanted to see which of them would approach him.

Consilus withdrew for the same reason.

“There is something else I want to ask you.”

“Tell me.”

“Is there any unidentified corpse?”

A body without name or origin.

“An unidentified corpse… yes, I think there is one. Recently one was found near the territory.”

Perfect.

“Good. Burn it.”

“Burn it…?”

Consilus blinked.

Not a cremation, but an execution at the stake.

He could not help but ask.

“Just to confirm… is this for the good of this region?”

“Of course. It is not for a personal whim.”

“Then I will do it.”

“Make it look like the worst kind of wretch while it burns. That is enough.”

“Heh… the gods will be angered.”

Consilus touched his necklace.

It was an amulet of the followers of Alte, the empire’s religion.

“Who has not committed a sin at some point?”

“That is true.”

Although it troubled him to profane an innocent corpse, Consilus did not protest.

If he wanted this region to prosper, he had to trust Perda.

***

After sending three letters to the empire, Perda boarded the carriage.

It was impossible to receive a response immediately, nor did he expect one.

That was the purpose of the letters.

‘What matters is seeing what they do in response to a unilateral communication.’

Accompanying him were Zed, the knight Arwen under Consilus’s command, and his soldiers.

After a week of travel, they finally saw a massive wall on the plain.

‘The Arken Empire.’

The landscape of the capital, with cultivated fields and vegetation, made the heart beat faster.

Zed, looking out the window, smiled excitedly.

“The empire is always impressive. It feels good to come here.”

“I see.”

All nobles and commoners dreamed of the imperial capital.

The Rosnova family had also aspired to become central nobility.

But Perda did not feel that need.

Entering there was like entering a den of monsters disguised as humans.

The true hell began there.

They arrived at the gates.

Perda informed the guard of his identity.

“Please wait a moment.”

The guard went to verify.

But minutes passed and they were not allowed to enter.

“I think we started off badly.”

Zed muttered uneasily, but Perda did not see it that way.

“It is a good sign.”

“A good sign?”

“If they make a noble wait, it is because there is a reason.”

Shortly after, a white and luxurious carriage appeared inside the gate.

Having to change carriages meant entering the imperial palace.

In other words, they had responded to his letter.

A knight at the front greeted respectfully.

“Welcome to the empire, regent! I am Marco, commander of the fifth imperial squad.”

“A pleasure.”

“This way…”

Perda changed carriages under his guidance.

Zed tried to get on, but Marco stopped him.

“Excuse me, who are you?”

“An employee.”

Marco’s face hardened.

“Employees cannot board. Only guests may enter the palace.”

“Ah… I see.”

“Step aside.”

Zed moved aside uncomfortably.

Thus, only Perda continued toward the palace.

‘What excessive luxury.’

His own carriage was elegant, but the imperial one was on another level.

Perda looked out the window.

The streets were clean and full of smiling people.

It was a place full of hope.

That is why many nobles fell ill when leaving it.

Where there is happiness, there is also misfortune.

And that misfortune was now aimed at Perda.

His sharp perception detected a suspicious gaze.

A man hidden in an alley was watching the carriage.

‘He is targeting this carriage.’

The soldiers had not noticed.

‘I can neutralize him before he attacks.’

Perda generated a sphere of mana.

He prepared to counterattack at any moment.

As the distance shortened, the man stepped out and blocked the carriage.

Hiiiinn!

The horses neighed and stopped abruptly.