Chapter 20: VOLUME 12: CHAPTER 23
The Immortal Demon had appeared in the imperial capital.
When Lark heard this, he immediately delegated his tasks to the officers of the Rykard Army and flew back to the capital.
Mana pulsated and burst around Lark's body, increasing his flight speed. It was an inefficient way of using mana, but this was the only method he could currently use to get there as soon as possible.
"Hey, you're going too fast!"
Vulcan shouted from his rear. The ancient fire dragon, in his polymorphed state, could hardly keep up with Lark's speed.
"We need to hurry. It'll be too late if Emperor Sylvius is already dead by the time we arrive."
The Emperor ending up dead would be one of the worst-case scenarios for the Empire.
Emperor Sylvius Lockhart Mavis was a madman, but he was an absolute ruler who held nearly all of the power in the Empire. The moment he died, this nation would be engulfed in chaos.
Although Prince Quinn was loved by the people, the moderates, nobles, and the imperialists wouldn't readily agree with his ascension.
Bloodbath would ensue as the princes and their supporters vie for the throne succession.
The last thing Lark wanted was for a civil war to engulf the Empire.
"But is it really the Demon Lord?" said Vulcan. "That woman who calls herself the Headmaster said she met the Demon Lord in Meredith City."
"I don't know," said Lark. "But the descriptions given by the Princess and the Headmaster matched. Headmaster Ephiane also said the Demon Lord was looking for the Sword Saint's whereabouts. Chances are he went to the capital to meet him."
Vulcan scowled, "I get irritated when I think of it! This wouldn't have happened if that stupid old man accepted our offer! What use is his pride when he can't even protect a single city! That damn useless maggot!"
Vulcan continued with his grumblings.
"Haaah! If he was going to beg like a dog, he should have acted like one in the first place!"
"We even gave him a week to think things through!"
"How! Fucking! Stupid!"
"I'll really pull out his damn beard once everything is over!"
Throughout their journey back to the capital, Vulcan kept cursing Emperor Sylvius.
The way he spewed out curses one after another reminded Lark of the Scylla.
Was being foulmouthed inherent in the draconian race? Or was it the result of being long-lived? No, that shouldn't be the case, since the Arzomos weren't like this.
"For an Emperor, he's pretty stupid! Don't you agree, King Lark?"
Lark didn't utter a reply.
Now wasn't the time for these things.
Instead, he willed the mana leaking out of his body to pulsate and explode more fiercely. With a speed even faster than before, he flew toward their destination.
After several hours of inefficiently burning through their mana, the two finally arrived at the capital.
"It's in flames," said Vulcan.
It was already late in the evening, but they could clearly see the capital that was engulfed by flames.
Everything from the Red Lights District all the way to the Central Square was burning. One-fifth of the entire imperial capital – particularly the northeastern area, aside from the coliseum – was blazing.
Below, they could see thousands of citizens running away, chased by the flesh eaters. Corpses of soldiers and civilians alike were scattered on the streets, and the remaining soldiers desperately fought back the flesh eaters while buying time for the civilians to escape. The very few mages left in the capital couldn't even use their spells for battle, as they were ordered by the higher ups to prevent the fire from spreading further.
It was a scene straight from a nightmare.
The soldiers had long lost their morale by now and couldn't even put up a proper fight against the flesh eaters.
Even from this distance, they could hear the shouts of despair, the sound of swords hitting the claws of the demons, the buildings rumbling, and the flames crackling.
To an extent, Lark already expected this to happen. This was why he burned through large amounts of mana just to get here as quickly as possible.
The capital was the perfect medium for the growth of a Corrupted Tower.
A city teeming with humans.
A land abundant in life force and mana.
It was no wonder the Corrupted Tower started producing offspring less than a day after it was summoned by Muuka.
"What should we do, King Lark? Should we step in?"
"No, we need to meet someone first."
"The Emperor, huh?"
"Yes."
It was a cold decision, but Lark needed to meet the Emperor first before fighting the Immortal Demon.
Lark and Vulcan flew in the direction of imperial palace. They didn't bother going through the gates. Without stopping, they flew toward the main entrance instead.
Naturally, the defenses of the imperial palace were activated. Several spells were fired at the trespassers.
"Damn pesky spells," said Vulcan annoyedly.
Immobilization spells, piercing attacks, and numerous blades of mana flew at them, but all were easily repelled by Vulcan.
Lark and Vulcan landed at the main entrance of the Imperial Palace.
"W-Who are you!"
"Stop! You're not allowed inside!"
The soldiers guarding the entrance were taken aback by Lark's and Vulcan's sudden arrival. Everyone was on edge because of the demons rampaging in the capital.
"We have no time to explain everything to everyone," said Lark. "Vulcan."
"Alright."
Vulcan exuded large amounts of dragon fear, immediately suppressing the guards before them. The weaker ones were rendered unconscious, while those who were stronger were forced to kneel on the ground.
"Stay there on the ground," said Vulcan. "Be glad King Lark is here. If not for him, I wouldn't have spared your lives after you pointed your blades at me."
After Lark and Vulcan passed by the guards at the entrance, another group blocked their path. And this time, the guards were being led by a familiar face.
The one leading the guards was General Lazarus, the highest-ranking military official in the capital right now.
"It's been a while, General," said Lark.
General Lazarus said to his men, "Everyone, lower your weapons. Open a path. They are guests of our Emperor."
After receiving the General's command, the guards lowered their weapons and opened a path for Lark and Vulcan.
"We meet again, King Lark. I apologize if my soldiers have been rude to you," said General Lazarus. "But please understand. Everyone is on edge right now."
"Tch. We have no time for pleasantries, human," said Vulcan. "Lead us to your Emperor. Now."
General Lazarus didn't take offense at Vulcan's rudeness. He knew now was a crucial time, and he was simply glad these two returned this soon to the capital.
"Of course. Please, this way."
With the General at the lead, the group quickly traversed the vast hallways of the imperial palace. Soon, they arrived at the throne room.
"Open the door!" said General Lazarus. "King Lark and the esteemed Fire Dragon have arrived!"
"Yes, General!"
The imperial knights opened the door, revealing the same royal carpet that led all the way to the throne.
The throne room was filled with almost a hundred people. Imperial knights, imperial guards, ministers, royal advisors, military officials, and the Emperor's children. All of the prominent figures of the imperial capital were currently gathered in this place.
These people were in a heated discussion seconds before Lark's arrival. But now, they had all turned silent.
Everyone looked at the only man who could save them from their current predicament.
The Emperor spoke, "King Lark."
The Emperor's voice seemed devoid of strength, unlike when they first met. It was the voice of a man resigned to his fate.
"I heard from Luna," said the Emperor. "But I didn't expect to see you this soon."
Lark continued walking and stopped several meters before the throne.
"I flew here as soon as I received the news. I saw the situation on my way here," said Lark. "Let me be blunt. At this rate, the capital will fall, Your Majesty."
Emperor Sylvius' eyes looked dead. "I agree. The capital will fall soon."
Mocking laughter came out of his lips, "We've tried everything, but there is no one on our side capable of killing that demon guarding the obelisk."
The Emperor sighed deeply. He asked the question everyone in this room wanted to hear, "Tell me, King Lark. Are you capable of killing it?"
Without hesitation, Lark replied, "With my current state, it'll be hard even for me, Your Majesty."
Vulcan's eyes widened upon hearing this.
He didn't expect Lark to readily admit that his current strength would be lacking if he were to fight against the Demon Lord Barkuvara.
"Even if you receive the help of the Dragon?"
"Yes."
The Emperor palmed his face in resignation. "Haaah, this is the end of the Empire, huh?"
It was amazing that in less than a day, the demeanor of the Emperor changed. He lost all hope after losing his strongest warrior and tens of thousands of imperial soldiers.
He no longer looked condescending or arrogant. Instead, he looked close to crying right now.
"I'm still severely lacking, Your Majesty," said Lark. "But there should be a way for me to hold my ground against that demon even in my current state."
For a second, the Emperor's eyes glimmered with hope.
"A way?"
"Yes. The maginus left behind by the Founding Emperor—"
Emperor Sylvius' brows twitched upon hearing this.
"—lend it to me, Your Majesty," said Lark.
Even if their Empire was at stake, it was a difficult ask. Although Lark was only borrowing it, the mere thought of handing it to someone without a speck of imperial blood made Emperor Sylvius hesitate.
"And if you also have the armor set of the Founding Emperor," said Lark. "Lend that to me, too."
Unable to take it any further, one of the ministers shouted, "You! Are you ridiculing us! What you're asking for are the national treasures of the Empire!"
"SILENCE!"
Emperor Sylvius glared at the minister.
"Did I permit you to speak, Minister Gaveh?"
"I-I apologize, Your Majesty—"
"—Guards, take him away! I don't need a useless fool who dares show disrespect to our esteemed guests!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Immediately, the imperial guards removed the minister from the throne room. The minister didn't even dare protest, as he was afraid of aggravating the Emperor further.
After the minister was gone, Emperor Sylvius said, "I will strictly discipline him once everything is over."
It was the Emperor's way of apologizing, and Lark understood this. As the Emperor, he couldn't carelessly utter a direct apology, especially in front of all these prominent individuals.
"Regarding the weapon and armor set left behind the Founding Emperor…," said the Emperor. "You fought against General Alvaren, didn't you?"
Lark nodded. "Yes."
"I don't know if he told you this, but the maginus General Alvaren used in his battle against you is a mere replica. The real one is currently stored in the royal treasury, along with the armor set of the Founding Emperor."
The Emperor continued, "Uurvesk, the strongest person in the entire history of the Empire. The first Emperor, the founder of this nation. Before his death, he left behind several powerful artifacts, and among them were the armors and weapons he used in battle."
"Uurvesk," mumbled Lark.
Lark felt a strange sensation when he heard the name of his disciple come out of the Emperor's mouth. Now that he'd thought of it, Emperor Sylvius Lockhart Mavis was probably Uurvesk's descendant.
"Considering the situation, I can allow you to borrow them for battle," said the Emperor. "But the question of whether or not you'll be chosen by the weapon and the armor as their owner remains."
"They choose their owners?" said Lark.
It was strange.
The Uurvesk he knew didn't have the ability to create such intricate mechanisms in his equipment.
"We believe so, King Lark."
Lark looked at the Sword of Morpheus, which was currently in a form of a bracer.
In a sense, Morpheus was also a weapon that chooses its owner. Only someone who knew the pathway of mana to activate it can use it, after all.
Lark believed the same was probably true for the real maginus.
The reason why General Alvaren was using a mere replica was probably because even he failed to activate the original.
"Your Majesty, may I ask King Lark something?" said the Chief Royal Advisor.
"Gaillart? Go ahead."
The Chief Royal Advisor said to Lark, "According to the stories passed down to the Royal Family, the armor set and weapon of the Founding Emperor are capable of nullifying all forms of magic within a certain radius. It is the bane of all mages. Even if you somehow manage to use it, it will render you incapable of using any magic. I don't understand why you'll willingly seal your spells like this."
"That restriction isn't applicable to me, Sir Gaillart."
"W-What?"
Slowly, the bracer in Lark's arm turned into a sword.
"This thing here is called the Sword of Morpheus. It was created by combining the strongest metal in this world, the densest form of mana, and the most powerful magic cores. A maginus wouldn't be able to disrupt the spells created using Morpheus as a medium. I assure you that."
The Chief Royal Advisor's body trembled. He understood what Lark was trying to say right now.
Basically, the moment Lark equipped the armor set of the Founding Emperor, all forms of magic around him would be rendered useless. And only he, the one who held the Sword of Morpheus, would be able to use spells.
It was frightening how synergistic the Sword of Morpheus and the artifacts left behind by the Founding Emperor were.
Little did he know that the Founding Emperor created that armor set by copying Ev
ander Alaester's original equipment.
"Three years," said Lark. "Lend the equipment to me, and I'll prevent the capital's destruction."
Lark knew he needed this much preparation if he wished to have a chance of winning against the Immortal Demon.
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