Epilogue: For Those Who Know That Name
“[Ater] Ater-Nanoir. Step forward.”
Inside the imperial castle of the Fortem Empire.
In the chalk-white castle towering at the center of the imperial capital, tension ran high in the throne room.
The cause was the information brought back by the Level 8 explorer, Ater-Nanoir.
Without even bringing her party members, Ater knelt alone before the Emperor.
Sitting on the majestic throne with his head resting on his hand was a handsome man who could still pass for a young youth.
The Emperor of Fortem, Oldrum von Fortem.
Without appearing strained, he crossed his legs and signaled for the report with a wave of his hand.
“Report.”
“Yes.”
Ignoring the knights whose shoulders shook just from the Emperor opening his mouth, Ater began a calm and detailed report. “Under your imperial decree, I rushed to the Grifill Holy Kingdom territory. The frozen Grifill Forest was indeed caused not by a natural disaster, but by magical factors.”
“…And Lettam and Agrina?”
“I was unable to find any trace of the person who kidnapped the Crown Prince and Princess. Simultaneously, I could not obtain detailed information about Helheim.”
In response to the Emperor’s tense voice, Ater replied clearly without flinching.
The one who took offense at this was a man who was a platoon leader of the imperial knights.
“You couldn’t find them!? How dare you return here with such a face after that!?”
Ater clicked her tongue internally.
This man was one of the knight faction members who didn’t like the Emperor’s frequent requests for cooperation from explorers.
From Ater’s perspective, not being relied upon was nothing but a lack of ability on his part. How troublesome it was for a knight to shift the blame like that.
The man, having gained an opportunity to denounce her in a formal setting, spoke like a fish in water.
“In the first place, it’s preposterous to think a mere explorer party could find what the knights couldn’t despite their frantic search! This is an insult to our empire’s knights—”
“—This is the middle of a report. Don’t pollute my ears, Shugo.”
“B-But Your Majesty!”
“Don’t make me say it twice. Ater, continue. I don’t believe you would return empty-handed.”
At the Emperor’s words, which were laced with certain trust, Ater bowed deeply once more, while the man named Shugo distorted his face as if he had swallowed a bitter bug.
Ater raised her voice more than before, speaking as if the most important part was coming.
“After investigating the freezing of the Grifill Forest, we, the [Spear of Bravery], confirmed and rushed to an abnormal situation at the hidden region called the [Cage of the Battlefield] near the explorer town of Ghat. And there—Helheim was indeed present.”
The report that echoed through the quiet throne room was enough to stop the thoughts of all who heard it.
Indeed, it was nothing less than the internal information about Helheim that the Empire desperately desired.
But…
“D-Don’t be ridiculous, [Ater]! You just said you couldn’t find any information! But that’s…”
After nodding to the speechless Shugo, Ater looked up at the Emperor.
The Emperor, with his eyes closed as before, signaled for her to continue.
“However, I would like to relay the rest of this only to the ears of the Emperor.”
“You! Even at this stage—”
“It is fine, Shugo. Ater, come closer.”
“Excuse me.”
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Approaching the Emperor sitting on the throne, Ater whispered what she had heard.
[My name is the Corpse King—the true Master of Helheim. Explorer of the Empire… of Fortem. Convey my name to the Emperor of Fortem. And tell him of the existence of the fake Helheim. Should you speak of this to anyone other than the Emperor, I shall prepare an appropriate retaliation—I expect a wise decision.]
The name, and the unclear information about the “True Helheim.”
Furthermore, she reported in detail about the traces of ice magic and other findings.
“…It is almost certain that he is involved in the freezing of the Grifill Forest. …A-And also…”
When Ater hesitated, the Emperor nudged his chin to prompt her.
Ater lowered her eyes, her voice hushed with a mix of various emotions.
“—Nidhogg has defected.”
“…………!!”
Ater’s shoulders twitched as the Emperor’s eyes flew open, but she was not permitted to stop speaking.
“She called that man ‘King’ and accompanied him. To tame that foolish dragon to such an extent… he is certainly a man of considerable skill. Likely of the [Hall of Raid Kings] class.”
At the deluge of bad news that she absolutely couldn’t let anyone else hear, Ater felt a cold sweat run down her back.
“I see.”
“Huh?”
—And yet.
“You may leave, Ater. You have brought much profitable information. Furthermore, you may expect a reward for bravely fulfilling my decree.”
“Y-Your Majesty…?”
“The search for Lettam and Agrina will be continued with even more effort. Increase the personnel and issue a summons to the Level 9 explorers. That is all.”
Ignoring the tension lingering in the throne room, the Emperor stood up.
After the Emperor left, no one could open their mouth until the servant guiding Ater began to speak.
Because…
“That was the first time… I’ve ever seen His Majesty smile like that.”
Ater’s words were the consensus of everyone there.
After leaving the throne room, the Emperor immediately called a servant to his side.
“Bring some wine from the cellar.”
“Y-Yes? Pardon?”
“It’s an imperial decree. Hurry.”
“Y-Yes, sir!”
The servant, looking pale, timidly asked the Emperor.
“B-By the way, which vintage…?”
The servant tilted his head at the Emperor’s unprecedentedly good mood.
The Emperor smirked, the corner of his mouth curling up.
“—The 200-year-old wine. [Oldumina-Shiou].”
“!! R-Right away!!”
The servant immediately rushed to the castle’s underground cellar.
Even for the other castle staff listening nearby, there was no one who didn’t know that name.
It was said to be one of the items the Emperor valued most in the castle.
A promised item from his youth.
“If you’re back, show your face sooner… Honestly. …I wonder if he’ll get mad if I ask him to help find the kids.”
Covering his loosening mouth with his hand, the Emperor looked up at the ceiling.
■
“The Corpse King… the Corpse King, you say!?”
Thud…
The sound of the old man hitting the wall lacked any vigor, and his shouting voice was hoarse and weak.
His body, with several tubes attached, was so skeletal he looked more like he was being “kept alive” rather than living.
The light of the orange flame casting shadows on the stone wall illuminated the sweat on his skin.
“Yes, yes. The Corpse King has returned. There is no mistake.”
The man wearing a hat sneered beside the old man, breathing out wickedly.
“However, right now, Helheim is a symbol of villainy in this world. There is no place for that King.”
“—Do not call him King!! Cough, wheeze!“
Breathing with a whistling sound, the old man called out that name with pure loathing.
“SHIOU… HIZAKIIIIIIIIII!!”
TLNOTE : SHI OU = Corpse King
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