0.0000001% Demon King - 0DK Chapter 21: Hidden Evil (4) (Part 2)

The fourth son of the third concubine, far removed from the line of succession. He should have lived a quiet life, far from power, and died without leaving a mark in history books.

The previous Emperor was gentle by nature, not disposing of or exiling a child with no claim to the throne. The imperial family was at peace. And that peace was shattered by the current Emperor.

He killed his brothers and exiled any siblings who could threaten his claim to the throne. Those who did not support him were accused of treason and their families were annihilated.

The former Emperor died vomiting blood, lamenting that he had birthed a monster. The third concubine, the Emperor’s mother, also died by poison. The next day, the Emperor purged the first and second concubines.

A mad Emperor. A monster of power. That was the moniker by which the current Emperor was known. Irina had no desire to be compared to such a being. Whether the Emperor understood her feelings or simply did not care, he laughed.

“But still, you’re similar to me. Yes, to find one’s place, one must kill everything in their way. Others may call it madness, but it doesn’t matter. I’m just reclaiming my place.”

Her throat tightened at his deadly words. She narrowed her eyes, thinking coldly.

The Emperor seemed to favor her. Perhaps, then, there was a chance to survive. The Emperor spoke, his tone light as if joking.

“So, how do you want to die?”

The atmosphere tensed.

Irina’s face turned pale instantly. The Emperor murmured as if humming a song.

“Do you prefer hanging? Or burning? Or decapitation? Ah, since you’re pretty, how about poison that leaves your beauty intact? I’ll prepare a painless, deadly poison for you. Which do you choose?”

The Emperor spoke as if offering a joke to a friend. Irina couldn’t answer and swallowed her saliva. The Emperor smiled faintly, like a snake.

“If you can’t choose, I’ll choose for you. A punishment personally selected by the Emperor. Not something easily obtained, right?”

“I do not wish to die.”

“But I want to kill you.”

The Emperor’s tone remained light, as if chatting casually with a country youth, but the content was deadly.

‘Must I follow through with it?’

Irina bit her lip. The Demon King’s words. Initially, she thought them madness and refused to comply, but now the situation has changed. She had to struggle before dying.

She steeled herself and spoke.

“Please stop joking. Your Majesty surely has no intention of killing me.”

“Oh?”

The Emperor laughed, amused, asking as if enjoying a diversion.

“Why do you think so?”

Despite being directly challenged, the Emperor merely smiled. Irina loosened her stiff tongue and spoke.

“Because Your Majesty despises the current Empire.”

The smile vanished from the Emperor’s lips. His expressionless face turned towards her. Despite the pressure, Irina barely managed to speak.

“You hate the laws, the history of the Empire. ‘A woman cannot become a lord.’ That law, too, has been in place since the Empire’s founding. I believe Your Majesty will keep me alive to break such a venerable law.”

“Hmm.”

The Emperor rested his chin on his hand. His metallic eyes scrutinized her. Irina shivered under his probing gaze.

“How do you know that?”

His voice, unlike his previously amused tone, was now rigid. Irina felt drained.

“I deduced it from Your Majesty’s actions since ascending the throne.”

“Really? A deduction? I thought I had managed everything so no one would notice. But you’re not wrong.”

The Emperor twisted his lips. Irina swallowed hard. A monster stood before her.

“Laws, power, people, they’re all just passed down. The Emperor is said to own the Empire, but what of it is truly mine? I have nothing but the title of being a mere number in the line of Emperors.

So, I hate the Empire.”

The Emperor grinned.

“You’re the second person to notice this. No, perhaps the first among humans.”

She was curious about his words but dared not ask. The Emperor casually said,

“Go on, then.”

“Excuse me?”

Irina asked, not understanding his meaning. The Emperor waved his hand.

“Return to your territory. I’ll spare your life. Initially, I thought of killing you, but… having someone like you around could be interesting, don’t you think? Or would you prefer to die here?”

“No.”

She quickly shook her head, completed her bow, and left the hall, closing the door behind her.

“Haah…”

She was drenched in sweat. She had long forgotten the fear of death, but the Emperor’s immense presence was enough to instill fear.

For now, she had survived. She had achieved an important goal and was satisfied with that. She steadied her trembling legs and slowly walked towards the castle gate.

‘But then…’

As her mind began to work again and she noticed something odd, she frowned.

‘How did the Demon King know?’

Predicting based on the Emperor’s actions after his ascension seemed too far-fetched. She was curious but asking would yield no answer. Feeling pitiful about her own situation, she sighed deeply.

Days later, a decree spread that women could become lords. The nobility rebelled. “How can a mere woman sit in the noble seat of a lord?” they protested, but their complaints were ignored. Noble daughters started disputes over inheritance rights, plunging the Empire into chaos.

And the Emperor, as always, remained silent.

Hyung_Otaku

I'm currently Translating the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!

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