Chapter 151

Chapter 151
## Chapter 151

The Empire’s Turmoil (1)

“I suppose I should observe how things progress, but my outlook is positive! Shattering the Immortal King’s skull with my own hands—what could possibly be more thrilling? Ahahaha—!”

Harley provided a prompt reply to Rapori’s inquiry, though he intentionally maintained some flexibility in his position.

‘The critical element at this moment is setting the stage.’

It was a classic, fairytale-like narrative: a champion embarks on a quest to rescue a captive princess, recruits companions along the journey, thwarts the dark plots of the Demon King, and ultimately storms the stronghold to vanquish the ultimate evil.

To realize such an arc, he required a controlled chessboard of a battlefield—a space where the champion and the Demon King could openly clash and display their full power, completely under his oversight.

‘Traditional tropes endure for a reason. Integrating the champion’s party into that exact framework will yield the highest dramatic tension.’

Yet, for this progression to carry weight, a sacrificial lamb was indispensable—a figure akin to a princess, possessing a pedigree grand enough to capture the interest of the ‘Immortal King’ while simultaneously restricting the Empire from taking reckless actions…

As luck would have it, an ideal individual for this designation was already within his grasp.

Even if he lacked her formal agreement to take part.

“…Is that how it stands? At any rate, it is a pleasure to cross paths with you. The core consultations are nearly concluded, so our party intends to journey back to the Enamel Continent in the near future.”

Because Harris had newly attained the qualifications of a High Elf, a trip to the World Tree was required for the formal awakening ritual.

They would naturally be compelled to return shortly thereafter to manage the coalition forces and the impending campaign, but…

‘The departure of the remaining diplomatic delegations should be occurring around now as well… Naturally, the Empire’s representatives included.’

—

Jeron, the sovereign capital of the Azeria Empire.

Rumble, rumble—

Having concluded her journey to the Roselia Cathedral within the borders of the holy land, Isea gazed out from the window of the horse-drawn carriage as it made its way toward the imperial palace.

She was a petite figure, distinguished by dark hair and wrapped in a blue robe.

‘It is remarkably quiet.’

Her eyes drifted across the ordinary rhythm of the thoroughfare, which appeared entirely untouched by the volatile circumstances gripping the wider world.

As this was the heart of the Azeria Empire, the direct devastation of the conflict had not breached these walls, though such isolation was bound to be temporary.

Immense toll and relentless striving would be demanded to preserve this state of serenity, yet…

She was returning at this very moment after explicitly declining the call to aid in that preservation.

Retreating back to her personal anchor.

‘…I cannot complain if others deem my choices self-serving.’

To Isea, who originated from a completely different world, the singular, intimate bond she had forged in this place held far greater significance than the preservation of the entire continent.

She understood, of course, that failing to halt the Immortal King meant absolute ruin for everyone—including the person she wished to shield—but surely a multitude of alternative defenders existed to shoulder that burden?

In contrast to the broader world, which possessed no shortage of protectors willing to step into the fray, Fifth Princess Riley was entirely reliant on her companionship at this critical juncture.

The caliber and cohesion of the faction the princess had assembled remained vastly inferior to the political might of the Crown Prince.

‘Furthermore, I initially anticipated spending my entire duration within the Empire before returning to Earth, but through Simon, I even managed a journey to the holy land.’

Naturally, this sequence of events did not elevate her opinion of the Crown Prince.

She was the person who had personally countered his underhanded political maneuvers from the very moment the Fifth Princess’s alliance began to gain traction.

She had ground out victories against those schemes through sheer physical and mental exhaustion, quite literally spitting up blood in the process.

Upon entering the imperial palace grounds and proceeding directly to the residence of the Fifth Princess, she finally stood before the sole reason she remained bound to this reality.

“Viscount Pristine? Your return is far swifter than I anticipated.”

Riley Carte Azeria, the Fifth Princess of the Azeria Empire, possessed tresses of gold that fell like fine silken threads and vibrant blue-green eyes that mirrored precious gems. Her stature stood in stark contrast to Isea’s, boasting an elegant, fully matured presence…

She offered a warm, welcoming expression that naturally projected her highborn status and innate authority.

“You have all performed admirably. I require a private audience with Viscount Pristine, so you are permitted to withdraw.”

Though her delivery was gentle, it carried the undeniable weight of an individual accustomed to absolute obedience.

The attending servants curtseyed flawlessly and departed the chamber in response to the princess’s soft command.

Hummmm—

The moment privacy was secured, Isea made a brief gesture with her hand, establishing a defensive concealment barrier as was her habit.

Casting magical spells without authorization within the imperial palace was strictly forbidden, but an exception was carved out for her role as the princess’s personal protector.

Once the ward was firmly set,

The instant their eyes locked…

“Seah~! You are finally home! What response did the Church provide? They did not attempt to coerce you into joining the frontline campaign, did they?”

Fifth Princess Riley abandoned her regal posture, rushing forward to pull Isea into a tight embrace.

“Ah, Riley. Please, compose yourself… Urgh!”

Isea attempted to establish some distance from the princess, who was actively burying her face against the top of Isea’s head, but the effort only resulted in her being compressed tighter against the princess’s chest as she tried to break free.

“Hehe— This is infinitely superior to any plush toy. Ah~ I feel completely restored.”

“…L-let… go of me…”

Isea managed to voice a muffled protest from within the constricting embrace before finally managing to slide out of the princess’s hold.

“Oh, come now! Why must you be like that? The palace was utterly tedious without your presence! Hugging Terry does not compare to this at all!”

Riley shifted her expression to a pout, voicing her displeasure.

‘Terry’ was the name of a stuffed bear Isea had presented to her for her birthday, serving as her most cherished object to hold throughout the night.

“Goodness, despite how much you have grown physically, your temperament remains entirely childish.”

“Hmph! My public demeanor is that of a flawless imperial princess. You ought to consider yourself privileged to witness this side of me, an honor reserved solely for Seah.”

Riley gave a subtle flip to her hair, adopting an intentionally haughty downward glance accompanied by a proud smirk.

Meanwhile, Isea looked up at the striking, statuesque woman who cleared 170 centimeters in height, her mind momentarily blanking as she silently despaired over the laws of nature.

‘She was such a tiny, adorable child when our paths first crossed…!’

The transformation was undeniable.

During their initial encounter, the princess was merely an eleven-year-old youth, notably smaller than other children her age.

Yet, as the princess experienced a sudden growth spurt, she completely surpassed Isea in height, physical presence, and mature aura…

Their dynamic had entirely flipped, leading directly to the current state of affairs where Isea was routinely coddled.

Their introductory meeting, however, had featured a completely different dynamic.

* “My goodness, what just happened? Did you utilize a spatial translocation method? This location is entirely sealed by a barrier, making entry impossible. Are you perhaps an Archmage?”

By a stroke of either immense fortune or terrible luck,

Isea had materialized directly within the restricted estate of a prominent noble house immediately following her arrival in this alternate world, stumbling upon a solitary young girl occupying the courtyard.

* “You originate from another world?… You truly do not belong to this realm?”

Upon realizing she had breached an entirely inaccessible sanctuary, Isea accurately assessed her precarious situation and opted for absolute transparency.

She concluded that securing the protection and favor of the inquisitive child before her represented her highest probability of survival.

The dialogue that unfolded with the young girl, whose eyes shone with unbridled fascination, set the foundation for her entire existence in this unfamiliar realm.

* “This is fascinating! You truly possess zero knowledge regarding this realm? In that case, I shall provide you with assistance!… Though I do have a single condition.”

Under normal circumstances, an unauthorized interloper might have faced immediate execution upon discovery, meaning…

Fortune had undeniably smiled upon her.

* “…Would you be willing to be my companion?”
* “A companion? You are quite tiny. You should address me as big sister.”
* “Big sister? Older sisters… tend to be intimidating.”

The child, who had maintained a vibrant energy throughout their talk, extended the request with visible vulnerability.

Isea possessed no knowledge of the girl’s lineage or domestic troubles at the time, yet she found herself unable to ignore the profound sense of isolation reflecting in the young girl’s gaze.

* “…Alright, very well. You may simply refer to me as Seah.”
* “Seah? Is that your given name? It possesses a lovely ring to it!”
* “Indeed, my thanks. And how should I address you?”
* “Riley! My name is Riley!”

That marked the precise moment when Riley Carte Azeria, the Fifth Princess of the Azeria Empire (then 11 years old)—who had retreated to her mother’s ancestral home to escape the dangerous rivalries of her siblings within the palace walls—

And Isea (then 18 years old), an ordinary high school student plucked from Earth who was paralyzed by uncertainty regarding her survival, first crossed paths.

A span of eight years had rolled by since that encounter, during which they functioned as a blend of close peers and siblings.

Though she had been surpassed in nearly every physical attribute, Isea continued to look after Riley with the affection due to a younger sibling.

Just as Riley, lacking any other genuine confidant, placed her absolute trust in her, Isea drew immense strength from the child who had offered a hand when she was entirely lost.

“…Consequently, Duke Walter attempted to orchestrate a deceptive political maneuver right under my nose and was thoroughly exposed. He seemingly intended to secure personal prestige while my elder brother was deployed elsewhere, but he is far more likely to face formal reprimand instead. Hehe!”

Isea offered a gentle smile while observing Riley, who remained glued to her side while recounting the domestic events that transpired during her deployment, though a subtle weight settled into her mind.

Regardless of how deeply she treasured Riley as a younger sister, her origin in an entirely separate world meant her presence here could not be permanent.

‘Fortunately, a distinct discrepancy in time exists, allowing me to prolong my stay a bit further.’

The internal timeline she had designated for her departure was a total of ten years, which equated to precisely one year on Earth.

Roughly two years remained according to the calendar of this world.

Her primary objective was to establish an ironclad, secure foundation for this child before that deadline arrived.

‘Once I depart, will Riley, who possesses no alternative companions, find a reason to smile in this manner? Even now, she completely masks her authentic self from every individual save for me…’

Granted, the princess benefited immensely from her backing as a high-tier Archmage, but the young woman’s independent capacity to forge an alliance capable of challenging the Crown Prince at the mere age of nineteen demonstrated extraordinary talent.

Her tactical intellect was already a recognized fact across the length of the Empire, earning her the fearsome moniker of the ‘Iron-Blooded Princess’ among external factions.

Even if she behaved with total vulnerability in Isea’s presence…

Setting that aside… the reality that the princess lacked any other person to share her burdens with remained a source of significant anxiety.

Isea had made multiple attempts to introduce potential companions into the princess’s social circle, but due to the trauma of her formative years, Riley harbored a profound distrust toward the native inhabitants of this continent.

‘Ample time remains on the clock, so I can evaluate the matter methodically. Reflecting on it, my arrival occurred during my second year of high school, meaning I will return as a final-year student. Wait a moment, does that imply I will be forced to sit for the university entrance examinations immediately? Exactly how many months do I have left to prepare?’

It was a fundamentally mundane anxiety when measured against the massive geopolitical concerns she had been weighing, yet…

For an individual who functioned simultaneously as an esteemed Archmage of the Auterica Dimension and a ninth-year high school student by Earth’s standards, it represented an existential crisis.

—

“Here is the situation, Olivia. This comprises the most recent intelligence briefings, serving to augment the data points you have personally gathered thus far. It covers everything from the defensive layouts of the imperial palace and its peripheral sectors to the detailed backgrounds of the aristocracy currently remaining within the capital. I expended considerable effort to synthesize these findings.”

[This represents… the intelligence compiled by Andrew…? The utility is substantial… He displays the markings of a highly beneficial tool…]

“Tsk.”

Olivia chose to pay no mind to Siana, who was clearly attempting to claim credit, as she rapidly scanned the densely packed parchments.

Andrew Weber had sacrificed days of sleepless labor to assemble that intelligence, but the merciless commanders of the undead legions possessed no sympathy for such mortal struggles.

“Ah, that brings to mind! His Majesty indicated his intention to place Andrew under your direct leadership down the road. You must remain cognizant of his physical constraints when utilizing him, given his baseline human physiology, understood?”

[Extinguish your anxieties… Should he exhibit signs of insubordination, I shall simply introduce him to a terror far exceeding physical expiration…]

“No, my point is that you must avoid breaking his functionality entirely! Mortal beings expire with immense ease if they are deprived of sustenance and standard rest cycles!”

[Ah… Indubitably… My intentions did not involve such extreme measures… I shall guarantee a baseline of three daily nutritional periods alongside three hours of rest to ensure optimal biological maintenance…]

“Pardon me— a mere three hours?”

Siana paused mid-sentence, staring at Olivia.

She felt a mild obligation to intervene, considering her prior interactions and shared history with Andrew.

[Ah… I omitted allocations for personal hygiene and waste elimination… Hmmm… Very well, mortals require occasional periods of non-activity, so he may simply execute his duties for eighteen hours daily…]

“Is it not probable that his analytical output will degrade significantly under such an intense operational load? Would it not be wiser to grant him a more generous recovery window?”

[It is of no consequence… Output metrics can be artificially restored through the application of physical discipline…]

Hearing that, Siana decided to permanently withdraw her objections.

Olivia clearly possessed a fundamentally flawed understanding of mortal physical boundaries.

Naturally, a human could endure such conditions temporarily under extreme duress, but it was entirely unsustainable over an extended duration.

Yet, just as she opened her mouth to clarify the matter…

[To think he receives a full six hours of non-operational time simply by virtue of possessing a physical form… I am filled with envy…]

‘I shall remove myself from this equation. My apologies, Andrew.’

Siana silently abandoned the defense upon hearing Olivia’s internal musings.

On second thought, the arrangement wasn’t entirely unreasonable, was it?

His primary function required him to sit comfortably while utilizing his mental faculties, meaning a six-hour daily reprieve appeared perfectly adequate.

Thus, while an ominous shadow crept over the long-term prospects of an oblivious human from Earth, the two undead commanders shifted their focus back to the primary agenda to map out their upcoming operations.

Their sole focus was the execution of the command issued by the Immortal King.

Consequently, in precise alignment with the prophetic foresight detailed by Saint Heinrich,

Immortal King Hannibal Strauss commenced the mobilization of his forces to launch an assault against the Empire.