Fremd Torturchen - Volume 5 - Chapter 10

10

The Mad King’s Decree

Mankind’s royal castle had gotten caught up when the demonic mass of flesh had attacked the castle, and it was currently still destroyed.

In fact, the Capital as a whole had sustained serious damages, and the plans to rebuild it hadn’t even been fully formed yet.

Even so, if one was to compare the relative strengths of humanity, the beastfolk, and the demi-humans, humanity firmly held the edge in both land ownership and military might at their disposal. Normally, out of consideration for that fact, the Church’s headquarters would be offered up as an alternative. At the moment, though, mistrust of the Church was surging within the beastfolk and demi-human ranks. As a result, both races had vetoed humanity’s proposal.

As a compromise, the Three Kings’ palace was chosen as the meeting place.

At Kaito’s suggestion, Vlad had temporarily hidden his form, and the other three of them headed for the palace.

Using the coordinates that the communication device had left for them, they carried out their teleportation. Azure flower petals rose up, formed a cylindrical wall, then collapsed. Lute squinted as he looked up at the palace’s familiar form, and Kaito let out a cry of admiration.

“Damn, that’s impressive.”

“That it is. We strive to live in harmony with nature, and the greatest manifestation of that belief is the Three Kings’ palace—the World Tree.”

Lute puffed up with pride as he spoke. While he was too polite to say it out loud, he no doubt considered the Three Kings’ palace to be far grander than humanity’s royal castle.

It was a colossal tree, towering before their eyes.

It was ancient, and the tree in its entirety was releasing sacred energy. Because of that, the underlings would have a difficult time getting near. Its gnarled branches blotted out the sky, their cracked bark so stiff, it was hard to imagine anyone living within it. In truth, though, cavities and tunnels ran freely throughout the World Tree’s interior. It almost resembled an ant nest. Not only beastfolk but humans, too, were able to move about comfortably within its confines. The Three Kings lived in its lowest layer, beside the lake that seeped out from the World Tree’s base.

Having received word from Vyade, the gatekeeper led Lute and the others inside.

Under normal circumstances, only beastfolk who’d gone through special screening were allowed to stay within the World Tree. At the moment, though, it was crowded with people from every race. Those who hadn’t been allowed in the meeting chamber could be seen all over the place.

Several beastfolk and demi-human soldiers were enjoying their rare reunion and exchanging ardent handshakes. A group of exhausted paladins were keeled over atop chairs of mushroom. There were people wearing executioner-like outfits, too, staring forcefully at their surroundings. The demi-humans in front of them were meeting their gazes head-on.

“Yeesh, looks like everyone brought more people than they know what to do with. And they say three’s a crowd.”

Despite the tension in the air, Kaito strode forward as casually as if he was going for a stroll.

With every step he took, the unrest around him grew stronger. Even battle-hardened soldiers receded in shock as he passed by them. The wariness and animosity they felt toward him were all too clear.

Who in the world is that? What are they? they all wondered.

That spoke to just how abnormal Kaito Sena currently was. Not only was he covered in blood, but he was clad in determination so thick, it was visible. And yet, in spite of all that, he was utterly calm. Some of the people around him even recognized Kaito as the Kaiser’s contractor. But not one of them could work up the courage to cry out and stop him.

Behind him, Lute trembled in concern.

He’s clearly no ordinary human… I mean, he was always the Kaiser’s contractor, but now… Just how did he change so absolutely?

As he gazed at Kaito’s imposing stature, Lute narrowed his eyes.

He seems almost like…the Torture Princess herself.

Knowing nothing of Lute’s doubts, though, Kaito just kept casually walking.

Suddenly, some of the onlookers called to Lute.

“Captain! Thank goodness you’re all right!”

“Why, it’s you all!”

It was the subordinates he’d parted from at the World’s End. After the rejoicing over their successful reunion, Lute learned a few new things. For example, the Three Kings weren’t planning on attending the meeting. They’d said that they had no intentions of leaving their rooms upon the coast of the lake by the World Tree’s base. They seemed determined to continue their policy of not reigning or governing.

Just like always, they were leaving the meeting in the imperial family’s hands.

“I see. It’s not that I don’t understand how the Three Kings feel, but…”

“Yeah, it doesn’t fill me with confidence.”

As Lute mumbled beside him, Kaito spoke assuredly. In truth, Lute felt the same way. And the entirety of Vyade Ula Forstlast’s private army no doubt shared the same misgivings. After all, there were loud voices among the imperial family who sought to expand their borders.

The meeting had probably already taken a hairy turn.

On their way to the meeting site, Lute and the others took a small detour and dropped by the hospital ward.

After flying off from the World’s End, the underlings had laid waste to everything in their path.

The damage the humans had suffered had been especially severe, but the beastfolk imperial family’s villas had come under attack as well. Because of that, all of Vyade’s medical staff had taken refuge in the World Tree.

Lute rushed into the room his men had pointed out to him. When he did, the space he found himself in was filled with flowers whose aroma served as a disinfectant. A large number of beds were systematically lined up, and an alarming number of them were occupied.

Vyade’s personal army had been away, so her court ladies and gardeners had suffered serious injuries.

Lute ground his teeth as he lamented his absence. One after another, however, the wounded sat up and called out to him warmly.

“Sir Lute, congratulations on your safe return.”

“Quick, someone, someone call her over!”

He frantically called out for a particular healer. However, the goatwoman with her mouth covered by a sanitary cloth prioritized treating the page before her. After reaching a stopping point, she stood up, then calmly walked over to him. Her voice sounded disaffected, but anyone who knew Lute’s wife could make out the notes of affection in her tone.

“I was sure you’d be all right, but to see you so thoroughly uninjured is rather pleasant, Lute. It looks like I married a good one… I suppose your return can hardly be considered flawless, though.”

“Of course, Ain, I would never dream of worrying you by getting injured. But I…I’ve seen things. I need to go give my report to Lady Vyade Ula Forstlast. While I’m doing that, could I ask you to look after Ms. Izabella?”

“Izabella? Ms. Izabella Vicker? I am rather fond of her, true, but wouldn’t the Church’s healers be better equipped to—? Oh, goodness.”

Lute had silently held out Izabella to her. As she gazed at Izabella’s half-mechanized body, Lute’s wife, Ain, immediately sensed just how complicated the situation was.

She nodded, then turned around. Her voice was as matter-of-fact as her steps were quick.

“She looks to have burned through a great deal of her stamina. Let her rest here. There you go, gently.”

Lute followed her orders and set Izabella down on a bed in a quarantined section of the ward for the severely injured. Now they wouldn’t have to worry about anyone seeing her mechanized body.

Ain then quickly got to work inspecting Izabella all over. After checking her esophagus and making sure it was functioning properly, she poured a decoction down her throat. Then she started applying ointment to the places where metal and skin joined together.

After a little while, Izabella’s breathing grew steady. With a kindly look on her face, Ain stroked her mechanized cheek. Then, though, she suddenly whirled around and stared straight at Kaito.

“That should put Ms. Izabella at ease for now, but…you don’t seem quite well, either, do you?”

“Who, me? I mean, I guess I’m covered in blood, but I’m not really injured anywhere. Thanks for your concern, but I’m fine.”

“It isn’t a matter of being injured or not. You seem like yourself right now, yet, at the same time, you seem like someone else.”

Lute gasped a little. He, too, had thought the same thing, but he hadn’t been able to bring himself to ask Kaito about it.

Ain’s gaze stayed firmly fixed on Kaito. Not flinching, she probed even deeper.

“I can’t quite put it into words, but…I find that fact rather alarming, no?”

A heavy silence descended upon them for a moment. Kaito blinked. Hina looked down but said nothing.

The tension caused Lute’s tail to puff up. A few seconds later, though, Kaito burst into laughter.

“Ha-ha-ha, you and me both. Man, Lute, you found yourself a good wife.”

“Errr, yes, I’m more than aware… Ow, Ain, don’t step on my feet!”

“Now is hardly the time for that kind of talk, dear. And as for you, you’re certain you’re all right?”

“Yeah… I mean, you’re right. But I’m fine… I’m still me, after all.”

Sir Kaito is dodging the question.

Lute could feel it. Perhaps Kaito realized it, too, as he gave an awkward smile. Upon seeing it, Lute felt a slight tinge of relief. That good-natured expression was undoubtedly Kaito Sena’s.

Suddenly, a thought crossed Lute’s mind.

Perhaps… Perhaps I ought to make sure to remember that smile.

It would be best if he made sure to remember it, no matter what happened.

He didn’t quite know why, but Lute was certain of that.

After leaving the temporary infirmary behind them, Lute and the others began making their way toward the meeting hall once more.

Eventually, after traveling down a long, wide hallway, they reached its sole set of double doors.

The doors were made from a part of the World Tree itself, and flowers associated with the Three Kings and the various members of the imperial family were delicately carved into its surface. Two muscular lionmen stood in front of its gorgeous design.

Upon seeing Lute, the doorkeepers saluted. As they did, they crossed their spears and firmly barred the door. One of them called out briskly to Lute.

“Excellent work, Captain Lute. Lady Vyade Ula Forstlast told us of your expedition. However, the conference has already begun. We cannot allow any to enter, no matter who they may be. You can give your report after the meeting is complete. Until then, you can make yourself at home in the antechamber.”

“What, it started already? Hey, perfect!”

Before Lute could reply, though, Kaito poked his head out from behind him.

When they saw his bloodstained figure, the lionfolk gatekeepers’ expressions contorted in bald suspicion.

“Wait, who is—?”

“La (take a nap).”

Kaito snapped his fingers. When he did, a pair of small blades quietly appeared behind the two gatekeepers, then slammed into the backs of their necks. Concussed, the two of them toppled wordlessly to the ground.

As he rushed over and caught one of them in his arms, Lute directed a quiet shout Kaito’s way.

“Sir Kaito, what do you think you’re doing?! There’s no need for such violence!”

“Don’t worry. I controlled it well, if I do say so myself. They’ll be up before you know it.”

His voice calm, Kaito reached toward the doors. As he did, Lute suddenly noticed the other collapsed figures throughout the corridor. Evidently, Kaito had dealt with all the patrolling guards in the same manner.

All in that one moment?

As Lute tried to come to terms with that fact, he suddenly heard the sound of meat sizzling.

Panicking, he looked back toward the doors. When he did, he discovered that smoke had billowed up from Kaito’s hand as he’d grabbed its handle. Despite the fact that his own flesh was burning, though, Kaito wore a thin smile on his face.

“Damn, that’s a decent barrier they’ve got going on. But still, for it to be able to burn me… I must be more wounded than I thought, huh?”

In the blink of an eye, Kaito’s hand had been hideously burned. Its flesh was seared and its skin was peeling off. Yet, he still held on tight. Hina made no move to stop him. Sizzling blood and bodily fluids ran down the door’s handle.

Around it, azure petals and darkness raged like a storm.

Then the sound of something splitting rang out.

When it did, the door exploded open from within.

The gazes of everyone present—human, beastfolk, demi-human royalty, aristocrats, and clergymen alike—all fell onto Kaito.

“’Scuse the interruption. Here I am, the Torture Princess’s representative.”

Kaito, for his part, replied with a savage, villainous smile.

Practically everyone present was utterly dumbfounded. Vyade Ula Forstlast and La Christoph merely nodded, though, as if they’d seen this coming.

In the next moment, a number of swords were noisily unsheathed and pointed Kaito’s way. The guards had all drawn their weapons at once.

Their response was prompt, as one would expect. At the same time, one of the Church’s high priests called out.

“Such insolence! What business could the Kaiser’s contractor possibly have with us?!”

The guards’ murderous stares bore down on Kaito. As they did, a shrill noise filled the air.

One after another, the guards’ sword blades and spearheads went spinning into the air. Hina’s halberd was magically enhanced and glowing blue, and she’d used it to lop them off. After fully swinging it, she stooped down low like an animal.

Then she calmly looked up. The guards were frozen in surprise. She turned her jeweled emerald gaze on them.

“You people have no idea. No idea what he gained. No idea what he lost. Such insolence.”

Her voice was quiet and cold. Faced with her stern demeanor, everyone else gasped in fear.

As they did, Kaito loudly clapped his hands together. After getting everyone’s attention, he spread his arms out wide.

“Now, if you would all be kind enough to settle down. La Christoph sent me a message about this meeting, and Vyade knows me as well. Furthermore, I serve the Torture Princess, the strongest weapon at the Church’s disposal. I feel like that qualifies me to be here. I’m not gonna leave, but I’m also not gonna get in your way. Feel free to carry on.”

Kaito casually rattled off the names of the authority figures he was acquainted with.

Lute’s face went pale, and just as he’d suspected, accusatory glances rained down on the parties in question. However, the third imperial princess of the forest and the astoundingly resolute saint replied nonchalantly.

“I ordered Lute to inform me of what happened at the World’s End. The events that took place there were the root of all evil, the reason we find ourselves gathered here today. If he deems Kaito Sena a necessary witness, then I stand by his decision.”

“It’s true. I did, in fact, send for the Torture Princess. After the uproar at the plaza, it became evident that she and Izabella Vicker discovered something down in the depths of the royal tomb. Afterward, the Grave Keeper mobilized the paladins and set off for the World’s End. They should be able to clear up the suspicions the demi-humans have leveled at us, and as such have an obligation to testify.”

Their responses were met with a number of angry bellows. Despite the turmoil, though, Kaito flippantly snapped his fingers. Azure petals and black darkness swirled. This time, it was the mages who stood at the ready, but all he did was create a chair. It was the exact same extravagant chair as the one Vlad had summoned in the past. Kaito took a seat.

Then he haughtily placed his arms atop the armrests and crossed his legs. When he spoke, his voice was utterly devoid of fear.

“Go ahead, carry on. The world’s gonna get destroyed if you don’t hurry, right?”

Kaito’s words had a certain truth to them. Furthermore, the sole present saint had endorsed his attendance. And in any case, it wasn’t as though they had any way to expel someone powerful enough to destroy the barrier.

The room gradually settled down. Then, reluctantly, they resumed the meeting.

And thus, the Kaiser’s contractor, the enemy of humanity, was added to the discussion that would determine the fate of the world.

“It’s true, we have no time. Those two pillars sprouted up at the World’s End, and the underlings coming from the black one are destroying everything in their path. At this rate, all our people will perish. Given the current situation, the chances that the restructuring the Church is so fixated on will actually take place seem rather low.”

“…What, that’s as far as you guys have gotten?”

Upon hearing the beastfolk official’s speech, Kaito muttered to himself. Apparently, the Church was still placing their faith in the restructuring. But when he thought about it, he realized that he and his group were the only ones to have talked with the Apostle or seen the Saint’s madness firsthand.

It was no wonder that there were those who viewed the appearances of the two pillars as a divine miracle and a sign that the restructuring was imminent.

Consequently, the meeting had reached an impasse. The discord between humanity and their Church and the other two races was only getting worse. Even now, the high priest was objecting to the official’s proclamation.

“You people don’t share our faith, so you may find it difficult to understand. But we know that the promised day spoken of in legend is at hand. The devout faithful will be welcomed into the new world. You all may lack that qualification, but I’d ask you to kindly avoid gnashing your teeth and referring to it as the end.”

“I see. Then let’s suppose that the current situation is, in fact, part of the restructuring you all are so keen on. Can we then take it that this is what you wanted, that you were the ones who brought this about?”

The next individual spoke in a thorny tone. Kaito turned to look at its source. It was a foxwoman with silken red fur and a beguiling smile spread across her face. Upon hearing her antagonistic response, Vyade called out to reprove her.

“Dear sister, shouldn’t we be less concerned with carrying out investigations and more with coordinating our strategies?”

“Be quiet, would you, Vyade? What do you think we stand to accomplish if we don’t know who’s to blame? And we have such a convenient intruder, too. Perhaps it’s high time I divulge a piece of information I’ve been keeping.”

The woman’s voice dripped with honey. She was likely the first imperial princess, the one who was focused on expanding the beastfolk territories.

The men’s clothing that she wore suited her well. She leaned back in her chair, then crossed her legs in the same manner Kaito had.

“We’ve already heard from the demi-humans about the horribly transfigured paladin corpses they discovered. As it so happens, they weren’t the only ones who did.”

“…What are you getting at?”

“Immediately after the underlings started appearing and Vyade gave her report, I dispatched several elite members of my private army to the World’s End. Over two-thirds of them died, but their results were more than satisfactory. They brought back the corpses of several transformed paladins, as well as a cackling woman. I don’t know much about the woman, but it’s interesting, isn’t it? It all reeks of the Church’s involvement.”

“…!”

The members on the Church’s side were visibly shocked. But it wasn’t because the first imperial princess had called them out. As far as they were concerned, the restructuring was already under way. Having their wrongdoings pointed out would hardly affect them at this point. But the captured woman, on the other hand, was a different story altogether.

If she really was the Saint, then it meant that the Church had had their most revered person stolen away by the enemy. But that wasn’t how the first imperial princess interpreted their distress. Her smile deepened triumphantly as she went on.

“If this situation, if the appearance of the two pillars, is the result of you people seeking restructuring…then how exactly do you intend to make reparations?”

“My sister is right. It feels like compensation is in order. You know, as a show of good faith.”

A youthful voice called out in assent. It belonged to a young man with a panther’s head. He was probably the third imperial prince. His radiant sapphire gaze turned on the members of the Church. A stuffy voice piped up from his right.

“That can wait. We can figure out where the onus for reparations lies after the situation has been settled. Right now, we need to focus on how to stop the underlings from harming our people. The Church has several saints at their disposal. Depending on how they have them act, we ought to consider lessening their punishment.”

“Oh man, aren’t we feeling generous to the people who got us into this mess.”

“The pureblooded among my people number few, and one of their crucial sectors has sustained damages. Our primary concern is quickly coming up with a defense strategy for it.”

“…So he’s just hung up on his pureblood nonsense.”

The bespectacled lizard-headed demi-human’s words drove Kaito to mutter to himself again. Lute mirrored his exasperation. None of the other demi-human representatives seemed to have complaints, but surely there were other things they should be more concerned with defending.

Amid the quarreling, the human king was merely trembling in his chair. Just as Kaito had heard, the man was decidedly young.

The king’s face was freckled and stiffened from nerves. His advisers, who all looked to have close ties to the Church, were practically glued to his sides. La Christoph, who was sitting a little way off to the side, was the next to speak.

“We’re currently conducting an investigation into the abuse of power by some of our members. And it’s impossible to say definitively whether or not the current phenomenon is an aspect of restructuring or not. I believe that a pragmatic strategy would be for us saints to act as a shield and serve as a front line to defend all three races. I would ask that you all please lend us your strength.”

“…That’s as far as you guys have gotten, too?”

Kaito heaved a heavy sigh. As he’d suspected, the Church hadn’t completely abandoned the possibility that restructuring would occur. But while they were deliberating, people were dying all over the place. The world was coming to an end, filling to the brim with pain and screams. However, it seemed like that fact had yet to sink in with anyone present.

“Lute, you were there when the two pillars arose at the World’s End. What information do you have for us?”

Vyade finally called out to Lute. He responded by giving a flustered salute.

Her decision had been a good one. Right now, what they needed more than anything was accurate information. It was essential that they understand that they were atop a collapsing cliff, that the pot they were perched in had already reached a boil.

“Allow me to first say this—there is no chance that restructuring will occur.”

Lute was firm in his statement. The room buzzed with frenzied murmurs. The Church members’ faces were blotted red with rage. But Lute ignored all the criticism being leveled his way. He calmly relayed a description of the events he and the others had witnessed.

“First, regarding what Sir Kaito and his group discovered beneath the royal tombs…”

One by one, he laid out the insane truths. The hall steadily grew quiet as a different type of tension filled the air.

“…Then the Saint transferred her contracts with God and Diablo over to the Torture Princesses. Her objective was…”

…to abandon the role she’d been burdened with.

The moment those words left his mouth, the sound of the round table being violently struck echoed through the room. The Church’s people had angrily risen to their feet.

“Hold your tongue! We will not sit here and listen to these vile insults! What merit does the testimony of a man who accompanied the Torture Princess and the Kaiser’s contractor have anyway?!”

“If you can’t show off your power, you’re just weak. If you fight without information, you’re just a fool, and if you whine pointlessly, you’re just incompetent. And hey, if your life has no value, you’re no better than a pig. So which one are you? Incompetent or a pig?”

A well-projected voice served to cut off the clergyman’s angry tirade. Kaito’s sounded almost listless. One of the high priests was about to raise his voice in objection, but at the last minute, he froze. Kaito’s eyes were cold and hard. He gave the man a quiet warning.

“Now, listen until he’s done.”

“Errr, well, I have more bad news, unfortunately. The damage from the underlings isn’t the only threat. Within ten days or so, the two pillars will collapse. God and Diablo will both be released, and the world will be destroyed.”

“Yes, and that will herald the start of recon—”

“Seven days.”

Kaito interrupted the priest once again. Every eye in the room turned toward him.

Once they had, he nimbly raised a finger and matter-of-factly made his proclamation.

“The Diablo pillar will only last seven days. That’s as long as Elisabeth’s mana will take her.”

“But, Sir Kaito, Vlad… Sir Vlad said it would last ten days or so.”

“Sure, if Elisabeth was at peak form. But not now.”

Kaito gently shook his head. His expression was calm as he shared a piece of information that only he knew.

“Because Diablo has infiltrated her body, she can’t die. But while she still had her freedom, she expelled one of her internal organs. As a result, her body can’t generate new mana anymore.”

Confused looks filled the room. Saying that Elisabeth had expelled one of her organs was a ridiculous claim. Hina alone squeezed the hem of her maid uniform. Everyone else turned toward Lute, wondering what organ Kaito was talking about.

Kaito gave his chest a quick thump.

Then he revealed the bizarre truth.

“Right now, Elisabeth’s heart is inside me.”

It took a good ten seconds for Lute to fully comprehend what Kaito had uttered.

So this is what he meant when he said he was “getting used to it” and would “get better at it soon.”

Blood carried great significance to dark mages. Their mana originated from their hearts, then traveled to the rest of their body through their blood. And due to the roots the demon meat had spread throughout Elisabeth’s organs, hers was a reactor with power beyond compare. And apparently, it was now in Kaito’s body. Lute was struck speechless. If that was the case…

In other words… Right now, Sir Kaito is…

…the Kaiser’s immortal contractor and the inheritor of the Torture Princess’s mana.

Few would be able to fully understand the overwhelming nature of that truth. However, the color drained from the faces of several of the mages present.

Caring little for whether or not his words caused shock or were even understood, Kaito went on.

“And because I inherited her heart, a new connection sprang up between Elisabeth and me. Diablo stole away her consciousness and is using her body to birth underlings—but all pain and injuries they’re causing are being delivered straight to me.”

“…What?”

Lute let out a dumbfounded yelp.

Kaito grinned. As he did, crimson blood dripped down from the corner of his lips.

“But it’s not like I can just go passing out now. I have it more or less under control, but it hurts like a bitch.”

Lute could imagine. Right now, the underlings were transforming the world into a living hell. Their acts of brutality spanned the entirety of civilization. If all the pain they were causing was being transferred to a single person…

There’s no way they could maintain their sanity! That’s madness! How can he withstand it?!

“I guess forcing me to get used to pain is the one thing I gotta thank my old man for, huh?”

A carefree smile spread across Kaito’s face. The expression hardly suited the moment, and the room’s occupants froze upon seeing it. Every second, pain was being sent to his body. And all of it was passing through the Kaiser and being converted into mana.

The silence was tinged with fear. Kaito himself shrugged, then gave his chin a light jerk.

“So? Carry on. If you don’t, the world’s gonna get destroyed. You do know that, right?”

“T-true, it will… No, it won’t! Our stance remains unchanged. Even if what you say is true, and the Saint did set down her burden, then the new Saint who bears God within her will carry out restructuring all the same! We have faith in that! We have to…we have to believe in that.”

“Very well, then. If humanity wishes to sacrifice themselves for their faith, then far be it from us to stop them.”

A husky, feral voice spoke up. The first imperial princess of the beastfolk licked her lips.

Sharp claws glittered atop her fingers as she tapped on the round table’s surface.

“Your proposal for a unified line of defense among the three races is hereby rejected. And while we’re at it, let’s annul the peace treaty, too. And while we focus our own defenses, we’ll move in on the human territories, too. We have a right to revenge, after all. And the Saint is already in our grasp. This way, we can mount a resistance against the pillars and wipe out humanity, just the way you want it.”

“Sister, you’re making a terrible decision! Declaring war at a time like this? You may excel at battle, sister, and even with the recent loss of your elite troops, your army is no doubt still strong. But do you truly believe that you can accomplish both those things without suffering crippling losses? Your ambitions will leave the forest barren. How can you not see that?”

“Be quiet, Vyade! Who do you think you’re taking that tone with?! We’ve remained silent for too long. Letting this opportunity pass us by would mar our pride as beastfolk!”

The first imperial princess’s indignation shut Vyade right up. Her approval among the people served as her sole weapon. The actual authority she wielded was comparatively slim. Now was not the time to descend into bickering.

The demi-human delegation looked at one another, then stood. The bespectacled, aged green lizard spoke solemnly.

“Very well. Humanity did bring this upon us. We will stand with our old friends and form a united front alongside them. If you all wish to resign yourselves to destruction, then your fate is in your own hands. But the disorder within your Church seems to run deep. I doubt you have the power to successfully protect your people. It appears that this is the end for you.”

The hostility of the other two races bore down upon the humans. It was true; the Church had been to blame for the current situation.

This could all be seen as a natural result of that. However, the humans lacked the resolution to admit fault and try to change the way things were going. La Christoph didn’t have that authority. Two of the advisers turned to the king and whispered.

“Your Majesty, now is the time to make your decision. Once the restructuring occurs, we will all be saved. But first, we must destroy the pagans. Perhaps we should have done so sooner. We must begin the third king’s holy war anew. You must demonstrate your faith in God, for the sake of the people.”

“Please, Your Majesty, give the order to deploy all the saints.”

“I… I…”

The king was clearly baffled. The decisions he was being asked to make were far beyond what he was mentally equipped to handle. He was young, and death and responsibility clearly scared him. The Church obviously wanted to get things under way before any of the influential aristocrats who’d missed the meeting could get a say. “All you have to do is nod,” the king’s advisers whispered enticingly.

While all of that was going on, Lute’s gaze turned to a certain someone.

Kaito was calmly watching over the proceedings. His eyes were strangely serene, and they were picking up everything that was happening.

Kaito heaved a deep, deep sigh. Then, out of the blue, he snapped his fingers.

“La (become).”

When he did, over a hundred blades manifested in midair.

Azure flower petals and darkness had danced luxuriously through the air, and executioner’s ax-shaped blades had lined up within them. Everyone present had steel pointed right at their neck. Anyone with any amount of combat experience couldn’t help but immediately realize what was happening.

It was a dangerous stunt, one that would normally be carried out with hundreds of soldiers. As he stared in wonderment, a thought passed through Lute’s head.

Normally, a coup isn’t something one carries out on their own.

That was just common sense. Right now, though, that common sense had been overturned.

A voice rang through the hall, one tinged with disappointment.

“Enough of this nonsense—clearly you guys are all useless.”

Kaito Sena slowly rose from his chair.

The hem of his black uniform flared out behind him as he began walking. The way his tunic was dyed scarlet on the inside really was reminiscent of the Torture Princess’s dress. It was at that point that Lute realized something. Almost like proof of his explosive development as a mage, Kaito’s beastly left arm had returned to that of a human. Kaito casually leaped atop the round table. Lute elected not to follow him. A beautiful automaton, on the other hand, unfalteringly took her place by Kaito’s side.

“Oh? What’s this? You’ve finally decided to seize your crown, O unworthy master of mine?”

Humanlike laughter accompanied the horrible black dog’s appearance. Seemingly thinking that he might as well, Kaito snapped his fingers. Azure petals and darkness scattered throughout the room, and Vlad Le Fanu’s phantasm made a graceful appearance from within them.

“Why, hello, hello. I see that my dear successor has assembled quite the notable audience.”

Placing a hand atop his chest, Vlad gave an elegant, courteous bow to the members of the conference.

The three of them now in tow, Kaito stopped at the center of the table. Azure petals and black darkness swirled up once more. A jet-black long sword dropped from within them. The engraving carved upon its beautiful blade flashed.

When it did, its meaning was seared into the eyes of all present.

All things are pardoned unto me. But I am ruled by none.

Then the azure glow abruptly faded. Flower petals still fluttering through the air, Kaito lorded over his surroundings.

“All I wanna do is save the woman I admire. And I don’t want to let any more innocent people become victims. That’s all. I have no desire to dominate, no lust for glory. And I certainly don’t intend on ruling or getting involved with politics at all. I don’t give a shit about who’s in charge after this. But right now? Right now, I’m taking charge of the world.”

Kaito Sena, the Torture Princess’s servant, lorded over the assembled nobles of all races.

Blood dripped from his mouth. He lifted his sword, then pointed it at his newfound hostages.

“Humanity, beastfolk, and demi-humans are all equal. Every living creature is ignorant, every living creature is like a stupid animal, and every living creature is precious. So I’ll promise you this. I’m gonna keep you all alive. I’m gonna save the world. And that’s why…”

* * *

Then the boy who had once died meaninglessly in another world made his grand declaration.

“…Just for now, I’m king. So obey me.”

In that moment, as the world crumbled, the Mad King was born.

And as he was, the desperate battle to survive in the world of the two pillars began.