deus So Ee suo Sez et heckt Eeo?
Do you all believe that I have denied you?
van Eez d-kfen uc phanisis getie.
You’re just afraid to face your own weakness.
Shie-la So xedelis. Sew olfey tis-lisya-Ye-harp.
Remember that I nurtured you by loving you always.
PROLOGUE
Lord Yunmelngen
The Heavenly Empire—a territory united and built like a fortress.
All political decisions were made here in the Imperial country, which controlled the largest mass of land in the world. Legislature was handled by the Imperial Senate, and military objectives were issued by army headquarters and executed only upon receiving approval from the Lord.
On the topmost floor of the oldest tower in the Imperial capital—the Heaven Between Insight and Nosight…
“I have a report for you, Your Excellency. We’ve launched our attack on the palace in Nebulis.”
“……”
“Of course, this is their palace—said to be the Planetary Stronghold. The forces that are invading are elite but few. I imagine they’ll face some difficulty conquering the place.”
The messenger was a burly, mustached man in a military uniform. No one in this nation was oblivious to his identity.
It was the Lord Yunmelngen himself—or so the public were led to believe.
“It’s been almost thirty minutes post-invasion,” continued the man.
“…And?”
“By flames and by night, four Saint Disciples have successfully infiltrated the palace.”
This austere man with a mustache could be seen at all Imperial ceremonies as the Lord. The truth was…he was just a body double for the real Lord behind the thin curtain.
“The three Saint Disciples—Risya, Mei, and Nameless—have each located the Founder’s descendants. They have started to engage in battle, working to eliminate the threats.”
“And Joheim?”
“He’s acting alone, on his way to the Queen’s Space. It’s been fifteen minutes since our last communication with him. He might have already fallen to the hands of the enemy.”
“…Or he’s locked in combat with the queen,” rasped an aged, hoarse voice from beyond the curtain. It sounded like someone on their sickbed, just barely holding on, nearing their final breath. “Nuisances, those Eight Great Apostles.”
Behind the curtain, the Lord’s shadow quivered as if backlit by candlelight. A soft sigh was audible enough to be heard.
“I understand the plan was to attack the palace while the Founder Nebulis slumbers—to capture the purebreds. I imagine the Founder will not be happy with me once she’s awake.”
“I would imagine.”
“I would like that thing to continue slumbering for a while.” Another sigh from behind the curtain.
That concluded the report. The two secretaries serving the body double bowed and left the room. Only the middle-aged man—the double himself—remained in the Lord’s presence.
A hush fell over them. The Heaven Between Insight and Nosight was dead silent.
“If I may, Your Excellency.” The body double cleared his throat. “If you would humor me with some small talk: Did you recently slip out into the business district in the capital?”
The body double kept his eyes fixed on the other side of the curtain, staring hard at the silhouette.
“According to rumors on First Avenue, the military police officers received a report from a young woman claiming she saw a strange beast—a silver fox walking on two legs.”
“…”
“I believe I requested you to refrain from reckless excursions?”
“Hmm…? I don’t remember anyone saying that about me.” The voice behind the curtain was almost unrecognizable. It sounded almost lively now, as if someone was holding back laughter, like a boy soprano. “But I suppose your memory is better than mine.”
The curtain swished open…
…It revealed a humanoid, silver beast who chuckled softly.
The figure sat on woven tatami mats, bipedal fox legs crossed. Its fingers were articulated like a human hand. The silhouette wasn’t entirely animalistic—only the body was fox-like, while the face was nearly human. In other words, a therianthrope, like something straight out of a fairy tale. The monster cackled in delight.
“…” The body double said nothing. After all, this silvery beast was his master.
“Ha-ha, that reminds me.” The leader of the largest military state in the world, Lord Yunmelngen, sounded elated. “Has it already been thirty years? I think I remember seeing a young boy scampering away in tears after seeing poor old Meln.”
“I remember shrinking in terror like it was yesterday.” The body double nodded. “I daresay the girl who witnessed you must have had a similar fright.”
“It’s all written in the stars. That child from thirty years ago is now my double. You’re certainly playing the part, growing your facial hair and talking to me. Not a bad life now, is it?”
“…”
“Maybe I’ll make that girl my tenth double. Give it another ten years.” A bushy tail swished as the Lord looked up into empty space, seemingly entertained.
The Founder Nebulis revolted only a century ago…a relatively short period of time compared to the history behind the title of Lord. The person to receive this title was chosen through a clandestine method called the Ascension Ceremony, which was kept secret even from the Imperial citizens. Below the surface and hidden from history, the only ones changing office were the body doubles.
The leader of the Empire had never changed. The one with the self-anointed nickname of Meln reigned over the Empire.
“I bet I sound like a broken record at this point, but…” The silvery beast stretched a humanlike hand out into the air, its connected arm covered in fur like a fox or a wolf. “The astral energy bubbling from the core of this planet is extremely strong. It can push life to new levels.”
“I take it that you’re referring to your own body?”
“Hmm? I’m not talking about myself right now.” The Lord’s mouth formed a grin—sharp, wolfish canines peeking from the sides. “Apparently, another witch has been born in the Nebulis Sovereignty. And I’m not talking about the Founder. That’s why I went out of my way to dispatch Risya—so she can investigate. And I did drop the tiniest hint to the transcendental sorcerer.”
“Do you mean Test Subject E?”
“I imagine this new witch will reveal itself during our raid. Anyway, enough about that…” The silvery beast looked up at the ceiling, contemplating something. “…This certainly places us in a bind. The Empire is currently attacking the palace. If the Founder wakes, she’ll take her anger out on me. Well, I suppose I didn’t do enough to stop the Eight Great Apostles. I didn’t want to get caught up in their mess.”
The Lord shrugged, like there were no other options. These gestures were remarkably human.
“Founder Nebulis.” Now, the fox-like figure sounded intimidating, as if the ferocious beast inside was seeping out. “It seems your country will transform as you slumber from a dream you can’t wake from. But this wasn’t the Empire’s bidding. Your own descendants sought out this war.”
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