Published: September 10, 2025
※2016/11/13 Typo corrections made.
※This chapter is told from a third-person perspective. Satou does not appear.
＜＜＜Listen closely＞＞＞
A commanding voice descended from the sky.
“Finally, it has begun.”
“Indeed, earlier than expected.”
The emperor rested his chin on his clasped hands.
His corpulent body seemed unable to reach his own chin, so the palace maids assisted by holding up his hands.
Moreover, for some reason, he wore round glasses with lenses that oddly reflected the light perched on his nose.
Strategist Touya furrowed his brow, thinking that the pose looked familiar.
Apparently, he had an idea.
“You’re taking this too lightly.”
Touya thought to himself.
The size of a reincarnator’s soul vessel might well be a measure of their karmic burden.
“Don’t make such a fuss.”
The emperor waved his hand slightly over the railing to end the discussion and glanced around the audience chamber.
It seemed the divine radiance could not reach here, for while the ministers present showed some unease, none prostrated themselves submissively on the ground.
“The divine-resistant barrier left behind by the ancient kingdom is quite impressive.”
“With this, those lost during the ruins exploration will be avenged.”
Touya nodded at the emperor’s words.
Though they failed to find the ruins of the ancient magical empire sunken under the sea, the artifact they obtained from the underground ruins of an ancient kingdom in the desert region west of the continent proved sufficiently effective.
“Kuro—no, hero Nameless?”
“We had the ‘Advisor’ Kana search for him, but he vanished somewhere after leaving his retainers behind. I’ve already dispatched a squad of the palace knights (Templar Knights) to apprehend the retainers.”
Although overwhelming force might be excessive to capture only two retainers by the empire’s standards, the emperor merely nodded, as if it were a matter of course.
“Perhaps it aligns with the divine oracle... as expected, that one is—”
“Yes, likely so.”
Touya caught the emperor’s troubled words midway.
No one present dared to reproach Touya for interrupting the emperor.
Many ministers gazed up at the dim rays of light visible in the sky.
“Crepuscular rays, huh.”
“That spectacle isn’t seen often. Call it the angel’s ladder, for elegance’s sake.”
The emperor scolded Touya for his choice of words.
“That expression is apt, but ominous.”
Touya pointed to one of the crepuscular rays and announced,
“Look, here comes an angel—no, an apostle of god.”
An apostle, appearing as a silver cone, quietly descended within the crepuscular rays.
Its landing zone was not the Imperial Capital but near the Chemical Weapons Factory on the outskirts.
“Looks like it has a halo.”
Near the cone’s apex, a golden ring of light flickered, shaped like an infinity symbol.
“Shall we begin on our side as well?”
“I authorize it. Eliminate those exploiters who call themselves gods.”
At the emperor’s command, Touya raised his staff and relayed orders to generals and ministers.
“General, send the chemical armored unit and chemical air squadron to intercept the cone.”
“Understood!”
The enthusiastic weaselfolk general dashed out of the room, his medal clinking on his chest.
“Palace knights (Templar Knights), assemble at the palace.”
“Strategist! Permit us to join the cone interception!”
“No! Your opponents will appear directly.”
“Impossible—”
Touya raised his hand to silence the captain and nodded.
“Security chief, I entrust the command of the city guards within the capital to you. Evacuate the citizens swiftly to the nearest underground shelters.”
“Understood. Leave the safety of the subjects to me.”
A weaselfolk man with a villainous face saluted Touya and ran off to fulfill his mission.
“Strategist, will it be safe underground? The enemy is god and its subordinates—”
Before Touya stood senior nobles of the aristocratic house.
Their faces wore servile smiles; their hearts sought self-preservation—security for themselves and their kin.