Chapter 173: The Emperor

Words : 1064 Updated : Sep 25th, 2025

Inside an ancient stone chamber deep beneath the Imperial Castle, a black-haired young man and a middle-aged woman with long purple hair—both donning pristine white robes—stood side by side. In front of them was an old eunuch, citing both Hal and Isolde’s achievements while a blonde, curly-haired young man barely older than Hal watched the proceedings from the throne on the side. Hal didn’t expect that he would encounter the emperor today, and that he was so young. Heck, they could be friends! ’I must admit, though, that he looks impressive...’ Hal mused. The young man, despite his age, looked stern, stoic, dignified, and all the other positive things about a man one could think of. Even Hal couldn’t dare claim that he was more handsome than the guy. Not that easily, at least... ’I’d say our looks are about equal...no, maybe I’m slightly more handsome? Ahh...but he’s rich...’ It was then he felt a sharp pain in his left waist, snapping Hal back to focus. Slightly embarrassed, Isolde couldn’t help but pinch her student, who kept on glancing at the emperor in curiosity. She even felt that her student was sizing the emperor up. The eunuch’s ceremonial words were about to end, and the official appointment proceedings would soon begin. She couldn’t allow Hal to keep spacing out. A few more moments later, the emperor’s old aide called: "Hal Fennec, Chaos Magna-in-training, do you, or do you not accept the responsibilities that would rest on your shoulders?" Of course, Hal didn’t hear a single word about what his responsibilities were, as his focus was on the emperor, so he replied with the only feasible option: "I humbly accept, your excellence." Nodding with a pleased smile, the old eunuch continued: "Then you may head over to the emperor and receive your incomplete crest." Hal immediately complied and gracefully walked towards the young man he had been sizing up since earlier, kneeling on one knee upon arriving at the appropriate distance. "So, have you decided who among the two of us is more handsome?" the emperor suddenly asked in a stern voice, though there seemed to be a hint of amusement in his tone. Hal naturally froze at the question. "How the hell do I know what you’re thinking, huh? This isn’t the place to explain. I shall give you your incomplete crest and send you on your way. The next time we meet, tell me the answer to your musings," the emperor continued, placing his palms half a meter away from Hal’s head. Hal couldn’t say a damn word, still in utter disbelief and bewilderment that the emperor had somehow known what he’d been thinking since earlier. Before he even realized it, a crest of eight arrows pointing in different directions and originating from a core in the center had already materialized on the back of his left hand, though it looked like an ordinary tattoo and was not particularly impressive. "Now then, future Magna of Chaos, back to your master." Hal rose and walked absentmindedly back to Isolde’s side, unsure of what had just happened or what to do next. All he could think was that he and his mother would be dead if the emperor ever targeted them! ’D-damn it! Damn it!! You and your stupid thoughts!!’ Hal cursed inwardly, forgetting that the blond young man could hear him. Off to the side, the emperor simply watched with a straight face as the old eunuch continued the ceremony, though a closer look would reveal his brows and mouth twitching slightly. Thirty minutes later, the ceremony ended with Isolde and Hal’s ceremonial vows. They couldn’t see it, but the outside world was already celebrating, grateful that another talented young man had emerged to help hold up the skies of the Imperium in the future. Hal immediately turned to the emperor after the ceremony to attempt and say that the emperor was more handsome. However, the throne was positioned close to the chamber’s special exit, and the young man had already left, received and escorted by two Imperial Guard Captains waiting outside. Hal could only watch in despair and nervousness as the emperor faded into the darkness. "Come, Hal, we have no time to lose." Isolde’s voice came from behind him, snapping him back to reality. He quickly followed his master and left the chamber through the same exit the old eunuch had used, his heart uneasy. ’No... no, calm down, Hal... he’s the emperor... he shouldn’t be that petty, right?’ Then he suddenly realized something and paled. ’No, no! Of course not! He’s the emperor, the only man more handsome than me, whose understanding and generous heart is as vast as the skies above! It’s impossible that such an excellent man would take revenge on a poor, ordinary citizen like me... haha! Hahahaha!’ Hal could only pray that the emperor wouldn’t. Arriving at the surface, Hal’s skin was touched by sunlight once more, and his heart gradually began to ease as his mind cleared. The emperor would probably forgive him if he performed well on the mission. "Well then," Isolde began, "shall we go claim your weapon from the Imperial Treasury?" Hal’s mood further improved at the suggestion. "Ah, yes!" The master then led the way to the Imperial Treasury, arriving around twenty minutes later. "Hey, lazy bum, what are you doing drinking during working hours? Stand up, quickly. We’re here to claim an artifact," said Isolde to the middle-aged man, who was around her age and seated in the corner of the Imperial Treasury Office, drinking wine. "Isolde? You’re still alive, hag? Give me the voucher first," replied the lazy bum with a scar on his left eye. Hal walked closer and handed his voucher to the middle-aged man. "What? Just a rare-tier mastercraft-grade artifact? Here I thought you were here to take an epic-tier or something. Hahaha! Lame as always, Isolde," chuckled the man before standing up. "Follow me, brat." And so Hal did, inspecting the back of the man his master called a lazy bum. The two soon arrived in front of a strange double door made of runestones, where the middle-aged man placed his palms at the center and activated some sort of lock. The doors slowly opened, revealing what lay inside. Hal couldn’t help but swallow at what he saw.

Chapter 173: The Emperor

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