Kill the Emperor Chapter 43 : Chapter 43

Chapter 43: Hidden card - 1

“I wonder if the food suits your taste.”

“Don't worry. I am very satisfied with the al.”

As if trying to vent the resentnt of not being able to eat during her long slumber, Sherazade was putting all kinds of food into her mouth with a very happy expression.

“......You just thought my appearance was unsightly, didn't you?”

Perhaps feeling embarrassed by my gaze, Sherazade turned her gaze away with a blushing face, looking sheepish.

“Not really. I'm not thinking about that.”

However, I shook my head.

“Right now, you are sustaining that form solely with the power of your soul. To do so, you must consu sufficient nutrition.”

Sherazade's current appearance was like a temporary form created by the power of her soul. I judged that Sherazade's seemingly excessive al portion was also unavoidable to maintain that form.

“......Ye, yeah. That's right. So eating a lot like this can't be helped either.”

It was a slightly delayed answer, but I filled the tea cup without minding the slight silence.

And sitting across from her, I said.

“It's been a little over 24 hours now.”

“What has happened?”

Sherazade stopped twirling the cream pasta and looked at with wide eyes.

“I an it's been a little over a full day since you ca here. I would like you to tell about Kelbes' weakness that you know now.”

In fact, I was in a hurry.

The ti Valdano declared he would return was one month from now.

I had to find a way to deal with Kelbes without major damage within the ti of one month, and the first thing I had to do for that was to be delegated the operational command rights from Redin.

‘Even though trust in has thickened recently, he won't just hand over the command rights recklessly. I need a basis to present to the Family Head.’

That was why I was urging Sherazade.

“......Awright. I'll tell you. Firsht I shaid. They......”

“First, swallow what's in your mouth.”

“Okay. I'll tell you. First, I said. That they are traitors.”

“You did.”

“Then a question here. Why are they traitors?”

“Because they abandoned the promise or duty they had to keep, so they must be traitors.”

“Correct. Kelbes and his group once swore allegiance to in the past. But they abandoned that duty.”

Sherazade twirled the knife she was holding once and stuck it into the lamb chop she had moved onto her plate.

“And the oath of a Sub-Dragon is never light. A penalty corresponding to that is bound to be given to those who break the oath.”

Poof!

As Sherazade gestured, nurous nas engraved in Dragon Tongue floated in the air.

Among them, quite a few nas were dyed red.

“These red-dyed nas are the nas of those who abandoned the oath of allegiance. Those who must pay the price of betrayal.”

“Price of betrayal?”

“While they are within my sight, they cannot use mana. Their physical abilities will also be significantly restricted.”

“Cannot use mana.......”

I repeated in a low voice.

If what Sherazade said was true, this must be good news.

According to legend, Sub-Dragons, who inherently possess high affinity for mana and magic, each possessed magical abilities equivalent to a Mage of about the 5th Circle.

But if they couldn't use magic.......

‘The danger decreases significantly. A Sub-Dragon that cannot use magic is nothing more than a wyvern with a large body and thick scales.......’

While thinking, I suddenly burst into a hollow laugh.

If they couldn't use magic, it was true that the Sub-Dragon's power would drop to less than half.

But even so, the fact that they were threatening beings remained unchanged.

‘A wyvern with a body reaching 10m and thick scales is equally terrifying to ordinary soldiers. Moreover, if monsters of that size can fly freely, it's usually not just a problem.’

“How much are their physical abilities restricted?”

“Inside the barrier I cast, their maximum flight speed will drop to less than half. The strength of their scales will also be drastically weakened.”

“If it's inside the barrier, can ordinary soldiers' spears and swords wound them?”

“Ordinary soldiers? Wouldn't that be a bit too much? But attacks from swordsn who know how to use Blade Aura will be sufficiently effective.”

“You an Blade Aura will be effective? Regardless of the level of Aura?”

“Yeah. Even at a rudintary level, it will be possible to damage them. If only the attack can be landed.”

I nodded. Just this much was enough.

If it weren't for Sherazade, there wouldn't have been even a hundred knights in the entire territory who could damage a Sub-Dragon.

But thanks to this, knights who knew how to use Aura could now damage them, so the combat preparation had beco much easier with just this.

“Ah, and I can also cast enhancent spells on weapons.”

“Enhancent spell?”

“Yeah. To be precise, it's a curse for them. But it will be an enhancent for the Master and Master's soldiers who deal with them.”

Sherazade picked up the knife she was using to cut the sea bass steak and lightly swept its surface with her white finger.

Piring.

A blue light ford on the surface of the knife.

“Ta-da. With this, this knife has beco a lethal weapon to those traitors.”

“The effect?”

“If you can wound them using this weapon, each and every one of those wounds will beco a fatal injury to them.”

I covered my mouth and fell into thought once again.

Of course, I had already heard earlier that Blade Aura could damage them inside Sherazade's barrier.

However,

‘Being able to give damage and being able to give a fatal injury are completely different.’

If the damage from Blade Aura includes all scratches or trivial wounds, the fatal injury from the enhancent spell ans each blow can cut off their breath.

“Then how many of those enhancent spells can you cast at the sa ti?”

“Right now, about 500 people would be the limit. Since my ability hasn't fully returned yet.”

“500 people.......”

The fact that the number was limited was regrettable, but it was undoubtedly good news.

“And this is really, really important.......”

Sherazade suddenly lowered her voice as much as possible and beckoned to .

Then she brought her mouth to my ear and began to whisper.

“......You an that is possible?”

“Of course. I told you, didn't I? I don't lie.”

After the whisper ended, I asked back with an expression unlike .

Sherazade nodded with a truly proud expression.

Clatter.

Sherazade resud her al with a triumphant expression, and I slowly emptied the half-remaining tea cup.

According to records, the group of Sub-Dragons that attacked the territory was about 200.

‘With this much, I can do it.’

Having finished my thoughts, I imdiately got up from my seat.

“Huh? Master, are you going already?”

Sherazade asked, looking up at with a fork in her mouth.

“To see my father. Since I have to make a plan.”

“I see. ......Excuse , Master. I have sothing I really must say.......”

Sherazade held back, trailing off her sentence unlike her.

And the mont her eyes t mine, she said.

“You know, can I...... eat more rice?”

“.......”

The plates that were full of dishes just a mont ago were neatly empty before I knew it.

While I was conceiving the plan, Sherazade's both hands and mouth had also busily done their work.

“Hehe.......”

To the blue-haired beauty who was showing a sheepish smile and bringing the last spoonful of orange sherbet to her mouth, I said.

“As much as you want.”

***

“Is that so? You an that lady can do such things?”

“Yes, Father.”

“If everything you say is true, I would be truly grateful. Since it will be a great help in the battle against the Sub-Dragons.”

Redin, who heard the explanation about Sherazade's ability from , nodded and fell into thought.

“Ideally, I would like to talk to that honored guest myself, but she doesn't want that?”

“Yes. Because the condition when bringing her from the hermitage was to contact the minimum number of people if possible. It seems she still needs ti.”

‘A young sage brought from the village of secluded sages’.

I introduced Sherazade to Redin like this.

That way, the explanation about the extraordinariness Sherazade showed would be sowhat possible.

And by making an excuse of avoiding contact with people, I also blocked contact with the outside.

It was to prevent any unnecessary nitpicking by hastily bringing her, who was not accustod to the human world, into contact with the outside.

“Hein, even so, proof is needed. Because we cannot make a plan trusting only your unverified words.”

“Of course. Father. Three days later, I will show you that everything I said is true.”

“Three days....... I understand.”

“I plan to ask Sir Bolpar to create a secret training ground that blocks outside views in the nearby forest. We will train there with the knights. Father, you just need to co there in three days.”

“Blocks outside views?”

“Yes. Because regardless, it is not good for the hidden card we prepared to be exposed to ‘others’.”

When ntioning others, my gaze turned toward the West Annex where Rishu was staying.

Redin, guessing the aning, nodded silently.

“Then let ask one last thing.”

“Yes, Father.”

Thanks to the appearance I showed in the last year, the look in Redin's eyes looking at had changed quite favorably.

“Hein, when on earth did you form a connection with that noble person?”

The eyes of Redin asking the question were as sharp as when dealing with in my prodigal days.

“Actually, I have been preparing little by little for a long ti.”

“How long ago?”

“I prepared from the ti I was called the disgrace of the family.”

But I parried Redin's question without a shred of hesitation.

“Then does that an you were hiding your true self? I didn't feel such signs.”

“Even if Father didn't see it, it would have been unavoidable. I prepared secretly to hide from attracting attention, and also.......”

“Also?”

“Because if the disappointnt is great, one cannot examine the essence of things in detail.”

“......You have been sharpening your sword in the gaps of ti while pretending to be a fool.......”

Since I was expecting such a question to co soday, I answered without hesitation.

Redin closed his eyes once again.

“Was there a need to go that far?”

“I believed I had to do so, and that thought remains unchanged even now.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Because I was not ready yet at that ti.”

“I understand. I will not ask about this issue again.”

Did he accept my explanation? Or did he pretend to accept?

Redin accepted it without additional questions.

“Three days later, I will co to find you. If it is proven there that everything you and that honored guest said is true, I will fully delegate the command rights of this subjugation battle as you requested.”

“Thank you, Father.”

Having obtained consent from Redin, I let out a sigh of relief.

Of course, I wasn't doubting Redin's qualities as a commander.

But apart from Redin's ability, the total command rights of this operation had to be exercised entirely by .

Only then could I prevent unforeseen variables and draw out 100 percent of Sherazade's ability.

“Hein, if things turn out that way, I want to ask one favor of you.”

“Please speak, Father.”

Redin, having ntioned a ‘favor’, put down the pen he was holding, and at that mont, Redin's aura changed abruptly.

And Redin, having thrown off the clothes of the General Manager of the Reichart Family, said.

“For this subjugation battle, let stand at the very front.”