The magic cards I made are absolutely flawless!

She remembered Deloitte, and she also remembered the name Talomatti.

This is an important, irreplaceable demon to her.

Logically, Talomatti's reincarnation in the present world should be quite powerful, but Icardinos couldn't find a single powerful individual with similar characteristics to Talomatti in her memories.

An overwhelming sense of unease welled up inside her, almost bringing her to tears once again.

"Ah... that's a long story..."

Dekan lowered his eyebrows slightly, and remained silent for a moment, a half-smile playing on his lips.

"However, I can let you meet her later, during dinner."

......

“Master, Eve still remembers you.”

Dekan said to his master in his heart.

"..."

For a moment, the master seemed to lose all willpower and response.

Her feelings became even more complicated than Dekan's.

"So... there's still someone in this world who remembers me?"

"I'll give my body to you later, and you can talk to Eve."

"……Um."

......

Mier watched in surprise as Icardinos and Dekan talked, then glanced at Clay.

Clay shrugged helplessly.

He roughly understood; Icardinos was Eve, Deloitte's little apprentice in the Shadow World.

In Clay's memory, there were the days when Ray spent with Len and the others in the Holy Kingdom.

Even the ill-tempered Doloice and Morpheus never played a trick on Eve.

On the contrary, in that team, Eve was the most like Lenn, the most normal person.

However, Clay truly hadn't expected that the gentle and mild-mannered little devil would actually be the most powerful empress in the world.

"you……"

Mia felt that everyone present understood except her.

Moreover, it seems that Dekan and Clay deliberately didn't tell her.

I wanted her to experience what it's like to be a fool.

What kind of alliance and exclusion is this between the Kingdom's people and the Empire's people? That's going too far.

Mir looked at Dekan and then at Clay with a hint of anger, and asked:

"No matter what's going on between you two, or what you're going to tell me later, can you two thugs please stop turning this pre-battle meeting into a victory celebration?"

Her injuries have not healed to this day.

No matter how nonchalantly she tried to comfort Icardinos, Menellios struck her with a single blow, leaving her severely injured.

This overwhelming and terrifying power, even before the chaos was unleashed, still instills a deep fear in Mier.

“Mier, you probably don’t know a very crucial piece of information.”

Dekan smiled and shook his head.

"what?"

"Menellios' choice to hold Princess Olivia's coronation ceremony seven days later is undoubtedly digging a hole for himself."

Dekan curled his lips into a slight smirk, as if mocking the foolish god.

In that instant, he seemed to transform into the arrogant Deloitte.

The rise and fall of the empire can only be determined by him!

Whether it's the most powerful empress who usurped the throne or the legitimate princess who was usurped, he's the one who calls the shots.

"Commander Mier, let me formally introduce you. The person standing before you now is no longer the Acting Commander-in-Chief of the Kingdom Federation, nor the Painful Pope of the Church of Resurrection, nor the Lord of Calamity of the Church of Calamity..."

Dekan paused at this point, a smile of absolute certainty spreading across his face!

"From now on, please call me—Elector of the Salon Empire."

******

Author's Note:

The evening's flames have burned out again... The reason I'm updating so late tonight is to finish writing this part of the story. The final battle of the empire begins tomorrow, and I've been writing non-stop until now. I can finally sleep, and my sleep schedule has become weird again...

P.S.: There's an end-of-year awards ceremony at the end of this month, which should include double monthly votes and the lifting of voting restrictions. If possible, I'm begging you all to save some monthly votes for me. I'll open another bounty, and if necessary, I'll write a ninth volume of side stories...

348 The Serenity of the Sweeping Monk of Dekan

Seven days later.

The capital of the Salon Empire.

On the day of Princess Olivia's coronation ceremony.

Although there were few residents on the streets of the capital, bards could be seen from time to time recounting the story of this princess—whose father was usurped from the throne, and who, as the princess, was banished from the empire under the pseudonym Isabel, endured humiliation for many years, and finally launched a surprise attack on the capital to reclaim the throne.

The entire palace was surrounded by carriages carrying all sorts of gifts.

Lords from all over the country gathered here.

They were all dressed in luxurious winter clothes, and the expressions on their faces were somewhat stiff from the cold wind.

Except for the commanders of the Fourth and Sixth Army Groups who were at the forefront and had not yet returned, the other six army group commanders had all returned to the capital.

Whether they were more inclined to side with Empress Icardinos or supporters of the late emperor's legitimate imperial power, they were now hesitant to reveal their thoughts in any way.

Because they don't know what the other person is really thinking.

At this place and at this moment, a single misstep could lead to one's demise.

Furthermore, there is no substantial intelligence to confirm that Queen Icardinos is indeed dead.

No one knows when this ninth-tier demon king will return to settle all scores.

According to current intelligence, the only controversial figure, Mier, the commander of the Ninth Army, who was originally suspected of treason, has followed Empress Icardinos despite the risk to his life.

The other legion commanders, though fully aware that Princess Olivia's comeback was aided by some of the world's most dangerous individuals, were forced to remain neutral.

Even the two strongest ninth-tier soldiers in the empire besides Icardinos, the First Army Corps Commander Pritzker, the Abyss Mage, and the Second Army Corps Commander Anti-Mage Cynthia, dared not make a move.

It is precisely because they are at this level that they understand just how terrifying Menelius, the Bishop of the End, was, who was able to force his way into the Imperial Capital and defeat Icardinos.

After all, the two of them combined didn't have any confidence to challenge Icardinos.

Moreover, Princess Olivia is indeed of the rightful lineage.

The evidence of Icardinos's plot to usurp the throne has now been fully revealed.

Even according to imperial law or traditions that have remained unchanged for many years, Princess Olivia should inherit the throne; Icardinos is essentially a great traitor.

Princess Olivia, now supported by Menelios, the world's strongest man, has also taken control of the ancient barrier of the capital after returning to it.

Even if all the remaining powerful figures in the capital were of one mind, it wouldn't change anything.

The ancient magical barrier in the capital city possesses the strength to isolate eighth-tier enemies, making it difficult for them to break through.

But only a legitimate heir of royal blood can wield it.

Without the ninth rank, there is absolutely no possibility of regicide.

Therefore, Queen Icardinos's failure was also a kind of retribution. She used her great power to kill the king, but because she could not control the barrier, she lost the key move.

In this situation, anyone who dares to stop the coronation ceremony would undoubtedly be considered a traitor.

The most correct attitude for imperial nobles and powerful individuals is to do their best without making statements or taking action.

That way, even if Icardinos returns and wins, they won't be the targets of retribution.

Imperial nobles stood respectfully on either side of the steps as Olivia walked out of the palace, descending the white stone steps one by one.

Wearing a crown studded with jewels and holding a scepter, she was about to head to the coronation site for the day.

Dressed in royal robes, she appeared exceptionally beautiful and dignified, with a smile on her face, embodying the image of a wise ruler. It was hard to imagine the hardships she had endured during her previous period of hardship.

However, she gives people a creepy feeling.

Because what supports her is not the power of light, but the most vile darkness in the world...

……

Several tens of minutes later.

The Imperial Cathedral, originally belonging to the Sun God Cult, has now been renamed the "Temple of Chaos".

Twenty-four gray stone pillars support a 30-meter-high dome, and in the center of the altar, carved from white glazed stone, a straight beam of light illuminates the prayer hall, making it solemn and sacred.

"...Olivia Chevali Lefibule, today you are crowned Emperor of the Saron Empire. May the gods of chaos guide your path and clear away your obstacles... You should have mercy on the weak and ensure their livelihood, representing benevolence; you should uphold the honor and prestige of your vassals, representing respect; you should protect your believers and people from harm, representing strength..."

The pope, draped in a golden papal robe, held his crown and recited a lengthy prayer with an indifferent expression.

Olivia, dressed in imperial robes, knelt on one knee before the altar, her expression solemn.

The ceremony, which should have been presided over by the Pope of the Sun God Church, was now being presided over by a strange man with purple eyes.

He didn't exude any extraordinary aura, but the higher the rank of the imperial powerhouse, the less they dared to look directly at this man. The more they could feel his power, the more they realized that they were like an ant that could be crushed at will in front of him.

Everyone knows his identity—the End Bishop Menelius, who proved in the battle a few days ago that he is the strongest in this world.

Behind Menellis stood three eighth-rank clergy.

These three are the infamous Plague Bishop, Falsehood Bishop, and Devouring Bishop.

But now they appear incredibly sacred, dressed in clothing resembling that of the Sun God cult.

It seemed particularly ironic.