Chapter 41: The Fortress Raid and the Emperor’s Surprise

The distance between me and the fortress rapidly shrank.

Because I charged at such breakneck speed, the enemies didn’t even notice my approach.

They were just idly checking if the women had all entered.

“Ah, no, who the hell are you?”

“You can’t just barge in here…….”

The startled soldiers shouted, but it was too late to stop me.

I had already reached right up close.

“What do you mean, ‘can’t’?”

KAAANG!

I swung hard at the guy right in front of me, and a clear metallic ring echoed out.

These kidnappers were wearing iron helmets—no wonder the situation felt absurd.

Of course, just having sturdy armor didn’t mean the attack would be neutralized.

“KRRRRGH!“

The center of the helmet caved in deeply, and the soldier’s body toppled over.

Unconscious in a single blow.

No, he can’t die.

It was a shock no human body could withstand.

The Beast’s Heart has grown.

Whenever I bring positive change to society, my abilities strengthen accordingly.

The system is just so unfriendly that it’s a bit frustrating.

But the growth rate itself is incredibly satisfying.

It feels like it’s giving me full support.

“Now, next! No time, so move quick.”

PWAAAK! PUBUK!

I wove through the soldiers without hesitation, swinging my iron gavel.

It might look like wild rampaging, but it wasn’t.

This thing needs proper handling.

To let the beast dwelling in Abel Carius’s body fully unleash its prowess.

I’m pretty good at taming ferocious ones, like a pro dog trainer.

“KYAAAAH! It’s a monster!“

“Everyone calm down and form a encirclement!”

“This lunatic! They go down the moment they get close—how the hell are we supposed to stop that?”

“Hey, you torture officer bastard! Did you train for just a day or two? Shut up and move!”

Ah, and there was a reason I called them soldiers.

As you just heard, they clearly showed signs of professional training.

Kidnappers disguised as soldiers following Skyler’s orders?

They were essentially private troops of the Sierre ducal house.

Then things get simpler.

It makes the mastermind behind the human trafficking crystal clear.

Naturally, I didn’t get caught in the encirclement. When does real combat ever go exactly as trained? With countless variables lurking.

Just like right now.

PUBUBUBUK!!

The gavel, wrapped in crimson energy, danced madly.

For the ones in armor, I always struck dead center. That way, the shock transmits properly inside. What if their heads explode and they die?

I controlled the force cleanly, so that wouldn’t happen.

The human body is surprisingly tough.

Of course, it’ll hurt enough to wish for death.

That’s why I’m beating them evenly all over.

“W-wait! Stop!”

In the middle of my enthusiastic thrashing, someone hurriedly shouted.

A man approaching with both arms waving wildly.

It seemed he was trying to mediate since the situation looked bad.

I flung the soldier whose collar I was gripping to the side.

It was just a light gesture, but the result was terrifying.

HWUUUNG—! UDANGTANG!

“KHUHEOOR.“

A sturdy adult man flew through the air and crashed into a pile of junk.

The opponent was probably feeling immense terror.

He’d seen someone thrown one-handed right up close.

I cracked my neck side to side and said.

“What.”

“I don’t know where you’re from, but how about resolving this with dialogue? Even if we fight, we should at least know the reason.”

The man who abruptly interrupted the fight.

His identity was Skyler Sierre’s attendant.

I didn’t know his name, but I clearly remembered that annoying face.

He’d been giggling beside that rotten bastard when he was released.

If my patience had been just a bit shorter, I would’ve smashed that guy’s skull instead of the stairs.

So a sarcastic response was inevitable.

“Hey, you don’t know who I am?”

“How the hell would I know? Are you some kind of celebrity?”

“Yeah. I’m pretty famous.”

“What kind of nonsense……..”

The attendant trailed off with a slightly dazed expression.

Something seemed to be on the tip of his tongue.

Since I came to reveal my identity anyway, it’s only polite to answer.

“Here, does this jog your memory?”

I held the iron gavel in my right hand and the code of law in my left.

Then I looked down at the attendant with a solemn expression.

Just like when scanning the courtroom from the judge’s platform.

Soon, his eyes widened.

I then recited with a broad white smile.

“If you recognize me, kneel.”

The attendant’s face turned pale blue.

A natural reaction.

How could he have expected to encounter the empire’s highest judge in such a remote place.

Especially one dispatched as governor of Delriat.

Yet, the look in his eyes, initially filled with shock, changed in an instant.

“We haven’t done anything wrong, so why should I kneel? Are you interfering with the Sierre ducal house’s event using your authority? No, you’ve even mobilized force.”

“Hah!”

A hollow laugh escaped me.

There’s a limit to brazenness.

How could he come out so shamelessly.

Truly, like master like servant.

For a guy like this, you have to shove evidence right in his face for him to admit it.

Of course, he might deny it to the end, but that’s not my concern.

As long as it’s reasonable.

“The great Sierre ducal house holding an event in a remote fortress like this? Highly suspicious—what exactly are you doing?”

“Is introducing good jobs a crime? If you want, bring anyone and ask.

If we’re innocent, you’ll have to pay the price.”

The attendant puffed out his chest confidently.

No need to ask to know.

The women brought here probably don’t even realize they’re being sold yet.

But I accepted his proposal right away.

“Yeah? Fine. Let’s do that.”

As I strode forward, the soldiers flinched and backed away.

A natural reaction.

They’d just witnessed their comrades getting enthusiastically beaten.

And a grown man thrown one-handed.

Even trained professionals couldn’t help but fear it.

As the path cleared, I headed straight somewhere.

And that very moment.

“W-wait a second. Where are you going?”

Cold sweat beaded on the forehead of the attendant blocking my way.

Proof he was that shocked.

I grabbed his collar with a sly smile.

“Why? You said ask anyone.”

“This is just a warehouse. All the people are inside there.”

“Bullshit.”

Where does this bastard think he’s selling drugs?

I’d seen them shoving finely dressed women in there.

I pushed the attendant aside and turned the door handle.

“UWOOT!“

CHEOLKEOK! CHEOLKEOK!

As expected, it was firmly locked.

Not just a lock, but bolted too.

Plus, it was a door reinforced with iron plates and planks—impossible to force open with ordinary strength.

But that only applies to ordinary people.

This side has no such restrictions.

I immediately drew upon transcendent power.

The overwhelming authority to shatter anything.

Kkumteul!

Doom’s Retribution activated

Immense power starting from my arm flowed through my entire body.

It felt vastly heavier than when I’d used it before.

Still, I could aim and pause activation briefly.

But now, it felt like I couldn’t hold back without unleashing it.

I only meant to smash the door, but won’t the whole building collapse?

That anxiety surged, but it was too late.

Once activated, it has to strike the target to end.

I angled the gavel to minimize damage to the building.

SWHOOOOUNG—!

A brilliant blue beam drew a line in the air.

The door and part of the wall were exposed to Doom’s Retribution, and a strange sound rang out.

PASASAK!

Like a sandcastle crumbling.

As I shifted the gavel’s direction, the beam shot skyward.

Soon after, a corner of the fortress truly vanished without a trace.

As if some giant monster had taken a bite.

PUSUSUSU—.

Amid the scattering sand dust, I grabbed someone’s hand.

It was a woman in a dress torn in places.

“Wouldn’t this lady give clear testimony?”

“Damn it…….”

The attendant was about to spit a curse.

Probably followed by an attack order.

But he had no such chance.

My gavel was already flying toward him.

PWAAAK! TEOLSEOK!

The attendant rolled his eyes back and fainted in one hit.

I curled the corner of my mouth and tossed out a line.

“Arrest for crime in progress. If you want to end up like this guy, feel free to resist.”

Soon after, the sound of weapons being dropped echoed from all around.

CHAENG! CHAENG!

Of course, unconditional surrender.

They’re going to prison anyway—better keep their heads intact.

In the deepest part of the imperial palace, the Emperor’s Office.

Emperor Karon was reading a report with bored eyes.

Chief chamberlain Adit was sweating profusely again today.

Because His Majesty had said nothing for over 30 minutes.

He knew well to just endure.

Interrupting his thoughts would only bring a scolding.

The long silence finally broke.

“Delriat’s restoration is about halfway done. Achieving this in just 6 months?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“The money came from selling those tonic pills?”

“That’s what it says.”

Though it was all in the report, the Emperor confirmed it once more through the chamberlain’s mouth.

Because it was that unbelievable.

Countless renowned administrators had challenged the Delriat Autonomous Territory.

Normalizing it—the report’s authenticity was suspect.

“And they’re even making this peculiar thing.”

On the Emperor’s desk lay the board game Enpher Trip.

The rules were fairly simple yet not too simplistic—quite intriguing.

But he couldn’t play it right away.

There were only two people here.

Chief chamberlain Adit quickly handed over the next report.

“It’s reportedly quite popular not only in the western nation alliance but also within the empire.”

“It looks refined—perfect for nobles to enjoy. But then it won’t sell much, right?”

“There’s a commoner version with fake currency included.”

“He makes all sorts of odd things, and they all make money? Interesting.”

The Emperor smirked and gazed out the window.

Lately, his cousin’s actions were very pleasing.

In a way, he was a threat to his throne.

Abel Carius also had succession rights.

But he didn’t feel danger.

“If he bares his fangs, only eternal rest remains.”

The Emperor’s eyes and ears, sharp daggers, would take his cousin’s life.

The light smile turned sly.

Tok tok tok.

While cooling his head briefly, someone knocked.

Only chief chamberlain Adit could enter during the Emperor’s work.

Yet a knock?

It meant extremely urgent.

“Enter.”

Soon the door opened, and an imperial guard knight saluted.

From the armor insignia, it was a Black Agent like Cordel McNeill.

“I see Your Majesty the Emperor.”

“What’s the matter?”

“Duke Sierre has been arrested, and a trial will be held soon.”

“…What?”

Emperor Karon made a dumbfounded expression for the first time in a while.