Chapter 37: Mercy

“Li Ang Reinhardt, someone wants to see you.”

Gahalad’s annoying voice reached his ears.

Li Ang withdrew his consciousness from the simulation, opened his eyes, and looked around the empty cell.

He felt somewhat empty inside.

“Who wants to see me?”

Li Ang stretched lazily, sat up, and looked toward the cell door at Gahalad as he asked.

Seeing the youth who treated the prison cell as if it were his own home, Gahalad’s eyebrow twitched hard.

He didn’t answer Li Ang’s question, but said coldly, “You’ll know when you get there.”

As soon as he finished, two knights entered the cell, looking like they were ready to drag Li Ang out if he refused to go.

“Let’s go.”

Li Ang stood up, walked between the two knights, and stood before Gahalad with a calm expression.

Gahalad raised his brow, turned, and took the lead.

Li Ang followed behind.

As the buildings around him grew ever more luxurious, he fell silent at the sight of the palace before him, known as the core of the Empire.

At this moment, he had already guessed who wanted to see him.

“What, are you scared?”

Gahalad noticed that Li Ang had stopped walking and turned back with a half-smile.

“How could I be? It is my honor to be summoned by His Majesty. In fact, I can’t wait to pay my respects.”

Li Ang respectfully performed a standard knight’s salute toward the depths of the palace.

The Judgement Knight glanced at the calm-faced youth and couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow, but he said nothing more and continued leading the way.

Li Ang remained silent. He was indeed looking forward to meeting the ruler of the Empire, because…

It was that very Emperor who was responsible for his parents’ deaths.

Countless times, when Li Ang and Sylph huddled together in the corner of an alley, lost and confused, they fantasized about one day killing that lofty Emperor.

That thought was what had kept them struggling to survive.

It could be said, no one was more eager than him to meet His Majesty.

***

Deep within the palace, in a certain luxurious residence.

A distinguished middle-aged man picked up a wineglass from the table and took a gentle sip, retracting his gaze from the distance as he chuckled, “This kid’s pretty slippery.”

Soon, a voice announced from outside the door, “Your Majesty, Li Ang Reinhardt has arrived.”

“Let him in.”

The man set down his wineglass, his tone carrying a hint of authority.

Creak.

Li Ang glanced at Gahalad beside him.

Seeing that Gahalad made no move, he was the first to step inside.

At first glance, he saw the middle-aged man sitting at the table with a glass of wine.

Although his appearance was ordinary, the faint air of distinction between his brows made Li Ang instantly sure of the man’s identity.

“Greetings, Your Majesty.”

Li Ang made to kneel and salute.

“Eh, no need for formalities. I was an old friend of your mother’s. Why, I even held you as a child.”

The middle-aged man’s tone was warm.

Just then, Gahalad, who had just walked in, saw Li Ang instantly standing straight.

The corner of his mouth twitched.

This brat never intended to kneel—didn’t you see his legs never bent?!

Gahalad came in, about to kneel and salute, but the middle-aged man stopped him as well.

“Sir Gahalad, you are the hope of the Empire. No need to salute me.”

Li Ang indeed had no intention of kneeling.

He was certain this Emperor would not allow it.

It wasn’t because he was special, but because His Majesty wanted to win the loyalty of the Knight Order Commander behind him.

He sat directly before Solaris III, while Gahalad stood behind the middle-aged man, like a god of war.

Solaris III didn’t say anything more and even personally poured Li Ang a glass of wine.

“I never thought that little child would grow up so fast. By the way, if I recall, you have a younger sister, don’t you?”

Li Ang suddenly looked up, staring at the gentle-faced man, and asked in a low voice, “May I ask why Your Majesty has summoned me?”

Solaris III didn’t answer, but sipped his wine and continued, “It’s just a pity your mother chose the wrong path. Otherwise, with her outstanding talent, you two wouldn’t have fallen to this point.”

Then, he abruptly changed the subject, fixing his gaze on Li Ang, “I heard from Sir Gahalad that you seem to have come into contact with the Heretic God?”

“I have never come into contact with the Heretic God.”

Li Ang’s gaze was steady.

“Oh? So Sir Gahalad misunderstood you?”

The Emperor’s brows rose slightly, his tone one of surprise.

“Your Majesty, at the time I did sense the aura of the Heretic God on him.”

Now, Gahalad, standing behind, spoke up.

“Then what should be done? Li Ang, you know that the Empire has never tolerated heresy—better to kill by mistake than let one go.”

Solaris III’s tone was mild, but his words were chilling.

Yet Li Ang seemed unfazed by the Emperor’s killing intent, and replied seriously, “You won’t kill me.”

“Oh? Why not?”

The Emperor’s interest was piqued. He sounded a little curious.

“Because you are merciful.”

Li Ang replied calmly, neither servile nor arrogant.

After he said this, not only was Gahalad stunned—even Solaris III himself was caught off guard.

This Emperor, merciful?

Back then, the purges to suppress the rebellion had all been orchestrated by this Emperor—countless people died!

“Hahahahaha!”

The Emperor slapped his thigh and burst out laughing, then clutched his belly, his trembling hand pointing at Li Ang, “Not bad… I am indeed merciful.”

Then, he turned back and looked at Gahalad, “Sir Gahalad, when you return, let this boy go.”

Gahalad was momentarily stunned, but still nodded, “Yes.”

“However, just releasing you like this wouldn’t be appropriate. You should prove yourself, don’t you think?”

The Emperor seemed to have recovered from his earlier mood, narrowing his eyes as he gazed at the youth before him.

“I will follow Your Majesty’s arrangements.”

Li Ang bowed his head.

“In that case…”

Solaris III pondered for a moment before saying, “The Church has a Holy Artifact that can detect the aura of the Heretic God. You will go there to be tested.”

“As for the time… let’s make it Sunday, when there are more people.”

Having said all this, the Emperor waved his hand a bit impatiently, “Alright, that’s all. Off you go. I have state affairs to handle.”

Li Ang stood and left the bedchamber without hesitation, Gahalad following close behind.

Once the two had left, Solaris III slowly collected his expression, returning to the image of the dignified monarch.

He muttered to himself, “Acting weak before me to show he isn’t a threat, eh? Clever little guy. Hard to believe someone actually escaped all those years ago.”

The Emperor now closed his eyes, drumming his fingers on the table as he murmured, “The Blue Knight, the Howard Duke’s Ducal Heir—both want to protect him? Then I’ll spare him for now. His weakness is his younger sister? That’s a point worth exploiting…”

He opened his eyes and addressed the empty bedchamber, “What’s the situation with the Demon Clan now?”

As his voice fell, space in an empty corner twisted, and a black-robed figure suddenly appeared, saying, “The Demon Queen wishes to negotiate with you.”

“Negotiate?”

Solaris III narrowed his eyes.

“What does that Succubus want? Did she say anything else?”

“She said she is willing to personally come to the Capital to negotiate and sign a Peace Treaty with you.”

The black-robed figure’s voice was emotionless, echoing in the bedchamber.

“Come in person… What is her aim? But it seems there is no downside for the Empire… Very well, agree to it, and prepare a welcoming ceremony. Make it grand—show our sincerity.”

Solaris III stood up and walked toward the outside of the bedchamber.