Chapter 75: Moving Forward

The empire was in utter chaos.

What were once bustling streets were now littered with corpses.

Scattered food, stolen goods, shattered shops, and countless battle scars filled the scene.

The air was thick with the smell of gunpowder and blood.

There was no one to maintain order, nor anyone to clean up the mess.

Only the surviving people continuously prayed to Emilia, as if even the gods paled in comparison to her presence.

Only the imperial palace remained somewhat calm.

Though the traces of bloodshed and carnage had been cleaned, the lingering bloodstains constantly reminded everyone what that bastard hero had done.

The anguished cries of the nobles seemed to echo in their ears.

The once magnificent royal chambers now exuded a strange, eerie aura.

The maid, temporarily recruited by Duke Ole, struggled to endure working in such an unsettling place.

Gerard lay on the bed, covered in wounds, motionless.

His entire body was wrapped in bandages to hide the terrifying injuries.

No more blood flowed; only faint breaths and pained groans proved he was still alive.

He never imagined he would end up like this.

With the power of a hero, he should have recovered quickly.

So why couldn’t he now?

It felt as if something was holding him back…

Clenching his fists until they swelled with unknown bumps, he cursed, “Damn it. Why? Emilia is still waiting for me. She’s waiting for me to come find her. Maybe she’s suffering at the hands of that Sig, wailing in bed, hoping for me to appear. Yes, that’s it.”

From nearby, Duke Ole’s voice softly asked a question.

The delicate young man slowly knelt halfway down in respect.

He smiled faintly before explaining the situation.

“Your Majesty, I have investigated thoroughly and applied some measures.

As for the details, it’s better not to mention them—they involve things beyond human perception.”

After setting the stage, he calmly went into the main point.

“It’s a device specifically developed by the Kingdom of Ost to counter you.

Its power is immense.

Your Majesty, unfortunately, you’ve been affected by it, and it will take at least a year or so for a full recovery.

That thing suppresses a hero’s regeneration abilities.

Simply put, it temporarily severs part of your connection with the gods.

It’s terrifying.

Even in wars between humans, and not even the Demon Lord’s forces, have achieved this level of control.

Those people devised this to win.

The rapid development of weapons is truly astounding…”

Even Duke Ole couldn’t help but sigh at this revelation.

His understanding of war had grown darker, and his perception of neighboring countries’ progress had changed.

But the continuous sound of Gerard’s pained groans snapped him back to reality.

It was obvious this guy was desperate.

Half a year was too long.

Half a year without seeing Emilia, without touching her—it was more painful than death.

Always quick to shift blame, Gerard demanded from the loyal Duke Ole.

He struggled to sit up, leaning against the headboard.

Trembling, he raised his hand and pointed at Duke Ole, issuing a command.

“No, no, no, this won’t do.

I had a plan.

As soon as we defeat the army, I was supposed to go and welcome Emilia.

You need to think of a solution, fast, Ole, you useless piece of trash, hurry!”

“Don’t worry, Your Majesty Gerard.

I have already prepared everything for you.

Everything will proceed smoothly.

You can rest assured.

What you hope for is exactly what I desire.

Please, Your Majesty, you must bring Lady Emilia back.

Only she can save the empire.”

Ole smiled—not in anger, but with calm assurance.

He respectfully handed over a small jar filled with pitch-black pills.

Their origin was unknown, emitting a dark aura.

In truth, they were remnants of the Demon Lord Hakimi’s severed limbs, refined through forbidden arts.

Tests showed these were powerful.

They could rapidly heal the body, enhance strength, amplify magic power, fill the blood with vitality, boost spirit, and induce excitement.

If lucky, one might even gain partial demonic traits.

But…

Unfortunately, most who took them didn’t live long.

Some died instantly, others went mad.

Originally, Ole had no intention of offering these.

He didn’t take risks without certainty.

But the hero was utterly useless, making such a huge mistake.

“Are you a complete idiot? To be hit by that device… Half a year, huh?

Even if I can wait, the empire cannot.

The suffering people cannot.”

To keep his plan on track, and to see Lady Emilia as soon as possible, Ole was forced to break the rules.

He had to use something extreme to break the deadlock, no matter the risk.

He also prepared for the worst.

“This thing looks really suspicious, Ole,” Gerard said, noticing something was off.

He held the unknown object in his palm, eyes filled with doubt.

A trace of cruelty flickered in his gaze.

“You’re not trying to poison me, are you?”

“Of course not, Your Majesty.

You are my sun.

You must trust me—this will definitely help you.

There are only minor side effects, nothing serious.

Besides, if I wanted to harm you, I would have done so long ago.

Why wait until now?”

Ole quickly declared his loyalty, acting as sincere as possible.

He completely fooled Gerard, who was perhaps convinced by the reasoning.

No longer suspecting Ole, Gerard suppressed his unease.

After a brief hesitation, he closed his eyes, raised his hand, and swallowed the pill.

He had no other choice.

For Emilia’s sake, he had to do this.

Without her, he couldn’t survive.

He wouldn’t wait any longer.

He needed her now.

After ingesting the pill, his body immediately reacted.

It felt like a rejection and fusion at once.

His limbs twisted uncontrollably, his expression contorted in pain, veins bulging.

But soon, the sensations faded.

Only a renewed Gerard remained.

The bandages fell away as he felt better than ever.

Seeing his reborn body, he couldn’t help but smile with confidence.

He even accepted the pill as a reserve, without giving Ole any reward—just empty promises.

“Well done, Ole.

Why didn’t you bring this out sooner?

This time you’ve done a great service.

Good, good.

When I bring Emilia back, I’ll make sure to properly acknowledge your contribution.”

With that, he prepared to set off for the Demon Lord’s castle to meet his one and only love.

No hesitation, no delay.

He stood up and looked up at the ceiling, ready to depart from this moment forward.

“All right.”

As for Ole, he smiled outwardly but cursed inside.

“You really don’t hold back, do you?

Fine, no use arguing with a dead man.

The moment Lady Emilia returns will be your death, hero.”

Gerard’s thoughts were quickly cut off by his unbounded determination.

He marched toward the Demon Lord’s castle, moving forward and forward, carrying unstoppable momentum.

A crisis was about to unfold.