Though it was already nightfall, Horus did not let that stop him from meeting with Minister Evans.
When his royal carriage arrived, he was surprised. While the lower classes suffered, this man's house was like a mini empire inside the empire.
It wouldn't take a genius from his world to know the minister had invested a lot of political money in this. Who knew what devious deeds he had been up to?
For now, Horus was here to ask him one question: why he made such a suggestion, and to confirm whether everyone in this kingdom was foolish or simply trying to act smart behind his back.
"Please, right this way, my emperor," a maid said, leading them inside.
Horus did not come alone. He couldn't. Commander Erwin had vowed to always be at his right side whenever he left the throne.
If there was anyone he trusted with his life, it was Erwin.
The hallway of the Minister's mansion was decorated with painted images of him slaying monsters, and another of him on the battlefield.
"Hmm," Horus growled as he noticed the one where the minister held the crown.
From the images alone, he saw a fat, bald man with a nasty grin.
These types of men in his previous life cared about no one but themselves.
Finally, they reached the entrance of the Minister's small yet majestic throne room. Yes, he was living his own life as a king.
As Erwin opened the door, the Minister jovially welcomed the emperor, even gesturing for him to sit on the throne ahead.
There was a dinner table with various foods laid out.
"I made sure my servants prepared your favorite meal, haha," said the fat man.
From the setting, Horus figured the Minister had been expecting him.
He glanced to his sides and noticed the transparent glass walls. For the first time, he saw two moons becoming one.
One hiding behind the other. But he quickly refocused on the matter at hand.
"I see you returned with the people. I told you my idea wouldn't let you down," the minister said with a smile. Since the emperor wasn't going to sit on the throne, his servant brought out a seat from the dining table for him.
"So it really was your idea," said Horus. Although he now blamed the minister, he still saw the former emperor as a fool who blindly followed suggestions.
Did he even think it through?
'What has happened to the emperor?' the Minister wondered, growing uneasy. 'Why isn't he smiling like a fool?'
As Horus took a step closer, the Minister took a step backward.
"You live your life fat as a king here while you let my people suffer?" Saying that made him feel a flicker of guilt since, in truth, he was the king.
"Whatever you've been told is a lie, my liege," the Minister said, trying to save his neck.
"Told? I saw it for myself. How they look at him, as a fool, an unfit ruler, all because I've been blindly following your suggestions," Horus said, grabbing the Minister by the throat.
If he hadn't controlled his temper, he would have crushed the man's esophagus.
When he let go, the Minister fell to his knees, begging for his life, though deep down he nursed thoughts of killing the emperor.
"Tsk, you'll work in the mines for the rest of your life—"
Before Horus could finish, a shadow blocked the moonlight.
When he looked outside the transparent window, he saw eight individuals floating in mid-air.
No, they weren't floating. They stood on an invisible, thread-like object.
"The rebels! Hide the emperor, I'll save you!" yelled the Minister, unaware that they were actually there to kill him.
Standing atop the thread-like rope, Mira licked her lips as she confirmed the information, not only about the Prime Minister but also the emperor.
"Happy night, two birds with one stone," she giggled. "Bring me the emperor. Minister Evans is—"
Shatter.
She didn't get the chance to finish her command. By the time she realized it, the Minister had already broken through the glass with a wide grin.
"Good," he growled. "You're exactly what I need to make the emperor see my worth." Out of thin air, the minister conjured two red, curved long blades.
Horus was stunned. He had completely misread the Minister. Men like that in his previous life would never have this kind of resolve.
In fact, they couldn't even throw a proper punch.
In his daze, he heard a familiar notification and saw the interface briefly appear before him.
-[Ding]-
Side Quest Received: Uncover why the rebels attacked
Reward: 10,000 upgrade points.
At this point, the seven escorts of Mira had already landed inside the room with Horus and Commander Erwin.
"Step aside, knight," one of them said. His voice carried a heavy aura, his face hidden beneath a dark cloak. "Our business is with the emperor."
Hearing that, Erwin smiled. He drew his large sword and replied, "Then sadly, that makes it my business as well."
"Kill him."
Horus stood, gritting his teeth. This was the first time he had experienced such a chaotic empire.
The turmoil in this kingdom was too vast. How could he bring peace when he knew nothing of how the war began?
Even within his own empire, his life was still in danger.
When he tried to dash forward to help, Erwin stopped him, not out of fear for the emperor's life, but for a simple reason.
"Let me show you my strength," Erwin said with a grin. "Come at me, all of you."
They were seven, or was Horus counting wrong? But how? Erwin was facing all of them at once.
Forget his skill being merely rated as good, Horus was deeply impressed.
"An experienced combat talent," he muttered.
Erwin swung his blade horizontally. It seemed to miss, or at least that was what they thought.
Then one of the seven was cut in half, his body splitting at the waist. As his enemies froze in shock, Erwin seized the moment and dashed forward at blinding speed.
The man in front of him couldn't react, his neck sliding cleanly from his body. In less than five minutes, the floor was drenched in blood.
"What the fuck!" one of the seven yelled, or rather five. "Stay away from him!"
They had been personally handpicked by Mira herself. Each could take on a thousand regular soldiers, yet this man was picking them off one by one, even in close combat.
They dared not attack all at once. A single sweeping strike would split them apart.
They couldn't move past him. Reinforcements would soon arrive, since the maiden from earlier was gone. The commotion alone would be enough to draw attention.
"This has turned into a suicide mission," one of them muttered through gritted teeth.
'He's fast, very skilled,' Horus thought. 'System, bind and upgrade Knight Commander Erwin,' he ordered.
-[Ding]-
-[Binding ability activated]-
-[Ding! Blood Knight Commander Erwin? Does the host wish to bind with this individual?]-
-[Binding... 10%... 45%... 90%... 100%... Successful]-
-[Blood Commander Erwin is now the target]-
'Upgrade the commander.'
-[Ding: Upgrade Authority has been activated]-
-[Target: Commander Erwin]-
Target's Status:
Main ability: Blessing of Valor
Passive Skill Sets: Iron Body, War Cry, Shadow Step, Counter Strike, Shield Guard
-[Ability Level: 79]-
-[Marital Status: Single]-
-[Does the player wish to upgrade the target?]-
'Yes, upgrade Knight Commander Erwin.'
Then Horus received another notification.
'System, display the ability obtained.'
-[10x Reward System: Ability obtained]-
UNDEAD COMMAND:
Description....