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Chapter 499: The Future
"Lady Misha, I—I was just drinking alone in the tavern…"
In front of the "big figure" he had only ever seen in the "Kingdom Gazette", Raj was initially nervous, stuttering as he spoke.
But soon, realizing his bright future ahead, he became more fluent, and by the end, his tone was filled with righteous indignation.
"…That damned demon tried to tempt me into betraying His Majesty! Even if I were to die, I could never do such a disgraceful thing!
The moment I realized what was happening, I risked my life, acting immediately and without hesitation, to report it to the security forces.
Lady Misha, that is the full account of what happened."
Raj stood stiffly before Misha, gripping the hem of his clothes with both hands, offering a flattering smile.
Misha gave a slight nod, smiling in approval.
"Very well. The empire does not forget loyalty, nor does it neglect those who risk their lives to make contributions.
The demon you exposed was of a considerable rank, enough to earn you a reward of over two hundred gold dinars and first-class citizenship. Go to the Imperial Bounty Office to claim your reward—it is well deserved."
"Yes, Lady Misha!"
Raj instinctively straightened his back, his face alight with excitement and joy, his lips curling into an uncontrollable grin.
Though he had nearly lost his life, he had made the right gamble!
That was two hundred gold dinars!
Before being dismissed by Supervisor Jelsen, his monthly wage had been only one gold dinar, and he often had deductions for rule violations.
By comparison, two hundred gold dinars was nearly twenty years' worth of hard labor at the factory! To him, it was a fortune.
This money would allow him to pay off all his debts. Not only that, but he could also buy a shop near Emperor's Plaza and live a leisurely life.
And first-class citizenship—there was no need to even mention the benefits. In addition to receiving government subsidies, he would gain a higher social status and enjoy advantages in all aspects of life.
That famous "Imperial Dream" achiever, Baron George, had enlisted in the military as a first-class citizen.
The days of wandering, distress, and hardship were behind him. Now, what lay ahead were status, wealth, and a bright future.
One could say that his fate had completely changed!
Tears of excitement welled up in Raj's eyes, trickling down his rough face.
In his mind, he already envisioned his former colleagues addressing him respectfully as "Lord Raj," and even that Supervisor Jelsen humbly fawning over him.
If not for Misha's presence, he would have knelt down and bowed to the now-dead Asher. That demon wasn't from the Abyss—he was a benefactor who had paved his path to a bright future!
And His Majesty Cassius—establishing the bounty system was a stroke of brilliance! Truly a great ruler! How foolish he had been to ever harbor grievances against him!
Humans had always been pragmatic creatures. As a newfound beneficiary of the empire, as long as His Majesty ensured his comfortable life, why wouldn't he devote himself to him?
The dissatisfaction caused by past hardships vanished in an instant. Now, Raj's heart held only one sentiment—loyalty.
After expressing his immense gratitude, Raj hurried off, nearly stumbling over himself in his eagerness to reach the Imperial Bounty Office.
A new life, a bright future, was calling to him!
Misha, watching the departing informant, grew solemn once more.
Although she could hear the exaggerations and self-glorification in Raj's words, such embellishments were common. The core of his account remained reliable.
One fact was certain—this demon had infiltrated Isthalia and harmed the empire's citizens.
"Cough! Cough!"
"By Cassius, that—that demon was utterly terrifying! Not even bullets could kill it!"
"It hurts… My leg is stuck under the debris."
"Can someone help me?"
"Anna… Anna is dead! She was killed by the demon! God, I saw her get sliced in two with my own eyes!"
From the ruins of the tavern came the clamor of those caught in the disaster—coughs from inhaling dust, the groans of the wounded, and the wails of those mourning lost loved ones.
For Raj, this may have been a golden opportunity to change his fate, a blessing from His Majesty Cassius. But for the citizens caught in the chaos, it was nothing but an unwarranted calamity.
A squad of white-robed medics hurried in, collecting the bodies, casting healing spells, and tending to the wounded.
"All unauthorized personnel, clear the area immediately!"
"Do not loiter!"
"The Imperial Guard is conducting an investigation! Disperse at once!"
The Imperial Guard drove away onlookers, setting up barriers, examining the demon's remains, and gathering any leftover materials.
The tieflings and ogres, who had been brawling moments before, now shook hands in camaraderie, exchanging military identification and helping clean the battlefield while reflecting on what had just transpired.
A tiefling security captain approached Misha, his voice heavy with regret. "Apologies, Lady Misha. We failed in our duty. We were unable to stop the demon, forcing you to intervene."
"You did your best."
Misha gazed at the ruined tavern, frowning as she muttered, "These demons are becoming bolder…
I must report this to the Prime Minister."
With that thought, Misha's golden pupils flickered, wisps of fire curling around her tall figure.
With the crackling sound of air igniting, the sorceress vanished, leaving only embers drifting in the wind.
Imperial Government Building, Battalia Hall.
This was the office of the Imperial Prime Minister, adorned with lavish décor and a ceiling engraved with a dragon's image.
The ogre, Langpu, stood by the window, gazing through the stained-glass panes at the dense cityscape and the bustling crowds on the streets below.
Suddenly, he spoke. "Come in, Misha. I know you're already here."
Misha carefully pushed open the door, greeting him politely. "Good day, Prime Minister. Your wisdom never fails."
Though she had grown more prideful over time, she still held deep respect for this man—the one who had first introduced her to His Majesty Cassius. More importantly, he was the Prime Minister of the empire.
"I've come to report…"
Langpu interrupted, "I already know. A Succubus Demon infiltrated Isthalia and openly slaughtered imperial citizens in Emperor's Plaza."
Misha nodded, her expression grim. "These demons grow ever bolder. To have dared enter Isthalia, and on Coronation Day, no less…
It is a blatant provocation against the empire—a direct affront to His Majesty Cassius!"
By the end, her voice carried an unmistakable anger, her golden eyes burning fiercely.
Langpu's voice deepened. "Misha, spellcasters must remain rational. Never let anger cloud your judgment."
Realizing her outburst, Misha lowered her head in guilt.
"Apologies. I overstepped. I will heed your counsel, Prime Minister."
Langpu nodded slightly, pacing within the grand hall before turning once more to the window, gazing at the bustling imperial citizens. A steam locomotive roared past, billowing thick clouds of steam, its whistle resounding through the streets.
He muttered to himself:
"Abyssal demons… truly troublesome foes and a significant threat to the empire."
Over the past year, there had been more than a dozen demon attacks across the empire, though this was the first in Isthalia.
Most of these incidents had been swiftly dealt with by regional military forces, but in several cases, the demons inflicted considerable casualties, and some unfortunate informants were killed on the spot.
Such attacks had an extremely negative impact on the empire. If they continued unchecked, they would undoubtedly erode public trust in the imperial government and tarnish the empire's reputation.
For a confident and martial empire like the Ember Empire, it had always been the one raiding and attacking other nations—never the victim.
The citizens of the Ember Empire were children of the great red dragon, warriors beneath its vast wings. They were meant to fight and die for the grand vision—never to be preyed upon.
"Do not worry, Misha."
Langpu's lips curled into a faint smirk. His grotesque face contorted with a grin, his murky yellow eyes glinting with both ruthlessness and unwavering confidence.
"The imperial military is thriving, the Starfallers will soon return, and most importantly…"
The ogre turned his gaze northward, fixating on the oil painting "Origin of the Ember Nest" hanging on the wall. His eyes reflected fervent devotion as he stared at the depiction of the dragon and the ogres, as if witnessing a divine revelation.
"His Majesty Cassius is about to awaken! I can feel it—our master is growing even stronger."
Misha's golden eyes shimmered with excitement.
"His Majesty Cassius is awakening?"
"Yes. The empire will eradicate those wretched, pestilent demons and claim complete victory. I swear—we will make them regret ever provoking the Ember Empire!"
A savage grin spread across the ogre's face as he clenched his ornate scepter, the wood creaking under the pressure. He paid no heed to his earlier advice about "spellcasters maintaining rationality."