Demon King of the Royal Class-Chapter 548

Vertus frequently traveled between the capital and the Allied Forces’ camp. However, since this was a significant battle, Vertus stayed to observe it from start to finish.

Despite his retainers’ pleas that it was dangerous and he should return to the capital, Vertus watched everything. He saw the monsters sweeping through the battlefield, the barrages of spells being exchanged, and the falling monsters and humans.

“Six minutes and forty-seven seconds...”

He also witnessed the first activation of Titan.

Standing before Vertus were Grand Duke Saint-Ouen, the chief researcher, and Adelia, who played a crucial role in Titan’s design. Neither of them had yet heard the tragic news about Adelia’s classmates.

“In the grand scheme of this battle, it would be considered a very short time, but it’s amazing how the tide of battle can be reversed in such a brief moment... Or perhaps that’s just the nature of war,” Vertus said.

“I’ll try to extend the operational time, Your Majesty...” Adelia said, her voice timid and anxious.

“No, no. I’m not criticizing you. It was good, very good. In fact, it was excellent. While it would be better if it could remain operational for a longer period, it would be an even bigger problem if operating Titan for too long caused critical permanent damage. It might actually be better to limit its operational window.”

“I-is that so...?”

“We don’t have the resources to build another Titan. If Titan is destroyed, there won’t be another one.”

The fate of the empire rested on this project.

A war machine of this scale would never have been green-lit even at the height of the empire, when all its resources were intact, due to the sheer amount of resources necessary.

However, since the fate of humanity depended on the outcome of this war, the empire had squeezed everything out of its non-existent resources and entrusted full authority over its use to a mage who, despite having several achievements under her belt, was still only twenty years old.

With what magical resources remained after this hefty investment, the empire lacked the capacity to create a golem even half the size of the current Titan. Therefore, if Titan were to be permanently destroyed due to prolonged operation, it could not be rebuilt.

Adelia, who thought that having it operating for longer could have saved more people, couldn’t help but feel disheartened by Vertus’s words.

It seemed resources were more important than people.

The Titan was not human. Yet, if it came down to trading an entire division of the Allied Forces for Titan, the cold reality was that the exchange would be made. In war, machines could be deemed more valuable than human lives. That was why Vertus’s words—which stressed the importance of preserving the Titan until the end of the war rather than using it to save people—carried a harsh truth within its undeniable but brutal logic.

Vertus turned his gaze from the disheartened Adelia to Grand Duke Saint-Ouen.

“What was the damage sustained?”

“The external frame suffered about fourteen percent damage.”

Vertus furrowed his brow. “That much?”

Titan had operated for just under seven minutes, yet despite the short duration, it had sustained that much damage. That revelation left a bitter taste in Vertus’s mouth.

“The Titan is designed in two sections: an inner frame with an outer frame. The external frame acts as a kind of buffer. As long as the internal frame is undamaged, the external frame can be automatically repaired, regardless of the damage. You can think of it as wearing a suit of armor that automatically repairs itself.”

“That’s a relief.”

The golem was designed for long-term operation, and due to its enormous size, there was a risk that it might collapse on itself. The Titan’s exoskeleton essentially acted as a buffer to hold it up and absorb damage.

The fact that it was self-repairing eased Vertus’s worries. If a weapon project that had consumed so many resources could only be used a few times, there was no wa it was worth it.

“In any case, I hope both of you will continue to focus on the maintenance and improvement of this Titan.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Yes, yes!”

Vertus sat back down in his chair.

“Grand Duke, could we have a word?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Adelia left, leaving only Grand Duke Saint-Ouen remaining in Vertus’s tent. The cries of monsters could still be heard in the distance.

The occupation of Serandia was not yet complete. The troops needed about four more days before they could earn a proper rest. They needed to secure the area, ensure safety, and then establish a base.

The end to this long march and the exhausting battle was still far away.

Although he was the one who had requested a word, Vertus remained silent for a while, listening to the sounds outside. Grand Duke Saint-Ouen also remained silent.

“Grand Duke, if Harriet had been here, could the Titan have been made better?” Vertus finally said.

At the sudden mention of his youngest daughter, the grand duke remained silent, though he kept his eyes on the emperor. He neither smiled nor showed any indication of agitation.

“What do you think?” asked Vertus again.

Harriet de Saint-Ouen... This was a sensitive topic, as sensitive as bringing up the Demon King, and even more so for the grand duke.

The grand duke had been made to suffer much because of what his youngest daughter had done. However, just as the emperor showed no signs of anger or reproach, the Grand Duke displayed no emotion at the mention of her name.

The grand duke was not one to express much emotion, but after his daughter had disappeared with the Demon King, he spoke even less.

The emperor’s question about the Titan and what might have happened if his youngest daughter had been with them...

“I’m not sure.”

That was all the Grand Duke could say.

“Because I don’t know what Your Majesty means by ‘better,’” he continued. “If you mean a longer operational time, more weapons, or a stronger internal and external frame, then perhaps yes. But if, as Your Majesty said, the Titan might suffer extensive or irreparable damage if it were on the battlefield for too long, then I don’t know if that would be considered better.”

If it operated for a longer time, but that extensive operational time led it to sustain irreparable damage and be destroyed, then would that be considered well-made? Perhaps, this was its optimal state, where it had only a short operational window.

Vertus smiled at the Grand Duke’s words. “I see. Perhaps the Titan doesn’t need to be improved any further.”

“Of course, if you think that this is just an excuse from a technician who failed to construct it properly, there’s nothing I can do.”

“No, not at all. Not at all. I have no reason to think that.” Vertus leaned back, crossing his arms. “However, given the situation, Grand Duke Saint Ouen, I cannot pin any medals on you for this, despite your achievements. And this is also the reason why I’m bringing this up.”

The emperor clicked his tongue. “I can give them to Adelia, but I can’t award you any medal, nor award any to your mage corps.”

“I understand, Your Majesty.”

The grand duke had committed a sin. Or rather, the people considered it so, therefore it was true, no matter what one’s personal opinion on the matter was.

Although Titan wasn’t solely Adelia’s creation, it would be presented as her work alone.

Everyone knew that the Grand Duke and the technology of the duchy of Saint-Ouen were involved, but it would be considered a contribution for his atonement, and not something deserving of a reward.

The Grand Duke felt neither resentment nor bitterness. He had no interest in such things from the start.

“Of course, we can only discuss merits and rewards once this war is over, so talking about it now is meaningless. But the reason I’m bringing it up is to point out that despite such an achievement, the people will be terrified knowing that one of the keys to this strategic weapon is in your hands.”

“I see,” the grand duke replied calmly.

Vertus let his gaze drift to the roof of the tent above him. “Terrified people do strange things. If you can skillfully rally them and direct their efforts, you might even build an empire. But when people find out there’s a murderer living next door, sometimes they gather together with torches and burn the house down.

“These things happen, whether there is initial provocation or not, just as we invaded the Dark Land before they attacked us. Whether or not you, Grand Duke, are truly a collaborator with the Demon King, the people might still set fire to your tent... to the entire Principality of Saint-Ouen.”

Vertus’s gaze flicked back down to the grand duke.

“The Allied Forces watched the Titan crush monsters today—and they know one of the keys to that Titan lies in your hands.

“Grand Duke. Be wary of the terrified people. I’m sorry that all I can offer is such a warning.”

Those who were terrified and those who had looked down on the grand duke would now fear him.

Terrified by the attack by the Demon God Cult, humans had accused innocent people of being cultists and slaughtered them.

Now that humanity did not know the whereabouts of the Demon King or that of the grand duke’s youngest daughter who had followed him, they directed their hatred onto the grand duke.

The grand duke had no intention of explaining anything, or defending himself against these countless rumors.

All this while, the grand duke had been a great help in the war, and his contributions had proved decisive in the day’s battle. However, the extent of that help was so great that people would surely begin to fear him.

Titan... They feared what would happen if it was turned against the Allied Forces.

The people feared that the Grand Duke was a collaborator of the Demon King’s, no matter whether it was true or not. And so they feared he might have other thoughts.

Those who were wrapped up in this fear might speak or act strangely.

The emperor was warning him about that—that there would be no honors given, and that this war was merely a war full of sinners.

“If you wish, you may return to the principality.”

“I suppose I must leave Titan’s key behind.”

Vertus pursed his lips.

“Yes,” he replied. “That can’t be helped.”

The emperor could not award the grand duke with a medal, but he was offering him a chance. A chance to withdraw from the war.

No one would recognize the honor of the grand duke and his mage corps. In fact, things would only get more dangerous for him. The emperor was offering them a chance to withdraw, knowing they would only face fear, contempt, and hatred if they continued to serve. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

The Allied Forces would welcome such a move, since the dangerous creator of this weapon would be voluntarily stepping aside. This would mean that Titan’s future achievements would be awarded to other mages, and the secrets of the duchy of Saint Ouen would be revealed.

However, what use was all of this in the face of death? All material and intellectual gains were secondary.

Fighting would not grant him any more honor. Now, having left his mark on history with this creation, he could now return home.

From the emperor’s perspective, this was a significant concession. After all, he needed to preserve every last bit of strength humanity had left.

The Grand Duke’s deliberation was brief.

“Your Majesty, I know many people hate me. I also know many fear me. I have been subjected to innumerable outbursts of anger, hatred, and contempt. Yet I have never refuted, responded to, or offered any explanation in response to any of those words.

“However, it’s not because I acknowledge any guilt.”

Grand Duke Saint-Ouen locked eyes with Emperor Vertus. “I am not serving in this war to atone for any sins. Never once have I ever had such a thought.”

Vertus contemplated the grand duke silently.

Many spoke of the grand duke’s mistakes, sins, and wrongdoings. But just because he did not refute them did not mean that he acknowledged them. In fact, he had just boldly declared his innocence.

“Unjust hatred and accusations of sin have no influence on my decisions. Honor exists within me, and I alone am the judge of whether or not it has been tarnished. Your Majesty, no matter what delusions they have to hate and fear me, I will act according to my honor and beliefs.

“I did not join the war or create the Titan to atone for my youngest daughter’s sins. I serve in this war because I believe it is right. Therefore, as long as the purpose of this war remains just, I and my soldiers will stay, Your Majesty. That has been the teaching of my family for generations, and though not all have followed it, I do.”

To walk the righteous path...

The grand duke had a deep sense of what was right, and he would not be swayed by the world’s judgment of him.

The emperor quietly observed Grand Duke Saint-Ouen, who had spoken with such conviction. That attitude of his could only be described as arrogant.

No matter what the world said of him, he would not see it as a sin unless he himself acknowledged it as wrong. No matter what the world demanded of him, he would follow the path he believed was right, not the one others told him to take. That was the long-standing teaching of his family.

He served in this war because it was the right thing to do, and he would remain with no guilt or remorse in his heart, regardless of what others said or did out of fear.

The idea of standing by what was right, regardless of how the world saw you or judged your actions... wasn’t that the same conviction that drove Harriet de Saint-Ouen to follow Reinhart? Because she believed in him?

“If that’s your decision, I’m fine with it, but I can’t promise to protect you and your soldiers.”

“That’s fine, Your Majesty.”

The Grand Duke showed no sign of disappointment at the emperor’s words. After all, his soldiers were his own responsibility.

Vertus had given the Grand Duke a chance, but he had turned it down himself. Having made a decision based on his beliefs, the grand duke would accept the consequences of his choice, even if misfortune befell him.

Vertus felt assured that the Grand Duke would never blame him for anything that happened.

“Then it seems our discussion is concluded. I look forward to your continued support.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Grand Duke’s affairs were his own. If he couldn’t manage them, he would blame his own lack of ability and perish.

Some might call him stubborn, while others might admire him for his strong beliefs and his pride. In any case, the emperor did not offer any more alternatives to someone so single-minded. He wouldn’t listen anyway.

It was a very... aristocratic attitude. Vertus found it strangely unfamiliar after seeing it again after so long.

Just as the Grand Duke was about to leave, Vertus called out to him.

“One last thing.”

“Yes, Your Majesty?”

There was one thing Vertus wanted to know.

“Do you think you raised your daughter poorly, Grand Duke?”

A person who did not let the world’s opinions influence his own judgment... Vertus was curious about how the Grand Duke viewed his vanished daughter.

The Grand Duke said he felt no personal guilt. Then did he think his daughter’s sins were her own, and not his? Or did he believe she hadn’t sinned at all? Vertus was curious about that.

The Grand Duke stood silently at the doorway for a while, with his back to the emperor. Then, in a calm tone, he spoke.

“I may have raised her poorly.”

Vertus couldn’t help but be slightly surprised by those words. He hadn’t expected the Grand Duke to say that.

“However, she didn’t develop poorly.”

That was even more unexpected.

Vertus let out a chuckle.

That wasn’t something one said in front of the emperor. It was a sensitive statement that could cause significant political issues. It was practically the same as saying his daughter was right to follow the Demon King.

The Grand Duke hadn’t heard the truth from his daughter. He simply believed her words that if she were reborn or returned to that moment, she would make the same choice as the day the sky opened, without regret. He was convinced that a daughter who could say such things couldn’t have been easily blinded or led astray.

Vertus laughed helplessly at that explosive statement.

“Actually... I think so, too,” he said in agreement with the grand duke.