Omniscient First-Person’s Viewpoint -
Chapter 357: The King Who Kills Others, The God Who Kills Himself (11)
Stereotypes are a frightening thing.
Snakes were creatures that slithered across the ground, so when an earth snake suddenly crashed into the Golden Palace, people would assume its details mimicked a real snake’s.
But why would a serpent crafted with authority need to resemble a real snake in every way?
After all, real snakes aren’t made of earth.
In reality, the earth serpent the Regressor created had two parts: one on top and another hidden compartment that moved partially submerged in the ground.
The Regressor and Tyr rode at the top, while Peru and I remained hidden below.
Magic exploited gaps in people’s perception.
Once revealed, the trick becomes glaringly obvious, but to those unaware, it seems like a mysterious force.
While Tyr and the Regressor were busy fighting above, I pressed the Ten of Spades to the ground above me while I gently pushed.
“Earthweave.”
The roof of the hidden compartment opened like a lid, effortlessly giving way and I quickly ascended through the opening I created.
The Golden Palace had undergone a dramatic transformation.
Earlier, it resembled a tranquil town hall nestled in the middle of vast cornfields.
Now, it had turned into a war camp, complete with tents, barricades, and a tense atmosphere.
Instead of farmers wielding sickles, armed guards patrolled the area.
Fires blazed even in broad daylight and guards stood in pairs at the barricades.
From a massive tent emerged a stream of soldiers, far more than it could possibly house.
Their meticulously maintained gear gleamed coldly in the light.
Armor. Spears. Shields. Soldiers. It was a textbook depiction of war—likely the Golden Lord’s own vision brought to life.
While this adherence to convention was admirable in one sense, it was also rigidly unimaginative.
Unlimited resources mean little if adaptability is lacking and rigidity only invites exploitation.
However, war with the Military State could bring unforeseen outcomes.
Humans were creatures that learned.
Though, as homunculi, they might lack that capability.
“Either way, we need to get past all of that.”
Was it possible?
Even with Mind Reading, it seemed challenging—and I couldn’t even read the thoughts of these soldiers.
Compared to Tyr and the Regressor, I was practically on the same level as these grunts.
To make matters worse, I lacked the strength to break through their armor.
Even with the Regressor and Tyr drawing attention, this seemed insurmountable.
Damn it, what now?
“…Impossible.”
“Oh? Peru, you followed me?”
I turned to see Peru climbing out of the tunnel I’d dug.
I hadn’t expected her to follow me.
It would’ve been safer for her to stay inside, given that she’s essentially a living weapon.
“Are you here to help?”
“…To get in your way.”
“Well, if you’re going to interfere, why not use your ability?”
“…No need. If I scream, they’ll notice you.”
She had a point.
Oh, wait—that’s actually true.
I’d thought the area would be deserted with Tyr and the Regressor drawing attention.
I’d hoped for an empty field where I could plant a flag and declare victory.
I hadn’t expected this resistance.
… Or maybe it was relatively empty. It’s just that I’m still too weak to breach it.
“Sorry, but your threats aren’t very effective. It’s nearly impossible to get in there undetected.”
“…If you retreat, I’ll keep quiet.”
“Maybe later. After I try one last method.”
Assaulting an impregnable fortress is idiotic.
The best approach is to smuggle yourself inside, like a Trojan horse.
With that in mind, I boldly stepped forward, parting the bushes and revealing myself.
Spears instantly pointed in my direction.
“Wait a moment! I’m a messenger here to deliver terms—“
“Enemy. Kill.”
“I said wait! Killing someone with their hands up is cheating! I’m surrendering!”
What’s with them!? They brought out swords immediately.
I leaped back, but the soldiers pressed forward, repeating the same monotonous chant.
“Enemy. Kill.”
“Enemy. Kill.”
“Enemy. Kill.”
There was no reasoning with them.
Their blank eyes and flat voices lacked any trace of intelligence.
Were these soldiers homunculi modeled after humans rather than the Primarchs?
Damn it, it seemed like most of the power was focused on Tyr and the Regressor.
There’s no Primarch here to guide them.
The problem is that I can’t even handle these basic homunculi!
Spears closed in.
There was no escape. Tents now surrounded me, with more soldiers crawling out of them like they were some kind of human factory.
Cornered, with no way out, I called upon my final card.
“Elric! Come out! I have something official to discuss with you!”
My voice was drowned out by the clanging of soldiers’ armor.
My only escape route was the tunnel behind me.
｢…She’s not going to show. If you give up now, maybe I will rescue you.｣
“—Halt.”
A single low command froze the soldiers in place.
Their reaction was entirely different from when I’d shouted.
The soldiers stopped like statues and amidst them, ‘Elric’ emerged, parting the crowd as she strode forward.
She looked every bit like molten gold come to life, with radiant blonde hair tied in a ponytail and a form-fitting outfit.
Leather gloves and boots completed her sharp, deconstructive presence.
Her piercing eyes fixed on me.
“How insufferable. Do you know no sense of decorum?”
｢…Huh. The Goldenarch?｣
Even Peru seemed to think so. The homunculi, with their lack of independent thought, would surely mistake her for the real thing.
I smiled knowingly.
“There’s no sense in war. The only thing that matters is what happens next.”
“Hmph. Paltry words. Clear a path.”
At ‘Elric’s sweeping gesture, the soldiers moved with precision, opening a path wide enough for two people.
She began walking ahead with a commanding stride and I followed close behind.
Meanwhile, Peru watched in utter disbelief.
｢…This is absurd. How could they so easily escort an intruder? The Goldenarch too?｣
It wasn’t impossible.
Who knows the true intent of the Golden Palace?
Even I, a Mind Reader, can’t discern it.
｢… No way.｣
Regardless of her doubts, by the time Peru realized the truth, it was too late.
The soldiers that had parted like the sea at ‘Elric’s’ wave and returned to their spots like the tide.
Having passed the soldiers, we now stood…
“… Your Majesty.”
…face-to-face with the Golden Lord himself.
The Golden Lord was about to enter a large tent, carrying a massive sheet of paper in his arms—likely a map or blueprint.
As he alternated glances between the tent and us, his face was a mix of confusion and disbelief.
“Weren’t you just inside the tent moments ago? And more importantly, who is this person?”
The golden bell hanging at his waist rang urgently as if echoing his anxiety.
‘Elric’s’ gaze briefly shifted to the bell.
｢The golden bell Father spoke of… So that’s the Golden Lord? The one who is said to adore Elric, the King of the Golden Empire?｣
Reading ‘Elric’s’ thoughts, I gave a subtle nod.
‘Elric’ quickly scanned the Golden Lord and her surroundings, continuing her thoughts.
｢Hmm~. Doesn’t he look a bit too green to be the Golden Lord? I doubt this is his true form. Even ‘I’ feel a bit creeped out.｣
You transform into different forms yourself—don’t tell me you have a complex about your own kind.
Unsurprisingly, the ‘Elric’ I brought along was Hilde.
After describing Elric’s appearance to her in detail, I asked her to transform into her.
Even though Hilde had never met the Golden Lord, she successfully transformed based solely on my description.
Of course, Hilde grumbled about how she couldn’t perfectly “interpret the character” while transforming, but who cares?
All we needed was to distract the Golden Lord briefly so I could snatch the golden bell.
Hilde matched the situation to the Golden Lord’s words and crafted her response.
“Demo. Greet him. He is someone you should know.”
“Me? Greet?”
“Yes, he’s…”
Attempting to stay in character, Hilde gestured at me while choosing her words.
｢Father said to play the role of a revered mentor introducing a prized disciple, but｣
It doesn’t have to be perfect.
Just distract him a little so I can pickpocket that bell.
Come on, say something to make it easier for me to approach him!
Hilde finally decided on her approach, leaning onto my shoulder.
With clasped hands resting on my shoulder and her arm pressed against my chest, she tilted her head toward me, softening her expression.
Wait, hold on.
Before I could stop her, Hilde voiced her thoughts aloud.
“This is the one destined to become my consort.”
“…Y-Yes? Pardon?! W-What nonsense is this!”
How does escalating his suspicion help?
He’s glaring at me like he wants to kill me!
And spouting something so absurd will only make him doubt your identity!
- Clink! Clank!
The clinking sound of golden-armored soldiers echoed behind the Golden Lord.
Their sudden appearance seemed to symbolize his mounting anger.
If things escalated further, they’d likely cut me down without hesitation.
The Golden Lord was now glaring daggers at me, his eyes practically ablaze.
He immediately prostrated himself and shouted.
“F-Forgive my insolence! How could some vagrant like him possibly be your consort? This is absurd!”
“Do you really think it’s absurd?”
‘Elric’ flashed a sly smile, gently nudging me forward as if to flaunt me. She brushed her cheek against mine.
The Golden Lord gritted his teeth in fury with an expression so twisted it was no longer recognizable as ‘Elric’ whispered devilishly.
“Surely you’ve known this day would come.”
“What…?”
“Who else but the most noble man could befit the sovereign of this empire? Yet, who in this world could possibly match me?”
Ah, so that’s the angle. Now I understand Hilde’s thought process.
｢Obsession stems from fear of loss and nightmares linger longer in memory than sweet dreams! Let’s act out the Golden Lord’s worst fear!｣
It’s a different kind of perfectionism—if she can’t match the ideal, she’ll embody the exact opposite with perfection.
I didn’t foresee this approach, but fine.
Let’s play along.
I slid my hand boldly around ‘Elric’s’ waist, mimicking a golden-haired rogue, and teased.
“Your Majesty, don’t you think this is a bit inappropriate in front of your disciple? You’re quite mischievous.”
“Oh, but it’s only for you…”
‘Elric’ exhaled with a soft moan, playing the part of a love-struck maiden to perfection.
Stop overacting!
We’re on the verge of getting killed by the real Golden Lord!
Despite my internal panic, the ruse worked—for now.
The Golden Lord’s suspicion toward Hilde seemed to dissipate, even as he glared daggers at me.
Good. Just a little closer, and I could…
“… Golden Lord! She’s a fraud!”
Unfortunately, Peru wasn’t fooled.
Having witnessed Hilde’s Transformation Art before, she immediately called out the deception.
“What…?”
“… Do not be deceived! That woman has disguised herself as the Goldenarch! The real Goldenarch would never say such things!”
Peru’s heartfelt plea to the Golden Lord reignited his suspicion.
He began scrutinizing Hilde closely and the differences became glaringly apparent.
Because, of course, the Golden Lord knows Elric intimately enough to “alchemize” her.
The illusion shattered.
No, it was overwritten.
His Elric wouldn’t speak like that.
His Elric wouldn’t act like that.
His Elric would never rejoice in another man’s embrace.
Therefore, this was an impostor.
With a sharp, resounding crack, the fabric of the adjacent tent flew open.
The real Elric—if one could call her that—burst into view.
“Demo! That is not me! It’s a fraud disguised as me!”
But even as the real Elric emerged, the Golden Lord’s gaze remained fixated on ‘Elric.’
Perhaps the Golden Lord had always known.
Deep down, he might have recognized that the world around him was false, that the world that defied his will was the true one.
Hilde’s performance had shaken him so deeply that it temporarily pulled him out of his fabricated reality.
And for a brief moment, I could read his thoughts.
“You…! I knew it…!”
The Golden Lord jolted to his feet but stopped, restrained by thin, fragile tendrils pulling at him.
The Nine of Spades - The Tree of Genesis.
The Druidic relic derived from Nevida, an idol of her Divine.
Vines sprouted from the card I had planted, holding the Golden Lord for a fleeting moment.
The vines snapped almost instantly, but the brief delay was enough.
Hilde used that moment to push back the soldiers and clear a path.
A ruse for one step.
Earthweave for another.
A performance with Hilde for yet another.
And finally, the vines for one last step.
Though each step was small, together they bridged the gap to the Golden Lord.
And in my hand now…
…the golden bell, ringing with a clear tone, resonated with me.
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