Chapter 323: Fu Hua, Be Good
Senti defeated Huodou.
A single strike of her Ki Impact, crashing down from the heavens, left an enormous handprint on the ground and reduced the monstrous beast Huodou to dust.
After the battle ended, Rita and the other four Ministers of the empire immediately began coordinating the postwar recovery without rest.
The details of this process and the changes within the empire will be left aside for now. Suffice it to say, a few days later, Durandal knelt before Sigurd.
It was late at night. The beautiful warrior knelt on one knee within the grand hall. Through the loose folds of her robe, the bandages wrapping her body could be faintly seen. Most striking of all was her empty left sleeve—this scene could easily stir compassion in any heart.
"Your hand will grow back. Think of it as your reward for these past few days. If you've come to ask me to remain emperor or something like that, you can leave now."
"Your Majesty, the empire has just suffered a catastrophe from the monstrous beasts. The newly forming court cannot function without your imperial authority… I beg Your Majesty to show mercy to the people of Huang!"
Sigurd's indifference was met with Durandal's unyielding resolve.
Rita, Zhuge Kongming—they were all clever people. Even Kiana, in her seemingly foolish way, understood the truth: Sigurd was from beyond this world. After exhausting all avenues and failing to persuade him, they at least knew not to keep pestering him about staying.
Durandal was different. She only knew that having Sigurd in charge was the best thing for the country. Since that was true, she would keep trying to convince him—day after day—until he agreed to stay.
As Sigurd flipped through the daily administrative reports, he finally looked up and, with a trace of helplessness, glanced at Durandal.
"I think I understand how Otto must've felt…"
He muttered to himself.
Durandal's strength in this world couldn't compare to her counterpart in the other world, but her earnestness and determination were exactly the same.
She surely understood that forcing others wasn't right. But compared to the fate of the nation and its people, such a "wrong" was something she would willingly overlook. Since she came today, she would come again tomorrow, and the day after, and the day after that—until she got the answer she wanted.
"Your Majesty, the people of this world need you! I, Durandal, offer everything I have to beg Your Majesty to continue ruling the world and protecting the people!"
"Tch—"
Sigurd closed his eyes and thought for a moment. For the sake of some peace and quiet in the coming days, he made a decision.
Raising his hand, a decree in the style of the old imperial dynasty appeared. He tossed it toward Durandal below.
Durandal caught it with one hand. Under Sigurd's gesture, she unrolled the decree.
Skipping the ceremonial and formal language of the document, the decree could be summarized in one sentence:
Emperor Sigurd abdicates; Durandal shall ascend the throne.
"!!!"
Durandal trembled and quickly looked up, her voice filled with emotion:
"Your Majesty, I never intended to—"
Before she could finish pledging her loyalty, Sigurd snapped his fingers. A gentle force pushed her out of the hall and closed the doors behind her.
"The abdication decree will be broadcast across the nation via the Central Core the morning after tomorrow. You can go speak to the others about the enthronement."
His tone was flat and left no room for argument.
Durandal, trying to re-enter the hall, found herself unable to even approach the doors again.
Clutching the imperial decree, she stood outside for a long time, her expression shifting between light and dark. Only after a long pause did she finally leave, helpless.
Inside the hall, Sigurd let out a long sigh of relief, as if he had narrowly escaped a great ordeal.
From behind the screen behind the throne, Fu Hua peeked her head out, holding a book of ancient records in her arms.
"You made that decision rather hastily, didn't you? She's going to be the ruler of a whole nation. In this era, that carries a lot of weight."
"The administrative system has already been completely restructured from top to bottom. The position of emperor isn't as influential as you'd think. If it's not me sitting on the throne, then it doesn't really matter who it is. Compared to the lazy Kiana, the cunning Rita, and the still-young Kongming, Durandal is actually the best choice. She has enough prestige, is upright and just, and is well known throughout the empire for her patriotism and love of the people. She won't play favorites, and she has no concept of persecuting political enemies. Under her rule, people can rest easy. Right now, in this political landscape, a trustworthy leader is far better than any other option."
"You're really not just trying to shake off responsibility?"
"Fu Hua, you've been questioning me a lot lately."
"Just joking. Of course I trust your judgment and sense of responsibility."
"You'd better. The fall of the Previous Era was partly due to fractured unity—conflict between power structures and military forces. I don't want that happening again in this era. Your strength is important, Fu Hua… which means you need to follow orders."
Sigurd spoke calmly, without emotion, his tone carrying a faint sense of gravity.
Fu Hua quickly stepped forward and stood beside Sigurd, her expression serious as she replied:
"Understood. I'll be more mindful from now on! A highly centralized authority is necessary—I fully support you!"
Sigurd raised his hand and pinched Fu Hua's cheek. Fu Hua obediently lowered herself into a kneeling squat, further showing her sincerity.
Sigurd smiled faintly.
"Good. I trust you know your limits."
Just then, a gust of wind blew through the hall.
Smack!
Senti, chewing on a skewer of candied hawthorn, suddenly appeared at their side. With a whip-like flick of her hand, she smacked Sigurd's hand away.
"Talk all you want, but keep your hands off Old Timer!"
With one hand on her hip and the other holding her snack, Senti rebuked him with righteous indignation.
Sigurd stared wordlessly at Fu Hua. Fu Hua clasped her hands together and gave a sheepish, pleading smile.
"Please don't take her seriously…"
Sigurd realized he couldn't count on this ancient immortal, who spoiled children, to discipline Senti.
Senti was powerful, spontaneous, and unlikely to stay confined within Fu Hua's mental domain much longer.
In other words, this Herrscher personality would frequently appear in public.
Her casual disrespect in private wasn't a big issue—it wasn't like she was his unruly child. As long as she didn't directly provoke him, he could tolerate her behavior.
But if she kept acting defiant and uncooperative in front of others, it would undermine the authority of a dictatorial emperor.
That kind of behavior… might need to be addressed sooner rather than later.
Sigurd stroked his chin and said,
"Actually, I can create a World Bubble right now to fulfill your wish for a fair fight."
"Oh? Really?"
"But I don't fight meaningless battles. There has to be a wager."
"Huh?"
Senti tilted her head, cheeks puffed out as she chewed her candy, blinking in confusion—
Wasn't the plan to fight after she finished her missions?
Sigurd gave a gentle smile, like a breeze on a spring day.
"How about we bet on one condition?"
"Hmm… I'm gonna win anyway, so sure!"
Senti thought for less than a millisecond before patting her chest and agreeing confidently.
Whatever Sigurd had in mind—who cared? A fight was a fight. And she never backed down from one!
Sigurd's smile grew even warmer.
"Then it's settled. Surely the great Red Kite Immortal won't go back on her word?"
"Hmph! Since when have I ever broken a promise?"
And with that, a swirling black vortex opened in the center of the hall.
Sigurd stood up and stepped into it first.
Senti popped the last of the candied fruit into her mouth. As Fu Hua looked on with concern, clearly wanting to say something but hesitating, Senti gave her a carefree slap on the shoulder and grinned:
"Old Timer, I'll go teach that cocky brat a lesson. Sit tight—we'll go grab a midnight snack once I'm done!"
With those words, Senti's weapon sheath materialized behind her, blades hidden within.
Clenching her fists and striding forward with unstoppable momentum, she walked confidently into the vortex—ready for battle.
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[1] https://www.patreon.com/collection/95348?view=condensed
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[3] https://www.patreon.com/posts/140631608
[4] https://www.patreon.com/collection/95348?view=condensed