Chapter 174: The Controlled Emperor
Grausam was not human.
He was a demon, and a very rare one who could use mental magic.
His ability was mental control, like the most skilled musician, who could silently stir the deepest, most secret melodies within a target's heart.
And his approach to El Fidel was not truly to help the Kingdom of El resist the Southern Unified Empire.
Even the threat of the Southern Unified Empire, and everything in its rise, subtly bore the shadow of demon activities.
This was a part of Schlacht's grand plan, used to distract the Kingdom of El's attention.
Grausam's true goal was the Holy Sword, El's Light, enshrined in the deepest part of the imperial palace, which had accumulated a thousand years of human faith!
The secret that El's Light could mobilize the Power of Faith should have only been known to El's royal family, but after so many years, a few degenerates always appeared.
Then, this secret was learned by Schlacht.
He even boldly speculated that a thousand years ago, the Godslayer was able to contend with the gods precisely by borrowing the Power of Faith, and El's Light was its vessel.
Therefore, this Holy Sword, left behind by the Godslayer Kurtz, was like a deadly poison to the demons, but also contained an irresistible temptation.
After centuries of research, Schlacht developed a crazy plan:
If he could seize the Holy Sword El's Light, pollute it with demon magic, and reverse its core power, then even they, the demons, would be able to call upon the immense Power of Faith within it.
At that time, the entire continent's pattern would be instantly overturned!
The Kingdom of El, having lost its greatest trump card, would be insignificant, and the demons, possessing the power of the Holy Sword, would be invincible.
Even the current strongest mage, Serie, would not be their opponent.
And to approach that heavily guarded Holy Sword, the best springboard was to first approach the current El Fidel.
What Grausam had to do was to gradually gain El Fidel's absolute trust, and finally use mental magic to guide the Emperor, or at least allow himself to approach the Holy Sword.
In the following days, Grausam demonstrated his astonishing strength and personally went to the southern border.
During a probing attack by the Southern Unified Empire, he, with his strength alone, unleashed a magic that covered the entire battlefield.
This magic caused thousands of Southern Unified Empire soldiers to fall into a state of self-slaughtering madness, ultimately collapsing into disarray.
The news spread back to the Kingdom of El, invigorating the entire nation.
El Fidel was overjoyed, and his trust in Grausam soared.
He was even invited to the Saint Calu'a Academy of Magic to give a magic lecture to the magic apprentices there.
And Grausam went there with pleasure.
His teaching method was mysterious and efficient; those students indeed showed significant improvement in the short term after listening to his lecture, but the strange light occasionally flashing in their eyes went unnoticed.
Grausam's position in the court became increasingly stable, making him a hot commodity by the Emperor's side.
He always catered to the Emperor's worries at just the right moment, offering seemingly reasonable suggestions.
During this period, he also used his powerful mental magic to continuously strengthen the Emperor's worries about the Southern Unified Empire.
He was like the most patient hunter, setting traps, little by little, leading El Fidel in the direction he had predetermined.
And the time was gradually ripening.
One night, the council hall of the imperial palace was brightly lit.
El Fidel was once again troubled by an urgent military report, which showed that the Southern Unified Empire's main army was gathering on a large scale at the border, clearly preparing for a formal war against him.
"Your Majesty," Grausam's voice sounded at the right time, "These people's ambitions can no longer be restrained. This time, I'm afraid it's a decisive battle with the full might of their nation."
El Fidel's face was ashen: "Grausam, once war breaks out, it will be a scene of great suffering. Although the Kingdom of El's strength does not need to fear the opponent, I still do not want to reach this point."
El Fidel did not fear the Southern Unified Empire; what he truly feared were the demons hidden deep in history.
Once he and the Southern Unified Empire were both wounded, if the demons attacked again, how would they cope?
"Your Majesty," Grausam took a step closer, his eyes fixed on the Emperor's anxious gaze, a trace of dark light rippling gently like water in his pupils.
"Conventional power will indeed only drag the two nations into the quagmire of war, unless you use extraordinary power to end this war quickly."
El Fidel's heart skipped a beat, and he subconsciously said, "You mean—"
Grausam's voice carried the allure of magic, clearly entering the Emperor's ears and echoing directly in his mind: "The Holy Sword El's Light."
"The Holy Sword!?" El Fidel trembled; a hint of eagerness flashed in his eyes, but it was immediately replaced by immense awe. "No! The Holy Sword must not be used unless the nation is in its most dire times!"
Saint King Norn had left a dying wish that El's Light could only be used when the Kingdom of El faced a crisis of annihilation or when confronting demons.
And now, their Kingdom of El had not yet gone to war with the Southern Unified Empire, far from meeting the conditions for use.
"Your Majesty!" 's voice suddenly rose, carrying a strong mental impact that instantly overwhelmed the Emperor's hesitation.
"In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures must be taken! Now is precisely the moment for the Holy Sword to be unsheathed, to let the Southern Unified Empire witness this power, and thus completely dispel their greedy ambitions!"
Under Grausam's mental guidance, El Fidel's thoughts gradually leaned towards his suggestion.
"But even if El's Light is used, its full power cannot be unleashed."
"Don't worry, Your Majesty." Grausam's lips curved into a mysterious smile. "I have traveled the continent and am very familiar with the Holy Sword. Perhaps I can guide out the true power of El's Light."
Powerful mental suggestions, like an invisible tide, impacted El Fidel's psychological defenses wave after wave.
Normally, El Fidel would be difficult to influence, as he himself was a mage, and although not very powerful, he had a certain resistance to magic.
But Grausam's mental attack was covert, causing El Fidel to fall victim to it during their daily interactions subtly.
Now, under the continuous influence of demon mental magic, the awe in the Emperor's eyes for the Holy Sword was gradually replaced by a fanaticism.
He seemed to see the Holy Sword unsheathed, and the Southern Unified Empire's army turning to dust.
At that time, their Kingdom of El would surely be great again!
"You—do you really have confidence?" El Fidel's voice was hesitant, but his eyes shone with a dangerous glint.
Grausam bowed gracefully: "For Your Majesty's glory, I, Grausam, am willing to do my utmost and try."
"Good!" El Fidel suddenly stood up. "Tomorrow, I will take you!"
"As you command, Your Majesty."
Grausam lowered his head, the smile on his face widening in the shadows, carrying a trace of coldness that El Fidel could not detect.
[End of Chapter]
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