Inside the solemn Ice Palace.
Nearly all of the Sternritter had gathered. Unlike their usual arrogance, they were now gripped by panic.
One by one, every last Quincy stared at Yhwach with dread, not even daring to look at his face.
They only dared to look at his hand.
Motionless for a thousand years—pushed the unease in their hearts to the very peak.
Over those thousand years, Yhwach had only performed Auswählen three times.
The first time was a thousand years ago, after his defeat. Back then, Yhwach was extremely weak, and he used Auswählen to devour the life of half the Quincy Empire.
The second time was more than ten years ago, during his recovery he devoured the lives of tens of thousands of mixed-blood Quincies in the Human World.
The third time was just now.
Its scale was the smallest. The death toll was the lowest.
Yet it drove their fear to the highest point.
Because they might be arrogant, but they weren't stupid. They could all see what Yhwach had intended.
He meant to use Auswählen to wipe out the Military Police.
But now, no one knew what ability the Military Police had somehow, ignored His Majesty's Auswählen entirely.
So then… with his authority offended, and with his own life force urgently needing replenishment—would His Majesty turn his spear toward them?
Just thinking of it made their bodies go cold.
Even while sitting inside the bright, luxurious Ice Palace that felt like eternal spring, they still had the dreadful sensation of being on an execution platform.
Jugram Haschwalth heard the murmurs and said calmly, "Don't overthink it. How could His Majesty possibly strike at us?"
As he spoke, he glanced toward the direction of the Military Police headquarters, cold light flickering in his eyes.
"As for those traitors—when His Majesty awakens, it will be their deepest nightmare. His Majesty will never let them off."
Even after hearing Haschwalth's words, the Quincies present still couldn't settle down.
After all, most of them had lived through that era a thousand years ago. They knew Yhwach's temperament.
If a crisis truly threatened him, then Yhwach would never spare them.
With that thought, unrest began to stir in many hearts. Their eyes drifted toward the Military Police's position, a dangerous eagerness rising.
Since Bambietta, Bazz-B, and Cang Du had all joined the Military Police…
Then could they do the same?
Haschwalth's heart sank. Instead of softening, his expression grew darker, no trace of his usual gentleness. He said icily, "Don't forget—His Majesty is the King of the Quincies. He created us. That so-called Legion Commander, Cole, is nothing but a madman born a few hundred years ago."
The moment Haschwalth said that, the Sternritter whose loyalty had begun to waver slowly cooled again.
That was true.
Yhwach was the King of the Quincies.
No matter how powerful and flourishing the Military Police seemed now, once Yhwach awakened, it might all collapse overnight.
Unless… the Military Police's Legion Commander, Cole, could act before Yhwach awakened, and while he still couldn't freely use Auswählen to absorb power—
And kill Yhwach ahead of time.
Only then did Haschwalth finally exhale in relief, though the unease in his heart still lingered.
When the meeting ended, large numbers of Quincies left the Ice Palace with anxiety and fear clinging to them.
Even though Haschwalth had given his assurances, they understood clearly—
Haschwalth couldn't represent Yhwach.
Yhwach was the absolute king.
Meaning, their lives were still an unknown.
After everyone left, Haschwalth pondered for a long while. In the end, he sighed, then walked out of the Ice Palace with heavy steps.
"Haschwalth wants to see me!?"
Inside the Military Police—within the pure-white grand hall—On the throne sat a black-haired young man with an irritated look, staring down at Bazz-B.
He had been in the middle of a passionate bout on a snow-white bed with Yoruichi, and then without warning Bazz-B started shouting from below.
Yoruichi, whose body had already gone soft, somehow found strength out of nowhere. Blushing bright red, she kicked him straight off the bed.
Staring at the Quincy with the punk hairstyle, Cole couldn't help thinking—
Should he toss this guy into Hueco Mundo?
Feeling the hostility in Cole's gaze, cold sweat poured off Bazz-B's forehead.
In his heart, he cursed Haschwalth ten thousand times over.
Who pits brothers like this!?
Their Legion Commander wasn't domineering, wasn't cold, if anything, he treated people gently, like a refined noble.
His only hobby was being a bit too lustful.
And yet Bazz-B had hit the one landmine at the worst possible moment.
Swallowing hard, Bazz-B said stiffly, "Legion Commander-sama, Haschwalth says there's an urgent matter and he requests an audience… so I had to disturb you…"
Then, as if trying to redeem himself, he slapped his chest. Flames flared along his arm as he shouted, "Of course, Legion Commander-sama, if you don't want to see him, I'll go chase him off right now so he doesn't interrupt you and Bambietta—"
"Why are you saying that now… it's already happened."
Cole glared at him and said, "If you ever interrupt me like that again, I'll send you to Hueco Mundo to do high-greening."
Bazz-B nearly cried on the spot.
He'd been to Hueco Mundo. He knew exactly what kind of place it was.
Doing "greening" in an endless desert—
That was basically sentencing him to stay there for life.
With that, Bazz-B walked out of the Military Police building, burning with endless resentment toward Haschwalth.
Outside, Haschwalth hurried up, extremely nervous as he asked, "Bazz-B, how did it go? Cole no, the Military Police Legion Commander—will he see me?"
Bazz-B didn't answer directly. He crossed his arms, snorted, and said unhappily, "Why so polite? Didn't you fight with Legion Commander-sama last time? Why not just go in and see him yourself?"
Haschwalth gave a bitter smile, wanting to say something, but in the end he didn't.
In the past, he dared to trade blows with Cole.
But ever since some time ago when Cole displayed his Quincy Vollständig (Complete Holy Form)—
Haschwalth understood then.
Cole's strength had already surpassed his own.
And now, with this newly revealed power—something that could contend with His Majesty's Auswählen—
Cole had effectively become the strongest being in the Wandenreich, second only to His Majesty.
If, at this moment, Cole chose to strike at His Majesty…
Haschwalth was certain Yhwach would forcibly activate Auswählen.
And when that happened, even if they didn't die, they would lose all their power.
Most importantly—
Even if they sacrificed that much, it still might not be enough to awaken His Majesty.
After all, there weren't enough Quincies left.
Fortunately, Bazz-B didn't feel like continuing to tease his old companion. He nodded and said, "Legion Commander-sama has agreed to see you."
Haschwalth finally let out the breath he'd been holding, and hurried toward the grand hall.
An audience was good.
An audience meant there was room to talk.
At that moment, Liltotto, Meninas, Giselle, and Candice also arrived. They looked at Haschwalth and Bazz-B in surprise. After exchanging a few words with Bazz-B and Cang Du, the girls ultimately decided to go in as well.
Not for any other reason—
They just wanted to hear what state Yhwach was in right now.
The moment they stepped inside, they were stunned by the scene before them, staring in disbelief at Haschwalth—who was half-kneeling.
"Ehhh!? Haschwalth, what are you doing!?"
Giselle looked excited beyond belief. Unable to suppress her glee, she said with a grin, "The Emperor's representative is half-kneeling… don't tell me you're joining our Military Police too?"
After the initial shock, the others also grew excited.
The person Yhwach trusted most—who was also the Wandenreich's Emperor's representative—was half-kneeling before Legion Commander-sama.
Didn't that mean even he believed Legion Commander-sama was stronger than His Majesty?
For them, that was fantastic news.
Haschwalth ignored their teasing. He maintained the half-kneeling posture, looking at Cole with exceptional sincerity.
"Legion Commander-dono… no matter what, His Majesty is the King of the Quincies. He is the progenitor of us all. I truly don't wish for conflict to occur…"
"Moreover, the greatest enemy of the Quincies right now is Seireitei. A thousand years ago, they nearly drove our Quincy people to extinction…"
"I believe that if you can wait until His Majesty awakens, with our combined battle strength, we can definitely crush the Shinigami…"
He spoke at length, laying it all out.
When he finished, Haschwalth raised his head and looked at Cole, sincere to the core.
He had come for one purpose only—
To beg Cole not to attack Yhwach while he was still asleep.
Hearing this, everyone's eyes showed strange emotions as they looked at Cole.
Right.
How had they not thought of it?
Legion Commander-sama could absolutely take advantage of the fact that His Majesty was still sleeping, kill him first, and become the true king of the Wandenreich.
After all, under Legion Commander-sama's protection, they could ignore Yhwach's Auswählen.
It was a once-in-a-thousand-years chance.
Bazz-B couldn't hold back and said excitedly, "Haschwalth, if you ask me, you should join us. Let's work together and kill Yhwach now. Then everyone can be free."
The others also looked at Haschwalth with anticipation.
As long as Yhwach died, they could have true freedom—no more chains around their necks.
As for Cole…
No matter how strong he was, he couldn't use Auswählen.
If they ever got sick of Cole's rule, they could just walk off like nothing happened and leave his Wandenreich.
Haschwalth's expression sank. He wanted to scold Bazz-B, but in the end he endured it.
He only looked at Cole with hope.
He knew it well—within the Military Police, Cole's existence was the same as Yhwach's.
His will was supreme.
On the throne, Cole chuckled helplessly.
He hadn't expected Haschwalth to come for that reason.
The problem was—
He had no intention of making a move against Yhwach right now.
After all, that was his personally chosen artificial Soul King.
Thinking it over, Cole said calmly, "Haschwalth, you're thinking too much. It's true that I want to challenge His Majesty—but not now. I'll do it after he awakens."
"I will defeat him in his strongest state. Only then can I establish my foundation as king."
"After all, only the strongest king is qualified to lead the Wandenreich forward… and even crush the Shinigami of Seireitei."
Haschwalth's heart finally sank back into place.
Thank goodness this Legion Commander-sama was extremely proud!
He sighed inwardly.
If it were him, he would never wait for Yhwach to awaken. He would kill him now.
Bazz-B and the others felt some disappointment, but not much regret.
Because now, they were full of confidence in Cole, believing their Legion Commander-sama's power was enough to crush Yhwach.
Haschwalth left.
He still hadn't fully relaxed, but at least part of his anxiety had been eased.
"As long as Cole doesn't attack His Majesty… then His Majesty probably won't activate Auswählen again. I just hope His Majesty can stay calm…"
He prayed silently.
Yes— even he didn't know whether Yhwach would use Auswählen again.
But if Yhwach really did—
Among the Sternritter, aside from the few in the Military Police, everyone else would suffer a devastating blow.
"..."
Sun and moon turned.
In the blink of an eye, several more months passed.
Within the Wandenreich, another earthshaking change arrived—
The Military Police expanded again, compared to before.
No Sternritter joined the Military Police again…
But among the bottom-tier Soldat, nearly all of them had already become members of the Military Police, believing in Cole the same way they once believed in Yhwach.
Because Yhwach existed only in legend.
But the invincible Legion Commander of the Military Police was a living person, standing right in front of them.
With things like this, the Sternritter—who originally managed the entire Wandenreich—
Could only shrink back in humiliation around the Ice Palace.
The Soldat forces under their command, combined, were only a bit over ten thousand.
In this situation, they could only hope Yhwach would awaken as soon as possible.
Otherwise, the Wandenreich really was going to change masters.
Compared to their tension, Cole's life over these six months could only be described as comfortable.
Today he'd stay a few days in the Wandenreich.
Tomorrow he'd take the girls to Hueco Mundo for a trip.
From time to time he'd also stroll around Soul Society.
Of course, occasionally he'd take the girls back to the Human World to shop.
As time flowed on like this—
In Hueco Mundo, within Las Noches—
Cole was enjoying the gentle service of the maid Tier Harribel, when he suddenly raised an eyebrow.
"Put the grapes down for now… something feels off."
In that instant just now—
He sensed the Ruyi Jingu Bang he'd left inside the Wandenreich…
Being watched by someone.
"Yhwach… has awakened!?"
(End of Chapter)
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