My Desertion Would Be Faster Than Heros' Obsession-Chapter 36Vol 2.

"Everything has been handled well."

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The emperor leaned back leisurely on his throne.

The rebellion led by the Second Prince’s faction, which had been ousted from the battle for succession, was immediately suppressed upon reaching the capital.

Following that, the Dark Sorcerer Special Forces, primarily composed of Arkons, also instigated an uprising, but they failed to inflict significant damage on the imperial family and were crushed. Their heads were now displayed at the gates of the imperial palace.

Additionally, the anti-imperial organization that had spread throughout the Border Defense Army, with the Snowy Mountain Battalion at its core, had been caught distributing seditious literature and was arrested.

Having successfully dealt with all these groups that had stirred chaos in different ways, the emperor felt a satisfying sense of relief.

However, he also felt a deep sense of urgency regarding the series of rebellions that had erupted so early in his reign.

"As expected, these hetero bastards won’t just stay still."

Well, given that the empire had persecuted hetero sapiens for such a long time, it was only natural that their resentment had been building up.

This suppression was nothing more than a temporary measure to keep them from expressing their discontent for the time being. Rebellions could always arise again. He needed to uproot these treasonous elements completely.

"So then, what should I do...?"

The emperor tapped his fingers lightly against the armrest before a thought suddenly occurred to him, bringing a quiet smile to his lips.

"By now, their blood should be sufficiently diluted."

Since the implementation of mandatory service for hetero sapiens, the number of pure-blooded hetero sapiens had continued to dwindle. Now, more than half of those being conscripted into the Border Defense Army were more heavily mixed with Adolphan imperial blood than hetero blood.

"So I should just abolish the Border Defense Army system entirely."

With dark sorcery now completely banned by imperial decree, all that remained was to halt the contract magic still active within the imperial capital. Without that, no more monsters would emerge beyond the border. In that case, there would be no need for the Border Defense Army.

If they were no longer persecuted, they would no longer feel the urge to rebel. It was a truly perfect plan.

Of course, there was still one more issue to take care of.

"Those who have already served in the Border Defense Army might hold grievances."

Even if forced conscription ended, they might band together and attempt a rebellion.

The solution to this problem was simple.

"I just need to kill every single one of those who have served in the Border Defense Army."

The emperor smiled again.

From now on, no one would be able to harm him or his empire.

***

Salvia ran, holding Aquila’s hand.

They had successfully obtained the necessary condition to activate the contract magic—April’s blood.

However, the imperial army, seemingly tireless, continued to chase them, making it difficult to find a place to activate the magic. It was as if they were determined to completely eradicate every hetero sapien within the empire, launching an intense suppression campaign.

Finally reaching a safe location, they hurriedly began preparing the dark magic ritual.

As the magic circle was drawn on the ground and April’s blood was scattered upon it, Salvia spoke.

"Aquila, you remember, right? What you need to do when I go back."

"To love you."

"Yes, that’s all you have to do. I’ll take care of everything else."

Saying this, Salvia glanced to the side. There were approaching footsteps—undoubtedly the imperial soldiers pursuing them.

As she quietly awaited the moment the magic would activate, Salvia suddenly felt a deep sense of injustice.

"Why do I have to abandon this entire world?"

"What?"

"Throwing away even the memories I made with you... That’s just too unfair."

The thought of forgetting the precious years she had spent with Aquila was unbearable.

‘Is there really no way for me to recover my memories once I return?’

Lost in thought, she suddenly had a strange realization.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

If Salvia’s time rewound, would the Salvia of this world be considered dead?

Or would this world itself simply disappear without a trace?

If, by any chance—

If this world treated its version of Salvia as dead.

And if she could use wish magic at the moment she returned to the past—

In the fleeting moment when the imperial army spotted them and charged toward the nearly completed magic circle, Salvia desperately wished.

‘Please, let me retain my memories from this world.’

And in exchange for that wish—

"Aquila, I have a favor to ask."

"Yeah."

"When I go back, make sure to find my name."

In the world she was returning to, Salvia would gain the memories of the original novel in exchange for losing her real name.

And if, whether by chance or fate, Salvia ever reclaimed her name, then the memories of this past world would return to her as well.

If the wish had enough conditions attached, then perhaps it could be granted.

Beyond the radiant light bursting forth as the magic activated, Aquila smiled faintly.

"Don’t worry, Salvia."

Salvia closed her eyes, waiting for the new world that would soon embrace her.

Through the violent surge of magical energy, she heard Aquila’s final words.

"I would do anything for you."

***

A young boy with dazzling golden hair slowly walked across the training field. He scanned his surroundings as if inspecting the condition of the area.

"What’s that?"

"Oh, that’s the storage facility, Your Highness!"

"It’s well-maintained. Excellent."

Despite his youth, he assessed the state of the unit with a dignified voice.

Afterward, he shared a meal with the soldiers and offered them words of encouragement.

"Well, you’ve all worked hard. Thanks to you, I’ve had the chance to review the nation I will one day govern and reaffirm my resolve for the future. And I had a great sparring match, too."

His eyes gleamed with enthusiasm.

It was the face of a ruler who would one day lead the empire.

"Yes, that was how it was back then...."

He smiled faintly, reminiscing about that day.

The day when he had been a naive, passionate crown prince, brimming with fervor as he toured the Border Defense Army. It had been a good memory for him.

However, the moment he recalled his present circumstances, the smile vanished from his lips, and his expression turned cold. The eagerness of his younger days was long gone.

Yes, he had changed. He now bore too many responsibilities.

Emperor Alexander Lefieu Ablan lifted his head.

The days when he could do whatever he wished as a foolish, «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» innocent crown prince were over. Now, he faced the empire’s most insidious secrets, and he had to bear them alone.

He had become rational and cold, making every effort to suppress his emotions.

How much blood had he shed to reach this throne?

He had spent an immense amount of time and money subduing the Second Prince’s faction. The tangled web of noble interests had led them to fight until the bitter end.

‘That ordeal cost me too much political footing.’

The retainers were already treating him as incompetent, subtly pushing their own agendas. He had managed to hold them off so far, but he wouldn’t last long like this. He needed to fortify his power base.

‘What measures can I take?’

Alexander slowly pondered. Who had aided in the suppression of the Second Prince’s forces?

‘The Border Defense Army.’

The Border Defense Army suddenly came to mind, but he quickly shook his head.

‘An untrustworthy organization.’

It was true that they had helped suppress the Second Prince’s faction, but some of the discharged soldiers had later joined the Dark Sorcerer Special Forces and sided with the rebels. As a group composed of hetero sapiens, they could never be fully trusted.

‘Besides, there was once a rebel organization within that battalion.’

According to what his father had told him before his ascension, a seditious group had formed within the Snowy Mountain Battalion, the most elite force of the Border Defense Army.

Of course, his father had planted an officer as a spy and executed a company commander as a warning. After that, there had been no further suspicious activity from the Snowy Mountain Battalion.

Regardless, hetero sapiens were an unpredictable people. Alexander wondered if there was another way to consolidate his power without relying on them.

‘If I want to strengthen my authority, then the best method is....’

His eyes widened in realization.

‘War.’

***

We could no longer operate as the Dark Sorcerer Special Forces.

Our headquarters had been ransacked, and the imperial family had issued warrants for our arrest.

WANTED POSTER

A reward of 100 Marknes will be given to anyone who reports members of the Dark Sorcerer Special Forces.

—Imperial Army of the Adolph Empire—

These posters were plastered all over the streets, making it nearly impossible to go outside without feeling paranoid.

Yet despite this, we refused to abandon the revolution. The Special Forces maintained contact through their existing networks, sending coded letters to keep communication alive.

In that regard, the cipher I had learned from the Snowy Mountain Battalion’s commander was proving to be incredibly useful.

Oh, and by the way, Aquila and I had returned to our original home. Not because we couldn’t do certain things at Victim’s house—no, not at all—but because we had determined there was no longer a risk of being tracked.

As a result, our home had become the most frequently visited location among our allies. It was the closest to our old headquarters, making it the most convenient gathering place.

"Salvia, do you hate seeing me?"

"Haha, of course not...."

Once again, I had to force a bitter smile as I welcomed April, who had arrived with a housewarming gift.

Among us, April was in the most dangerous position.

Because April had revealed her true name to the Second Prince’s faction.

"So I haven’t been going home."

April calmly explained her current situation.

"I’ve been staying at Louise’s house for now. But I’m considering moving again, just in case."

"Ah."

I responded absentmindedly.

Just then, someone knocked on our door.

"Who could that be?"

"I’ll check!"

Karon, who had been at our house since morning, bolted to the door.

"Be careful. It might be someone coming to capture us."

At my warning, Karon opened the door with one hand while gripping a nearby flowerpot with the other, fully prepared to smash it over an intruder’s head.

But the person standing in the doorway was...

"Benny?"