The Lone SF Transmigrator in the Otherworld Forum-Chapter 166: The Guardians (3)

Karlstein clicked his tongue as he looked at the old man who had been knocked far away after being hit.

“Really, you’re not satisfied even with this?”

For some reason, despite losing the fight, the old man kept rushing at him as soon as he opened his eyes.

“Come on, you’re not a kid anymore. Isn’t it time to accept it?”

“Gruk-“

Gone was the ethereal elder who seemed like an Immortal walking on clouds. Now all that remained was an old man covered in blood, rushing like a mad dog with nothing but stubbornness left.

Even those who came with Karlstein were trying to stop the old man, yet he would not listen.

Is he unable to accept reality?

The old man kept rushing in, getting beaten, and fainting repeatedly. But after this went on for dozens of times, he seemed to have finally calmed down; the old man lay still, staring blankly at the sky even after opening his eyes.

Karlstein glanced at the old man and dusted off his hands.

In truth, Karlstein was not unscathed either. This time, he had heavily infused Kameira’s power into his body to use it for a long time, yet he was having difficulting healing.

Maybe I really need to come out in my true body now.

He was nearing the point where using an Avatar would no longer be viable.

“Anyway. The Guardians will have to help in dealing with the Three Thousand from now on.”

“…”

“…”

“…”

Silence equalled agreement.

Karlstein smiled contentedly as he quietly showed his magic fist that could forcibly turn negatives into positives.

As their expressions darkened, Karlstein added a remark.

“I’m counting on you. Oh and don’t go jumping to conclusions now. I won’t be using you all as disposable pawns.”

They flinched.

Mm. Yeah. I guess they could think that way.

“I understand what you Guardians are worried about, but…”

“…”

“In the end, isn’t it just a matter of winning the war? Whether it’s the Three Thousand, Sephiroth, or Chaos. If we crush them all and win, won’t that fate you’re worried about become meaningless?”

“While that may be true…”

RulerofDawn tried to argue weakly in a tiny voice.

“Then it’s fine, right? What’s the problem?”

She hesitated to speak at Karlstein’s response, so confident of victory. She could only nod and prepare for the great war to come.

“…Yes. I’ll do my best.”

Yes, that was the only way. Unless they could defeat the monstrous Oradge and break his will.

But just as the conversation seemed to be wrapping up…

“…We can’t do anything about Mighty Corp though.”

“Huh?”

“You’ll have to deal with them directly.”

It was a voice that sounded somewhat deflated and dazed. No, a voice that seemed to have transcended something.

The old man spoke while lying down and looking up at the sky.

“No doubt they mainly handled the organization’s operation and management. We were just close to being symbolic.”

“Heheh. Well when your body is strong, your brain doesn’t need to work.”

The old man raised his upper body and looked at Karlstein as if dumbfounded.

“…It gives me chills to hear you say such things.”

“Haha. Don’t worry about that part. Oh, right.”

“?”

The old man looked at Karlstein, wondering if he had something more to say.

Just what kind of thoughts were hiding beneath those neat features of his…

“Are there any people there who shouldn’t be killed?”

“…”

The old man’s eyes twitched at the bloodthirst in Karlstein’s tone.

“Hoo. There aren’t. Do as you please.”

In the end, the old man sighed and gave up.

If that monster set his mind to it, there was nothing he could do.

…He was not even a match.

“Haha. Don’t worry. It’s not like I’m going to kill everyone indiscriminately.”

“…It seems there will be significant bloodshed.”

“Heheh.”

Was it because of his unique intuition?

The old man did not believe Karlstein’s words, but Karlstein did not bother to answer either. He had his own thoughts.

How dare they try to stab the Galactic Empire in the back while living off it?

Of course, they probably did not intend to openly defy the Empire. However…

They were just testing the waters…

If the Emperor pointed to the sky and said there were two suns, that would become the truth. Even if they were nobles of the Galactic Empire, anything could be done under the pretext of treason.

Let alone… these lowlifes who had been cowering and only watching for opportunities.

If they resisted? They would just have to be enlightened.

They would realize the consequence of going against the Empire.

“See you again.”

Karlstein’s form burst into flames.

***

Karlstein returned to his mental world, leaving behind the old man who had introduced himself as Myodong. Needless to say, he borrowed Platty’s ability in the process.

To return here, he had to abandon the body he had painstakingly created, but considering Kameira’s power, it was no problem. Just a bit bothersome.

“Hmm. Is it about time to go back now?”

Karlstein noticed the change as he looked at the black burning heart in his mental world. The exterior of the pitch-black burning heart had become transparent.

Thump- Thump-

“Mm.”

Karlstein closed his eyes, drew on Kameira’s power, and focused on his senses.

The source of power in his mental image began to twitch like soft jelly according to his will.

Fwrsh-

When he first obtained Kameira’s power, it felt like moving a hard rock. But not anymore. Now he felt a sense of omnipotence, as if he could move it as he wished with just a little more focus.

Fwrsh-

While it did not have the fierce dynamics of Delloa’s power, which was like a raging river, it was gradually awakening its potential like quietly boiling lava.

Although a bit early, he had an intuition that he could now open his eyes in his true body.

They’ll be worried…

Karlstein could not postpone it any longer. No matter how capable Aria was, the Emperor’s absence was bound to lead to problems rising everywhere.

He had previously sent a message to Aria that he was fine, but had not been able to contact her since then.

The rest of the power could be digested slowly in his true body.

Karlstein gradually raised his mental energy and stimulated his mental world. His near-infinite mental strength supported his ever-growing will like a solid pillar.

Fwrsh-

Just a little more.

And at the moment his will reached its peak.

BOOOM-

As if a bomb had exploded in his head, a massive impact shook him.

Flash-

Then Karlstein was able to open his eyes in his true body.

Fwrsh-

With black flames enveloping his entire body.

***

Blink-

When Karlstein first opened his eyes, his five senses did not return. They only gradually returned as time passed.

As his senses returned, he saw Virdel standing with her eyes wide open and mouth agape.

“Phew… Virdel? How come you’re here?”

“L-Lord Karlstein?”

Even though Virdel had his trust, it should have been difficult for her to visit this place where the Emperor’s body, which could be considered the foundation of the Galactic Empire, was kept.

“Huh? What’s this?”

Moreover, Karlstein had not woken up in the capsule as usual.

Looking around, he saw the room was filled with all sorts of medical equipment.

“Haha. Even if I was unconscious…”

It was not the first time he had lost consciousness in the process of absorbing power.

“Shouldn’t you know that these aren’t very useful?”

Karlstein unhesitatingly removed the IV lines attached all over his body.

“Mm? What’s wrong?”

“Well… that…”

Virdel lowered her gaze, carefully beginning to speak.

“Grand Duke Maxien said to read this when Your Majesty wakes up.”

Karlstein blinked as he put on one of the suits lying around and transformed it into casual clothes.

“Mm…?”

He was confused to see Virdel, who usually showed a calm and cautious demeanor, so uncharacteristically nervous.

He flicked his finger to pull in the handwritten report that Virdel handed over. After reading through it…

“…”

Karlstein crumpled the paper, his expression turning cold.

“Is this true?”

“Yes.”

“Why would Aria…”

The report was outrageous.

Aria was in custody? And by Maxien, no less?

“This doesn’t make sense…”

Everyone knew that Aria had Karlstein’s unlimited trust. Despite hiding that Aria was an AI close to an OOPArt, her status in the Galactic Empire was so great that no one could doubt her identity.

“What is this? Why?”

“Well…”

Moreover, hearing Virdel’s report made it even more absurd.

“My body was in the process of turning into a monster?”

“Yes. Just the day before yesterday, Your Majesty’s body was covered in large flesh and the external form of the body had collapsed.”

“That’s…”

Considering Kameira’s power, it was not incomprehensible. When he previously consumed Delroa’s power, he had simply lost consciousness as if hibernating, after all.

“The Empire’s medical staff and researchers said that it was a state from which Your Majesty could never return to normal…”

Therefore, Aria, who was the Empire’s Chancellor and oversaw the operation to subjugate Kameira, was detained to be held responsible.

The report purely conveyed the facts in Maxien’s handwriting, in an extremely calm tone.

“…But I’m fine now?”

“I believe that is why I was surprised. Of course, I never doubted that you would wake up someday.”

Considering the Galactic Empire’s excessive loyalty, Karlstein figured it was not incomprehensible to hold someone responsible. Nevertheless…

“What the heck? Isn’t the process too irrational?”

Yes, that was the strange part. As if someone had artificially intervened, the Empire was showing signs of division, and the talents he had cherished were scattered.

“…”

The Galactic Empire was by no means sloppy. If it had become so weak that its organization could be shaken by one or two problems, the current era of ruling the galaxy would not even exist.

“Let’s go see for now.”

“Yes. I will guide you.”

Karlstein stepped out toward the door, his expression icy and unyielding.

Who is it? Who dares to pull such a lowly trick…

It was an impossibility that the Galactic Empire would be fooled by such lowly tricks. How in the world had it ended up like this?

Karlstein vowed to bring an early death to whomever was behind this situation.

However…

Maxien? Why…?

***

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