--- [Alex’s perspective]
We’re all the same to him…
Being the winner of the C-rank bracket, Casey would likely win against me just as easily as Seth did.
As the winner of the B-rank bracket, Rose would absolutely humiliate Casey.
Compared to us, the guild master is in another world of power.
He’d make even Rose look like an ant.
Yet…
To the Emperor, we’re all the same…
How is that even possible?
My mind can’t even fully grasp it; it just doesn’t make any sense.
How is he that strong?
“Does that answer your question, Rose?” – Emperor
“Y-yes.” – Rose
He looks around again.
“So then, was there anything else you guys wanted to know?” – Emperor
I stay quiet for a few seconds, and nobody says anything.
I guess now is as good a time as any…
“Emperor… I’d like to talk to you alone, if possible…” – Alex
Rose turns to me in shock.
“I know the deal was for all of us to meet you at once, but…” – Alex
I look him in the eyes…
“I’m sure you know why.” – Alex
He nods.
“Yes. I’m sure we have lots of things we need to discuss.” – Emperor
Rose gives me a confused look; she clearly doesn’t know…
“Well then, on you go.” – Emperor
He flicks his wrist, signaling Rose and Casey to leave.
They don’t hesitate to follow his command, and promptly leave.
“…” – Emperor
He looks at his guard.
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“Did you not hear me? Leave. Me and Alex will talk in private.” – Emperor
“But-” – Guard
“Leave.” – Emperor
The killing intent is so intense you could probably feel it from the other side of the world…
The Emperor isn’t messing around; he’s serious…
Without even replying, the guard immediately gets out, leaving just me and him.
There are so many things I want to ask; I don’t even know where to begin!
I guess the first thing should be…
“Are you really my… father?” – Alex
“Absolutely.” – Emperor
“Then why? Why were you not there? Why were we not with you? Why didn’t I know until a certain someone told me?!” – Alex
“Alexander…” – Emperor
“Call me Alex.” – Alex
“Alex… Everything I do is for a reason. I believe that in the end, you’ll end up much stronger by living your life the way you have, than you would if you were here with me.” – Emperor
“But life isn’t all about strength… Had we been with you from the start, Leo might have still been alive…” – Alex
“That’s right.” – Emperor
‘That’s right’…?
What does he mean by that?
And…
Now that I think about it…
“My mother always told me my father died shortly before I was born. Has she been lying to me my whole life?” – Alex
“No. I altered your mother’s memories; she doesn’t even know I’m the father of her children.” – Emperor
Isn’t that…
Cruel?
She deserves to know who our father is.
She deserves to live without the false grief of having lost her husband…
I’m not sure I fully understand the point of it either…
He thinks I’ll end up stronger?
So what?
The only reason I want strength in the first place is so that I can provide for my village and get revenge for my brother.
Had we been with him from the start, I wouldn’t have even needed to be strong…
I don’t get it, but maybe he knows something I don’t…
Whatever, I need to move on.
I don’t know how much time I’ve got, and there are other important questions I need to ask him as well.
“Everything I’ve ever heard about you has been awful. I’ve been told you’re the root of all suffering, the most evil man in history, committed more heinous crimes than anyone else, destroyed more lives than I could possibly imagine… I know this can’t be true, because I know the true nature of the people who said those words.” – Alex
He leans forward and looks directly at me.
“I’m sure you know about them. They’re a terrorist organization, or cult, or whatever… They call themselves ‘The END’. They’re the ones who killed my brother. They’re the ones who tried to do the same to me… And it’s all because of our relation to you…” – Alex
“What are you asking?” – Emperor
“I… I guess what I’m asking is… Why? Why are they like that? Why are they so desperate? Why would they go so far as to take big bro away from me…” – Alex
He lets out a sigh before answering.
“Alex, there is one thing you need to understand… They’re not wrong.” – Emperor
“… What…?” – Alex
“I am the root of all suffering. I am the most evil man in history. I have committed more heinous crimes than anyone else. And I have destroyed more lives than you could possibly imagine. They are right about all of it.” – Emperor
What…?
I…
What?
That can’t be true.
It just can’t…
“If you’re the evil one, why would they take Leo away from me? Why?!” – Alex
“Because they’re scared, Alex. They’re scared of me. They’re scared of what he could do if he ended up like me. They’re scared of what you could do if you end up like me.” – Emperor
“No…” – Alex
I fall down on my knees, and tears start uncontrollably streaming down my cheeks.
“No… That’s not true…” – Alex
“It is.” – Emperor
“No…” – Alex
“It’s true.” – Emperor
“NO!” – Alex
I let out a wild scream as burst of emotion overcomes me.
The windows shatter, and the guard opens the door to check what is happening.
“Stay out!” – Emperor
He reaches his hand out, and the doors slam shut on their own.
…
…
…
“Take my hand.” – ???
It’s that thing again…!
This is just like that time with Illian…
“Who are you? What… are you?” – Alex
“Take my hand.” – ???
It’s not listening…
Why won’t it answer?
“You won’t beat that man on your own, so take my hand!” – ???
