Is This It? Is This It?

Gahard, listening to their conversation, was completely bewildered. He shouted at Eriri in disbelief, "You're saying my body is already dead? What kind of joke is that? I'm clearly still alive!"

"Are you unable to understand my words?" Eriri looked at Gahard with disdain, then shook her head. "Never mind, there's no point in explaining too much to you. I've already given you the chance. If you have anything to say, say it quickly—you have less than ten minutes left."

Gahard tried to move his body, but to no avail. He soon realized that below his neck, he had no sensation at all. Even the pain that had been wracking his body had vanished without a trace.

"Who are you? What is your purpose in invading the Empire?" Gahard gave up struggling, but his pride as an emperor wouldn't allow him to lower his head.

Eriri didn't answer his question but instead held Reina in her arms and pulled Shea to her side with her left hand. "Don't you recognize these two? Does nothing come to mind when you see them?"

From the moment Eriri and her group had entered the palace, Gahard's attention had been solely focused on Eriri, completely ignoring Arifureta and the others. It could be said that his lust had clouded his judgment, causing him to miss his chance to make a better choice.

Turning his head, Gahard glanced at Reina, who was in Eriri's arms, and Shea, who stood to her left. Suddenly, he understood. "Haha, I see... It's for the demi-humans, isn't it..."

"That's right. Originally, I was only going to demand that the Empire release all the demi-humans and promise never to capture them again. I wouldn't have held you accountable if you complied. But now, your actions have sealed the Empire's fate—it's destined to vanish from this world."

"Hmph, making the Empire disappear? Don't you think you're underestimating us? You may be strong, but the Empire has hundreds of thousands of powerful warriors and millions of soldiers. We are on par with the Demon Kingdom and will not fall because of a single person," Gahard retorted, his voice full of confidence in his Empire.

"Oh really? Do you think numbers alone will make a difference? Are you seriously under the impression that just because you have more people, you're stronger? Really?"

Eriri's mocking tone infuriated Gahard to the point where his face turned bright red, and the energy keeping his head alive began to deplete faster.

"Pfft..." Arifureta and Shea couldn't help but cover their mouths and laugh at Eriri's taunting and Gahard's ridiculous expression.

At that moment, the sound of countless footsteps echoed from the shattered palace. In no time, a young man, clad in luxurious armor and bearing a strong resemblance to Gahard, rushed toward the throne with dozens of guards in tow. Accompanying them were tens of thousands of Imperial soldiers who completely surrounded the palace.

This young man was the crown prince of the Empire, one of Gahard's sons, Baius D. Hoelscher, known for his ruthlessness and strong desires, much like his father.

When they were still a few meters from the throne, Baius and his guards halted. After hearing from the fleeing ministers about Eriri and the others' overwhelming power, he did not dare approach Gahard's side recklessly.

However, being guarded by the most powerful individuals in the Imperial City gave him considerable confidence.

Seeing Gahard lying on the throne, close to death, a flash of excitement and joy flickered in Baius's eyes before he quickly hid it. He then shouted harshly at Eriri and her group, who had their backs to him, "You vile woman! What have you done to my father?"

Annoyed by the insult, Eriri turned around, not bothering to engage in conversation. She simply extended her right index finger and beckoned. Instantly, a powerful force pulled Baius toward the throne. Unable to resist, he was drawn in and brutally slammed against the throne, his body shattered beyond recognition, even more severely than Gahard's, and left on the brink of death.

By the time Baius's twenty-odd guards realized what had happened, it was already too late. Of course, even if they had been fully prepared, the outcome would have been the same.

"Your Highness!"

The guards' faces were filled with regret, but with both the emperor and the crown prince at the mercy of the enemy, they dared not make any rash moves.

On the throne, Baius's broken body lay atop Gahard's, his head twisted at an odd angle, facing his father's battered head.

Seeing his son's pitiful state, a flicker of anger crossed Gahard's eyes, quickly replaced by helplessness.

Gahard sighed and murmured, "Baius, you were too rash..."

Baius slowly moved his dimming eyes but could no longer respond.

Eriri, holding Reina, took a few steps closer to the throne and looked at Baius, whose pupils had begun to dilate. "Now you understand what I did to your father? This is what happens when you let your mouth run."

As Eriri's words fell, Baius finally closed his eyes, departing this world before his father.

In the Imperial family, familial bonds were weak. Baius's death caused only a brief moment of sadness for Gahard, who had many other children and was not worried about succession.

Feeling his head grow heavier, Gahard realized that his own life was nearing its end. A deep sense of regret filled his mind, but he could do nothing.

Before long, Gahard followed his son into death, his spirit leaving the world with unfulfilled desires.

And so, the emperor and crown prince of the Holusia Empire, like characters in a tragic play, perished together on the Empire's throne.

"Eriri, what do you plan to do with the Empire?" Arifureta asked curiously, glancing casually at the two bodies on the throne.

Shea, upon hearing Arifureta's question, also turned her gaze to Eriri.

Looking at Arifureta and Shea, Eriri patted Reina's tail and smiled meaningfully. "Don't worry. I've already figured out how to deal with the Empire."