Menelapie was a hero, but also a monarch and emperor leading the vast nation known as the Human Empire.
Naturally, she didn’t want to leave Shia, her friend and family, even for a moment, but she couldn’t disregard her duties as an emperor.
With a massive territory, countless populations, and various conflict-ridden races bound within the frame of the empire, she had no choice but to participate in the Grand Council meetings and steer the nation forward, regardless of her reluctance.
The life entrusted to her, and the responsibilities and duties she shouldered, were not light.
“Next agenda. It seems that due to a drought in Donggorchi, the wheat yield will decrease compared to previous years.”
‘…I miss Shia…’
What might she be doing right now…
She’d probably just woken up, rubbing her eyes and asking the royal palace chef for breakfast.
Even though she was the Body of the Undead Saint who didn’t need sleep, Shia particularly loved to nap.
Whether sleeping with someone or stealing a nap with Menelapie or Teresa…
She loved feeling the peace they established after defeating the Demon King, basking in the warm sunlight, and enjoying the quiet slumber.
She disliked being piled up with paperwork or dealing with bothersome matters, but if there was someone in need of the saintess, or a blessing or consecration was required, she would rush to anyone.
If there was someone suffering, or someone desperately seeking the saintess’s help, Shia would heal them, whether within the empire or at the farthest edges of the world.
However… since the onset of her hunger pangs, Shia had tried to avoid leaving the royal palace.
In the past, she would have gone out with Teresa, who was like a little black cat, for a trip to a scenic location, but…
Now, it had become quite a challenge.
Because Shia didn’t know when or where her hunger pangs would strike…
“What’s the anticipated reduction?”
“The exact yield cannot be estimated yet, but…”
“The Royal Bureau predicts a decrease of about 30 to 40%.”
Amidst it all, many ministers were coordinating regional issues and conflicts, waiting to present finalized proposals to the emperor, Menelapie.
The political system of the empire was fundamentally structured to maintain administrative functionality even without an emperor due to the long-standing war with the Demon King. However, even after over 40 years since the Demon King’s death, Menelapie remained the supreme ruler and head of administration governing the empire.
Menelapie was still responsible for managing and ruling over myriad matters that determined the fates and lives of countless people, both big and small.
“Can’t we send mages from the Magic Palace who can manipulate the climate to make it rain or do something?”
“Oh? Then we could create rain in Donggorchi to alleviate the drought…”
“And who will pay the fees to the Magic Palace?”
“Uh, well…”
Right, let’s snap out of it.
It’s time to get to work.
“Money aside, agriculture doesn’t just mean that rain will magically bring wheat from the sky. Rain now wouldn’t increase the yield; moreover, the loss incurred by other regions bereft of rainclouds will also rise.”
“Hmm, I thought it was a good idea…”
“Climate manipulation doesn’t create what wasn’t there.”
“We will waive taxes for Donggorchi this year.”
With the emperor’s words, several ministers overseeing that region cleared their throats in discomfort.
These were the inspectors in charge of that region, along with its lords and nobles who had been allotted land.
Of course, with Menelapie, the ageless and undying hero and humanity’s strongest emperor, there were no audacious individuals daring to embezzle taxes or mismanage military supplies before her.
However, if the taxes were reduced, the funds to manage the regions would naturally dwindle, which explained why many nobles sought to collect taxes regardless of the poor harvest.
“Your Majesty, Eastern Finance Minister Mergete. May I speak?”
“You may.”
“Your Majesty, I humbly apologize. If the taxes are waived this year for Donggorchi due to the poor harvest, then that amount will need to be extracted from the Eastern regions. Consequently, there will be a minimum tax rate increase of about 20% in neighboring areas such as Hao, Sottail, Weilan, and Meljtek.”
“What’s the collection rate in those regions?”
“Unlike Donggorchi, it’s not primarily agrarian, but the influence of the poor harvest is expected to be considerable. With reduced yields, trade volume in the area has diminished, and the flow of merchants’ money has moved to the southern regions. As of now, except for the port city of Weilan, it will be tight for this region to meet its tax obligations.”
“Then how about the imperial court providing a loan to Donggorchi for the taxes? The interest rate can be assigned a portion of the excess yield for next year and the year after.”
“Understood. If that’s insufficient, I will handle it as a long-term debt rate.”
“Detailed adjustments to the tax rates will be managed by Imperial Assistant Sehera.”
“Yes.”
“Next agenda item.”
And at that moment, as Menelapie was about to turn to the next document…
Kuwuung!!!
“……..”
“Ugh……”
“Hah…”
“Cough…”
The Grand Council Room filled with ministers began trembling as if an earthquake was shaking the ground due to the overwhelming aura of killing intent.
This was no ordinary killing intent.
Menelapie Haleum, recognized as the strongest of humanity alongside the Undead Saint, was emitting such a potent aura that physical mirages began to appear, directed at everyone present.
If there were those of weaker disposition, they might have fainted on the spot; yet all here braced themselves, biting their lips in silent defiance.
[Who is it?]
Menelapie, radiating an aura filled with killing intent, lifted the document set before her, ensuring all ministers could see it.
The document contained a proposal titled ‘Deprivation of the Saintess.’
[How dare they speak of such a proposal in this empire while I am alive and awake, to the rescue of the human race, my dear friend who is the Undead Saint?]
All of humanity knows.
The three beings who saved this world and the human race from the Demon King.
The Hero and Emperor Menelapie Haleum
The Undead Saint Isia
The Puppet Witch and Black Witch Teresa Kaitlyn
Of course, countless humans and the Ain race helped them, and there were uncountable efforts and sacrifices behind the scenes, but the fact that these three were the leading figures who saved the world from the Demon King remained unchanged.
And what?
[How dare, how dare, how dare…? What?! What did you say?]
A proposal for the deprivation of the saintess?
[Ah, could it be a generational change has occurred?]
Alright, let’s try to think from a broader perspective for a moment.
[It has been 44 years since I and my friend triumphed over the Demon King… Surely, there must be children who do not know how humanity has won. New lives have been born. No matter how much I have endeavored in education and child welfare, there may be those among countless humans who are unaware of history. That’s right, for sure…]
It seems education hasn’t been properly instilled.
A distorted history viewpoint has emerged.
Those who cannot believe that humanity was saved by just a few individuals are now denying the existence of myself and the Undead Saint?
Who does one think they are.
Letting such a proposal…!!!
While her fury was akin to a volcano erupting, Menelapie restrained herself as much as she could.
There might have been a mistake in the process, or perhaps it was some wicked remnants of the Demon race, or a turncoat trying to provoke her.
[Alright… You there, respond.]
“Cough, hack…”
“Ugh…”
[Who is it?]
“…………”
Menelapie’s aura intensified.
[Why won’t anyone respond?]
[Did I seem that harmless?]
[Is it that I appear merciful, kindly ruling the empire… that you wish to test me? To see how far I can go? Or are you trying to challenge my authority due to my age?]
[Today, I am not that merciful. So speak!]
[Who is it?]
At first, the killing intent seemed almost suffocating, but now, a golden rose blossomed into existence as her aura began to surge. The ministers in the council room appeared barely able to stand on their feet.
“Your, Majesty… may I speak?”
With strained effort, the voice of someone finally managed to reach Menelapie, who eased her killing intent.
Sure, she could kill anyone whenever she wanted.
Let’s hear them out first.
Once Menelapie relaxed her aura, the ministers gasped for air and rose to their feet.
“I allow it.”
“My name is Rosaria, the Second Saintess of the Imperial Rose Church.”
The Imperial Rose Church.
For Shia.
Centered around Shia.
Founded in honor of the Undead Saint. It was the state religion of the empire.
In reality, there was no enforcement of a national religion or belief in the empire, but among the populace, the Rose Church led by the Undead Saint Shia, who was so highly regarded, had immense support.
However, it was not a power-consolidated group; hence, there was no figure equivalent to a pope, and apart from the saintess, the sainthood, and a few local branch leaders, all church members were treated equally.
“So, you’re the Second Saintess. I remember receiving the blessing from Shia.”
“I am grateful for your memories, Your Majesty…”
“Indeed, Saintess Rosaria. Do you know who it was that submitted that audacious proposal?”
“…Yes.”
“Then tell me. Today, I lack patience.”
“……….”
At that, Rosaria hesitated, bowing her head to speak.
“It was my proposal…”
Bang!
“Hah!?”
What the heck?
In an instant, Menelapie, who had been seated at the highest position in the council room, approached Rosaria and seized her by the throat.
With one hand, Menelapie lifted Rosaria off the ground, her chilling killing intent boiling over. With just a little more pressure, the Second Saintess of the Rose Church would meet her end.
“Today, I have little patience. There must be a reason why you submitted this… repulsive proposal.”
“Cough, cough… Your Majesty…”
“Ah, is that it? Do you think that if Shia were to disappear, you could overshadow the Rose Church? You think you could gain power and autonomy over the empire’s governance and administrative rights by leveraging the support of numerous believers and the populace? Or did you wish to tax the people under the guise of tithes?”
Indeed, if Shia were to vanish, it would yield considerable benefits for her.
“…… Saintess, you said… cough… You mentioned… to me…”
“What?”
At those words, the grip Menelapie had on Rosaria loosened.
“The Undead… Saint said… Shia said… she no longer holds the qualifications of a saintess… and asked to be let go…”
“………………”
Menelapie shook her head in disbelief at such a statement.
However, a saint of the Rose Church never lies.
Anyone who has received a blessing from Shia, especially those elevated to the status of saint, cannot utter falsehoods.
Menelapie was well aware of this, and she released her trembling grip on Rosaria.
“…As the Second Saintess, I’ve served Shia for over 20 years. However… Your Majesty, you are… the sun of our empire. Countless subjects and believers, and indeed, all of humanity depend on Your Majesty…”
“……………”
“You must make a decision…”
A decision.
Menelapie understood all too well what those words implied.
The upper echelons already knew about Shia’s hunger pangs, widespread among the populace.
Anyone who dared to slander or defame her had long since met their demise at the hands of the Black Witch and Menelapie.
Yet, Menelapie and Teresa both knew that Shia’s hunger pangs were merely a matter of time.
All ministers were aware as well.
They knew what kind of existence the Undead Saint meant to Emperor Menelapie. They understood how she rescued humanity.
Yet… it was becoming increasingly clear that this state could not last much longer.
Teresa had secluded herself for almost a month, claiming she would find a way to resolve Shia’s hunger pangs. Within that month, Shia had experienced a whopping 13 hunger bouts.
They had no idea when the next incident would strike.
“….. Today’s imperial assembly shall be adjourned.”
“…Understood.”
“This proposal shall remain on hold until I issue a separate command. No one shall touch it.”
“”””Yes.””””
A method.
A method…
A method is needed…
○○○○
“Menelepi~”
Wandering through the Great Hall, Shia called out forcefully with a smile plastered on her face, searching for the nearest person.
Oh? Nobody’s here.
“Hello, hello~ Thank you for your hard work~”
“Good evening, Saintess.”
“Greeting, Saintess.”
Passing court maids and attendants, they bowed deeply at her presence, but Shia could sense their mixed feelings—warmth, concern, and a hint of fear lingering behind.
Yeah, they must be wondering when those hunger pangs might strike.
When she might consume someone innocent.
That would be terrifying, right?
“………”
With a strangely quickening pace, Shia felt a touch of bitterness as she headed towards Menelapie’s office.
At this hour, she usually would be wrapping up her work and would be on her way to find her. Today, it seemed particularly late.
Feeling it would be embarrassing to eat alone, and not in a good mood either, she would have preferred to dine with someone…
After wandering the royal palace for quite some time, Shia paused in the cold breeze.
“…. Is it winter?”
The sky had grown high and clear, and a cool wind was blowing—Shia let out a small sigh.
Autumn was passing by, and winter was returning.
If it had been in the past, winter would have brought lovely imaginings.
She would have imagined picking up Teresa’s sleeping body and rolling it in the snow. Doing so would lead to her making amends with Teresa by taking her to the hot springs.
Menelapie, Teresa, and herself would certainly have prepared a lot for the hot springs this year too.
Though Shia hadn’t gone for a while due to her hunger pangs… but perhaps, perhaps they had prepared anyway.
It was impossible to beat the taste of wyvern eggs steamed in the hot springs…
“Menelapie?”
As she passed by the guards who bowed before her, she opened the door to her familiar office, only to find Menelapie absent, and only a faint warmth remained in the room where someone had just been.
It was oddly as if she were playing hide and seek—today, Menelapie was nowhere to be seen.
And… Shia discovered a black paper printed document lying on Menelapie’s desk.
Black paper.
An order involving some of the most top-secret, closely guarded matters.
What is this?
That had been used during battles against the Demon King or immediately after their victory when dealing with the traitors spilling across the continent and the uncontrolled monsters, it usually was.
‘But why…’
As Shia opened the black paper, reading its contents made her feel her strength drain away.
[Order for Importing Death Row Prisoners]
– All felons and death row inmates, including humanity and Ain, will henceforth be transported to the Empire.
– Agreement with allied nations [Eastern Desert, Dust Elf] [Sinhaaker, Glamorous Dwarf] [Magic Kingdom, Poitra]….
Death row inmates are not resources.
Even the most egregious criminal mustn’t be transported into the nation like common resources.
It’s common to transport individuals who’ve committed crimes abroad back to the nation, but never has there been a case of outright importing death row inmates or criminals as if they were resources.
Right, this means…
Death row prisoners are resources.
Resources to feed Shia, the Undead Saint.
A temporary measure to quell her hunger pangs…
“……………”
Shia then unfolded another paper.
[Tomilia Special Forces – Conflict Inducement]
– As per the Emperor’s orders, the relations among regional lords in the northern highlands are worsening.
– War inducement is anticipated to succeed.
– I await Your Majesty’s orders.
– The bodies resulting from the war will be seized by the mages of the Royal Magic Palace as civilian support…
“……..So that’s it.”
Menelapie is going this far for my sake.
Yes, how delightful.
Delightful that Menelapie is so concerned about me.
I’m truly blessed to live this life….
“But this can’t be right…”
I want to save people.
I want to perform miracles.
I want to give hope.
I want to bring salvation.
And that’s how I’ve lived as the Undead Saint.
“Initially, it would be felons, death row individuals, corpses… what comes after that?”
Egregious criminals.
Then minor offenders.
If that becomes insufficient… next might be innocent foreigners.
Ain, non-humans, and they might fabricate a justification to invade…
“Menelapie… no, that can’t be the way…”
Shia realized.
“I now… have nowhere to belong here.”
My place…
My life… no longer exists here.
○○○○○
“Shia! Shia! SHIA!!!”
And one week later…
The Undead Saint Shia suddenly went missing.
Emperor Menelapie was horrified, commanding every available troop and personnel to search for her. The royal palace was in chaos, the first state of emergency since the war with the Demon King.
“Where did you go… where… where…!”
“Your Majesty! Captain Isilate of the Third Guards is reporting!”
“Did you find her!?”
“Not yet, but… there’s something you must check.”
“Location?”
“At the giant plane tree in the back courtyard of your palace.”
Upon receiving the guards’ report through the magical communication portal, Menelapie immediately dashed toward her royal palace.
The plane tree.
That monumental tree had guarded the royal palace for centuries and was a meeting ground for Shia, Menelapie, and Teresa.
Menelapie being an emperor meant that he was constantly buried in work. On the contrary, Shia had more leisure, and usually, if they would meet, it would be under that plane tree.
Sometimes, Shia would even fall asleep in the warm sunlight, while Menelapie and Teresa would conspiringly play pranks on her. Occasionally, they’d nap together.
And it was also where she had first embraced Shia.
Reaching that treasured spot laden with memories, Menelapie noticed words inscribed glowing with white holy aura.
Words that other people could not perceive… only Menelapie and Teresa could understand.
[I’ll wait. In That Bottomless Pit.]
The Bottomless Pit.
The very place where the Undead Saint defeated the Demon King and collapsed the Demon Castle, a boundless maw of darkness.
Many mages and possessors of holy power had studied it, but the true nature of the location remained unknown.
And it was here where Shia was waiting…
○○○
In no time at all, Menelapie reached the jet-black land once known as the territory of demons, where the Bottomless Pit is located.
She frantically searched for Shia.
A distant trace of a faint holy presence.
The familiar scent and essence of Shia.
Menelapie had never forgotten it.
“You’re here.”
“Shia…”
Before the Bottomless Pit, Shia wore a precarious smile.
“Let’s, go back. What are you doing here? The royal palace chef is making a delicious soup… So let’s hurry back…”
SDVIMVFoanVzY1YwSVhjamMzUkt1YlNQM0x2SFdsOWFNSFowZVVwbkg2NG9tSVVFMVk2OG0vOGhMRUNOd1daMw
On hearing those words, Shia shook her head with closed eyes.
“Why… are you doing this…”
“It’s fine.”
“…Fine? What do you mean it’s fine? Shia, aren’t you hungry? Let’s go back now. Okay? Come on…”
But Shia shook her head and spoke in a sorrowful tone.
“Menelapie. I saw the orders in your office…”
“Th-that’s…! No, it’s a misunderstanding, Shia. I just…!”
“I know what you are trying to say. I understand it’s for me. I know you haven’t crossed the line yet.”
But that line…
Ultimately, it will be crossed.
“After death row prisoners, comes the other prisoners. After those, minor offenders. If that continues… eventually, it could be the orphans or those whose disappearance wouldn’t even be considered strange…”
“Then, I—”
“Or, it could be the warriors who perish in the wars among humans…”
“……”
“And eventually, I might become… unhesitant to feed on someone.”
Menelapie couldn’t utter that it was not true.
Shia could see through lies.
If it were Menelapie, she might even choose to sacrifice all humanity to save her.
“Do you remember, Menelapie?”
“…..”
“We met to save people. We joined hands to save humanity.”
“……….I know.”
“But this can’t be right.”
“Then….”
In that moment, Menelapie, who had repressed her emotions until then, finally burst forth.
“Then how can I just stand by as my friend suffers!! I am powerless! What am I, the so-called strongest emperor? What am I, the invincible hero? I realize each day just how weak and helpless I am, unable to save my friend!”
“It’s okay.”
“It is not! It is not okay!”
“It won’t happen anymore.”
“What do you mean…?”
However, Shia, upon reopening her eyes, was shedding black tears of blood.
Oh…
The warning signs of hunger pangs…
“This is probably… the last bout. To regain my sanity, I will have to kill and eat someone…”
“No… don’t…”
“Hehehe… I even promised Teresa I’d wait, but it seems I won’t be able to keep that promise… so, Menelapie, can I ask you one last favor?”
“I don’t want to. No. Please, Shia, don’t say anything…”
“Tell Teresa that I’m sorry for not keeping my promise. And if I lose my sanity this time…”
“I don’t want it. I don’t want it. Shia, please….”
“Kill me…”
I’m sorry. I’m really sorry…
There’s no one else I can ask.
So please…
“Can I count on you, Menelapie?”
Drip, drip, drip, drip, drip…
Before swallowing her sadness…
Before denying it…
Before she even had the chance to plead…
That cruel and merciless you faded away.
[Cough, wheeze… wheeze……]
Sanity vanished.
Left behind was merely a monster filled with hunger and craving.
[Kya, ha… haa… haa….]
“…………………..I understand.”
And thus, Menelapie drew her sword.
To grant her friend’s final wish.
And to stab her own heart.
