The Terminally Ill Young Master is the Mad Dog of the Underworld-Chapter 352
[Translator - Pot ]
[Proofreader - Kawaii ]
Chapter 352: The Grand Finale
The Imperial Capital, Grunewald City.
Four people entered this splendid city, where great sailing ships and countless carriages came and went.
“The name ‘city that never sleeps’ is no exaggeration. It is truly magnificent and grand.”
Ivan nodded at Zamuel’s words.
“It’s new every time I come. It’s on a completely different level from when the Black Society’s 8th branch was here.”
“Even back then, I wondered if a city this big could exist, but now there’s no city that can even compare.”
Zizek, a man whose face now held the experience of the years that had passed, with a grin.
“Is it because it’s fundamentally a city of merchants? Whenever I come, people’s faces are full of life.”
Adeline marveled as she looked around the city.
“The noble. The dignified. The wealthy. The strong. The fearsome.”
And the ordinary, those who work hard, those who hold onto hope…
Every type of person was gathered in this great city.
“There are many students attending the University as well.”
“Hmm.”
Any parent on the continent with ambition would naturally send their children to the capital to receive an advanced education and experience its rich culture.
“It’s all thanks to the head of the Imperial Security Guard, Lord Somerset, who maintains security without a single gap.”
As Zizek said this, he rubbed his arm, which had suddenly gotten goosebumps.
‘I just can’t get used to it. That delinquent Young Lord-’
He was now the Grand Commander of the Imperial Security Guard, protecting the lowest, the darkest, and the brightest places.
His martial prowess had also fully matured, and even the bladesmen of the underworld had no choice but to yield to him.
“Hehehe, you’ve all arrived?”
“Lord Nagan!”
The godfather who had become the king of Grunewald’s underworld, Nagan, greeted them.
“Well, look who it is. Isn't it the godfather of the northern underworld, Lord Zizek?”
“Ugh, please don’t say things like that. It’s embarrassing.”
Zizek scratched his head awkwardly.
And for good reason.
Next to him were Ivan and Zamuel, legends of the underworld.
They were, in the first place, his mentors.
“Let’s head to the palace. The coronation isn’t far off.”
“Honestly, I don’t care about that. I just want to get a drink.”
As the two legendary old men walked off with their arms around each other’s shoulders,
Zizek let out a quiet sigh.
“Why the long face?”
“You know why.”
Nagan, who knew full well why Zizek was depressed, grinned.
“Well, good luck with that.”
***
“Today, I will kill the emperor and set all things right.”
The man’s will burned as he looked at the assassins who had gathered with deadly resolve.
“I will avenge the Dark King. And I will become the new hegemon.”
He was aiming for the supremacy of the next era, armed with ambition and vigor.
“Ivan, that filthy traitor, he couldn’t have known. That ‘Father’ had a hidden child.”
The Dark King had not married. But he had one illegitimate child.
“……Father wished for me to live peacefully. But as his son, I cannot live under the same sky as his enemy.”
His subordinates, the last vassals of the Dark King, carefully expressed their final concerns.
“But this place is crawling with 8th-tier warriors like Geninghen, Leszek, Georg, Verdzig, and Casimir. And above all, the 9th-tier Allenvert Grunewald is-”
“How long ago was that?”
The Dark King’s illegitimate son dismissed his vassals’ concerns.
“A lot of time has passed. When was the emperor’s last campaign? They are all old men, or people who have spent their years in peace. Even the warriors will have thick flab on their sides by now.”
He was filled with vigor, the privilege of the young. Along with rash judgment and arrogance.
“I will have my revenge. And I will flee with the emperor’s head and start anew in Flanders.”
…And that entire conversation was being overheard by Ghir, who had silently infiltrated the shadows.
‘Sigh, what idiots. They can’t even detect me, what do they think they can accomplish?’
Everyone had a plan.
‘Until they get punched in the mouth, that is.’
***
“Uncle Zizek! Tell me a story about the underworld!”
“Get out of the way! I’m first!”
The two children rushed at Zizek.
“Aigoo!”
Just as Zizek had feared, the noble Imperial Prince and Princess of the empire began to pester him, starting with a running tackle.
“Ayra, Damian! Don’t bother Uncle Zizek too much.”
Siena gently chided them, but not with much conviction.
“Still, you live long enough, you see everything, huh?”
Zamuel looked at Allenvert.
“I never knew that guy had a knack for babysitting.”
“And he’s not even married himself.” Allenvert smirked.
“Well, maybe it’s because he looks funny to kids?”
Hearing that, Zizek grumbled timidly.
“You’re really too much.”
Zizek, who was now a dignified godfather of the underworld and a 7th-tier bladesman.
The sight of him, surrounded by two small children and at a complete loss, was quite the spectacle.
“Everyone is gathered.”
“Father.”
“Your Majesty, the King Father!”
“Grandpa!”
The King Father, Georg Grunewald, who had appeared at some point, lifted his two grandchildren.
“Ayra, Damian. Have you been well?”
“We missed you!”
“You’ll teach me swordsmanship again, right?”
“My, your father is better than this old man.”
“But it’s still different!”
Lusatia smiled as she watched her husband enjoy his grandchildren’s antics.
“Allen. The children are always so relaxed and cheerful when I see them.”
Allenvert grinned.
“They were born with the bloodline that must one day bear a great responsibility, so I want them to live as comfortably and as loved as possible, at least when they are young.”
Lusatia nodded.
“If that is what you two wish, I respect it.”
Siena naturally joined the mother and son’s conversation.
“And yet, they are already showing signs of being brilliant and special.”
Their daughter, Ayra, was a bit more like Allenvert’s free spirit.
Her extraordinary talent for the sword was also a given.
On the other hand, their son, Damian, had inherited much of Siena’s composure, and he was interested not only in martial arts but also in all kinds of scholarship, history, and even statecraft.
“He’s only five, but he already doesn't lose badly in chess to most adults.”
“Hmm, he will be a brilliant emperor.”
“Though he says he doesn't want to be.”
Allenvert smirked.
“It’s always the ones who say they have no interest in money who are the most obsessed with it.”
As a father, how could he not know his son’s heart?
“Hahaha!”
Head Chamberlain Peter, who was watching the happy family, suddenly took out a handkerchief.
“What are you doing now?”
“Hwaaaaaa.”
Peter, who was known as the cold-blooded Head Chamberlain in the palace, could not shed his crybaby nature in front of Allenvert.
“Crying again? My goodness, good job. That kid will be crying at the drop of a hat even when he’s an 80-year-old grandfather.”
“Hwaaaaaa.”
Seeing Peter, Head Butler Olivier and Grand Commander of the Royal Guard Jeffrey exchanged glances.
“Same as ever.”
“It’s good that some things don’t change.”
Allenvert shrugged.
“Let’s just get this coronation or whatever over with. It’s such a hassle.”
“I do not believe those are words befitting His Majesty the Emperor…”
Siena fixed Allenvert’s clothes as she spoke, and reminded him.
“About the assassins, don’t kill them too cruelly. It will be a problem if the subjects are frightened.”
“Then should I just annihilate them? With the Black Flame Dragon?”
At that, Ulbhild offered her advice.
“You should probably leave one or two alive. You’ll need to investigate the truth.”
“I will leave that to our Special Operations Division Grand Commander.”
Ulbhild sighed.
“I really need to quit this job soon.”
“We can’t do without you, Sister.”
“Can't you just leave it to Vice-Grand Commander Rudgarda?”
“She said if I do that, she’ll run away and hide in the Virgenhrid Mountains.”
“This is driving me crazy.”
.
.
.
“Praise be to the Emperor of the Grunewald Empire, the Transcendent, the Hero of the Continent, Allenvert Grunewald!”
The coronation was held magnificently, with splendid light magic and fireworks mobilized by Geninghen and the mages of the Magic Tower.
And.
“Allenvert, die!”
The Dark King’s illegitimate son, who had been waiting for this moment, tore a magic scroll from within the crowd, summoned a Death Knight, and launched a surprise attack.
“I will avenge my father, the Dark King!”
However.
“Oh, so you’re finally crawling out?”
Their assassination attempt, which had been so long in coming that Allenvert was on the verge of yawning, was all playing out in the palm of the empire’s hand.
“Surround them!”
“Protect His Majesty the Emperor!”
The last survivors of the Black Society, and the Death Knights.
They were instantly surrounded by Venion, the head of the shadow agents, Ulbhild and Rudgarda of the Special Operations Division, and Ghir and Skella, the masters of concealment and the strongest assassins.
“Kuaaak!”
“D-Dammit. Since when-”
Watching the assassins die without being able to do a thing, Allenvert snorted.
“No matter how I look at it, they’re just not very bright, are they? It’s not like you’re going on a trip. You think an assassination attempt will work, right here in my territory?”
“Your-Your Majesty. The expression ‘territory’ lacks dignity-”
“Shut up. It’s my business.”
“Allenveeeeeert!”
Shedding tears of blood, the Dark King’s son rushed at Allenvert.
“Diiiiie!”
As it happened, Allenvert didn't even have a sword in his hand.
The man used his vaunted footwork to instantly reach Allenvert and swing his fast sword, but.
“?!”
Allenvert blocked it with a Mind Sword drawn from thin air, then lightly placed his fist on the man's abdomen.
“Soul-Slumbering Black Moon.”
Duuuuuuuuuuuuung!
After some thought, Allenvert had cleanly ended his opponent’s life by destroying his internal organs with his signature technique.
He then flicked his palm upward.
“Wh-What?”
“Is he dead?”
The people muttered as they watched the assassin's limp corpse float up into the air.
“Subjects of the Empire, listen!”
Allenvert declared to the people, who were terrified and surprised by the unexpected event.
“This man was the hidden son of the Dark King. I knew of this assassination attempt beforehand, but I did not stop it.”
“……!”
“Regardless of the grudge and sins between us, it was to give a man the chance to avenge his father.”
“Ooooh.”
“How can he be so magnanimous?”
“And as you can see, I was victorious. No one was harmed, and the Dark King, who was my rival, has been spared the dishonor of 'no one coming to avenge him'.”
The crowd was struck with awe at the declaration of the emperor, who was beautiful, dignified, and knew honor.
“And be at ease. As long as I am here, neither the empire nor the continent will ever be shaken.”
Finishing his words, Allenvert lightly waved his hand.
A Black Flame Dragon ascended into the sky and annihilated the enemy's corpse.
And then…
KYAOOOOOOOOH!
The roaring Black Flame Dragon’s body split into seven meteors, streaking across the sky before disappearing.
Shiiiing.
Right on cue, Geninghen and his disciples put on another spectacular fireworks display.
.
.
.
Paboom!
“Wow, that’s a good one.”
Barclava and Somerset, who were watching, marveled.
“But did he really have to go that far?”
“He’s probably just reminding everyone he’s not dead yet.”
Barclava, who had grown into a young man, smirked.
“It’s been almost 10 years since then. The myth-like authority of the Dark King and the Emperor has probably faded a bit from memory.”
“Hmm.”
“It’s not a bad idea to give a warning to any subversive elements dreaming of rebellion, like today. And to show the emperor's dignity.”
“A kind of political performance, I see.”
“He was always good at that kind of stuff, wasn't he?”
At Barclava’s words, Somerset smirked.
“He was terrifyingly good.”
Hadn't he himself been tricked by him several times?
“But the empire has only just been founded. We will probably be busy for a while.”
“Yes. We must.”
Somerset Grunewald nodded, watching the brilliant fireworks that adorned the sky above the Imperial Palace.
“It’s what I’ve been waiting for.”
…The annals of the Grunewald Empire were quickly filled in the relentless flow of time.
***
“Happy birthday to His Majesty the Emperor!”
“Congratulations!”
Today was the celebration of my, Allenvert Grunewald’s, 33rd birthday.
“Wow, when did I get this old?”
“We’ve gotten even older, so stop your whining.”
“Sorry.”
Naturally, I used my birthday as an excuse to gather the faces I missed every year and treat them to a meal.
“It’s getting harder and harder to see everyone. To think that Rudgarda and Barclava couldn’t come.”
At my words, Peter replied.
“It cannot be helped. The empire is vast, and the territory we must protect is wide.”
“This emperor job is really not all it's cracked up to be.”
“Still, thanks to Your Majesty’s benevolent policies, the continent has become much more stable and peaceful.”
“Hehe. Our Head Chamberlain is as good at flattery as ever.”
“Flattery? It is the truth.”
Head Butler Olivier chimed in to support Peter's protest.
“You have achieved an unprecedented feat. Even though you gained the power to rule everything, you chose not to dominate peoples of different cultures.”
I tilted my head.
“If I put them all together, they’d just fight anyway. I’m sick of it.”
“The choice to become the emperor, and also the leader of the alliance of all the continent's kingdoms, was not a decision just anyone could make.”
Olivier said.
“Furthermore, you protected the continent from the nomads from beyond, and your fame has spread even to the new continent across the sea. You have become the greatest figure in all of history, ruling both the day and the night of the continent by unifying the underworld.”
I snorted.
“Aren't you embarrassed, saying this every birthday? I’m sick of being worshipped.”
At that, Peter muttered under his breath.
“You still enjoy it, though.”
“Shut up. You’re too perceptive.”
I joked with my vassals, then looked at the people who were chatting amongst themselves, brazenly ignoring their emperor.
‘My brothers really don’t age.’
Verdzig, as the head of Bergen, had advanced into the north and waged wars of conquest, expanding the Grunewald's territory.
With that, his clan had newly acquired the status of the Duchy of Bergen, establishing itself as the empire's sturdy shield and a strong branch clan of Grunewald.
Skella Rekrusa became Verdzig’s wife.
‘This man is such a romantic.’
She, as the head of Rekrusa and the strongest assassin, had played a great role in conquering the underworld.
Now, the discrimination against the vampire clan had disappeared, to the point where imitating her white skin and red eyes had become a fashion trend in high society.
‘My eldest brother is no slouch, either.’
Karl had married the daughter of a marquis and had become the head of that marquisate, establishing his own house.
‘He eventually overcame the wall of the 7th-tier, and after failing in several wars, he built a powerful family.’
Meanwhile, Ulbhild, saying she had no interest in marriage or politics, became the first disciple of the Sword Elder, Leszek.
Thus, after she retired from her current position as Special Operations Division Grand Commander, she would naturally ascend to become the next Sword Elder.
‘Somerset has also been completely reformed.’
He had transformed into the head of Agrippa, the Grand Commander of the Imperial Guard, and the disciple of the Elder of Strategy, Lorentius, who nagged him every day.
Finally, Barclava…
“Sister, are you saying Barclava still hasn't reached the 7th-tier? For real?”
“…He is at the very peak, so he should be able to do it with just a little more, dear.”
He was currently fighting in a real battle far away, in order to become the next Special Operations Division Grand Commander after Ulbhild.
What a persistent guy.
“Is everything quiet in the underworld?”
Zizek answered my question.
“How could it not be? They’d get beaten up by Your Majesty.”
Nagan had become the successor to the Godfather of the Red Mist Alliance.
Meanwhile, our man Zizek, who had written numerous legends in the underworld while following Zamuel and Ivan, had now risen to become the true godfather who reigned over the empire’s northern underworld.
“No matter how I think about it, it’s absurd. Is this right?”
“After all the crap I’ve been through, I deserve at least this much.”
I smirked and looked at my father, mother, and three stepmothers.
‘Mother has aged the least.’
The 2nd and 3rd wives had, over the years, let go of much of the betrayal and the damage their clans had suffered, which had bordered on annihilation.
Now, they had recovered a good relationship as a married couple and were spending the rest of their lives traveling throughout the empire.
‘How could their long story and their love-hate relationship be expressed in just a word or two?’
I could only sincerely pray for their happiness.
‘…And Adeline, Ivan, Zamuel.’
May the connections from my past life also grow old and sleep happily.
‘Siena, Ayra and Damian, and my siblings and vassals.’
In a sentiment too cheesy to say aloud, I quietly raised my glass and blessed everyone’s happiness.
“Let’s all eat well, live well, and see each other like this often.”
“Uhahaha! That sounds wonderful, Your Majesty!”
At that, Peter and Olivier whispered quietly to each other.
“How should we paraphrase this for the records?”
“We’ll have to use some erudite words. His Majesty raised his glass and offered a blessing for the peaceful lives of all…”
The two of them were working hard today, as always, to maintain the emperor’s dignity.
“But Your Majesty, now that you’re a transcendent, does lifespan even have any meaning?”
At Zizek’s question, I stroked my chin.
“You know?”
I haven't gotten old yet, so I wouldn’t know.
“Still, when the time comes, I have to pass it on to our Crown Prince. He can’t just grow old and die as a crown prince, can he?”
“……”
Damian Grunewald, who was already undertaking various large and small missions and building his achievements, all while taking lessons to become the 2nd emperor instead of his sister, sighed.
“It’s not too late to back out, is it? I’m already so tired.”
I grinned.
“It’s not as easy as it looks, is it, son?”
That is how empty and vain power is.
“So let’s just live as happily as we can. Get married and give me some grandchildren later.”
Ayra, who had been listening quietly, said.
“I’m going to live with Daddy, so don’t expect any grandchildren from my side.”
“Alright, you can do as you please.”
“Hehe.”
I suddenly met Siena’s eyes.
“……You’re happy, right?”
At my wife’s words, I smiled and replied.
“More than I could ever ask for.”
<The Terminally Ill Nobleman is the Mad Dog of the Underworld> Completed
[Translator - Pot ]
[Proofreader - Kawaii ]
