CHAPTER 74: TALK WITH ELENA

(Third Person POV)

Year 2032, August 7th, according to the global Calendar.

In the capital of the Tirshtain Empire.

The city buzzed with the noise of cars and the movement of people.

It was one of the most densely populated cities in the empire, with over seven million residents.

Known for its deep-rooted history, this city had served as the empire’s capital for over six thousand years.

In every corner, one could find ancient stories long forgotten by time.

Yet despite its age, the city had embraced progress, becoming one of the most technologically advanced places in the world.

Above it all stood the Fortree Tower, the tallest structure in the city, rising more than a thousand meters above the ground.

It was a masterpiece created two thousand years ago, named after its legendary architect.

At the very edge of the tower sat a young man with black hair and heterochromatic eyes, gazing down at the city from above.

Countless thoughts swirled in his mind, making it impossible for anyone to guess what he was thinking in that moment.

Suddenly, a mass of darkness appeared behind him, strangely out of place in the presence of sunlight.

The boy didn’t turn around; he remained silent, staring at the city.

The darkness dissipated, revealing a woman with long black hair and crimson red eyes.

Her face was stunning, like a character out of a fantasy tale.

She wore a black shirt with a black jacket adorned with silver buttons, and tight black pants that highlighted her figure.

"Your Majesty, when are we going to start? It’s already noon."

The woman’s voice was soft and melodious, almost too pleasant to be real.

"In a bit. I just want to relax for a while."

The black-haired boy replied, his hands resting on the edge of the tower.

The woman nodded and stood silently behind him for a while.

"Elena, after you get your revenge on the White One, what do you want to do?"

He broke the silence, turning his head to glance at her.

She didn’t answer immediately but sat beside him on the edge, deep in thought, before finally speaking.

"I don’t know. Right now, revenge is all I can think about. I’ll figure it out afterward."

She raised her hand to block the sunlight shining directly on her face.

The boy looked at her, noticing the subtle expressions on her face.

"Maybe you should think about it now. Better than being lost later."

He leaned back, lying flat on the tower floor, his legs dangling over the edge.

"Your Majesty, if you don’t mind me asking, what would you have done if you weren’t the Emperor?"

Elena answered his question with another, deflecting it gently.

"Hmm... I would’ve opened a small restaurant and worked there while building a family."

A small smile crept onto Elena’s lips at that answer.

"Then why don’t you do that? Instead of living burdened by responsibilities, wouldn’t it be better to do what you truly want?"

Elena lay down next to him, gazing at the clear blue sky above.

"I’ve thought about that many times. But I’m not someone who runs away from responsibility. I never wanted power, but I was forced to become strong. I never wanted to be emperor, but I was pushed into it. That’s simply my fate."

"What’s stopping you from abandoning your dreams? You could leave everything behind and live the life you want."

She turned her head toward Orlax, who had his eyes closed, as if asleep.

"You’re right. I don’t have any real reason to be emperor. The people of this empire hate me. I’ve been mistreated since I was a child for petty reasons. But... do you know who the strongest person in this world is?"

Orlax slowly opened his eyes and looked into Elena’s waiting crimson gaze.

"The strongest person is the one who’s seen the cruelty and injustice of the world, yet chooses to remain kind-hearted."

Those were words someone once told him years ago.

They had helped him greatly through dark times and kept him from losing his mind.

"If I were in your place, I’d make everyone who made me suffer go through hell until they begged to die."

"That’s not true, Elena. You’d never do that."

"And how would you know I wouldn’t?"

Elena stared into his eyes, trying to read what lay hidden inside.

"Because you’re just like me. You wouldn’t want anyone else to suffer the pain you’ve felt. We know that pain too well."

Orlax looked away and slowly sat up.

"Someone must’ve brainwashed you when you were a child so you wouldn’t grow up to be evil."

Elena stood up too, brushing the dust from her clothes, a soft smile on her face.

"You might be right. Every time I try to hate someone, those words echo in my mind and I just... can’t. Because if I truly hated, I might destroy the world."

From behind, she looked at his back, which seemed so broad in her eyes.

"Well, I think I know what I want to do after my revenge."

He glanced sideways at her and saw a new light in her eyes, a small smile forming on his lips.

"I’ll stay by your side to make sure you never hate anyone... so you don’t destroy the world."

"Pfft, and here I thought you’d found yourself a noble purpose."

Orlax chuckled at her newfound goal, and her lips trembled slightly as she tried not to laugh.

"What? You still want me around? Where else will you find a grandmaster-level assistant?"

"Who said I’d let you leave? Once you start working with me, you’re not allowed to retire until you’re too old to talk."

Elena’s body shivered slightly at those words, a trace of fear in her eyes.

"That sounds like slavery! You wouldn’t break the empire’s laws for your own gain, would you?"

"I am the emperor of this empire. I can do whatever I want."

They locked eyes and both smiled before bursting into laughter.

"Hahaha!"

"Haha, you’re awful!"

Elena wiped the tears from her eyes from laughing too hard.

"Well, I guess staying with you forever isn’t such a bad idea... but I am asking for a raise. I do way too much for too little."

Orlax’s lips twitched at her demand.

"I already pay you a hundred thousand credit points a month. That’s more than what a family of four earns in three years... and you want more?"

"What?! Where else will you find a grandmaster willing to work for that? I could get offers in the tens of millions just for my name."

Unable to argue, Orlax turned away and sighed.

"I’ll think about it later."

Elena cheered in victory, confident she’d get her raise soon.

"This place is really beautiful... now I understand why you come here so often."

She looked at the city below, brushing her hair behind her ear.

"Isn’t it? I come here when I want to think alone."

"Well, now I know where to find you if you ever disappear."

Orlax stood up and calmly brushed the dust off his clothes.

"I come here so no one can find me."

"Wouldn’t it be better to have someone to talk to about your thoughts?"

Elena stood at the edge, arms wide, letting the wind from the high altitude hit her face.

Orlax stared at her from behind, slightly stunned.

"It’s better than being alone. And I can talk to you about my thoughts too. What do you think?"

The sunlight reflected off her beautiful face, making her look like an angel descending from heaven.

"Alright then... let’s call this our little pathetic corner."

Orlax stepped forward next to Elena, then took another step—off the tower.

The wind slammed into his face as he plummeted rapidly.

But his face remained calm, enough to soothe anyone who saw him.

"Let’s see who reaches the palace first! Let’s go!"

Elena shouted behind him before jumping off as well.

Darkness gathered around her, forming black wings that stopped her fall as she began to glide.

BOOM!

A deafening sonic wave echoed as she zipped between tall buildings, moving with agile grace.

"This is so childish."

And yet, despite his words, fire wings erupted behind Orlax as he surged forward, racing to beat her.

The two soared through the city, flying so fast that people on the ground stopped to stare.

They were neck and neck in the sky.

"Look at this!"

Elena shouted, diverting her path upward and disappearing into the clouds.

Since Orlax’s wings only allowed him to fly in one direction, he had to cancel and re-summon them to change course.

He blasted through the clouds until he reached the sky above—there she was, hovering motionless.

"Why’d you stop?"

He hovered to her level, puzzled.

"Hahaha, got you! Bye!"

She stuck her tongue out and dove toward the palace at full speed.

"Damn it! I really can only fly in one direction—if I want to go forward again, I’ll have to re-summon..."

He looked at the mana particles forming his wings—then an idea struck him.

"Maybe... just maybe this could work."