Chapter 76

Etias was hungry.
So hungry that he once thought about stealing bread from the market.
But he didn’t.

It was cold.
His clothes were so thin that he once wished to crawl into someone’s arms.
But even while shivering, he never begged for warmth.

He was angry.
Everyone mocked him, calling him the puppet prince.
But he never showed his anger or raised a fist.

“Losing the throne at five and surviving all those years was like the suffering of a monk.”

He stayed low, controlled himself, and never let himself become someone shameful.

Until the day he would reclaim the throne.

CRACK—!

Douglas’ sword shattered the Shield of Light easily.

Etias had already guessed the emperor would go to the underground tower to retrieve it.
But the emperor didn’t know: the shield only worked against shadow abilities—not against steel.

As the sacred relic shattered and fell, the emperor’s eyes shook with panic.

The broken pieces fell from his hands, and he collapsed to the ground.

“S-Spare me. Spare me, Etias…”

All pride was gone. Fear of death crushed it completely.

This emperor, who had stolen the throne and exploited his people, was now begging for his own life.

“I-I was wrong. Please… we’re family, aren’t we?”

“Family?”
Etias pointed his sword at the emperor’s neck.
“You are not my family.”

He had learned his whole life that blood doesn’t make someone family.
Especially not someone like Deus Karl Clyde.

“My army is my family.”

“And Katrin.”

Etias whispered her name.
The emperor’s eyes flinched at that.

“Katrin Ellemore is my family.”

“She… betrayed me?”

“No. She was never on your side.”
“She was always… on mine.”

Etias had never relied on affection from others.
He had lived a cold, disciplined life, without allowing himself hope or trust.

But from the moment he began to hope Katrin was truly on his side…
From the moment he started to believe it might be real…

He couldn’t stop.

He looked at her with a heart desperate for someone who would stand by him.

And now, knowing without a doubt that Katrin was his ally,
he made it clear to the emperor who had dared to imagine otherwise.

“Katrin was always on my side.”

The one woman who supported only him,
The one to whom he owed everything—tenfold, twentyfold.

“She’s my person. My supporter.”

“Cursed traitors…!”

The emperor couldn’t finish his words.

Etias’ shadows coiled up and bound him.

Etias stared for a moment at the emperor’s final, pitiful form—
Then turned away.

His cape fluttered.

And the emperor’s last breath echoed faintly behind him.

Outside, cheers of the revolution echoed like thunder.

Uwoooohhh—!

Later…

The remnants of the Imperial Army fled to the weapons factory.

The emperor had once sold off Ellemore’s mines to fund it, but the factory still supplied their weapons.
They surrounded it, hoping to regroup.

“Imperial Army, stand down!”
“Tools of the tyrant!”

Citizens threw stones, blocking their way.
The streets were filled with people supporting Etias’ revolution.

“Move, traitors!”
“Kill them all!”

The armed imperial soldiers tried to charge forward—swords raised.

But then—

BOOM—

The doors of the weapons factory flew open.

The commander’s expression changed.

Inside wasn’t safety—it was a trap.

A full army waited, weapons in hand, led by Carmel Beatrice.

“A military that threatens innocent citizens—is that still a true army of the empire?”
“No! They are the true traitors!”

The western army, fully equipped, advanced step by step.

“Strike them down!”

The imperial army was no match.
Their commander collapsed to his knees, staring at the red smoke rising from the palace—the signal of the emperor’s death.

It was over.

Revolution Status (Watch Display):

• Military strength: (Cannot be measured)

• Equipment & Supplies: (Cannot be measured)

• Comfort level: (Cannot be measured)

• Funds: (Cannot be measured)

• Progress: 99% (Imminent)

Katrin looked at the updated stats.

“Ha…”

She placed a hand over her chest and sighed in relief.

Etias’ heart meter was now full—10/10.

The revolution had succeeded.

“Are you happy?”
Heros asked gently from across the carriage.

She nodded.

“Yes. Very.”

All the moments she had lived through since transmigrating flashed through her mind.
From first meeting Etias… to their last encounter when he gave her the ring.

She lightly touched the ring still on her finger.

“Even though I’m not with you during your moment of glory…
I’ll cheer for your life from afar.”
“My dearest Etias.”

She smiled faintly, looking out the carriage window.

“…Now we just have to safely escape to Montella.”

Surely, he wouldn’t chase them all the way there.

Just then, a bird flew close to the carriage.

Heros opened the window and extended his hand.

It landed gently, with a small tube tied to its leg.

Heros took the scroll and read it, then pressed his forehead in annoyance.

“Feels like I’m in a Harry Potter scene.”

Katrin chuckled, feeling at ease now that the revolution was over.

But then—Heros held up the scroll.

It was a wanted poster, decorated in bright red.