The Strongest Eriri in History

"Hmm..." Hearing Arche's question, Ureirika set down her utensils and made a thoughtful expression. After a few seconds, she suddenly broke into a radiant smile and declared, "I want to travel the world with Nee-chan!"

"Ureirika, that's not fair!" Kuuderika, seeing her sister beat her to a decision, puffed up her cheeks in protest before quickly adding, "Me too! I want to travel the world with Nee-chan as well!"

"Alright then, you'll come with me," Arche said with a warm smile, pulling both sisters into a gentle hug. Although both choices were good, knowing her sisters had chosen to stay with her filled her with joy.

In the streets of the Imperial Capital, a luxurious royal carriage, a symbol of the imperial family, moved steadily through the bustling city. Upon seeing the carriage, the Empire's citizens bowed respectfully, their demeanor filled with reverence.

The carriage, embellished in shades of gold and crimson, was outfitted with magical enhancements. Its wheels were imbued with the "Comfort Ride" enchantment, making it feel as steady as sitting in a stationary room despite its motion. The body of the carriage was treated with a "Lightweight Cargo" enchantment, making it much easier to maneuver.

Pulling the carriage were two magical beasts resembling horses, notable for their eight legs, aptly named "Eight-Legged Horses."

Surrounding the carriage, nearly twenty guards in chainmail rode on sturdy steeds, forming a protective escort. Leading them were three of the Empire's Four Knights: Nimble Arc Dale Anoch ("Gale"), Leinas Rockbruise ("Heavy Explosion"), and Nazami Enec ("Immovable").

The leader of the Four Knights, Baziwood Peshmel ("Lightning"), however, was seated inside the carriage along with Emperor Jircniv Rune Farlord El-Nix and the Empire's Court Magic Caster, Fluder Paradyne.

Although the distance from the royal palace to Arche's mansion was less than ten kilometers, as the Emperor of Baharuth, Jircniv could not travel without appropriate grandeur.

Originally, Jircniv had planned to visit Arche in the morning. However, upon learning that she was out exploring the capital with a group of unfamiliar but stunning young women, he decided to delay his visit.

The incidents that occurred during Eriri's exploration of the capital naturally reached Jircniv's ears. Still, he had no intention of holding her accountable. Even the family of the insolent young nobleman—who had brought four high-level adventurers as guards—did not dare seek justice. After all, that nobleman's elder had been present during the report from the secretary, and had no intention of provoking a being that even the Empire feared.

Simultaneously, Jircniv grew increasingly curious about the women accompanying Arche, particularly Eriri.

The deaths in the capital were all connected to her, and Jircniv found himself wondering just how beautiful she must be to stir such chaos.

When news came that Arche and her group had returned to the mansion, Jircniv wasted no time. Accompanied by Fluder, Baziwood, and the other knights, he set out to meet Arche.

By the time Jircniv and his entourage arrived at the mansion, only about ten minutes had passed since Eriri and the others finished lunch.

"What brings His Majesty the Emperor here today?" Arche asked, her tone direct as she addressed the man her parents often cursed—the so-called Bloody Emperor.

Still, she already had a good idea of his intentions. If her actions in destroying Nazarick yesterday had gone unnoticed, that would have been the real surprise.

Yet Jircniv did not immediately respond. Instead, his attention was entirely fixated on Eriri, his expression one of pure astonishment.

Before coming, Jircniv had done his best to imagine Eriri's beauty. He had even mentally prepared himself by envisioning her as some unparalleled beauty—a rare gem even in the Empire's thousand-year history.

However, when he laid eyes on Eriri, every one of his mental images and assumptions crumbled. To compare those conjectures to the reality of her presence was a gross insult.

In fact, Jircniv felt an overwhelming impulse to propose to her on the spot, offering her the position of Empress.

But reason held him back. To voice such thoughts aloud was to court disaster. In Arche's presence, his entire Empire was utterly vulnerable.

The same stunned expression graced the faces of the Four Knights who had entered the hall alongside Jircniv, including the female knight, Leinas.

Leinas was a striking woman, with her right half of her face concealed by her golden hair. Her exposed left side, featuring a beauty mark near the corner of her lips, exuded a mature charm. However, a curse from a past battle with a monster had left her right cheek disfigured, perpetually oozing pus that no treatment could heal.

This deformity had dealt a crushing blow to her as a woman, leading to a twisted personality. Ordinarily, Leinas would react with bitter jealousy toward any beautiful woman. Yet, standing before Eriri, her exposed features revealed only admiration and a hint of infatuation.

Eriri, meanwhile, sat casually on a sofa, cradling Ophis in her lap. Her demeanor was one of relaxed detachment, as though she were watching a theatrical performance. She had no intention of interjecting in the conversation between Arche and Jircniv.

As for the looks she received, Eriri paid them no mind. Unless the gazes carried a disgusting intent, she usually ignored them. Luckily for Jircniv and his knights, their gazes, though awestruck, remained respectful. Otherwise, they would have suffered the same fate as the arrogant nobleman from earlier.

It wasn't until Arche cleared her throat and shot him an annoyed glare that Jircniv snapped out of his daze.

"Miss Furt, I believe you already know why I've come," Jircniv said, his tone brimming with certainty.

From his perspective, the fact that Arche had made no effort to conceal her power and allowed the Empire's spies to witness her actions signified her willingness to engage with him.

However, his assumptions couldn't have been further from the truth.

"Being cryptic is not a virtue, Your Majesty. If you have something to say, please get straight to the point," Arche replied bluntly.

Before joining the chat group, she might have spoken to Jircniv with deference. But after three months of interacting with its members, her worldview had expanded far beyond the confines of a single nation or even a single world.

And with her current strength, she saw no reason to take an Emperor—or his Empire—seriously.

"In that case, I won't beat around the bush." Jircniv Rune Farlord El-Nix said bluntly, dropping his earlier pretense. "Miss Furt, I hope you will accept the position of the Baharuth Empire's Chief Court Magic Caster. Whatever you need, the Empire will do its utmost to fulfill your requests."

He then gave Arche a bright, confident smile. "And there's no need to address me so formally as 'Your Majesty' or 'Emperor.' In front of a mighty figure such as yourself, my title carries no weight. Just call me Jir, like a friend."

Jircniv knew his looks were more than enough to be called handsome. With this charming smile, he usually had women of all ages swooning. Considering Arche was a young girl of sixteen or seventeen, he believed this strategy would surely win her over.

However, Arche showed no reaction at all. This lack of response left Jircniv feeling a twinge of disappointment.

"Isn't the position of Chief Court Magic Caster currently held by Teacher Fluder? Are you planning to remove him from his role, Your Majesty?" Arche asked curiously.

Before Jircniv could respond, Fluder Paradyne, standing beside him, interjected.

"Arche, I'm pleased you still regard me as your teacher. However, this matter was my own suggestion. The position of Chief Magic Caster should naturally go to the one with the highest magical aptitude."

Fluder's gaze deepened as he looked at Arche. "And now, your magical mastery far surpasses mine. For you to take this position is only fitting."

"Hmm… it does sound appealing," Arche said thoughtfully, adopting a pensive expression.

Jircniv's heart leapt with joy at her words. He clenched his fists slightly, sensing victory was within reach.

But the next thing Arche said shattered his hopes entirely.

"But I refuse!" Arche declared firmly, her tone resolute. Internally, she was exhilarated. After watching the memory fragment uploaded by Eri regarding Eriri's rejection of Knight Commander Meld's invitation to join the Kingdom of Heiligh, Arche had long wanted to recreate that scene. This opportunity was the perfect stage for her performance.

Jircniv's mind instantly spiraled into chaos. Scenarios and theories churned through his head at a dizzying pace.

Why would she refuse? Were the conditions I offered insufficient? No, no, no. I'm looking at this the wrong way. I can't treat her like a typical strong person.

Someone capable of erasing several kilometers of land with a single strike is absolutely unparalleled. If she wanted, she could probably obliterate the entire Baharuth Empire without breaking a sweat. A being of such power wouldn't submit to anyone.

But then, why did she deliberately reveal her strength before me? Could it be… she knew that the ruin expedition was my doing? Was her destruction of the ruins a show of power aimed at me?

Does this mean… her real goal is to control the entire Empire and, through it, conquer the world?

A bizarre narrative formed in Jircniv's mind, and he firmly believed it. Panic began to creep into his expression.

Arche's overwhelming strength wasn't something Jircniv could oppose—not even if the Empire's full might were brought to bear.

But then, a new thought entered his mind: Perhaps this could work to my advantage. If Arche doesn't intend to dethrone me but instead wants the Empire under her command, it could be an opportunity. If the Baharuth Empire conquers the entire world under her leadership, wouldn't it still be a glorious victory for us? Even if I'm merely her puppet, the Empire would reign supreme.

Having convinced himself of this reasoning, Jircniv finally made up his mind.

"Understood. I will ensure the Empire follows your lead from now on," Jircniv said with a determined expression, his joy at this imagined future leaking into his demeanor.

Arche, however, was completely baffled. She had no idea what Jircniv was talking about or why he would make such a statement.

Behind him, the Empire's Four Knights and Fluder looked equally confused. Only Eriri, seated nearby and watching the scene unfold, understood the truth of the situation. Unable to contain herself, she burst into laughter.

Jircniv's reputation as a master of overactive imagination was well-earned, rivaling even that of Demiurge. It was clear that his imagination had once again run wild, conjuring a comically exaggerated scenario.

Eriri's bell-like laughter broke the tension in the hall, drawing everyone's attention to her.

"What's so funny, Eriri?" Arche asked, puzzled. She couldn't see what part of her conversation with Jircniv might have been amusing, and a quick check of the chat group revealed no banter that could explain it.

"Oh, nothing. I just thought of something amusing," Eriri replied, shaking her head lightly. Yet her lips retained a teasing, enigmatic smile.

Though still perplexed, Arche and Jircniv chose not to press further and shifted their attention away.

Later, Eriri secretly shared with Arche the cause of her amusement, revealing Jircniv's imaginative leaps and what he likely believed Arche's intentions to be. She also left it up to Arche whether to accept the Empire's submission.

After all, for someone as omnipotent as Eriri, having a skill like mind-reading wasn't all that surprising, was it?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

40 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon: 

Patreon.com/DaoOfHeaven