The emperor suddenly clutched his head, then burst into laughter, a loud laugh that echoed through the empty throne room. "Saruto… even though we are the same person," he said, still laughing, "I didn't expect you to have a counter-plan."
Then, with a smile of admiration tinged with madness, he added, "Congratulations."
He paused for a moment, then continued coldly, "But now… the slave quarter is completely empty. Who will do the work?"
He laughed again, saying as if it were self-evident, "Well, I'll send the residents of the privileged quarter back to the slave quarter. They'll work in place of those who ran away."
Saruto eyes narrowed. "So… you intend to force the runaway slaves to return by threatening them with their families in the privileged quarter."
The emperor nodded. "Exactly."
Saruto said with deadly calm, "Unfortunately… I'll disappoint you."
The emperor froze. "And why won't they return?"
Saruto smiled. "I know you planted traitors among the slaves." "To show you the rebels' headquarters."
The emperor's eyes narrowed. "So… you knew."
"That's why I gave the four commanders special orbs," Saruto replied. "They reveal the intentions of whoever touches them."
The emperor was taken aback. Saruto continued, "I told them that before reaching the base… they would stop at a safe place. All the slaves would be checked one by one. Anyone with treacherous intentions… the orb would react to them."
Then he added, "As for their return to rescue the inhabitants of the Concessionary District… most likely only some will come back."
The emperor chuckled coldly. "Then I'll threaten to kill them all if they don't return."
Saruto shook his head. "Don't fool yourself."
Then he said sternly, "You won't kill them."
The emperor's eyes widened. "Why not?"
Saruto took a step closer. "Because you need them. If you kill them… there will be no one left to work in the Slave District." "And you will have no food… nor drink."
Then he continued, "Your kingdom will fall into famine."
Silence fell. Saruto said, "And do you think the inhabitants of the Dark Kingdom… who are accustomed to luxury… will accept labor instead of being slaves?"
Then he added, in a decisive tone, "If you do… there will be chaos. And coups."
He smiled darkly. "And even if you kill everyone who opposes you… and everyone starts working, they will hate you and think of rebelling against you… When you are forced to exterminate everyone… there will be no one left for you to rule. You will be alone. In a dead world."
The emperor fell silent. He reread every word. Then he laughed. But this time, a laugh of genuine admiration. He said, "So… you have prepared everything from the beginning." "In terms of intelligence and analysis… you surpass me, Saruto."
Then his voice suddenly changed: "But…"
A dense, dark energy surged forth, enveloping his entire body. A black knight's armor formed—solid, imposing. "We haven't seen yet… who is stronger," he said sharply.
In response, Saruto energy surged back. His armor formed. Armor: Level Two. Dark Awakening: Level Three. His two swords materialized, bound by black chains. "Then… let's settle this. Who is stronger… Emperor?" Saruto said.
And they set off. They sped out of the palace, lest they destroy the kingdom. In the air, the Emperor formed two swords identical to Saruto. Saruto eyes narrowed: "So… he uses the same weapons as me." This means our fighting style is… identical."
Saruto vanished. He reappeared behind the Emperor in an instant. He threw a lightning strike. But the Emperor blocked it without turning around. The two energies collided, propelling Saruto backward with tremendous force. The next moment, the Emperor moved in front of him.
Blows rained down from his swords. Saruto parried them all. They flew through the sky at breakneck speed. Sparks of energy exploded with each impact. Then, the Emperor abruptly disengaged his sword formation.
He grabbed Saruto arms. Saruto eyes widened. The Emperor headbutted him. Saruto consciousness flickered for a moment. Then he landed a powerful punch. It sent the Emperor sprawling to the ground. He crashed violently. But Saruto immediately got up. In the sky, the Emperor began unleashing a barrage of dark energy attacks.
Saruto sprinted, dodging the blows. An explosion, then another. He leaped. He lost his balance in mid-air. The Emperor exploited the opening. He gathered his energy. He launched a concentrated attack of dark energy. Saruto spun around. But it was too late. The blow had struck.
A tremendous explosion. Smoke filled the sky. The Emperor stepped forward slowly. "It seems Saruto… wasn't up to the task," he said.
Then, sarcastically, he added, "Isn't that right… Ombra Ruler?"
He turned to leave, but a voice pierced the smoke: "Consciousness… shared."
An even greater dark energy erupted. The smoke ripped apart. A figure emerged, completely encased in dragon guards. It stood firm. "Who are you?" the Emperor demanded sharply.
The figure took a step forward and said in a cold, merciless voice, "I am… the one who will bring you down from your throne, you nobody."