A dim room.
Low light.
Joseph stood in front of them.
Five figures.
Silent.
Watching.
Two girls among them.
Calm.
Unreadable.
Joseph adjusted his moustache slightly.
Eyes cold.
"She fooled them."
No one spoke.
"They see her as a hero."
A small scoff.
"A savior."
His gaze darkened.
"But I know the truth."
One of the men shifted slightly.
"…And what is that?"
Joseph smiled faintly.
"She's a liar."
Silence tightened.
"They're all blinded by her image."
He stepped forward slowly.
"So I'll break it."
One of the girls tilted her head.
"…And how do you plan to do that?"
Joseph's voice dropped.
"By ending her."
No hesitation.
No doubt.
"She doesn't deserve that throne."
A pause.
"I am Vencor's legacy."
His eyes sharpened.
"And I'll prove it."
Silence.
Then.
one of them smirked slightly.
"…So we're hunting the Emperor."
Joseph turned.
"No."
A beat.
"We're executing her."
The room went still.
Because this wasn't talk anymore.
It was a decision.
And soon.
It would become action.
Joseph leaned back slightly, eyes cold, voice steady but filled with quiet resentment.
"My grandpa faced her… and it wasn't clean."
The five listened. Silent.
"It was bloody. Messy. He didn't lose to just her."
He looked at them one by one.
"She had teammates. People backing her up. Covering her. Saving her."
A pause.
"That wasn't a fair fight."
His jaw tightened.
"And yet… she walks around like some legend."
A small, bitter scoff.
"Appearing to the world… demanding respect?"
His eyes darkened.
"Respect built on lies… isn't respect."
Joseph's smirk returned—sharper now.
He stepped closer to them.
"Let's not pretend."
A brief pause.
"You five… don't like Emma Elarat."
His tone carried quiet certainty.
"That 'Emperor' aura she walks around with… like she owns everything… like no one can touch her."
He tilted his head slightly.
"It irritates you, doesn't it?"
No one answered. They didn't need to.
Joseph's voice dropped.
"Good."
A thin smile.
"Because that's exactly why this works."
He looked at all five again—measuring them.
"We don't need to admire her."
Another step forward.
"We just need to end her."
A small breath.
"Together… we can kill her."
-----
The door shut behind Joseph.
Silence settled.
Five of them… alone now.
Anthony stood first, 21, tall, muscular, sharp face, buzz cut. He looked like someone built for direct violence.
Leo adjusted his glasses, 22, average height, straight hair falling neatly, cold eyes that didn't miss details.
Marcus leaned back slightly, also 22, athletic build, long hair tied loosely. Calm… but clearly dangerous.
Maya crossed her arms, 18, short hair, slightly tall, a tattoo visible at her waist. Her expression carried impatience.
Elena stood quietly, 20, soft features, gentle appearance… but her eyes didn't match it.
Anthony spoke first.
"So. We're really doing this?"
Leo pushed his glasses up.
"If we don't… someone else will."
Marcus exhaled.
"She's not normal. You all know that."
Maya scoffed.
"Yeah. That 'Emperor' act… I wanna see it break."
Elena finally spoke—soft voice.
"We shouldn't underestimate her."
A pause.
Anthony smirked slightly.
"Good."
He cracked his knuckles.
"Wouldn't be fun if she was easy."
Elena's voice stayed low… but firm.
"She killed Vencor."
Silence.
"…and his friend… Roland."
That hit differently.
Even Anthony's smirk faded a little.
Elena looked at them one by one.
"Emma elarat… is not someone you mess with."
Leo adjusted his glasses again, slower this time.
"I know."
Marcus narrowed his eyes.
"Then why are we here?"
Maya clicked her tongue.
"Because we want to."
Anthony stepped forward slightly.
A grin returned—but smaller. Sharper.
"Strong or not…"
He looked at the door Joseph walked through.
"…five against one?"
He chuckled.
"Let's see if the 'Emperor' bleeds."
Mostang walked in calmly, the faint smell of smoke still clinging to him.
Emma was sitting, relaxed—but her eyes shifted the moment he entered.
Kane leaned against the wall, arms crossed.
Mostang spoke.
"Joseph gathered a new group."
A pause.
"They're… not weak."
Kane frowned slightly.
"…How bad?"
Mostang exhaled.
"Pretty damn hard to deal with."
Silence settled.
Emma tilted her head slightly.
"…How do you know, Mostang?"
Mostang's eyes lowered for a second.
Then—
"Shadow told me."
Kane's eyes widened a little.
"…Shadow wait. You mean, shadow? That.."
Mostang nodded once.
"Been watching them closely."
Emma rested her chin lightly on her hand.
Thinking.
Quiet.
Cold.
"…Five, huh."
A small pause.
Then she stood up slowly.
Her expression didn't change.
But her presence did.
"He's finally sending something… interesting."
Kane looked at her.
"…Emma."
She glanced at him.
Kane hesitated.
"…They're not normal."
Emma gave a faint, almost invisible smile.
"…Good."
A short pause.
"I was getting bored."
Chapter end