Aeth and his army advanced rapidly toward the palace. Aeth cut down countless enemies. Witnessing this, the enemy warriors' combat auras seemed to momentarily become inactive. Just like Lukas, Lisa's warrior in Aeth's palace, everyone was seized by terror. Warriors overwhelmed by fear either surrendered or fled the battlefield to save their lives. It was as if some force was warning them that this person was extremely dangerous. The aura that turned a warrior into a brave and fearless fighter had become useless before Aeth.
At last, upon reaching the palace square, Aeth encountered Eldrin, surrounded by several armored warriors.
Aeth (smiling under his breath):
"I thought you would run. But this is better. You saved me the trouble."
Eldrin (shouting):
"I don't know how you destroyed the fortress walls, but I won't be afraid of an incompetent emperor."
Aeth:
"You are very arrogant."
Eldrin possessed the earth element. Moreover, he was a skilled warrior. That was precisely why Aeth's father had entrusted him with the governance of Eryndor in the past.
Using his earth-element power, Eldrin created three chunks of rock the size of swords and hurled them toward Aeth. Aeth swung both swords at once, shattering two of the rocks, then spun and crushed the third rock with the sword in his right hand before charging at Eldrin.
Aeth:
"Now I understand where your arrogance comes from. But it won't be enough to save you."
Eldrin:
"Warriors, attack—!"
The warriors, who had momentarily lost themselves, regained their composure upon hearing Eldrin's voice and launched an attack. However, without allowing them to coordinate even a single strike, Aeth cut them down with expert precision and charged straight at Eldrin.
Eldrin (thinking):
This can't be… Is the one before me really that incompetent child? Where did I go wrong? Was he testing us? I can't understand anything… Why does this aura terrify me to this extent!?
Aeth struck Eldrin with his sword. Eldrin immediately snapped out of his shock and created a shield using earth power to block the attack. However, Aeth shattered the shield. Since Aeth no longer kept much distance between them, Eldrin struggled to use his earth powers effectively. Eldrin immediately drew his sword and blocked Aeth's strike, but under the pressure of Aeth's overwhelming strength, he barely managed to hold his ground.
Aeth kicked Eldrin with his right leg, knocking him to the ground. Aeth raised the sword in his right hand to shoulder height while letting the sword in his left hand hang downward, advancing toward Eldrin with a terrifying aura.
Aeth (in a terrifying, enraged voice):
"From now on, every traitor will meet their punishment!"
Eldrin grabbed his sword and stood up. As he attempted to strike Aeth, Aeth drove both swords into Eldrin's chest and lifted him into the air with all his strength. He then pulled the swords out of Eldrin's chest and severed both of his arms with the two blades. Spinning immediately afterward, Aeth beheaded Eldrin with the sword in his right hand.
Everyone who witnessed this scene was horrified. With Eldrin's death, the remaining warriors completely surrendered.
Aeth raised the sword in his right hand toward the sky and shouted with all his might.
Aeth (shouting):
"Long live the Chaos Empire!"
Aeth's army:
"Long live the Chaos Emperor! Long live the Chaos Emperor! Long live the Chaos Emperor!"
Aeth (thinking):
At least this title suits me best. The Angel of Chaos has become Emperor.
Tharic approached the Emperor and reported that the enemy had been completely defeated. At that moment, Skarn brought all the nobles who had attempted to flee the palace before the Emperor.
Palace nobles:
"Great and mighty Emperor, forgive us. Everyone knows that the powerful leaders of Chaos are merciful. Show mercy, mighty Emperor. We were only carrying out Eldrin's orders. From now on, we will gladly carry out your commands. If you say die, we will die; if you say live, we will live."
Aeth:
"Die. Cut off all their heads. Immediately."
Aeth:
"Others may be merciful, but that does not apply to me. A traitor is always a traitor in my eyes. Those who betrayed Eldrin like this today would betray me the same way tomorrow."
Despite their attempts to beg, the nobles were executed on the spot. The nobles executed here were by no means innocent. Aeth knew very well the atrocities they had committed against the people. They would first plunge the people into debt, seize everything they owned, then sell them as slaves for failing to repay. They raped young and beautiful girls and sold them to human traffickers. One of their most vile crimes was sending men to weddings and abducting brides on their wedding day. Because of this, couples in love had recently begun marrying in secret, without anyone's knowledge. Many girls even cut their hair and disguised themselves as boys to avoid being sold. This was only a fraction of their crimes and the privileges the nobles abused.
Aeth:
"Immediately throw all nobles into the dungeon. After a full investigation, publicly execute those found guilty before the people."
Tharic, Skarn:
"We will execute the order immediately, my Emperor!"
Aeth:
"Tharic, immediately send several men to Caelmor Fortress. It's time to begin the second phase of the plan."
NOTE: "Feel free to comment on the episode."