--- [Alex’s perspective]

  All three of us are kneeling, looking at the ground, and staying quiet…

  We’re all waiting for him to make the first move.

  This might be the only chance I’ll ever get to talk to him; I’m not going to screw it up by breaking the rules.

  “There’s no need to be so formal. Raise your heads.” – Emperor

  …

  What?

  This goes directly against what Freddy told us…

  Is it some kind of test…?

  “I’m not joking.” – Emperor

  Despite him saying that, we all hesitate, and continue to look down.

  “Look at me.” – Emperor

  Despite our earlier hesitation, we all instantly look up at him.

  I don’t know if it’s the way he said it or what, but it’s almost like he physically commanded our bodies to move.

  We simply couldn’t disobey.

  “Now stand up.” – Emperor

  And just like that, we all stop kneeling.

  “You’re my guests, you don’t need to follow those silly ‘rules’. The guards made all that up themselves anyways!” – Emperor

  He bursts out laughing; it’s like all their fear and admiration is just a joke to him.

  “Alexander, Casey, and Rose… You’re here to talk to me, so let’s talk.” – Emperor

  He knows our names…

  He points at Rose.

  “What do you want the most in the world?” – Emperor

  She’s clearly shocked that he spoke directly to her.

  All the confidence she used to exude is gone, and she’s completely lost for words.

  “I… Uhh… Uhh…” – Rose

  “Speak up. There’s no need to be so nervous.” – Emperor

  “I… I’m not sure…” – Rose

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  “That’s okay. There are plenty of people who don’t have anything in particular they’re striving for and are content with what they have.” – Emperor

  He looks at Casey.

  “What about you then? What do you want the most?” – Emperor

  “For you to die!” – Casey

  What?!

  Why would he say that!?

  Saying something like that is beyond suicidal!

  Suddenly, the head of one of his high-ranking guards roll towards us on the floor.

  The other guard looks ready to attack, but the Emperor speaks up.

  “Stand down!” – Emperor

  He complies, and goes back to kneeling, but instead of looking at the floor, he glares at Casey.

  …

  What just happened?

  What happened to the guard…?

  “Like I said, you are my guests. You ought to treat your guests with respect. I don’t care how many thousands of years he served me; if you disrespect my guests like that, you forfeit your right to life.” – Emperor

  Wait…

  Am I understanding this correctly?

  Did the guard try to kill Casey for what he said, but the Emperor stopped him himself?

  It all happened so fast…

  I couldn’t see any of it…

  From what I’ve heard, low ranked royal guards are roughly equivalent to a C-rank hunter, while middle ranked royal guards are roughly on the same level as B-rank hunters.

  These are high ranking guards…

  They’re supposed to be as strong as an A-rank hunter, right…?

  It’s no wonder I could perceive any of it…

  But to imagine the Emperor could take out an A-rank hunter like it was nothing…

  How strong is he…?

  “I don’t care if you take my life. I am simply here to tell you that it won’t be long until your downfall. The Emperor Needs to Die!” – Casey

  I can tell the remaining guard wants to take him out more badly than anything else, but he’s containing his wrath…

  “You’re brave, young one. I’ll give you that!” – Emperor

  Just like before, he yet again bursts out laughing.

  Despite someone telling him to his face that they wish death upon him, he’s not affected in the slightest.

  Is he just that used to death threats, or is he beyond all that?

  I mean…

  It’s not like a C-rank hunter could pose a threat to him anyways…

  “You’re laughing now, but soon enough, that’ll change… Mark my words!” – Casey

  He stops laughing for a moment and looks him in the eyes…

  “I look forward to it.” – Emperor

  Right after the words leave his mouth, he goes back to laughing.

  After calming down again, he leans forward and looks at us intensely; almost like he’s analyzing us.

  “Well then, do you have any questions? Is there anything you want from me? Anything you want me to do? Anything you want to know? This is your one and only opportunity to speak to me, and all you guys have said is that you want me dead!” – Emperor

  He looks around, but nobody says anything…

  “Nothing…? Really?” – Emperor

  I have plenty of things I’d like to ask him, but I’d rather do it in private…

  That might not be possible though…

  “If you’re scared to talk, if that’s really it, then you have absolutely nothing to worry about. Little Casey over here told me he wanted me dead, and when my loyal guard who had been serving me for many millennia tried to attack him, I didn’t hesitate to end his life. Right now, you are my guests. Nothing bad will happen to you. Don’t let yourselves be held back by fear. Speak your mind.” – Emperor

  Rose takes a deep breath and steps forward.

  “I’ve only met The Red Knights guild master once in my life… That was the day I became a B-rank hunter. To me, he seemed so impossibly strong… So strong that no matter how much I trained, I’d never reach his level. As the strongest man alive, how big do you think the gap is between him and you? Do you think he thinks the same when he looks at you, as I do when I look at him?” – Rose

  The Emperor looks up at the ceiling and ponders for a moment.

  “You never know with Idris! He has a fire in him that burns more brightly than most. Although he might not admit it, I suspect that deep down, he believes he’ll reach my level one day. That’s just the kind of person he is.” – Emperor

  He chuckles slightly before continuing.

  “As for how big the gap between us is… Well, it’s the same as the gap between me and anyone else. Be it Idris, you, Casey, or Alexander… You’re all the same to me.” – Emperor