Chapter 510 – Reunion With the Bloodline.

"I'd seen the Imperial Capital on map, but it is truly a sight to behold." Silfana said as she gazed down upon the City from the top of a small hill that overlooked it, peaking out from the treeline. "Not quite as big a Capital as the one I grew up in, but well... It will have to do." She smirked as a legion of automotons stood motionless behind her. They'd been upgraded and equipped by Imp and Imperial, with the army provided to the Vampire having a great deal of variety when it came to weapons, ranging from long-range sniping support to heavy explosive weaponry. While nowhere near as good as the Ninja when it came to combat they were more than adequate to handle the Imperial Army.

{This will be it. The first true step to my ascension to the throne. This world has seen many Kings, but I shall be the King of Kings as they say. 'Tis my birthright as Crown Princess, and I will allow nothing and no one to stand in my way.} (Silfana)

"Are you ready?" Silfana asked as she turned to the Ninja, who merely glared at her rather than respond. They weren't happy to take orders from the Vampire but complied nonetheless. "Good." She smiled, revealing her fangs as her red eyes seemed to glow like crimson flames as the sunlight reflected off them. "Our shared Master has great expectations for us, and it would do us well not to disappoint her."

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<Rebeckah POV>

"They number only a few thousand in total, and while it is not confirmed, judging by the standard carried by their forces, I believe it is safe to say they are soldiers of the Demon Lord." A Knight said as he reported to Emperor Hadrus, kneeling down nervously in front of the Imperial Throne. The Capital's guard and stationed military had been thrown into a panic by the sudden arrival of enemy forces so close by, especially as there had been no mention of an advancing army by any of the outlying garrisons.

"The Demon Lord has done similar things before, placing small forces into a city without detection." Hadrus said, recalling the attack's on Amdamell and Northwind. "I am not surprised that she could insert a force of that size so close, though I question why she did not place them within the Capital's walls."

"Perhaps the barriers interfere with the method by which she transports them?" Rebeckah said. The Imperial Capital's walls were heavily enchanted and fortified, projecting a bubble around the City that protected it from most magical attacks that intended to go up and over the walls that shielded it. Said barrier was also imbued with anti-teleportation spells which prevented infiltration attempts.

"Possibly, but do you really think a being as powerful as a Demon Lord could be restricted by mortal magic?" Hadrus thought such a thing unlikely. "No, I believe it is more likely that she intends this force to test us in some way. Rebeckah, rally our forces. Call up every Knight and Soldier within the Capital and ready them for battle. A force of that size should be insufficient to besiege the City, so they will certainly attempt an assault."

"As you wish your Majesty. And shall I contact the Cathedral? Having skilled Clerics may prove useful, and the High Priest is quite powerful despite his advanced age." Rebeckah thought they would prove key to a proper defense.

"If you believe that involving that old fool is worth the hassle, then do as you see fit." Hadrus snorted. He'd never gotten along with the Church and couldn't be bothered to deal with them, especially now. "The Imperial Workshop should have a few extra assets to help us in the battle. You, Knight, go and summon the Magi. Tell them to prepare their weapons for war. Everything is to be used without reserve."

"At once, your Majesty." The Knight said as he stood up. "Though, there is one additional thing I must report."

"Out with it." Hadrus motioned for him to continue.

"A high-ranking adventurer named Halifax has requested an audience with you." The Knight said, his comment making Rebeckah's eyes go wide with surprise for a brief moment. "She was quite insistent, and due to her Mithril rank, I was unable to get her to leave. Please forgive me."

{Why is she here now?!?} (Rebeckah)

"Hmm... Normally I'd kill someone for showing such insolence, but... I will meet with her. Have the Guards send her in." Hadrus said as he waved the Knight away.

"Father..." Rebeckah looked to the Emperor, who simply shook his head, and once the Knight left, the doors to the audience hall opened once again as Halifax entered.

"It's been a long time since we've met, Halifax." Hadrus said, a slight amount of sarcasm in his voice. "Or should I call you the Divine Blade?"

"Call me whatever you want." Halifax answered, her voice filled with indifference as she chose not to play into his provocation. “I don't care for all the bullshit pleasantries, not anymore.

"To what do I owe the pleasure? I thought you hated the Imperial Palace and my family?" Hadrus said. “Are you perhaps here to aid us in our hour of need?”

"Hate is something I reserve for a select few, Hadrus." Halifax replied. She did not hate the Emperor, though that didn't mean she liked him either. Halifax's hatred was reserved for a select few people and he didn't have the honor of being on that very short list. "I do not think I can bring myself to hate those who inherited Sherry's blood. Though I won't deny that I am not a fan of you what with all the conquest and war."

"My Grandmother was no Saint." Hadrus clapped back, intentionally bringing up Sherry to get a rise out of the Divine Blade. "She may not have been as direct as I am, but she was no less ruthless in her pursuit of our family's dream of a united world."

"Yes, but when she did it I found it endearing." Halifax shrugged. "Though perhaps that's just a consequence of my feelings toward her skewing my judgment. But then again, I don't care anymore anyway."

"I hope you did not come just to prattle on about the past." Hadrus said, deciding to snap the conversation back to the present. "In case you didn't notice, I've got the Demon Lord's forces darkening my doorstep."

"Oh, I'm aware." Halifax replied snarkily. "I'm friends with her." She said, her words momentarily catching the Emperor off guard; something that was a rarity given his usually stoic demeanor.

"Oh? Did I surprise the great Emperor Hadrus?" Halifax said with a smug look on her face. "Normally, you are not one to react to such things. How interesting."

"Have you really defected to the Demon Lord's side?" Hadrus said, his voice calm but Halifax could tell a great deal of irritation was boiling just beneath the surface. "You? A Divine Blade forged by the Gods? The blade that slew Demon Lord Vikes? You would turn against the very world you sought to protect?"

"Yep." Halifax answered bluntly. "I stopped caring about this world a while ago, Hadrus." She said with a bitter smile. "It's a long story, one that I really don't want to tell the likes of you. But suffice to say... I'm done being the Hero." She said as she drew her blade and pointed it at the Emperor, and while Rebeckah flinched, he did not. "I'm tired of being this world's savior, and it's thanks to Akagi that I've finally come to understand what it is that I really want out of my life."

{I just hope that Sherry can forgive me...} (Halifax)

"And so you would cast this world into the fire?" Hadrus asked. “You would consign us to our doom at the hands of a monster like the Demon Lord?”

"Sometimes a forest fire is needed to allow new growth." Halifax retorted, her snark irritating the Emperor. "She may not be perfect, but just like with Sherry, I find myself unable to leave her alone. Such a pain these feelings of mine."

{I suppose the both of them annoy me just enough for me to find it amusing. I think Hishya feels the same way, though those two have an even stranger relationship than Sherry and I.} (Halifax)

"I see..." Hadrus hummed as he thought over the situation, unsure of what was to come next. He knew that fighting Halifax directly would see him easily defeated, though oddly he also seemed calm. It was almost as if he was sure that things would work out for whatever reason. "Then, can I take it that you've come to kill me?"

"No." Halifax said as she lowered her blade. "While I could easily remove your head from your body, doing that would rob your true opponent of the privilege."

"Such foolish performance." Hadrus scoffed, fed up with this theater. "I've heard tales that my Grandmother was no different in how she tended to overly dramatize things to get a rise out of people, and I'm starting to think that she learned such things from you."

"I'd say that Sherry and I taught each other an equal number of things." Haliax laughed as she recalled one instance in particular where the young Imperial Princess had chased her to another continent. "If only you were half the Royal that she was, then perhaps things wouldn't have to be like this..." She took a deep breath. "Despite everything, that more of Sherry's descendants will meet their end leaves me with mixed feelings. I know that she wouldn't like it."

{But I also know that she would understand why I'm doing what I'm doing. She was the first person in this world to truly support and believe in me, the real me. I hate that I'm betraying her like this, given that I'm effectively destroying her legacy and ending her dream... But... I'm sorry, Sherry...} (Halifax)

"Lady Halifax." Rebeckah spoke up. "I know that you have... reservations about the Imperial Family. But I want you to know... That we have always been grateful for your aid across the countless centuries that you were in our care, and we would not be here today if not for your support." She didn't know the full story of Halifax's past, but knew that countless generations of the Imperial Family had relied on Halifax, most of whom treated her as little more than a tool to consolidate power. "And I am certain that my Great-Grandmother, wherever she may be, is watching over you even after all these years."

"Yeah... I think so too." Halifax said with a smile before turning to leave. "Hadrus, I'll give you one piece of advice. When Silfana comes, make sure you don't disappoint her. She's expecting a great show from you, Mr. Emperor. So give it to her." She said before leaving the audience room, leaving it in cold silence.

"As the records states she is, if nothing else, dramatic." Rebeckah shook her head, finally understanding what her Great Grandmother saw in the Divine Blade. "I wonder if that is something Great-Grandmother passed to her, or if Halifax was the one who influenced her."

"It matters not." Hadrus said as he stood from his throne, uninterested in the conversation anymore. "If Halifax is truly our enemy, then we have no choice but to destroy her. Gather our forces and assemble them in the parade grounds. Our men must be ready to resist the coming onslaught."

"Do you really believe we can win?" Rebeckah asked. “Even if our foe was just Halifax I'd be concerned, but we're facing many other powerful foes as well.”

"It has nothing to do with belief, Rebeckah. As Royals we have no choice but to win." Hadrus replied as he descended the small staircase that led to his throne. "For should we falter, the work of our ancestors will be all for naught." He paused at the bottom of the steps. "Despite what Halifax would want to admit, that includes your Great-Grandmother as well. Her relationship with the Divine Blade aside, she and I share the same goal. Uniting the continent, and then, the world."

"Indeed. The restoration of the Empire is what our family has strove for for generations." Rebeckah said. “That has been the driving force behind everything we've done.”

"And it is a goal that you may need to complete for me, Rebeckah. Be ready to face the burden of leadership if it comes sooner than we expect." Hadrus said as he left the audience hall, his words leaving the Princess momentarily numb.

"Perhaps, though I believe our family's goal may be completed in a slightly different way than you expect, Father." Rebeckah said, her shadow briefly flickering before returning to normal.