Seated upon his throne, back resting against its cold and rigid surface, Yhwach gazed down upon the two below. His voice, composed and devoid of emotion, was utterly inhuman.
He did not feel like a man.
He was a monster in human skin.
"Guh…"
A heavy swallow echoed beside Seiya—Uryū Ishida, clearly unnerved.
The hatred boiling in his heart hadn't lessened—if anything, their long journey had only deepened it. Yet here, in the presence of Yhwach, he couldn't stop the sweat pouring down his forehead.
Still, it wasn't submission.
His body simply reacted before his thoughts could. A survival instinct against an overwhelming presence.
Do not oppose this man.
The thought stabbed deep into Uryū's chest like a spike of ice.
His breathing quickened. He gripped his chest, trying to calm his trembling.
He would not bow.
But before Uryū could speak in defiance—
Seiya calmly raised his head and met Yhwach's gaze.
"Your Majesty doesn't know my name?"
"That's understandable," he said with a faint smile. "I'm a little different from the rest."
His words held no reverence. No humility. His tone was flat, almost cheeky.
Immediately, the atmosphere changed.
The four Schutzstaffel stepped forward in unison, surrounding Seiya.
Even Haschwalth's sword was drawn, its blade hovering near Seiya's throat.
The intent to kill was crystal clear.
"Mind your tongue, fool," Lille Barro growled. As the staunchest believer in Yhwach, he was the first to react.
"Stand down," came Yhwach's unhurried command.
Without a word, the guards obeyed.
Seiya, undeterred, adjusted his tone slightly, now speaking directly to Yhwach.
"I'll be brief, Your Majesty."
"I am unlike these people. No—perhaps only two of them share any resemblance to me."
"I've come seeking power. I ask only for a chance. That is all."
His bluntness irritated Lille Barro, who visibly twitched.
But Yhwach remained still, the same cold, aloof tyrant who'd killed his own men in the manga for being too noisy.
To him, the Sternritter were nothing but disposable tools.
Even so, this was before the Thousand-Year Blood War. Morale was high, and the army still loyal and whole.
Seiya's eyes passed through the crowd, resting on the man upon the throne.
Words alone would never sway this paranoid, violent ruler.
So he acted.
Spiritual energy surged.
With Yhwach's silent permission, Seiya activated his Quincy: Vollständig.
Gasps erupted.
"How...?" Askin scratched his chin, baffled. "Without His Majesty's blessing?"
Seiya didn't answer. He simply locked eyes with the throne and repeated:
"Your Majesty—what is your will?"
Yhwach finally moved.
A cruel, jagged grin split his face.
"I see. So that's your origin."
"No wonder I cannot see your future."
"You desire power? Fame? No matter. I, Yhwach, shall grant you everything."
He rose.
His black cloak flared like a banner of war. A tyrant reclaiming his throne, his voice roared:
"Haschwalth. Begin the banquet."
The golden-haired second-in-command paused. He knew what that meant.
This wasn't celebration. It was initiation.
Seiya and Uryū had passed the test.
They were now to become members of the Sternritter.
…
A month passed in the blink of an eye.
The estate was buzzing before dawn.
Servants, finely dressed and frantic, scurried through the halls.
Today was the day—the master of the house would formally meet the King of the Wandenreich.
Gone were the disheveled, unkempt days. Now, even minor errors could lead to severe consequences.
"Move! Have you packed everything?! We can't be scrambling when it's time to depart!"
Amid the chaos…
"Wooow, so busy today!"
A perky voice sang from the gates as several figures arrived.
First came Giselle Gewelle, hopping into the courtyard with gleaming eyes.
"This is His Majesty's inner palace?! It's sooo fancy!"
Candice twirled a strand of green hair, momentarily speechless.
"Jealous just looking at it," she muttered. "I wish I could live here…"
"Then why don't you date the guy?" Meninas teased. "He's your type, right?"
Sparks erupted. Candice exploded.
"I am not like that, you hag!"
Meninas shielded her eyes from the sun and changed the subject.
"But seriously, ever since those two met His Majesty, they've barely been seen."
"Not true!" Bambietta shouted, leaping in front.
"I've been watching them! Uryū barely leaves his room…"
"But Seiya? He's been seen visiting the Schutzstaffel quarters. A lot."
She jabbed a finger at the sky.
"Candice's run-ins with him were no coincidence, either. She's obviously trying to bump into him!"
Candice's face turned crimson. Electricity crackled around her in embarrassment.
"You big-mouth!"
"Fight and you'll cause a scene," Giselle smirked, tapping the electric barrier.
"We wouldn't want to upset His Majesty, would we?"
Liltotto sighed, arriving last. She looked exhausted already.
"Stupid bitches."
Behind her, more Sternritter assembled.
"…Can see His Majesty… again… today…" murmured Äs Nödt, pale and twitching.
Beside him stood Cang Du, silent as ever.
Bazz-B scoffed. "What's with this crowd? Don't tell me that guy's popular now?"
A thin figure in the back sneered.
"Desperate for allies already? He'll never earn His Majesty's favor like that."
Quilge Opie. Still bitter from his defeat.
Meanwhile, Bambietta beamed like a spring blossom.
"What's wrong with liking someone? If you're too shy to say it, I'll go first!"
The girls exchanged awkward glances.
"Is he really that popular?" Giselle muttered.
Meninas shrugged. "Not my type."
Liltotto rolled her eyes, as if the entire conversation were exhausting.
"Between lovebirds, schemers, psychos, and perverts… how is this empire still functioning?"
Amid the noise, the grand doors creaked open.
Two lower-ranked knights marched forward.
And then, like guardians of ceremony, Gerard and Pernida emerged to lead the way.
A surprising display of status.
Why were the Schutzstaffel involved?
Before anyone could ponder further—
Seiya, now dressed in formal attire, stepped into view.
----------
Powerstones?
For 20 advance chapters: patreon.com/michaeltranslates