"I choose the third option — I want you to release them right now." Rulu said sharply, fixing his gaze on the Emperor's eyes, attempting to use his Spiritual-power to control him.
The Emperor replied, "There is no third option. Don't think about playing tricks in front of me. Make your decision quickly, or you'll find yourself without even these two choices."
"What's happening? Why isn't my Spiritual-power working on the Emperor?" Rulu thought to himself. He kept his gaze locked on the Emperor's eyes, preparing to use his Spiritual-power once more, when C.C. leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Rulu, when I sealed the knowledge and power within your mind earlier, I also sealed your Spiritual-power along with it. You have no way of using it right now."
Rulu understood. He lowered his voice and said to C.C., "C.C., help me break that seal right now. I absolutely cannot let Nana and Shari fall into that man's hands."
C.C. hesitated and said, "But I don't know what consequences that might bring. In your current condition, you cannot bear that kind of knowledge and power. If I help you break the seal, you might suffer a mental breakdown within minutes — you could even be in danger of losing your life."
"Only a few minutes? That's not nearly enough time to save Nana and Shari. And even if I could save them, I'd have no way to escape from here." A look of helplessness crossed Rulu's face as he racked his brain desperately, searching for a way to rescue Nana and Shari. Yet no matter how hard he thought, only one answer remained — he had no way to get them out.
Seeing that Rulu had still not made a decision, the Emperor spoke again: "Rulu, it seems you are unwilling to accept either of the two options I've given you. In that case, don't blame me for showing you no mercy. Guards — seize both of them."
The guards in the hall immediately raised their weapons and advanced toward Rulu and C.C. At that moment, Rulu called out, "Wait. I accept your terms. I am willing to return to the Sanctuary."
"Very good, Rulu. You have made a wise choice." A satisfied smile appeared on the Emperor's face as he waved the guards back.
Rulu continued, "However, there are conditions for my return to the Sanctuary."
"You wish to negotiate conditions with me? Very well — let's hear them."
Rulu said, "The first condition: I do not wish to see those who caused the deaths of my mother and sister. If you want me to return to the Sanctuary, you must punish them."
The Emperor said, "Agreed. I will have them all expelled from the Sanctuary. You will never have to see them again."
Rulu said, "The second condition: I want you to release the people who came to the Sanctuary with me, and let them leave safely and return to where they came from."
"That is also no problem."
"And the third condition is—" Rulu slowly raised his hand and pointed at the Emperor seated upon his throne. "I want you to abdicate. I want you to no longer be the Emperor of the Sanctuary!"
The moment these words were spoken, everyone in the hall was stunned. Outrage swept across their faces as they erupted in furious rebukes:
"He actually dares to demand that His Majesty abdicate — this is absolutely outrageous!"
"He has truly lost his mind. Does he think he's going to make himself the Emperor of the Sanctuary?"
"He must be severely punished. Otherwise, what becomes of the Sanctuary's dignity?"
Even the Emperor, whose composure was legendary, could not suppress a flash of anger upon hearing Rulu's words. He said, "Rulu, why would you put forward such a condition? If I am no longer the Emperor of the Sanctuary, then who would be — you?"
"It doesn't matter who becomes Emperor of the Sanctuary — just not you. Because you must pay the price for what you have done. Otherwise, I will never forgive you."
Everyone in the hall was left speechless, unable to believe that even in these circumstances, Rulu still dared to speak such treasonous words — dared to threaten the Emperor himself.
Yet upon hearing this, the Emperor did not grow angry. Instead, he laughed — though his smile looked somewhat sinister. He said, "Good. Worthy of being my child. For the sheer courage it took to say these words to my face, you may well be the most outstanding among all my children. Yet in the end, you are still far too naive and foolish."
Rulu said, "Your answer — will you or will you not accept the conditions I've proposed?"
The Emperor said coldly, "I have no need to entertain such a pointless demand. Furthermore, my tolerance for you has its limits. Do not think that because I have high hopes for you, you may offend me without consequence. And now — you will pay the price for your foolish words."
As the Emperor spoke, he raised his arm. Suddenly, a blindingly brilliant white beam of light — shaped like a spear — materialized beside him and shot with terrifying speed toward Shari. The spear of white light struck Shari in the back, piercing clean through her body and erupting from her chest. Instantly, blood poured from her chest like a fountain. Shari let out a faint, anguished cry and crumpled to the ground.
It all happened in the span of a lightning flash. By the time Rulu and the others registered what had occurred, Shari was already lying in a pool of blood. Rulu stared wide-eyed at her fallen form, his mind gone completely blank from the shock, unable to process what he was seeing.
The Emperor said, his face expressionless, "Now do you understand, Rulu? The one who rules this world is me — not you. Even without your existence, the Sanctuary would operate as it always has, and the Blue Star would continue to turn. I will give you one last chance. If you continue to speak insolently to me, your friends will soon find themselves among the dead — just like your mother and sister."
"You… you bastard. I will never let you get away with this!" Rulu gritted his teeth, his eyes burning with hatred as he glared up at the Emperor on the high platform. A terrible resolve began to take shape in his mind.
"Answer me, Rulu!"
"I want all of you to be buried alongside her!" Rulu snarled. He turned to C.C. at his side and said, "Break the seal for me right now — immediately!"
"As you wish—" C.C. let out a soft sigh. She reached out, wrapped her arms around Rulu's neck, and pressed her lips to his. In an instant, a searing pain tore through Rulu's head. He felt a flood of memories and knowledge rush into his mind, and that familiar sensation returned to his body once more.
"What is he trying to do — could it be—" The Emperor, seeing C.C. and Rulu locked in a kiss, felt a dark premonition rise within him. Rulu pushed C.C. away and fixed the Emperor with his hatred-filled gaze once more.
The Emperor sensed that something was terribly wrong. He raised his hand, and one of the guards nearby was lifted into the air, moving swiftly to position himself in front of the Emperor, blocking Rulu's line of sight. At the same moment, Rulu bellowed toward the Emperor's direction: "Die — I command you!"
"As you command—" The guard standing between the Emperor and Rulu responded at once. He swiftly drew the longsword at his side, turned its tip toward his own heart, and drove it in with full force. The blade pierced into his body and through his heart. The guard crumpled lifelessly to the ground and closed his eyes.