Dancing on the golden ashes

My words were met with dead silence. Nobody moved, and nobody cheered. It was as if the air itself had grown heavy with their disbelief.

Well, of course. Who could blame them? The person they all depended on had just announced she was leaving. If I were in their position, I'd probably be mad too.

Malrang stood off to the side in her small, adorable form, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She looked at me eagerly, clearly expecting to accompany me.

"When are we leaving, Gaon?" her voice echoed excitedly in my mind.

But I didn't respond. Instead, I turned my attention back to the crowd and continued my speech.

"I know this may come as a shock to all of you," I began, my voice steady despite the weight in my chest. "I didn't plan on doing this at first, but the empire needs a strong leader—one that I am not at the moment. My goal is to reach a level where all of you will feel truly safe under my protection. I hope you can understand my decision."

As I spoke, my eyes met Kim Ara's. Her face said everything her words couldn't—betrayal, sadness, and confusion. Tears streamed slowly down her cheeks, each one a painful reminder of what my choice meant to them. In that moment, it felt as though I had shattered their trust.

"It's okay, Empress. We understand," a man in a white tunic suddenly spoke, his voice calm yet filled with conviction. "Without you, we wouldn't even have a place to call home."

I recognized him immediately—Park Hyun-Woo. If my memory served me right, he had been a priest in normal society, and in this world, he had retained almost the same role. Now, he was a [Holy Priest], a truly powerful class capable of saving someone even on the verge of death.

"We, as a nation, must grow strong!" Park Hyun-Woo's voice rang out, his passion igniting the hearts of everyone gathered. "In this world, where the strong devour the weak, we cannot afford to falter! Without strength, we would be crushed by those who covet our riches. But we are not without hope, for the gods themselves have chosen her to lead us! Our Demon Empress stands as the light in this unforgiving darkness. Even as she departs to grow stronger, her will and protection shall remain with us. We will honor her name, bring this empire to unparalleled greatness, and await her glorious return! Glory to the Demon Empress! Glory to the Empire of Eternal Flame!"

His words echoed through the square, and for a brief moment, silence lingered, as if the crowd was holding its collective breath. Then, like a spark igniting a powder keg, the people erupted in deafening cheers.

"Glory to the Demon Empress!" they shouted, their voices rising in unison. My name echoed over and over again, a strange, almost surreal sensation washing over me as thousands of voices chanted my title. Some of the people raised their fists, others clasped their hands together in prayer, and a few even wept, their tears glinting in the sunlight.

The sheer power of their belief in me hit like a wave. It wasn't just noise—it was a vow. A promise from these people to stand strong, to carry on my vision even in my absence. My chest tightened as I watched them, a mix of pride and guilt swirling within me. I didn't deserve this kind of loyalty... not yet.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

But as the chants grew louder, shaking the very ground beneath our feet, I couldn't help but believe, even if just for a moment, that I could live up to the image they saw in me. One day, I thought, I will return to them stronger than ever. I won't let them down.

My generals stood behind me, their faces a mix of confusion and sadness. They were grappling with the reality of my decision, just like everyone else. Only Seong-Hoon, with his ever-defiant spirit, smiled brightly. Without hesitation, he joined in the chanting, his booming voice cutting through the crowd like a spark. His enthusiasm was infectious, and soon the others followed, their voices rising to match the crowd's fervor.

Even the beasts scattered around the square roared wildly, their cries blending into the cacophony of devotion. Malrang, ever loyal, transformed into her massive form. Her powerful voice boomed louder than all the others, shaking the air itself. But as I turned to look at her, I saw the tears streaming down her cheeks.

She understood. She understood all too well. We had only just reunited, and yet we had to part ways again. It wasn't that she was holding me back—I knew she would never do that. It was me. I didn't trust my own strength enough to protect her.

After my announcement, the people wasted no time preparing to see me off. A massive carnival was being organized in my honor, with music, decorations, and excitement spreading through the city like wildfire. I couldn't help but feel undeserving of it. After all, I had created this empire only to detach myself from it so soon.

But deep down, I knew why I was leaving. Threats like Nam Ji-Ho loomed in my mind, not with fear, but with a burning excitement. The thought of reaching his level, of standing toe-to-toe with him and emerging victorious, made my blood race. I craved that strength, not just for myself but for my empire. I needed to grow, to become the protector they deserved.

Also, I needed a break. It was all too much for me. I had to escape—to be alone, even if just for a while.

The next morning, after finally getting a good night's sleep, I stood alone in front of the city gate. The streets were quiet, the world still wrapped in the stillness of dawn. Everyone was still asleep. I hadn't said goodbye to my friends—I just couldn't find the strength to face them.

Deep down, I longed to stay, to live a peaceful life as their empress. But that wasn't a luxury I could afford. Not yet.

With a flick of my finger, I activated the new ability I'd obtained: [Beast World]. A wave of black strands emerged from all around me, rushing into my palm and disappearing into my body. It tickled slightly as it happened, and for a brief moment, I felt my soul grow heavy.

This is freaking amazing! I wonder what that world looks like! The thought filled me with excitement, but I had no way of entering and exploring it myself. I'd have to rely on my beasts to tell me more later.

As for why I didn't bring Malrang with me, the answer was simple: she wasn't a demon beast. Our bond was different. The [Soul Link] skill we shared was unique—it allowed her to grow and gain experience from me, no matter how far apart we were. How fascinating was that? It was as if we were always connected, even across vast distances.

I decided to head northeast, leaving the city behind in the distance. I didn't know when I would return—would it be a day, a week, months, or even years? But no matter how far I went, I would always keep watch over this place from afar.

"Goodbye," I murmured reluctantly. If it had been me when I first arrived in this world, I would never have meddled in such affairs. I would have stayed far away, indifferent to building empires or leading people.

But during this short time, I had changed. I had grown attached, and that attachment made leaving even harder. Yet, I knew I had to return to how I had always been—focused and solitary. Only that path would lead me to the strength I needed.

It took me a few hours to leave the forest on foot, and I soon found myself back in the metallic land. This place was under my control now, yet it still held countless mysteries that I couldn't ignore.

Enjoy more content from empire

My thoughts drifted to the memory of when Ravokar and I had stopped by a strange crevice. The bottom of the chasm bubbled with molten lava, a fiery abyss that seemed alive. Even then, something about that place had called to me, tugging at my very soul.

Without hesitation, I made my decision. Approaching the edge, I leaped down into the molten depths, summoning one of my crabs to guide me through the searing river of metal. The pull had grown stronger, undeniable. Whatever lay beneath the surface, I had to uncover it.

The moment my body met the molten metal, I felt it—a presence deep below, at the very bottom of this fiery abyss. It took time for us to descend, the crevice seeming endless, with the molten river stretching far deeper than I had anticipated. The oppressive heat pressed against me, but I pushed forward, the pull guiding me ever downward.

After nearly ten minutes, we finally reached the ground. What greeted me there made my soul tremble. Before me, partially buried beneath jagged rocks, was a faint but familiar golden glow.

I stepped closer, my heart pounding. There was no mistaking it—I had actually found it. The golden plate, a relic from the world of cultivators, lay before me. Its light flickered softly, as if waiting for this very moment.

Well, hello there!