Chapter 539: The Battle for the Capital Ends

“Impossible! This is the capital of the kingdom—if we allow demons like you to run rampant here, the Kingdom of Rysjesteg will have no face left on this continent!”

“Though your strength is formidable, you are not invincible; rather than negotiate with you, I’d rather see you die here!”

“Lord Mo Mo, based on the power you’ve shown so far, shouldn’t you be able to suppress the Demon Emperor Adaba Wo ?”

“Ah…”

Suddenly called out by Shengzai, Lao Gu was momentarily stunned, but upon hearing the question, he could only give a stiff reply.

He wanted to say he couldn’t do it—but if he did, the heroic image he’d painstakingly built up would be ruined.

“If that’s the case, then it’s settled—Lord Mo Mo, please hold off the Demon Emperor Adaba Wo .”

“As for this vampire, Shallia Bradfall, I’ll handle her myself!”

As he spoke, Shengzai piled on a barrage of combat techniques and magical buffs, as if reciting a menu.

With each buff added, Shengzai’s aura surged visibly, climbing at an alarming rate.

Watching Shengzai’s stats skyrocket before them, Lao Gu and Demiurge now understood why this 85-level opponent had just repelled Shallia, fully armed.

They also understood why Shallia had said Shengzai was stronger than any human should be.

Leaving aside how a human could possibly master so many buffing techniques and spells—

Normally, regardless of race, one could enhance oneself through buffs, but such enhancements had strict limits.

Like a frail human infant, even the most basic buff could burst its body apart.

Biological flesh has its limits; more buffs aren’t better—it depends on how much the body can endure.

Yet here before them, Shengzai had stacked dozens of buffs and techniques—and his body showed no sign of overload whatsoever.

“Prince Third, since you reject my friendly proposal, I can only order my demons to launch a full-scale assault on the entire capital.”

“Perhaps with your strength, you could hold me and Shallia here—or even defeat us.”

“But can the others in the capital match your power?”

Demiurge’s words instantly turned the faces of Lachesis and the others pale.

“You dare threaten us with the lives of ordinary citizens in the capital?!”

“What’s so surprising? Don’t forget—we’re demons and vampires. To us, humans are nothing but inferior species.”

“Well then, Prince Third—what choice will you make?”

Shengzai had already sent agents linked to the Church of Nigen and Otto to ambush the captives taken by Nazarick.

But Demiurge had reacted too quickly; Shengzai wasn’t sure if they’d rescued everyone.

Just as Shengzai was about to decide, the weary-looking King Ramposa III, supported by Gajeff and Princess Lana, arrived—and made the choice for him.

“What magical artifact are you seeking? If you release the civilians you’ve captured and withdraw your demons from the capital, I, as king of this kingdom, will do my best to meet your demands.”

As Shengzai opened his mouth to speak, Ramposa III raised a hand to stop him: “Shengzai, you’ve done enough. We cannot let others in the capital suffer this needless disaster.”

Ramposa III’s words made Shengzai sigh deeply.

Honestly, though this man was technically his father, Shengzai did not respect Ramposa III’s ability or resolve.

Compared to the utterly incompetent Prince First Baburo, Ramposa III was not foolish—but he was undeniably weak.

Yet right now, he was only the Third Prince; Ramposa III was king. Matters affecting a city or a kingdom must be decided by the king.

To prevent the kingdom from being destroyed as in the original plot, he’d have to play the dutiful son—and quickly force his good father to abdicate.

Even if he himself didn’t want the throne, letting his second brother Zanark take it would be fine.

After all, compared to Baburo or Ramposa III, his second brother, though stout and unimpressive in appearance, possessed real resolve and capability.

In the original plot, Ramposa III had intended to surrender—but Zanark had chosen to imprison him instead.

He knew the Magic Kingdom’s goal was to establish dominance; even if the kingdom surrendered, it would still meet a terrible end.

Ironically, Prince Zanark didn’t die at the Bone King’s hands—he was killed by traitorous nobles.

Those nobles believed that by eliminating Zanark, their leader, they could save themselves from the Bone King.

Unfortunately, in his fury, Lao Gu slaughtered every last one of them—and gave Zanark a lavish funeral.

“We, the kingdom, will search for the magical artifact you seek. We will not allow demons like you to act as you please.”

“If you refuse this condition, then even if I stand alone, I will fight to my last breath!”

Shengzai knew the search for the artifact was merely a pretense—for the kingdom’s last shred of dignity, he would not compromise on this point.

Demiurge, apparently having received silent orders from Lao Gu, hesitated briefly—then accepted Shengzai’s terms, spread his wings, and departed the capital with Shallia and the others.

Morning sunlight fell upon the capital’s ruined streets, and the Battle for the Capital ended—with the kingdom’s bitter victory.

Though Lao Gu’s body and soul had become undead, his word remained steadfast.

The captives taken earlier were all found outside the capital the next day.

In this battle, the names of the kingdom’s Third Prince and the adventurer Mo Mo spread across neighboring nations.

Back in Nazarick’s Throne Room, Lao Gu had barely returned when Demiurge, Shallia, and the others knelt before him, heads bowed in apology.

“No need to blame yourselves. Plans rarely go as intended—this is common.”

“Though we didn’t complete all our goals, we achieved most of them. You’ve worked hard.”

Grateful, Demiurge and the others nodded repeatedly. Then Yar Beide turned to Lao Gu and asked: “Lord Ainz, I’ve met the kingdom’s ‘Golden Princess.’ She’s a remarkably interesting human.”

(End of Chapter)