Let's go back in time one day before the monster wave.
In the capital, Orlax had finished preparing for his journey to the Barony of Elen.
After leaving Sera under Catherine's care, he boarded the plane and set off for the Barony of Elen.
Although he could run there and arrive faster than the plane, he was going in an official capacity, so he decided to take the plane.
While the plane was soaring through the air, Orlax sat in his seat, holding his stomach, with a pale expression on his face.
"I think I'm going to throw up."
He tried to control himself but to no avail.
"Your Majesty, I didn't expect you to be unable to handle air travel."
"Mock me all you want, Lira."
Orlax turned his gaze to Lira, who was sitting across from him in the plane, her expression amused.
"Oh, I wouldn't dare, Your Majesty."
Lira suppressed the smile that had appeared on her face and acted calmly.
"Yes, yes… When will we arrive?"
"The journey will take about five hours, Your Majesty."
Lira replied respectfully as she gazed out the window at the distant ground.
"Five hours, huh."
Orlax sighed and tried to relax in his seat.
"So, Your Majesty, if it's not a problem, could you tell me why you're going to the Barony of Elen and rejecting the other invitations?"
Lira asked curiously as she looked at the boy sitting in front of her.
"I don't mind telling you, but you might be a little surprised."
Lira remained silent, waiting for Orlax to continue speaking.
"I want to meet [The Ugly Witch]."
"What?!"
Lira jumped from her seat, shouting in astonishment and confusion at Orlax.
"Alright, alright, calm down."
After calming Lira down, Orlax sank into his thoughts, pondering the reason for his journey.
[The Ugly Witch], as expected from her name, was a highly talented witch, but due to her unattractive face, she was given that title.
In the game, when information about what would happen after Orlax's death was leaked, her name was mentioned frequently.
The player must kill her and take her power in order to defeat Orlax.
It was said that she was an extremely evil witch who ate children and turned people into puppets to control them.
Additionally, like Orlax, she had black hair and red eyes—a sign of demonic embodiment.
A few days ago, while Orlax was busy with work, he heard that she was currently in the Barony of Elen, so he decided to accept the birthday party invitation and travel there to meet her.
'Since I've come to understand Orlax's true character and past, I've started to doubt the game's information. I need to meet her and find out who she really is and what kind of person she is.'
In the game, after the player kills her, they gain a unique power—one that enables them to defeat Orlax and successfully conquer the First Empire.
Orlax snapped out of his thoughts as he felt nauseous again.
After four hours, the plane entered the northern region of the empire.
Through the window, Orlax saw the Barony of Elen, and what he saw made him frown deeply.
Below, he saw the city being invaded by monsters; the front gate was destroyed, and the creatures were entering the city, slaughtering everything in their path.
When Lira saw this scene, her face paled, and she turned to Orlax, who was sitting in front of her.
"Your Majesty… This?"
"A monster wave."
A monster wave is a phenomenon in which monsters become enraged, attacking everything and spreading chaos in the area.
'Why did this happen? In the game, it was never mentioned that the Barony of Elen was invaded by a monster wave. What is going on?'
Orlax thought as he gazed at the scene below, his anger rising.
'Why was I so foolish? Why? This is a real world—anything can happen. What happens here is not a scripted scenario that everyone must follow, and yet, in my stupidity, I never considered something so simple.'
Orlax clenched his fists tightly, blaming himself for failing to anticipate the current events.
"Lira, I'm going to jump off the plane."
"What?! Your Majesty, we are over a thousand meters above the ground! How do you plan to jump?"
"Don't worry, I have my methods. Open the emergency door now."
Lira quickly got up from her seat and opened the door. The sudden rush of air caused the plane to tremble slightly.
Orlax looked at the scene below as the wind hit his face.
Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward and began to fall.
Orlax was now plummeting through the air, watching the scene below.
After several seconds, he was getting close to the ground, so he adjusted his position and prepared himself.
[Control Magic Activated.]
Before hitting the ground, Orlax activated his control magic and descended slowly.
He began running at incredible speed and soon saw a crying girl with a monster looming over her, ready to devour her.
"Please… anyone… Even the devil, please save me!"
Upon hearing this, Orlax dashed forward, grabbed the monster by its throat, and lifted it into the air as it struggled to breathe.
Orlax clenched his grip tightly until its bones shattered, killing the creature.
[You have slain a Tier 3 monster.]
[You gained 1000 XP.]
Ignoring the notifications, Orlax stepped forward, drew his sword, and wore a furious expression.
"Your cries have summoned the devil… And now, this devil will grant your wish."
'Since the people of this world see me as a devil, then I shall be the devil that fulfills their wishes and protects them.'
On the day of his coronation, Orlax made a vow: "I, Orlax Tirshtain, swear today by my blood to protect the empire and its people from all harm, to uphold its glory and stability, and to never allow evil to approach it. This is my promise to the entire empire."
Due to the trait [Loyalty], Orlax was incapable of breaking his vow. So, upon witnessing today's events, he was filled with rage at himself for failing to fulfill his promise.
Orlax sprinted through the city.
He slaughtered every monster that appeared before him with a single strike of his sword.
He continued this until he was completely covered in blood, and with his red eyes, he truly resembled a demon in the eyes of the people.
'This situation cannot continue; the casualties will keep increasing. I need to block the gate.'
Orlax thought as he dashed toward the city's gate.
Upon arrival, he saw hundreds of monsters clustered together, trying to enter through the ruined gate.
[Fire Magic Lv7 Activated.]
The magic that Orlax used was different from the magic used by the inhabitants of this world.
To cast spells, other sorcerers had to create incantations and shape their magic in specific formulas.
But Orlax could use magic freely. His magic was weaker than a level-seven incantation, but he could shape and use it however he desired.
Orlax controlled the flames and formed them into hundreds of fiery swords.
After a massive number of blazing swords materialized, Orlax launched them toward the monsters.
Hundreds of swords pierced the creatures gathered at the gate, incinerating them completely, terrifying the monsters behind them and forcing them to retreat slightly.
When Orlax saw this, he continued firing his fire magic until the ruined gate was completely empty.
[Earth Magic Lv4 Activated.]
The ground beneath the broken gate began to shake before suddenly rising to seal the opening completely, preventing any more monsters from entering.
After blocking the gap, Orlax sprinted back into the city and continued slaughtering the remaining creatures.
Witnessing this scene, hope ignited within the people, and the fallen soldiers regained their courage, joining the fight against the monsters.
"Who is this person? He saved us!"
"It's His Majesty! The Emperor has saved us!"
The people whispered among themselves as they gazed at the black-haired boy who had slain the last monster in the city and let out a sigh of relief.