Book 1 Chapter 906

Chen Xia, who entered the room, immediately placed a small crystal ball on her desk.

Lumen was protected by a magic barrier that prevented magical communication unless authorized means were used.

However, what Chen Xia possessed was one of the treasures passed down through generations of the royal family of Shan.

It was an item created by a former emperor, an ancestor from long ago, and was impervious to jamming magic itself.

Chen Xia pricked the tip of her index finger with a needle and smeared the small drop of blood on the crystal ball.

Soon, the crystal ball began to react.

*Wooooong-!*

A moment later, a burly middle-aged man appeared beyond the crystal ball.

[Oh, Xia! This is the first time you've contacted this father like this!]

"Father. What is this newspaper content?"

Sha, seeing Chen Xia hold up the newspaper article to the crystal ball, put on a sad expression.

[Xia, it's sad. You don't even greet this father, whom you haven't seen in a while, and immediately ask about the main point.]

"How long has it been since the vacation ended?"

[Aren't you being too harsh? Is your adolescence coming late?]

"Didn't you say my adolescence came when I enrolled in Lumen?"

Chen Xia opened her eyes halfway.

At her daughter's reaction, Sha began to complain to the surrounding ministers.

[Look here. My daughter. My daughter, who used to dote on this father, has become a rebellious delinquent! What am I to do!]

[Your Majesty.]

[Oh. Do you have a good idea?]

[Please maintain your dignity.]

[…….]

At the minister's words, Sha's face crumpled.

[Hmph! Insolent child. Are you acting this brazenly because I am soon to abdicate the throne?]

[Yes.]

[…….]

[You must choose your allies wisely.]

Seeing the minister answer with a single word, Sha pressed his temples.

Several nearby ministers chuckled, watching him.

Then, when Sha glared at them with wide eyes, they immediately shut up as if nothing had happened.

Seeing this, Chen Xia let out a deep sigh.

"I wonder how the other countries will react if they see this."

The Shan Empire.

Known as the Land of Shadows, it was an empire of fear that had wiped countless nations off the map throughout history.

The Shan Empire's goal was the eradication of traitors.

Their actions were often close to self-righteousness, but their justice, executed in the shadows, had never been wrong.

This was why the Shan Empire could endure as a great power despite countless diplomatic frictions.

It was also famous as a country where heroes were not born.

As the empire's goal was to foster heroes from the shadows, significant internal changes were underway with the discovery of the [Book of Shadows].

However, externally, Shan remained a target of fear, and the royal family maintained its secrecy.

The countless masses still feared the shadows.

"I want many people to see this."

[I cannot show such a pathetic spectacle.]

Sha said, crossing his arms.

The King of Shadows.

Chen Xia shook her head, looking at her father, Sha, the most terrifying shadow.

Her father, who was incomparably ruthless and fearsome in the darkness, was a doting parent in front of her.

Of course, he wasn't a father who granted her every wish.

"So. What is this, exactly?"

As Chen Xia frowned at the newspaper article, Sha sat languidly on his throne.

[It's exactly as written there. I intend to pass the throne to you. Become the Emperor of Shan during your winter vacation.]

"Suddenly?"

[It's not sudden.]

Sha chuckled.

[You have become a hero.]

It was as Sha said.

Chen Xia had risen to the position of hero as a shadow.

Through the Book of Shadows, they learned that shadows could also be listed in the Hero Records.

However, being listed in the original Hero Records was still special.

[Xia, you have achieved what no other Emperor of Shan has ever achieved.]

"……."

[Shadows can be heroes. No.]

Pride appeared in Sha's eyes.

[You have proven that shadows and heroes are not so different.]

Sha closed his eyes.

His heart trembled.

'The shadows were saved by the King of Beginnings.'

The foolish days when he confined himself to the darkness.

The achievements of a hero and the achievements of a shadow are not different.

The words of the primordial shadow, who was more heroic than anyone.

And as if following Leo, Chen Xia became the first hero in the history of shadows.

[This is soon to be enlightenment.]

She had proven it to the world.

That shadows are no longer objects of fear.

If Leo was the one who gave shadows the impetus to change themselves.

It was Chen Xia who changed the way people looked at shadows.

The bloodline of the most powerful shadow.

The symbolism of a descendant of Shan, who had lived in the world's darkness for thousands of years, being listed in the Hero Records.

[I and the ministers of this palace are now people of the old era.]

No minister denied Sha's words as he sat on the throne.

They too were pillars who supported the world from the darkness, with conviction and duty in their hearts.

That is why they knew.

That the times were changing.

[Now a new wave… a new tide will come.]

Even shadow candidates will no longer hide themselves.

Last year, and this year too.

Shadow candidates enrolled in Lumen.

[New wine must be put in new wineskins. The Emperor of Shan must also change.]

"Father……."

Chen Xia bit her lip.

The King of Shadows, who had carried the world's darkness on his shoulders for his entire life.

Chen Xia felt pity for him.

Even when he blocked her dream, she never resented him.

And now, he was about to disappear into the annals of history.

He was as dignified as ever, but now he seemed somewhat lonely.

[Don't make that face, my daughter.]

Sha smiled faintly.

[Yes, Your Highness. Even if the Emperor abdicates to the Princess and steps down as former Emperor, he will not abandon state affairs.]

"Is that true? That's a relief!"

Seeing his daughter smiling brightly, Sha smiled gently.

[Do you really think this father would be powerless and disappear into the annals of history?]

"Yes."

[Ho ho. This father is not that old yet.]

"Even if Father becomes the former Emperor, will he not retire and be in charge of all state affairs?"

[Yes.]

Chen Xia was genuinely relieved.

Sha's face changed to one of contentment upon seeing this.

'As expected, my daughter is the best.'

How could her heart for her father be so beautiful?

"That's a relief. You're not stepping down irresponsibly."

'Huh?'

Seeing his daughter's genuine relief, Sha's face changed strangely.

[Daughter, is it true that you are relieved because you are worried about this father?]

"Why would I worry about Father, who is perfectly healthy?"

[…….]

"Honestly, I was worried that you might leave state affairs to me."

[…….]

"I have to become the Vice President of Lumen next year and assist Leo, and if I have to take care of any part of Shan's state affairs, it will be impossible."

Shan is a vast empire.

As such, the internal affairs the Emperor has to handle are quite substantial.

Even with competent ministers, the Emperor is responsible for the empire.

That is why Sha originally intended to manage state affairs himself as long as he was capable.

He planned to make Chen Xia, as the new Emperor of Shan, the center of attention in the world.

[This ungrateful wretch, not thinking about her father at all, only thinking about a man?!]

Sha roared, and Chen Xia opened her eyes halfway.

"Didn't Father tell me to assist Leo well before the vacation ended?"

[It's no use raising a daughter! She's infatuated with a man and is acting foolishly!]

Sha raged.

Despite the anger of the Emperor of a great empire, Chen Xia did not listen.

Seeing this, Sha lay down on his throne and lamented.

[Alas! You unfilial child! Guards! Bring that wicked child to me immediately! I will personally spank her with a switch for her misdeeds!]

However, despite Sha's words, the ministers of the palace pretended not to hear.

[You insolent fools! How dare you not obey the Emperor's command!]

[Your Majesty.]

At that moment, Sha's aide bowed his head.

[The Princess is about to ascend the throne, so you must not treat her disrespectfully.]

[You, you traitors……!]

Sha clutched the back of his neck.

He regretted his rash decision yesterday to abdicate.

He had officially announced it in the newspaper, so he couldn't retract it.

If he did, he would only be mocked by the world.

He wouldn't have cared before, but now was a time for the Shan Empire to change.

Chen Xia shook her head, looking at the Emperor clutching his neck and lying on his throne.

Sha, who had been slumped for a moment, sat up.

[Xia.]

"Yes."

[I am sorry.]

"……."

Seeing Sha suddenly apologize with a serious face, Chen Xia's eyes grew calm.

"I know. I know what it means to become Emperor."

Chen Xia looked down at her hands.

"I know what it means for Shan to move towards light instead of darkness……."

As the Land of Shadows, Shan had protected the world from the darkness.

However, in the process, they had created countless grudges and enmities.

This was also why the royal family of Shan had lived in secret for generations.

The Emperor of Shan did not stay in the palace.

They traveled the world.

Therefore, secrecy was necessary.

Grudges are terrifying.

Even if they arose in the process of eradicating traitors.

There were many people around the world who harbored deep resentment towards the Emperor of Shan.

For Chen Xia to officially ascend the throne meant shouldering all these resentments.

"I was prepared for this."

[…….]

Sha silently watched his daughter speak with confidence.

Then he nodded.

[……You have truly become a hero.]

The countless heroes he had watched as a shadow overlapped with Chen Xia.

Sha smiled with satisfaction, looking at his daughter who had become a hero of the new era.

[Speaking of which, Xia.]

"Yes."

[There is another reason why I abdicate to you.]

"What is it?"

[It's a facade.]

"A facade?"

[Yes. Isn't being an Emperor a pretty good facade? The King of Beginnings will also treat you with a little more weight.]

"……."

[Don't just dote foolishly, do something productive! Do something productive!]

"What productive thing should I do?"

[Whether it's using your beauty or poisoning him, make it a fait accompli! This father wants to see grandchildren! Grandchildren!]

"Is that what you should be saying to your daughter now?"

[Why! Can't I tell my adult daughter that I want to see grandchildren quickly!]

Chen Xia pressed her temples.

"He's not someone who would fall for charm or poison."

[Hmph. Tsk tsk. You lack spirit like that. That's why your romantic endeavors aren't progressing.]

"I'm hanging up."

[Shall this father teach you a secret method to lure Leo Flob?]

Although Chen Xia had a strong feeling that this damn old man was going to talk nonsense, she decided to listen for now.

"What is it?"

[Emphasize that your heart is broad.]

"That's vulgar."

[Hmph. What are you thinking? That's not what I mean!]

"Then what?"

[Your mother, when she was alive, didn't let this father take concubines. Of course, this father is devoted and lives alone, but.]

"I'm hanging up."

Before he could finish speaking, Chen Xia cut off the communication.

Then, holding her head, she muttered.

"King and Emperor……."

Chen Xia, who quietly repeated her titles, let out a hollow laugh.

"Usually, isn't the Emperor higher?"

She pouted her lips at the absurd relationship.

"If I become Emperor, what rank will I be?"

"Rank what?"

"Kyaa?!"

Chen Xia screamed as Leo entered the room by opening the closet door.

Seeing Chen Xia sputtering, Leo asked with a nonchalant expression.

"What? Why are you so surprised? Were you doing something strange?"

"You're surprising me by coming in so suddenly! Get out! Why are you barging into a lady's room!"

"You told me to come anytime when it's convenient."

"I don't know! I don't know! Get out!"

Chen Xia grumbled and forcibly pushed Leo's back into the closet and slammed the door shut!

A moment later.

When she opened the door, Leo was gone.

Chen Xia watched the empty space for a moment, then crouched down and lamented.

'……Did I chase him away for no reason?'