The Emperor is the father and head of the empire, the one who holds the greatest power. In front of the Emperor’s name, even the titles of father and son, husband and wife, became meaningless. Anything in the world could pose a threat to the Emperor. To shield him from such threats, the Imperial Palace was built, fortified and sealed. At its deepest chamber.

“It continued to heal, no matter how many times I cut it. Like some undying creature, its flesh regrew endlessly.”

“And how did you kill it?”

“I burned it. With fire.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I didn’t aim to kill. I burned to purify.”

“To burn?”

“Yes. I intend to burn everything. Even the filth. So that nothing seeps elsewhere.”

“Such cruel words again. Are you saying you’ll persist in doing things your way?”

The Emperor’s voice turned cold.  remained resolute, unbending even in the face of royal censure. It displeased the Emperor, this steadfast cruelty in his son’s character. On any other day, such behavior would have warranted expulsion and punishment. But ’s recent achievements could not be ignored. Even the Emperor had taken interest. Capturing a demon worshiper was no trivial feat.

“Prince . Answer me. Are you saying you will persist in this cruelty? That you will continue to kill?”

Unshaken, the prince replied.

“I will burn.”

“How dare you …”

“I will burn the filth. Burn anything that opposes the Empire’s prosperity. I will burn without regard for status or name.”

“Are you saying you’ll reduce the Empire to ashes with this wildfire? Prince ! Are you masking your savagery with the language of ideals?!”

“Your Majesty. I do not speak of ideals. I speak of reality. Let me be the fire that burns away the Empire’s filth. Let me purify and fill the void with something new.”

Even faced with wrath, ’s tone was steady, his message clear. To be the fire that purifies. To leave behind what was unclean and build anew. And from the depths of the Emperor’s heart, an old, buried thought stirred.

To govern freely, without the weight of countless obligations. But too many responsibilities shackled the throne. Every step entangled in politics, economy, public sentiment. He couldn’t act.

But , 

“A prince consumed by madness. Even if his methods are violent, isn’t he the one best suited to eliminate unnecessary things, Your Majesty?”

“You’re mad.”

Madness, yet a madness aimed at righteousness. A strategy of fire and death to clean what rotted. The prince voiced what the Emperor had only ever dreamed of.

To declare himself a piece on the board, knowingly. It was madness. Words unfit for a noble prince.

“It’s because I’m mad that I can say it.”

And the Emperor was silent.

Madness, but justified. And something he could never bring himself to do.

 had been right. The Emperor lacked the resolve. His gentleness had both steered and hindered the Empire. ’s words, bold and unapologetic, had drawn him in.

Finally, 

“Very well, Prince . Do as you will.”

Again, soft-heartedness kept the Emperor from rejecting . He allowed a part of his vision.

A smile ghosted across ‘s lips. The Emperor had yielded.

“I grant full authority over this matter to the eleventh prince. Furthermore, combining the merits of capturing a demon worshiper and foiling an assassin, a reward shall be given.”

Yet more came than expected.  had only hoped to proceed unimpeded. But he received full authority, and a reward.

“Choose one item from the royal treasury. However, it is restricted to the outer vaults. Seek something suitable from the entry halls.”

From the myriad treasures, he could claim one. He could not reach the deeper troves, but that didn’t matter. For in those overlooked corridors, something truly precious lay hidden.

“Let the scribe record all that has transpired. The prince may now depart.”

“I am eternally grateful, Your Majesty.”

He bowed and exited. The Emperor had clearly weighed the Empress’s plea against ’s determination, and sided with him.

Just as he reached the threshold, 

“Prince.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Do not let the flames grow too wild. Ensure they can be extinguished.”

“Understood.”

A final warning, subtle, but firm. The Emperor had not placed complete trust in him. But at last,  was free of the stifling palace.

[You have devoured Lower Fates of Ridicule, Neglect, Hatred, and Incompetence! Transformation points acquired!]

[You have significantly devoured the Lower Fate of Unfiliality! Massive transformation points acquired!]

[At the critical fate point “Imperial Audience,” you chose Madness and Flame as your paths.]

[A new fate is born! You have twisted the opponent’s fate! For choosing the optimal path, the Devourer’s power is enhanced as a reward!]

[You may now invest transformation points into objects to alter their fate!]

The outcomes of the audience surfaced clearly, in all aspects, a resounding success.

Though, 

[You have distorted surrounding fates. Those who oppose you have had their fate twisted. Lower Fate: Hostility toward you deepens!]

[One bearing a strong fate now opposes you. Lower Fate: Threat grows stronger!]

[Minor schemes are forming against you. Left unchecked, they will grow into fate and constrict you.]

Naturally, opposition stirred. But it mattered not. The path of the tyrant was not one of peace, he had no plans to retreat.

On the contrary, he would strike down every foe.

“You’ve returned. How did it go?”

“Ordinary. What’s so special about a meeting between father and son?”

“Shall we return to the Prince’s Palace?”

“The treasury.”

“So it wasn’t that ordinary.”

“Made a few enemies. Nothing I’d like to repeat.”

He grumbled to Alfred as they rode toward the treasury.

“Where shall we go within the treasury?”

“Armory.”

Upon the curt answer, massive blocks unfolded, revealing a vast corridor.

“Access is permitted to the entry and the first mid-section.”

“That’ll suffice. I’ll go alone.”

Not like the archives, this was a vault of infinite weapons. Each a masterwork.

As he progressed, the weapons became rarer, closer to artifacts. Some so strange and their use was unfathomable.

One, in particular, suited Andre well. But he couldn’t claim more than one.

“If that commoner earns it, I’ll give it to him.”

He moved on, promising himself to return. After circling the armory, he came back to the entrance , empty-handed.

No treasure yet. He had merely inspected weapons for others.

His eyes fell, beside the entrance was a handle. Among the vault keepers, they called it the key to the armory ,a forgotten artifact, a thing no one understood…        A Divine Sword.

[Lower Fate: Flame surges violently! The mystery of the Flameheart responds to a strong fate!]

Only he could wield it, he gripped it ,and filled it with flame.

“Waaaarrrrng!” The sword roared.

As he drew it, sparks flew, and then,the tyrant’s famed blade emerged… Breaker, the sword of ruin.