I, The Aeon of Trailblaze, Trailblazing the Multiverse

Feeling triumphant after toying with the young emperor, Honest was gleefully munching on a roasted chicken leg as he strolled through an empty palace corridor.

"Ah?"

Suddenly, a red mask appeared before him, startling him into taking two steps back.

The mask fell right at his feet, making him cry out in alarm. His pig-like face immediately broke into a cold sweat as he frantically looked around.

"Who? Who's there?" Honest hastily assumed a defensive stance, his voice brimming with forced bravado.

After all, he had trained at the Imperial Fist Temple—his combat skills were no weaker than the palace guards.

This was the imperial palace, and most of the guards were under his command. Who would dare throw something at him? The only possibility… an assassin.

"A-hahahaha…"

A clear and eerie laughter echoed through the vast corridor.

"Guards! Imperial Guards!" Honest's face turned ashen as he bellowed for help.

An assassin had actually infiltrated the imperial palace. Could it be Night Raid from the Revolutionary Army?

As one of the most powerful figures in the empire, he was well aware that Night Raid had targeted him.

But up until now, he had merely scoffed at the notion.

His hand tightened around the ring on his finger.

Though he was terrified, he wasn't completely helpless.

His Teigu, Absolute Limitation—Erastone, was a weapon capable of destroying other Teigu.

As long as his attacker was an Teigu user, they posed no threat to him.

[Heeheehee… Don't bother calling for help. No one is coming.]

The red mask lying on the ground suddenly levitated, releasing a clear yet sinister laugh.

A surge of immense Imaginary Energy erupted, warping the entire corridor into an alternate space.

The surroundings twisted and distorted—Honest's feet slipped into nothingness, and he let out a terrified scream.

"AAAAHHHHH—"

The space around him transformed, becoming a cosmic abyss—a vast void resembling outer space.

Honest tumbled helplessly, his massive body flipping uncontrollably in the weightlessness.

"AAAAAHHH! What kind of Teigu is this?! There's no record of such an ability among the Forty-Eight Teigu!" Honest shrieked, his voice raw with terror.

[Ahahahaha! Teigu? This isn't some petty weapon.]

[I am a demon—the mightiest Demon of Joy in the cosmos.]

[I caught the scent of your overwhelming corruption and ambition, so naturally, I came to find you! Ahahahaha!]

Honest froze. "A demon? What demon?"

"A demon that grants any wish~"

Honest's fear vanished instantly, replaced by uncontained greed.

Hearing those key words, his ugly face twisted into a greedy grin.

"Any wish?"

Gods and demons? He had always dismissed them as fairy tales used to fool the ignorant masses.

But now—they were real.

[That's right. Any wish. Now, let me take a look at your desires…]

[Oh-ho~ How magnificent! You yearn to wield the Ultimate Teigu, to become emperor!]

[Your ambition is absolutely delightful!]

Honest could no longer contain himself—his corrupt desires poured out like a flood, impossible to suppress.

"Yes, yes, YES! I want to become Emperor!" Honest roared, his fat body trembling with excitement.

"But the law doesn't support it. Most of the nobles wouldn't back me."

"If I were to openly declare my ambition, those vermin would happily charge me with treason and have me executed!"

"But if I possessed the Ultimate Teigu—the power of the gods—All nobles would kneel before me!"

"Hahahaha!"

"Demon, what do I need to trade for my wish?"

[Oh~ You even know about the concept of a trade?]

"Of course. I've heard stories about demons before."

Unless… you're a fake."

Honest was corrupt, selfish, and rotten to the core—but he was no coward.

If he lacked such ruthless cunning, he never would have risen to power as the most feared minister in the empire.

[Very well, very well! I, the Demon of Joy, Aha, truly appreciate you, Honest. As long as you offer me your most beloved child, your wish shall be granted.]

Honest's grotesque face twisted further with delight. "Deal."

Just a mere son. If he wanted more, he could always have more.

"Syura is my most beloved son. I'll offer him to you right now, Great Demon."

"Ahahaha! Then, the Great Demon of Joy, Aha, shall grant you half of your wish—control over the Ultimate Teigu."

"Once you plunge a golden dagger into the heart of your most beloved son, your wish to become emperor shall be fulfilled."

The jester's mask radiated a strange glow, and in an instant, Honest found himself back in the empty corridor.

At that moment, he felt an unprecedented connection—the control over the Ultimate Teigu, "National Defense Machine God—Primus Imperator1"

The Primus Imperator had always rested beneath the imperial palace, accessible only to the bloodline of the First Emperor.

"Heh… Hehehe… AHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Honest's laughter grew wilder and more unrestrained, his fat arms spreading wide in sheer ecstasy.

"I can feel it! I can feel the Primus Imperator!"

[Right now, you are its sole controller. The young emperor has lost all authority over it. Isn't Aha so considerate?]

"Ahahahaha! Considerate, considerate—too considerate, Great Demon Aha!"

"Rest assured, I will call my most beloved son back immediately and sacrifice him to you."

"In fact, one Syura alone cannot express my gratitude to you! I shall sacrifice all my sons to you! Ahahahaha!"

[Very well, very well! Aha loves people like you!]

[Now then, my dear Emperor, why not experience firsthand the power of the Ultimate Teigu?]

Honest couldn't wait any longer. He threw his arms wide open and roared:

"I AM THE EMPEROR OF THE EMPIRE!"

The activation command for the Primus Imperator was issued.

The ground trembled—first slightly, then violently. Loud rumbles echoed through the imperial palace as massive sections of the structure collapsed.

The imperial guards and court maids shrieked in terror, scattering in all directions.

In the depths of the palace, Great General Budo, tasked with protecting the young emperor, turned grave as he looked at the panic-stricken ruler.

"Your Majesty, did you… activate the Ultimate Teigu?!"

The young emperor's face paled in horror.

"I—I didn't! Wait! I can't feel my connection to the Ultimate Teigu anymore!"

Budo's expression darkened. Without hesitation, he lifted the emperor into his arms and dashed away.

"The palace is collapsing! Forgive me, Your Majesty!"

At that moment, night had not yet fully fallen over the capital.

Citizens froze in confusion, their gazes fixed on the crumbling palace.

And on the colossal machine rising from the ruins—

The Ultimate Teigu, "Primus Imperator."

"Wh-what… is that?!"

"The palace—it's been destroyed!"

"What's happening?!"

BZZZT—

A deafening, high-pitched hum pierced the air.

On the towering machine, an overwhelming light ignited, blindingly bright—

Turning night into day.

A beam of brilliant crimson energy erupted, aimed at the distant mountain range beyond the capital.

BOOM!

The world turned stark white.

A massive mushroom cloud billowed from where the mountains once stood.

The entire capital was left in absolute silence.

"A… nuclear explosion?"

Saeko Busujima stared in sheer disbelief at the spectacle before her.

Elias, on the other hand, remained unfazed, arms crossed.

"Aha's script… sure is theatrical." He smirked. "Starting with a full-scale catastrophe, huh?"