Reincarnated With An SSS-Rank Talent In An Apocalyptic World-Chapter 64: Queen Emma Velen

Swoosh!

My angelic wings flapped majestically as I flew over the towering castle walls, looking down at a group of about 30 to 50 people approaching. Most of them were soldiers armed with swords and shields, while the group behind was made up of peasants carrying fruits of various kinds and a black pot with a paper talisman placed on its lid.

At the center of the group was a golden palanquin, carried by eight guards dressed in light leather armor, but without weapons.

My appearance drew their attention and the soldiers reached for their weapons, but none was bold enough to grab their swords, let alone unsheath them.

"Wise choice," I said with cold eyes.

According to Lord Ravus’s diary, they came to him without weapons and lowered themselves in submission. Yet, everyone here was armed to the teeth.

I could understand they were cautious of the man who killed their hero, that’s why I didn’t attack anyone—yet. However, what I refuse to accept is these weaklings brandishing their weapons at me.

The moment their swords leave their sheaths, everyone dies.

"Behave!" An authoritative yet young voice came from the palanquin. "You are standing in the presence of our Savior!"

The guards exchanged worried glances and slowly retracted their hands, but this only further infuriated me. I was already in a bad mood, and this act of stupidity from these soldiers only worsened it.

"Drop your swords and shields on the ground. Or die." My voice was calm, but it carried a threatening tone.

"YOU DARE!!!" A guard standing next to the palanquin roared and unsheathed his sword!

Swoosh!

In an instant, I was right in front of him and with one slap, I sent his head spiraling through the wind while a deafening sound shook the forest.

> [Human killed]

[+1 Universal Fragment]

The average human had about 3 points in strength. The trained soldiers hovered around 5. The elite among them bordered around 6 or 7.

Compared to me, whose base strength stat in this territory was 13 points, they were no different from newborns trying to compare their strength to a grown man.

The men carrying the palanquin retreated while the soldiers gathered around it, forming a barricade between me and their queen—but they still didn’t dare reach for their weapons.

I calmly waited and watched blood squirt out of the enemy’s neck before the body collapsed to the ground with a loud thud.

No one dared make a sound. They just watched with horror.

Only then did I calmly turn my attention to the rest.

"You have five seconds to comply or you will face a similar fate!" I declared, causing everyone to shudder in fear.

They exchanged glances again, some even looking at the palanquin as if waiting for orders.

"5..." I counted, and their heads snapped in my direction.

"4..."

Buzz!

They truly began to panic, even taking another step back with horrified expressions.

"3..."

Not waiting for orders, everyone began dropping their shields.

"2..."

I watched them hastily unbuckle their belts, tossing their sheathed swords alongside without hesitation.

Fear breeds respect, and respect cannot exist without fear.

Many have been misled to believe fear and respect are completely different things. However, they are two sides of a coin that can never be separated—just like good and evil.

There cannot be a standard for good if there is no standard for evil. Likewise, for people to respect you, they must fear you to a certain degree.

Clank!

The doors of the palanquin slowly opened and those carrying it quickly—but gently—began to lower it. The soldiers quickly turned their backs to me and fell to their knees.

With an indifferent gaze, I watched as a woman dressed in a white 17th-century European nobility outfit stepped out. Just like her dress, her hair was pure white, complimenting her equally white brows, lashes, and eyes.

She stepped out with elegance before turning to look my way. Her gaze first admired the massive black angelic wings before it fell on my tight black shirt, stained with blood.

Only under her gaze did I remember I didn’t clean up after myself. Currently, my lips and nostrils had dried blood stains. It finally began to make sense why the soldiers were anxious.

Then her gaze met mine, peering deep into my pitch-black eyes without fear.

Ding!

> [Emma Velen, Empress of the Velenhorst Empire]

She approached at a slow and steady pace, stopping just five steps away before holding up her gown and lowering herself in submission with her face lowered.

"Forgive my subordinates for their rudeness... I am—"

"Emma Velen, Empress of this empire." I cut her off, and her face snapped up, her calm gaze widening with a mixture of shock and disbelief.

"How..." she mumbled.

"I’m the man who killed Ravus... Do you think that’s something a simple human can achieve?" My eyes narrowed as I asked the question.

Only then did her facial expression shift to one of realization.

"I apologize for my ignorance," Emma corrected herself with a hint of reverence in her tone.

At least someone amongst this foolish bunch knew how to treat a god.

"Come with me," I said and began walking toward the gates of my castle.

Buzz!

As I approached, the gates slowly swung open and on the other side of the gate was Lord Ravus on one knee, with his head lowered—causing gasps, which was exactly what I was aiming for.

A crooked smile spread across my lips, knowing my plan worked.

Our first interaction was bound to be an avenue through which they would assess my capabilities. And what better way to make these people submit to me than by having their hero kneel before me in their presence?

I stopped at the gate and looked over my shoulder.

Emma was still rooted to her spot, shocked by the sight—and her soldiers were no different.

"The tributes and soldiers stay outside. Whether they will be accepted or not will be decided after our little discussion," I said.

Queen Emma slowly nodded, still shaken by the sight. I’m sure she must have heard that I used Lord Ravus on the battlefield. However, seeing it happen up close was bound to have a much stronger effect.

I was right.

I am always right.

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