I Have 10,000 SSS Rank Villains In My System Space

Chapter 456: The War No Empire Could Stop

”You presume far too much for a man kneeling before this Empress,” Nerissa said coldly. ”Don’t you think so, Pillar Head?”

Still, the massive man remained calm beneath her gaze.

When he finally spoke again, his voice was steady and unshaken.

”With respect, Your Majesty... I believe the Empire also presumes too much.”

Several guards lining the throne hall subtly stiffened at once.

Even Celestia’s eyes narrowed further.

Yet the Pillar Head continued without hesitation.

”My family has served the Empire for generations beyond counting. We bled for its wars. Stood at its borders while others hid behind palace walls. Buried our sons beneath Imperial banners for the peace and stability of this realm.” His hand tightened slightly around the hilt of the massive sword beside him. ”But this matter is no longer political.”

His eyes darkened beneath the throne’s light.

”This is blood.”

Nerissa watched him in silence.

”The Empire is sheltering those responsible,” he continued. ”Protecting them. Hiding them. Allowing my bloodline to be humiliated before the world.”

The atmosphere in the throne hall grew heavier with every word spoken.

”And now,” he said quietly, ”you ask me to stop?”

His voice never rose.

That only made it worse.

”I am not asking permission from the Empire, Your Majesty,” he said at last. ”I am informing it.”

A long silence followed.

Then

”No matter what,” the Pillar Head continued, ”You cannot stop me from walking this path. The decision has already been made.”

The tension inside the Imperial Hall became suffocating.

None of the guards dared move.

Most barely even breathed.

Even the palace servants standing far beyond the pillars had lowered their heads completely now, terrified of drawing attention within a room filled with monsters capable of tearing kingdoms apart.

Yet Nerissa remained seated upon the Imperial Throne without the slightest visible change in posture.

Only the slow, rhythmic tapping of her finger against the armrest continued.

Tap.

Tap.

Tap.

Cold platinum eyes stared down upon the kneeling Supreme below her.

”You have already punished the ones directly responsible,” she said at last. ”The King of Denvaar himself came before you and offered his own head in exchange for peace. The matter should have ended there.”

Her gaze sharpened.

”So what exactly are you calling sheltering?”

The Pillar Head remained silent.

Nerissa leaned slightly forward upon the throne.

”Or perhaps,” she said, her voice lowering dangerously, ”You are speaking about the kingdom’s people themselves?”

The hall fell deathly still.

”You wish to slaughter millions for the sake of your sister?”

Her brows lowered faintly.

”A genocide?”

The final word landed heavily across the throne room.

Then

The Imperial Majesty descended.

Invisible pressure exploded through the hall without warning.

Cracks instantly spread beneath the Pillar Head’s knees as the marble floor shattered outward in jagged lines. The air itself grew unbearably heavy, enough to make even the guards at the edges of the chamber pale visibly.

Several nearly collapsed where they stood.

Celestia’s expression tightened.

Even she could feel the weight behind her mother’s anger now.

The Pillar Head’s broad shoulders slowly bowed beneath the force pressing upon him, the massive greatsword beside him groaning faintly against the cracking marble.

Yet

He did not lower his head further.

Nor did he cry out.

He simply endured it in silence.

Nerissa’s voice echoed coldly through the throne hall.

”Do not mistake patience for weakness, Pillar Head.” Her eyes glimmered faintly with Imperial authority. ”You stand before the ruler of this Empire, not another warlord begging for your family’s protection.”

The pressure intensified again.

Blood slowly dripped from the corner of one guard’s nose merely from standing nearby.

”You speak of blood and humiliation,” Nerissa continued, ”Yet what you seek now is madness. If every great house answered grief with slaughter, this continent would drown beneath endless war.”

The Pillar Head’s jaw tightened faintly.

”They humiliated her!”

The Pillar Head’s voice thundered through the throne hall with enough force to shake the marble beneath him. He looked directly into Nerissa’s eyes now, all restraint finally cracking beneath the weight of his fury.

”They were the reason for her death also!” he roared. ”So they deserve it!”

The pressure of the Imperial Majesty still crushed against his body, forcing cracks through the stone beneath his knee, yet he remained upright through sheer will alone. One massive hand tightened further around the hilt of his greatsword until the metal groaned faintly beneath his grip.

Celestia stood beside the throne in silence, her pale hair and royal garments whipping backward from the violent clash of Supreme auras filling the hall. Yet she herself remained motionless, almost detached, her cold eyes fixed upon the kneeling man below.

Nerissa watched him for several long seconds before finally speaking.

”You have gone mad, Pillar Head.”

The crushing Imperial pressure vanished instantly.

The hall seemed to breathe again.

Several guards nearly stumbled from the sudden release, quietly inhaling air they had not realized they were holding.

Below the throne, the Pillar Head slowly straightened his shoulders again, though cracks still spread beneath him across the marble floor.

”No, Your Imperial Majesty,” he said heavily. ”This is my right.”

His eyes remained steady despite the bloodlust lingering within them.

”My duty.”

He slowly rose from both knees to one again, keeping his head bowed only slightly now.

”If I cannot do this,” he continued, ”then what was the value of all the strength I earned through blood, battle, and sacrifice?” His jaw tightened. ”What meaning is there in power if I cannot use it to deliver justice for my own blood?”

The throne hall fell silent again.

Then he spoke once more.

”Tell me honestly, Your Majesty...” His voice lowered. ”If it had been the Imperial Princess in my sister’s place if she had died because of some insignificant kingdom and its people...”

He raised his eyes toward the throne.

”Would there still be a kingdom left standing?”

The atmosphere changed instantly.

Celestia’s eyes narrowed sharply.

Even Nerissa’s gaze darkened.

The audacity of the question alone was enough to warrant death.

”If yes then i woul....”

Before his words could complete.

Something appeared.

No sound.

No warning.

One moment the space behind the Pillar Head stood empty.

The next

A small figure stood front his kneeling figure.

It resembled a young child no taller than four feet, dressed in pale ceremonial robes embroidered with the Imperial crest. Its skin looked unnaturally smooth, almost doll-like, while a small Platinum crown sigil glowed faintly upon its forehead.

In its tiny hand rested a thin black blade.

The edge already touched the Pillar Head’s neck.

The massive Supreme froze instantly.

His pupils contracted violently.

He had sensed nothing.

Not movement.

Not mana.

Nothing.

One of the strongest men in the Empire had not even realized another existence had appeared behind him.

For the first time since entering the throne hall, genuine alarm flashed across his face.

Yet the strange child-like figure paid him no attention at all.

Its empty eyes remained fixed only upon Nerissa.

Awaiting command.

The throne room itself seemed to grow colder.

The Pillar Head did not move.

Did not breathe.

Because he understood something terrifying in that moment

If he twitched even slightly, his head would likely leave his shoulders before he ever saw the strike happen.

Then Nerissa casually lifted one hand from the throne’s armrest.

The puppet-like child vanished.

Simply vanished.

As though it had never existed at all.

Only then did the Pillar Head quietly exhale.

A thin layer of cold sweat had formed beneath his armor.

Nerissa rested her cheek lightly against one hand now, looking down at him with distant boredom.

”Continue,” she said calmly.

The Pillar Head remained silent for a moment before finally speaking again.

”Is Your Imperial Majesty truly prepared,” he asked carefully, ”to stop me from doing what must be done?”

”I cannot allow you to slaughter millions for the sake of one dead woman,” Nerissa answered indifferently. ”You will be stopped.” Her gaze sharpened faintly. ”Whether that requires you alive or dead makes little difference to me.”

The decree was clear.

The Pillar Head lowered his head slowly in acknowledgment.

”Very well then,” he said quietly. ”If this is the path Your Majesty chooses...”

He paused.

”Then.. I would like to invoke the Imperial Promise.”

The throne hall went completely still.

Even the air itself seemed to freeze.

Celestia’s brows rose slightly in genuine shock.

For the first time since this meeting began, even she had not expected those words.

Several guards looked visibly shaken.

Because everyone inside the hall understood what that meant.

Even Nerissa’s eyes widened faintly for the briefest moment.

Though her expression quickly returned to calm, something colder entered her smile now.

A smile that never reached her eyes.

”What,” she asked softly, ”did you just say?”

There was a dangerous glint in Nerissa’s eyes now. Controlled. Restrained. But unmistakably present.

The Pillar Head saw it.

And continued anyway.

”I wish,” he said slowly, each word echoing through the silent throne hall, ”To invoke the Imperial Promise granted to the Pillar Families in honour to serve Empire.. by the First Emperor of this Empire... Arthur Gwown Valentine himself.”

As he spoke, he rose fully to his feet at last.

No longer kneeling.

The massive man stood tall beneath the Imperial Throne, golden hair falling across the heavy plates of his armor while his eyes met Nerissa’s directly without retreat.

”I ask that Your Imperial Majesty allow House Rock to wage a total and just war against the Kingdom of Denvaar.” His voice remained calm, though the weight behind it filled the hall. ”And that neither the Empire nor any force beneath its banner interfere against us.”

He paused briefly.

”Not directly. Not indirectly.”

Then came the final blow.

”You may reject me, Your Majesty,” he said. ”But if you do...” A faint smile touched his face. ”Then what value do the words of the First Emperor hold from this day onward?”

The throne hall became deathly silent.

”You do not have the right to deny me,” he continued, his chin lifting slightly toward the throne. ”No matter what it is I ask.”

The arrogance in those words struck like steel across stone.

Celestia’s face tightened immediately as she turned toward her mother.

Because she understood the danger of this better than anyone present.

The Imperial Promise.

A vow older than the Empire itself.

A debt carried through bloodlines for thousands of years.

When the First Emperor had forged the Empire from endless war, the Pillar Families had stood beside him. They had bled for him. Built the Empire with him. And in return, Arthur Valentine had granted each Pillar Family a single absolute promise one request that any future Emperor must honor without refusal.

None of the families had used it in generations.

Not once.

Which was why this moment felt so unreal.

Because if Nerissa rejected it

Then the authority of the Imperial Throne itself would crack.

And if she accepted

Millions might die.

Nerissa’s fingers slowly curled tighter against the armrest of the throne.

For the first time since this conversation began, genuine anger slipped through the cracks of her composure.

Yet she remained silent.

Watching him.

Thinking.

The throne hall felt suffocating beneath the weight of that silence.

Finally, she spoke.

”Are you truly willing,” she asked coldly, ”to waste a promise this precious on something so small?”

Her eyes narrowed dangerously.

”A debt your ancestors protected for thousands of years?”

The meaning behind her words was clear.

Take it back.

Even now, she was offering him one final chance to step away.

But the Pillar Head remained unmoved.

”Yes, Your Majesty,” he answered firmly. ”And I believe my ancestors would agree with my choice.”

Another long silence followed.

Then Nerissa exhaled quietly.

Very softly.

But everyone in the throne hall heard it.

”Very well then.”

Her voice turned emotionless.

”I, Nerissa Gwon Valentine, Empress of the Imperial Empire, hereby declare that neither the Empire nor any force beneath its authority shall interfere in the conflict between House Rock and the Kingdom of Denvaar.”

The decree settled across the hall like a death sentence.

”It shall be recognized,” she finished coldly, ”As a matter beyond Imperial intervention.”

The Pillar Head bowed his head once more before the throne, dropping back onto one knee with a proud smile hidden beneath his beard.

”House Rock thanks Your Majesty for honoring the First Emperor’s will.”

It was done.

An Imperial decree could not be overturned lightly. Not even Dukes or Royal Houses would dare interfere openly now.

Beside the throne, Celestia slowly closed her eyes and turned her face away.

She no longer wished to look at him.

Because she already understood what this decree would become.

War.

Real war.

Nerissa’s expression had turned glacial.

”You have what you came for,” she said. ”Leave.”

There was something dangerous beneath her calm now. Something even the Pillar Head noticed immediately.

If he remained before the throne much longer, even the Imperial Promise might not protect him from her anger.

”I shall take my leave, as Your Majesty commands.”

He rose and turned toward the massive doors of the throne hall.

But before he could take another step

Nerissa spoke again.

”Razeal.”

The Pillar Head stopped.

”The son of Merisa Virelan is currently inside Denvaar,” Nerissa said calmly. ”He is the one who moved this time in this matter. And it seems he is now protecting the kingdom.”

The Pillar Head’s eyes narrowed faintly.

”He is no longer recognized as part of the Empire,” Nerissa continued. ”As you already know.”

Her gaze sharpened.

”But understand this clearly.”

The temperature in the throne hall seemed to drop once more.

”If you harm him during this war...”

The Pillar Head slowly looked back toward the throne.

”...then the Virelan Family will never forgive it.”

Nerissa’s eyes remained fixed upon him.

”The Imperial Promise protects you only from the Empire’s interference in this war.” Her voice was calm. ”Nothing more.”

A quiet warning.

But a terrifying one.

Because everyone in that hall understood exactly what it meant to earn the hatred of the Virelan Family.

Even for a Pillar House

That was not a small matter.

The man paused mid-step.

For a moment, the throne hall remained utterly silent beneath the dim imperial lights. Then slowly, the Pillar Head turned back toward the throne and bowed once more.

”Thank you for Your Majesty’s warning,” he said calmly. ”I will remember it.”

His voice carried none of the arrogance from before now. Only certainty.

”But alas...” He gave a faint shake of his head. ”Even I can no longer stop this war from happening. Even if I wished to.”

Nerissa watched him from the throne without expression.

”You will die,” she said coldly. ”Even if you win this war.”

The words echoed heavily through the hall.

”And I believe,” she continued, ”you are fully aware of that.”

The Pillar Head met her gaze directly.

”I do not fear death, Your Majesty.”

There was no hesitation in his answer.

”One day it comes for all men regardless.” His hand rested upon the hilt of his greatsword once more. ”Then what value is there in living if I cannot stand for my honor when the time arrives?”

Celestia’s eyes narrowed slightly at those words, though she remained silent beside the throne.

Nerissa, however, only stared down at him with chilling calm.

”You are nothing but an arrogant fool,” she said.

The insult carried no anger.

Only judgment.

”I would still advise you not to waste your life so carelessly. Think beyond your pride. Think about your death. Think about your family.”

The Pillar Head listened quietly.

Then, unexpectedly, a faint smile appeared on his face.

”With respect, Your Majesty...” he said slowly, ”I have every right to be arrogant.”

The atmosphere in the hall shifted again.

”I earned that right.”

His voice deepened slightly.

”It was forged through blood. Through battle. Through Sweat.” His eyes darkened. ”And I know my family would say the same.”

He stood straighter now.

”It is not I alone who carries this arrogance.” His hand tightened around the sword at his side. ”It is my bloodline.”

For the first time since entering the throne hall, something fierce surfaced fully within his eyes.

”We would rather die upon the battlefield with our heads held high than live as frightened insects hiding inside shells of shame.”

The words rang heavily through the silent chamber.

Even the guards standing along the walls lowered their eyes slightly.

Because whether they agreed with him or not

No one could deny the conviction behind those words.

The Pillar Head lowered his head once more toward the throne.

”And again... I thank Your Majesty for the advice.”

Then he shook his head lightly.

”But this war...”

A long silence followed.

”Even if the gods themselves descended upon this land and ordered me to stop...”

His eyes lifted again.

”I still would not.”

The hall fell silent once more.

Nerissa watched him quietly for several seconds.

Neither spoke.

Two rulers.

Two wills refusing to bend.

Finally, the Pillar Head exhaled softly.

”There is one more thing,” he said.

This time, when he bowed, the gesture was deeper than before.

”I would also like to apologize for my conduct before the Imperial Throne.” His voice remained respectful. ”For raising my voice. For my arrogance. For my disrespect.”

Celestia glanced toward him again.

”I did not intend insult toward Your Majesty,” he continued calmly. ”But this matter forced my hand.”

Another pause.

”I hope Your Majesty can understand why this lower one acted as he did.”

Nerissa said nothing.

Her face remained unreadable.

The Pillar Head did not wait for forgiveness.

He simply turned once more and began walking toward the massive doors of the throne hall.

Heavy footsteps echoed behind him.

Then the doors slowly opened.

——