This is a very old tale.
In the past, when humans were still beasts, the first saint El selected five humans. Each of them possessed a chosen talent.
Hangbae, who possessed innate monstrous strength, with the spirit to tear out mountains and throw them.
Agartha, who possessed a charm that could captivate not only men but women as well.
Elik, a genius who could understand, analyze, and utilize all things with intelligence that allowed no pursuit.
Grandiomor, who drew people in with his gentle impression and generous personality.
And, Yuseung.
Yuseung was also chosen by El.
El did not tell him the reason separately. The four who had naturally learned each other's powers while spending time together could not figure out what Yuseung's ability was either. Because he was far too ordinary.
He was not ugly, but neither was he outstanding. He had no disqualifying flaws, but nothing stood out about him either. Compared to the four who had talents jutting out like awls, Yuseung was simply too ordinary.
Why was he chosen? Why did the wise El choose four such incredible people, yet still squeeze in someone as ordinary and untalented as Yuseung to make it five? Even fingers each have their uses, but whether Yuseung was there or not made no difference. What on earth was his ability?
Unable to endure it any longer, Yuseung secretly visited El one day. El stared at him blankly for a moment, then lowered her eyes and spoke.
"Yuseung. You do not have any special power."
Surprisingly, he was not shocked. He knew better than anyone that he was not special. Instead, Yuseung asked out of pure curiosity.
"Then why did you bring me?"
"But I had to choose you. Because with you, the balance of those four would not break."
The first saint, El. Called the Keeper of Transmission, she pierced through the heavenly mechanisms and foresaw the future. Yuseung did not believe in himself, but he believed in El. He lowered himself so as not to burden her and listened carefully.
"Those four are far too outstanding. They will be reborn as existences that represent all people in their respective fields. But four is not enough. Even though they are so outstanding, with only those four, this group will crumble far too quickly."
"If they crumble, does that mean they would fight amongst themselves?"
"That would be the most common case."
The four had each reached the pinnacle in their respective fields. As the best in the fields they considered important, they secretly looked down on each other.
It was only because the King of Humanity, who reigned at the pinnacle of all humans, suppressed them that things were fine; if the king were to disappear, they would run amok as if they owned the world. Yuseung could easily imagine that too.
"But if I choose you, who has no special power, and place you in that position. Those four will achieve balance."
"M-me? Me?"
"There was no need for it to be you specifically. When I chose another ordinary person, balance was achieved as well. However, the one who would bring peace for the longest time among them was you, Yuseung."
Yuseung was not strictly necessary. Anyone else would have been fine. What the four overly outstanding people needed was an 'ordinary human' whom they did not need to be wary of yet could look down on to their heart's content.
"To be precise, it was heavenly fortune... Yuseung, you were born with the heavenly fortune to be chosen by me."
He had no ability whatsoever. He was merely chosen by luck. A trash can for geniuses to pour their emotions into, a trifling existence neither reliable enough to be careful of nor worth being wary of. That was Yuseung.
It would be natural to feel unpleasant. It would not be strange to despair and become twisted.
However.
"Haha. Was that so!"
Yuseung laughed refreshingly. Even at El's cold declaration, he wore an extremely relieved expression.
"Were you not offended?"
"No. I am glad. Rather, I feel good! Everyone else was chosen for reasons like power, looks, brains, or character. But this means I was chosen even without any of that, doesn't it?"
The four each had different talents. Yuseung secured his place among them despite having no talent. Power, looks, intelligence, character—he could not match any of the four, but Yuseung stayed with them wearing an awkward smile.
"Then that makes me even more special. Because you simply chose me! Thank you for choosing me! Now I feel relieved!"
Seeing Yuseung rejoicing purely, El fell into quiet thought.
"...Perhaps, that quality of yours might be a talent as well."
He was satisfied with trivial happiness. He did not covet what was beyond his vessel. He was skilled at navigating the world, and he bowed his head when others pushed hard. It might have been because Yuseung had such a personality that he could stay with the four geniuses.
El smiled softly and spoke.
"I hope you will keep that heart. As long as you protect that heart, you will always be chosen."
"Of course! I will write it on a wooden tablet and cherish it until I die! No, I will pass it down to my children even after I die!"
Elated, Yuseung spoke with an excited expression.
"We are truly special existences who were chosen!"
***
"Bullshit."
The current emperor, Yuri, threw the wooden tablet away. Clack, clack, clack. For whatever reason it was so precious, the tablet protected by reinforcement magic and preservation magic did not gain a single scratch even after violently hitting the ground.
If he could have his way, he would have someone destroy it with powerful magic or principles. But doing so would expose the existence of this tablet. And there would be debates over whether such a precious relic could even be destroyed. In that case, it was better not to show it at all.
"The reason I am emperor is simply because I was chosen by the saint? That I sit on this throne because those who see the future chose me?"
The previous emperor lived long. Eating only the best food, receiving the best care, and being treated by the best doctors—it was a natural principle. Therefore, by the time Yuri received the throne, he was reaching the age to slowly see grandchildren.
And the previous emperor only handed over this tablet right before he died. Yuri only realized the truth of the imperial family when his head was fully grown, when his hair had turned completely white.
"I am the emperor. The supreme ruler who governs all creation. A being who reigns above all people. I am a human destined to inherit the most noble bloodline and rule the empire!"
The previous emperor was too late. Yuri was already old, his mind had hardened completely, and arrogance was ingrained in his body. Reading the tablet containing the secret of the founding ancestor right before ascending to the position above all people, he could not learn the humility he had never learned his entire life.
Yuri had once been a devout believer like all other imperial citizens, but after seeing the tablet, he came to view the saint and the Holy Imperial Court as rivals for power.
Perhaps it would have been better if the previous emperor had not shown him the tablet. Or perhaps, he might have inwardly hoped for this.
"Definitely. In this generation, I will trample the saint and stand above her."
He would isolate the Holy Imperial Court, pressure it, push it away, and prevent it from even getting a foothold in power. The saint? No different from a nun of somewhat high status. He would reduce her to a body stuck in the Holy Imperial Court doing nothing but praying.
It was when Yuri made this firm resolution. A court lady outside called him.
"Your Majesty. The Minister of State requests an audience."
"I will go."
That was important too, but right now there was something that needed to be resolved more urgently. The emperor headed to the reception room to meet the Minister of State.
The Minister of State was a generous middle-aged man with a protruding belly. Overseeing the empire's economy and administration, he possessed a magnanimous and gentle disposition, and was popular among the imperial citizens.
Such a man was wiping away flowing sweat with a handkerchief, struggling desperately.
The emperor glared and watched the image contained in the magic tool. A battlefield that seemed like the world was ending. People dying like insects. And, the King of Humanity.
The news of defeat the Minister of State brought was so devastating that he did not want to believe it.
"Defeated...? The Four Imperial Palaces of the Zodiac and the entire Southern Army, by a single person? Without even inflicting any significant wounds?"
He was feigning composure, but his trembling voice could not be hidden.
"Even if he is called the King of Humanity, he is merely the king of beasts, is he not? Did I not say he is nothing more than a beast in that zoo!"
"Y-your Majesty, from what this humble servant has heard, the King of Humanity is said to be special... He has also reached the pinnacle of magic and qigong. To the extent that even the Lord of Leo Palace was defeated after barely exchanging a few moves..."
Emperor Yuri was well aware of the strength of the Lord of Leo Palace, Regulus. Called the reincarnation of the Hegemon King, he was truly the strongest human. If he had been an enemy, Yuri might have constantly worried about when he would invade.
Such a man could not even exchange a few moves?
"How is that possible! Regulus's li is truly invincible. A mere beast could not possibly stand against it!"
"H-he is not a mere beast. The king of beasts is a being positioned at the pinnacle of that species. The King of Humanity is said to be more powerful than the most powerful human, smarter than the smartest human, and more beautiful than the most beautiful human. If he is truly such a being, it is only natural that even the Lord of Leo Palace could not withstand him. Because he is the most special human."
"Did you say special!"
The King of Humanity? The most special among all humans, a truly chosen existence?
Ridiculous. Then what was Yuri? He became emperor simply because he was chosen, meaning he was actually nothing? Like his ancestor from the distant past!
That could not be. Yuri was the emperor. He was of the imperial bloodline. He was born destined to become the emperor of the empire, and he became the emperor. That specialness would continue until his death.
The Minister of State, observing the emperor's complexion, bowed and cautiously suggested.
"S-so... Your Majesty. How about abandoning the imperial palace and evacuating for now...?"
"The emperor, abandon the imperial palace and leave? To where?"
"For now, please leave secretly and stay at the villa. If the King of Humanity is also a king of beasts, he will wander the world aimlessly. Like taking shelter from the rain under the eaves when it rains, how about temporarily taking shelter until the King of Humanity disappears...?"
The Minister of State had a talent for making even the same words sound pleasant. The emperor felt slightly relieved. Yes, the emperor was not abandoning the imperial palace and fleeing. It was just like taking shelter from rain or a storm, just temporarily leaving the imperial palace. Until the King of Humanity disappeared...
"That would be better. There was the safehouse the Minister of Works prepared for emergencies. I thought it would never be used, but there, for a while..."
Muttering to himself, the emperor suddenly recalled something and asked.
"Where is the Minister of Works?"
"Pardon?"
"Is this not something for the Minister of Works to handle? The Minister of Works? Where is he and what is he doing?"
"Ah, t-that is."
Cold sweat poured from the Minister of State's forehead like a waterfall. He avoided the emperor's gaze and continuously wiped his sweat with his handkerchief.
Sensing something unusual from his expression, the emperor pressed him.
"Answer the question. The Minister of Works!"
"Minister of State. His Majesty the Emperor is no child. Stop beating around the bush and get to the point."
The sharp-eyed woman standing behind the Minister of State spoke with a distinctive accent.
Libra of the Zodiac.
The most skilled in calculations and accounting among the Zodiac Twelve Palaces, a genius woman who was the only one to record a profit in the endlessly deficit-ridden Mu Palace.
Called Ihwa, it was not strange for her to be in the imperial palace. She originally had great mobility and frequently came and went from the imperial palace, and a summoning order for the stars had been issued regarding the King of Humanity matter. With the Zodiac Twelve Palaces now reduced to eight palaces, she was one of the empire's greatest combat forces. She should be in the imperial palace if only to prepare for emergencies.
However, Yuri felt a sense of incongruity from her standing position.
Why was the Lord of Libra Palace, who should be protecting the emperor, standing behind the Minister of State?
"...Y-your Majesty. From my estimates, the King of Humanity is simply too powerful. Even if the entire empire fought against him, they would not win. He is terribly, terribly, terribly frightfully strong. To an extent that cannot be measured by human common sense."
"And so!"
"Moreover, he is beautiful, charismatic, and possesses the representativeness that anyone would recognize as the King of Humanity. We cannot win, but if we do not fight, he will not particularly harm us. Then, realistically, for the sake of the entire empire and its people. Would it not be right to submit...?"
Yuri suddenly recalled the wooden tablet he had just thrown away. He had clearly disposed of it, but now the tablet seemed to have returned to him in the form of a pot-bellied uncle.
The Three Ministers held the highest power yet were loyal to the emperor. The reason was simple. Because Yuri was the legitimate heir of the emperor. Because he was a special human.
But Yuri knew the truth.
It did not matter who the emperor was. They just needed to be in that position. Of course, Yuri as emperor also handled various duties, but that was work that anyone else seated there could do.
This was not limited to the emperor. It was the same for the prime minister. The Three Ministers had been changed for various reasons multiple times so far, but the empire ran without any problems.
What was important was the position; it was enough that a convincing figure sat there. As long as subordinates had a reason to follow orders without complaint, that was sufficient.
Experience. Achievements. Accomplishments. Ability. Bloodline. Anything would do. As long as it followed clear rules and could be accepted.
And the reason Yuri was emperor was because he possessed that bloodline.
Because he possessed the only bloodline that the majority of the empire's people acknowledged, that was all.
"It seems... you will have to hand over... the emperor's position..."
But the King of Humanity had returned. A king of all humanity, clear and undeniable, whom everyone had no choice but to acknowledge, had appeared.
Then, it was now time for Yuri to vacate the position.
"You treasonous bastard!"
That could not be. Yuri was special. Had not the empire's people already chosen Yuri? Had not everyone accepted him? So how could they cast Yuri aside simply because the King of Humanity who had disappeared with the first era had returned?
Having lived as the imperial grandson and then the imperial crown prince for a long time, he had finally become emperor. He could not let the empire's bloodline end here. He could not give up his specialness.
"What are you doing! Treason! Arrest them!"
At the emperor's command, the Imperial Guard moved immediately.
The Imperial Guard, trained to obey only the emperor's orders. A pure power of the emperor that even the Three Ministers could not interfere with. The emperor had the authority to utilize the Imperial Guard anytime, freely, even beyond the limits of the law.
...Authority? What authority? Who dared to grant authority to the emperor?
Yuri shook off his uneasy thoughts and commanded the Imperial Guard.
"If they resist, execute them on the spot! This is an imperial command!"
"As commanded."
The Imperial Guard immediately drew their weapons and rushed at the Minister of State. Since they were all masters of qigong, reaching that point took not even a fraction of a moment. The terrified Minister of State squeezed his eyes shut.
"Didn't I say so? I told you it would come to this."
The Lord of Libra Palace stood in front of the Minister of State with a calm smile. The Imperial Guard did not hesitate to unleash lethal techniques even against the Zodiac Twelve Palaces. Five Imperial Guards who had learned combined attack techniques occupied all directions around the Lord of Libra Palace and charged.
The Lord of Libra Palace smiled and drew a long sword. A long sword that looked to be about 140cm from hilt to tip. A sword that looked difficult enough just to hold and swing, the Lord of Libra Palace did not grip it with her hand but instead laid it on her fingers.
"The scales have already tipped. Then what is there to hesitate about."
The sword, rather than being held, was more like it was resting on her fingers, shook rapidly and deflected all attacks. Slashings that went beyond unpredictable into the surreal swept over the five Imperial Guards.
The opponent was a Zodiac Twelve Palace. One of the 12, no, now 8 people who were the best in qigong in the world. If one was not a fellow Zodiac Twelve Palace, they could not even stand before her.
That was why at least one Master was usually kept by the emperor's side, but.
"Lord of Taurus Palace! Where is the Lord of Taurus Palace!"
"The Lord of Taurus Palace seems to have stepped out for a moment. He said there was a very important mass today."
The steadfast and loyal imperial guard knight, Aldebaran of Taurus. Normally, he would have been waiting near the imperial palace and would have come running, breaking through walls.
But today, Aldebaran was absent due to a certain matter. As steadfast and loyal as he was, he was also a devout believer, and he had temporarily left his position at the saint's call.
The Imperial Guard was supposed to always have at least one Master on standby. But today, Yuri, who had intended to destroy the tablet, had dismissed the attendants, and coincidentally, the Lord of Taurus Palace was also absent due to a certain matter. At this very moment of meeting the Minister of State, there was no one left to protect the emperor.
The Minister of State had someone escort the emperor, with some semblance of respect. The emperor, dragged away with both arms held, looked no different from an ordinary person.
Sensing that the end had come, Yuri suddenly muttered.
"...The saint."
It was an accurate intuition. Though it was of no help whatsoever.
The emperor of the empire had changed. It was too quiet and peaceful to be called a regime change of the world's greatest power. However, history would violently shake from this point on.
The five monarchs who killed the King of Humanity and coveted his power would fall.
And the one and true king would reclaim his throne once more.