"Sir, is Bailey trustworthy?" After the departure of the members of the Hall of Gods, a one-eyed warrior asked in a lowered voice."Trust no one except for those from the Alessandro family." Anthony shook his head. The Grizz Lord, Bailey, whom he knew before was a loud and proud but mindless person. However, he seemed to have changed a lot now."Sir, if Bailey isn't trustworthy, are we still going to work with him?" The one-eyed warrior continued asking."Of course." Anthony narrowed his eyes and continued, "It doesn't matter if it's Kimboku or the Hall of Gods from the West, we have the same enemy which is Dragonmarsh! "What we need to do is to wreak havoc on Dragonmarsh and impede its development. With this pretext, it doesn't matter if we have our own plans. We'll work together as long as we share the same goal!""Understood!" The one-eyed warrior nodded heavily. In other words, the supposed corporation was just them using each other to achieve their own goal."Hurry up and
The one-eyed warrior was furious when he was being ignored. He quickly moved forward with his sword in his hands and delivered a powerful blow to the silhouette. The silhouette didn't turn around nor did it avoid the attack. Instead, it simply lifted its hand and caught the curved longsword aiming at him.Sparks flew when the silhouette's pale and weak-looking hand caught the one-eyed warrior's curved longsword. It was as if the hand was made of steel."W-What?" The one-eyed warrior's eyes widened in shock. He didn't think that the silhouette would be able to block a strike this strong with bare hands. He couldn't even retrieve his sword no matter how hard he tried. Who was this person?The one-eyed warrior's sword was broken into many pieces as the silhouette clenched its fist around the sword tighter. In the next moment, the silhouette turned around abruptly and revealed its pale and sickly face. Its blood-red eyes shone with a demonic glow in the dark.The silhouette growl
Dread often stemmed from the unfamiliar.The Kimboku warriors were skilled and brave in facing ordinary enemies. However, their courage faltered when confronted with the formidable Blood Devil Willem.Willem was a figure of mystery, endowed with immortality and the remarkable ability to transform into a bat. The mention of his name alone was enough to send shivers down the spines of many."Blood Devil?" Willem shook his head.He continued, "I'm not particularly fond of that moniker. I come from the distinguished royal lineage of the Esmington Empire, holding the honorable title of Earl."You can call me Willem or Earl Willem." A sly grin spread across his face, revealing two sharp fangs."Willem, no one cares about your noble status. You're Blood Devil, plain and simple," Bailey stated bluntly.He then gestured toward Anthony. "Let me introduce you to Mr. Alessandro, one of the ten Sword Sages of Kimboku.""Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Alessandro." Willem extended his hand, presen
"Mr. Alessandro, meet Vanzan, Noir, and Shyvan. They are notable figures from Eskus, each possessing impressive skills." Bailey introduced."Vanzan? Noir? Shyvan?" Anthony raised an eyebrow, growing more surprised by the moment. In Eskus, the Silent Specters, a mysterious and powerful assassin organization, operated discreetly. They would kill anyone for the right price. One of their notable targets was a former ruler of Glorian.The organization comprised three elite assassins—Vanzan, Noir, and Shyvan—named after Eskus's deities. Their mission success rate was an astonishing 100%. The assassination of the Glorian ruler was attributed to their skills.Their unparalleled ability to kill such a highly guarded Glorian ruler and evade capture spoke volumes about their prowess.Anthony was surprised by the arrival of Blood Devil Willem and Eskus' three elite assassins. Each of them was capable of unleashing a tempest of bloodshed and chaos."Welcome, gentlemen. Come on in," Anthony
Batuul's arrival lifted Anthony's spirits. Anthony realized that Bailey, sent by the Hall of Gods, had a well-thought-out plan for gathering strong individuals from various nations in such a short time.Willem, clad in a red robe, suddenly spoke with a smile. "Mr. Batuul, I've heard that you have perfected your body with Adamantine Body Art, which is quite impressive. I wonder if you could show us?" Before Batuul could respond, a bald disciple behind him sternly interjected. "My master is the Fist Sage of Alabastria, not a circus clown. Show some respect!""I'm particularly intrigued because Mr. Batuul is the Fist Sage. I'd like to see the authenticity of the Adamantine Body Art he teaches." Willem grinned, revealing his two fangs.Batuul responded calmly, "Feel free to test it yourself, Mr. Willem.""Alright then." Willem turned into a crimson blur, and he swiftly lunged forward. His left hand's black nails shot out instantly, extending 40 inches like sharp blades. With a fi
The Hall of Gods, with approval from Artea, arranged a meeting of influential leaders from various nations. This collaboration, if fruitful, would pave the way for future gatherings of a similar nature."I can just ignore the representative from Glorian as long as they don't get under my skin," Willem remarked, lifting his wine glass and savoring it quietly.After brief introductions and getting acquainted, the attendees engaged in casual conversations. As time passed, the clock struck 8:30 pm, half an hour past the agreed-upon time. Still, there was no sign of the Glorian delegation.While the other powerful nations refrained from openly criticizing, discontent was visible on their faces. They arrived promptly for this significant gathering, anxious not to miss any crucial information.However, the Glorians had the nerve to show up late—not just a few minutes late, but a considerable delay of half an hour, as if it didn't matter.Artea, as the world's leading nation with abunda
Jasper's words left everyone feeling uneasy. Their faces soured at his shameless behavior, an audacity they had never witnessed. Not only was he late, but he also exuded an arrogant, self-important demeanor, making it difficult to stomach."Abundant talent and resources? That's a laughable claim. What notable figures does Glorian even boast?" Willem scoffed, eyeing Jasper with disdain.Jasper's face darkened at the remarks. "And who are you to question the strength of my nation?"He went on, "Our nation's history is long, stretching back five thousand years. We were once a mighty superpower with a vibrant culture that still shines today. "Over the years, we've given birth to many heroes. Even the Dragonmarsh was once under our rule, a testament to our strength."Willem cut him off bluntly, "Your tall tales might impress your people, but they won't work on us."Everyone knows the truth about Glorian. Your so-called cultural heritage is nothing but borrowed. Even your prized spi
Willem declared confidently, "My hands are my weapons." As he stepped forward, his fingers parted slightly, revealing sharp black nails that sprung out like blades.Jasper, wielding a long spear, retorted, "Hmph! Looks like you haven't trimmed those nails in ages. Today, I'll give you a hand!" He wasted no time and thrust directly.The speed was blinding, leaving only a flash of golden light visible. Willem didn't retreat but charged forward, colliding head-on with the golden spear in a crimson blur."You're courting death!" Jasper sneered as his spear erupted into a flurry of shadows.In the courtyard, the dazzling light made onlookers squint. Each movement was swift, slicing through the air effortlessly. The golden spear shadows, tightly packed, resembled a volley of cannonballs, tearing through Willem's crimson afterimage and shredding it. The process unfolded with merciless simplicity, encountering no resistance."Hmph! Pathetic!" Jasper scoffed. His smug expression oozed
The ashen-faced Huxley was dragged away. With his crimes exposed, his fate was sealed. His entire family would be implicated, and their assets would be seized.Those guilty would be punished, and even those who had merely benefited from his corruption would be held accountable. To put it bluntly, Huxley's entire family was about to be annihilated.Austin issued his next order once the bloodstains were cleaned up. "Axel, it's time to bring in the mastermind."With Huxley dealt with, the next step was to confront Warrick. Unlike Huxley, Warrick wouldn't be easy to deal with. After all, he commanded a large number of troops. If backed into a corner, he could become a major threat."Understood!" Axel responded respectfully, then turned to his subordinates. "Gather more men and come with me."Warrick had earned his prestigious position through years of fierce battles. On the battlefield, he was a one-man army, a warrior capable of taking on thousands. His strength was beyond what mos
"You bastard! With all this evidence in front of you, what do you have to say for yourself?" Austin barked."Your Highness, please let me explain…" Huxley broke out in a cold sweat, his voice trembling with panic."This is a lie. Someone's trying to frame me! I've always followed the law—how could I possibly be involved in something so vile?""The evidence is right in front of you, and you're still trying to weasel out of it?" Austin shot back. "Looks like you won't confess until death is knocking at your door."He raised his hand and ordered, "Guards, throw him into Grimhold Keep. Use whatever means necessary—let's see how long he keeps up this act.""Yes, Your Highness."A squad of enforcement team members rushed in and surrounded Huxley.Cornered, Huxley finally lost his nerve. He dropped to his knees with a thud and begged, "Your Highness, I admit I made a grave mistake."His voice cracked as he continued, "I wasn't thinking clearly at the time. Please, for the sake of my y
Night had fallen. Austin sat in the meeting room, quietly reading a book as he waited for the results of the investigation.After successfully turning Percival against his allies, it was only a matter of time before they uncovered solid evidence of Warrick and Huxley's crimes.For years, the castle had turned a blind eye to their shady dealings. After all, corruption among officials was nothing new.But this time was different. The two had secretly orchestrated Jovian's murder, a direct challenge to the authority and dignity of the royal family. Such defiance couldn't be ignored. If Austin didn't set an example, others would surely follow."Your Highness!"Axel burst into the meeting room, panting heavily. He had clearly run the whole way to avoid any delay.Austin set his book aside and asked calmly, "Well? How did it go?""Your Highness, we've completely shut down all of Warrick and Huxley's illicit operations. Every hidden network they had built over the years has also been d
At that moment, Percival truly panicked. Earlier, he had only worried about being implicated. But now, faced with such a serious accusation, he was completely caught off guard."Hmph! The evidence is irrefutable, and you still dare deny it? Do you want me to torture the truth out of you?" Austin barked."Your Highness, I'm innocent!" Percival was so terrified he was on the verge of tears. He raised his hand and swore, "If I had anything to do with Jovian's death, may I be damned for eternity.""If swearing oaths proved innocence, we wouldn't need an enforcement team," Austin said coldly. "Out of respect for your years of service to West Lucozia, I'll give you a chance to come clean and receive a lighter sentence. Tell the truth now, or I'll throw you into Grimhold Keep."At the mention of Grimhold Keep, Percival began to shake uncontrollably. Tears and snot ran down his face as he wailed, "Your Highness, I swear I didn't do anything. Who's the bastard making up these accusations?
Ten minutes later, Warrick was escorted out of Room A1 again.Axel's demeanor had completely changed since their first meeting, and he had become unusually warm."Sir Prescott, Lord Austin has concluded the investigation. It turns out this matter has nothing to do with you. We made a mistake earlier, and I apologize for any offense caused." He smiled apologetically and spoke with a humble tone."Hm?" Seeing the fawning expression on Axel's face, Warrick raised an eyebrow and looked surprised. Just moments ago, the two sides had been at each other's throats. What had caused such a sudden change?"Did you really investigate it thoroughly?" Warrick asked tentatively."Of course! According to our findings, Jovian's disappearance was the result of a personal vendetta from his enemies in Oakvale," Axel said with a straight face.He continued, "He was a tyrant and always stirring up trouble everywhere he went. He got what was coming to him. Lord Austin only launched the investigation
"After you, Sir Prescott." With one hand resting on the hilt of his sword, Axel's other hand gestured toward the door."Hmph!" Warrick shot a cold glance at Axel's subtle movement and then turned to leave the meeting room.Even if Austin had his suspicions, Warrick knew he couldn't do anything to him without concrete evidence.Axel escorted Warrick back to Room A1. After closing the door, he went to Room A2 and led Huxley to the meeting room."Your Highness, it is my privilege to stand before you." Huxley entered the meeting room with a respectful salute."Mr. Thatcher, please take a seat." Austin's face remained neutral as he gestured for Huxley to sit, then motioned for Axel to pour him a cup of tea."Do you know why I've summoned you here today?" Austin spoke calmly, and his words carried the same probing tone as earlier."Is it about Jovian's disappearance?" Huxley asked in return."Oh? It seems you're quick on the uptake." Austin raised an eyebrow. "In that case, g
The enforcement team worked with remarkable efficiency. Within an hour, Huxley, Warrick, and Percival had been brought back to the castle.Per Austin's instructions, Axel made sure the three met briefly upon arrival, though they were given no opportunity to speak to one another. Afterward, they were taken to separate rooms and were guarded individually.Due to their status, the enforcement team treated them with respect, offering them tea and wine. However, they weren't allowed to leave their rooms and had to wait for Austin to summon them.Warrick was confined to Room A1, Huxley to Room A2, and Percival to Room A3. Their rooms were right next to each other, separated only by thin walls. If they stepped out, they would see one another, but none of them knew how close they were.This, of course, was all part of Austin's plan. He knew that extracting the truth from these three cunning foxes would require unconventional tactics.…Inside Room A1, Warrick sat calmly, sipping his te
"Hm?"Even Warrick frowned at the news.The royal enforcement team was rarely mobilized. When they did, it was always for something monumental. The question was, did a minor figure like Jovian Ballard really warrant such attention from Austin?"Mr. Thatcher, are you sure the royal enforcement team has been mobilized? And it's because of Jovian?" Warrick asked skeptically."Of course I'm sure," Huxley replied with a grave expression. "I've just received orders from above. The enforcement team captain will be taking over my duties temporarily. From now on, they'll have full control over the city's defense and investigative operations.""That's strange. Why would Lord Austin go to such lengths for someone so insignificant?" Warrick was confused, his brow furrowing.According to his intel, this was the first time Jovian and Austin had even met. Even if they had crossed paths before, it shouldn't have been enough to justify deploying the enforcement team.It seemed Warrick had undere
The next morning, after breakfast at the West Lucozian castle, Austin tried calling Jovian. However, his calls went unanswered. After several attempts, he still couldn't get through."Huh?" Austin was puzzled. They had made plans the previous day to head to Oakvale that day. Why was Jovian suddenly unreachable? Had he stood Austin up?After thinking it over, he found that unlikely. He and Jovian had gotten along well and even called each other brothers. On top of that, they had promised to travel together and watch out for one another.If Jovian had an urgent matter that required him to leave West Lucozia, he would have at least given Austin a heads-up. Jovian wouldn't just disappear without a word."Could something have happened to him?" Austin's unease grew. He quickly summoned his trusted aide. "Go find out where Jovian is. Report back to me as soon as you have any information.""Yes, Your Highness," the aide replied before hurrying off.Austin poured himself a cup of tea