I chuckled, a dark and menacing sound, as I surveyed the unconscious form of Lucifer at my feet. "Weak," I muttered, shaking my head in disdain. These mages, once so proud and powerful, were no match for the sheer force of my will.Turning my gaze to the remaining mages, I could see the toll my aura had taken on them. Their faces were pale, their bodies trembling, as they teetered on the edge of consciousness. The pressure I exerted was too much for them to bear."My mana is running a little low," I mused a hint of amusement in my voice. With a casual flick of my wrist, I unleashed one final, devastating wave of pressure, watching as the mages succumbed to the overwhelming force, their bodies crumpling to the ground in a lifeless heap.Of course, they were still alive. They were just unconscious.The air was thick with the scent of fear and defeat, a testament to the sheer power I had wielded. I stood tall, my eyes scanning the scene with a sense of grim satisfaction. These mages had
As we rode through the rolling hills, the soft rustling of the leaves in the gentle breeze was the only sound that broke the silence. Roland, usually a man of unwavering confidence, hesitated, his words caught in his throat like a bird struggling to take flight.I opened my eyes, my gaze drifting from the window to Roland, my expression a mixture of curiosity and amusement. "Hmm?" I asked, my voice low and even, as if to encourage him to continue.Roland's face contorted in a mixture of embarrassment and frustration as he struggled to find the right words. His mouth opened and closed repeatedly, but no sound emerged. It was as if the words were stuck in his throat, refusing to be set free.Emmanuel, sensing Roland's discomfort, took a deep breath and spoke up, his voice steady and clear. "My lord, you did it, didn't you? The one who attacked the Tower was you?"Emmanuel's words hung in the air, a bold accusation that seemed to catch me off guard. I turned my gaze towards the young man
As I stepped out into the bustling streets of the capital, I couldn't help but feel a prickle of awareness at the back of my neck. It was as if unseen eyes were watching my every move, cataloging my presence for some unknown purpose.Sure enough, as I wove through the throngs of people, I caught glimpses of figures lurking in the shadows, their gazes fixed intently upon me. These were no ordinary citizens, but rather a network of informants, each one beholden to their respective masters within the city's intricate web of power.While their curiosity was understandable, given the rarity of a carriage entering the capital, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of unease. Were they simply gathering information, or did they harbor more sinister intentions? The thought of unwanted complications arising from my presence here weighed lightly on my mind.I quickened my pace, my senses heightened as I navigated the labyrinthine streets, ever mindful of the unseen eyes that followed my every step.
I sat down at the table, trying to appear as nonchalant as possible. Horn sat down across from me, his eyes fixed on mine with an unnerving intensity. As Horn sat across from me, his eyes gleaming with excitement, he exclaimed, "I can't believe you were really invited by the princess to attend the party!" The sudden topic caught me off guard, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of surprise.It seemed that the news had spread like wildfire, reaching even the commoners. I had thought that only a few high-ranking nobles knew about the invitation, but it seemed that Horn was also aware of it. The thought was unsettling, as it meant that my presence in the city had already been known. If Horn knew about it, then it was likely that many others did as well.I tried to compose myself, trying to appear nonchalant despite the growing unease inside me. "Yes, it's true," I said, trying to sound casual. "The princess invited me to attend the party."Horn's eyes lit up with excitement, and he le
Horn had, in effect, saved the man from a catastrophic outcome, and yet, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of fear. Had he really done the right thing by intervening?Would Ethan turned his anger to him?Ethan despised such frivolous displays of power and privilege more than anything else. Some may have labelled him a demon or a devil, but the truth was far more nuanced. It wasn't that Ethan engaged in outright evil acts; he wasn't like many nobles who toyed with the lives of commoners, nor did he indulge in the vices of women or drugs.No, Ethan's vice lay in his propensity for destruction. When the urge to demolish took hold, he would become consumed by it, losing himself in the throes of his compulsion. In one such episode, he had accidentally taken the lives of several nobles, his mind clouded by the red mist of rage.It was a burden Ethan carried, a dark self that haunted his every waking moment. He knew that his actions, though unintentional, had caused immeasurable pain and s
Duke Dion strode into the grand hall, his very presence commanding the attention of all who laid eyes upon him. As the capital was his domain, it came as no surprise that he was the first among the dukes to grace the Emperor's table with his arrival.[Duke Dion - Level 234][???]The sheer power radiating from this man was palpable, and as I attempted to analyze him, I found myself confronted with a wall of uncertainty. It seemed that my skills were no match for those who towered over me by more than fifty levels, their true nature obscured from my prying eyes.In the wake of Duke Dion's entrance, a veritable procession of his offspring followed suit. Sons and daughters alike, each bearing the unmistakable mark of their father's lineage, filled the hall with their presence. It was a display of familial might, a testament to the strength and influence that flowed through the veins of this noble house.The grand hall of the imperial palace buzzed with anticipation as the scions of the
Yet, as I observed Lance's measured movements and the subtle intensity that seemed to emanate from him, I couldn't help but wonder what lay beneath the surface. Was this merely a facade, a carefully crafted persona designed to captivate the assembled guests? Or was there a deeper, more complex individual hidden within – one who had earned his place among the elite through more than just the accident of his birth?A wry smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I recalled the memory of a time long past – a moment when I had, quite literally, put Lance Ironwing in his place. It seemed that the little "beating" I had administered back then had indeed set him on the right path, forging him into the formidable figure that now commanded the attention of the assembled nobles.As the accolades and praise rained down upon Lance, the nobles marveling at his unblemished record of victories along the northwestern border, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of satisfaction. "Not a single defeat, huh
"I will avenge my brother!" he declared, his voice ringing out with a fervor that seemed to command the attention of all who bore witnessA wry smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I listened to the impassioned declaration of young Ryle Green. "Pfft," I almost let out a chuckle, momentarily forgetting that I was now inhabiting the body of someone nearly as youthful as the boy himself.For Ryle, in all his fiery determination, was still but a teenager – a mere child, really, when compared to the weight of the task he had so boldly taken upon himself. The notion of this green-haired scion seeking to avenge his fallen brother was, admittedly, a tad amusing to me.But then, a voice beside me broke the silence, a gentle reminder that I was not alone in my observations. "The Green Family's bloodline art is one of the exceptional arts," the speaker murmured, "which can boost the growth and acquisition of strength, while also enhancing mana. They are the only ones who have a green aura.
"Hey! Why should we listen to a brat like you?" The interjection came from the back of the crowd, a young soldier, his face flushed with anger, his eyes blazing with defiance. The rest of the soldiers turned to stare, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.A genuine smile spread across my face. Finally, someone had the audacity to speak up. A flicker of satisfaction ignited within me. This was exactly what I had been hoping for, wasn't it? Didn't this feel like the natural order of things?I had anticipated this moment from the very beginning. There was no way these esteemed scions of nobility and battle-hardened knights would meekly submit to the commands of a mere child. The moment I was elected commander of one of the three mighty armies, I knew this tension would inevitably arise. After all, who among these talented warriors would willingly follow a teenager with little to boast of in terms of accomplishments? And let's not forget the shadow of my less-than-st
Ladia couldn't help but castigate herself for her lapse in judgment. How had she not seen it before? If the involvement of the magic towers would significantly aid the Empire, then the impact of the very person who had defeated the magicians of the tower participating would be monumental.The princess's heart thrummed with the realization, chiding herself for taking so long to come to this epiphany. Was Ethan's proposal the correct course of action or not? She no longer dwelled on the question.With a steely gaze, Ladia announced, "I have reached a verdict."The room fell silent as all eyes turned to the princess. The final decision lay in her hands, and she was ready to reveal it. The anticipation hung heavy in the air, and Ladia took a deep breath before continuing. "I have decided to accept Ethan's proposal."A murmur of surprise rippled through the room, but Ladia held up her hand for silence. "I believe that Ethan's plan, with a few modifications, is the best course of action for
My suggestion ignited a firestorm of debate among the upper echelons of the capital. The princess convened her officials in the grand throne room, where the air was thick with tension and uncertainty as they deliberated their next course of action. Ultimately, the march toward the City of Aran was postponed by a full day, a delay that weighed heavily on everyone present. The officials found themselves divided, caught between two stark choices: should they attempt to reclaim the nearby City of Aran from the Beast Kingdom, or should they focus their efforts on retaking the more strategically significant City of Northfall?"But, Your Majesty," one of the officials interjected, his voice rising above the murmurs of the assembly, "as we stand now, we cannot afford to risk an attack on the Northfall Fortress! I have heard reports that the beastmen have fortified their walls and laid even more traps to ensnare us! If we allow this farce to continue, we will be nothing more than lambs led to
A chill snaked down Ryle's spine. Ethan's suggestion hung in the air, heavy and suffocating, like a shroud woven from despair. To attack City of Aran, a fortress city now bristling with tens of thousands of Beast Kingdom soldiers, felt like a declaration of utter annihilation. Even Lance, their most valiant commander, had fallen captive within its walls.Ryle's brow creased into a deep furrow. He, too, was a commander of the Initiation Army, a man who had tasted the bitterness of defeat and the sting of loss. He couldn't fathom how Ethan, this newly appointed leader, could so blithely propose a course of action that reeked of self-destruction."I cannot, in good conscience, agree with your plan," Ryle stated, his voice laced with a mixture of disbelief and frustration. "As we stand now, attacking Northfall City is a fool's errand, a suicide mission. We are scattered, depleted, and outmatched. We must first rally our remaining forces, regroup along the borders, and then, and only then,
"Ryle Green, step forward!" the Royal advisor said, seeing Ryle was in a daze.Ryle coughed and stepped forward, his heart pounding with excitement as he knelt before the Princess."Ryle Green, you are hereby granted authority over fifty thousand soldiers," the Princess said, her voice like a melody that soothed the soul. "You shall be the commander of the Vanguard Army!"With a snap of her fingers, the Princess bestowed an insignia upon Ryle's shoulder, its glow of light like a beacon of hope in the face of the looming threat of the Beast Kingdom."I will crush those beastmen for you, Your Highness!" Ryle said, his voice filled with determination and resolve.The Princess smiled, her eyes filled with pride and hope. "We have faith in you, Ryle," she said. "Together, we will defeat the Beast Kingdom and restore peace to our lands."Princess Ladia nodded, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "I expect a lot from the younger generation, Ryle," she said, her voice laced with both encou
The Dwarven Kingdom, a land renowned for its glittering wealth, held its breath. The Brightwing Empire’s meager offer, a desperate plea for aid, was all they had to entice the notoriously hard-drinking mercenaries. Even if their weapons were outdated, their reputation for unmatched effectiveness in battle preceded them. Surely, that would be enough.“Your Majesty,” a guard murmured, his voice barely a tremor in the air. “They have arrived.”Princess Ladia, lost in a labyrinth of thought, startled slightly. She had wrestled with the decision for what felt like an eternity, but finally, a solution had emerged. All that remained was to face them, to meet their gaze and offer her hand in this desperate alliance.Viscount Lamiel, a man whose arrogance was only surpassed by his thirst for gold, strode into the royal garden, flanked by a legion of equally boisterous mercenaries. Princess Ladia recognized most of them – the nobles summoned by the crown, their faces etched with a mixture of g
The scene unfolded with brutal efficiency. Several soldiers, their faces grim and resolute, descended upon Drew and the other soldier, their movements swift and decisive. There was no struggle, no desperate pleas for mercy. They walked away with heads bowed, accepting their fate with a stoic silence that spoke volumes of their resignation.Ryle, his expression a mixture of weariness and amusement, ran a hand through his hair, a sigh escaping his lips. "What a waste of a perfectly good sleep," he muttered, his voice laced with a hint of exasperation. "Young men like myself need our rest, yet everyone seems determined to disrupt my slumber over such trivial matters."His gaze shifted to me, and a playful smile curved his lips. "Allow me to introduce myself," he said, extending a hand towards me. "Ryle Green, third son of Count Green, and as you might be able to tell, the future commander of this very army." He spoke with an air of unwavering confidence, his words carrying the weight of
Two soldiers from a rival camp, their boots crunching on the gravel path, happened upon the conversation. One soldier, his face contorting with barely suppressed mirth, clamped a hand over his mouth, desperately trying to stifle a chuckle. His companion, sensing the impending eruption, jabbed him in the ribs with an elbow, a silent plea for decorum. But the laughter, like a trapped spring, was too powerful to contain. Tears welled in the soldier's eyes, threatening to spill over as his shoulders shook with silent mirth. Finally, with a strangled cry, he burst into a full-blown guffaw. "Hahahaha! If it's the Young Master leading us! Hahaha! We'll be able to… Pft! Hahaha!"The sound of his uncontrolled laughter echoed through the camp, drawing curious glances from nearby soldiers. Gaston, his face a mask of confusion and irritation, turned to the source of the amusement. "Excuse me, but what's so funny?" he demanded, his voice laced with displeasure.The soldier, still gasping for br
The unyielding army of the Ice Demon City had been journeying for a considerable number of weeks, traversing a multitude of cities and towns along the way. During our sojourns, we would occasionally restock our supplies, find respite in taverns, and often in the great outdoors, before resuming our arduous trek.Given the unfortunate circumstances, we were informed that the Ice Demon City was the most distant of all cities from the capital. This reality meant that we were among the last to receive the urgent message, compelling us to join the ranks of the other nobles and their armies in the capital.It was in the fourth week of our relentless march that we finally arrived in the grand and magnificent Capital city. The journey had been long and arduous, but our determination never wavered, as we knew our presence was required in these critical times. I had already surmised that the majority of the other nobles and their forces would have already amassed in the capital, readying themse