If the Guardians were the sturdiest shield in the country, then the Dragonโs Edge would be the sharpest sword. The members of the Dragonโs Edge were veterans who got baptized by blood and gunpowder on the battlefield, surviving countless ruthless battles. They were the sword Arcadia wielded against her enemy, a deterrent force to other countries. In terms of solo combatants, they were the strongest of them all. They were always sent to other countries to participate in national military competitions and won countless awards. The latest members who joined the Dragonโs Edge graduated from Kazeโs special training camp, similar to Albert Hiden. After the war, the graduates scattered and pursued their own careers. Some got into the Dragonโs Edge, and some joined the God of War Palace and became Kazeโs private security forceโthe Guards of War. Some with a better background, like Albert, got into a different path to further their careers. โSure. Itโs been a while since I saw
The womanโs voice was not fierce by any means but it felt pressuring. Her name was Morgana Powell, the governor of a certain state in the North State, sharing the same rank as Loid. Despite being a woman, she too was a regional commander in her own state, which was considered rare. Other than her outstanding capabilities, her family also played a big role in helping her advance her career. She was from the Powell family of the North State, which was one of the most powerful families there. The North State Powells were considered the strongest among all the other branches across Arcadia. Then, the middle-aged man beside Morgana said in a strong voice, โLoid, as colleagues, we do not want to force you against your will, but the mayor of Lilyrose has crossed the line. He practically enraged every Powell family branch in Arcadia, which led to the wrath of the foreign branch in Glowmoss. โWhen it comes to foreign affairs, itโs always serious. If Glowmossโ side voices out their
Hannibal Nectar, one of the five senior ministers of the cabinet in Arcadia. The cabinet had control over all the internal affairs of the country, which made them the strongest institute. It was even stronger than the Strategic Department and the Ministry of Justice. The five senior ministers of the cabinet, or elders, were the five of the most powerful people in the country. โElder Nectar, whatโฆ I seeโฆ I understandโฆ Yes.โ After the brief conversation, Loid's expression remained astonished for quite a while. Both Neegan and Morgana were curious about what the elder said on the phone. โLoid, was that Elder Nectar? What did he say?โ Neegan asked out of curiosity. Then, he realized his question was inappropriate, so he quickly explained, โIf itโs confidential, then just forget it.โ Loid stared at the two of them for a while before he said, โElder Nectar said Lilyrose will see a storm coming. The South River Governorโs Office is only responsible for managing the situation
Gunter scanned the men and women in front of him with a slight curl of his lip. They were the representatives sent here by the Powell family branches in Arcadia. Each of them represented their respective faction. Some from the government departments, some from the underworld, and some from the Strategic Department. With such a large force under his control, Gunter could do anything he wanted in Arcadia. โMorgana, Neegan, you guys are back!โ someone said. Almost a hundred representatives of different Powell family branches turned to the entrance; those who sat stood up. Among all the representatives, Morgana and Neegan held the most powerful positions as regional commanders and governors of their respective states. Everyone welcomed them back with open arms. The two of them went straight to Gunter without pause and nodded at the man. โUncle Gunter.โ Even the regional commanders had to behave properly before the high-ranking officer of Glowmossโ military. Sitting
It was actually quite normal. Arcadia was no longer a weak country that was scared of global rivals. Most of the time, the officials would just ignore such comments or demands, turning a deaf ear or a blind eye at them. Why would the cabinet request the governor of the South River State to turn a blind eye to the matter? What exactly happened? Gunter could not figure it out. โMaybe the cabinet did not respond directly because they wanted to save face. They still pressured the South River State Governorโs Office to stay out of my wayโฆโ Gunter muttered to himself. With that, he laughed hysterically. โIt seems like the stars have aligned! Kaze Lee will die for sure this time!โ Gunter got up and looked at everyone in the hall. He raised his hand and said loudly, โTomorrow, we will march to Lilyrose and take Kaze Leeโs life!โ โAye!โโ Starting with Morgana and Neegan, all of them got up and bowed at Gunter. Gunter then asked Luis, โWhat are the replies from the Vikrom
Lou and Caleb knew Kazeโs plans, they had confidence in him. However, the plans were confidential, so many were doubtful if Kaze could survive this. The deputy mayors felt bad for him. Kaze was calm. He said, โI did my best while I was mayor. I really donโt care about people attending the send-off party or not. Letโs just get on with it. After this, I still have some other things to take care of.โ โฆCompared to the empty send-off party, Jade Estate was much more crowded and lively. A grand mourning hall was established at the estate, beside the lake. Sad music was being played and priests were praying. People in black suits filled the mourning hall. There were even multiple buff and tall men holding umbrellas around the premises, watching guards with a blank look. From a birdโs eye view, the place was painted in black as more than ten thousand people attended in suits. They were lining up to pay respect to the deceased. Only a number of them were from Lilyrose as
The mourners were talking about the Powells. The familyโs strength shocked and scared many people at the scene. Before this funeral, the Glowmoss Powells were just a foreign faction with noble roots. They might be powerful and hold a prestigious status but they did not have a strong foundation in Arcadia. A faraway enemy was not as terrifying as the local families. The threats they used to pose were near to nothing. Now, they were all proven wrong by the sheer display of strength. When Gunter stepped up and gathered all the scattered Powells in Arcadia, they immediately became a powerful force that should be reckoned with. Their combined strength could easily crush even the strongest family in Arcadia, yet they gathered because of Kaze. Even if Kaze was the mayor of Lilyrose and his wife had a few sizable companies, it was still an overkill. Some even said they were squashing an ant with the elephantโs foot. Many knew the display of strength was not just to target
โI, Gunter Powell, represent the Powell family of Glowmoss and all the other family branches in Arcadia, hereby declaring war! โIf the city council stands in my way, I will run them down; if the South River State Governorโs Office stands in my way, I will tear them down!โ Gunterโs fierce declaration shocked everyone at the scene. He was ready to run down the city council and tear down the governorโs office! No one else but him had the nerve and audacity to speak so boldly. Both the governors of different states, Morgana and Neegan, looked at Gunter with an enthusiastic gaze. They were governors themselves and knew better than anyone what the position of governor meant. Gunter had the audacity to disregard the governorโs office. His boldness and confidence convinced Morgana and Neegan that following their distant relatives from another country was the right choice. With his lead, the Powells and their career would welcome a bright future. In short, their personal gains
The hostages were locked up in the containers. Some of them were elites in their own field while some were ordinary people with average income, yet all of them got into trouble when they boarded the plane. Most of them could not accept their fate. Yet they dared not defy or resist the mercenaries. When things started to calm down, they broke down in tears, weeping in silence as resentment consumed them. Kaze sat down at a clean corner that allowed him to look outside the window. The window was dirty but at least he could see outside. The space inside the container was filled with people sitting closely, offering comfort to one another. They were aware they were just temporarily safe in this container. No one knew what the mercenaries would do to them at the next moment. โMy parents must be worried. I said I would call them when I land but now I canโt even get in touch,โ Barney muttered as he sat beside Kaze. He too looked outside the window, his feelings mixed. He watc
Kaze thought of what he had overheard in the toilet. If he told the hostages about that, they would probably panic. โItโs nothing. They are just going to separate us into different rooms or containers. They said the buses would be disposed of,โ he said. He did not want to reveal too much because it would cause panic. Once the hostages knew their lives were on the line, things might spiral out of control. The mercenaries could kill a few of them to make an example, and none of the hostages would dare to cause problems anymore. Kaze kept it a secret because he wanted to protect the people. โThatโs it?โ โIs there anything else? How many men are there? What is their plan? Who are they looking for?โ โWe want to know because we want to survive. This isn't our problemโwe just got caught up in it.โ The hostages looked at Kaze, their eyes filled with worry. They felt aggrieved because they should not be caught in such a huge problem. โI donโt know either.โ No matter how m
โThereโs a room there. Get in.โ The mercenary pointed his gun at the mother and son, which led them to look at Kaze nervously, seemingly asking for help. โWhat do you want?โ The mother was nervous. She clutched her sonโs hand tightly, nearly making him cry, but she reacted quickly enough to cover her sonโs mouth to prevent him from doing so. โAll women must go into that room. You go in now,โ the mercenary explained. He did not want the woman to get the wrong idea. โYou people wonโt hurt me, right?โ the mother asked, worried that she might be ravaged. โWe are not into MILF,โ said the other mercenary who was escorting Kaze, indirectly assuring the mother. Kaze shot a glance at the mother and nodded at her. โThey told us they were going to separate us, so thereโs nothing to worry about,โ he said, worried that the mother and son would not cooperate. The mother then carried her son and followed the other mercenary into the room. It was called a room but it was actually ju
โCan you make him stop? If the man comes back, weโll be done for,โ someone said. The kidโs crying made everyone anxious. โWhat can I do? Heโs crying because heโs scared. I canโt just stop him.โ The mother was afraid as well, and she did not want her son to be taken advantage of. โCalm down. Just donโt alert the men and weโll be fine,โ Miguel said, hoping to ease the situation. โIโll fight him if he comes in. I believe I can make it,โ someone said. Those with an impulsive nature grew restless from being kept on the bus for too long, feeling like livestock being kept in cages. โShut it. They are coming,โ Barney said after a glance outside the window. The other passengers fell silent, sat back down, lowered their heads, and tried their best not to look out the window. The mother quickly hugged her son and covered his mouth to prevent him from crying. Kaze felt peace and quiet once more, even the air felt smoother. He knew the passengers were merely ordinary people and
Unfortunately, Leah knew she would not get an answer out of Snow since she was refusing to help. Everything seemed to have changed following her motherโs disappearance. She tried to stay for answers but when security came in, she could not resist them anymore. It was the first time she was escorted out by security guards and it impacted her. She used to be the daughter of the CEO of Northborn Groupโeveryone respected her. She used to enjoy a privileged status. No matter where she went, she was the star of the event. Yet when her mother disappeared, everything changed. She wanted to look for Kaze but she had just lost the chance. Snow turned her down and gazed at her with contempt and irritation. Leah could not accept the changes but some things felt like they were destined to change. She was forced to leave the branch office but then had no idea where else to go. She felt abandoned by the world. Before this, she could still hope for Kazeโs help, but now she had no
Leah went to her motherโs company but did not find her anywhere. Joey was busy working in the CEOโs office. Leah went over and asked, โJoey, whereโs my mother? I canโt reach her.โ She wanted to know what happened to her mother. โI donโt know about your mother either. We went out together earlier in the day but I donโt know where she went. I canโt get in touch with her.โ Joey was so busy that she could not even free herself from the desk to explain to the girl. โWhere did she go? How am I supposed to find her?โ Leah panicked. If even Joey did not know where her mother went, then something must have happened. A bad feeling rose from her heart. Things just got serious. โI donโt know. Why donโt you ask someone else?โ Joey did not have time to deal with the girl. Leah was unfamiliar with Joeyโs coldness. Joey had always treated her with kindness and flattery, so the sudden coldness caught her off guard. She felt like something had changed. โWho should I be looking f
โNo! My daughter is still in the hospital!โ Katie refused to accept her punishment. She started to regret her decision but it was too late. โNow only you think about your daughter? I guess you are not that foolish, but have you thought about her when you betrayed Chairman Lee? โDonโt worry. Leah knew Chairman Lee personally and we wonโt hurt her, but she might not live a good life anymore,โ Snow said coldly. She did not want to put the girl in a difficult situation but her life as a princess would come to an end. โYou canโt do that!โ Katie could not believe Snow would do that. โI bet you never thought of the consequences when you leaked the information. Too bad. Youโve lost.โ Snow revealed the truth because she wanted Katie to suffer for the decision she made. Katie would now regret every decision she made because she knew she had jeopardized her daughterโs life. She would feel like a fool. She devoted her life to climbing higher to gain more power but she ignored the
โI went to a bar to have a drink and I bumped into an informant of the Viperโs Den.โ Katie looked helpless as she explained as if everything that had happened was planned out for her, pushing her to the edge step by step. It was a lively night at the bar. The atmosphere was pleasant and most of the guests were having a good time. Katie was a single woman. She needed care and love at times. She was alone when she visited the bar. She started off by ordering some drinks at the counter, waiting for a chance to meet a man who shared the same ideals. A drink or two later, maybe she could get herself a company for the night. As a grown-up woman, she had her desires. It was a way to release her stress. Katie entered the bar in a casual outfit but it did not diminish her elegant demeanor. When she sat down at the counter, a few young men approached her but she was not interested in immature boys. She continued drinking. She looked at the dance floor occasionally, searching for a
โWho do you think will believe you?โ Arthur frowned. There were too many coincidences that it felt like a giant setup. โIโve explained what I need to. Donโt interrogate me like Iโm a criminal. I am the CEO of the Northborn Group.โ Katie left them speechless. She had said the necessary and it was up to them whether they wanted to believe it or not. They did not have the evidence to charge her anyway. โYou really think we canโt hold you responsible?โ Snow was not really looking for a definite answer. The moment she suspected Katie, whether or not she was truly the traitor, Snow already had the right to hold her accountable. It was necessary to make things clear and it was to find out who Katie leaked Kazeโs information to. โIt has come down to this. No matter how you deny it, itโs useless. We already know what you have done and you canโt escape. Even if you donโt want to confess, we can continue the investigation, and weโll eventually find out the truth. โIf you come clean