"I'm Nineve Limerent. What's your name, little girl?" Nineve asked."I'm Gina Greenshade!" Gina stared at Nineve. "Oh, you're so pretty, miss! I've never seen anyone who's as pretty as you are!"Nineve smiled. Children always said the damndest things. Of course, she was happy that Gina thought she was pretty. "You have a sweet mouth, Gina. Is Penelope at home?"Gina mused. "Are you talking about Grandma?""Yes," Nineve said."She's sorting out Nox's toys. I'll take you to her, miss." Gina hopped off the swing.Nineve then saw the dolls Gina was holding, and she shivered. "Where did you get that doll, Gina?"Gina happily held up the doll in her right hand. "Grandma gave it to me. She said Noxy and his childhood friend made this."'Childhood friend?' Penelope started to tremble. She had not heard that term for so long, and the mention of that pulled a lot of memories out of hiding.Staring at the doll, Nineve blurted, "Can I see that doll, Gina?"Gina thought about it for a mom
When Penelope saw Nineve, her eyes went wide. "Princess Nineve?"Nineve nodded with a smile, and Penelope quickly knelt. "Greetings, Your Highness!"Gina was dumbfounded and wondered what her grandmother was doing. 'Why is she kneeling to the lady? They just met!'"Penelope, please, stand up!" Nineve approached Penelope and held her up."I didn't think I'd get to see you again, Your Highness." As Penelope stood back up, her eyelashes trembled."You don't have to be so formal with me, Penelope. I've always thought of you as my own grandmother." Nineve smiled, holding Penelope's arm.Penelope was ecstatic. She wasn't expecting a meeting with the most beautiful princess of Faeast. Ever since the princess was taken back to Imperial City years ago, she never came back to this place.Yet, she was here today, and Penelope was excited. "Please, come in. Have a seat, Your Highness." She led Nineve into the house and grabbed a bamboo chair for her.Nineve took the seat without any hesita
Nineve fell silent. Realizing she had said the wrong thing, Penelope quickly said, "I'm very sorry for what I said. Please, pardon me, Your Highness."Nineve would not get mad over that. She waved it away and looked up. "Penelope, I have a question for you.""What is it?""Is he in Imperia?" Nineve then turned her gaze to Penelope.Of course, Penelope knew who she was talking about, and she nodded. "Yes, he is in Imperia."Excited, Nineve squeezed Penelope's hands. "Is he alive? He's not dead?""He is not," Penelope said.Nineve started shivering, and tears glistened in her eyes as excitement grasped her heart. "That dummy is still alive? Why hasn't he met up with me, then?" she complained.All of a sudden, Nineve thought this was all quite unfair, and tears streamed down her face. Quickly, Penelope consoled her, "Pardon him, Your Highness, but he has his reasons." She sighed."I know. I know my father did the wrong thing that day, but he stopped going after Nox ever since he
The thought of her father made Nineve's expression darken. Her father had objected to her dating Nox back then. He had also locked her up in the castle and forbade her from seeing Nox.Nineve connected the dots."Nineve, Nox has always felt guilty toward you. Though he has never talked about you, I know he thinks about you a lot," Penelope said.Nineve teared up. She used to love going to the Greenshades' place and playing with Nox. The dolls Gina held had been made by her and Nox. However, after Nox and his mother were exiled sixteen years ago, Nineve never saw him again.When Nox was crowned lord six years ago, she could only watch him from afar. She saw her beloved ascending to lordship and becoming the Great Lord of Faeast, but she didn't reunite with him.When Nox announced his engagement with Aphrodite, a heartbroken Nineve left Faeast alone and went on a tour around the world. Now, she had finally returned.The memories of the past caused many feelings to surge within Nine
"We need to protect Mom!" Claude said quickly.Daniel blurted, "Calm down, Claude. The intruder is at least Five Mountains. If they are trying to harm Mom, we can't stop them, not even if we take them on together."Claude and Winston were horrified. 'At least Five Mountains? So, they're on their way to Six Paths? That kind of warrior is in here?'"Daniel, who is that Top Legend Realm? Is it Felcro from the Imperial City? I don't remember anyone else in Imperia with that kind of power!" Claude asked sharply.Daniel didn't speak. He sensed the aura for a moment and shook his head. "It's not Felcro. I fought him before, and that's not his aura.""Then who could it be?" Winston asked."I don't know, but I don't think he's trying to harm Mom. You two can calm down now."Winston and Claude heaved a collective sigh of relief."Let's go. We should see our guests." Daniel walked toward the backyard steadily. Winston and Claude followed.While Nineve and Penelope were talking, the unkem
'Daniel?' Daniel was completely stunned. He slowly turned around, staring at Nineve in disbelief."Y-Your Highness?"Nineve smiled. "So, you recognize me, Daniel."The panicked Daniel hastily bowed deeply. "My humblest greetings, Your Highness!"Claude and Winston were also dumbstruck before they bowed. "Our humblest greetings, Your Highness."Nineve quickly went up to them and pulled Daniel up. "I just returned from the border, Daniel. Please, rise." She held his arm.Daniel stared at Nineve, his eyes wide. It had been years since they met. Frankly, he could barely recognize her. If she hadn't called out to him, Daniel couldn't have realized this was the girl who had stayed with the Greenshades so many years ago."It's been a while, Daniel. You're still as young as ever." Nineve smiled at Daniel."Oh, no. I'm quite old now, you see. If you hadn't called out to me, princess, I'd never have recognized you," Daniel lamented."Well, it has been more than ten years, I suppose," sa
The princess stood in the bustling street after she left the Greenshades' manor, staring at the skyscrapers around her. "It's been years. Imperia's really growing."Since she was reminiscing about the past, Drunk didn't disturb her. Suddenly, Nineve blurted, "Let's go. It's time to get some answers.""From who?" Drunk asked, surprised."Who else? That heartless jerk who wouldn't leave my mind alone!" Nineve muttered as she hopped back into the resplendent carriage.Drunk laughed bitterly and leaped onto the coachman's spot. "Go!" He swung his whip, and the carriage set off.…Since his return to Imperia, Nox and his allies had stayed at his late mother's abode. This abode was where Nox made his memories and the proof of his bond with his mother.Bear and Bard went out on a recon mission for Azure Dragon and the Underworld's information early in the morning. Everyone else stayed in the courtyard.The brawny Steely asked Redsleeve, "You're spacing out again, Redsleeve. You've bee
He looked outside the abode and muttered, "Six Paths?"There was another person aside from Oldsmoke, Steely, and Redsleeve—Augustus, and he was sitting quietly with his legs crossed and with a sword lying on them.Augustus never talked much after he set off on this journey with Nox. He spent most of his time progressing his path of the sword and sharpening his mind. Keith was doing the same thing.Keith had enough power to become the patriarch of a family after becoming a Second Layer Firmament.Suddenly, they heard the clankings of a carriage traveling across the air of the courtyard. Nineve had arrived."What's that?" Oldsmoke, Redsleeve, and Steely came out of the courtyard, feeling surprised.Redsleeve stared at the carriage in astonishment and blurted, "Hm? A carriage? We're in modern society. Who even uses carriages anymore? Oh, wait. Is this a movie shoot?"Oldsmoke's eyes glimmered as he clicked his tongue in admonishment. "This is a luxurious carriage. Look, it's got dr
Harley sneered, having nothing but disdain for Atlas. "I can't believe the master would employ a shithead like you."Atlas laughed. "You think you're so high and mighty, but you're also Lord Nox's lapdog now. I am his subordinate, and we have a close relationship. I'm also the uncle of the emperor. That makes me Lord Nox's great-uncle," bragged Atlas."Dumbass. Just do your fucking job. Vermilion Bird and Black Tortoise told me the Mousses might try something," Harley cursed.The mention of the Mousses made Atlas panic, but he calmed himself down and snored. "The Mousses? They won't dare do anything when I'm here. If they show up, I'll kick their ass! I command thirty thousand units. If they come to Imperia, it'll be the last thing they see!" Atlas was confident.Harley was speechless. 'My word, how can he be such a braggart?'With thirty thousand Nox Army units in Imperia, combined with the Forbidden Army, the regular guards, and 200 thousand elites protecting Imperia, nothing co
Vermilion Bird said, "Azure Dragon used to be an Advanced Eight Gates. After the Mousses had him under their control, he became a Supreme. Judging by these photos, he's gotten more powerful since then."'More powerful?' Nineve knew how the cultivators were ranked. Top Legend Realms were another kind of life form entirely. In Faeast, a Supreme could be made a lord. An undefeatable Supreme would be made a ruler. A Sovereign was made every five hundred years, while a ruler was made every century.Supremes appeared once every decade or so. "I don't get it. You three obviously found some power source, and with Nox's help, you leveled up. Azure Dragon only has the Mousses. How'd he level up so fast?"If the Mousses were so powerful, they wouldn't have to resort to assassinations or betrayals."Not the Mousses. It's all Azure Dragon. He's our captain. He's a very talented and cunning man. Emphasis on talent. He's so strong that not even three of us can compare to him, combined. The only g
Elizabeth said nothing but went red and hung her head low, causing Black Tortoise to panic."Uh oh. If you want him, you'll have to fight for him. That's all I can say, but the lord does think highly of you." He laughed."Shut it, Black Tortoise. You're talking nonsense here!" Vermilion Bird snapped. "See you, Your Majesty." She then took Black Tortoise and left the room quickly. They had work to do.The duo led most of the Shadow Division members back to Faeast. After the incident of Brundela, Faeast's fate was going strong, and the people were excited. However, beneath that excitement was unseen danger.Vermilion Bird and Black Tortoise came back to Northstate's governor-general's place and met up with Nineve. Black Tortoise said solemnly, "What happened, Your Highness? We need the details."Nineve looked exhausted, and there were dark circles under her eyes. She had been working hard in Nox's absence. "Honestly, Atlas… I mean, the Defender of the Lord hasn't been pulling his we
Douglas worked through the night for the negotiation."One, you must apologize for your invasion of Faeast. Two, you will return all stolen relics to us and pay for damages. Three, you will open trade with Faeast, and it must be complete and total. Those are our demands. We promise not to interfere with your nation's administration. Once the aid is administered, our fleet and army will retreat from Brundela."And one more thing. Faeast recognizes you as Brundela's new ruler." That was interesting. It also meant that Faeast could rescind that recognition at any time. Elizabeth had no choice. Without Faeast, Brundela would be gone. In the end, the nations arrived at an agreement.At midnight, they called a press conference. Faeast helped Eropa settle a war and avert a world disaster. That news took the world by storm. The Eastern dragon was rising, and none could stop it. It wouldn't take long for Faeast to return to the top.Brundela's case was over. After they gave enough aid, Ferg
"They call you Great Generals?" the Ice Temple Lord laughed. "If I do want to betray him, how do you hope to stop me? You three had to take me on together, and it only ended in a draw. Now that I'm an Emperor and White Tiger is in a slumber, I can destroy you in a moment!"The Ice Temple Lord looked at Vermilion Bird and Black Tortoise with disdain. Vermilion Bird's eyes were wide. She didn't care. She would fight the Temple Lord to the bitter end if she must.Black Tortoise was the calmer one, and he pulled Vermilion Bird back. "Calm down. Even if he wants to betray the lord, he at least would want to see the lord's body before he tries anything."Even a woman like Aphrodite lost this fight. He wouldn't dare try anything stupid."The Ice Temple Lord was still smug about being an Emperor, and now his celebration was cut short. Betraying Nox required a lot of courage. Nox's power terrified him. Even if he couldn't win the fight, Nox could at least come back safely.Besides, he only
The formation Nox created with the Sovereign Seal was on the brink of destruction. Once the formation was gone, the Sovereigns and the spirits would return to dust. In this final moment, Brundela's Faeastian called their friends and family in their homeland and projected the modern-day Faeast onto the gigantic screen in the plaza.The spirits cried when they saw how developed their nation had become. The Sovereigns and the rulers were meticulous people. They used to rule over a unified nation, so they knew how hard it was to create a dynasty. Every dynasty would have its peak and nadir.Every time a dynasty was on a decline, Faeast would be in danger. They didn't talk about the truth behind that video, of course. They admired the beautiful land of Faeast as they waited for their final moment to arrive."The hardest and darkest moment is behind us, sirs. Faeast has me now. You may rest in peace. I will not let you down. I will destroy the canker that infects Faeast and give it the pe
"You're going nowhere! Die!" The Sovereigns chased after the spirit, and a hundred rulers followed. They trapped the Titan's spirit and ripped him to shreds."Holy shit! That's the ancient Faeastian Sovereigns for you!" White Tiger roared with pride. He was on the roof of a tower somewhere.Emperor Elijah narrowed his eyes and exchanged a look with the other Sovereigns. He hurled the remaining essence of the Titan's spirit to White Tiger and stuffed him with it. The energy filled White Tiger up, and he ballooned. Black, rancid energy came out of his body, and he fell into madness.Nox cast Heaven's Demise and sealed White Tiger's consciousness. The Ice Temple Lord, realizing what the Sovereigns were trying to do, encased White Tiger in a coffin of magic ice."This is an impressive underling you have, Nine-State Lord. Devouring spirits gives him power. Anyone else would've lost their minds and become a killing machine, but White Tiger's already mad to begin with. There's no further
"The third kind of Emperor uses natural energy, the power of Yin and Yang, and the elements to become one. Since they use all kinds of elements and energy to become an Emperor, they are practically invincible."The Ice Temple Lord was excited. "So, you're saying I'm the strongest kind of Emperor?"Nox was speechless. "No, what I was trying to say was you took the wrong path. You could've absorbed the energy in the heavens, but you absorbed the Yin energy in the ground. You're stronger than Frostmir, but his level was higher, so you'd still be no match for him." Nox pursed his lips."Eh?" The Ice Temple Lord was disappointed. He thought he could be on par with Nox once he became an Emperor. The Ice Temple Lord wasn't the only one who gained power. The Ice Temple cultivators did as well. Black Tortoise, White Tiger, and Vermilion Bird gained a lot of power, too.Vermilion Bird was now a Flawless Supreme, Black Tortoise was an Advanced Supreme, while White Tiger was an Intermediate Pi
The fact that Nox could cast Sovereign Seal showed the Ice Temple Lord a new level of power. The Sovereign was more terrifying than the gods. 'No wonder they could rule the world in ancient times.'The ancient Sovereigns and rulers of Faeast attacked their enemies. The fate of Faeast gathered over their heads, piercing the clouds that hung over them. The weaker monsters were all slain, and Emperor Hans pierced the pharaoh with his spear, returning him to dust.Emperor Blade killed the god of another ancient civilization. The evil energy possessing them was purified. Moments later, the only gods left were the Titans. Unlike the possessed gods, the Titans were ancient cultivators.Even if they didn't master any spells or techniques, they'd trained their bodies to their absolute best. The Sovereigns and rulers didn't have much advantage against these enemies.These spirits were only summoned through the relics and the remnants of energy left within. Their bodies were gone, and their s