This issue, however, was a major one. Nox must consider every single possibility if he wanted to keep this momentum. His soldiers' lives were on the line. The fate of the people was at stake. He could not afford to make a single mistake. Otherwise, his people would be dragged into war."So that's why you always look dour, emperor. I knew this was a troublesome job. I very much prefer flying solo." This was why Nox refused to be crowned Defender Lord. His previous position had no administrative duties. All he had to do was fight.He had the emperor dealing with all the red tape and administrative duties behind the scenes. All he had to do was fight. Alas, a Defender Lord would hold both administrative and military power.They would have to deal with all the unpleasant, political stuff cropping up like mushrooms after a rain. Nox had a headache just thinking about it.Quilo was in his palace, sleep eluding him. He was keeping an eye on Nox's situation. Although he was in the palace
Nox bowed to Quilo solemnly and made his way to the airport, not looking back at all. "Nox…" Quilo saw Nox off, tears welling up in his eyes. They weren't just king and subject. Quilo saw Nox as his own.Someone sobbed in the darkness. Quilo waved his hand, and the barrier that could block divine sense shrank back into the artifact. Queenie came out of her hiding spot. She was a mess of tears.She knew Nox was going to war so Faeast could remain at peace. He could not afford to be distracted, not even for her. He had to put his love aside for this."I wish I never knew him, Your Majesty. I'm useless. I can't even help him. I'm deadweight! And now you have to stay back because of me." Queenie was bawling.She was trash compared to all the other ladies vying for his attention."My dear Queenie, I've lived long enough and seen my fair share of things. You might not understand it now, but someday wisdom will come to you. Romance does get in the way of big things sometimes, but think a
An abandoned mountain stood a few hundred miles away from Imperia. Although it was a nameless mountain, a hundred Hidden Dragon Guards and Shadow Division members were gathered there. They were solemn. Their eyes were filled with tears and red with rage. The one in the lead was Jaculus.Before Nox took his leave, he entrusted Imperia's Shadow Division members to him. The only order he left for Jaculus was to keep the emperor safe. Jaculus knew the emperor only stayed in Imperia to keep things under control and Nox's remaining loved ones safe.The biggest threat was the escaped patriarch of Moste Magicke. The Hidden Dragon Guards had been working with the Shadow Division to track him down over the last three days. This was where their trail led to."Commander Riveria, the lord gave us his orders. He wanted these people to give up the chase, but they disobeyed him…" A Shadow Division captain clenched his teeth.The people gathered here were furious and sorrowful because their comra
Still, there was a frown on Verdando's face as he saw the incoming aircraft. Although he could kill these warriors easily, he was still wary of those who did not fear death. That wariness also extended to the unfeeling, uncaring metal wave of weapons.Humanity has its limits. He could still remember how a tactical missile destroyed his sect. If he hadn't escaped fast enough, he'd be a spot of grime on the ground now. "It's a good thing Imperia's right in front of me. You wouldn't dare fire at the city."Verdando sneered and cast his technique to disappear.Back in the palace, Quilo was informed of the news of Verdando being found.Douglas was the one giving the report, saying urgently, "Guard Five is stopping him as hard as they can, but the latest intel is that he disappeared after destroying an HBCT. The experts are on their way. Shadow Division and the Hidden Dragon Guards are making their move…" His expression turned darker the longer he spoke.Only idiots would face these w
The alarm's scream stunned the commanders. They wondered what was going on."Something's moving at impossible speeds! It's gone from the radar!""Then amp up the radar's power!"The plane's staff's voices came from the comms. The protective aircraft was in position, ready to shield the carrier."What the hell? The Sect Alliance got themselves a tactical missile? Shit, I'll shoot everyone in the military dead if that's true!" Bear cursed."Calm down. The emperor's doing his job. The Hidden Dragon Guards are keeping a close eye on the military's top dogs. This would never happen."Bard continued, "This is probably something foreign forces did. Still, we're deep in Faeast. They couldn't have concocted something that could fool the satellite surveillance. Even if they could, that would mean that they have killed a high-ranking politician. It would mean war."Keith confirmed that hypothesis as the Defense Ministry found no anomaly."Calm down, it's neither the Sect Alliance nor th
"You knew the guards couldn't stop me, so you told them to leave. I do wonder why you didn't go with them, though. If you'd gone into the underground chamber, not even someone of my caliber could find you easily."Verdando approached the emperor, hands behind his back. He stopped before the golden staircase and bowed mockingly.Quilo slowly stood up and unsheathed his sword. "The guards will only die if they join this battle. You know why I stayed. You only came to me because you knew I wouldn't," said Quilo softly.The Blade of the Emperor stood on the staircase. Quilo put both hands on the hilt, standing before Verdando like a mountain. He looked solemn yet inscrutable and majestic."Hm, I feel pressure coming off you. I expected no less from the emperor. Your aura is strong," Verdando praised, nodding his head. He then scanned the chamber. "So, this is the chamber of the emperor. It has stood for a thousand years and witnessed three dynasties. Even now, it still stands."Verd
One attack and the strongest emperor was showing signs of defeat. A Supreme was powerful beyond imagination. Quilo knew he was no match for this man long before the fight had begun.He had time to escape, yet he insisted on fighting the enemy. He was the ruler of Faeast. He was the one who inherited the will of this nation's people. They acknowledged him as emperor, as heir to the will of the great unification. He couldn't leave without a fight."Even a scholar will die for honor. A ruler must set a better example.""And that's what I was counting on. You'll lose your life in exchange for honor, but I won't kill you. Work with us. There is no true emperor in Faeast. Heroes only exist in stories. Stories written by the victors."He persuaded, "Don't you see? It's a dog-eat-dog world. Working hard will never get you anywhere. Think of the greater good. The great unification can only happen when billions die. Only a decentralized rulership can keep Faeast peaceful for a long, long tim
'So, everything I've worked for would come to nothing?' Quilo thought with despair. When Verdando told him the elders he'd been counting on were killed, it hit him hard. He spewed blood and almost lost his balance.At the same time, someone in the royal bunker started to worry. Nineve felt her heart race as panic rose. "What's going on? I feel restless. Hey, where's my father? You said he'd come soon enough. Where is he?" She grabbed one of the royal generals."I don't know. The decree told me to escort you to the bunker, and they told me nothing else." the general said. Alas, he let slip something important in his panic."What? Me? Only me?" Nineve was stunned. The decree she got talked about all royal family members. She realized what was going on. "Something very wrong has happened."She wanted to leave, but all the Forbidden Army soldiers were quick to stop her. "Your Highness!""Out of my way!" Nineve couldn't break through the lines, nor could she tell them to step away. She
The talismans were Magic Mountain's Forbidden Art, and Nox had fused them with Ultimate Sun Dragon Manual. Nox's mentors back in Mystia had taught him the Sovereign Seal earlier than expected.Their goal was simple. If Nox became the Sovereign, he could use the seal to command all the natural energy around him. If he didn't become the Sovereign, he would teach the Sovereign how to use the seal.The Sovereign Seal was a Saintly technique and the most ancient technique around. It was stronger than a Celestial technique.A golden seal brighter than the sun slowly rose into the air. It was the Sovereign Seal.As it appeared, natural energy gathered around it. The energy flew into the relics Brundela took from Faeast. Within a museum not open to the public, a bronze sword started to tremble as natural energy flowed into it. That got the attention of a professor."That sword belonged to Faeast's Emperor Elijah! What is going on?"A silhouette came out of the sword, and his aura was maj
Back in the navy command center, Fergus got the drone footage of Brundela's latest development. There were a few generals from the Nox Army with him. They could see that the monsters in the capital were far stronger than the ones they took out."It's a pity the capital is too densely populated. We have the weapons, but we can't use them." Fergus slammed the table in frustration. Even if the capital were to fall into enemy hands and the people torn apart by the monsters, Fergus could not order his men to fire at the capital, or things would be bad for them.Fergus could only open fire if the monsters were in a no man's land."Commander Parrish, the lord has orders. We are to keep the waters guarded. Once the capital's crisis is over, we are to make our way to the port and give humanitarian aid," a Nox Army general said telepathically. He just got Nox's orders."Is that so? Then Nox can stop this crisis." Fergus' eyes shone. He had no idea what Nox was planning, but he was the Sovere
Demons were walking the lands of Brundela. Legendary creatures were roaming the streets as if the end of days were here. The resurrected monsters were causing chaos everywhere. When the Titans showed themselves, despair washed over Brundela.There were too many monsters running around. Even after the Twilight Order and Ice Temple cultivators sent out everyone they had, it still wasn't enough to stop these creatures. The monsters went straight to the council hall, and so did the Titans.The Ice Temple Lord created a Magic Ice Formation and kept using Forbidden Arts and mystical artifacts to fend off the enemies. He had already done his best."You have to do something, Nine-State Lord. I can't hold on much longer!" the Ice Temple Lord said telepathically.Though monsters were about, they were not a threat to the Ice Temple Lord. he could leave anytime he wanted, but he had a deal with Nox. If he were to desert the battlefield, he would face a hell far worse than he could imagine late
Their targets were the relics around the altars. The moment the whirlpool showed up, the black energy conjured black walls and kept Brundela on lockdown, cutting off all communications.Possessed by evil spirits, gods from ancient civilizations came back to life. In the underground graveyard, the dead came bursting out of their coffins, and skeletons with phantom flames flickering around them charged at the holy knights and James' secret agents.Nothing more needed to be said. The holy knights' leader led the charge. The other knights resolved to fight to the death as they battled the skeleton gods.James and his secret agents fired off at the enemies, but the bullets did nothing to the skeletons. All they managed was to light a big spark. Only grenades and howitzers could deal damage to them, and even then, the damage was light.The battle was fierce. Though the knights did not fear death, they were still weaker than the prehistoric gods. These skeletons were nigh invincible, and
Nox was hovering higher than the Ice Temple Lord, and he got everyone's attention."Who's that?""It's a Faeastian!""My God, it's the Nine-State Lord!" Nox was known throughout Faeast and the world. Brundela's council members had recognized him the moment he showed up. They had nothing but fear for gods, yet Nox was the strongest man in the Mortal World, so they respected him.The clouds in Brundela's skies were hanging heavily over the ground, and the icy aura they radiated was making everyone shiver. Winter seemed to have come early for Brundela. The temperature was dipping fast.Back in the control center, intelligence agents were watching the surveillance footage closely, and they noticed the altar. The Twilight Order and Ice Temple cultivators were there, strengthening the altars' seal the best they could. There were soldiers guarding the altar as well.For some reason, the secret agents had a feeling something bad was going to happen. Murphy's Law, as they said.Suddenly,
A sliver of energy flew out of the puppet and gathered natural energy around it. Then, the temperature rose at a blistering rate. Fortunately, Bard's reminder came just in time, and Vermilion Bird was prepared for this. She led her team away from the spot.A pillar of fire engulfed the building, and heat waves shot off in every direction, lethal and deadly. The light eventually faded, and all buildings in a few hundred yards were razed to the ground.If Vermilion Bird had killed the puppet without thinking just now, she would have lost all her men and suffered serious injuries. "That bitch! I'm going to make her into a human swine one day! I'll give her hell!" she cursed.Bard gasped. 'Yeah, women can be really terrifying.' Not one General was a normal person.This incident didn't escape Nox, of course. He saw it through his divine sense. "Heh, you can't fight the flow of history? You say that, Aphrodite, but you've done the same thing more than once. Schemes and plots when your ey
Aphrodite was a master manipulator. She knew the weaknesses of Nox's underlings, and she praised Bard, "At least you know where you stand, Bard. You never overreach. Though we failed to make you one of us, I still thought it'd be a shame to kill you."Bard smiled. "Oh, you're such an actor, Ms. Mousse. You know why we don't like you? Queenie is a genuine lady, just like our lord. You're far inferior to her. And don't flatter yourself. Of course, I know where I stand. I can't even reach the pinnacle of martial arts, let alone cultivation."No matter how smart I am, my lack of talents holds me back. I can never be made an important leader." He was only spared because he couldn't become a threat to the Mousses.Nox didn't use schemes because he didn't need them. Absolute power could trump any plot.Vermilion Bird clenched her teeth. "What is the meaning of this? The lord knows that the bitch is here?"Bard shook his head. Vermilion Bird was a smart woman, but Aphrodite made her lose
Aphrodite felt nothing but sorrow, and Vermilion Bird burst into laughter. "I expected nothing less from these people. Your men are just like their employers. Hey, knights, you guys want to find out more about Faeast martial arts? See those Mousse guys? They're masters. Deal with them."Vermilion Bird gave her orders. She knew these people would escape the moment she showed up. The knights flew off, going after the escaped Mousses. The Mousses were a family of warriors, while these knights were cultivators, to an extent. They wore mystical artifacts, and the Mousses' guys didn't have something like that.The battle was fierce but short. The Mousses' powerhouses were taken out, and the rest were dealt with by the Shadow Division."And now only you're left. Interesting, isn't it? Karma always bites you in the ass. You betrayed my lord, and now your men betray you. You deserve this," Vermilion Bird cursed."Yes, I deserve this, but as long as he wants to be the Nine-State Lord, then w
'The beating heart of this land?' The woman's underlings looked grim. They were supposed to be the master tacticians here. Yet, Nox played them like a cheap kazoo. 'He's a far better tactician than we expected!'Nox began his counterattack not long after the Ocean of Death incident. This woman was none other than Aphrodite, Nox's old flame. When she saw Brundela's fate stabilizing, she knew right then that things had gotten out of her hands."Tell the Mousses in Eropa to retreat right away. There is no need to stay here any longer. He's not attacking us because he's waiting for us to do the same. The moment our men try to start anything, he'll swoop in and take them all out. "No one can beat him if he decides to go all the way. Not even me," said Aphrodite.Suddenly, the Mousses' powerhouse noticed something. "I sense bloodlust. Who goes there? Show yourself!" The powerhouses unsheathed their weapons and stood around Aphrodite, protecting her.A group of black silhouettes appeare