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
Just then, several pirate ships appeared on the horizon. They were from Capwave Island. Now, Nox had every reason to suspect that these pirates were nothing more than pawns, a smokescreen used by the elites of the island nations to cover their tracks. "Milord, those guys have their eyes on us. What's the call?" the captain asked. "My rule is simple. If they make a move, fire. Wipe them out. But you're the captain, so I'll leave the decision to you," Nox said. The university students onboard were all fired up, ready to take action without a second thought. The captain, mindful of the number of civilians on board, decided to attempt communication first. He picked up the radio to send a warning to the pirates.The deafening roar of jet engines ripped through the sky. A sudden transmission cut into their frequency. The voice on the radio was firm and unmistakable. "This is the Faeast Air Force. We have orders to escort your vessel. Stand by." Above them, fighter jets h
Nox first checked on Cassian. After realizing he was fine and had only collapsed out of exhaustion and loss of life essence, Nox turned to lead a group of men toward the port. The mystical artifact sealing off the island had been retrieved. The isolated island would finally see the light of day once more! Nox had just arrived at the port when he was surrounded by a pack of students. Somehow, they found out their savior was Lord Nox of Faeast. They were all insistent on meeting him. "We just knew Faeast would save us!""Our savior is actually Lord Nox! We will surely study hard to repay Faeast!"They were young and impulsive. In their eyes, Nox was sent to rescue them as Faeast knew they were in danger. Hence, they were overwhelmed with emotions. Nox stared at them with a guilty look in his eyes. He had not even known they were kidnapped. Due to that guilt, he agreed to take a group photo with the students even though he disliked appearing before the public eye. The enti
"Zeller, you'll be brought to justice!"With a twist of his fingers, thousands of swords appeared out of thin air and swung at Zeller.Without any techniques he could use, Zeller had to risk his life to block and dodge every blow sent his way. However, his body gave up after a few hundred strikes, and his body was torn apart.Shaken to his very core, Zeller tried to make a retreat."Where are you going? Quintuple Lightning, awaken the divine tempest!"As deafening thunder roared through the sky, countless bolts of lightning struck down at Zeller's dark spirit, killing him.One of the best evil cultivators died just like that.His death also sounded the death knell for the Celestial Ordinance's Abode that had been causing chaos in Faeast for centuries.The Marine Corps gazed at Nox with passionate excitement in their eyes.This was their lord, someone who was stronger than Cassian!Nox turned around to find the remaining elites crying in despair. Some of them had already lost
The energy erupted with a force that broke through the clouds. Zeller swiftly realized something was wrong. The staff inside the formation was trembling. Cassian was about to break through his trap. Nox's eyes lit up. "Oh? Grandpa broke through to the fifth-ring Minor Saint realm."As soon as he said that, the energy set the air ablaze, causing the demonic phantoms to melt away. When Cassian appeared in view, he was covered in blood while tightly holding on to the staff. With all his might, he pulled the staff out of the ground. The instant the staff left the dirt, the formation dispersed. Cassian collapsed onto the ground, having depleted his life essence. "Shoot!" Zeller instantly tried to get the staff back. However, Nox acted at the same time at a speed far greater than Zeller's. He first rushed over to Cassian and took the staff from him. Then, he struck out with a palm that sent Zeller's life essence dispersing from the immediate area. Zeller was sent flying away
"Watch as I break through your technique!"With a low roar, Cassian used his essence to draw out a talisman. The moment the talisman was complete, the stench of blood flooded the air.Blood energy was unable to dispel the demonic phantoms, but it was able to reveal Zeller from where he was hiding within the phantoms."Found you!"Cassian sent another punch swinging. The tables were turned.A series of loud bangs echoed from within the cloud of demonic phantoms. The Golden Fire Saint power surged. With one last dull thud, Zeller was sent flying out of the formation."Mousse, you're mistaken. I told you so. Cassian would win!" Nineve said with a scoff. It was so great to witness Aphrodite humiliated.Aphrodite shook her head with a soft laugh. "Princess, do you really think what you see is the truth?"Nineve was stunned. "What do you mean? Speak clearly!""You saw Zeller sent flying out of the formation, but that doesn't put his life in danger at all. If you were Cassian, you wo
"Ashura's Seal, Demonic Phantom Fury!"Zeller waved his staff. When he struck it against the ground, countless demonic phantoms appeared, surrounding him and Cassian and blocking them from view. Amid the demonic cloud of phantoms, golden fire could be seen flickering within. Cassian was trapped by the phantoms, and the Greenshade family's ancient martial style did no damage. He could not disperse the demonic phantoms. Under Zeller's control, demonic energy seeped into Cassian's body, slowly scrambling his mind. "This is bad. It looks like the trap has turned into a personal demon for Grandpa." Nox frowned. "Act if you must. Faeast needs a strong fighter of the previous generation like Cassian right now," Aphrodite said. Nox nodded. Still, now was not the best opportunity for interference. If Cassian could not get rid of his personal demon, his cultivation would suffer in the future. There were many cultivators at Saint Realm who practiced the soul techniques of the pat
Nox patiently watched the fight. His analysis was about the same as Aphrodite's. It would be difficult for Cassian to defeat Zeller.Still, Nox thought that Cassian would likely end the fight with a minor defeat as the power gap would never be too great.As Nox thought that, Cassian struck once more in a move aimed to kill. If Zeller were struck, he would be dead."You're quite strong, Cassian. Still, it's useless. I am certainly no match for you, but even if I can't defeat you, it doesn't mean it can't!"At the very last moment, Zeller pulled out an item that emanated enough energy within a few minutes to rival a cultivator at Saint Realm."That is a sacred artifact. Amazing. He does have great treasures," Nox remarked with narrowed eyes.Zeller was just an average cultivator. That was why he was still stuck at the cusp of Saint Realm. It was still a question if he could be a saint in the future. However, things were different with the aid of a sacred artifact.With the help of
"Haha! Do you think I'm powerless because you took away control of the ghosts?"Cassian Greenshade, your family has protected Faeast for millennia. You have stood in our way for the same amount of time! If not for your family, the Celestial Ordinance's Abode would already be ruling its own country!"Protecting Faeast? What hypocrites!"Nox is now the Human Sovereign, the future ruler of Faeast! He might even be crowned a Monarch! Your family is the new royal family!"How is that any different from what we want? You just want a country that belongs to your family."We are essentially the same. Stop criticizing us. It's like the pot calling the kettle black!" Zeller mockingly spat out. In their eyes, Nox could not be crowned the emperor of Faeast. Nox did not refute that claim as there was no way to talk sense into these people. With different motives and perspectives, nothing he said would get through to them. Cassian flew into a fit of rage. "You scoundrel! You refuse to fee
"Hahaha! I was wondering who this great cultivator was. You were someone I once defeated!"You can't win against me, so you ran all the way here to be a lord?" Cassian smirked. It was clear the two knew each other. He then turned to Nox. "This old priest is the founder of Celestial Ordinance's Abode in Faeast, Nox. I chased him off not long ago, and when I found out he was a powerful figure in Manesia, I journeyed there to defeat him once more. Unfortunately, he's a very slippery man. I've gone after him several times, yet I could never get rid of him. Later on, there was no more news, so I thought he died of old age. I didn't expect him to be hiding here." Meanwhile, Cassian used his Divine Sense to get a feel for the other's cultivation level. "Old git, you've grown stronger by quite a lot. Still, you're just on the cusp of Saint Realm. You aren't even at half Saint, yet you dare to confront us?"With Cassian's four-ring Minor Saint strength, it would only take seconds for Cas