An enraged Thalia stormed off to the inner sanctum to see Nox. If she didn't get a clear answer, her anger would explode.Nox and Keith were in the midst of a discussion, but then a petite silhouette came in barging and shouting."Get out here and face me, you meanie!"Nox frowned. Keith flew into a rage. "Who dares insult my lord?" he roared.Thalia didn't look at Keith. Instead, she came running to Nox, her eyes red. "Hey, are you really getting married, you meanie?" The girl was on the verge of tears, as if Nox had jilted her.Nox couldn't believe this. "Yeah. Why?"Thalia screamed in her head again. "You meanie! How could you! Didn't I tell you I love you? You can't get married!"The girl started crying and bawling like she'd gone through the worst nightmare of her life. Keith was at a loss for words. 'The heck's going on here?' he wondered."What's this got to do with you?"Thalia shouted, "It has everything to do with me! I love you! We could've gotten married!" She crie
"So, how'd she end up in your place?" Keith asked, curious.Nox told him about the case of Blackdragon and how it was under the Wood family's jurisdiction."I see. Rumors claim Faeast's Ancient Four controls all factions in the nation. This lends credence to that story."Nox nodded. "The girl might seem crazy at times, but she's not evil. When this is over, take her back to her family, Keith."Keith nodded. "Yes." A moment of musing later, he asked, "Milord, I have a question.""What is it?""You're getting married soon, and I think you should be telling the guys about it. You created the division, after all. Bear and Bard are still grieving over your death. Bear, especially. Ever since you 'died,' he's lost so much weight, he's more stick than bear."Keith continued, "Either he cries all day, or he goes to your old house and kneels all day." He sighed. Besides him, there were two more commanders in the Shadow Division.Keith was the Supreme Tiger, Bear Colton was the White Bea
"It's alright." Nox raised his head again, and this time, there was murder in his eyes. "It's not the same military I know anyway. What's more, that witch usurped my place. If Black Tortoise knows of my survival, he'll be put in a dilemma and under observation."Keith heaved a long sigh, and he clenched his fists. "Damnable witch! Someday, I will seek vengeance for you by having her killed!"Nox smiled, but he said nothing more.…The news of Nox's marriage traveled around quickly. Alexander also got wind of it, after which he spread the news to Zone: Draco.At Zone: Draco headquarters. Draco was in his office, dressed in military attire. When he received the news from Alexander, he roared in laughter. The tacticians and division leaders shot him confused looks. They wondered why the commander was so elated.'The lord is finally getting married,' he thought.Draco announced, "I'll be making a trip to Riverton and staying there for some time. You guys are now in charge."The div
"Annie, I know you like Nox." Alexander spared the honorifics due to Nox's request."What? What's this about? I-I don't like him," Annie lied. Her cheeks turned slightly red. She grabbed an apple from the side and munched on it to hide her feelings."You're lying. I can see through you." Alexander sighed, and he gave his daughter a loving look. "But alas, lady luck doesn't smile upon you.""Um, what's this about, Dad?" Annie was getting perplexed."Simple. You and Nox will never be together. He's going to marry Ms. Sanders."Annie's hand shook. Her apple fell with a thud and rolled away. All the color drained from her face. "This is a joke, isn't it? Him? Married?" Annie stared at her father like he just sprouted six arms.Alexander shook his head, a bitter smile hanging on his lips."But… but this is so sudden." Annie's voice trembled. "I… I thought he was at Dragoncourt all this time. How… Why… What's this all about?""Your guess is as good as mine. All I know is he loves Ms.
"This glory will last us for generations!" George couldn't stop gushing at his father.Ever since Nox healed Henry, the old gentleman had never left the house. He spent his days gardening and reading scriptures. All he had to say to George's gushing was, "Glory for generations? You? I'm not convinced at all.""Don't underestimate me, Dad. Okay, yeah, I can't bring glory to our family, not by myself, but my daughter's another story." George chuckled."What does Queenie have to do with this?" Henry asked."She's getting married. That's why I came. You had to know," George continued."Is that so? Who's the groom?" Henry asked quickly."Who else? Nox, of course. The guy you think is perfect," George said proudly."The one who healed me?""Yeah, that guy. You said he's great. You wanted him to marry Queenie, and now you have your wish."Henry stopped trimming his bonsai. "Really? Queenie's really going to marry Nox?" Henry was excited, too."Yeah, it's true," George said."That i
George met up with Queenie to decide on the wedding date, but Queenie wasn't the one making this decision. So, George asked her to discuss it with Nox.Queenie wanted to take things slow, but since George was in a hurry, she played along. "Fine. I'll ask Nox." She drove to Dragoncourt and called Nox on the way there.Nox was already waiting for Queenie at the base of the mountain, and she showed up a while later. Queenie wore a black dress that day, and her hair was tied up. She shone wherever she went, her beauty unparalleled.Queenie got out of her car and hopped into Nox's arms. "Nono!"Nox happily held the lady. This was their first meeting since they got engaged. Queenie cheekily asked, "So what have you been up to, Nono? Did you miss me?""Yes, all the time," Nox said."Really?""Of course.""That's more like it. We're getting married, so you have to think of me all the time. And you can't bully me," Queenie said."You're always on my mind. I promise I won't be bad," Nox
Nox took Queenie's hand and led her up the estate. Queenie had never been here before. There was a blanket of clouds surrounding the path. Everything felt surreal to her.Queenie followed behind Nox. When they were about to enter Dragoncourt, someone said, "Hello, milady!"The booming voice scared Queenie. She turned around and was met with a burly man standing by the doorway. He was almost beastly and had a bloody air about him, but he was smiling at her."W-What did you just call me?" Queenie stared at Keith speechlessly."Milady?" Keith grinned.'Milady?' Queenie shot Nox with a confused look.Resigned, Nox said, "We're close friends. He calls me 'milord.' You know what that makes you."Queenie's face turned red.Keith said, "It's a pleasure to meet you, milady. I'm just a regular guy. Ain't smart like the other people, but call me if you need anything. If any bastard hurts you, I'll have their heads! I'll even desecrate their graves if you want me to."Queenie was flabberg
Though they were called guards, the Sovereign's Society members didn't get mad. Instead, they smiled at Queenie brightly, much to her confusion. Still, Queenie followed Nox into the great hall.She then asked, "So you really do live here, Nono?""Yes." Nox poured a glass of water for Queenie."But where did you get the money? And I've never seen guys like your guards before. Who are they?" Queenie wasn't stupid. She knew Faye and her men were no ordinary people. The clothes they wore looked expensive, Faye especially.Queenie had recognized the embroidery on Faye's dress. It was the most famous one in the world of embroidery, and one dress with that kind of stuff would cost tens of thousands. Besides, Faye was a very attractive woman. There was no way she was just a guard. 'Yeah, right.'"Queenie, it's a long story. You'll understand in time," Nox answered vaguely. "So, what do you want to talk about?" He sat down.Though Queenie had many questions, she set them aside. "Our weddi
Queenie did as she was told and flew into the mountain. She was met with a gigantic furnace, and Flame Emperor was trapped within, suffering the burn. His astral form was extremely weakened."Look closely. This is not your usual fire. It's making me into an elixir, slowly refining my providence and funneling it into the coffin. The coffin's connected to Celestial Domain, and that place transfers my providence to the witch. She wishes to use my providence to gain greater heights."The empress is now a Five-ring Minor Saint. One step, and she'll be a Great Saint," explained Flame Emperor."She's using Nox to become a Great Saint?" Queenie asked."Exactly. If Nox relents and sacrifices himself for her, she can absorb his providence and become a Great Saint. The moment she does, she will activate Celestial Burtial and absorb the providence of all civilizations around the world. She wants to sacrifice the whole world for her own success."Queenie had her answers, but what confused her
Dominic was fighting with his life, buying time for Queenie. Suddenly, the empress' eye power weakened, and it couldn't even fight Dominic's will-of-the-sword. "What is this? What's Nox doing?"Dominic's will-of-the-sword noticed the scent of death coming from Nox. This mustn't happen. Nothing must happen to Nox, or his sacrifice would've been for nothing. "Stand up, Nox! You're not giving up here!" Dominic called out to Nox with his will-of-the-sword. As a fellow swordsman, Nox noticed the call."I want you to live Nox. I don't want you to die with me. I know this is all fake, but I just want to confirm what my father told me before. If someone's dying here, it's me!" Nineve lunged at Nox and held him tightly."Very well, then we're killing our way out of here!"Nineve nodded. Nox used his eye power to break the formation by force. With will-of-the-sword, he carved a path out of the formation. At the same time Nox and Nineve ran for their lives, Queenie was making her way to the m
"Nineve, Queenie is at risk right now! If I don't stop the empress, she will use her spell to control the whole world! Faeast will be gone! We will never rise again!" Nox said solemnly. He was worried this might happen. He wasn't scared of any illusion, but the rules would change if Nineve was in the picture.Her wish would affect Nox. When Nox brought Queenie up, she cried. "So you care about her the most. Go to her, then! No one loves me! I deserve this! I did this to myself! I should've given up everything to save you! I don't care about anything now. I just want to stay right here and be with my father!"Nineve had given up, and Nox wanted to scream. He wasn't sure how he should explain it to Nineve. Love needed no explanation, however."What do I do, Your Majesty?? I can't give her up for Nineve, and I can't give up Nineve for her. I can't make a choice." Nox was in a dilemma. No matter the decision, he would regret it. From a big picture perspective, he should save Queenie. Ho
Dominic's energy formed a barrier, and his sword merged with his astral form. This was a true fusion between man and sword."Do you want to die that much, old man? It's not too late to back out. I can set up an exit, and your astral form can leave. Refuse, and I will snuff you out." The empress' face contorted. She was a demoness, and not an ounce of her beauty was left on her face.Dominic laughed. "Death does not scare me. It is not the end. Glory is what I seek. Generations to come will know me as a saintly swordsman, but none will remember even your name. You failed even after seventy thousand years. You will not get what you want! Give up on your delusions and accept reality!"There was a hint of death wish in Dominic's will-of-the-sword. Should he die in this battle, his name would be known throughout Faeast. He wasn't scared at all."Damn you. I will kill you! None of your faction will live!" The empress' third eye was bloodshot, and then the crimson strings came crawling ou
Aphrodite didn't react much. She said, "If she kills you, it's a good thing. Proves that you're a capable person. It's easy to kill someone. Not so much when it comes to controlling the heart. She doesn't have the power to control your soul just yet.""What the hell are you talking about? Same difference. Just tell me what I should do now. My sacred beasts are running out of energy. I can't ask them to put their lives on the line. They're practically an endangered species! They mustn't die!" Kirin had no choice but to call back the sacred beasts that'd exhausted their energy and dispel them.The Generals weren't sacred beasts, but they were Kirin's friends. He couldn't watch them die here."Oh, pipe down. There's nothing to worry about." Aphrodite snorted."So you have a plan?" Kirin thought they had hope, seeing that Aphrodite was so calm."No. I did everything I could. Everything is in fate's hands now," said Aphrodite."Dammit! What do you mean you did everything you could? I
"We're out." Dominic and Queenie were back in the real world. He saw the demonic mountain and the desolate world around him, and he wondered if this was another formation."We're out, master. This is the real world. Nono said Flame Emperor's trapped under the mountain," said Queenie solemnly."No, it's not the mountain that has him trapped; it's the empress." Dominic gasped. "No, that's not right. She doesn't have the right or authority to do that." He frowned. "And where's Nox?" he asked curiously. He only got out thanks to Nox's guidance, but the guy was nowhere to be found.Nox and Nineve fell into another illusion formation, and this time, they were transported back to Imperia. The formation carved out the whole city, and Nox was surprised it managed that. Nineve's head was spinning. She grabbed Nox's arm and wouldn't stop talking."Are we back in Imperia? You killed that bitch, Nox?"Nox was speechless. "No, we're in another illusion. Dammit, this can't trap me, but figuring
"What is he doing? Is he going to put everything on the line? No, he's trying to take the domain's control from me. How dare he! No, the golden kirin is something much more ancient than I am. If he activates some sort of secret spell, he might actually pull this off!"The empress would not leave this battle to chance. One mistake, and she would lose everything. She had no choice but to do everything she could to stop Kirin. However, using her eye power meant she would be distracted.And an opening was created.Nox was in the mist, but he suddenly stopped in his tracks. "Weird. The mist is growing thin. The empress' eye power is weakening?" This might be a trap, but Nox didn't care."Eight Saintly Techniques, Blazing Holy Eyes." Nox's golden eyes appeared and dispelled most of the mist. Right away, he found an opening. "Heaven's Demise! Shatter this thing!"He cast a Forbidden Art, and flames burned everything. A talisman sprang forth and burned into a crisp. The moment its ashes w
Nox, Nineve, Queenie, and Dominic were in the mist, all worried about one another. Back in Celestial Domain, the spirits' attack was growing fiercer. Some were even close to devouring the sacred beasts. Kirin had to call back the sacred beasts and send them away to keep the bloodline going."There are too many people who have died in this place over the last seventy millennia. We can't hope to kill them all. We can't last much longer at this rate." Kirin himself was bearing too much weight. He couldn't join the fray."I think it's time," Aphrodite suddenly said."What? Is it the final moment?" Kirin asked solemnly."No. I mean the empress is backed into a corner. You might think she's still relentless, but I think she's at her wit's end. Time to give her the final push. She's too tense, and one little distraction is enough to create an opening," answered Aphrodite seriously.Kirin had no idea what she had in mind, but he knew she wasn't lying. She was doing this for a reason. "Wha
Queenie was a little shocked. 'Next time? Please, no.'"I knew something was wrong. Nono wasn't sure if Nineve was Flame Emperor's descendant, but the one in the illusion was certain. I knew it was fake, but I couldn't help myself." Queenie sighed. She still couldn't get over herself.Dominic laughed. "You need some confidence. Be arrogant if you have to. It's better than to be craven. If Nineve is a Sovereign's descendant, then there must be a reason for your being here. Let's see if we can uncover the mystery."Dominic was about to take Queenie into a search for the truth, but Queenie stopped him. "Tell me the truth. Since you're an astral form, does that mean you're a sacrifice too?" she asked solemnly."No, not exactly. I can't break the formation, but I can enter it, though that comes with a price. It can't hurt me, but going out won't be easy." It was pointless to lie now, after all."So the empress can't hurt you for now, but if she wants to drag everyone down with her and