When Nox and his group came out, they were met with a group of Shadow Division members waiting for them. Behind the members was a fleet of luxury cars.Nox frowned at this. "You called the southwest division, Bear?"Bear came up to Nox quickly. "Yep. You're here, so of course, these guys have to welcome you themselves.""Are you stupid? I told you no one can know I'm alive!" Nox shot Bear a glare.Bear thought it was a bit unfair, but he said nothing."Listen up, Bear. Don't tell them who I am. Got it?" Nox instructed coldly."Of course, milord. They will know nothing." Bear nodded quickly.Nox nodded as well. He mustn't let anyone know he was still alive, no matter to the Shadow Division or anyone else. After all, it would cause havoc. If the public found out about his survival, Faeast would be plunged into chaos.When Nox and his group showed up, a burly man from the Shadow Division came out."Greetings, Commander Colton. I am Jesse Sphere, military judge of column 39, south
An old sorcerer in yellowing robes sat on the staircase leading to Blathanna Sect. He was Jebediah, of course. Ever since Nox left, he'd been waiting at the entrance every day, awaiting his return. Today marked his seventh day.It was then that a fleet came up to the sect's entrance. Jebediah stood up right away, looking at the fleet nervously. 'What's going on here?' he wondered.The doors swung open, and out came groups of Shadow Division members. A moment later, Jebediah noticed a mountainous silhouette coming out. Copperpeak. "Hey, that's Copperpeak. That means the lord is back."He then saw Nox coming out of the car and quickly ran up to him. "Milord!" He laughed. "You're finally back!"Bear and Augustus came out of the car after that. Jebediah was surprised to see Bear. "Commander Colton! What brings you here?"Bear grinned. "Of course I'm here. I'm with the lord."Nox asked, "Where's Queenie, Jeb?""She's fine if you want to know, milord. And she's been eagerly waiting fo
Queenie was in her room, thinking about Nox. Like he told her, she would take one Fleshtemper every day before she started missing him. It was then someone knocked on her door."Who is it?" she asked."It's me."It was a familiar voice, and Queenie trembled. That was the man she'd been missing all this time. "Nono?" She swung her door open. Standing before her was Nox himself."I'm back, Queenie," said Nox.Immediately, Queenie gave him a tight hug.Nox smiled and wrapped his arm around her waist."You're finally back, Nono! Do you have any idea how much I've missed you?" Queenie grumbled, tightening her hug."Sorry. I was held up by something," explained Nox."Is that so? Well, don't leave me for so long next time. What if someone steals you away?"Thinking she was adorable, Nox patted her head. "What are you thinking, silly? No one's going to steal me away.""You bet someone will! You're so handsome and kind. Any woman's going to try and steal you away!" Queenie held Nox's
The corpse poison of the thousand-corpse worm was the deadliest of them all. That poison would attack the victim's heart and destroy their innards, making them lose all feeling in their limbs.If this symptom dragged on, the victim's body would start to rot from the inside. Eventually, the necrosis would start eating away at their whole body. When Nox thought of that, the scowl on his face deepened.Queenie noticed the look on his face and whispered, "Is it serious, Nox?""It's alright," said Nox quickly. That way, Queenie wouldn't overthink things. "You just have to remember that I'm here. As long as I'm here, I'll definitely cure you."Queenie didn't probe further. Instead, she rested her head on Nox's chest. "I'm not scared of this illness. I'm just worried about losing you. What should I do, then?"Nox felt something squeezing his heart, and he hugged Queenie tightly. "It's alright, Queenie. I will cure you, no matter what. I promise."Queenie didn't say anything in response.
"You've met the lord, I presume?" Bear turned to Selina."Of course," answered Selina."So, what do you think? He's far more handsome, isn't he? More dashing?""Don't beat about the bush, fatso. What are you trying to say?" Selina asked.Bear grinned and teased, "It's a reunion after a long separation, and you loved him so much back then. It's not every day you get to meet him. So, maybe you should take the chance and… You know, get it on with him if you get my drift."Icy fury crept onto Selina's face. "One more word out of you, fatso, and I'll cut off your tongue."Bear scrambled away from her. "I'm just saying what I'm seeing."A cough came from the side. The surprised Bear turned around and quickly saw Nox leading Queenie out. "Milord!" he called. "Oh, Your Highness, you're awake!"Queenie immediately became confused by his form of address. So, she asked, "Who is he, Nono? Why does he call me Your Highness?"Nox shot Bear a scathing look. Bear instantly realized he'd let s
"Good."After the brief introduction, Nox took Queenie back to her room in order to prevent her from getting too exhausted. Queenie suddenly asked, "Do you have anything more to do after this, Nono?"The surprised Nox asked, "No. Why?"Queenie held Nox's arm, chuckling. "Nothing. It's just I gotta visit a relative tomorrow. Can you come with me?""What relative?""My uncle. He's in Greentown as well. I've checked the map, and it's about a dozen miles away. If you're not too busy, maybe we can visit him together?" Queenie told Nox about her uncle.Nox knew that Queenie was bored after staying at Blathanna Sect due to her cursebug affliction. Nox didn't see a reason to reject her proposal, especially since she wanted to pay her relatives a visit. "Yeah, I can make it tomorrow.""Really?""Yep."Queenie beamed. "Thanks, Nono." She rested her head on his chest.The next day, Nox got ready for the visit. Queenie got up early to dress herself up. She wore a floral dress, her hair c
Queenie told Nox about her uncle during their journey there. He was in the construction business. A contractor of some sort, and he'd been doing quite well for himself in the southwest. The taxi started going forward.Halfway through, Queenie said, "Nono, Selina used to have a crush on you, doesn't she?"The sudden question caught Nox by surprise. He froze for a moment and answered, "No.""You're lying. I saw how she looked at you. I saw how she treated you. Of course, she likes you. She even thought about you even when it's supposed to be a visit to my uncle's."Nox quickly explained, "You're reading too much into it, Queenie. I—""It's alright. I'm happy she likes you, Nono.""What do you mean?""I mean, she's beautiful. If a woman like her fancies you, that means you're a brilliant man." Queenie smiled.Nox scratched his head. 'It's impossible to read women.'"However… I'll strangle you with my bare hands if you cheat on me." Queenie pinched Nox's arm.Nox held her hand ge
"Is Uncle David here?"The mention of David Crystals stunned the girl, then she turned her head around. "Dad, someone wants to see you!"A man in a wheelchair came out, and Queenie recognized him."Uncle David!"The honest-looking man in the wheelchair was surprised to see Queenie. "Queenie, is that you?""Yes.""My dear girl, this is a sudden visit. You could've called. I'd be more than happy to pick you up," said David happily."Oh, it was a spur-in-the-moment idea. So, I didn't want to disturb you. What happened to your leg?" Queenie didn't miss the fact her uncle was in a wheelchair.David smiled bitterly. "Some falling slab of stone crashed into it at the site. It's alright, I was careless."Since that was the case, Queenie asked no more questions."Come in, Queenie. It's been years since I saw you. You're all grown up now," David happily invited Queenie and Nox inside. He then told the girl who opened the door, "Zara, this is your cousin, Queenie."Zara looked at Queen
Back in the regular guards' camp, Harley spat blood. He was lying in the ruins of a building, his body covered in slash marks. His Celestial technique was broken. This man was leagues above him. Celestial techniques were useless. The swordsman was too powerful."Magic Mountain's techniques? But their swordsmen are on good terms with the lord!" Harley stared at the man in green. He defeated Harley using Magic Mountain's techniques.Magic Mountain and Mystia had always been at loggerheads. They had slain many demons and monsters throughout the years, and their swordsmanship was a bane for the cultivators."I wonder how Nox managed to make a Mystian like you loyal to him. Yes, I am a Magic Mountain swordsman. Was, to be honest. I was kicked out a hundred years ago. My master said my heart is astray. How laughable. I have killed demons over ninety years, and hundreds of them have died to my blade! My heart is not astray!"Your sins are innumerable, Harley, and you must be slain! White
All of a sudden, the soldiers let go of their weapons. They had a look of fanaticism on their faces as they throttled themselves to death. The party went on, and the bluebloods enjoyed every moment, oblivious to the incoming danger.The monk passed through the residence smoothly, with all the soldiers and guards throttling themselves to death. Suddenly, everyone noticed a monk in red robes in the party hall. The drunk guests thought this was an event arranged by Atlas."We have a monk here. Wonder what kind of show you're presenting," a portly rich man joked, laughing loudly."Show? I am the leader of an evil sect. No show, but I do have a scripture to share. The government calls my sect evil, and they claim the monks are agents of darkness. You are not much better yourself. Omitofo."The old monk chanted once more, and the look on everyone's faces changed. Some knelt and cried their hearts out. Some groveled and didn't even notice that their heads were bleeding. They talked about
Back in his residence, Atlas called a feast and invited the bluebloods of Imperia. He was glowing during the event and could never be happier. He used to be a declining aristocrat with nothing but the title of nobility.However, his luck turned for the better when he got older. He followed Nox into battle at Heaven's Cage, Vertolt, and Winterosch, making him a true lord. The Limerents controlled the nation, and he was a prince. He could even have some power over the nation or at least be one of the top dogs in Faeast.If Nox became emperor, then all the better. Perhaps he could be a more intimate part of the royal family. He drank to his heart's content and partied with the most desired people in Imperia. Nothing could be better."Life is short, people. Drink!"…The Ice Temple's vice-Lord was in the regular guards' encampment. This was a critical junction, and yet Atlas wasn't at his post. Instead, he was having a party. The vice-Lord had a bad feeling about this, but he had no p
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