The Treasury of Emperor Phillip was located in the far north of the Empire.

William was confident that things wouldn't go smoothly, so he made some preparations before going on the expedition, which is why he was so late by so many hours.

The Emperor would never let such a precious thing get stolen without a reason. It was clear that something was problematic with the Treasury.

He first traveled back to his home to talk with his family. Afterward, he headed towards Kelsein and spoke with the Hidden Master and the Guild Leaders, who had now become his allies. He discussed the changes happening in the Empire and the underlying turmoil.

Combining any information he could get from them, he figured out that someone had created a group and was instigating fights, political strife, and famine in places throughout the Empire. William had already given them tips on how to solve the situation, but he was going to personally take action once he was done with the expedition.

He also communicated with Duchess Kristina Anne Blanchard, wanting to know the situation of the nobles.

Duchess Kristina was young—too young to rule such a large amount of land—but she was highly competent. She was only seventeen at the moment, which meant that she was just two years older than William.

She was given the title when she was thirteen, after her father's unfortunate passing.

Even during the period of the demonic invasion, she was the only noble who helped the common folk. Sadly, she died after being overwhelmed by the demonic apparitions.

After traveling for roughly an hour, they finally reached the area that the map portrayed.

William compared the ground and the surrounding landscape, making sure that they were in the right place. The terrain had changed slightly over time, but William was still able to discern that this was the place.

As William and the expedition group arrived at the designated location, they found themselves standing at the edge of a dense forest. The trees towered above them, their branches intertwined, casting dark shadows on the forest floor.

Eddie, who had been quiet during the journey, stepped forward and surveyed the surroundings. He had been trained in the arts of tracking and scouting, making him an invaluable asset to the group.

"This is the right place; according to the map, the entrance to the treasury should be hidden within these woods."

Eddie confirmed, his voice carrying a hint of excitement.

The mercenaries, now entirely on edge, tightened their grips on their weapons. They had been hired for their combat prowess, and they were eager to prove themselves on this expedition. Their eyes darted around, searching for any signs of danger or hidden adversaries.

William, wearing a confident smile, addressed the group.

"All right, listen up, everyone. We're about to enter the Tyrant's Treasury, and we must proceed with caution. We don't know what awaits us inside, but I have a feeling it won't be easy. Stay vigilant and watch out for traps or any other surprises."

Vincent, Eddie, and Jesse exchanged determined glances, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. Jerome just stood silently behind William's back, his narrow eyes opening slightly, revealing a sharp blue light.

With everyone prepared, the expedition group ventured into the forest. William led the way; his senses heightened as he scanned the surroundings for any signs of hidden traps or illusions.

He constantly weaved spells with his finger, making sure they didn't trigger anything.

As they delved deeper into the forest, the atmosphere grew increasingly eerie. Strange whispers seemed to emanate from the shadows, and the air felt heavy. The group's footsteps were muffled by the thick layer of fallen leaves on the ground, creating an eerie silence that amplified the tension.

Eddie, relying on his tracking skills and aspect, guided them through the dense undergrowth, avoiding areas that seemed particularly dangerous. He led them to a clearing where the foliage thinned, revealing a massive stone structure nestled in the heart of the forest.

A dilapidated building stood before them, an imposing fortress of stone and metal. It exuded an aura of power and wealth, and its architecture was a testament to the Tyrant's grandeur. The entrance, obscured by an intricate pattern of symbols, looked incredibly sturdy.

William approached the entrance, his eyes filled with curiosity and determination. He studied the intricate symbols, recognizing some of them as ancient magical glyphs. With his knowledge of ancient languages, he began deciphering the meaning behind the symbols.

The others patiently waited behind him since they couldn’t provide any assistance.

Carefully, he traced his finger along the surface of the door, channeling his mana into the glyphs. As he did so, a faint glow emanated from the symbols, and the door slowly began to open, revealing a passage leading into the depths of the Treasury.

Before anyone could act, William ordered Vincent to summon a soul. Vincent glanced at him strangely but still complied.

[Death Sworn] was a compelling aspect, especially now that Vincent had some degree of control over it. In no time, a shadowy figure condensed in front of everyone's eyes.

Seeing the summoned soul, William told him to send it in and scout ahead. Vincent and the rest instantly understood what he was doing.

As the summoned soul entered the passage, it moved swiftly, its ethereal form gliding silently through the corridors. It acted as Vincent's eyes and ears, relaying information back to him through their mental connection.

The rest of the group waited anxiously as time seemed to stretch on. Minutes felt like hours as they anticipated the soul's findings.

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"There are no immediate threats detected in the vicinity. The passage seems clear, but there are signs of magical barriers and traps ahead."

Vincent's voice sounded, informing the group of the situation inside.

William nodded, his expression focused.

"Good. Stay vigilant and proceed cautiously. Report back immediately if you sense any danger."

With reassurance from the soul, the group ventured deeper into the Treasury. The passages were lined with ornate drawings and exquisite statues, remnants of a bygone era. The air grew colder, and a faint scent of decay permeated the surroundings.

As they advanced, the traps became more frequent and intricate, a testament to the Tyrant's paranoia and desire to protect his treasures. William used his knowledge of magic, casting spell after spell to trigger or deactivate the traps with calculated precision.

The mercenaries stared in awe at his actions, unable to say anything.

William didn't bother with their reactions since a more critical matter occupied his thoughts.

'So the place was indeed scouted out in the past. There is clear evidence of life in this place, and some places are less dusty than others. Certainly, Emperor Nikolas II wouldn't let such a treasury go without any reason.'

He frowned, having a terrible feeling. If the Emperor had given up on this expedition, it meant that there was something perilous here. It also meant that Aura Saints weren't powerful enough to clear the path.

The Emperor wasn't someone who wouldn't use his power when he could, especially when it came to resources. William's frown deepened as a sense of impending doom encompassed him.

It seemed as though they were stepping into a trap that was carefully laid out, like an insect stuck on a web, with the spider looming over it, ready to end its life at any moment.

The group cautiously made their way through the labyrinthine corridors, relying on William's and Eddie’s expertise in deciphering the traps and Vincent's summoned soul to scout ahead. They encountered various obstacles, from pressure-sensitive plates triggering deadly spikes to magically animated guardians that attacked with swift precision. Each step forward was a test of their skills and survival instincts.

Minutes turned into hours as the expedition group ventured deeper into the Treasury. They encountered chamber after chamber, but the amount of treasure wasn't a lot—just enough to satisfy the mercenaries, who had never seen so much gold. But William's main goal remained elusive—a legendary artifact, something that could assist him with the demonic invasion.

William's mind raced as time passed since they had yet to encounter any truly life-threatening danger.

Suddenly, they reached a massive chamber adorned with majestic pillars and a vaulted ceiling. At the center of the chamber stood a towering pedestal, upon which rested a gleaming, mysterious object.

William squinted his eyes, recognizing it for what it was—a magical staff. He wasn't sure what sort of magical staff it was, but from the vibe it gave off, it was mighty. Since he had yet to create his magic staff, using his finger to cast magic, he was pleased with such an artifact.

Wanting to make sure that the pedestal was safe, William ordered Vincent to use a soul once again, but as the soul approached the pedestal, a chilling voice reverberated through the chamber, sending shivers down their spines.

"So, you've finally made it to the end of my Treasury. Impressive, but ultimately futile. Oh, wait, you're not that incompetent Nikolas, how amusing."

The voice belonged to a veiled figure who emerged from the shadows, possessing a regal demeanor tainted by a malevolent aura. Although one couldn't see their actual appearance, their massive frame alone would intimidate anyone.

"Did you honestly think you could steal from me? You underestimate my power and the lengths I will go to protect what is rightfully mine."

William's expression hardened, his eyes narrowing. He didn't know who this person was, but he had a sneaking suspicion. Opening his mouth, he began speaking, his voice laced with Aura.

"Emperor Phillip, I presume? I don't know how you've managed to retain your life, but from what I'm sensing, you should be at your last leg."

The veiled figure moved slightly at his words, two bright lights appearing in the dark hallway where it stood.

Walking forward, the figure took off its disguise, showcasing a black skeleton wearing a golden crown, its skin loosely hanging from its bones.

The sight of Emperor Phillip in his skeletal form sent a wave of shock and unease through the expedition group. His ghastly appearance, juxtaposed with the golden crown atop his head, made for a genuinely haunting sight.

"You are perceptive, young one, but your understanding of my power is limited. I have surpassed the boundaries of mortality, and I will not let anyone threaten what is rightfully mine."

The skeletal Emperor hissed, his voice echoing with an otherworldly resonance.

William finally understood why Emperor Nikolas II had given up on the Treasury. If the Tyrant was still alive, then they couldn't do anything.

However, one thing confused William: how were they able to explore the Treasury for so long and even loot a few chambers? This shouldn't have been the case if what William had assumed was true. There was only one explanation behind it.

Emperor Phillip was extremely weak at the moment, or at least weaker than when Emperor Nikolas II attacked.

Emperor Nikolas II and Emperor Phillip were indeed of the same lineage. Still, they came from separate branches of the family. After Phillip became known as the Tyrant, his side of the family was annihilated, so it wasn't weird that Nikolas II would raid his secret Treasury.