"Knock!" - "Knock!!" - "Knock!!!"

Three sounds of fast-knocking impacts came to be repeated and echoed, one right after the other, in a very swift, and yet remarkably dulled sequence, for said noises were most certainly caused by the flesh and bone of a hand, a hand which was most unquestionably bashing into something firm and tough. And so, the sounds came to be reproduced throughout the air, from the point where said knocking sounds came to be made.

And the one to be responsible for the commotion was non-other than a healthy and strong-looking young man, who was currently using the back of his closed fist, his knuckles, to hit a very large and massive double door, which appeared to be made out of a two-piece body of extremely heavy wood.

Although even calling the doorway, extensive and enormous, it would still not be enough to describe it, because, given the towering height and sweeping wideness that the double door was, it could allow two large carriages to pass through side by side, even so, that was only possible given the size of the enormous corridor in which the young man was in, for the ceiling of the said aisle could be reached only if the young man could grow nine times his current hight, and only then would he be able to touch the ceiling, as for its width, it could be only said, that the corridor was wide enough to allow a large procession to pass through, with observers that could stand on both of its sides.

"Knock!" - "Knock!!"

"Prince!"

However, at this moment, in this enormous hall, before the large double door, the youthful man who was shouting and knocking on the immense doors, appeared to be calling towards a certain "Prince", whom he appeared to be wishing to see.

Dressed in a long white and purple robe, the young man could really be said to be young, and yet, it could be conveyed that his own appearance betrayed him, for even if he gave the general overview of being in his early twenties, the grey-white hair, which was sinking from his head, was telling another disconnected story altogether.

Albeit, if one could go past his almost hypnotizing countenance that could make one drowsy, one could glance at his face, which if coupled with his grey-white hair, would give one the impression of an old man that was rejuvenated in some kind of bizarre manner. And while adding the irises of his eyes, which were of the same colour, one would fall into an even more intense trance of weariness, for his gaze, appeared to attract one's focus, while being capable of muddling one's thoughts, with an even more substantial force than just a simple glance at his overall face and body.

Although, right now, despite his shout and his action, the young man, was sporting a strangely kind, and yet appeasing look, a countenance which could prompt one to instinctively trust him, for no apparent justification.

"Knock!"

"Prince!!"

Nevertheless, at this moment, to his dismay and exasperation, as he stood before the large doors, waiting for a response from the "Prince" he was repeatedly calling, no answer came counter to his call, as only silence was beyond the doors ahead of him.

Although, in actuality, it was a far worse case, for he had been before said double doors for more than a hundred breaths of time, and let alone words, no sound could be heard for what was to be behind the doorways, for it was as though, the room beyond the entrances was blocked from the world entirely, as it appeared to lack any kind of exchange of sounds between.

"Sigh---! Prince! Please excuse my---, rather boorish--, and invasive-, intrusion!"

"Crack!" - "Crack!" - "Crack!"

And as it was, after numerous times that the young man had called for the said "Prince", and no replies had come his way, the young man had come to be left with only a deep sigh to give, after which he proceeded to extend both of his hands towards the double entrances, and with a normal push, the two sides of the entrances commenced to open towards the insides of the room, while the young man contemporaneously stepped beyond said entries and came to be with a foot on the premise of the room.

Nonetheless, while the young man was pushing the doors, cracking sounds of something breaking could be heard, small popping sounds, which came from the sides of the entryways as low fluctuations, from the points where the walls and the entrances were connected and helped to stay shut, all be it, currently the doors were pushed against their will to stay closed, in the young man's act of opening them. However, an even more drastic cause because of his action, was his own deep and eye-catching handprints, which came to be made onto the solid wood of the doors, due to the force he came to apply while opening them.

"Prince Mesop!"

"---!"

And so, the young man entered beyond said doors, into the room exceeding their access. But to greet him first was none other than a gust of scalding air against his face.

Even so, the young man did not shirk back, for he directly smashed with the said surge of burning wind, which, if it was to be endured by any normal human, he or she would feel as though having been put under a slow smouldering fire, to be gradually and slowly cooked, as though a freshly caught game, above a campfire.

"Kyaaaaaaaaa---!!!"

"Imperial Preceptor!?"

To his act of brazen intrusion, the voice of another man was immediately heard, appearing surprised while addressing him as "Imperial Preceptor".

But to the surprised man's voice, no immediate answer came from the young man, for as he entered, with his left hand, the now-called Imperial Preceptor made a waving motion before his nose, akin to someone that was trying to shoo a scent, that was found to be very unpleasant to the nose.

To this act of his, a storm gale manifested, a fast current that arose from nowhere in the large room in which he was currently present. And with the astonishing act, the room came to be cleared of the heat and began to simmer down to a more normal temperature.

However, due to his prompt action, the original inhabitants of the room did not come unscathed, for as the strong current came to be, the room was ruffled and shuffled with everything and anything being affected as a small consequence, from the long drapes of the windows which obstructed the sun, to the painting and various objects, until the sheets of the large bed that was situated in the middle of the large room.

And as for who, the original occupants of the room were, only the young Imperial Preceptor could answer, for only after the gale subsided to stillness, the sight of one person came to be clearly reflected in his eyes.

A man, more accurately, a half-naked man who stood at the edge of a large bed, covered from the waist downwards with the sheets of the bed. He was sporting a grin on his face, and a dishevelled dark hair over his head due to the sudden waft, even so, the man looked unperturbed, as though he had already foreseen the young Imperial Preceptors' action, as such the man was unflustered by the act of forcefully barging inside his quarters.

Yet, the man was not the only one to be present inside the chamber, as from beneath the sheets of the bed, the scream of a woman had come to be made, at the moment of the sudden gale, which had nearly torn the sheet off of her. However, this woman was not alone, for there was not just her under the sheets, as a second one stood subsequent to her as well, nevertheless, the second woman stood motionless on the same bed, hiding herself as well. Albeit, the second woman was more quiet and noiseless than the first, for she had no auditory or bodily reaction to the ruckus caused by the young Preceptor.

But it did not stop with just the two women on the bed, as a third one was present as well. Although, this third woman did not stand on the bed or beneath the sheets, for she stood kneeling with both of her knees and hands on the ground, bowing towards the man that was seated at the edge of the bed.

"Prince! I am sorry for my forceful intrusion. However, as you can see---, the circumstances have forced me to act."

"Imperial Preceptor, it is I, who am to excuse myself, since I have not heard of your arrival. Nevertheless, since you have already made your entry, make yourself at ease, and linger for a moment longer, for I have one small matter to end here."

With easy and regular steps, the young Preceptor proceeded to walk inside the room, while gazing solely at the half-naked man, who in response to his entry, welcomed him with a polite smile. Although, with just one glance, the young Preceptor could see that this was all but a weak facade, for he could sense oozing anger from the man, hidden beneath a sense of grandeur that was all around him, as though a mantel to his presence.

"End your narration."

"Yes, my Prince."

And from looking at the young Preceptor, the man turned to gaze at the kneeling woman before him, who lowered her head at his action, so as to not look the man into his eyes, as she knew that meeting his gaze would not be a wise act giving her failure.

"With the death of Spinning Stone Deroy, and after I had witnessed the brat being carried away by the maddened snake, the entire mission had reached the collapse point. With Wind Slasher mutilated and crippled beyond saving, and while Firefly Moz was struggling to end his own battle due to his harder-than-anticipated fight against the protector, the mission had held no more chances of being completed with successful results."

"---."

"However, right before it could all be over, I came to be aware of a monster-like presence coming from the east, which had prompted me to make my escape, circulating the battlefield and pushing northwards, where I had made contact with an old cleanser."

"---?"

"It was only after that that I discovered that the hurryed arrival had been Baron of the East, who had come to be responsible for slaying the Wind Slasher."

With her narration done, the woman did not raise her head upwards, for she lowered herself even more, afraid of what might happen if she were to meet the man's eyes. And while looking more attentively at the woman who was lowering her head constantly, while also trembling minutely as she stood bowing before the man, it was not difficult to understand why, for if one were to look at the eyes, face and body language of the man, one could almost naturally infer that the woman before him was less valuable than any pebble he might boot on some road.

However, if old Wan was to be present at this moment, he would likely try to capture or behead the woman, for he would immediately recognise her to be one of the aggressors of the group who had attempted to take Rowen's life.

Nevertheless, at this moment, the one to judge the woman would not be old Wan, but the man on the bed who was examining the woman with a cold and indifferent gaze, while pondering over her words.

Yet, unrelated to them, the young Imperial Preceptor stood still, as he merely observed them all, as though a third neutral party to the whole act.

"Tsk---! Wind Slasher, what a ridiculous name, he could not slash anything, let alone pierce the brat's chest with the sword already at his heart. But I am more curious---, as to why have you not assailed him. If you were to have made a move as well, the brat could have probably perished."

"I---, I was waiting for the most opportune moment, once all of them had made their move. But what had been out of my expectation was the strength of the old protector, the protective amulet and---, the quick--, unexpected-, arrival of the Baron."

But to her words, the man was not pleased at all, as his body began to emit a dangerous sensation over the room, which made the woman tremble even harder as she bowed her head even lower, nearing the hard stone floor of the room.

"Hmm---, excuses. To kill someone, you need to make an unpredictable move, not wait for the obvious, or else the enemy will be on high alert, once everything will proceed in the anticipatory arrangement they will envision. Given all of that, you have misjudged the situation as an overseer of this assignment."

But at her words, the one to speak was non-other than the young Imperial Preceptor, who had begun to speak in an uncaring and passive voice, while wearing a placid and unmoving face, as though the matter that they were speaking was of ants, and not of humans, which did not affect him in the slightest.

Although, at his words, the woman began to crouch even more tightly, as the voice which was coming from her back, carried a heaviness and uncaring feel to itself, as though her death sentence could be closing at any moment.

"Aha---, aha--, aha--, aha-, aha!!! As aspected of the Imperial Preceptor, your insight is far more profound than this stupid and chickenhearted woman."

However, to the spoken words of the young Preceptor, the man began to laugh while throwing his head back, and yet, anger was dissipating from his body akin to the cold from ice, filling the room while covering the woman whole.

"Well---, with your failure of this little assignment--, prepare yourself-, and wait for my punishment."

"Yes, my Prince."

With the anger of the Prince subsiding little by little, the woman initiated to slowly move her hands, as she took the clothes off herself, slowly revealing the skin that was hidden underneath.

Nevertheless, said skin could be said to be a ravaged land, as from her neck downwards, patches of wounds that looked like old burn marks, were plastered all over her body, from small ones to large ones, which appeared to be in the shape of a hand or otherwise.

"---."

"Well then! Imperial Preceptor, for what delightfully reason have you come to meet this Prince?"

"It goes without saying, that is of the same reason for this woman's action."

And while the woman moved to bare herself clean of any clothing, the Prince, moved his gaze from the woman to the young Preceptor who was gazing with a strong intent in his direction, such that the man could only reveal a large smile and open his arms, as though greeting the young grey-haired man in the most joyous manner.

Although, at the man's antics, the young Preceptor was not moved in any way, or better said, he could not be bothered to entertain him in his play.

"Does this come from the old man?"

"Indeed, this visit of mine comes at your Father's behest, since your action has been notified by Master Unsullied."

"Uncle's cleaner. Sigh---, it was obvious that he would report me to my father. And so? What has he sent you with?"

With the reasons for the Imperial Preceptor's visit exposed, the man, the Prince, let his smile fall as he glanced at the young Preceptor uncaringly, unafraid of anything that he might have to say.

"Aham! "You bastard! If you act again on your own, be ready to face ten years in the solitary cell of your Uncle.". These are all the words, that your father King had expressed for you to hear."

"Is that all?"

"Yes. This was the only remark which I have been entrusted to inform you of."

Though in contrast to the man's uncaring attitude, the young Preceptor wore a gentle smile, as he nodded his head at him, once he was done with his short words.

As for the Prince, his head moved slightly lower and his eyes became more sombre, whilst his face shifted to a darker shade, once the name of the solitary cell was mentioned.

Nevertheless, his dull and dark mood was not all, as, from his mouth, weighty and pressurizing words of defiance came out to add an arm-twisting force over the room, which made the woman before him and the women behind him, not dare to move a muscle, ceasing their own breath, and remain still as corpses while under his aura of defiance.

However, said actions did not even count, as after the small green flames appeared around and onto his body, the woman at his feet and the two behind him cowered and quivered in terror, not daring to even think of looking at him.

And yet, the young Preceptor could not care in the slightest, for he remained unmoved at his display of power, which was derived from his revolving unstable mental state that had come to be, due to his spoken words.

"---."

"---."

The small flames continued to materialise around and over his body, as the Prince held a lengthy and especially pressurizing tension covering the room, which held the women captive, in the position that they were a moment ago.

"Well then, there is nothing more for me to tell, so I will bid the young Prince fare well---, for now. Have a good day, my Prince."

"Wait!"

"What it may be, my Prince?"

And yet, after thirty or so breaths of time, while seeing that the man would not say anything else, the young Preceptor commenced to turn around, while also excusing himself, as he was preparing to leave the room.

But as the young Preceptor was on the precipice of leaving the room through the doors that were in shambles, the voice of the Prince came from his behind, even so, the young man did not stop his steps, for he continued to walk out of the doors and into the massive hallway.

"What news have you on my little girl?"

"Mmm?!"

Although once the question came to be posed by the Prince, which reached the ears of the young Preceptor, the young man was forced to stop in his track, as with a half twist of his body and head, while working a pondering face, the young man turned to gaze the Prince, who was in turn, giving him a deep stare at the same time.

"Your father had already prohibited you from seeing her. But I can tell you, that she is doing fine on her trip---. Close to the Northern Empire of the Barbarians."

"---."

"I see."

After hearing the words of the Preceptor, the Prince sank his head downwards, although, he did not appear to bow his head in appreciation, but in thought and introspection of his words.

"With this, I bid my fare well one more time, Prince! And---, well--, I am truly sorry for the doors-, for it appears that I have broken them down by pushing them a tad bit too forcefully, as such, I will see for someone to come and repair them as soon as possible."

"There is no need! The Imperial Preceptor need not bother himself, for I will see to it myself."

"Mmm---!? Very well---, my Prince!"

With everything in order, and with nothing more to discuss, the young Preceptor, initiated his lengthy walk of the long hallway, passing near the giant columns that supported the massive structure which the Prince called his own. And so, the young man proceeded to vacate the premises of the Prince's Palace.

"---."

"------."

"---------."

"Tsk---! How irksome the old man can be!? Do you three not believe to be so?!"

"As the Prince says!"

"For the Prince is always right!"

"Only the Prince's words can be true."

With the Imperial Preceptor moving away, the Prince gave way to a strong clink of his tongue while slumping his shoulders, yet said action was only momentarily, for in the following moment, with a new intake of air, the man arose a new, posture and shoulders in a confident stance, while emanating his aura of grandeur and superiority, which came to be inflated even more at the words that came from the women behind him and the one at his feet.

Because, once the young Imperial Preceptor vacated the room, the two women under the sheets, reached out from beneath the linen of the bed, revealing their own naked bodies as the one at the Prince's feet, and yet, in the exact form and manner, burned wounds stood present all over their skin.

"Kha---, ha--, aha-, aha! Well then! Since my words are to be the law of the world---, then it can only mean, that the time for you to be punished has arrived. So come close to me."

"Yes---, my Prince."

Trembling, the naked woman at the man's feet had no other choice but to approach him, for she could not even begin to resist were he to force himself on herself, so with a defeated mental state, the woman moved closer, so that his hands could touch her, and he could move his hand over her body, over the overgrown and wrenched burned flesh, which had developed anew after the burning of her skin, that had been left untreated, and then let to slowly heal naturally.

At the same time, the two behind him slowly approached him from his left and from his right, while looking at the kneeling woman, who was currently the focus of attention for the man.

"Ahhh---!"

"If I knew that his bastard spawn would have lived till this day. I would have used more force back then, and made sure that his whore and this latest blood would have died when I had the chance."

With his right hand on the woman, the man began to move up and down over her, squeezing the flesh of her cheek, her breasts, and then her thighs, until green flames appeared on his arm, which moved down to his fingers, until the flames reached the woman's skin, that ultimately made her scream due to the pain of having her flesh burned by the green fire over himself.

"Adam!"

"Ahhhhhh--!!"

Nonetheless, while keeping a strong hold on the woman who was screaming in pain, the Prince did not look to be mentally present at the moment, despite his eyes reflecting his own hand on fire, and the woman's flesh being seared by it, for he appeared to be lost in his memories or dreams of his own past.

"Fire King."

"Ahhhhhhhhh-!!!"

And from his sides, the two naked women stood ashen-faced as the screaming, sizzling and burning smell of the third woman's flesh, made them quiver and avert their gazes from what was happening before their eyes.

"Fire Emperor."

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!"

"---."

"------."

"---------."

Nevertheless, in the distance, the young Preceptor continued to walk at his constant pace, while from his back, the screaming of the woman and the green light of the flames were fleeing out through the now broken doors, to echo into the long corridor, and reach his ears. And yet, his greatest reaction was that from time to time, he would move his gaze to observe the never-ending structures and the massive black pillars that were covering the land, uncaring of the cry and of the green hue that showered his back, as he was moving further and further away from the Prince's private chamber.

----------------------------------------

----------------------------------------

After leaving the palace of the Prince, the young Preceptor, began to glide above the stone-paved road of the city, passing multiple busy areas, and moving in the direction of a larger court, in the very far distant horizon of the west. Although, said length was shortening by the moment, for while he was barely airborne, the young man was moving at a truly rapid speed, condensing the time of three to four hours of travel for a running mortal, to a mere three hundred breaths of his flying time.

And while passing around a few of the tremendously massive abyss-coloured columns, and above the various working and busiest areas, bow after bow came down continuously and directed towards the young man from the servants, various personnel, or citizens of the city, even as he did not gaze, or gesture towards any of them, for he was nothing more than a speeding and moving blur, gliding rapidly over the road, the city and anyone below him.

"---."

"------."

"---------."

"My King!"

"Imperial Preceptor! Please, join us!!!"

And as it was, the Young Preceptor did not take much time to arrive and enter the enormous Palace, move through the entrance and arrive at an enormous Hall with a large stone Throne at the end of it, although once arrived, the young man turned to his left, and proceeded to walk into a long hallway, an adjoining path from the hall, until he arrived at an enormous obsidian coloured doubled doorway, which stood at the end of said passage.

Although, unlike the previous endeavour with the Prince, at the first call of the said "King", an answer and permission were given and allowed almost too promptly, as though the man behind the doors knew already of his presence, for the doors begin to open by themselves in a moments notice, given the young Preceptor permission to enter and look upon its inhabitants.

"King Kardia, East Queen Erylis, Master Unsullied, Master Death, esteemed guest Tunhu and Spear Master Unver! It is indeed, a joyous moment for this one to see so many pertinent and familial faces gathered together."

But what came to be in his sight, was a very large, deep and absolutely stifling room. Although, as to why, the room could be called stifling, it was rather obvious and of no grand secret, since other than its occupants, there was no other object or strange being that could frighten even the most fearful mortal. But if a normal human were to be present, said man or woman would be forced to bow and cower in terror, if he or she were to be capable of retaining their own consciousness or life, for any of the men or woman present, were giving a pressure that was thousands of times greater than that of the Prince, to the point that even the latter would have to kneel before any one of them, because, in the eyes and to the senses of any mortal, they would most likely appear to be some sort of Heavenly Demons, Infernal Devils or Wordly Monsters, who sole presence was akin to lakes or mountains that would push and squash downwards on anyone who might be in their vicinity, or rather inside the large room which all of them were currently attending.

And yet, to say the young Preceptor was affected by any of them would be a lie, for he did not appear to be bothered by the pressure that the bodies of the men and woman were exuding, even though they were giving the vague impression of being true incarnations of natural walking disasters.

"Imperial Preceptor."

"Old Teacher!"

To start with, in the utmost rear center of the room, and right before the eyes of the young Preceptor, stood a very strong and freely composed middle-aged man, sporting a heavy golden crown over his head of black hair, gesticulating towards the young man to enter. He was seated on a spacious and large red seat, which made him stand out immediately among the gathering in the room. But if one were to look for a moment longer, one would notice that the middle-aged man had many facial similarities with the Prince, whom the young Preceptor had visited and arrived from, not so long ago.

And yet, after the permission to enter, which was conveyed by the middle-aged crowned man, the young Preceptor came to be immediately greeted by the sole woman present in the chamber. For as to the young man's right, in his line of sight, a shoulder-hair young woman stood seated on an equally distinguished chair of a clear blue sky-like colour. Although, similar to the middle-aged man, the young woman donned a more lightweight crown on her head, while caring herself with a palpable presence, nevertheless, her aloof gaze made her nearly unapproachable since one could not glimpse any of her thoughtful state. However, it was she who first greeted the young Preceptor upon his entry, as he was standing to set his first foot in the room.

Although, in between the Crowned man and the woman, stood a third unblemished white chair, near which, a young man was standing on his feet, with his gaze that was moving from the woman and towards the young Preceptor. White long hair, white irises, flawless skin enveloped in a white long robe, the young man could be said to be, a sheet of white paper, for there were no words that could be said about him, other than the fact that he seemed to be giving a weak radiant glow from his person. But while on his feet, as the young man was turning towards the young Preceptor, he welcomed the just arrived Imperial Preceptor as "Old Teacher", while showing a radiant smile towards him.

But in contrast to the young man in white, on the most left side of the young Preceptor's gaze, a fourth chair and a Person were present, though saying that he or she was to be present would be hard to ascertain, for this fourth person, was seated on a chair of the same colour as the doors from which he had just pass. Although, it was the person in question who could give any onlooker a hard time understanding if he or she were alive. Because, from the body that was wrapped in a full black cloak, no signs of life could be inferred. No movement, no breathing, no sound or fluctuations of energy of any kind, leading one to speculate whether the person seated on the chair was alive or dead. However, the turn of the head and the simple gesture of a slight nod towards the young Preceptor, gave the life that was needed, for one to know, that the person was still alive and not a lifeless corpse. Although the stage lack of light near the fourth seated figure was anything but normal when contrasted with the glowing youthful man in white.

However, the room's inhabitants did not end with the aforementioned four, for two other men were present as well, although, in their case, they stood a step lower and relatively closer to the door, near the young Preceptor, than the four of them.

The closest to the right to the young Preceptor was a young man, cloth in a strange dark-coloured robe, which hid everything but his head and his long red-brown hair, that was falling behind his back. To say that the young man was mixing among the setting of the room would be a falsehood, for he appeared to be akin to a bird in a flowing river at this moment. As to the arrival of the young Preceptor, the young man gave only a slight bow of acknowledgement, before returning to face the crown-wearing middle-aged man. However, in that brief interaction, the young Preceptor could see a stormy wind filled with madness and murderous intent from the eyes of the young man, for the shortest of moments.

The last man, and the second closest to the young Preceptor, was a middle-aged man clad in an armour of dark iron-like colour, from his feet to his neck, as only his head was free of a helmet, so as to not cover him thoroughly. Although in his left hand, a long spear stood resting near his neck and head, for if one was to examine carefully, the man appeared to be holding the spear in his hand, as though it was a woman that was leaning on his side, and not a fierce weapon of murder. The spear was of a white-grey-like colour, a unique body, as though the weapon had been most obviously done in a first casting, with no other part to itself. And yet, to the eyes of the Imperial Preceptor, the spear was of a pure dark colour, akin to a listless void that was emanating a constant aura of death and demise from its structure.

Nevertheless, unlike the rest of the men and woman, the armoured man only twisted and nudged his head oh so slightly at the arrival of the Preceptor, with his eyes closed for a short moment, after which, he then returned to his upright standing position, which he did not broke for even a moment despite his "bow". For even as he did not show any verbal acknowledgement or superfluous reactionary movement, the intensity of his slight action was far greater than any of the five before him. For if the young Preceptor had to enunciate it in words, his action could be said to be akin to an upright and unflinching spear, that was almost attempting to bend and break itself in the said bow, which was a contradiction to its very own nature, moreover, in the aforementioned moment, the man before the Imperial Preceptor was almost unrecognizable, as due to his own contradiction, his body appeared to be covered by a mantle of battle and murderous intent, although, his gaze that was akin to that of a monsters predator overlooking his prey, did not do much to alleviate the overall threat which the Preceptor had to feel for the quick transient interaction.

"---."

"Imperial Preceptor! Have you spoked with that young bastard of mine?"

"This one---, just had a small talk with the Prince, not so long ago. Although, on my arrival, I was able to catch the young Prince red-handed, as the offender, had been in the process of conveying their own act."

"Tsk! That imbecilic idiot! After failure and failure, he continuously thinks of himself untouchable, as though he had become the Emperor himself, going around to fool as he wants, without consulting or asking permission."

Although, after having barely put a foot inside the room, the loud, clear and angry voice of the crowned man resounded across the chamber and into the long hallway, whilst also exuding pressure with his words, intentionally or unintentionally of his volition, as his mood rose and fell drastically.

"Brother Kardia! There is no need to lament over the nephew's foolish action, for sooner or later he will have his hand bitten, and only then he will understand the meaning of "thoughtless action"."

But from the left side of the crowned man, the young man in White, moved with his gaze and words towards him as though to calm the man from his anger and vexation that was suffering from.

"Sigh---! Were that to be true, the bastard would have already understood it, but even up till now, there is yet to be seen any kind of hope. Were it not for the fact that he had achieved the stage and rank that he has, I would have already reallocated him. That being said, Imperial Preceptor! Has he requested of you---, about the location of my granddaughter?"

But to the advice of the young man in White, the crowned man was anointed as brother Kardia, who let out a sight of lamentation, as though having lost hope over the notion of his son learning from his errors. Even so, King Kardia's countenance changed abruptly and severely, once the mention of his granddaughter was out of his mouth, as in that short moment, a murderous glint passed across his sharp eyes.

"Well---. About said notion. I have disclosed some relative details about the young Princess's location."

"What!?!!"

Anger and stupefaction. Those were the feelings that immediately rose from the man, at the young Preceptor's words. However, the man was so fast to suppress himself, that right at the moment he was about to lose control over his power and flood the room with his forceful intent, everything vanished with no trace, as the man returned to have a composed face, as prior to his sudden flare.

"Fear not, my King, for this is the safest way to deal with the unpredictable character of the Prince. Better to allude part of the truth, than to hide it altogether, so as to not rouse his anger and vexation, which will make him act precipitously towards the young Princess."

"You are not wrong. But with this son of mine-, a cretin to a fault--, I can not be sure---. Sigh---! Eighter way---,"

"---."

"Eighter way---, Spear Master Unver! After this, I will have to trouble you with a short expedition. Go and scrutinise my granddaughter's surroundings for a few days, will you?! If you meet someone on behalf of my son, cripple them. Then come back, break the hands and legs of this bastard of mine, and then throw him into a solitary cell of my brother. Let him fester alone for ten years, if that is to be the case."

"Mmm."

"---."

With heavy anger and cruelness in his words, King Kardia's gaze moved from the young Preceptor to the armoured middle-aged man, who at his words, gave a deep nod, and a grunt for acknowledging his demand.

"---."

"Still! From my report, it appears that the reason that the assassination was thwarted, came to be, because of Brother Death's traitorous Death Dealer. Aha---, aha--, ha-, aha! Funny how one loss leads to a sucessive one."

And out of nowhere, as Spear Master Unver was recognising the order from King Kardia, the still-standing young man in White, commenced to add his sudden and out-of-tone opinion, as though having pondered and waited to convey it at large, so as to hurl the direction of the conversation in a swift move.

"A dying Immortal---, a traitor trained by me--, is still more satisfactory-, than some lowly King stage, practitioners."

And as he was called by name, the black cloak individual, the man or woman hidden beneath the robe, commenced to utter some hushed words. Although, saying that he or she was speaking was wrong to express it, for it was more akin to a soft whisper, a whisper that seemed to come from a mouth full of bone-dry sand, as it was as though the words had come from an exhale of a dying man.

Even though it was soft and had no power behind them, the words of the black cloak man, attracted the eyes of everyone, for it was impossible for any of them to miss the words which came from him.

"Ha---, aha--, aha-, aha! Indeed, Brother Death is right, however, Brother Kardia, even you know, that one in ten always tends to be a waste. So, brother, you need not be bothered, by such poor attainment and conduct of your son, as even trash has its uses. Not to mention, Adam's bloodline carries a strong string of attachment towards life, that makes them difficult to kill. Moreover, with this endeavour, the call towards death had been closer than the last fourth, third, second and first failed attempts."

"Brother White---------, please do not remember my son's idiotic endeavours or else---, I might really proceed and kill him at this very moment."

To support and continue the words from the black cloak man, the one named "Brother Death", was again the young man in White, who began to laugh out of nowhere, while sustaining the cloak man with his opinion.

While on the other hand, King Kardia's temper slipped once more, for their words brought out of him, a deep murderous intent, which manifested throughout his eyes and body.

"Well, if you put it in that manner, our nephew is not to be fully blamed, since we have not really taken Adam's threat seriously back then. Sigh---! If I were to know, of what he would become, then I would have truly made sure, that he would have died at all cost. As such, that puts me and Brother Death at fault as well."

But King Kardia was not alone in having his disposition drop, for at the same time, the young man in White had his shoulders slumped down, and with a long face, a sigh escaped him, as he proceeded to self-deprecate himself and the black cloak man. However, from his tone and body language, it was obvious that he did not wholeheartedly mean the words that he was conveying.

"---."

"Sigh---------! Brother Death, Brother White, Spear Master and Imperial Preceptor, please---, convey your honest opinion on the Fire King."

And to continue the trend of sighs or long exhales, was King Kardia, who at some point began to look around himself, as in the end, he addressed his question about Adam towards the other men in the room, while intentionally leaving out, the woman to his left, the East Queen Erylis, and his esteemed guest, Long Wind Tunhu.

"A terrifying---, talent--, firm cultivator-, a menace, to us all."

"---."

"Mmm---! Well--, if I am to elaborate on Brother Death's words-, he is more talented than we are, and he will be stronger than us in due time. And I have to admit---, that he may not be wrong in saying so."

The first to answer King Kardia's question was surprisingly, not other than the black cloak man, who gave a reply in the very next instance after King Kardia posed his inquiry at large.

But almost as to not be left behind, the young man in White came to speak equally fast, however, due to his own hastiness, he appeared to not have all of his remarks put together, and simply followed with the words of the black cloak man.

"Fire Saint."

"Aha---! Aha--!! Aha-!!! Ha!!!! Our Spear Master sure has such a high opinion. Even though, we do not know if he is going to be alive in a hundred years from now?!"

With the black cloak man and the young man in White done, the third man, the middle-aged man, Spear Master Unver, gave only two short words, accompanied by a deep nod with his eyes closed.

There were but two words, but once enunciated by the armoured middle-aged man, the eyes and the gazes of everyone in the room squinted and moved over the man, as though wanting to ask him why, had he used the declared two terms.

Yet, amongst all of them, one man, or young man, appeared to be more outraged than the rest, as with a laugh which held a strange intonation, the young man in White, wore a very long and dark look over himself, while also emanating a strong intend from his being, for the light around his body initiated to accumulate and heat up the air in the room.

"Enough---------!!! Younger Broth---. Auzis, I will not repeat myself! So contain yourself."

But as the situation appeared to come out of hand, King Kardia who was at the right of the young man in White, let out a shout while filling the room with his energy and mental intent, crushing over the young man, and stopping him from starting a fight in the Palace of the Emperor, for they were close to the Imperial Throne Hall, which he was not inclined of having it touched by anyone's fight.

"Well now, Imperial Preceptor. What is your comment on Adam?"

"Mmm---. My King should already know just how high of an opinion I have. But since it is rare for all of us to come together in this manner, I will enunciate my view one more time. This is what his future perspective might be if he is allowed to grow and develop. But know, that what I am about to say, is filtered through the lenses of all that I have learned and understood throughout my entire life."

Having stopped his brother's rash burst of anger towards the Spear Master, King Kardia turned to gaze in the direction of the Imperial Preceptor, who at this moment was wearing a solemn and heavy look, which appeared uncharacteristic of his usual self, as though remembrances of a long past were flashing in his mind.

"Champion! In one word, I would say that he has the potential to become the undefeated Champion of the continent. That is why, Master Unsullied, I absolutely concur with Spear Master's words, of calling him the future "Fire Saint" of the World."

"---."

Silence and graveness. Silence, because at this moment, the room was deathly still, and graveness, for at his words, everyone began to ponder and weigh the gravity of his spoken proclamations.

"In terms of talent alone, he is a monster that can only grow, and never stop. In my personal view, were it not for the fact, that he had stood against us, he would have already left the continent, for a place where he could have freely unleashed himself."

"---."

"Immortal by eighteen, King at forty-five. He could most likely have become an Emperor under a hundred years of age, and a Saint at two hundred. His cultivation talent can not near that of the old Genius from Supreme West, but what he lacks in cultivation speed can be matched with a firm combat prowess. It is not hard to imagine him as one of the most powerful Saint of the world, one who will come to have the power to trade blows with the "Old Monster from the East"."

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

The stillness and quietness continued even as the Preceptor persisted in speaking, but once the titles of the two foreign individuals were mentioned by the Imperial Preceptor, it was hard for any of them to stay calm, for even as their own bodies did not shake or jolted in response, their eyes betrayed them, for a massive storm of ideas and thoughts begin to rattle their mind continuously, over the words spoken by the young Preceptor.

However, it was not the first name that frightened them, but the second one, for at its naming, it was as though a nightmare had arisen over the heads of almost all that were currently present in the room.

Even so, the ones not affected existed as well, for as the one to speak, the Imperial Preceptor, had no fluctuation whatsoever from his being, as, since the moment he had arrived till now, he had the demeanour and conduct of a still and dead well of cold water, which had no ripple or wave on its surface.

And aside from the young Preceptor, two more could be added, one of which was the black cloak man, although, in his case, it was hard to know if he was affected or not, for his face and eyes could not be seen so as to ascertain his mental state.

And as for the last one, the third person, was none other than the Imperial Black Guard, Spear Master Unver, who had the posture of a man ready to die at any moment, even if he were to meet an enemy he would have no hope to defeat, if that meant he was to do his duty of protecting the Empire, or it could be said that the man might not know fear, as from his eyes a certain excitement or intrigue was present for a short but brief moment.

"---."

"---."

"And I had been of the opinion that we have had an overinflated view of him. But it appears that our old Teacher has nightmares about him---, aha---, aha--, ha-, aha!"

After a short pause at the young Preceptor's remark, since all of the presents appeared to be brooding over his words, the young man in White came to interject into the silence of the room, leaving a strange laugh at the end of his comment.

"Master Unsullied, this is not something which I speak lightly of. After all, in my opinion, his bloodline alone might create a dynasty on par with the "Unthred" bloodline."

"Imperial Preceptor! Do you not believe you are crossing the lines here? How can he be someone that will challenge our entire lineage."

But from his strange laugh, the young man in White came to reach a state of anger for the second time, at which point, an even stronger intent came to be stemming from his body, as heat and light began to show once more around himself, whilst at the same time he ceased calling the young Preceptor "old Teacher" and simply addressed him by his endowed title.

"This brings me no pleasure in saying it, but it is the reality which I can infer by scrutinising him and his achievements. This is why, I must ask all of you, to find the soonest of moments and eliminate him, while he is still adhered to our spectacle, for once he will flee, or if he is to be taken away by a third party, he will stand to become one of the biggest thorns in the Empire's back, once everything will be concluded and stabilized."

"---."

"Imperial Preceptor is right, we can not allow Adam to live any longer since he can become a threat to the core of the Empire. So during the war, I hope Brother Kardia, Brother White and Brother Death can see to it!"

With solemnness still on his face, the young Preceptor gave a deep and hard but levelled gaze at all who were looking at him, for as from his behaviour, the matter seemed to be interpreted as of utmost importance for all of them.

Though once having concluded the exposition of his personal view, immediately after a short stillness of the room, the voice of an unexpected commenter was heard. The voice was soft and of a much higher inclination than all of the previous speakers, for its location was coming from the rightmost back of the room, from the Imperial Preceptors' viewpoint, where the sole woman in the room, the one called East Queen Erylis, had opened her mouth to utter her second and third phrases of words, aside from her initial greeting from when the young Preceptors had arrived.

"Sister! This---, I will see to it. After all, my stupid son will most likely make a move, once the war will commence."

"Need not worry, dear sister, this time we will make sure he dies, even if I have to act in person."

And to vouch for her request were none other than King Kardia, the young man in White, and the black cloak man, although, from the latter, only a nod of confirmation was received.

"---."

"That being said and done, on a more important note, which I have to ask the Imperial Preceptor for, is regarding the small tremor from yesterday! Is it, what I think it is?"

"It is indeed as the King has guessed, for I was in the preparation to move into his Excellency's private chamber this very day, although, with some time to spare, I was able to help your Highness with the matter of the Prince's doings, before what may be a momentary absence of my person, due to his Excellencies awakening."

Shock and delight, were the emotions of King Kardia at this moment, as from the words spoken by the Preceptor, the man knew that the great change he was waiting for was closing ever so near.

"Old teacher, is Father ending his seclusion, or---?"

However, it was not only the Crowned man who appeared to be showing signs of joy, as even the young man in White appeared to be amused and pleased with the words of the young Preceptor.

Yet aside from the first two, the East Queen made a slight change in her demeanour, as the shock had clearly rippled throughout her eyes for a moment. As for the black cloak man and the Spear Master, no visible changes were seen as the two of them were akin to statues at his words.

But near him, the young Preceptor could clearly see, the esteem guess of his Highness, Long Wind Tunhu, having a drastic change in his eyes, as he turned to face him wholeheartedly for the first time, with expectation oozing from his eyes.

"Master Unsullied, must not fret, for this, is just the time which we have previously discussed, for a certain scenario in his Excellencies design. As such, it will merely be a brief debriefing of all that his Excellency needs to know and understand, of what had transpired during his seclusion."

"I see."

Convince by the young Preceptor's words, the young man in White, nodded affirmatively at his "Old Teacher", who seemed to look at the room as a whole one more time before departing.

"Well---, since it appears that I am no longer needed, you all can continue the assembly without my presence, as I have to head for his Excellency's private chamber as soon as possible."

"I would have favoured to have your mind with us, but since Father is in need of your words, I shall not keep you any longer and let you on your way, Imperial Preceptor."

While sensing and hearing the Young Preceptors will to leave, King Kardia had no other choice but to exempt him from the gathering, despite desiring his presence still, for the continuation of their meeting.

And it was with a slight bow towards the habitants of the room, that the Imperial Preceptor took his leave and exited through the enormous obsidian-coloured, doubled doorway as he left the room while everyone's gaze was on his departing back.

"---."

"---."

"---."

"------."

"---------."

"Aha---, ha--, ha-, talking about Father, had me remember about the madman who had entered his chamber seven hundred years ago and died afterwards. How amusing, truly, it would be amusing if Adam were to do the same."

With his departure, the room fell into a long silence, as for a long time, no one appeared to be inclined to talk or break the silence, since they were all in the process of pondering the various ideas or imposition of their own mind and designs, giving what they had just heard from the Imperial Preceptors mouth.

However, as time progressed, one person appeared to be restless due to the silence of the room, as with a laugh, the young man in White broke the quietness and the processing reflections of everyone, while trying to humour the room, but it all turned on him once he became the center of several hard glares.

"Enough! Let us escape this derailment and allow us to return to our original issues."

"I did not mean to make you angry sist---, I will shut up."

And as the room appeared to return to normal, the woman at the right-most back corner of the room, East Queen Erylis, made her sentiment known, for in her words, displeasure and irritation were easily inferred by the men, as for the whole duration of their talks with the Imperial Preceptor, the woman had express very few words, as though she did not see much interest in the personal, hypotheticals and speculative words which had very few basis whatsoever.

As such, with a forceful tone, she appeared to be wanting the assembly to proceed as per the original intent, and not of the matters that did not directly involved her.

"I am sorry for having you wait for us, sister. As an apology, I will see to it that you will receive ten of my personally brewed Emperor-breaking elixirs, once we are to be concluded for this day."

With the young man in White seated and docile as though a young boy in fear of a scolding, King Kardia was forced to act and excuse himself for taking the time of the meeting with his problems. But giving her disposition, he knew he had to make an offering, to pacify her nature, which he knew all too well to be overbearing and harsh, when her time was to be taken by menial problems.

"Now then, fellow Long Wind. Since you have rested for some time, you can commence by giving your portrayal and opinion of your task."

Once done with appeasing his sister's disposition, King Kardia, turned around to face his guest who was cloth in a strange robe. But while gazing at the young man before him, a different temperament and countenance fell on his face, all too different from when he was facing the young Preceptor. For in this moment, his aura and disposition, were that of a King, who at this moment, was looking at a man, which was not his equal neither in terms of status or power.

"Tsk! I have barely arrived and you have already called for me. Where would I have the time to rest? Have you not been already informed by Lord Death, and Lord Unsullied's men?! Tsk! You people sure do not treat your allies with care."

But while King Kardia was giving him a different side from that of when he was in the presence of the Imperial Preceptor, the young man, Long Wind Tunhu, was also giving him a distinct attitude from the said moment. For with anger in his voice and irritation on his face, the young man was glaring at the crowned man, while not hiding any of his intentions or backing down due to the austere aura of the King before him.

"One is one and two is two, please do not take this to heart, for it is always better to have the information verified from multiple points. And as for your task---, well--, all I have to say-, is that we need to know where your loyalty is, or else there is no point in being allies at all."

"Tsk! Sigh---! I will make it short. As in my personal view, this has been a stupid idea, to begin with. Those bunch of rat thugs from the desert will never ally with you, let alone cooperate since they have less unity than any other power on the continent. Moreover, the moment, that the old man had made his entrance, that desert old bastard had immediately jumped at my head. Well---, after a dozen exchanges, I let him stay and be the headache of the old man while I was making my escape into the mountains. Although, I would have liked to see the face of the old man, once he had seen me run away."

With a clink of his tongue and a sigh to relieve himself of some anger, Tunhu began to narrate the happening of his task. But saying that he was expressing and clarifying his view without adding his personal touch would be wrong, for he was extremely pronounced in his hand gesticulations, which escaped from under his robe, although it would be hard to understand how the opening of his robe was working since the robe appeared to allow him to move freely while not regarding his hand as an action to move and flutter around at his act.

However, one succinct particularity was his dark and cruel gaze, as during the whole speech the want of murder was ever-present in his eyes like a glint of light which could not escape him.

"The rest is as you have probably heard already. Two months of travelling through the Cursed Mountain region, with some high Emperor maddened Beasts on the way, which had made me quite the prize on the way here, once I was able to trade the crystals with some Emperors from the War State. Sigh---, if I had known how good the "broken men" under Lord Death's were, maybe by now, I would have returned with the old man's and the desert bastard's heads. Aha---, aha--, ah-, ha!"

With his speech ending, the madness and murder that he was exuding from his laugh was so clear that even an inexperienced person could understand that the young man, was probably a deranged murderer.

While from his chair, King Kardia was smiling and nodding at his words, as other approvals came to be had from his sides at his guest's words and the unabashed intent he was showing.

"Well, fellow Long Wind, since you have proven your loyalty, it will be but a short stretch of time to wait, till you can gain enough merit with us, so as to earn what you wish for."

"---."

"---."

"A deal is a deal. I will not back off---, if you can truly help me."

But at King Kardia's words, Tunhu, changed his mental state, for he became as quiet as one could possibly be, yet at the same time, he delivered a long and levelled head state and gaze at the seated Crowned man, whom he was facing at the moment.

"Fellow Long Wind, this is but a matter of time now. In the meantime, I have prepared a mansion and a seclusion chamber befitting your Stage and Rank. But if by any means, you desire to change location or believe to be not suitable for your own needs, then all you just have to do is to contact me or any of my men, and we will try to appease your wishes."

With, an act of opening his arms, King Kardia made a gesture of grandeur while offering the young man, a rectangular black and red stone tablet, upon which he redirected his gaze to the second person that was subsequent to the young man's left.

"Spear Master Unver, if you can guide fellow Long Wind to his new habitation, I would be most thankful. And I had to impose in proceeding with my initial request as soon as possible."

With the gaze on the armoured middle-aged man, King Kardia gave a nod towards the Spear Master, who upon offering a nod backwards, he proceeded to turn his body and depart the room.

"Well if that is to be, then I will take my time with your resources, if you do not mind."

And to follow the Spear Master at a few steps behind, was Tunhu, who before leaving the room, gave a side glance at King Kardia and the rest of the men and the woman who were looking at his and Master Unver's departing figures.

"---."

"------."

"---------."

"Brother Kardia?"

"I know---. You do not have to tell me."

And as all but the seated habitats were gone, the young man in White turned to look at King Kardia with a face full of doubt and mulling over something.

In contrast, the Crowned man made use of his right hand, to placate the young man in White's questioning attitude, for he was already aware of the possible queries he might ask of him.

"Then do we---?"

"Nothing. We will just wait and see. There is no need to trust him as of yet, maybe once he will kill some of his people for us, I will look at him in another light. But for now, just think of him as nothing more than a leashed rabid dog, that you do not know whose hand he will bite."

"Mmm---, personally, I do not like him. He is too of an unstable character, and will Father agree to help him, given the state that his mind and body are in?"

"Hard to say---, or maybe not--, after all-, given the old man's attitude, he might help him. But as far as you need to know, is that for the first part, he will remain close to us and become a surrogate for the war. For once we are done with the renegades, we will move southern still and meet the Praire Chieftains, Kings, then we will see how much can he be of use, until then, we will use him as a costly showcased pawn."

Yet to King Kardia's words, the young man in White had a look of apprehension and dislike over his remarks, not hiding in the least his sentiment over the matter of his guest.

"No need to worry Brother. At the very worst he will betray or fight us, and then it is but a simple matter of killing him. Then brother Death can make use of him since his corpse can still be used."

But to the man in White's behaviour, no hard importance was taken by the Crowned man, for at the same time, he himself had a rather uncaring despondency while he was talking about his own guest, as though his life and death was of no particular grand matter in his view.

"---."

"Sister! I am sorry to have made you wait. You may proceed."

"Tsk---! How annoying you all are. Just for how long do you need to talk so much nonsense? If he is a problem or a nuisance, just cull his life and be done with it."

"I would have liked to do as you say sister, but alas! Just brute force will not suffice if I am to help in Father's pursuit of a unified continent."

"---."

"---."

"Brother Kardia, sister Erylis! Can you two move on!?!"

While the two of them were locked eye to eye with one another, King Kardia and the East Queen Erylis gave each other a gaze to regard the other, while some minor disagreements were occurring between them, which in turn, came to put the young man in White that was seated between them, in a rather awkward situation, for at this moment, the air between the two of them, was twisting and turning as though they were fighting with one another to see who was the truly superior of the two.

"It matters not. For my Eastern front against the patched-up East Empire, is of a far bigger importance than the threat of the grasshoppers of the Prairie at this moment."

"Elaborate."

But the subtle altercation of power between the King and the Queen did not last for long, as the woman was forced to relent in her pursuit of no yield and return to her original task, for as to why she was present at this moment in front of all of them.

And to ask the East Queen of her problem, was none other than the black cloak man, who had become even more still, and a corpse-like body on the seat that he stood.

"To begin with, the Sects and the Empires of East Supreme have just sent a larger number of Emperor stage practitioners to acclimate with the continent, since they are already aware of our increased actions to initiate the war and for our reclamations. This is why, I intend to fortify the Easter front right at this moment."

"Mmm---! How many?"

With words that were not filled by any grand emotional concern, East Queen Erylis began to present her problem, at which point King Kardia, who was scratching his chin, merely asked for a number, while not regarding the enemy or his allies in particular, for his inquisitive tone and his face appeared to be apathetic to the matter, while he was looking into the void as though trying to observe something into the far distance.

"Twenty thousand King stage practitioners, and four hundred Emperor stage practitioners. From what my spies have told me, there are less than thirty who are above rank 7, and about three or four of them are at the peak of the stage. As for my reinforcement, I need three---, no four-fold of these numbers to be gathered at the Easter front within ten years. And I need you to commence sending the mandate to all the high noble families in mobilizing their armies and awaken their old secluded bastards who have yet to show their faces. I have prepared a list of some whom I selected, I will leave the details to you."

"Four times the number?"

To the woman's inquiries and requests, King Kardia was forced to face her, since her deliberate uneasiness about the number of reinforcements was intentional, as well as for her expression that had a trace of uncertain truth, which forced him to question her back about the matter.

"From what knowledge I possess, this is but the first group of their reinforcement, and there should be two more in the future. And in one of these, Rising Sword should be present as well in one of these parties, although it is unclear if the information is correct, so I have no way to presume if he has arrived or he has yet to arrive."

"Hehe---, heh--, hehe-! One of the four strongest Emperors. I sure want to know if he can live up to his title."

And from her words, King Kardia and the young man in White begin to open their eyes wildly as though desiring to meet the person in question.

But from the young man in White, a malicious and derisive chuckle came, for it was easy to infer that his desire was for a meeting with the man, which was to be expected to turn into a fight at first sight.

"With him and the Northern Barbarian, two of four "so-called" strongest Emperors are on our continent. Although---, just to make sure--, try to avoid killing them-, if not necessary, or else the monsters behind them will most definitely intervene, especially in the Barbarian's case."

However, as the young man in White was displaying his fighting and threatening side, King Kardia had to offer his own view, so as to remind his brother of the inconveniences of killing the two in question.

"If Brother Kardia says so---, then I will oblige."

"---."

"Sigh---, an arm or a leg at most, no more. You may cripple any one of the two, but try to avoid killing them, until we can estimate Father's power. "

"Understood!"

Yet, as he sensed the despondency in his voice, King Kardia was forced to sigh and consent to some leniency to his brother, even as he knew that he would do it eighter way, regardless of his words.

"---."

"---."

"Hmm---, just out of curiosity. But has anyone of you, heard from Brother North as of recent?"

"---."

"---."

"---."

"Well---, I--, no-, this is not recent at all. The last I had spoken with him, was about thirty-three---, no, it was thirty-four years ago, when I had visited him to see how he was."

"Mmm---, the last time, I believe it was, when he had sent me a message. And that was---, seventy-four years ago."

"Two hundred---, and--, seven years-, ago."

"Sigh---, then that leaves me, with the most recent call, for when he had contacted me twenty-one years ago, because of my bastards' foolish action."

Nevertheless, as they were all over the argument of the reinforcement of the eastern front, and of Rising Sword's presence, a long pause came to be created, as they all mulled over the information that they received, which made them enter a pondering state, over their respective views of the matters.

However, an even longer pause was made, once King Kardia had his question about their brother to the north, posed at large, for, at his inquiry, they all slipped into silence, while beginning to recall the last time that they had any contact with their Brother who was posted at the north front of the Empire.

Which in the end, transformed into a competition of sorts for who had the oldest and newest interaction with said Brother. However, it was hard to say that any of the four were bothered since they appeared to be used or rather unconcerned with this kind of situation given by their sibling.

"Sigh---! When will he understand that he needs to oversee and rule the northern front? And not to stay all the time cooped in his seclusion and his craft. Were it not for mine and your spies in the north, we might as well be blinded from the northern front, given northern Brother's lack of presence due to his long seclusions."

However, while shaking his head and letting out a sigh, King Kardia appeared to be trying to remove his worries and lamentations, about the lack of oversight and awareness of his Brother. But in doing so, he came to give the impression that the whole future of the Empire was resting on his shoulders alone, given the scarce and poor rule of most of his brothers and sisters.

"There are no problems at the moment, as only the usual skirmishes occur so and so often. As for any future grand motions---, I highly doubt that the Northern bastards will dispatch any grand number of assets, as the Easte Supreme Continent."

"Most likely to be true, since they have already sent a large number of savages already, therefore there is no point in sending more of them right now. Unless they have already decided to wage a full-out war with the East as well. "

Yet at seeing his King Kardia's state, the young man in White, and the East Queen Erylis, came to add their own opinion and arguments, regarding the northern front, which by all means, was not their problem to deal with, in the normal sense of command.

"As for Brother and Sister West? Have you had any recent contact with them?"

"Mmm---, yes! A few months ago I have spoken with them---, about Sister's challenge towards one of the War Lords---, Lady War if I am not mistaken, as well as for Brother doing the same."

"Not so recent. But they will probably not need any reinforcement, given how the War State has always handled their wars against us. Which is why, you should just focus on reinforcing my Eastern front, as well as to the idiot in the north."

But to their repeated change of the person of interest, one person, in particular, was backing off their discussion, and that was none other than the black cloak man, who appeared more dead than alive at the moment, while the three of them were continuing to talk between themselves, as though some kind of children that were constantly talking about one's another sibling behind their back, whilst also pointing and redirecting more attention onto oneself.

"And as for Brother South---? Hmmm---, no need to say anything. Since Father's first move, will most likely be to crush the renegades and rejoin the central southern part of the Empire. Which leaves the wild savages of the Prairie. Do any of you have some kind of last-moment information about them, of which I do not know?"

Nevertheless, as the air between them was warming and a certain connection was establishing, it all came crashing down, for once the word Prairie came out of King Kardia's mouth, his eyes and posture regarding his regal manner and form, as well as the attitude that he was donning as King came back to him, as though trying to assert dominance over the room.

"No."

"Well---, as far as I can tell, they will not support the Kingdom, since they want a cut for themselves and expand further, by taking in the massive population of the Southern Province of the renegades. That being said, they will most definitely not wait for the Kingdom to fall and fight us, as they will throw themselves in the midst of the mess, so as to take as much as they can. And in that case, if they want to do so, it will mean that their old Winds will have to return to the continent, so as to use all other monsters in facing Father in a large number, if they still fear the last massacres."

Yet it was not only King Kardia who was coming out of his temporary mild and tempted state of mind, for as the woman, the East Queen Erylis was also regaining part of the aloofness and staunchness that had shed away, during their talk about their own siblings.

However, while King Kardia, as well as the East Queen, were somehow affected by one another's words, as though two parties at war, the remaining two men, the young man in White and the black cloak man had no perceivable change in their words or actions, as one appeared aking to an awaked curious cat, while the other, as a listless, yet perceptible kind of feline. As from one, prompt and loud answers were given at a fast answering speed, and while from the other, slow and near inaudible replies which came as though from a long and distant journey which had exhausted the man.

"That is a given. As it all now depends on what order the Imperial Preceptor will receive from Father."

"---."

"Although on a forgotten note, brother White! How much do the fools of the Kingdom know about our endeavour in the southwest part of the region?"

But as though recalling he had a question he had forgotten to ask, King Kardia moved his gaze in the direction of his brother, for a clarification which he had yet to hear.

"Not much. I had the area cleaned as soon as that idiot and the old bastard from the desert had started fighting. And as for the scout that the Kingdom had sent, I had my subordinate take care of him before deciphering anything of value, given the remaining residue fluctuations. However, they will most likely run and buy the information anyway, so by now, they might know. Not that it matters all that much."

"---."

"Indeed."

With a low tone, King Kardia gave a short confirmation to the young man in White, after which he leaned against the seat he was in, and began to relax his eyes for a moment.

"Kardia!"

"Yes, sister? What is it?"

However, his resting was short, for, in the following moment, East Queen Erlyis's voice came to his ears, waking him for his short moment of respite.

"Elvur?"

"About that!? Indeed what you have heard is true, his achievement in refining and stabilizing a Saint-breaking elixir is true. From what I know from his constant consumptions, he is in the process of making several just as we speak. However, if you want to meet him and request of him some, you can be my guess, for you know what kind of personality he has."

"I will go and try before I leave."

"Good---. Then---, we can begin discussing about the nobles of whom you have requested."

"---."

----------------------------------------

----------------------------------------

"---."

"------."

"---------."

At his withdrawal from the room inhabited by King Kardia and the rest, the young Imperial Preceptor began to follow back the long corridor as per his initial arrival, to in the end, arrive at the heart of the enormous Throne Hall of the Palace he was currently in, as he was in the process of leaving. Nevertheless, the young man did not linger one moment longer in the presence of the Throne, for he directly moved to depart the premises of the Imperial Hall. Although, if one in possession of extreme eyesight were to have been looking at him at this moment, one would have noticed that for an infinitesimal fraction of a breath of time, the gaze of the young man was intensified of a more considerable magnitude, once his eyesight was on the larger raven coloured, stone Throne at the end of the vast Hall.

And as it was, the young Preceptor came to vacate the premise of the Palace. However, once he stood outside of the Court, his body began to rise in the air, while he contemporaneously rotated his body to face the large structure, after which he began to fly above it and past it, in the distance beyond the back of the court and towards what appeared to be a massive congregation made by the tall and dark enormous pillars which stood in all direction, throughout the distant horizon. Pillars, that at the same time were surrounded by a sea of trees, formed due to the numerous buildings to the right and left of the Palace, which took a low angled curvature in the distance, and made it appear, as though the structures were forming a gigantic and massive circle to encroach the forest and the black pillars within it.

And yet still, to be surrounded by the black pillars, and standing in the middle of the forest and the gathering of the columns, was one small black-coloured mountain. Although calling the mountain small would not be proper, for with every breath the young Preceptor was taking, he appeared to be ever so closer to the mountain, because as he was moving away from the Palace and all the structures that were to its left and right, the forest, the black pillars and the mountain, were growing in size, as they were continuously becoming bigger and larger by the moment, whilst in contrast, the Court and its extensions to the right and left were becoming smaller and smaller.

But as he was distancing himself from the Palace, the young Preceptor was in truth distancing himself from the never-ending city, from which he had just left, as from the back of the Court, nature appeared to take dominion, however, the large black pillars did not come to be absent, as many of such massive columns were sprawled all over the vast forest, for they were congregating in large numbers around the black mountain that stood in the center of the forest.

In the end, the flying trip of the Imperial Preceptor took nearly as much time as that from the Princes' Palace to the Court of the Throne Hall. And while flying to approach the circle of pillars, in the distant horizon, in nearly all the parts of his vision, he could see the towering structures that surrounded the large patch of greenery, for this, in reality, was the heart and core of the city, the current capital of the Ural Empire, and the commonly known seclusion territory, and chamber of the Emperor. A forbidden place to all, where entry without permission would mean immediate execution.

The region could be said to be extremely peaceful and serene, as aside from a slow windy breeze, the forest below the young man, was solely producing a wide and slow rustling sound, which the leaves were constantly making while they were colliding and hitting against one another, due to the slow wind passing over the vast region of the forest.

However, it all came to an abrupt and startling end. For once the young Preceptor came to be between two, of the last ten massive pillars that were closest and were surrounding the black mountain in a circle, his journey came to embrace a different tone. As once he was beyond the pillars, and into the circled region which was delineated by said columns, the world that was surrounding him came to be altered in the most drastic manner possible.

The green forest was no more, for the ground beneath him became a ruined black and grey land, with white and charred husks, of what once might have been large and mighty trees, yet now, there were a few and so between, rare to the point that one could begin to count them, one by one.

But while looking outwards, the world outside of the pillars was a strong white for the sky and strong black for the ground alongside the pillars that were planted in it. A very strong contrast, which if looked upon for a prolonged time, could harm one's eyesight, as the picture, could truly make one believe that the colours of the world had been devoured and replaced with a nightmarish eariness.

Even so, none of the previous changes were as drastic and impactful as the last one, because the last alteration, would truly make one understand, that the place in which the Imperial Preceptor stood, was a different world altogether. For once the young man had entered the inner part of the circle, the air, of which he had not been concerned or considerate, even as he had flown at quite a swift speed, came to be a delicate pest for even himself. For at this moment, the air in which he was, was truly no different than what would be, if he were to stand at the bottom of a low-standing lake, or if he to once again be in the presence of all the inhabitants of the conference chamber. However, to the young man, this was of no difference, even when asked about the sudden change when compared with the outside conditions, although, to a normal human, even breathing would prove to be difficult, with death almost guaranteed upon entry onto the location which he was.

And as none of the changes had any perceptible effect on the young Preceptor, he directly moved towards the black and desolate mountain in the middle of all the black pillars.

Although the direction was not the peak of the mountain, but its base, where a large gaping entry of a cave was. But, if one were to see it for the first time, upon that one's entry, he or she would immediately notice the perfect smooth semicircle wall of the cave, which in actuality was more of a long gallery carved inside the mountain. Extensive it was, for even as he was gliding above the cave floor, while moving at quite of a rapid speed, the young Preceptor still took thirty or so breaths of time to arrive at the end of the long passageway that had been whittled into the base of the mountain.

And given his speed and direction, the young Preceptor, who was now standing at the end of the long corridor, was also, standing at the very heart of the mountain, directly under its peak. Nonetheless, said heart of the mountain, and end of the prolonged gallery, was not something that could make one happy, and that was due to the fact, that right before him, and at his feet, stood a large and extremely dark pit, a hole which appeared to have no end, as though an endless abyss awaited anyone who would dare to descend bellow the point that they were.

Yet, for the young Preceptor, none of the aforementioned dreads mattered, for he directly flew to the edge of the hole, where he simply allowed himself to fall down into the abyss at his feet, despite the fact, that to his right, a set of stairs which were carved into the wall of the hole were present. And while descending downwards in a spiral-like manner, the number of steps, if they were to be counted, it would most likely reach up into millions upon millions of grades in no time.

And there were truly millions of steps, for as the hole had a hundred meters in diameter, and as the spiral stair moved down at a low inclination, moreover given its bottomless deeps which could not be seen, the number of the stone steps of the stair was truly mind-boggling. And to add, was the sole fact, that the Imperial Preceptor had not reached the floor of the hole, even after free-falling for more than a hundred breaths of time, at a truly rapid momentum, that produced a pitched sound as his body moved away the heavy air before him, a grand testament to how deep the pit truly was.

Nonetheless, as the Imperial Preceptor was falling and he was having his hair and robe shuffled due to the air, one aspect was both constant and prevalent, and that was the ever-so-present and suffocating pressure that the whole area had to begin with. For as he sank downwards into the pit, the pressure of the air was constantly increasing as well, as though he was submerging himself from the depths of a deep lake to that of a dark and profound sea.

Even so, as all things in this finite world have an end, the pit's bottom came into his sight, as, after nearly two hundred breaths of time, during which he had been constantly descending, the base came to be before him, in the form of a ring, just as the hole itself had been carved. With feather-like gentleness, his feet landed first, whilst, at the same time, all the momentum he had with him during his rapid descent seemed to be dispersing into the solid ground beneath him.

And as he stood at the bottom of the pit, right before his eyes, in the direction which he was originally moving before he had plunged himself, a large and very tall cavity, or better said gateless entry existed. But beyond the said entry, even as the whole area was pitch black, a different kind of darkness stood beyond it, oppressive and callous, as though this darkness were the eyes of a person, who was currently looking at the Imperial Preceptor, with a sort of absence in any kind of emotions or reactions, akin to a sleeping person that appeared to be awake, but in truth had not yet awaken.

But despite the unknown gaze that was reaching from the deeper parts of the entry, the young Preceptor simply put his right leg before his left, and walked inside of it, where all of a sudden, two lights, one from his left and one from his right, begin to shine weakly, revealing two enormous and extremely tall but crude looking dark columns, onto which, two small stones were glowing meekly against the darkness of the passageway he was walking, for they were the culprits for the origin of the sudden lights. Nevertheless, as he continued to walk ahead, pair after pair of lights and pillars continued to reveal themselves, illuminating the surroundings of the Preceptor, as he ventured deep into the walkway he was in.

However, the young man had to stop at some point, and that point was non-other than the hundred pair of columns, where he came to conclude his journey, at which point he kneeled down on one knee, towards the darkness that was still ahead of him, from where the feeling of a gaze, or a pair of eyes, was examining and observing his person, but this could have been said to be the case, since the first moment he had passed over the last line of larger black columns near the mountain, and had not stopped for a moment, not even at this present moment.

"Your Excellency!!!"

"---."

"------."

"---------."

Two short, but loud words, "Your Excellency!!!". The first words upon his arrival at the hundred collum of this subterranean pitch-black stone hall. There were but two words, however, as the speaker was the young Imperial Preceptor, the spoken words, were said in a loud and clear voice, that made the sounds of said words travel far forwards into the darkness and out words towards the exit from which he had just arrived.

And there was a great need to push with a strong force, since in the place which he was kneeling, the pressure which he was exposed to, could crash the bones and meat of any mortal into a mush with ease, as such even someone that could resist the pressure would have a hard time propagating one's voice, since the air itself seemed to be wanting to crash anyone to death.

“How long---------, Athan?!”

And to his call, an answer came, though said answer seemed to reach from an even deeper part of the long hall, from within the abyss and the darkness, which the weak light of the shining stones, could not even fight against.

Although, the voice of the respondent was that of a raspy and deep-toned man, and one of true old age, as just from the force and his pause, one might easily imagine a wrinkled old man, tired even from his own life, awaiting only for his own death, to reach and grasp him from his weak, old and tiered body.

However, that description could only be used to describe a mortal man.

Because, from this old rough and grunt-like voice, one sole aspect came to exist more than anything else, and that aspect was "Power". The power of Man, of a Ruler, of an Emperor. Of one who was presiding and commanding over billions of subjects underneath himself.

Even so, what came with his words aside from "Power" was "True Power". Not in name or status, by birth or by claim, but true power, embedded in one's self, to truly reign in absolute force and intimidation. And that was because, once his words came to reach the Imperial Preceptor, the pressure that had plagued the young man since his arrival till now, was all but gone, replaced by an unknown oppression, which caused the previous strain, to feel as though a small breeze had been changed with a hurricane, for at this moment, even the air itself was stopped and made solid, with dust particle unmoving in mid-air, frozen as though in time, as the Preceptor himself, for even he himself was frozen in his position of kneeling.

It was hard to understand how powerful the speaker truly was, but if the Imperial Preceptor could talk, he would most likely say, that the Previous Kings and Queen, were nothing more than mortals before a Divine being who was on a whole different perception of reality. And it could be said to be the truth, as if any mortal could compare the Speaker to any of those present in the meeting of King Kardia, one could still understand with its mortal mind, the people in the gathering, however, the power which was exuded by the speaker from the dark, was beyond the comprehension of a human, for this power was touching the Divine, where one could only dream or speculate, for the being in question, could not be comprehended by simple mortal minds.

Although, one last facet could have been easily deduced if one were to be in the Imperial Preceptor's shoes, because at this moment, the young man, had the impression of being observed by not one, but dozens of gazes or intents, with each and every one of them, being no weaker than the rest of each other.

“Three hundred, and thirty-three years my Liege!”

“---.”

“------.”

"---------."

“Sigh—! No wonder, no wonder. To have my power stabilize this greatly---, a long time should have passed indeed.”

"-----------."

“------------.”

“---------------.”

“Athan!!!"

An answer, to a question, that was the interaction between the young Preceptor and the Emperor, however, a response came only after a long time, for his words truly seemed to arrive from afar, given the oddity in which his words were growing in loudness with time.

"Your Excellency, with what may I be of use?"

And yet, in that long span of time, the Imperial Preceptor could do nothing but kneel and wait, until said response and call came for him.

"How. How has the Empire been---, for these last centuries--, in the hands-, of my children!”

"Prosperous and grand! The Power and Prestige of the Empire had been rising ever since, its population had grown to be unmatched in the land, and with a just and fair distribution of knowledge and wealth to its people, the Empire has indeed become the true unmatched force on the continent. "

“---.”

"------."

"---------."

"Excellent!!!"

Long and deathly pauses, for with every single sentence, the words that arrived from the darkness appeared to hold a might and power that could destroy the surroundings, however, the old man who was still hidden in the dark, had an equal or greater self-restraint on himself, for it could be easily deduced that he was trying to not harm the young Preceptor that was kneeling at this moment.

Even so, with his last word that came out in a loud exclamation, a great amount of satisfaction and delight could be inferred instantly, however, the young man, the Imperial Preceptor, came to be shaken as though a tense string of a bow, shuddering at a fierce rate for several breaths of time, for the power and the intents which were observing him, stood akin to dams that were ready to flood over, and yet, at the small joy of the Emperor, some of the said power spilled over the dams, and affect him nonetheless.

“---.”

"------."

"---------."

"Tell me---, of the developments--, which have transpired during my seclusion-! Of which, I absolutely am to be made aware of?"

"A myriad of events have occurred in these last hundred years. However! Among all of them, one is of utmost importance, of which I must absolutely make His Imperial Excellency cognizant of."

It was until this moment, that the Imperial Preceptor carried his head high, to gaze into the depths of the hall, and into the darkness ahead of him, for in this moment, a strong and assertive resolve was seeping through the words that the young Preceptor was saying. For he continued to hold his head high, while appearing as though he was looking into the eyes of the yet-to-be-seen speaker.

"Ohhh!"

"---."

"Do tell."

And to the Imperial Preceptor's strong stance, the man in the dark, the Emperor, had his interest rosed up in an instant, for even his pauses were shortened, given the strong will that the young Preceptor was exuding at this moment, so as to convey the report.

"Among the commoners of the renegades, a strong seedling has taken root, although he has yet to become a real threat to the Empire, his talent has been recognized far and wide by the defectors, and the enemies of your Imperial Self."

"Hooooooooo---------!"

"---------."

"Resume!"

It was but a simple explanation, and yet this short introduction, had the full emphasis of the young man behind, yet still, in the end, the young Preceptor was forced to play on the Emperor's interest so as to ask him for further details, an action which was not missed by the man in the dark, for his voice came to be raised high with authority, although anger was mixed among his words, at the young man's action.

"Actions have been taken, but alas, refusal had been his answer. As such, an attempt to snuff his flame had been enacted, but its result had been a failure, for even our men had been beguiled by him."

"I understand."

"---."

"A man of talent, a man of skill, and a man of honour. I must take the time to meet him if possible."

"------."

"If he is wise, he will see the truth, and he will bend the knee to me."

"---------."

"But if he is to be a fool, he will just become another progeny that will be lost in the sea of our Empire's history."

And with a commanding tone, the man in the dark, the Emperor, spoke about the seedling which the Imperial Preceptor had made him aware, as though his fate was decided in this very moment.

"---."

"------."

"---------."

"------------."

"And---, as------, for---------,"

"Rumble!"

Nevertheless, after judging the seedling's fate, the Emperor, came to be silent for a long time, time in which, the pressure which had locked the young Imperial Preceptor and the specks of dust were let free to fall down, unfrozen, as the multitude of intents retracted their own presences.

"---------, my------------, foes?!!"

"Rumble!" - "Thrum!!" - "Rumble!!!" - "Thrum!!!!"

However, their absence was short-lived, for what came subsequently was a far more prominent and pronounced conscious and energy will, to the point that the pressure was at a level to which the hall and the deep pit, came to be overflowed, that resulted in it escaping into the circle region delineated by the ten massive black pillars, which stopped the overwhelming furious and fierce will.

Will which appeared intent on flooding beyond the surrounding forest, over the Palaces that surrounded said forest, the enormous city which was circling the forest into the horizon at all sides, city that appeared to be stabbed by thousands and thousands of said ebony-black pillars, that did not reflect any light from their surface, and then further still.

And with said fierce will, only one causality came to be suffered from, and that was a strong rumbling of the dark mountain and land, a deep, yet hard-to-hear thrumming hum, once the will came out of the pit, and collided with presumed end radius that was composed by the ten closes pillars to the mountain, which formed a circle.

And so, from all of the said action, the outside forest, the city and land further beyond the city, trembled. Minutly that was, but a tremble nonetheless, unperceivable by the mortals or weak rank cultivators, but to the senses of the strong and sensitive monsters sprawled across the capital of the Empire, was a great shock, as the world, the land under their feet, appeared as though it was moving, pushed by a force which they could not imagine opposing.

It was a small tremble, a minute movement back and forward that was barely perceivable, yet, it was this small action of the land which woke thousands upon thousands of old and secluded cultivators, who stood hidden beneath the surface of the city. However, their awakening was not proper in any way, for even as this was the second time that they were forced to awake from their seclusion after only a day, their faces were full of dread and apprehension, for this movement and the shaking from the day before were worlds apart in power, akin to the difference of making a mountain to hum with one's hands, against the act of ripping said mountain from its base, and then proceeding to move it by a finger length of distance, in one's fitting moment of unsuppressed rage.

Nevertheless, while the strong old monsters of the city were riled up to wakefulness by fear and anxiety once they could delineate the origin of the movement, one aspect of the city could be said to be unaffected, for if one were to feel, measure and sum the state of the black pillars, one could arrive at the sole conclusion that said pillars had been absolutely unaffected, as though the power which had tried to move the land beneath the city, had no effect on them, or better said it was not considered as true power, to begin with.

----------------------------------------

"Father!?"

"Is he angry or is he concluding his seclusion?!"

"He---, he must surely have a heated conversation with old Teacher at this moment."

"No---. He---, is--, just-, furious."

However, as the ones most close to the point of origin of the ruckus that had the hidden monsters of the city awakened, King Kardian, East Queen Erylis, the young man in White, Unsullied and the black robe man, called Lord Death, could not miss the movement which the entire Imperial Court of the Throne Hall Palace had been subjected to, whilst they were gathered in the side meeting chamber of the throne room.

"This is the most plausible answer. Otherwise, why would he shake the city to wake up all the dozing fellows?"

And it could not be said that they were not shocked, for the moment that the land had moved, their faces had been whole with unhidden astonishment and dreadfulness, for they knew that the power needed for said action had long surpassed the realm of man, and enter into that of the divine.

"We can not know for sure, not until old Teacher will return with the instructions from Father."

"Then we can only wait, for the Imperial Preceptor's return."

But, even as they were shocked, and were trying to think of reasons for his action, the simple solution was that of waiting for the one who had moved to meet with their Father, for only he knew why the man had taken said action.

----------------------------------------

"To the north, the invaders continue to bash at our doors."

"---."

"To the east, the enemies are waiting for the moment to strike."

"------."

"To the west, the adversaries are derisive, looking down on our prowess."

"---------."

"And to the south, the renegades are using the wealth of the land, to shield and defy us, while paying for the aid of our contenders further south."

"------------."

"Outside of the mainland, the former eight Vassal continents continue to watch us silently, in preparation for our action, ready to retaliate against your Excellency's new grown might."

"---------------."

"As far as it goes, the world awaits a conclusion, to his Majesty's campaign. Waiting for the winners to be revealed, waiting for the limit to be broken, for a new grand change to appear."

"------------------."

"---------------------."

"------------------------."

"Those impertinent fools---! Clowns, who do not know good from wrong!! Even to this day, they still persist to defy and rebel against me, against our lineage!!!"

"Unfortunately, it is as such---, your Excellency."

"---."

"Harmph! And if the world wants to see! Then it will have to wait, until it can feast its eyes, on the might, which my two predecessors have accumulated for the glory of my Empire!"

"---."

"------."

"---------."

"Athan?!"

Power and a strong desiring sentiment were the sensations that were coming from the words of the Emperor, once the Imperial Preceptor presented his short general debrief to the man. But regardless of all of that, the intent, which was restless for quite a while, calmed down quickly, after a short tirade and a breather from the man himself.

"My Liege."

"---------."

"Anything further, of which I should be made aware?"

"Ther is---, your Excellency!"

"---."

"This had been but a simple rumer which had cruised across the whole West Supreme, unfounded, yet it was but rational that it was to be arrived, at this conclusion."

"Speak plainly!"

With a slight uncertainty in his speech, the young Preceptor who had just been asked for further information, let his head fall down in contemplation for a moment, before lifting it once more to look at the darkness ahead, as though trying to gaze at the Emperor in his eyes, for even he was unsure of the validity of what he was about to say.

"The Benevolent Teacher, the Supreme Genious of West---, his life is reaching the boundary given by his cultivation, and he is expected to die in the following hundred years from now."

"---."

"All had started, ninety years ago, when our spies had encountered some gossip about the Wise Empress sending invitations to all King and higher stage physicians and alchemists, to gather at her Palace. It was not much to speculate about, however, some of the physicians, who have gathered, have been invited to personally diagnose the Benevolent Teacher in person, and they have sworn with their reputations that this is indeed the case. Which had led a wildfire of rumours to spread over the entire continent in a matter of days."

"---."

"------."

"---------."

"Hard! It is difficult to believe that such a man would be stopped in the mortal realm given his achievement in his life. Although, given his inability to achieve a breakthrough when the world had aspected one, even up to this day, and taking into consideration the fact that he is slightly older than I am, it is indeed logical to think that he should meet his end."

"---."

"Sigh---! In the end despite all of his unparalleled talent, if he can not win against death, it is all for nought, his life will just be added to the history of the world, as a tragedy of a failed genius."

"My Liege is correct, and it is indeed suspicious, to say the least. However---, said rumour had compelled the Devil of the East to subdue all the powers of the East and forced them to send the zenith of the recovery elixirs and pills, alongside every piece of knowledge regarding the prolonging of life expectancy, and breaching through the realm of the Saints."

"That---, accursed--, abomination-! Acting as he wishes, still chasing for his amusement, at the cost of all. However, if the Benevolent Teacher is to die, then that is all, nothing more than a glorified failed genius."

"---."

"That has reminded me---, is Eron alive still?"

"Master Unver is still alive Your Highness. Although old, our Empire Spear Master has yet to meet a match for his spear and confrontational skills. And even up till this day, the War State is continuously sending letters of invitation towards Lord Unver."

"I see---. I have indeed made him wait long enough."

"---."

"------."

"---------."

"And as for any kind of alliance proposal? What can you tell me?"

And throughout his continuous speech, the words of the Emperor came to be adjusted, no longer appearing as though having just walked a world of distance before arriving at the Imperial Preceptor's ears.

Although, different from when asking of his foes, the Emperor came to be more subdued in his tone once he came to ask of allies, although, if one were to clearly decipher his voice, it would appear more as though he did not truly care for any ally at all.

"This---, is a challenging endeavour, your Excellency."

Although on the opposite side, the Imperial Preceptor appeared to be a tad distressed over the question that he had been asked, as though the answer was hiding some matter of heavy significance that would not please the Emperor.

"Tell me what are their demands?"

"---."

"We have several contenders who have expressed willingness to ally with us over the course of Your Highness's seclusion. And one of these "powers" is the Sea of Slaves. Which wishes to be given one hundred thousand children, men and women, between the age of newborns and a hundred years, at every end of a world cycle, all in exchange for an alliance with them. Cultivators or not, they request, that the offerings to be chosen up to their own selection."

"They dare!"

And just as aspected from the Imperial Preceptor, the Emperor, had not just a mild fit of rage, for at this moment, he could sense the boiling killing intent, which came as though a river made of fire, from the darkness ahead of him.

"What gall! Do they think they can make such a request towards me and live?!! I do not care who had been to make the demands, but if it is not a Saint, then notify Utan, to send some the best of his Death Dealers to take the head, and dismember the body of the impetuous bastards that had dared make this request to my person."

However, not a moment later, the killing intent came to be solidified into an ice-like murderous will, that appeared ready to leave the depths of this chamber, escape into the world so as to find and kill whoever had dared to ask the offensive inquiry that had roused his deep-seated bloodlust.

"---."

"Once I will conclude my seclusion, I will have to revise the state of the slave traders on the continent. If they will not bow down to me, then there will no longer be a reason for their continuous existence. Thieving and stealing rats at my feet, dare to have pretences, when they should start begging for their own lives. For the stated issue, I will send little Auzis to do the cleansing of the Empire, once I will have concluded my campaign. "

"As the Emperor, ordains. I will inform Master Death and young Master Unsullied at the soonest, regarding your Highness volition, with regard to the Sea of Slaves end."

"---."

"Now proceed along with."

"Yes. The following would be the faraway Holy Land. Their proposal for an alliance has three prerequisites, which must be met before anything tangible will be made. The first one is of course Your Highness's conclusive victory."

"---."

"The second one is for the world to approve of your Highness's mental capacity."

"Harrumph"

"---."

"------."

"And the third one?"

"---------."

"Utter it."

As though having inferred the meaning behind the Imperial Preceptors' silence, the words that came from the dark abyss that stood in front of the Preceptor held a strong and deep force of containment, of the rising anger which the Emperor was clearly having, as he had already let a cold harrumph at the second requisite that had been explained.

"As for the third prerequisite, the Holy Land desires total integration of all the light cultivators of the Empire into their Divine Kingdom. That includes the youngest son of my Liege, Auzis Vone Unthred and the great-granddaughter of my Liege, little Princess Merelise Eryils Unthread."

"Bastards be them all! Be it the South, the West, the East, the North or those in between, all want is to take my subjects. They all desire my continent. But do they all believe that my land is an unguarded tree, from where anyone can pluck riped apples?"

And it was livid outrage, for as the Imperial Preceptor proceeded to announce the third condition, the pressure and the wills which were surrounding him, began to simmer in pure wrath, a fact of which the Young Preceptor could not avoid for he was in the middle of said unfiltered rage.

"---."

"------."

"---------."

"You have mentioned a great-granddaughter. From which son or daughter, and which grandson or granddaughter of mine?"

However, the Imperial Preceptor came to be untouched, for as the wills were about to rip and tear the ground apart so as to escape, something came to hold them still, locking them down and avoiding what could have become a catastrophe over the continued, the seas and the oceans beyond it.

For it was as though nothing had even happened, as the Emperor arrived to ask a simple question, over the name of which he was unfamiliar with.

"From the fourth young Master, King Kardia's lineage. His youngest son, Menor Hyrieus Unthread, alongside a woman of low-class noble status, which the Prince had taken as a concubine, a new life had been conceived. The now Little Princess Merelise Erylis Unthread, of whom young master Kardia had tried to hide from the remote gazes. Though alas, the information regarding her elemental appraisal done by our grand Masters of Fate had ultimately escaped the confines of our secrecy, which is the only reason, for which the Holy Land had demanded the handover of the young Princess."

"I do not know of which grandson you speak of. However, if he had fathered a virtuous granddaughter for our family, then he must be rewarded appropriately. And I see that they had offered her the name of Erylis, it must have been Kardia's doing to ingratiate himself with Erylis, over some of their feuds. However, I will allow it."

"I will convert my Liege'sn will. As for the Prince, he had been born during Your Highness's current seclusion. As to his reward, the Prince had been bestowed with a Palace and riches of his own, due to his outstanding cultivation some sixty-odd years ago."

"Acceptable! This indicates he is half capable! As for this great-granddaughter of mine, place a master of swords, a master of archery, a master of arts and a master of words, to guide and protect her. No! Let her live under Eron's guide as Auzis had performed. "

"Preventive measures have already been taken, as a Black Imperial Guard that had been trained under Lord Unver had taken such position as guard and teacher. In addition, Master Death had personally placed someone to protect the Princess at all times."

"A quintessential move which can be called adequate of them. I see---."

"---."

"Now tell me. Who had been the one to put the third requirement? The Holy Man or Pontife Ar'bute?"

"High Priest, Pontife Ar'bute, your Excellency. After all, no sighting of any kind had been substantiated, about the Holy Man's status for the last five thousand years. If he is dead or not, only the high circle of Pontife's can know, moreover, as of these last two thousand years, Pontife Ar'bute has basically become the voice, eyes and will of the Holy Kingdom as a whole."

"I have surmise to have been that abstruse and bastardly old fellow, given the uniqueness of the demand. Yet, does he believe that I will kowtow to his feet and send my family without any regard?! That audacious old fool, I will have to change his views of me once I will end my campaign."

"---."

"Anyone else?"

"Yes. The third request, had come from the Demon Heart Sect, directly from the Demon Heart Saint himself."

"And what are his requirements for an alliance with my Empire?"

"Recognition of the cognitive state of mind of my Liege, once the continent had been conquered. If we are to meet these requirements, then he will align himself with us, in order to kill the "Old Devil of the East". Furthermore, he requests ownership of the body upon the successful killing of the man."

"Absurd! My fight against that abominable monster is of an absolute certainty, whether he will come to aid me or not. This conniving bastard wants to take advantage of me---!!! While he stays out of any trouble, he even dares to request the body of that old thing if I kill him?! Does he take me for a fool!!!!!!"

And to almost follow a preordained order, the anger of the Emperor was roused once more, although not as fiercely as his prior eruptions, due to his numerous explosions which he was in the process of taking more and more control of, as he was continuasly understanding his power more profoundly by the moment.

"There are truly no good men left in this world. All with their cheap ploys and no honour to their name. It would be better if I stab myself in the back at this point, for this would be the inevitable future if I am to ally myself with these wretched whoresons."

However, it was still anger, as one after the other, the feeling of being used, as though having no power over himself or the Empieor, was bringing great malicious intent which was covering his mind, so as to become a memory for a later time, once he was to meet those who hade spoken to himself in such way.

"It appears to be the case, my Liege."

"---."

"Any other nation or organization from the major continents that has revealed an increased willingness for an alliance?"

"Unfortunately no. Due to the checks and balances of the powers on the enemy side, no one is willing to risk an alliance with us, especially given the infamy of the past Emperors."

"Understandable."

"---."

"------."

"---------."

Is this all---------?"

"My Liege---. There is one last notion."

"---."

"Although---, I have been hesitant to put it ahead, due to the dubious nature that surrounds it."

And as they were close to ending the row of so-called allies to be, that had been of no use other than to make the blood of the Emperor move, the young Preceptor appeared to hide one last matter, which he genuinely appeared to have some concerns, despite him trying to hide with his well-conceived act that he was putting.

"Proceed."

But to his act, the Emperor did not appear to be concerned, even though he was surprised to see the man that had helped him for so long actually giving hints of helplessness for the first time in more than two thousand years of knowing him.

"This is?"

With the order to proceed, the young Preceptor had no other choice but to scower through his robe with his right hand, until a certain pale grey stone was taken out, and presented on the ground, before the darkness ahead of him.

"---."

"Years ago, I was contacted by an unknown individual, who had spoken of its society's Leader's interest in an alliance with my Liege. Other than a short conversation, I have been left with nothing but this communication stone, which had been intended to be given to Your Highness, to begin with. But as your Esteemed self had been in seclusion at that time, this one had tried to open and access the content of this communication stone, however, this one had been too weak to do anything of the sort, and as such I have been reluctant to anything other than to seal it on my body for fear of a possible underhanded move. But seeing my Liege's prowess, I have deduced that it can not pose any harm, so I have ultimately came to presented it before your Esteem gaze."

"It is obvious you can not access it, since it is locked by a powerful seal beyond the power of a simple peak Emperor practitioner. Only some with at least one thousand of my prowess can use it. And this is no communication stone, but a one-time record stone, with a self-destruction array on it."

With the grey stone on the ground, the darkness before him seemed to be intrigued, as the stone began to move, drawn by the abyss, until it could not be seen any more.

Which ultimately came to be investigated, as the Emperor appeared to quickly deduce all of its uses, as though having the power to see through itself.

"Speak."

And it was with an authoritative tone, that he seemingly demanded the stone to talk, as though it was a person and not a stone which he had before him.

"Aham---, aham--, aham-! If this thing has reached the intended hand, then you must be the latest Ural Emperor. Well---, I do not have much to say, since I am not actually looking for an alliance with you, as I am here only to play. I know---, you must be angry---, but do not be, for if you win this little game, I personally will reward you. Pretty incredible, right?"

"---."

And it did not take long for the Emperor and the many wills to get into a blazing fire of anger, as from the first line of words, the man had the intent of destroying the stone of the fool who had the time to play around with him.

"So---, to win this game is actually quite simple, just do not die. Easy right? But if we are to talk about you know who, you will have to fight, this will be another matter entirely. But do not be discouraged, after all, given that you have been able to open this message, means that you are nearing your end. Khe---, khe--, khe-, khe!"

But with every word, the Imperial Preceptor who was kneeling with his head lowered could feel the trembles of the mountain, caused by the rising irritation and anger of the Emperor, which was ready to flood the world above. However, the immense range of the wills which he was constantly feeling did not erupt, but kept to themselves, a testament, to the rapid control that the man was gaining with every single breath of time he was taking.

"And now---, for the reward--, which is of extreme value to you-. If you are to survive the part, that you are put to play that is. But it does not matter, no matter, for it will simply consist of a simple question, which I will allow you to ask of me. An inquiry of your choosing, be it as banal or mundane as that of a mortal, or concerning the mysteries of the world, of the gods above and those below. I will answer truthfully to whatever you may ask of me. In such a way, I will dine, once we met, if you are to be alive, khe---, khe--, khe-, khe!"

"Harumph---------!!!"

"---."

"This one's ability and power are not simple. A clown may he be, but I will have to take notice of his existence from now on."

Nonetheless, as the patience of the Emperor had passed his limit, the wills which were into the passageways, crashed against the stone so as to break it. But the only result was a flash of white light, that came to illuminate the side of the long corridor that was shrouded in darkness, to only reveal more collums to the right and left, going even further, just so they are eaten by just another darkness into the further distance.

However said flash of light did not come to be produced by the man's act, but by the will of the chuckling man which had recorded himself. For once the Emperor's will had touched the stone to crush it, he had been repelled backwards, forced to watch as the stone was self-imploding and disintegrating, leaving only the chuckles of the strange man behind to echo for a few times.

"---."

"------."

"---------."

"Is this all?"

After the flash and the strange laughter that was left behind, The Emperor, came to be silent for a long time, leaving the Imperial Preceptor in attendance for a long time with his head lowered.

Yet, a moment of silence was needed, as the Emperor and the Preceptor required some time to adjust their mental state, before speaking once more with one another.

"No, my Liege. Other than this, I have written a report concerning the Empire, the mainland and of our spies that are sparse around the other continents, containing the most relevant information over the hundreds of years of your Majesty's seclusion. However, as a simple version, all I can say, is that there had not to been any major subject, which may attract your Exellancy's eyes."

"Well done. I will take my time to read it."

"---."

"------."

"---------."

"------------."

"Aha---------!"

"---!"

"Haha--------!!"

"Aha-------!!!"

"---!?"

"Aha------!!!!"

"Haha-----!!!!!"

"Aha----!!!!!!"

"Haha---!!!!!!!"

"Aha--!!!!!!!!"

"Aha-!!!!!!!!!"

"Haha!!!!!!!!!!"

"---."

"Your Excellency!?!"

And from a normal attitude, the Emperor came to laugh in the most maniacal manner possible, as if one were to hear his voice, one would presume that the man had gone mad all of a sudden. For there was no other explanation for his abnormal and erratic behaviour.

And as the only one present, the Imperial Preceptor had no other choice but to raise his head, and ask the man himself in worry, at his sudden and out-of-place laughter.

"It matters not!"

"---."

"Is there anything more important than my own strength?"

"------."

"Allies?"

"---------."

"With my power that puts me at the top of the world, I will destroy all who will come for my head, what point is there to have any "supposed allies"!"

"------------."

"I will bury them all underneath my feet, so as to make them be the foundation on which I will rebuild my Empire!"

And to follow his laughter, was a series of questions and answers and exclamations from the Emperor himself, which only he could answer, since it appeared to be all addressed to his very own person.

"The might of the Emperor, truly makes the Ural Empire the strongest Realm in the World."

And to add wood to an already large fire, was the Preceptro himself, who was right behind the man, putting his words to elevate the Emperor even more.

"Athan! Tell my sons and daughters, that when I will step out---, I will Judge and Conquer the Heaven-Earth Continent. For only I can be its absolute Ruler!"

"---."

"The Easter Empire will shatter, the Northern Empire will be crushed, the War State will be subdued, the Southern Renegads will be judged, the Preairie will cower and the Desert will obey me!"

"---."

"The thousand of years of preparation!"

"---."

"The tribulation and hardships of my predecessors!"

"---."

"All will be fulfilled with me!"

"---."

"Athan! Now return, and convey my will."

"---."

"For I will await the bells of War to begin."

"This lowly Preceptor understands and hears clearly the will of the Emperor."

"---."

"Then I bid brief fare well to my Liege."

With his person being excused, the Imperial Preceptor rose to his feet and proceeded to walk back the way he had entered, letting the weak glowing stones cease their illumination, and allowing the darkness to fill the long passageway in the previous darkness.

And just as he stood at the base of the pit, biding fair well to the Emperor with a smile, his lips appeared to move for a sentence longer, which could not be heard or seen, as he was hiding the face, in such way that even the Emperor could not see him, whilst beginning to rise upwards as though a statue.