In the capital of the Atria Empire, Losaris City, the situation is much calr than in the rest of the empire. This was the first place shaken by the sudden coup led by the second prince and the first to fall under his control. Although the atmosphere remains sowhat tense, the city’s residents have already returned to their normal activities, as they have already co to terms with the situation.
Fortunately, the second prince has not implented any policies detrintal to the common folk. As a result, despite the capital being under his control, the people have not felt much change.
At the imperial palace, the man in question was in the middle of a eting with many individuals inside the throne hall. Each of them carried a strong presence and aura that could make ordinary people cower.
A young-looking man with blonde hair, dressed in the emperor’s attire, sat on the imperial throne while dozens of people looked at him solemnly. One of them then stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, I am pleased to report that our army’s movent in the north has not been obstructed. The rebels in that region put up little resistance and were quickly subdued. As for the western side, we are still trying to break through Duke Marle’s defenses at Guvard City."
Another man stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, on the eastern front, we have continued pushing the rebel forces back until they are now trapped in the northeast, at Weilmar City. At this mont, we are maintaining a blockade on their escape and supply routes. As for the southern front, only Grand Duke Arim’s and Baron Rosalind’s forces remain, but we can continue pressing them."
Hearing the reports, the second prince, Wilmar Losaris, showed a satisfied smile. As the one who had successfully usurped the throne and made himself the current emperor, he still could not rest easy until the rebel forces were completely decimated. To secure his position and uphold his absolute rule, he had to eliminate anyone who opposed him.
"Good, keep up this good work. In the next report, I want to hear that the rebels have been wiped out—all of them. I will give generous rewards to everyone once this is over."
The people in the hall displayed ecstatic expressions as they shouted in unison.
"All hail Your Majesty! All hail Emperor Wilmar! Long live the ultimate ruler of the empire!"
Their voices echoed throughout the entire hall. Wilmar smiled, savoring the mont as if basking in glory, his na and title ringing in his ears.
"Yes, this is how it should be. I am the one who should be enjoying this," he thought.
"After I am done with this empire, I will continue to spread my glorious empire’s na across the entire continent. When the prophesized ti cos, I will have my own power and no longer depend on those devils."
He smirked as he thought about the future, already mapping out his grand plans to expand his influence across the continent. In his mind, these turbulent tis were the perfect opportunity, which was why he had staged the coup.
While he was still in a good mood from hearing the favorable reports and envisioning his glorious future, he suddenly noticed a man rushing toward him. The mont he saw him, he instantly recognized him as the envoy he had sent to Caritas City to deliver the reward to Marquess Parus’s forces for successfully capturing the city after a hard-fought battle.
However, he wondered why the envoy seed nervous, his expression filled with unease and sweat beading down his face. The others in the hall also turned to look at the envoy with curiosity, unaware of what had happened.
The envoy imdiately fell to his knees, still gasping for breath as if he had exhausted every bit of energy to reach this place as quickly as possible.
"Your Majesty, I bring urgent news... bad news," the envoy said, struggling to catch his breath.
Wilmar frowned slightly upon hearing this, and the others in the hall turned their attention toward the envoy, eager to hear what he had to say.
"What is it?" Wilmar asked.
"Soone... soone attacked Marquess Parus and killing people without any regard for your na or authority—"
The envoy then recounted his harrowing experience, how Aldrian had barged into the dining hall and rendered them all helpless, how he had tortured Marquess Parus, and how he had even executed the branch head of the Golden Swan Comrce.
Gasps of astonishnt filled the hall as those present widened their eyes in shock. From the envoy’s description, the assailant seed to be a formidable cultivator with sadistic tendencies. Yet, what shocked them most was his sheer audacity—he had acted without the slightest concern for His Majesty’s rule, as if Marquess Parus was nothing more than a disposable pawn.
"—and he said that he wanted to convey this to Your Majesty: ’Bring that traitorous Cardinal Carsius to . Any attempt to hide that traitor will result in actions that will be detrintal to Your Majesty in the course of this civil war. And trust , Your Majesty won’t like it.’ What happened in Caritas City is a warning to Your Majesty."
Upon hearing the arrogant warning from this unknown individual, the people in the hall instantly erupted in fury.
"How dare he! To think soone would have the gall to say such words to His Majesty! Even if he is from the church, we must take action against his insolence."
"Who is this man? I will personally kill him and gladly offer his head to His Majesty, church or not!"
"Your Majesty, please send to Caritas City! I will make sure to bring his head back to you!"
"Your Majesty—"
Many voices rose in anger, but Wilmar only frowned slightly and allowed their shouts to echo through the hall.
The news that the church was searching for its traitor, Cardinal Carsius, had already spread across the continent. When Wilmar first heard of it, he paid little attention—not only had the church not sent a formal request for assistance, but the so-called traitor had also co to him personally, seeking protection. And now, that man was under his protection.
After a few monts of contemplation, he finally raised a hand, signaling for silence before turning to the envoy.
"Is he from the church?"
The envoy bowed slightly before responding. "Your Majesty, he did not state where he ca from, nor did he release any energy for to discern whether he was from the church. However, as far as I know, this man can wield sword intent and manipulate space laws—he can teleport himself or anything near him."
Gasps of astonishnt spread through the hall.
"He’s a swordmaster who has comprehended space laws! This is the first ti I’ve heard of such a combination. No wonder he’s so arrogant. For him to be able to teleport, his comprehension must be at a high level!"
"We need a plan to deal with him, or we’ll suffer great losses."
"I agree, we need—"
The voices that had been filled with arrogance and eager volunteers just monts ago now grew more cautious upon learning that their enemy was not just a swordmaster but one who had comprehended space laws. A swordmaster alone was already powerful enough to take on multiple opponents at once. The sa applied to space-elent cultivators, given how strong and complex space laws were.
But a swordmaster who had mastered space laws? Many in the hall now realized that this person’s techniques would be unpredictable and dangerous even for them. If he had subdued Marquess Parus so effortlessly, his cultivation must be above that of the marquess Parus.
Even if that person were at the High King stage, with his power, he could fight against a Peak King stage opponent—or perhaps even match a Low Emperor stage! If they attacked him recklessly without a proper plan, they feared they would be the ones to regret it.
Wilmar’s frown deepened as he processed the information. The man’s identity was not necessarily tied to the church, and the envoy’s report contained no clear evidence linking him to it. If this person truly was from the church, then Wilmar would have so words with the pope—after all, the church would be ddling in the internal affairs of another territory.
If the church had intruded upon his empire without requesting his permission or even consulting him, that would be a blatant sign of disrespect toward him as its ruler. Such an act was unacceptable and could escalate tensions between the church and the territories. The church was not a force that normally acted in such a way. However, Wilmar also had a fair idea of what the pope might be thinking at this mont.
Because of the civil war, the pope refused to reach a conclusion and he was unwilling to acknowledge Wilmar Losaris as the true ruler of the Atria Empire just yet. That was why the pope had not sent an envoy or made any official contact with him, even though Wilmar now sat on the emperor’s throne. The sa cautious mindset applied to other powers, they were still waiting and observing the situation.
If this unknown person was not from the church, then dealing with him would be much easier.
But then, Wilmar suddenly smiled.
It didn’t matter whether that man was from the church or not. He had already dared to challenge his authority, and for that, this person would face the consequences. Hand over Cardinal Carsius? Not a chance. The cardinal was still useful to him—and more than that, he was his partner in cri.
"I see. But whether he is from the church or not, to think that soone like him exists... Although he may be strong, he has already stepped onto our ho turf and dared to act arrogantly in our territory," Wilmar said, then turned his gaze toward those of lower standing before him.
"Duke Alikin, I order you to bring that man here. If he resists, eliminate him and present his head to ."
The chosen Duke Alikin wore a serious expression as he knelt.
"I will not disappoint you, Your Majesty!"
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