Chapter 823: The Shadow of War

Chapter 823: Chapter 823: The Shadow of War

Everyone in the Grand Audience Hall looked shocked by the display of imperial power. However, the surviving guards of the entourages reacted swiftly: they picked up their crippled lords and vacated the palace, bowing deeply. They were shattered and humiliated, but they were still alive, and there was room for negotiation. They knew full well that if they provoked the Emperor any further, they would not leave alive.

Carrying their lords on their backs, the escorts fled in haste.

Vorian stepped forward and looked at the monarch.

"Emperor, you have endured their insolence for far too long," said Vorian. "I will mobilize the imperial army immediately."

"No, Vorian," replied the Emperor, keeping his eyes fixed on the horizon. "Remember that in the end, we are empires of the same continent, and we shall follow the teachings of our ancestors. Send a letter to the three empires; in three days, we march to war."

Ethan stood in silence, in a state of mild shock. He was arrogant and wanted to display his power to gain recognition, but he never expected his actions to trigger an all-out war between four empires.

The Emperor turned to him and formed a subtle smile.

"You did well, Ethan," said the Emperor. "You gave this old man great satisfaction. I see on your face that you think this is your fault, but do not misunderstand. Our empires have merely been under a temporary truce; in fact, I tore away half of their territories a few centuries ago, so this was inevitable. They believe themselves strong, but they do not know the greatness of my empire."

The monarch paused briefly before continuing in a firmer tone.

"Say goodbye to your woman and your realm," commanded the Emperor. "You will march with me to the battlefront tomorrow morning. There are many things to prepare before traveling to the border."

Finally, the Emperor turned toward Isabella.

"I apologize for taking your husband away and not allowing you to celebrate your nuptials officially," said the Emperor in a measured tone. "When we return, I will lend you my palace so you may have the wedding of your dreams."

Isabella knelt on the marble floor and answered in a clear, resolute voice.

"I thank Your Majesty, but I am not worthy," said Isabella. "It is the duty of both my husband and myself to fight for Your Imperial Majesty. You do not need to compensate us; we will fight to the death for the empire."

The Emperor formed a warm smile and waved his hand gently.

"I insist," said the Emperor. "It is the least I can do for my new general."

Those simple words caused an earthquake in the hall, far greater than the declaration of war itself.

General of the Empire? In the entire Golden Dragon Empire, there were only three generals and one Supreme Executor. Vorian held the rank of Executor; although he did not command a regular army, his existence was equivalent to an entire force. However, the three Imperial Generals could hold their own in combat against Vorian, and each commanded millions of elite troops: the Golden Wings Army, the Golden Claws Army, and the Golden Jaws Army. Each of those three armies represented a core pillar of the Golden Dragon Empire.

For the Emperor to grant that title to a youth without a registered bloodline not only raised him above countless nobles, but placed him at the military apex of the continent.

"Kneel, Ethan," commanded the monarch’s deep voice.

Ethan stepped forward and knelt with reverence, bowing his head.

With a flash of spiritual energy, the Emperor manifested a ceremonial golden spear in his right hand. Holding it with both hands, he rested the blade upon Ethan’s right shoulder.

"I, Aurelius Golden XI, Emperor of the Golden Dragon Empire, hereby appoint you General of the Golden Eyes Army," declared the monarch, letting his voice echo throughout the palace.

Aurelius withdrew the spear, transformed it into a golden jade command seal, and handed it to Ethan before waving his hand.

"You may take your leave," said the Emperor, looking at the couple. "At the sound of the bugle tomorrow at dawn, I expect you to be ready to march."

Ethan and Isabella offered a ceremonial bow and exited the hall. Once the heavy doors closed and only Vorian remained beside the throne, the Executor broke the silence in a reflective tone.

"Was it not too soon, Your Majesty?" asked Vorian. "With the title of General, he will become a direct target for the other three empires."

"If the heavens dictate his fortune, he will survive what is to come and become one of the strongest pillars of my empire," replied Aurelius XI, gazing across the empty hall. "Besides, I need to temper him. The Great Selection is approaching. In all the history of my empire, only you have been able to go outside the imperial bloodline; I need another person to go to that place. If he is not chosen, I do not believe our empire will last long. I heard the Northern Leviathan Empire created a super-monster... he is in the same realm as Ethan, yet he can fight the generals of his empire hand-to-hand. I am certain that when he returns he will go to that place, and if we do not have an equivalent, the entire continent will belong to the Dark Leviathan Empire."

Vorian clenched his fists, a shadow of fury crossing his eyes.

"Those bastards...", said Vorian in an icy voice. "Should we act against them now? Why wait for that monster to grow?"

Aurelius Golden XI shook his head slowly, keeping his eyes fixed on the hall’s vaulted ceiling.

"Because they will not allow it," replied the Emperor in a somber tone. "If we attempt to eradicate a fine seed prematurely, they will make sure to remind us who truly rules this world."

Vorian kept silent for a few seconds, weighing the monarch’s words before speaking again.

"Have they already made contact?" asked Vorian in a low voice.

"They are always here," replied Aurelius XI, tightening his grip on the armrest of his jade throne. "Searching for fine seeds and overseeing everything. Whatever we do, they will know before anyone else."

The Emperor paused, narrowing his eyes as he came to a crucial decision.

"Send a message to the Phoenix Empress," commanded the Emperor. "If at this point his family is still not here, according to our intel, they must be there..."

"And if they are not?" asked Vorian.

"They have to be," declared the Emperor in an absolute tone. "We must have what our general loves most before we march in three days. Make the trip personally; I want them to understand how much this mission matters to me."