"Sword King Sin Quelldown, I presume?" the waiter asked.
"That's correct." He smoothly sheathed his sword in one movement. "What do you want?"
"Someone would like to meet with you. Please follow me. I will take you to them."
"And if I refuse?"
"This isn't up for discussion."
The Royal Guard clapped their hands, prompting everyone in the tavern to stand and draw their swords. Over one hundred Fundamental Realm Experts or greater stood ready to attack! This was an overwhelming show of force against three people! The sheer pressure they emitted could bring anyone to their knees! A normal person would be begging for mercy already, except these three were anyone, but normal.
"You dare?" Lanar growled. His monstrous killing intent surfaced like a tidal wave! Boom! Everyone's aura was obliterated in a second, drowned out by his ridiculous aura. Everyone was startled by his blatant provocation and power. However, this was who he, Lanar Shadon, was! He would never back down from a fight!
"Don't be hasty, Lanar. Wait for master's decision," Hidek cautioned. Through his perception, he could tell the building was surrounded by countless soldiers. It seemed like the entire stronghold converged on their position! That said, he sensed their scheme during their meal. A Perception Realm Master was not easy to trick, especially for someone as meticulous as himself. He was not particularly worried because escaping was easy; the hard part was what to do afterwards.
The Sword King raised his Instinct Realm senses and focused on his good fortune again. He would reconsider his options whether his fortune weakened or not. Yet, despite the situation, it did not diminish at all. Perhaps his opportunity laid here? As the saying goes, there was no risk without reward. He decided to take a gamble and said, "Lead the way."
"Thank you for your understanding. This way then," the Royal Guard replied.
The three boarded a carriage outside and were taken somewhere. Of course, while the curtains were lowered to prevent their knowledge, they could keenly tell where they were by their senses alone. It was effectively pointless. After half an hour of travel, they disembarked in the middle of a large, dark warehouse. The buildings were still damaged following the fires, so they were vacant for the time being. Unfortunately, for the Sword King's welcoming party, the once empty warehouse was packed to the brim. Royal Guards and Grand Knights of the Realm encircled them, while other knights and soldiers supported them from behind. Arcanists and crossbowmen held the rear, ready to launch an attack at a moment's notice! Combined with the enclosed building, few exits, and large standing army outside, even Sword King Sin felt the pressure. The Alzar Kingdom was not a pushover for a reason!
"Welcome, Sword King Sin Quelldown, to the Yunyun Stronghold. I am General Petra Tourelle, the current commanding general over the northern theatre. May I ask why you're here?" she spoke loudly from an unknown location. Through Arcania, she could project her voice without putting herself in harm's way. No one knew where she was!
"Did you hear about me from my third disciple?" he asked casually.
"Don't underestimate the kingdom," General Petra snorted. "Now, answer the question: what are you planning?"
"I'm not really planning anything."
"Then why did you hide your identity on the ship? Why did you unleash your True Perception on the Yunyun Stronghold?"
"I felt like it," he scoffed.
General Petra narrowed her eyes. "Sword King Sin Quelldown, you served as the captain of the First Hand for the Whispering Shadow. Months ago, the Second Hand orchestrated an attack on Her Highness, Princess Elizabeth. Are you here to continue that attack?"
The Sword King sighed. "It seems there's a misunderstanding here…"
Martial Energy coalesced inside his body, forming a fiery blue glow around him. It looked like he was wreathed in flames! His aura exploded to monstrous heights as debris blasted away from him in a tempest. It continued to pierce through the roof in an awe-inspiring pillar of light! He resembled a god descending from the heavens! The Sword King drew his sword and slashed upward. A blinding blue light flew from his sword at near-imperceptible speeds, right above the heads of everyone, and slammed into the far warehouse wall. Boom! The entire building shook from the immense impact. The attack easily sliced through the wall and entered the open sky where it soared like a dragon taking flight. He alone would split the heavens! This was the Cloud Sea Style: Heaven's Divide!
Everything happened in the blink of an eye, even to the Perception Realms present. It was over before they knew it! As they looked around and saw the far warehouse wall perfectly cut in two, everyone's eyes bulged out in shock and fear. So, this was the power of the legendary Instinct Realm swordsman, Sword King Sin Quelldown! His power exceeded the realm of humans! He was a true monster!
He sheathed his sword and retracted his aura, feeling content with his intimidation. Certainly, he did not want to anger the Alzar Kingdom. He would be a fool to antagonize an entire civilization, one of the three pillars of the human world, a force exceeding millions of people! That much was true. However, he had his own pride too! He might cooperate, but he would never kneel! He sneered. Push him too far, and he would push back. He would not hesitate to create a grand massacre if that was what the kingdom wanted! Forget the consequences. He would force them to see the enormity of heaven and earth! That was who he, the Sword King, was!
He glanced in General Petra's direction, despite being hidden, and said, "Do you realize now? I could have killed everyone here with that attack, except I did not. This should show my sincerity. I'm not interested in talking to you, so let me speak to the person behind you."
Upon seeing her shaken soldiers, General Petra gnashed her teeth. Precisely because he was powerful, he could not be allowed to leave. This was the heart of the kingdom's operations in the northern theatre. It was an essential strategic location that could not be taken at all costs! There was no telling what the Sword King might do once released, especially when considering his relation to the fallen Whispering Shadow. He was a threat! Furthermore, she refused to believe he was almighty. There must be limits to his power, otherwise, he would not behave this way. He was human after all. He was not a true god! Therefore, she made up her mind quickly. Either they would submit or die! Everyone felt the stifling atmosphere and gulped. A fight seemed imminent! Just as she raised her hand and opened her mouth, she froze.
"…Are you sure? Yes, I understand… I will pass those words along," she mumbled to herself, much to everyone's confusion. The Sword King raised an eyebrow. He could tell the general was speaking to someone through magic. Was it the Ten Dawns or someone else? He did not know. General Petra cleared her throat and ordered, "All forces, stand down. Sword King Sin Quelldown, your request has been approved. You are permitted to speak to that person."
The Sword King and his disciples were then escorted to another location. Here, there were much fewer military personnel present, a stark contrast to the grand display before, yet they were much stronger on average. He could also sense a few powerful presences belonging to Sir Winstin, Cardinal Hui, Lady Mingyu, Ten Dawn Iris, Rosemary, and Yvonne, but he was not deterred. Instead, he grinned and entered confidently with his disciples in tow. He would handle whatever issues came up. A small, sparsely furnished room soon welcomed his sights. Judged in appearances alone, it seemed to hint at the owner's poorer background, except appearances could be deceiving. Hidek and Lanar were shocked to see the person seated, whereas the Sword King simply looked at her flatly.
"We meet at long last, Your Highness, Princess Elizabeth."
"I must say the same to you, Sword King Sin Quelldown."
"You were smart to intervene there. Otherwise, who knows what would have happened?" he smirked. After all, the only person with the authority to command General Petra was Princess Elizabeth herself. It was a simple deduction to make.
"I'd prefer if you didn't see it as a sign of submission," Elizabeth said coldly. "We compromised for the sake of both our best interests. You wouldn't want to antagonize the Alzar Kingdom, would you?"
Sword King Sin suddenly lunged at her! Bang! He appeared a mere hair away from Elizabeth's face with murderous intent. At the same time, sawdust fell from his hand from where he grabbed her chair's backrest. He had pulverized part of her wooden chair with his hand alone! Suffice to say, it was easy to imagine how her head would have fared against him. She would have been killed in an instant! The Sword King snorted, expecting her to snivel or cry. Delicate flowers were always all talk, and no action. The slightest accident and their world would come crashing down. He had seen far too many examples to count. That was why a little girl playing princess had no right being arrogant before him! Yet, to his surprise, Elizabeth remained unusually tranquil, as though nothing fazed her. She stood strong!