[Authors note: Had a bit of a schedule hiccup last week, so I couldn't upload a chapter sorry about that! But don't worry, I'll be dropping an extra chapter tomorrow night to make up for it.
Also, just a heads-up: after Chapter 100, I'll be taking a short break (about a month) to wrap up what I consider the first book of the story. But I'll be back with new chapters and more of Alex's rule in Drasia, so stay tuned!
I really appreciate all of you, whether you leave comments or just enjoy the story quietly. I'm not too focused on views I just want to make sure I'm delivering a good story that you can casually enjoy. That said, I do love diving deep into world-building, so I hope that's something you all enjoy too.
One more thing I've got another novel in the works! This one will be set in modern times with a few twists, and I'm experimenting a bit with the harem genre (still new to it, so we'll see how it goes). I'll drop more details soon!
Thanks for sticking around, and see you in the next chapter!]
While the bomber was increasing its altitude, the pilot pressed one of the buttons, where the magic core inside the plane instantly turned on. A small spell activated and covered the entire plane as it became invisible to the naked eye. It was a spell created by Ling to practically change the direction of light, covering it in a way that made it invisible. That experimental bomber did a good job; even Manuel couldn't authorize such a strike—only the Emperor could.
Manuel POV
"A few days have already passed. When are we fucking leaving? I'm bored already. I want to manage a war, not be stuck here just waiting for the operation's success," Manuel said out loud, clearly frustrated.
"Sir, just wait for a few more hours, and we will get the results," Cornaro replied. Even he was also bored, since he had received confirmation that a division-sized force of knights and a brigade of combat engineers had arrived as reinforcements, along with several pieces of construction equipment for the purpose of creating a railway line from the New Port Royale (which was the temporary docks transformed into a hub of logistics) to the city and towards the eastern lines. Progress had been increasing as they employed the local people for work in exchange for food and basic amenities.
'I'm already bored. Despite this mansion being spacious, I can't really do anything here. Plus, the front lines have been silent, so I ordered Cornaro to prepare an offensive as soon as possible when the reinforcements arrive. For now, they conduct recon operations,' I thought as I stood up and headed towards the mansion's entrance, where Cornaro questioned me.
"Sir, are you going?" he asked, noticing I hadn't called my squad of bodyguards.
"Just going to have a walk in the woods. What do you think?" Since I could defend myself—warriors of the Thanatos Empire were extremely weak—I exited the mansion, wearing my overcoat and equipping my baton before leaving.
"First platoon, the Marshal is heading to the forest. Please escort him from a distance," Cornaro spoke through the radio. A platoon of Blackwatch soldiers left the formation and headed towards the forest, where two squads began patrolling the area while one squad monitored the Marshal's movements.
In the Woods
"Quite snowy despite being in the summer months," I muttered as I looked around the woods. I saw some wild animals staring at me, but I ignored them, walking in random directions until I exited the forest and saw an open snowfield. There, I spotted a woman with rough white hair lying on the ground, her body battered and bruised.
"Hey, are you alright?" Manuel asked the woman on the ground. Turning her over with his foot, he instantly recognized her.
"Empress Roselyn?" He was both stunned and shocked. Was it a coincidence that a deposed Empress was lying on the ground here?
"How utterly ridiculous," I sneered after reigning in my shock and looked down on her.
"You saw this coming but never dealt with it. How dumb are you?" I wanted to shout, but I didn't have the time. Looking around, I sensed a presence—over ten unknowns.
"Cough," she coughed and looked up, seeing Manuel gripping his baton.
"Pl-ease," she said hoarsely, stretching out her hand before losing consciousness.
"Ahhh, fuck it. At least you will be a very valuable asset," I muttered as I was about to pick her up. Soon, ten mounted individuals appeared on the horizon.
"Halt! State your name and business!" The men, wearing Imperial Guard uniforms, drew their swords and pointed them at Manuel. They were not part of the recent incident but had been sent to finish off the Empress.
"A Marshal of the Draconian Empire, and it's none of your business," I finished my statement as thirty Blackwatch soldiers emerged from the forest behind me, their guns pointing at the Imperial Guards. The laser attachments were aimed directly at their chests.
"Wh-what!?" One of them felt a primal fear as the laser was aimed directly at him.
"Fire." Just one word from the Marshal, and all the soldiers pointing their rifles at the Imperial Guards fired. The shots were silent but deadly, leaving the guards lifeless.
But the debacle wasn't over. Manuel sensed a fast-approaching presence.
"I want this woman taken back to the safe house and treated for her injuries. The rest of you, fall back—there's someone coming very fast," he paused, spinning his Marshal baton as it transformed into a longsword. "And I will deal with him alone."
As the winds changed direction, he saw a small blue dot approaching fast. The soldiers behind him didn't complain and began moving, carrying Roselyn. The last squad stood four kilometers away, ready to monitor the battle.
BOOM
A man with short black hair and dark clothes, standing at 5'8 with fair white skin, equipped himself with two arming swords radiating purple energy. He was the general of the Thanatos Empire, and his artifact gave him the ability to fight demigods.
"Marshal of the Draconian Empire, I humbly request that you hand over the Empress this instant," he said in a respectful yet disgusted tone.
"Yeah, right. My answer is a respectful NO," Manuel said as he readied himself, his black aura roaring to life.
"I asked nicely, sir. Don't make me kill one of the Draconian Empire's prestigious Marshals," the man replied, his posture turning fully offensive.
"Again, it's no. And what makes you think I'm easily beaten by you?" Manuel responded.
BOOM BOOM
As two shockwaves erupted, Manuel and the man clashed, their blades meeting with a second shockwave.
The battle intensified. The man displayed great skill in dual-wielding his blades, but as the fight progressed, Manuel's strikes grew stronger.
"Sadly for you, I'm the one who plays dirty," Manuel said, sidestepping as an RPG round appeared and struck the man, sending him flying backward.
"Let's end this farce," Manuel declared as he swung his sword down toward the exposed chest, but the man turned away just in time, gaining distance.
"You're healing fast," Manuel noted, seeing the wounds from the explosion already healing.
"Okay, you got me hooked. What's your name?" Manuel asked.
"Henderson Lictavit," the man said, controlling his breathing.
BOOM
Manuel did not respond but appeared in front of him, delivering a powerful right hook that Henderson couldn't counter.
"Okay, Henderson, I perceive you as a threat, so I will have to eliminate you in the name of the Emperor," Manuel said, raising his sword high as an ominous thunderous roar echoed.
"Sky Shattering Judgment," Manuel declared solemnly as he performed a technique that the Emperor had used in the recent war. A massive beam descended onto Henderson, who looked at Manuel in shock before smiling slightly.
"I was finally noticed," he said before his entire existence was erased. His only wish had been to be acknowledged by the strongest, and now he left it to his brother to take over the Lictavit family and avenge him.
"Finally dead. Although our clash was short, I enjoyed the warm-up," Manuel said, sheathing his sword. Stretching his hand, he turned around and left the battlefield.
To be continued...