*****
Ironclad Prison, located in the most uninhabitable and unwelcoming region of Elaria.
As implied by its name, this prison was constructed entirely from solid iron, with no hint of other materials and It was the most frightening prison ever created, holding not common criminals but formidable and ruthless ones such as warlords, high-level cultivators, mafia leaders, and those who had caused widespread devastation.
The main reason this prison was feared around the globe wasn't merely its solid iron structure; rather, its location in the coldest place on Earth.
Each day in this prison was a frozen hell, so unbearable that many warlords had died within its confines, while those who survived faced relentless and terrifying torture daily.
In one word, this prison represented the ultimate terror for every power on Earth, and no matter how strong you were, escape was impossible without being released.
…
"Have you guys heard? That demon will finally be released today!" an ex-terrorist whose face was glowing with excitement suddenly whispered in a gossipy tone inside a hall where thousands of prisoners were eating their breakfast of rock-hard bread and frozen congee.
As soon as the inmates around this person heard him, their eyes widened with astonishment, and they trembled with disbelief before gaping.
"How— how true is that?" asked a legendary scientist, who had once used an entire city for his research, his beard trembling with excitement and anxiety from the news.
"100%." The ex-terrorist replied with confidence. "I got this information from a reliable source." He added.
"This…" the breathing of everyone around the ex-terrorist quickened and a rare excitement began to fill them.
It was as if the most terrifying demon haunting their lives was finally going to be removed.
Astonishingly enough, it wasn't only this group that was excitedly discussing this topic, but rather, every single person in the vast hall.
Just at that moment, a calm, distinct footstep echoed, and as though the arrival of a scary entity, the massive space fell into pin-drop silence.
Everyone quickly lowered their heads with terror and focused their entire attention on biting into their frozen solid rock bread.
One might expect a fearsome figure to be behind such a terrifying footstep. However, it turned out to be a tall, 26-year-old man who appeared lean and harmless. He was very handsome and elegant, with a gentle demeanor, yet, what stood out most about him was his delicate appearance, which gave the impression that he wouldn't be able to handle a common chicken.
Aside from that, the young man appeared very lazy, but his eyes were brimming with wisdom and power.
…
Noting the terrified expressions on everyone's faces, as if a death angel had arrived, the young man smiled wryly.
"Aren't you guys celebrating a second ago that this father is finally leaving?" the young man, Xavier Wilson asked speechlessly.
"This…" the hearts of all the inmates, who appeared menacing and each at least three times the size of Xavier, all muscularly built, trembled upon hearing him.
"Master Xavier!" They shouted in unison, as they jumped to their feet, appearing like soldiers facing their commander.
"We—we definitely aren't celebrating," they cried with apprehension and Xavier studied their faces emotionlessly for a moment before snorting.
"Whatever," he said calmly before crossing his hands behind his back, then like a sage who had transcended mortality, he walked unhurriedly through the hall, each step making the inmates' heart thump louder in their chests as though scared that Xavier would attack them.
Soon after, his presence vanished from the hall, after which all the inmates collapsed nd began to breathe heavily, recalling the weight of Xavier's presence.
"Ah!!! Finally!!!" the former kingpin of the prison, who had led all the prisoners before Xavier arrived abruptly sobbed.
"I can now get back my role," he jubilated and was about to laugh excitedly when, without warning, a calm voice echoed through the hall, saying...
"If any of you dared to cause even the slightest trouble after I'm gone… hmph!"
Although the voice did not complete its threat, everyone broke out in a cold sweat from the power it held, especially the former leader and those who had begun to entertain their plans.
"Why won't this demon free us even after leaving!" the inmates finally sobbed.
....
Meanwhile, at the entrance of the grim prison, a high-ranking prison guard, who had been waiting respectfully suddenly bowed deeply.
"I didn't do it for you," Xavier said calmly, dousing the guard's fiery excitement with cold water and causing his mouth to twitch.
Unsure whether to smile or cry, the man eventually sighed. "Overall, thank you for putting those troublesome bastards in their place," he said with an awkward smile, and with that, respectfully opened the massive gate for Xavier.
"You are free from now on," he said emotionally. However, as soon as he finished speaking, Xavier's gaze turned blank, causing the man to shiver slightly.
"Have—have I said something wrong?" he asked nervously and Xavier rolled his eyes.
"Do you really think I wasn't free all this time?" he asked ironically, then not waiting for a response, he stepped forward and walked out of the prison that had held him for the past five years.
The prison guard wasn't able to respond for a moment after hearing Xavier's arrogant words, but then, he smiled wryly, unable to refute him.
He sighed after a moment and although Xavier had left, the warden couldn't help but bow his head again, recalling all of Xavier's achievements during his time in the prison.
"Take care," he said with emotion before pressing the remote control in his hand again, sealing the massive gate once more until who knows when.
…..
Meanwhile, Xavier stood outside the prison, looking somewhat helpless. He had initially planned to welcome the sight of freedom, not expecting to be greeted by people who instantly knelt before him.
Undoubtedly, the world would be thrown into chaos if it were to witness the scene Xavier was observing.
Describing the identity of the people kneeling to him right now as terrifying was in fact an understatement.
At the forefront was Elaria's president, flanked by the four gods of war who protect the entire country, Elaria's divine physician, and the wealthiest person in the nation.
These seven were like gods to the entire Elaria citizen, yet they were currently kneeling to an ex-convict.
....
"Didn't I warn you guys not to come see me off?" Xavier finally grumbled unhappily and the instant the seven heard him, they did not become mad instead smiled wryly.
"How could we not come to see you off, Master, on such an important day when you finally decided to leave for the main world?" the president replied with bright eyes.
Xavier was silent for a second before eventually shaking his head helplessly, unable to understand why the seven people were always adamant.
"You have seen me now, off you go," he said after a second, trying to shoo the seven away, something only he dared to do in the entire world.
The seven exchanged gazes and smiled yet again, already expecting this.
"Master, we would have loved to escort you to the outside world and perhaps announce your esteemed identity, but since you've expressed a desire to return to your parents and fiancée for a quiet life, we can only see you this far," the president said with a heartbroken tone as the seven of them stood up.
Xavier immediately rolled his eyes once more but remained silent.
Suddenly, the South God of War stepped forward, presenting a token while bowing. "Perhaps, you might need the army someday, so, the four of us decided to prepare this command token which you could use to deploy the army at will."
Xavier, "_"
He stared blankly, but before he could react, the wealthiest person in the country also stepped toward him.
"Master, this is an Opal Card for the World Bank. It should be able to provide you with a slight financial assistance in the outside world."
"Master, I've already informed the prime minister of your city that someone important will be arriving soon. You can call him anytime if you need anything," the president added.
Looking at the people before him, Xavier, was silent for a second, then sighed after a moment of hesitation
"I will accept your gifts, then," he said calmly as he accepted the presents.
Although he showed no outward signs of appreciation, the seven people in before him were instantly thrilled, having already thought Xavier would reject their presents.
Without a second thought, Xavier slipped the two items that could have caused a storm in the outside world into his pockets and then walked away and without looking back, boarded the chopper that had been waiting for him.
"Master Xavier." The pilot bowed his head respectfully, and Xavier nodded calmly.
"I wish to keep a low profile, so you should just drop me at the outskirts of Riverton city."
"This..." the pilot, who had been given a different directive by the president, hesitated for a moment before nodding respectfully. "Yes, Master Xavier."
Upon hearing the pilot's response, Xavier gazed out of the window, and instantly, a look of longing appeared on his face.
"Jenifer, Mother, Father, I'm finally free after five years of missing you guys nonstop," he murmured to himself, his eyes abruptly welling up with tears.
…
At the same time, the seven people Xavier left behind continued staring at his chopper until it disappeared into horizon.
"Although the master said he was going to retire and lead a quiet life, why do I have this sudden feeling that his return to the outside world will only bring about storm?" the only woman in the group, one of the four gods of war abruptly muttered to herself.
"It obviously would," the others responded matter-of-factly, their eyes suddenly shining with excitement for the soon to come future.