Chapter 245: Empire’s Attention
Igaris stood before the vast expanse of the universe, his eyes glimmering with the light of distant stars. The Law Tree that now emanated from his very being pulsed in time with his heartbeat. Every leaf, every fruit, and every branch contained the essence of infinite possibility. It was a reflection of his inner cosmos, a manifestation of his boundless potential in this higher-dimensional universe. It was not bound by any single law—this tree embodied all that he had once commanded, and more.
His crew, gathered in the same room, stood frozen, awestruck by the sight before them. They had known him as a man of raw strength and unyielding resolve. But now, they saw something more—something that seemed to defy the very fabric of reality. They saw a being who was more than just a soldier; he was a force of nature itself.
"What… what is that? How is that possible?"
Lira's voice broke the silence, her words filled with reverence and awe
Kael, who had stood quietly by, his expression unreadable, stepped forward. His eyes lingered on the celestial tree that now grew from Igaris's soul. "This is beyond anything I've ever seen," he muttered. "I knew you were extraordinary, Igor, but this… this is something entirely new."
Igaris took a deep breath, calming himself as the energy from the tree flowed through him.
"This is my path. The Infinite Law Tree. It reflects the laws of creation, of all that has ever been and ever will be. It is not a single law, but all laws combined."
Kael's brow furrowed with concern. "You've awakened something far beyond the Celestial. This is not just a power to be wielded lightly. The Empire will learn of this, and when they do, they will not simply let you be. The moment your talent is known, they will come for you."
Igaris nodded, his gaze calm and unwavering. "Then I will be ready."
---
The next few days aboard the ship were filled with tension. The crew continued their journey to their mission destination, but the air was thick with unspoken thoughts. Kael, Lira, Darven, and Selai went about their duties, but each of them couldn't shake the knowledge that the Empire would soon be aware of Igaris's unique potential. They had already seen what he was capable of, and none of them could deny that he was a force that could reshape the very fabric of existence.
The closer they came to their destination, the more Igaris could feel the pull of his Law Tree. It was adapting, aligning with the laws of this new universe, and he could sense that the moment he fully understood its intricacies, there would be no limit to the power he could command. But even as he felt his strength growing, he remained focused on the mission at hand. He would complete the task assigned to him, and then he would face whatever came next.
As their ship descended toward the landing zone of the pirate-ravaged planet, the crew made preparations. The landscape below was bleak—burned-out cities, barren plains, and remnants of long-forgotten battles scattered across the surface. The pirates they had been tasked with capturing were holed up in one of the few remaining fortified structures. Their mission was simple: subdue the pirates, capture their leaders, and bring them back to the Empire for questioning.
As they landed, Kael gathered the crew for a final briefing. "Remember, our mission is to capture the leaders of the pirate faction. Do not engage in unnecessary combat. I will handle the heavy lifting. Just stay sharp."
The team moved swiftly through the wreckage, their senses heightened. Igaris, however, felt an undercurrent of tension in the air. It wasn't just the pirates they had to worry about. His mind wandered back to Kael's earlier warning—the Empire would know about his power soon. If he wasn't careful, this mission could become a turning point in his journey, one that would either propel him forward or shatter everything he had worked to achieve.
It wasn't long before they encountered the first of the pirate forces. The pirates came at them in waves, a mix of ragtag soldiers and desperate mercenaries, but none of them could stand against the might of the crew. Lira unleashed storms of lightning, turning their weapons to molten slag. Darven used his Law of Stone to reshape the battlefield, creating barriers of solid rock that blocked enemy fire. Selai moved fluidly, healing their wounds even before they had fully been inflicted.
Igaris fought with his bare hands. He was no longer bound by the laws of this universe. His strength was pure and raw, an extension of his own will. Each punch he threw tore through enemy lines, his body moving like a force of nature itself.
But it wasn't just the pirates that he had to worry about. As the crew pressed deeper into the stronghold, Igaris could feel it—an unseen presence, a lurking in the air. Someone was watching them.
Suddenly, from the shadows, a group of soldiers emerged. Their uniforms were emblazoned with the insignia of the Oynstar Empire. But something was off. They didn't move like the regular soldiers Igaris had seen in the barracks. These men had an air of authority, of calculation.
"Igaris, step forward," one of them called, his voice cold and commanding. "The Emperor has been informed of your incredible talents. You will have to come with us."
Igaris's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean, informed of my talents?"
The soldier's lips curled into a thin smile. "There is no need to play coy. We know what you are capable of. The Emperor wishes to speak with you."
The crew stood tense, their hands instinctively moving to their weapons. Kael, however, raised a hand to stop them. He stepped forward, his expression serious. "You must be mistaken. Igaris is under my command. We have a mission to complete. The Empire has no jurisdiction here."
But the soldiers were already moving to surround them. The leader of the group stepped closer to Igaris, his voice soft but insistent. "You are mistaken, Captain. The Empire has eyes everywhere. We know about the Infinite Law Tree. The Emperor demands your presence."
Igaris's eyes grew cold as he took a step forward, his gaze locking with the soldier. "I will go, but not because you demand it. I go because I choose to."
The leader's eyes flickered with unease, but he didn't press further. Instead, he nodded and gestured for his men to fall back. "Very well. Come with us."
---
As they made their way back to the ship, Igaris could feel the tension building in the air. The crew was on edge, their thoughts shifting between their loyalty to him and the reality of the Empire's power. Kael walked beside Igaris, his face grim. "I told you, Igor, the Empire won't let you go easily. You have something they want."
Igaris didn't answer immediately. His thoughts were focused on the unfolding situation. He had known that his talents would attract attention, but the speed with which they had been discovered was unsettling. He could sense that the Empire's agents were already closing in on him. They wanted control, and they would do whatever it took to take it.
When they arrived at the Grand Floating Imperial Palace, the grandeur of it was almost overwhelming. The palace floated in the sky, suspended by ancient technology and woven with laws that Igaris could barely comprehend. The entire structure was an embodiment of the Empire's power—a place where the very air itself seemed to hum with energy.
As they entered the palace, Igaris could feel the weight of countless eyes upon him. Soldiers lined the halls, their gazes sharp and calculating. Igaris moved with purpose, his every step echoing through the grand chambers.
Eventually, they reached the inner sanctum—a massive chamber bathed in golden light. The walls were inscribed with shifting runes, each one representing a different law of the universe. At the center of the room stood a figure cloaked in royal robes. His face was hidden in shadow, but his presence was undeniable. He was a Sovereign, a being whose power surpassed even the most skilled Law Masters.
"Igaris Vance," the figure said, his voice resonating with authority. "I have heard much about you. Your talents are extraordinary, even by the standards of this universe. But tell me, what do you seek?"
Igaris's eyes were unwavering. "I seek knowledge. I seek to understand the laws of this universe. And I seek to know why I was brought here."
The Sovereign chuckled softly, stepping forward. "Ah, the eternal question. Very well, Igaris. You will have your answers. But first, you must prove your worth."
As he spoke, the doors behind him opened, and five figures stepped forward. They were Transcendental Law Masters, beings whose mastery could reshape reality itself. Each of them radiated an aura of immense power—far stronger than any of the crew had ever felt.
"You will face us in combat," the Sovereign declared. "Only then will we decide if you are worthy of meeting the Emperor."
Igaris's gaze hardened as his Law Tree pulsed within him. He was no longer the same man who had arrived on this world. He had become something far greater.
Clenching his fist, he stepped forward.
It was time show why he was called as the Overlord.