NOVEL NEXT Chapter144-The Tyrannical Will, Overthunder Sets Out
"William, enough!"
Toby furrowed his brows, cutting him off, his emotions barely restrained.
"I will not show myself in the eyes of the people. That would be a desecration of the supreme royal authority, reforged by blood and will."
William fell silent.
It was better this way.
At present, no one in court could accept the return of a Veynar family member—someone who had fled during the Empire's darkest hours, yet now wished to partake in the fruits of its restored glory.
This dignity, this majesty, had been forged by that young Emperor himself—through dominance, through tyranny, through countless heads of enemies personally claimed. It had already become a faith.
Steurn carried the "Chapter of the Commoners," infused with the Empire's fortune, back to Truva Province.
Meanwhile, the Waterwave Griffon and Flame Griffon were escorted deep into the palace, into a royal forbidden garden.
There they were placed under the strictest guard: one hundred Hero Rank Doomsday Warriors stood watch within, another hundred Hero Rank Mountain Shieldbearers manned the perimeter defenses, and in the shadows lurked yet another hundred Hero Rank Elemental Assassins, eyes like daggers, monitoring every movement.
"Your Majesty!"
Aurek stepped into the forbidden garden, with Angie carrying the Sacrospring Sword closely behind him.
The guarding warriors bowed devoutly.
The Waterwave Griffon and Flame Griffon turned their proud eagle heads, fixing their sharp gazes upon this Emperor.
At once, a vast, overwhelming aura descended—a blend of personal might and the absolute weight of imperial authority. The pressure struck the two beasts like a crashing wave, startling them.
A true powerhouse!
Their hearts shook violently.
They had assumed this was merely a mortal sovereign. But no… this was different. Had not Charles, that fool, claimed this Emperor lacked any real strength?
The two griffons were majestic creatures indeed—lion-bodied, eagle-headed, their wings pulsing with elemental power. Their presence alone was awe-inspiring, their forms wild and untamed.
They would make excellent steeds for the imperial chariot. Killing them for a mere handful of Emperor Points would be a waste.
"From now on, you will pull my chariot."
Aurek's tone was cold and absolute. He left them no choice.
The griffons twitched ever so slightly at the corners of their beaks. Such an overbearing Emperor, deciding their fate without so much as a question.
But the more tyrannical his manner, the less they dared resist.
For it was this disdain, this effortless dismissal, that revealed the truth: in his eyes, their worth was not irreplaceable. At any moment, he could discard them, or kill them outright.
Helpless, they lowered their once-proud heads.
"We… are willing to serve His Majesty."
"Go to Kazint Palace," Aurek ordered calmly, "fetch some essence elixirs, feed them, and restore their state."
Angie bowed and accepted the command, though her heart trembled.
Legendary magical beasts—symbols of wonder and raw power—now penned within the deep forbidden grounds of the palace. Nowhere else on the continent could one find such a sight.
Elixirs?
The griffons exchanged a glance. In their lantern-sized eyes flickered sudden brightness, a thirst barely hidden.
Aurek returned to his bedchamber. There, waiting quietly, stood Overthunder.
"Overthunder, the operation in the Venus Mountains—you will lead it personally."
Aurek's words were an imperial decree.
"If you encounter those who refuse obedience, you may act as you wish. Dispose of them as you see fit. Later, I will dispatch additional warriors to your command."
"Overthunder accepts the order!"
He bowed with reverence. In his three eyes, a faint spark of lightning flickered.
This three-eyed thunder general—before, with only a single arrow, he had stunned all who witnessed it. And that had not even been his full strength.
Not to mention his Eyes of Destruction and Power of Judgment.
As a special type of warrior, his potential far exceeded even that of the Golden Armored Assassins.
Though for now he was merely Hero Rank, his power was already terrifying. But Aurek was not satisfied.
The crucible of the Venus Mountains should provide Overthunder the chance to rise quickly in rank.
Aurek would not keep him shackled at his side.
Meanwhile, in Truva Province, the Golden Armor and Violet Thunder led the majority of the attribute warriors, purging remnants of forces like the Sky-reaching Tower, the Chaos Apostles, and Count Blackcrow's domains.
Several hundred additional warriors assisted the Imperial Knights in stabilizing the newly reclaimed provinces.
The four provinces had, for the most part, been pacified. As a buffer zone for Eryndor City, the objective had been achieved.
Resources from across the land now flowed endlessly into Eryndor City.
Each district also began selecting new recruits, who would temporarily be trained under the command of the Imperial Knights.
Truva Province's resources were likewise on their way.
All of this was paving the road for the three-million-strong expansion plan.
With tens of millions of energy units in hand, Aurek had no need to hesitate. He would press forward.
In the governor's mansion of Revor Province, Governor Henry sat in the council hall with Commander Roz of the city guard and over twenty other provincial officials.
"The approximate range of the Energy Stone vein has been locked down. Should we report it immediately to Grand Duke Sentino?"
Roz frowned, looking to Governor Henry.
Henry's brows knit tightly. He did not answer at once, but pondered in heavy silence for the span of a quarter hour. At last, as though forcing the words out, he decided.
"Report it."
"The scale of this vein is too vast. Revor Province cannot consume it alone."
"If we submit it to Grand Duke Sentino, perhaps we may receive a share. If not…"
"Governor speaks truly," one official nodded in agreement. "There are certainly many eyes upon this. The Venus Cult, the Violet Rose Institute… none of those local powers will sit idly by."
"Not only that," Henry's gaze grew sharp. "Once the vein's exact location is confirmed, Revor Province will immediately become the eye of the storm. Without Grand Duke Sentino's backing, who will protect us?"
And Henry knew… Grand Duke Sentino had formidable powers behind him. He had heard whispers.
Perhaps after the Firstfall Festival, Revor Province would formally be absorbed into the Grand Duke's direct territory. Offering the mine in advance was the perfect way to curry favor.
"Revor Province will not remain peaceful in the days ahead. Everyone must keep alert, no negligence." Henry reminded them gravely.
"My lord, I worry that Eryndor City may also interfere," another official voiced his concern. "It is said the present Emperor is harsh, iron-willed, his authority resounding. Should word of this vein reach him, he may not resist."
"Eryndor City…"
Henry, Roz, and the others all stiffened.
In truth, they had nearly forgotten the Imperial court still existed.
Yet Henry did not dare dismiss the thought. Fragmentary reports about Emperor Aurek had reached them. Details were unclear, but enough to warrant caution. Even Sentino's own mansion had paid special attention to such news.
Still… the situation in Revor was tangled and perilous.
Even if Eryndor City did learn of the vein, what could they truly do here? Without enormous cost, no one could hope to seize it. Not even Grand Duke Sentino himself, should he personally intervene, would succeed easily.
"They need not be considered."
Roz's voice carried a note of disdain. Raising his tone slightly, he reminded all present.
"Gentlemen, you all know well—Revor Province lies under the jurisdiction of Grand Duke Sentino!"
"I expect every one of you understands what this means, and where you must stand."
At his words, silence swept the chamber. The officials bowed their heads in agreement, fully grasping the unspoken message.
The storm was approaching. They would have to choose a side.
And here in Revor Province, it seemed there was only one answer.