Because of his captured vassal’s attack, this portion of the battlefield was at an impasse. The Empire’s side was decimated and the Kingdom’s side was in the middle of reorganization from the unexpected happening. The destruction was comparable to the alpha strike of the Level 4 generals.

Croix knew Avel was strong but how strong? He didn't know. He had seen glimpses of his depths in the past but today he might have seen it for the first time.

Avel is already Level 4 mid? He’d just become Level 4 just in time before the Grand Prix! That’s just a couple of months prior. Improving in Level might be easier compared to jumping between Levels but still... At this rate, will he become Level 5 before I become Level 4? No no. That’s too far-fetched, no matter how you look into it. It took decades for Level 4 to become Level 5, if one makes it at all.

Croix saw Ciel, who seemed at a loss. Avel prevented her from doing something terrible. She possessed a Divine Weapon, if the rumor was correct. Naturally, Croix had never seen it. But earlier, he felt a more frightening power than a Level 5. Croix had no choice but to believe it.

She said the name Viers earlier... Is that Avel’s true name?

Croix knew Avel was not his vassal's true identity. The face was different too. He must have lost his disguise method or item in the Battle of Gryphon’s Reach.

Avel, Viers... Either way, even leashed, he still fights with us. The last attack is irrefutable proof. If it was aimed at our forces instead... Urgh, I shudder at the thought.

The more ignorant thing was, they failed to rescue him. With the war council agreeing the Battle of Grandia Castle was turning into a siege, things would stretch on for a while.

The cold was banished with the approach of Falmerion. Croix gave his shiny red scales a caress as he seemed to like it.

“Let’s fall back. Even if the way to the castle wall is cleared, we’re not equipped to assault it just yet.”

Croix also wanted to speak to White Bloom but the mysterious masked woman was nowhere to be found.

“Yes,” Ciel said softly. “Let’s go. I believe he’s got a plan. I’ll put my trust in him.”

“Mmm,” Boram nodded.

While retreating, Croix made small talk. The atmosphere was a bit too heavy between them. “Your master is too amazing, Boram. That full-powered attack of his rivalled the power of an upper-tier Level 4. Truly incredible... And you too did a good job of diverting the attack on them. You deserve a medal for that.”

“...It wasn't his full power,” Boram said in a small voice.

“Pardon?”

“In our training session after Gryphon’s Reach battle, I’ve seen his full power. That wasn't that.”

“I see. How much stronger compared to the attack from earlier? Avel’s best, I mean.”

“Hmm... Ten?”

“Ten percent?” Croix imagined a ten percent increase in all that destruction was quite significant.

“Ten times.”

“Bwuh!?” Croix gasped and made a weird sound. Even Ciel made a surprised face.

“More or less,” Boram added.

Half of Croix’s mind thought Boram was embellishing. The other half entertained the possibility of it being true, since all the time he had known Boram, the guy wasn't a liar.

If it’s true, is Avel even a Level 4 anymore? Is he actually able to fight head-on with Level 5? Am I the weird one thinking how strange this is? Is my knowledge about the Path of Power flawed or something?

Croix’s thoughts were drowned in the sound of war.

“Prince Croix!” A messenger from the Yellow Dragon Unit under Prince Lutz called him. “Red Eyes has been sighted. He’s currently in battle with the Red Dragon Unit!”

“Damn it! Make haste!” Croix said to the other two. “Lead the way, messenger!”

Croix’s group made it in time before his unit got annihilated. The resistance of Leth Silveray, clad in armor with a mad dragon’s soul, fighting like a man with no fear and feeling no pain, was the most important factor.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

***

“It is a rare occurrence for a youngster to vex me so.”

Rostov the Blanket of the Harkelan Empire’s Ten Tundras, was not pleased. The weight of his displeasure was crushing on Viers, even more so because of his sealed cultivation. The slave seal felt like it was burning against his skin.

He was made to kneel in front of Rostov and the other Empire army officials.

Even so, Viers was not cowed.

“Great Comrade Rostov. This one caused a major loss of one of our divisions and the life of Comrade Visla. His actions deserve the death penalty,” one of the commanders spoke.

“Weak people die easily around me,” Viers said to him in a calm tone.

“Insolence!”

Viers got hit in the cheek by the guy. His lips tasted dirt and blood.

“I did no betrayal! Do you forget that the general marked me with a slave seal? I cannot do harm against you people! Unless, do you doubt the power of the general? Is his hold so fragile that the likes of a Level 4 can break!?”

“Y-you!”

Viers enjoyed the sight of the man squirm. The sycophant cannot accuse Viers without slighting one of the most illustrious Pathseekers of the Empire.

As for Rostov himself, his poker face was perfect.

“So you request to fight stronger opponents, is that it? Shall we see how fast a Level 5 can make mincemeat out of you?” The officer hit Viers again.

Before the man pummeled Viers further, Rostov broke his silence.

“I’ll give you one chance and one chance only. Serve me, whelp. Your talents can be useful. I’ll release you from your status as a slave and you’ll serve directly under me. Meritorious service will be rewarded with land, wealth, and status. What say you?”

“G-Great Comrade?”

The officers were shocked to hear Rostov offered a warslave such concessions.

Viers watched the Level 5 for a moment. Really watched him. No Level 5 became Level 5 by being stupid. Viers suspected Rostov must have seen his potential and perhaps gleaned his cultivation foundation. Therefore, he wanted him as a servant.

If he said yes, it should result in an improvement of his lying condition while refusing would mean a harsher treatment. Saying a false yes was also an option here.

“But I refuse!” Viers made up his mind and said firmly.

“You ungrateful brat! How dare you speak with such disrespect!”

“Hold.”

The man did as he was told and stayed his hand. There were specks of Viers’ blood left on his metal gauntlet. Besides the swelling on his face, Viers was sure his nose was broken.

“Is it pride that I see in your eyes? No matter. Then I’ll make use of you in another way. Where’s this man’s inventory item?”

A man brought a little box to Rostov.

“Have you cracked it?”

“Err. No, sir. The curse and the lock are incredibly hard.”

“Hm, yes,” Rostov examined the Thousand Treasures Casket. “Even for our lock breakers, it will take several decades to forcibly open it. I must applaud the effort it took for this degree of security. Slave, I order you to open it.”

Viers felt his insides were being burned for his refusal.

“The more stubborn you are, the more I believe there are interesting things inside. Open it.”

His nerves screamed in agony. His brain went haywire. He was bleeding from his eyes and nose. Viers writhed like a worm on the floor. Despite all that, he didn't obey.

“As I thought, you’re able to resist the slave seal’s compulsion. That takes more than strength of will.”

Rostov was on the mark. The main reason was Viers’ soul cultivation. Viers had achieved the Grand Soul stage. The slave seal shackled his will but it was like using chains for tigers on an elephant. The elephant was still bound but the chains were unable to restrict it completely.

With that wiggle room, Viers could tweak Rostov’s orders. Like during the fight earlier, he used his true cultivation base as a Level 4 mid, but he did not use his Horizon Aspect.

With Horizon, his Arte would be multiplied by around 900% and he didn't like to unveil it while being led around like a puppet. Ironically, his experience as a slave bolstered the Horizon growth rate which led to Viers’ mixed feelings.

“If you’re that stubborn, would you rather die? With one word, I can end your existence right now.”

Viers was silent. Would he die if he were ordered to die? Even if Rostov directly held his reins and made him unable to resist the clear command, even if he committed suicide, Viers would survive. He believed he was able to pull it off.

That said, he wasn't keen on testing it. The simple fact was that he was still weaker than Rostov.

An agitated messenger entered the room.

“General, Duke Valentine is coming, leading a great offensive! General Sven is being pushed back!”

“Tch. The Duke has been roaring to go since this morning.” Rostov looked at Viers. “Take him to the dungeon. I have no time to waste on him.”

“Yes, Great Comrade. Hurry up and stand!” An officer roughly treated Viers.

“Also, it’s clear he’s stubborn. Too stubborn. Slave, do you know how to break an unruly stallion?” Rostov made a small smile. “You castrate them. All that unnecessary manly pride coming from the loins, gone.”

Viers, who tried his best to remain neutral, involuntarily twitched.

“So that’s what you fear. Not death, but castration. Heh. See, Markel? Everyone has a pressure point,” Rostov said with the air of a winner.

“Masterfully done, Great Comrade.”

“Now go. I’ve got a war to fight.”

While Viers was escorted to the dungeons with several guards, including Markel, the man whispered to Viers.

“I pity you. I really do. You must be regretting being so stubborn back then, eh? Too bad.”

In chains, literally and figuratively, Viers descended to the dark, dark dungeon.