Unedited chapter. It will be edited soon.

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The words of these two eminent figures did not come alone; the single-handed scepters of each family, with their respective seals, struck the ground and shook the arena to its foundations.

Priestley and Evergreen wanted to relive that legendary February. Although it was a possibility, they still couldn't believe it.

That February, according to the stories, was terrifying. The streets were deserted, poverty increased dramatically, production plummeted, and insecurity rose sharply.

Although the poor and wage-dependent population bore the brunt of the blow, both castles could not allow the other castles to take complete control of the empire, as that would be worse for the population, which could fall into a great dystopian dictatorship that no one would want to live under.

And now, once again, those two clans stood before the South to represent them in a crucial coup.

And they were not alone.

Robert Neville stepped forward and took out his scepter as well, striking it on the ground.

"My status may not be as great, but I still have power. You have opposed my family's rise in rank and continually spend your days sponsoring my enemies to become strong. It is time for my revenge. I see smiles on your faces," he said, mocking them as he stared at them.

"The Priestleys and Evergreens have weakened since last time, so it's impossible for them to do as they did back then, right?" He laughed. "This time, they won't be alone. There was a castle that was born out of that misfortune and has prevailed for many years."

"I control the land, the mines, and the vast majority of the labor force that grows most of the food we consume. Everything under the control of my family, nobles, businessmen, and peasants will cease to function. Total production will come to a halt. I can see what you are planning, and although my actions will surely bring great misfortune to my family in the future, we will not be intimidated. Neville has the pride of his people running through his veins."

With that, his royal scepter struck the ground once more.

Someone who controlled more than 30% of the empire's food production, not counting the rest of the raw materials important for the functioning of companies.

In fact, these actions paralyzed a large part of the important work coming out of the Scientific and Alchemical District, which is used in the ongoing modernization of companies throughout almost the entire empire, effectively crippling markets that are huge and necessary for the empire.

It was a massive paralysis, worthy of the Eighth Castle.

Finally, the emperor frowned and stared at them.

"Are you aware of what you are doing?" he asked.

"Old Keller." Robert Priestley spoke, addressing the emperor. "A man of foreign blood like you has never experienced this, right? Since you want to belittle our clans, then I hope you are willing to face the consequences," he declared.

And Evergreen looked at the academics. "You gained the upper hand over the academy because of a few traitors. I must commend you on that," she said. "But Evergreen knows no fear, so go ahead. Let me show you why you should not underestimate us."

Neville looked at his son. "Are you ready to face the others from the other regions? I won't accept second place again."

Mark smiled and took out some healing pills, as well as several potions, and swallowed them immediately.

"Why don't you let me see my opponents at once? Those idiots from the North have to eat dirt again like last time. Last time it was Miss Priestley and the Evergreens, this month it's my turn. Come on..." He pulled out his scepter with a menacing look at the emperor. "Don't be a coward and make the Battle of the Hierarchies happen once and for all. I'll show them that even tired, I'll wipe the floor with them."

The emperor clenched his fists in rage. "No one has ever provoked me like this before." He took a deep breath.

"Fine." He sneered. "You asked for it. I warned you nicely, but now I don't have to anymore. You want war? You'll get war."

The castles that supported him stepped forward. "The South refuses to recognize the orders of the academy, or those of the emperor. Furthermore, their actions in favor of the mafias and their unwillingness to intervene in them is a clear threat to us, who have had a thousand-year-old enmity with the mafia leader."

"Before, they refused to let us investigate his whereabouts, so today we declare that we will no longer recognize them as Castles, as they are sponsoring a man who seeks to destroy the North."

"You want war? You'll get war!"

They struck their respective royal scepters against the ground, bringing a strange silence and fear to the arena.

Many people had come with the sole intention of having fun for a while, enjoying an interesting and different experience. Others came to support their respective relatives or simply to meet important people who always come to these places.

But all that had suddenly collapsed. The powerful people they had come to meet had started the chaos.

Several nobles in the stands disappeared, having to rush back to their territories to warn of what might happen or simply prepare for the blows.

Domestic and foreign policies had to change. A war between all the castles, just like in the old days...

God... That was really dangerous.

The ordinary workers were the worst off. Although they shouted from outside, trying to get them to back down from this war, no one listened to them. There were security mechanisms that prevented outside noise from filtering in.

The people behind Robert Priestley weren't prepared to face this, so unlike those behind the Emperor, they didn't step forward.

The Duke of Velharthe couldn't move because he was bound by the rules of the Lockwards. Being a usually neutral clan, his subordinates must remain neutral to a certain extent. The fact that he was with Robert Priestley was already his limit.

"If you want to back down, you still have a chance," said the Emperor with a mocking tone.

"Back down?" Priestley scoffed. "Priestley does not know defeat. Do you think that because you now have the church behind you, I will be afraid? Even if the church leaders themselves were here, my answer would be the same. Priestley never backs down!" he declared.

"Hahaha, well, well. With two measly Castles and a Great House that longs for a dream that will never come true, you intend to take us on? You're dreaming too big!"

Four castles controlled several large houses in the South and the academy itself. Now that this place was full of traitors to the South, numerous large houses in the North and the capital... had a force superior to that of the South.

"Who says the South only has two castles and one great house?"

Suddenly, a thunderous voice rang out from above the stands, at the top of an academy building that belonged to the arena. It was so powerful that it easily penetrated the protective barrier that prevented outside voices from filtering in.

It carried a strange power within it, which made many people tremble.

The powerful figures in the arena frowned. Who dared to interfere in their conversations like that?

How disrespectful!

The emperor looked up. "Who do you think you are, getting involved in this?" He sneered and tried to raise a hand to order his arrest, but then he froze.

He wasn't the only one.

The three leaders of the northern castles were also unable to react.

Even Lady Loren, who had been silent for quite some time, had to frown.

Not many people recognized him, but among the crowd, many took several steps back in great fear.

"I-I-it's Aster Mane!" When the first cry of astonishment came, the crowd erupted into a frenzy of madness.

That legendary man... Was he back?

"Aster Mane." The emperor stared at him and clenched his fist. "I thought you were dead."

"Die?" Aster Mane sneered. "You crazy old man, I think you shouldn't reveal your wet dreams. No one cares what turns you on."

"Heh. After losing most of his troops and fleeing with his tail between his legs, Aster Mane reappears." The emperor sneered.

"Haha, I think the news will say: After humiliating the northern castles and giving them their just deserts, Aster Mane went into seclusion... Now that the northern castles want to return, he appears once again." He smiled. "They'll surely call me the Nemesis of the North... Want to bet on what will happen?" He challenged him.

The emperor couldn't speak again because that man had hit the nail on the head.

Even so, there was someone here who could speak in these special circumstances.

Lady Loren.

"It's been several years since then," she said suddenly, staring at him.

"Now I'm back, Lady Loren," declared Aster Mane. "I've returned to reclaim what is mine."

"Hehe." She smiled softly. "Do you think I'll let you do whatever you want?"

"Do you think I'm afraid of you?" he replied.

A dragon of sparks seemed to form between them, setting off alarms.

But Aster Mane lost interest when he realized that the woman had no intention of doing anything now, so he looked at Priestley and the others.

"It's been a long time since the last time."