CHAPTER 347: THE EMPIRE IS HERE

I cleared my throat with an awkward cough, trying to cut through the back-and-forth between the two old men before it dragged on any longer.

"So," I said, leaning forward a bit, "we’ve finished cleaning up the realm. When do we start the next phase?"

The teasing died instantly. Both of them straightened, their expressions turning serious.

Arkas was the first to speak.

"Based on Dante’s analysis, there are three active locations the teleportation circle was linked to. One in each continent. We’ve already marked the grandmasters connected to each site, and we know the contractors are hiding somewhere in the western continent."

He paused for a breath, then added,

"We’re just waiting on the Emperor’s final order to move."

Cilian swirled his drink lazily before taking another sip, then set the glass down gently.

"He’s taking his time, but I get it. Once we strike, it’ll be loud. The kind of loud that makes the world listen."

I nodded, my mind already racing ahead, trying to figure out where I’d be most useful and how much of a mess we’d be walking into.

"Once he gives the green light," I said, "we hit all three at once?"

Cilian glanced at Arkas, then looked back at me with a calm, matter-of-fact tone.

"Not just those three locations," he said. "They’re just the surprise targets. Once the signal is given, we’re hitting every major Holt powerhouse at the same time. No more waiting. And the contractors, they all need to be wiped out too."

I nodded slowly. None of this was new to me. It was all part of the plan we’d laid out earlier. A coordinated purge. Swift. Final.

Cilian leaned back slightly and added, "We should get the signal soon. The Emperor is currently meeting with Grandmaster Niel Holt. The leader of the Holts."

My eyes narrowed.

"Niel’s in the capital?"

Cilian nodded.

"Yeah. Right in the palace. He’s arrogant enough to walk into the lion’s den without flinching. Thinks he has everything under control."

Arkas chimed in, his tone a bit more cautious.

"That’s why we’re keeping him close. A man like Niel... you don’t let him roam free. He’s one of the top five strongest players in the entire Empire."

I let out a slow breath. So the game was already underway. The Emperor was staring down the head of the Holts... and smiling.

Arkas broke into my thoughts with a sudden comment.

"I heard North is in the realm as well."

I blinked, caught off guard.

For a second, I completely forgot that I was actually in a relationship with her now. The memory of that kiss flickered into my mind, making me sit straighter in my chair before I quickly pushed it aside and cleared my throat.

"Yeah... she’s there," I replied casually.

Arkas gave a slow nod, then fixed me with a serious stare.

"Good. Then I’m giving you a direct command, stop her from going with Dante."

I just stared at him, completely thrown off. "Wait... what?"

I wasn’t sure if I misheard, or if he was actually serious.

Cilian leaned back in his chair, grinning as he sipped his drink.

"That sounds like a personal order, Arkas. Don’t go burdening the poor kid. What do you expect him to do? Duel Dante for her?"

Arkas didn’t look away. His voice was calm, but his eyes were sharp.

"I don’t know. But I’m telling you, don’t let her go. If you do, then you know I won’t agree to... that."

’That?’ I thought.

Cilian turned toward him, curious.

"What’s that?"

Arkas didn’t answer him. Instead, he kept his gaze locked on me.

"I think he knows what I mean."

I lowered my head slightly and just stared at the table, pretending to be deep in thought.

But inside?

I was grinning like an idiot.

’Old man... I’ve already done some of that.’

After that, we sat there and talked more about the plan. But then something changed. Arkas suddenly stilled, eyes far off for a moment. Cilian too went quiet, setting his drink down gently.

Arkas stood and looked at me.

"The order is here. We need to move out."

I nodded without a word and raised my hand. Essence swirled around my fingers as I willed open a violet portal.

The space shimmered and parted, revealing the familiar landscape of the realm.

Arkas stepped through first without hesitation. Cilian gave me a lazy salute, then followed after. The portal snapped shut behind them with a soft hum.

Without wasting time, I stepped out of the bar, flared my wings and shot into the sky, streaking away from the capital. My next destination was a cliffside covered by old illusion spells and buried wards, one of the Empire’s lesser-known safehouses.

I passed through the veil and entered the cave-like structure. Three figures turned toward me the moment I arrived.

Edgar stepped forward. "Is it time?"

I nodded. "The realm is open. Go."

I opened a second portal. Edgar and the other two stepped through without hesitation. I didn’t even wait to close it manually. It collapsed behind them as I was already gone again, this time headed back toward the palace.

I flew straight into the military headquarters, ignored by the guards who recognized me instantly. I passed through several secure gates and into the war room where the general, Dante, and three other Grandmasters waited.

They all turned to me.

I spoke quickly. "They’ve gone in. I’ll open the way now."

A deep pulse of Essence surged through the floor as I summoned another portal. Dante gave me a nod, the general simply stepped forward. One by one, the six of us entered the realm.

As soon as we arrived, Dante moved without a word.

He stepped forward and right there began drawing a teleportation circle into the glowing with glowing streaks of Essence. His hands moved quickly, precisely, like a craftsman finishing something he’d done a thousand times.

The moment the circle stabilized, it flared and connected with whatever Araks wanted it to connect with.

And then they began arriving.

Ripples of violet light blinked in and out as more Grandmasters stepped into the realm, one after another, their presence heavy and focused.

The air thickened with power. The quiet of the realm’s core was now filled with tension and unspoken momentum.

The Empire was here.