CHAPTER 193: CHAPTER193-THE CLAWS OF THE POOD EMPIRE’S INVASION

At the edge of the Anubichi Mountain Range, upon a sheer cliff, several knights clad in heavy armor sat astride massive armored bears, gazing into the distance.

Behind them stretched a dense formation of elite soldiers, row upon row of steel and disciplined might.

At their head rode a man in crimson plate armor, the commander of the Pood Empire’s Blackarmored Bear Legion—Ichi.

His voice was deep and steady as he asked,

"Has the situation in the Crossbridge Empire been fully assessed?"

A lieutenant bowed respectfully.

"Almost completely, sir.

Our scouts have confirmed that the Crossbridge Empire has dispatched over two thousand former peak Master Rank warriors toward the southwestern border. They are currently facing off against Grand Duke Sentino."

Ichi’s crimson visor turned slightly.

"Over two thousand peak Master Rank warriors?

The factions of Oracle Mountain have schemed for ten thousand years, and this is all they could muster?"

A cold laugh escaped him.

"Hmph."

The lieutenant continued.

"General, His Majesty’s orders are to seize this opportunity and capture Trinity Province, Dahlby City-State, and the surrounding territories.

As for the Grandmaster Rank powerhouse stationed at Skypeak Tower, His Majesty will send someone to intercept."

Ichi nodded slightly.

"Grand Duke Sentino rose to power only because our empire stirred chaos in the Crossbridge Empire’s southwest. Now it’s time to reclaim the debt owed to us."

He raised his hand and gave a sharp command.

"Send the order to the Blackarmored Bear Legion—commence the assault on both provinces immediately!"

The Crossbridge Empire was in complete disarray.

Regional powers had splintered into self-proclaimed nations—now was the perfect moment to strike.

The Pood Empire had long awaited this day.

Their goal was to annex at least part of Grand Duke Sentino’s territory, extend their reach into the Fasior Plains, and lay the foundation for controlling the entire southwest and the ancient Anubichi Mountain Range.

Ichi spurred his mount forward, his heel pressing against the black bear’s flank.

The beast let out a thunderous roar and charged down into the misty gorge of Anubichi Canyon.

Meanwhile, far to the southwest, within the Aetheria Kingdom—

"All major factions within the Anubichi Range have been crushed by imperial forces.

They offered little resistance before being wiped out.

Even the Monden Shrine and similar groups have disbanded, swearing allegiance to the Crossbridge Empire..."

As the urgent military dispatch from Revor Province was read aloud, King Santino’s face grew increasingly grave.

Around him, ministers such as Banquet stood in tense silence.

"Your Majesty," Banquet spoke cautiously,

"Though Horn Dragon Fortress holds more than two thousand peak Master Rank imperial warriors, we still have a Grandmaster Rank guardian stationed there. A direct assault would be unwise.

The more immediate threat lies in the Anubichi Canyon.

General Ichi of the Pood Empire is advancing with five hundred thousand elite Blackarmored Bear soldiers.

If we fail to stop them in time, Trinity Province and the Dahlby City-States will fall—

and that would place a dagger directly at the back of Aetheria Kingdom itself.

Such a blow would cripple us at our roots."

Banquet’s tone was urgent.

The Pood Empire ruled a vast dominion; even the Crossbridge Empire in its golden age had struggled to contend with its might.

Now, the burden of resistance fell solely upon Aetheria.

Santino furrowed his brow deeply.

The kingdom had barely been founded—and already disaster had arrived.

Though he had expected the Pood Empire to take advantage of the chaos, he hadn’t imagined their strike would come so swiftly.

"Dispatch the Santino Legion to stabilize the front.

The Anubichi Canyon must remain under our control—if we lose it, Aetheria will forever remain on the defensive.

As for Revor Province, do not relax your vigilance.

Aurek is far from the mediocre emperor people believe him to be.

Once we have breathing room, we must seize Revor and create a strategic buffer zone."

The King’s orders were sharp and decisive.

He could never have imagined that within the royal lineage, someone like Aurek would emerge—

a ruler who constantly shattered the world’s expectations.

Eryndor City — Roseries Palace

In the quiet of the imperial bedchamber, Aurek held Josephine in his arms.

Her golden hair spilled across the velvet pillow, her cheeks flushed a deep rose.

The air was thick with warmth and scent—she had met his passion with unexpected intensity.

Aurek’s fingers brushed against her sensitive pointed ear, drawing a soft murmur from her lips.

And then—

a translucent light screen flickered before his eyes, visible only to him.

[You have slain numerous enemies within the Anubichi Mountain Range — Emperor Points +5,000,000]

[You have slain numerous enemies at the Thunder Guild — Emperor Points +4,500,000]

[...]

The notifications cascaded endlessly.

Ninth-tier forces, eighth-tier sects—even third- and fourth-tier guilds had been eradicated:

Silver Luna Guild, Spirit Phantom Cult, Muwen Mountain Fortress, and more...

The numbers climbed rapidly, surpassing one hundred million Emperor Points within moments.

Aurek smiled faintly.

With the Void Warlock legion—an army capable of traversing dimensions—subduing internal rebellion had become effortless.

"Your Majesty," Josephine whispered as she rested against his chest,

"If you truly intend to confront those ancient powers, I wish to request aid from my mentor in the Sigeits Parliament.

Though our Parliament’s members are few, each is a formidable powerhouse—and among them, one has reached Sage Rank.

I would invite her to Eryndor City to serve as a guardian.

She will not interfere in state affairs."

She hesitated slightly, aware that the Ordon Theocracy’s past treachery still lingered in Aurek’s heart.

But with a Sage Rank protector, even if the old monsters retaliated in desperation, the Empire would remain unshaken.

Aurek considered her words for a moment before replying,

"Then have Sophia return as well."

Josephine smiled softly and nestled closer, her cheek pressed to his firm chest.

Moments later, Aurek rolled her beneath him once again—

the night had yet to end.

The Next Morning — Imperial Bedchamber

With the assistance of his attendants, Aurek dressed in full regalia.

Outside, William, Heimerdinger, and several senior ministers waited with stacks of intelligence reports.

"Your Majesty," William said, bowing low,

"Santino and the western territories have officially declared independence."

Aurek’s eyes moved over the scrolls.

Though he had anticipated as much, the betrayal still stirred a cold fury within him.

"Even House Ister, those traitors, dare to crown themselves kings?

They must be punished without mercy!"

Heimerdinger stepped forward, his voice equally fierce.

"Indeed, Your Majesty.

From this day forth, the name House Ister shall be erased from history!"

Aurek tossed the scrolls aside with a flick of his wrist.

"Those factions have already been uprooted.

There is no need to worry."

Both William and Heimerdinger froze, exchanging bewildered looks.

The intelligence had been transmitted through the Empire’s fastest communication network—

yet in the single night since the Firstfall Festival, dozens of major factions had been annihilated simultaneously?

"I will assemble legions in the western frontier," Aurek declared,

"and personally exterminate Duke Furt and Crimson Hills."

That decrepit monster in Crimson Hills had lived far too long—Aurek would not rest easy until the old man was gone.

William and Heimerdinger shared uneasy glances.

The powers behind those factions were supported by beings of half-Overlord Rank—

to strike them could ignite a full-scale imperial war.

Just then—

"Your Majesty!"

The voice of the palace steward Angie rang out from beyond the throne room.

"Enter."

She bowed as she approached, addressing the gathered ministers before speaking.

"Your Majesty, an envoy from the Selene Empire—sent by their Empress—requests an audience."

"The Empress of Selene?" Aurek’s expression shifted slightly.

Beyond the Crossbridge Empire’s borders, four great powers stood:

To the west, the Pood Empire.

To the north, the Filo Empire.

To the south, the Goldflow Empire.

And to the east—the mighty Selene Empire.

Founded over sixty thousand years ago, the Selene Empire ruled across the vast Victoria Continent, commanding 1,100 provinces.

Its strength and heritage rivaled any of the ancient Overlord Rank civilizations in existence.