Julian raised his hand slowly. A small flame flickered into life in his palm, dancing gently but menacingly in the silence that followed.
“Why, you ask?” he whispered.
The fire began to swirl, coiling like a snake, and wrapped around his fingers.
“You and I are above flattery, Marquis,” he said, his voice calm but cutting. “You speak of the King of Apollo as if he’s some magnificent god, descending upon the world to bless it with light and wisdom. But I highly doubt that.”
The flame suddenly hissed, shifting colors for a moment before he let it fade.
“I have heard the stories. “I have read between the lines,” Julian continued.
“Powerful men don’t offer partnerships out of goodwill. They extend their hands when they want something. So, unless you stop the show and tell me exactly what the King truly wants, and more importantly, what you want, then I won’t even consider entertaining this… offer.”
The room fell into silence again, heavy and charged.
The marquis felt sweat forming on his forehead. His breathing, though still controlled, grew faintly quicker. He glanced toward Shayla, and she understood immediately.
Rising without a word, she moved to the side of the chamber, took hold of a golden jar, and carefully poured crystal-clear water into a glass. She then walked back and handed it to him.
The Marquis accepted it with slightly trembling fingers and drank it in one go. The moment the glass left his lips, he slammed it onto the table with a heavy thud that echoed throughout the chamber.
Then, without turning, he raised his hand and gestured silently for Shayla and the guards stationed around the room to leave.
Shayla hesitated for only a moment, her eyes briefly meeting Julian’s, but the seriousness in the Marquis’s expression left no room for questions. She quietly walked out, and the guards followed.
The Marquis then looked at Eliz.
“Leave, Eliz,” Julian ordered.
Eliz bowed gracefully. “As you wish, my lord.”
With a final glance toward the Marquis, she turned and exited, closing the doors softly behind her. The chamber, now emptied of all but the two men, seemed to grow colder.
“Julian Easvil,” the Marquis said gravely, “His Majesty wants to conquer the Hades Kingdom.”
The words froze. Julian mid-thought. His brows furrowed. “Hades Kingdom?” he repeated. “The most powerful kingdom in the world? Am I hearing that right?”
The Marquis gave a slow nod. “Yes, Your Grace. You are.”
Julian was about to question the absurdity, but the Marquis raised his hand.
“Before you ask how, why, or when,” he said, “know this—His Majesty, the young king of Apollo, already has it all mapped out. His influence… it runs far deeper than what you or I can see. He is calculating, patient, and… incredibly dangerous.”
The marquis leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. “He might even be listening to us… right now.”
(AUTHOR’S NOTE: REFER TO CHAPTER 207/208)
Julian’s expression turned serious. His mana surged silently as he extended his senses in all directions. However, there were no disruptions.
No prying eyes or ears.
He exhaled in relief.
But just as he allowed himself to calm, a faint, creeping pressure filled the room. There was something. Faint… nearly unnoticeable… a mixture of something dangerous lingering in the air.
Julian’s eyes narrowed, and a chill ran down his spine.
Don’t tell me…The one releasing this faint death aura… that’s him, isn’t it?
The King of Apollo.
Ever since he had awakened his Authority… ever since she had taken control of the three supreme energies… he had walked this world as if he were its god. Untouchable. Peerless. He believed there was no being who could rival him, at least not one from this world.
But this… this presence. This aura of death drifting in from nowhere, yet everywhere at once. It was dangerous beyond comprehension.
Julian inhaled deeply, steadying his thoughts.
Calm down, Julian. You’re not at a disadvantage.
He leaned back slightly. He doesn’t know how powerful I am or my secrets. But I know he exists. I know what he’s after.
His confidence returned, and he leaned forward slowly, eyes glowing with newfound curiosity.
“Go on,” he said, his voice calm but edged with hidden fire. “Continue.”
The marquis’s lips curled into a knowing smile.
“His Majesty is planning to attack the Hades Kingdom within five years. He intends to strike swiftly and decisively, leaving no room for hesitation or weakness. But before that, he needs you, Your Grace. He wants you to take complete control of the Ares Kingdom within that time frame. To solidify your power, gather strength, and prepare for the upcoming war.”
Julian nodded, taking his words.
“And when the time comes for His Majesty to launch his assault on Hades,” the Marquis added, “you will rally your army to seize the Ernia Kingdom. That will be the key to cutting off Hades from its allies and resources.”
“What…?” Julian muttered under his breath, disbelief and anger creeping into his voice. “You want us to attack the Ernia Kingdom… The lands of beastmen, dragonsmen, elves… and whatever the fuck dwells there.”
(AUTHOR’S NOTE: Ernia, Ares, Apollo, and Hades are the most prominent kingdoms, with Hades being the strongest and largest, while Ernia has cut itself off from the outside and locked itself in.)
He shook his head slightly, struggling to process the scale of what was being asked.
“Those lands are wild. To march an army into Ernia is to invite chaos. Why risk so much before even setting foot in Hades?”
The marquis’s eyes gleamed with a fierce determination.
“Because Ernia is the major point. Control Ernia, and the Hades Kingdom is vulnerable. Fail, and everything falls apart.”
Julian’s eyes flashed with a sudden surge of anger. “But Ernia has long disconnected itself from our world. Their borders are sealed, their people isolated. And Hades lies nowhere near Ernia for them to be allies—or even have a conversation. How can you claim they are connected?”
His aura solidified, nearly choking the Marquis. The tension in the room spiked as Julian’s rage surrounded the chamber like a dark cloud ready to thunder.
“You better make that clear,” Julian warned. “Don’t waste my time with vague threats or lies.”
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