Lord of the Truth

Chapter 1828 Declaration of war

A short while ago- somewhere deep within Mid Sector 99 step step

A lone figure descended a narrow staircase that plunged rapidly into the very heart of a massive mountain. The tightness of the stairs, the suffocating darkness, and the thin, almost absent air did not slow him down in the slightest. He pressed onward with unwavering momentum, each step taking him deeper and deeper into the mountainʼs core.

Finally, he arrived at a small cavern within the mountain-a secluded hollow where a single half-naked figure was seated. That figureʼs voice rang out sharply, echoing against the rocky walls, ”Your Majesty, Guardian Sylas, you must go immediately!!” ”Hmm?” The seated figure, positioned in the center of the cavity, slowly opened his eyes, which glowed with a soft, warm orange light, gently illuminating the surrounding darkness. With a subtle whoosh of his hand, multiple torches along the caveʼs walls erupted into flame, revealing his full appearance in striking detail.

The figure sat in a deep meditative posture, his form slightly shorter than average but essentially human-sized. His skin bore a distinct orange hue, streaked with intricate black lines that formed grand, imposing patterns across his body. His presence alone radiated authority and power.

He fixed his gaze on the newcomer and opened his mouth, his voice deep and resonant, seeming to emerge from the very bowels of the earth itself: ”What are you doing here? Did I not order you not to approach?” ”Your Excellency, we are under invasion by the Grave Empire,” the newcomer shouted urgently, his voice tinged with alarm. ”At this very moment, they are attacking the entire southern belt, including Draklon-our ancient capital!!” ”What?!”The seated figure reacted immediately, sweeping his hand to summon a simple blue energy robe that enveloped his body. ”Those cursed fools have the audacity?!” In an instant, he shot out of the cavern like a bolt of lightning, moving with terrifying speed.

Clatter Clatter ”....?!” Sylas was struck speechless by the chaotic scene unfolding before him.

The capital of his immense empire -a realm that had enjoyed unparalleled peace and tranquility for millions of years- was now thrown into utter chaos, fully engulfed in the flames of war.

Men and women leaped from the windows of their homes, quickly donning armor as they scrambled into the streets. The ground itself cracked and split, releasing massive war machines that had been stored away for decades due to disuse. Highly skilled operatives moved seamlessly through the now-activated gates, one after another, without a single momentʼs hesitation. ”What... what has happened to all of this?!” Sylas nearly lost his composure. The empire had entered a state of full mobilization, and he -the Guardian- was among the last to know?

Although they were in the midst of a secret alliance designed to overthrow the Grave Empire, this coalition had been centuries in the making. Only a few decades ago, Sylas had successfully drawn the allegiance of the Millennium Ice Vast Empire, along with nine other centennial empires.

He had even persuaded the Guardians of the Eternal Chaos Millennium Empire to join the alliance at the precise moment needed.

After finally deciding to launch the long-awaited offensive, various disturbances had arisen over the past thirty years. Six of the nine centennial empires had withdrawn for seemingly flimsy reasons-but according to Sylasʼs knowledge, all of them had actually retreated due to exceedingly strong trade relations with the Grave Empire.

Even the Millennium Ice Vast Empire had begun to lose its fervor for the assault, opting to slow their advance after receiving a number of lucrative offers. Sylas, too, had to temper his actions, waiting patiently until all allies could clearly see the Grave Empireʼs motives firsthand and recognize that no coalition could eternally satisfy every party involved.

Even that Behemoth in Mid Sector 98 could not casually dispense such vast amounts of wealth without careful oversight!

Years rolled by, and with each passing year, the trade relations between his allies and the Grave Empire only grew stronger and more intertwined. The connections became almost inseparable, a web of mutual dependency and economic leverage that stretched across multiple starfields.

Furious beyond measure, he decided it was time to retreat to his sanctuary, the secluded place where he could think, plan, and recalibrate. He placed all those meticulously crafted strategies on hold for the time being, shelving them like unfinished tomes gathering dust, yet in the recesses of his mind, the matter was far from forgotten.

The very presence of the Grave Empire right next to his starfield was unsettling, a constant reminder of danger lurking too close to home. It was a threat that gnawed at his consciousness and stirred unease he could not ignore. He immediately ordered his most trusted followers to seek out new allies, to find partners in the inevitable war that loomed on the horizon- partners who could share the burdens of loss, strategy, and sacrifice when the time inevitably came.

But...

Even though he had remained silent, keeping his own intentions carefully veiled and never declaring open hostility toward the Grave Empire, they themselves had brazenly initiated the attack against him? A mere centennial empire, not even fortified with a single Guardian of note, had dared to strike him directly? Had the universe itself flipped on its axis, overturning all logic and order? ...For a fleeting moment, Sylas considered halting one of his men to demand details of the sudden and unexpected assault, to glean what had transpired in his absence, but he dismissed the thought immediately. There was no time for hesitation. Whoosh! In an instant, his body vanished, dispersing like smoke in a sudden snap, and the next moment he had crossed the gate just like the others... he would witness firsthand exactly what was unfolding beyond it. ”Hmm?” ”The Guardian himself has moved!” ”The Grave rats wonʼt even know what hit them!” ”Victory will be ours!!”

Buzz ”I am here now!” Silas emerged from the other side, his voice booming with authority and urgency. He shouted, intending to draw attention, to inspire courage, to awaken hope in the hearts of those still reeling from the chaos. This planet, this very world-Draklon-was the birthplace of the ruling Sylas family, the dynasty that had slowly risen from obscurity, carving their path through countless hardships and battles to forge themselves into a millennial empire. Every inhabitant here, from the lowliest worker to the most revered elder, adored them. Many even worshipped them. His mere presence should have been enough to raise morale to the heights of the heavens, a living symbol of leadership and hope!

Yet he was met with a scene that froze him in place, a sight both strange and profoundly unsettling- tremble tremble

All around him, every special forces operative, elder, and government official capable of movement was sprinting past him, desperate and panicked, all heading toward the portal.

Strangely, his own presence-the aura of command and authority he exuded- did not stop them.

They did not even hesitate.

Buzz buzz

For a few heartbeats, Sylas stood stunned, absorbing the chaotic flow of people rushing past him through the gate. His mind struggled to make sense of it, to process the disorder that had erupted in what should have been the calm heart of his empire.

Until finally, Bam!- he grabbed someone by the neck with a sudden surge of anger, ”What the hell is happening here?! Have I become invisible?!” ”Y-Y- Your Excellency!!” The orange-skinned man, eyes wide with terror, pointed frantically upwards before collapsing from sheer fear. ”...?!” Sylas finally broke his gaze from the fleeing crowd and turned his eyes skyward. What he saw made his blood run cold.

Above him unfolded a scene both bizarre and horrifying.

Dozens of massive ships pointed their devastating cannons downward. At a glance, Sylas immediately identified them as mother ships, Supremacy Note class, though each vessel was approximately double the size of the standard Supremacy Note class he had encountered before.

Each ship contained ten points of cannons, ten massive cannons poised and ready to unleash destruction.

Yet among these formidable weapons, two cannons on each vessel stood out- strange, angular, almost menacing in design. Tubes snaked across the hull, connecting them to the ship in intricate patterns that suggested some new, unknown function. And beyond their shape...

While the other cannons emitted their familiar, steady blue energy, these two radiated a different hue, something unnatural and menacing. They were all pointing downwards, toward the planet, giving off a presence that made the hairs on the back of Sylasʼs neck stand on end.

A feeling... of pure, unshakable dread. ”No...”

Krrrreee

BOOOOOOOOOM!