Hero of Darkness

Chapter 1288: The Nostalgic Spot

As the chamberlain revealed the context of the invitation letter, the last line regarding the mention of No Man’s Land struck their minds the most.

What was No Man’s Land? It was both the border as well as the barrier one had to pass if they wished to traverse the Rakos Empire, Zivot Empire, and the Vulkan Empire.

It was one area that they had collectively agreed upon to leave as a forbidden zone, and all of their respective empires always had an active military garrison stationed there.

Though it was merely a few thousand kilometers of open land with traces of a forgotten civilization… it also often acted as a neutral ground, especially for occasions like this.

The letter itself acknowledged Kahn as the new emperor of the Rakos Empire and wished to form an alliance with him and the entire empire’s force for the Great War.

And it also mentioned the Abyss Empire.

Yes, by now, all the empires serving gods were aware of Kahn’s declaration about their coalition with the Abyss Empire.

The fact that it survived and even had an army on par with theirs had already shaken their ruling authorities.

As for Kahn… he already expected this reaction.

Kahn knew that there were always going to be active informants of the empires serving gods within the confines of the Rakos Empire.

A lot of them were like sleeper agents. Becoming active once again, only after their original home sent a message to give them key information.

And a monumental revelation like Kahn becoming the new emperor of the Rakos Empire, or yesterday’s sudden declaration of the existence of the Abyss Empire and their army, was bound to be the most important priority for them all.

And just one day later… the Council of Great War, which hadn’t even bothered to send the Rakos Empire an invitation for all these months since Kahn’s coronation, sent one just a day after.

“They know that we are either an ally or a monumental threat to them. Hence, they made their first move.” said Kahn as he looked at the vast number of people present in this meeting.

The apparent grin on his face was projected on the holographic screens for all to see.

Soon, everyone realised that their emperor had foreseen this invitation coming even before he made the announcement.

[One of his main objectives was to hasten the process and be taken seriously by the council. No wonder he chose to make this secret public instead of keeping it hidden and using it as an ace up his sleeve.

Now, everyone has to take us seriously instead of treating us like nobodies.] thought Allister Mor Vandereich.

Mr. Rotich also gave his opinion…

“It was within our preparations, your Majesty. We are fully ready to depart.”

Kahn nodded and addressed the members present in the meeting.

“There is something I wish for all of you to do tomorrow.” he declared.

Kahn then relayed his new orders that left most of the listeners dropping their jaws on the floor.

But none of them asked any questions and knew that they had to follow Kahn’s command after hearing the true intentions behind his plan.

******************

One Week Later…

Dozens of ginormous battlebarges that spanned for 20 to 30 kilometers hovered over the skies of the Eastern border of the Rakos Empire.

This was the one area directly connecting them to the No Man’s Land.

“I have been here only twice, and yet it feels like home,” said Kahn as he saw the clouds parting and revealing the land below.

[It is the very place where you became a Saint. Of course, it is going to feel nostalgic coming here again.] said Rathnaar in Kahn’s mind.

Kahn remembered the first time he escaped the clutches of the Noble Factions and left the Rakos Empire through No Man’s Land.

It was also the place where he broke through to become a 1st-stage Saint almost 5 years ago.

From here, he left for the Vulkan Empire and spent another year hiding within the Fireborne Empire.

After his battle with the Hero of Fire, he had to leave and come here once again. This time, to escape to the Zivot Empire.

Both times were monumental in Kahn’s journey till now, and the No Man’s Land had been a common factor among them.

**Back to the Present**

“How long till we reach there?” asked Kahn to the Battlebarge captain, who was a 3rd-stage saint.

“Merely an hour, your majesty.” said a beastkin with the head of a hog.

One Hour Later…

A completely revamped area that spanned 50 kilometers in radius was set as the common meeting spot.

Everyone could tell that it was cleared with the help of the Saints with Earth Elemental skills, and even stone-paved roads and buildings were created just for this meeting.

Today, the Zivot and the Vulkan empire were going to act as the representatives of the Council of the Great War.

Kahn could infer that they were the de facto responders due to their shared border with the Rakos Empire.

And since all of it had to be arranged within a week, their respective leadership also had to settle their important affairs first and depart for the No Man’s Land.

Kahn and his entourage were the guests while the Empire of Elves and the Empire of Fire were the hosts.

Normally, they all would be pointing their weapons at each other, but for the sake of the bigger picture, they were now holding a grand meeting no different than a banquet among the nobles.

Swoosh!

Woosh!

Dozens of warships like theirs could be seen in the far distance as the royalties of both empires also arrived with their respective forces.

And every force brought in their most powerful saints just to showcase their own prowess in front of the others.

It was a basic intimidation tactic so they could get an upper hand during the negotiations. However, it was also seen as a display of strength.

Thus, just being present here was also a form of acknowledgment for those who attended it.

Thud!

Thud!

After every envoy landed, they traveled on foot towards the podium at the epicentre of this establishment.

Kahn came here with five 7th-stage saints, including Morrigan, Lucian, Allister, Jeremiah, and Stalin.

7 of his subordinates who had reached the 5th stage saint rank are also following behind him.

Kassandra walked right beside Kahn, now that she had reached the stage quite a while ago.

From the Vulkan Empire’s side, Emperor Havi Hos Siegfreed was there with two 7th-stage saints and with Princess Vanessa Hos Siegfreed.

Kahn received the information recently that Vanessa was also officially announced as the successor to the throne.

The Vulkan Empire had no bias when it came to ruling. The strongest saint of the imperial fireborne bloodline, whether male or female, took the throne as part of their tradition.

Emperor Havi’s grandmother himself was the Empress, and her lineage now led with Vanessa as the heir.

Meanwhile, from the Zivot Empire side… Nievan Triscal Insalor Venric, the 8th Stage saint of the High Elves race, was escorted by imperial guards.

The second person behind him was his brother, who was a Peak 7th-stage saint… Maeral Sez Insalor Venric, the Abbot of the Temple of Life.

These two were basically the two tyrants of the elven empire, while holding different titles.

And behind them was someone who Kahn and his allies knew very well. And that was…

Aragorn Travion Insalor Venric, the Crown Prince of the Zivot Empire.

******************

To Kahn’s surprise, the man who once played the role of Edmund Thandruil, the Alchemist Master, cooperating with their Misthios Mercenary Guild, was now openly standing before them without hiding his true identity.

Back then, due to their soul pact, Aragorn had promised to stay hidden for a year and then reveal his existence to the Elven Imperial Family right after they killed his sister, Eleanor.

And the one behind him, guarded by several 5th to 6th stage saints, was none other than the Hero of Life… Ervalen Baaslark.

The Hero of Life himself was now a Beginner 6th-stage saint.

The last time Kahn saw him was during his expedition to the Immortal Dungeon in Alfheim, the place where he met Vildred, the Lightning Dragon Emperor.

Back then, Ervalen was a 4th-stage saint and traveled with his party members, who died in the same Immortal Dungeon.

Beside him was Myrienne, another High Elf and the only surviving member of his party.

No one here, other than the emperor and the abbot, knew that she was also the princess’s secret lover.

And after Eleanor was killed, the blame was shifted to Kahn, as the Hero of Darkness.

It was done as a political maneuver after they declared that the Hero of Darkness ambushed and killed the party members of the Hero of Life, following his attack on the hero of the Vulkan Empire.

While the latter had blamed Kahn as part of their deal since Kahn saved Vanessa’s life and Havi planned to cover for him in return… the Elven Empire did it purely to hide their fuckup.

However, none of these people knew even now that two of the main perpetrators were standing right beside them. The only difference was that they were no longer seen as the suspects.

Forget hiding, the culprit now held the same title as the rulers of these two empires.

And now…

It was time to decide the fate of the alliance.