Hero of Darkness

Chapter 1290: Stating Boundaries

In front of the rulers of two empires and their entourage, comprised of powerful saints, Kahn raised his voice, his tone both majestic and authoritative as he made a strong demand.

His words simply stated that they deserved to be treated with respect.

Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted from heated to straight-up eruption of a volcano.

BOOM!!

BANG!!

The emperor of the Zivot Empire could not hide his displeasure, but his saint pressure was easily subdued by Kahn’s Descent of the Martial God.

Kahn chose to use it instead of the War Dominance because there wasn’t one but two 8th-stage saints whom he had to reprimand and stand on an equal footing with, whether it was hierarchy or strength.

“Respect isn’t given. It is earned.” said Nievan, the elven emperor.

“We have already earned it. Otherwise, both of you wouldn’t be here.” said Kahn sternly.

The Zivot and Vulkan empires were just the first responders for the actual Council of Great War. The other 1- empires hadn’t even sent a single member due to their geographical location.

But the fact that he and his people warranted such a degree of caution was evidently deserving of some respect.

[Good. Let them know that you aren’t here to compromise but to hear what they have to offer. Or else, we leave without having a proper dialogue.] said Rathnaar.

It wasn’t his first time dealing with other empires that served the gods. Back then, after killing the 9 Heroes of his generation, Rathnaar had forced them all to swallow their pride and sign a non-aggression treaty that lasted for centuries even after his death.

“Are those your words or the former Peak Saint’s?” asked Nievan while clenching his fist.

“Mine. Besides, I am not a successor following his lead when it comes to commanding a nation, but a man who has earned the right to be its ruler.

Nobody handed that position to me because I was lucky enough to be born in a certain family.” said Kahn, his tone curt.

“So don’t entertain the idea that we are actually here to join the alliance,” he stated with a stoic voice.

That was the ultimate fact… that Kahn also didn’t actually need to accept their terms either.

“Besides… Who’s to say that I will stop at killing just one hero?

I, too, would love to visit the Elven Empire someday,” said Kahn as he openly grinned while looking at Ervalen.

“This uncouth mongrel!” shouted Maeral, the Abbot of the Temple of Life.

Clang!

Suddenly, weapons were yielded and pointed at the envoy of the Zivot Empire.

The one leading this action here was Lucian himself, as his own bloodlust emanated in the air.

“Show some respect, you tree fucker. This is both the Emperor of the Rakos Empire and our Cult Leader.

Do not think that our Abyss Empire has forgotten your involvement in the massacre 300 years ago.

We tend to pay back the blood debt ten times over.” said the golden-haired vampire.

The tip of his blade was pointing directly at the abbot, and Kahn himself did not feel the need to hold back the Champion of God of Darkness.

If Lucian revealed his full strength, he was already enough to 1v1 the elven emperor himself.

“The bloodsuckers of the blasphemous race dare to disrespect us?! How about we wipe you all out right here?!” said the abbot.

Yes, the abbot of the temple of life was talking about a bloodbath right in front of the envoy of the 2 neighboring empires.

“All right. I’ve had enough. Let’s kill them all.” said Kahn as he summoned Muramasa.

The ancient rank weapon released a dreary aura that soon encapsulated the whole settlement.

Even Ervalen felt a chill down his spine as everyone from Kahn’s side also summoned their weapons.

But before they sprang forth to attack, Kahn looked to his right and asked…

“You’re not going to interfere, right?”

The one he looked at was none other than the emperor of the Vulcan Empire.

“Better for me if you both kill each other. I will enjoy taking over your nations.” said Havi as he rolled his eyes in boredom.

“This scoundrel!” rebuked Nievan with a contorted face.

He was supposed to be their ally during this meeting, but the fireborne emperor was clearly going for the ‘wait and watch’ approach.

If their forces really fought, not only would there be many casualties on both sides… he couldn’t even promise the safety of his son or the hero of life.

Kahn and his group were simply too powerful to run wild and oppress with their strength or numbers.

“You have no pride, Fireborne. Did you forget he killed your Hero of Fire and basically shunned your empire from getting the Apple of Eden meant for yourself?” retorted Nievan.

“Oh, you mean me? No, I don’t have any strong feelings about it. Besides, I wasn’t entirely fond of that bastard Axel.

Unlike your empire, the Vulkan Empire doesn’t really treat the Churches or Temples of Gods to that level of importance.

You must already know that after the Hero of Darkness killed the Hero of Fire, the Church of Hetrax tried to stage a rebellion.

And I have spent the last 5 years straightening up their leadership,” revealed Havi Hos Siegfreed with a calm tone.

“As for the Apple of Eden… the Hero of Darkness can still get it for me from the Land of the Gods, can’t he?” said the emperor with a devious grin on his face.

It was then that Kahn also unsummoned Muramasa and spoke…

“Oh, those kinds of terms I can accept for an alliance. Should we forget about these people and continue the discussion about that matter instead?” he asked playfully.

“Sure, why not? Since we are already off to a bad start… I see no point in talking about the matters of the Council of Great War.” said Havi with a tone suggesting their own personal alliance.

Instead of doing what they were supposed to do here, the topic shifted to something entirely else, and as soon as the emperor of the Vulcan Empire showed interest in Kahn, to get their own set of Apples of Eden, the elven emperor’s eyes were jolted wide open.

It felt as if someone splashed cold water on his face and awoke him from his deep sleep.

[No! If they start working together, the safety of our borders will be in shambles.

Empires serving gods have always followed a ceasefire during the Great War. But the Rakos Empire has no such inclination, and the Vulkan Empire has already lost its Hero as well as developed animosity with its church.

On top of it, the Abyss Empire is still vengeful for the past.] thought Nievan to himself.

[Brother, we need to take a step back for now and stop them from forming their own alliance. We cannot dare to offend either of them as long as the Great War is still in the picture.] said Maeral to his elder brother.

[You’re right. We just quelled the infighting among the noble houses in our own empire. We can risk an all-out war with these two, especially not now.] responded the emperor.

They both decided to swallow their pride at the moment, and the elven emperor spoke…

“Let us focus on what we are here to do originally. None of us here is that free to waste time over petty squabbles.” said Nievan.

“Not even an apology. I guess that is the Elven way.” said Kahn as he carried on towards the roundtable set for their conversation.

This time, Kahn also let go of his discontent and walked forth towards the roundtable.

As for the alliance with the Vulkan Empire, it was already a done deal because we were allies pretending to be at odds with each other.

But for now, both sides kept up their act and decided to address the main topic.

As for Kahn, he had already made sure to set boundaries with this possible coalition and made sure that no one would dare take them lightly.

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

Afterwards, that large round table that spanned 15 meters in diameter, decorated with ornate ornaments and luxurious decor, had all the important people taking their respective seats while facing the other factions across the table.

“If we are done measuring how long whose wand is, let’s discuss the important goals.

Give us a reason to ally ourselves with your so-called ‘Council’.” stated Kahn firmly as he folded his arms while sitting on his throne-like chair.

“Is survival not enough reason for you?” asked Nievan sarcastically.

“Both the Rakos and the Abyss Empire are fairly capable of surviving on our own. Even more so after both empires shared their resources and manpower.

We don’t necessarily need to follow anybody’s example.” said Kahn nonchalantly.

“We neither lack the people, the strategy, the weaponry, or the resolve.” his words echoed in the surroundings.

“So give me one good reason, for which, whether it is me, both the empires I lead and its people…” his composure turned dead serious as Kahn asked an important question.

“Should not attack the alliance itself?”