After dismissing the deputy headmaster and others from their posts, Owen turned his attention back to Vanessa and her companions.
With a wave of his hand, a thick wave of life energy surged from his Order Field’s Order of Life, pouring into the bodies of Dennis and the other spirits.
He helped them re-form their physical bodies.
With Damien’s death, much of the resentment within them had dissipated, allowing their new bodies to form without any resistance from their lingering grievances.
Once their bodies had fully materialized, Dennis and the others stared at Owen in wide-eyed shock.
Although legends spoke of powerful mages who could help souls regain physical bodies, such tales were mere myth. Yet Owen had achieved this feat right before their eyes!
It was nothing short of miraculous!
Feeling the seamless connection between soul and body, they felt as if they had been given a second chance at life.
“Thank you, Lord Emperor!”
Dennis, Vanessa, and the others bowed deeply to Owen, their faces filled with gratitude.
Owen smiled at them and said, “You dared to do what others wouldn’t, so this is well deserved.”
“Furthermore, from now on, West Sanctum Academy will be managed by a council formed by all of you. I trust that under your leadership, the academy will have a brighter future. Don’t let me down.”
Vanessa, Dennis, and the others looked at Owen in disbelief.
Could they have heard him correctly? The Lord Emperor was entrusting them, mere students, with the management of this vast academy!
“We understand your kindness, Lord Emperor, but West Sanctum Academy is known far and wide. We lack both the strength and experience…”
They exchanged glances, then quickly shook their heads, overwhelmed by the weight of the responsibility.
Owen smiled, saying, “While you may lack the strength now, you all have great potential. Most importantly, you have the will to improve!”
…
In the imperial capital, in a small courtyard where Leslie was staying, she and Madelyn sat at a stone table, reviewing reports from across the realm.Nôv(el)B\jnn
With the spread of news, many citizens of Emberveil Kingdom had begun to flee in fear.
However, the population of Emberveil was immense, and the evacuation was slow. Furthermore, many citizens had been brainwashed by Nidhogg and refused to leave, choosing to resist.
Amidst this, some alarming, irrational statements were also spreading.
“Sister, it’s nearly the third day, and there are still six million citizens in Emberveil Kingdom who haven’t evacuated. Should we extend the deadline?”
Madelyn set down a stack of reports with a heavy heart, looking across at Leslie, whose expression was icy.
Leslie replied coldly, “I’ve given them two options. If they choose death, they can’t blame me.”
“But, Sister, that’s six million lives. If they’re all killed, it will be a massacre beyond measure!” Madelyn pleaded.
“Eliminating Emberveil Kingdom is your task; whether rivers of blood flow is also on you. I’m only concerned with the result,” Leslie replied without looking up.
“Sister, don’t you have any compassion?” Madelyn asked, frowning.
Leslie paused, looking up at Madelyn. “You can choose not to complete the mission.”
Madelyn’s eyes widened. “Are you serious?”
Leslie nodded, “I’ll send you out of Azure Kingdom immediately. From then on, you’ll have nothing more to do with Azure Kingdom.”
Madelyn’s expression darkened for a moment, studying Leslie intently. “You… you wouldn’t really do that, would you?”
“When have I ever lied?” Leslie looked back at her.
Madelyn: “…”
“But to kill them all-it’s just too cruel.”
“Then get to work,” Leslie said. “The army has already gathered in Emberveil Kingdom. Now, it’s up to you.”
…
Inside Emberveil Kingdom
Nidhogg stormed around his palace, smashing everything in sight as he vented his fury.
He had received word that Owen’s army had encircled Emberveil Kingdom.
He, along with every citizen of Emberveil, was trapped like a beast in a cage.
At that moment, he understood with painful clarity why Leslie had spared him.
It wasn’t out of mercy but a calculated attempt to break him completely.
She wanted him to witness, firsthand, the fall of Emberveil Kingdom.
To kill him would have been merciful. Destroying him emotionally-this was true vengeance.
“Damn it!”
“Damn it all!”
Nidhogg slumped to the ground, fuming like a caged animal.
“Heh, this situation-I warned you it would come to this.”
“Owen and Leslie do not tolerate traitors.”
A sharp female voice suddenly rang out.
Nidhogg looked darkly toward the back of the hall.
There, a lively dark elf hovered in mid-air, wings fluttering as she regarded Nidhogg coldly.
“After assassinating Henry, you should have immediately staged a rebellion. At that time, Owen and Leslie had just gone into seclusion, and the people’s loyalty to Azure Kingdom wasn’t as strong yet!”
Mocked by the dark elf Sylva, Nidhogg’s anger flared even higher.
“That’s easy for you to say! Your Dark Elf Queen only cares about the Divine Path Stone and Owen. She doesn’t care if we live or die!”
The dark elf responded coolly, “We’re allies, aren’t we? Besides, as you are now, you hardly qualify as a partner. Do you think this outburst is worthwhile?”
Nidhogg glared at her, “Don’t need me? With the bond between Owen and Leslie, your queen has no chance!”
Sylva narrowed her eyes. “Then she must die. Once she’s gone, our queen will have her
opportunity.”
Nidhogg clenched his fists in jealousy. “What’s so special about Owen that your queen values
him so much?”
Dark elves resembled humans but were far more beautiful, like beings of the night.
Even Sylva, a common dark elf, was a breathtaking beauty. It was unimaginable how stunning
the famous Dark Elf Queen must be!
Yet she had chosen Owen!
This realization struck Nidhogg, who prided himself as a genius, with a deep sense of
inferiority.
Sylva glanced at Nidhogg dismissively and asked, “Surviving the Great Cataclysm, defying fate, forcing the Forbidden Zone to submit-how many of those feats could you
accomplish?”
“Our queen seeks the strongest bloodline, and Owen is the ideal candidate.” Nidhogg’s heart sank. “So, aside from your queen, others of similar status also covet Owen?”
Sylva nodded, “Indeed. With the renewal of the era, unique physiques are emerging. They all wish to unite with the strongest candidate, widely recognized as Owen.”
Nidhogg cursed silently, “Damn harlots!”
Sylva looked out from the hall toward the distant horizon. “Owen and Leslie’s army has
arrived. Your only chance for survival now is to kill Leslie. Only then will we, the dark elves,
intervene on your behalf.”
“Command your forces well. Owen and Leslie’s confidence will be their undoing, pushing
them into an endless abyss. This is your last opportunity.”
With Sylva’s commanding tone ringing in his ears, Nidhogg felt humiliated.
He swore to himself that he would make this dark elf suffer.
Outwardly, though, he nodded with forced gravity, saying, “I’ll do my utmost.”
Satisfied, Sylva looked at him, then turned to gaze down at the assembled troops in the square
below.
The ranks stood like monuments of black stone, motionless, surrounded by a strange,
powerful aura.
This was a boon Sylva had bestowed upon them through her Eternal Night magic. Once fully
absorbed, the power of each soldier would surge.
“Awaken, warriors! The queen’s blessing is upon you!”
“This time, fight for survival, fight for the queen!”
Her voice rang out with encouragement.
The soldiers, previously still, now glowed with deep, starry eyes, their muscles rippling with
explosive energy.
“For the queen!”
“For the queen!”
Beast-like roars escaped from their mouths, their senses nearly dulled, their minds filled with the singular purpose to fight for their queen unto death.
