Hero of Darkness

Chapter 1271: Establishing New Authority

Valius Nox Luvian, the new emperor of the imperial faction suggested Kahn to improve their relationship as the leaders of their respective faction through none other than the blood ties.

“Are you suggesting a political marriage?” asked Kahn with a serious tone.

On the other side of his seat, Kassandra’s expression hardened as she clenched her fists.

[Hold out for now. Let him blabber.] spoke Kahn telepathically to Kassandra.

“My, oh my. You’re quick to read the situation. There is a reason why I suggested that,” spoke Valius with a quaint smile.

“Elaborate,” said Kahn while masking his disdain.

“Imagine that we do win the Great War and suddenly the Abyss Empire is reestablished in Vantrea, returning to its former glory.

In such a scenario, if both the cult and the imperial family are tied to each other via blood, people would solely rely on the two factions.

The senate of the republic, which doesn’t even have 3 centuries of history, will be a redundant force, and the Abyss Empire can go back to having only two monoliths of power they respect and serve.

Ousting the Senate from the play after the Great War is done, will grant us more authority, resources, and help us control the fate of the empire, just like we have done for the past 10 thousand years,” elaborated Valius with a sly smirk.

“600 years,” said Kahn.

“What?!” asked one of the princes.

“You’re not the original Varangis Imperial Family. Please do not try to proclaim their history as your own.

They may call you the imperial family now, but it doesn’t erase the fact that almost 10 millennia were under their rule.

Compared to that, your family’s reign is barely in the infant stage.” said Kahn with zero hesitation.

“You! How dare you?!” shouted the commander of the royal guard, the intermediate 7th-stage saint.

“What?! Am I wrong?” asked Kahn as he stared at the old man with golden hair and beard.

The atmosphere of the room turned heated.

Clap!

“Everyone! There is no need to lose your composure over something so small.

Cult Leader, I apologize if I was out of bounds.” said Valius, trying to mediate.

But this time, it was Omega who spoke…

“You were out of bounds when you made the first proposal.” he said while directly staring at the new emperor.

“Suggesting that master marries into your family… It’s both ignorant and foolish in the first place,” he stated without showing a small hint of respect in his tone.

“This bastard! How dare a mere lackey speak so crudely to the emperor!” shouted the 5th prince, who was now commander-in-chief of their imperial army.

Even Valius had his face contorted in rage as he spoke to Kahn.

“Control your people, cult leader. Lest there were to be any mishaps.” he openly warned Kahn.

“He speaks what I think myself.” said Kahn calmly while he too revealed a hostile expression to those around their entourage.

The room turned heavy, filled with tension as people started sweating.

If this were anyone else, there already would’ve been a physical confrontation. But given both Kahn’s identity and his strength, who would dare to let the matter escalate to that degree?

Besides, there were the delegation that had entered the imperial palace with public knowledge.

If a battle were to break out here now, it could hurt them politically, as often, such skirmishes are blamed on the host.

“Let’s just say I were to refuse. What would happen then?” asked Kahn as he folded his leg.

To Valius, this tone felt like a challenge to his authority in his own house.

“Then I can’t guarantee that our forces might become unable to fight zealously on the battlefronts.

There could also be a delay in reinforcements due to lack of resources and miscommunication,” said Valius as he passively threatened Kahn.

What he simply meant was that they would partake in the Great Crusade but send a minimal force and even delay supporting the overall soldier units on an active battlefield.

Sigh!

Kahn sighed loudly.

Snap!

With a snap of his fingers, he summoned two thrones. One was his usual black and golden throne with dragon face armrests, and the other one was a pristine white throne with golden phoenix patterns carved into it.

Kahn stood up from his seat and spoke to the woman by his side.

“My lady.” said Kahn and bowed, extending his hand.

Kassandra took his hand also stood up, and they both walked in the middle of the throne room, directly facing the emperor.

They sat on their respective thrones, directly defying the imperial faction’s rulers.

“Looks like you missed something very important during my coronation.” he said and took a pause as he looked around the other members of the imperial faction.

“I’m already taken.

Whether I marry again or not is dependent on her approval.” said Kahn with a snarky tone.

And after him, Kassandra chimed in with a confident and benign smile.

“Oh no, what do I do? Since childhood, I’ve always been very possessive of things I like.”

Soon, her aura seeped out, turning the atmosphere of the throne room heavy.

BOOM!!

“And I don’t like to share. Whether it’s my food or my man.” said Kassandra as she released her killing intent.

Thud!

Thud!

The royal guards got into defensive positions.

“What is the meaning of this, cult leader?! You dare openly mock and show hostility to the royalty?” said the captain of the royal guard.

“I came here to have a reasonable conversation. It is your lot who have brought our meeting to the current situation.

I myself am an Emperor in Vantrea. That was why I was showing you insects some respect.” iterated Kahn in a serious tone.

“But to think that you could enforce a political marriage on me just because I need your assistance in the Great War… shows me everything I need to know.” said Kahn.

Swoosh!

Kassandra quickly summoned the hexagonal artifact that she often used to siphon her spells.

She put her world energy into it and the very next second…

BOOM!!

Shatter!!

The invisible barrier that restricted the power of saints to the Semi-Saint rank instantly broke off.

The legendary rank formation, which protected the imperial palace for thousands of years, was shattered in mere seconds.

And at this moment, all of them were Saints.

RUMBLE!!

Clatter!

Crumble!!

But before anyone could react, the entire roof of the imperial palace was pulled off by a giant entity.

The debris falling on them was blocked by the world energy, but in mere seconds, everyone saw what pulled off the entire ceiling of the grand imperial palace with a single hand.

“What is even that?!” shouted Valius in disbelief.

“Nothing special,” said Kassandra and continued with a nonchalant smile…

“It’s just a Deity.”