Hero of Darkness

Chapter 1297: Sowing Discord

As if the heated ongoing argument between Kahn and the others wasn’t already going in the wrong direction enough… he now proposed to join in Kaali’s threat and attack the Empire of Time.

The moment he spoke those words, the Emperor of the Amser Empire turned silent, while his body trembled in rage.

They were pushed to the edge already, and now, in this sudden meeting which he attended reluctantly… the other emperors and empresses were besmirching their remaining pride while talking about attacking their empire as if they were a mere start-up kingdom.

But it was around this time that one of the silent rulers had finally decided to chime in… a humanoid being with 4 angel-like white wings. His face was covered in the shadow of his own hood.

“Hero of Darkness, are you here to help in the Great War or just sow discord among us?” asked a vibrant being who emanated a slightly golden aura from his body.

This was a Lightbringer species individual, the Emperor of the Valgus Empire, aka the Empire of Light.

Kahn, in response, spoke…

“What discord is there to sow anyway? If not for the pretext of war, most of you guys have a history of attacking each other.

Some recently attacked the Empire of Time, while the Empire of Wind acted as an aggressor towards their neighboring kingdoms for no reason.

Even the Beast Empire has a history of attacking the Zivot Empire decades ago, and as I have been made aware, you two still attack each other regularly at set intervals.

So I don’t understand the point behind pretending that everyone is an ally to each other.

The Great War has only given your empires a reason to unify your people under various clauses and even provided enough justification to purge uprisings within your own borders.

Whether in the name of religion or the stability of empire… this lie has become obsolete.” he stated openly.

Kahn did not hold back in calling out everyone’s hoax.

“Still… after everything your predecessor did; how do you expect us to quell the long-standing hatred between our empires and just let bygones be bygones?

There are millions among our own people who still want to erase you and the heretical cult of yours.” said the emperor, his voice turning the atmosphere heavy.

And his tone was both gently but hiding subtle animosity behind it.

“The Empire of Light still pretends to be some righteous hero, I see.

Fair enough. Try to attack us with that same excuse of the past, and you will barely have anyone left to save.

To think that I will be talked down upon using the excuse of the events 300 years ago.

I neither owe any explanation nor do I owe anyone any kind of reparations.” declared Kahn arrogantly.

He knew that if he admitted responsibility for anything that happened in the past, they would try to extort him in numerous ways.

“So you want us to include you in the council just as you please and pay no price for it?

Do we appear as mere baffoons to you, Hero of Darkness?” asked the Lightbringer Emperor.

“And who are any of you to ask us to pay the price?” asked Kahn as his tone turned serious.

“It’s because I don’t wish to shed innocent blood myself that I have been abstaining from starting my own crusade against your empires.

Whether it’s the Cult of Darkborne or the Rakos Empire, I have plenty of fanatics who crave revenge due to the past. A lot of them are also descendants of the people who were banished from your empires solely due to your religious dogmas.

I have been keeping them all at bay because the prominent priority is the Khorne Empire.” he elaborated and stood firm on his stance regarding the current political dynamic.

“It’s because of this nonsensical power play and politics that none of you have succeeded in killing the Demon God in the past 3 thousand years.” he iterated mockingly.

“Even those who came close to it were either victims of their injuries or the empire’s political ploys themselves.

Nobody here gets to act like they themselves haven’t suffered the consequences of these petty skirmishes regarding the matters of Gods and Heroes.

So as someone who stands not just equally but on higher ground than the rest here… It should be me whom this council needs to be wary of, and not the other way around.” he spoke proudly.

In terms of numbers alone, he was far more overpowered than the rest. So why should he cater to their unreasonable logic?

“Besides… how do you expect us to pay? By offering some kind of tithe?

Or do you expect me to enslave my people and send them to you as laborers or something?

No matter what it is… keep those foolish notions to yourself.” warned Kahn as the atmosphere of the conversation was turning even more hostile.

He was neither going to be blackmailed, nor was he going to waste his time conceding to some useless demands.

“Then why should we even accept you in the council? The past itself is enough reason to keep excluding you as we have so far?” asked the Emperor of the Amser Empire.

“It’s because you want to focus on one single enemy instead of having to fight two.

Choose to stand in our way, and I already have a full plan on how to attack your empires and eventually cover all of your empires within the next few years.” said Kahn, now daring to start another bloodbath.

“You take the word ‘War’ too lightly, Emperor of the Rakos Empire.

Your inexperience and immaturity show up when you speak about starting wars like it’s child’s play.” said the Lightbringer as he also mocked Kahn.

“Oh, do not be mistaken about my intentions.

I only see it as a necessary means to end this war. Whether your empires stand on my side or not, I will be the one to end this long-standing tradition.” declared Kahn confidently.

“First, I will start with either the Zivot Empire or the Vulkan Empire. No matter which one we attack first, it will fall given our current strength.

Then, before the neighboring nation even gets a chance to prepare its defenses, we will absorb the forces of that fallen nation to make up for our losses.

The newly supplemented army will even be a greater force that will keep devouring its next target.

Once we take over the Elven Empire, we will either target the Empire of Lightning or the Beast Empire.” said Kahn as he looked at Kaali Adisesha.

“If the Empress wishes, she can either join us or become our next target.

Alas, this pattern will keep repeating as we march to our next battlefield, devouring that nation’s wealth, manpower, and resources while waging a war that would make the Great War look like a petty squabble.” said Kahn as he revealed his plan.

“Hah! And do you expect us to believe that you will neither be depleted of your strength nor have lost any of your powerhouses?

And don’t forget that all of us, except you here, are 8th-stage saints.

You would devour us? With what power?!” asked Kaali, her tone hiding her wrath, but her face still contorted a bit.

“You keep forgetting that I now have a total of five Peak 7th-stage saints.

As a hero with divine abilities myself, I’m fairly confident in fighting and beating any one of you.

Add in my saints in the equation, you would need at least a 9th-stage saint to protect your empires from our wrath.” spoke Kahn as he laid out the truth about the situation.

“There are only 4 Sovereigns in the world right now. One of whom is my benefactor.

Among the three remaining, the Warfarer Sovereign has no allegiance to any of you.

That leaves the other two who have associated themselves with one empire each,” explained Kahn as he proceeded to evaluate the situation.

“So only two among you are safe. Let’s say that the Archangels from the Empire of Light are also brought into the play, which makes three.

What about the other 9 Empires then? Do you think I cannot prove my promise after attacking the remainder?” he asked, sending a sudden wave of shock among the attendees.

This was also another fact. Most of them had enough to protect themselves against one empire at a time. But unless they had a Sovereign backing them up, they were all easy marks for Kahn.

“Oh, by the way… given the political structures, the 5 among you don’t even have a proper succession line.

You are replaceable by your underlings. All I have to do is place them on the throne after killing you. They will gladly take up my deal.” he said while exposing a common weakness among many of the rulers.

This entire meeting was supposed to be about an important event focused on future collaboration.

But instead, it was becoming a second coming of war itself as the rulers of the nations jabbed at each other, while some openly threatened the others.

As for the main culprit behind these arguments…

He was only laying a foundation for his plans for the Great War.