One-Eyed Monster

Kuyi Tulan’s words undeniably resonated with those present.

These were men who had once bled and wept for the Empire. Their love for this land was profound.

Kuyi Tulan’s words had evidently struck a sensitive chord. To them, safeguarding the Empire’s territory meant defending their home. They cared deeply about everything concerning the Empire. Even though it had abandoned them, they still loved this land.

The warriors of the Kayne Empire had always refused to let their homeland be harmed.

Although this was their motto, the reality was more brutal. The Wensi Empire and the Mantai Empire would intermittently harass Kayne’s borders. Often, they would invade on a large scale. Facing two-pronged attacks from these empires, Kayne barely managed to maintain its defense. However, everyone understood that this strained defense was nearing its limit.

The young King Kayne had matured early. At a tender age, he began implementing radical reforms. His reforms allowed the dying Empire to breathe again. He greatly advocated for Adventurers with Class to join the Guardian Army, and establishing this special Guardian Army was his greatest accomplishment. Most of the Empire’s treasury was spent on the Guardian Army. This caused much misery in the impoverished Imperial Capital, but the young King Kayne did not care. When his subjects cautiously questioned him, the young king silenced his critics with a single, simple statement.

He said, ”Life can be impoverished, but human dignity cannot!”

To lose one’s territory meant becoming a slave to the Wensi Empire and the Mantai Empire.

Every subject understood the concept of slavery. It meant living without dignity, a life so unbearable that death seemed preferable.

The young king had allowed them to experience poverty. Gold coins that were once for their subsistence had all been allocated to the Guardian Army, impoverishing their lives. However, they now had the backing of a powerful Guardian Army. This allowed them to farm peacefully on their own lands, free from the dictates of others.

This temporary poverty was tolerable as long as they could defend this land of hope. Everything could improve if they just held on.

Thus, despite the spreading poverty, King Kayne’s reforms were causing the Empire’s overall power to rise noticeably.

It was at this point that Kuyi Tulan entered the king’s view.

”Our land has birthed numerous miracles, miracles that Mantai and Wensi have always coveted.” Once Kuyi Tulan started speaking, he couldn’t stop. He wouldn’t feel at ease unless he voiced the thoughts weighing on his mind.

The Kayne warriors who resonated with Kuyi Tulan felt a surge of adrenaline, as if their enemies were right before them and they were about to charge onto the battlefield.

”We were born weak, not as strong as the Mantai people nor as resilient as the Vero people. If we don’t use magic to enhance our combat capabilities, how can we contend with Mantai and Wensi?”

”Whether it’s the Ghost Realm or the Vero Realm, they have plentiful resources. Yet, they still invade our Kayne Realm! It’s because we are weak, and they think we can be conquered!”

”Our ancestors were born with rebellious blood; we will not sit idly by!” Kuyi Tulan’s speech had already struck a deep chord. At this moment, people began to echo his words.

”We are a people born standing; we won’t fall easily!”

”Let them come!”

”Let’s see who’ll retreat in disgrace!”

The Great Mentor watched the excited crowd and couldn’t help but sigh. This dispute had been ongoing for many years. The Kayne Empire had managed to stand tall precisely because of these warriors.

Grand Master Guzan understood this sentiment well. He knew honor was more important than anything to these men.

The Great Mentor had once been such a man, so he understood this sentiment deeply.

As time passed, the Great Mentor changed a lot. He gradually altered many of his views. The influence of his three disciples had also changed him considerably.

During his years on Guru Mountain, he had been engaged in contemplation. First, he felt somewhat guilty for leaving the Alchemy Workshop so abruptly. Second, there were many matters he needed to contemplate himself.

On Guru Mountain, he had managed to calm his heart and eventually see through everything. Originally, he could have guarded the secrets of Guru Mountain for a lifetime. But now, the arrival of these uninvited guests forced him to re-examine the past events.

Escape was ultimately useless. The Great Mentor realized this point just as Kuyi Tulan was ascending the mountain.

Now, they faced each other. The past conflicts between them were now being convolutedly linked to the disputes between empires.

This even allowed Kuyi Tulan to fully display his talent for oratory...

It was strange, really. When this young man first came from the blacksmith’s shop, he was practically mute, a man of extreme taciturnity. Even after becoming the youngest Chief Alchemist in the Alchemy Workshop, he remained reserved. Yet, after entering the Empire Council Hall, Kuyi Tulan revealed an astonishing eloquence.

Perhaps the King’s Council Hall of the Kayne Empire possessed the power to change one’s eloquence. After all, everyone who could enter that council hall was an exceptional Politician. For an Alchemist like Kuyi Tulan to be admitted was truly a first.

This also reflected the young King Kayne’s ambitious reforms from another angle.

Many things begin to change after a first time. Perhaps it was because of that first speech that Kuyi Tulan had become as he was now, able to stir everyone’s emotions to a peak with just a few words.

”For the entire Empire, for this land, I will stop at nothing to find new power.”

Was this the reason for his fascination with different kinds of power?

”Thank you for once standing with me, for marching forward together on this dangerous yet splendid path. Although the final outcome was failure, it doesn’t affect my determination.”

Kuyi Tulan was referring to the initial stages of the previous Purification Plan. The monsters of Guru Mountain were his first collaborators. That plan was a complete failure. The terms of the agreement were completely contrary to the experimental results, and to this day, no one knew where the mistake lay.

”Accompany me, and I can give you a brand-new world. In any case, please, accompany me.”

This was Kuyi Tulan’s fervent appeal. Perhaps many would rally to his call, but the monsters of Guru Mountain, having experienced the previous ordeal, quickly calmed themselves. Even though Kuyi Tulan’s speech was impassioned and rousing, they still could not trust him.

”Because the land I stand for is being encroached upon by outsiders, I cannot turn back! I must find a way to strengthen ourselves!”

Regardless of their reaction, Kuyi Tulan voiced his heartfelt thoughts. His relentless drive forward was solely to protect this Empire; this was also why he could not turn back.