System S.E.X. (Seduction, Expansion, eXecution)

Chapter 765: Chapter 765: The Silver Delegation

Dozens of ships bearing the emblem of the Silver Dragon broke through the clouds, deploying in an encircling formation over the plain. Prominent among the fleet was a primary war cruiser, its luxury and scale rivaling that of the White-Sea Dragon.

From the belly of the cruiser, a floating platform draped in an elegant crimson carpet descended. Atop it advanced a delegation led by a youth with silver hair and silk robes embroidered with gold thread. His features were sharp, yet the haughtiness in his gaze and the arrogant smirk on his lips ruined any semblance of elegance.

Beside him walked two elders in heavy armor, their auras revealing beyond a shadow of a doubt that they were in the Spiritual Transcendence Realm.

”Crown Prince Julian...” Isabella murmured through the bridge’s window, her jaw clenched and her gaze frozen in coldness.

”Looks like the peacock came to strut his feathers,” Ethan commented, walking toward the decompression ramp alongside King Alaric and Vaelen.

As they descended onto the golden grass of the plains, the cool breeze carried the scent of metal and the suppressed spiritual energy of hundreds of soldiers surrounding the perimeter.

”Uncle Alaric!” Julian called out in an dramatic and cheerful voice, opening his arms wide as he approached. ”What a pleasant and wonderful surprise! Our border sensors detected an unidentified vessel crashing into our territory. I never imagined it would be the delegation of our most cherished allies.”

King Alaric maintained an impassive expression, though his clenched fists behind his back betrayed his contained rage.

”Prince Julian,” Alaric greeted in a firm, deep voice. ”We suffered a minor turbulence during our spatial jump toward the Imperial City. Nothing we cannot resolve in a few hours.”

”A minor turbulence?” one of the elders behind Julian chimed in, wearing a sly smirk. ”Your Majesty, from what we can see, the White-Sea Dragon has been completely incapacitated. Traveling through the void without proper preparation can be disastrous.”

Julian shifted his gaze toward Isabella ignoring the presence of Ethan and Vaelen. His eyes gleamed with poorly hidden greed.

”My dear Isabella,” Julian said, taking a step forward and extending a hand toward her. ”It is a relief to see you unharmed. Since your ship won’t be able to take off in time for the imperial registration, I insist you board my cruiser. We will personally escort you to the Imperial City as our distinguished guests... and future relatives.”

Ethan stepped forward, interposing himself directly in Julian’s line of sight and blocking the path to the princess.

”We appreciate the offer, little prince,” Ethan said with a lazy smile, resting his hand on the pommel of his black sword. ”But the ship will be ready in a few minutes. We don’t need anyone holding our hands.”

Julian’s smile froze instantly. His gray eyes locked onto Ethan, scanning his Deputy General robes before letting out a sneer full of disdain.

”And who is this servant supposed to be, interrupting a conversation between royalty?” Julian asked, glancing at the elders beside him.

”He is no servant,” King Alaric’s deep, resonant voice intervened, stepping forward with an imposing presence that silenced the plain’s breeze. ”Allow me to introduce Deputy General Ethan. He is the hero who single-handedly destroyed the four rebel sects of the south and completely pacified our territory.”

The mention of his name and achievement wiped the smirk off Julian’s face entirely. News of the collapse of the southern sects in the Soaring Dragon Kingdom had echoed loudly across neighboring nations over the past few weeks, but details had remained scarce and shrouded in mystery. Everyone along the border wondered what kind of monster or hidden ancient ancestor had been capable of wiping thousands of cultivators and their leaders off the map in a matter of days.

Realizing that the one responsible for such a slaughter was the very youth standing before them—wearing simple robes and gazing at him with infuriating nonchalance—sent an involuntary chill through those present.

The two Spiritual Transcendence Realm elders escorting Julian narrowed their eyes instantly, hardening their defensive postures as they locked their divine sense onto Ethan.

”Him...?” Julian murmured, taking a subtle step back by instinct before forcing himself to regain his composure. His gray eyes flashed with a mix of wariness and poorly hidden envy. ”So this is the famous individual everyone’s been whispering about in the rumors...”

”The very same,” Ethan replied lightly, taking another step toward him while maintaining his lazy smirk. ”Did you have any doubts, little prince? If you’d like, I can explain in detail how I shattered their defensive formations... or we could test if your guards’ armor is any stronger than theirs.”

”Young man, do not be reckless. There will be better opportunities,” Great General Vaelen intervened in a measured voice, taking a step forward and breaking the overwhelming pressure that was beginning to form between both sides.

Prince Julian clenched his teeth, feeling the sting of Ethan’s provocation. After catching his breath and processing the old general’s veiled warning, the prince offered a cold, venomous smirk.

”I see...” Julian said, locking his gaze on Ethan. ”But let me give you some advice, brat: do not covet my woman or put your hands where they don’t belong, because you won’t survive to tell the tale.”

Instead of being intimidated, Ethan let out a soft chuckle. With a fluid movement, he wrapped his arm around Isabella’s waist and pulled her firmly to his side, pressing her against his body in front of everyone. Isabella startled slightly at the bold gesture, but she made not the slightest attempt to pull away.

”Your woman?” Ethan mocked, tightening his hold on the princess’s waist with possessiveness as he met Julian’s furious glare. ”At the Imperial Tournament, I will tear your head off... Or if you’re in a hurry, we don’t have to wait, and I can see right now what you’re made of.”

A black, oppressive aura erupted from Ethan’s body. Faced with the direct threat and the murderous intent emanating from the youth, the two Spiritual Transcendence Realm elders reacted instantly, leaping forward to form a living shield in front of Julian with their auras flared to the maximum.

”Insolent!” one of the prince’s guards roared, drawing his sword halfway from its scabbard.