Divine Overlord - Chapter 4

Chapter 4






it was in the middle of the day, while sun is still high, in the great city of astor the central seat of mighty astoria empire, a young handsome knight in shining silver armor adorned with black cape and a sword hanging in his waist is riding a horses through the streets of astor that was bustling with peoples activities.

he looked absolutley heroic, people will automaticlly goes to the street sides to avoid him, he also attracted many peoples attention, onlookers are throwing him the gazes of respect, envied, and jealousy.

even some ladies no matter who they are also looking at him full of adoration and coquettishly with their eyes, then red colors start spreading across their cheeks as the young knight suddenly smile slighly while waving his left hand at the crowds.

the crowds recognize this young knight easily as he is a famous rising star in astorian military and he's also champion of the tournament that was held 1 year ago, they still remember his superb peformance in that tournament.

overall he such a dashing young hero.

then the young knight start to speeding up his horse as he still had an important errand, he set course towards the imperial palace but because astor is a massive city with hundreds of thousand population even with horses it still takes time.

when finally he is near giant statue of a bearded warrior with heavy armor holding a greatsword, the young knight suddenly stop and set his vision at the statue.

this giant statue is the statue of karl astor founder of astoria empire,

the young knight then gives the statue a knight salute as it's mandatory customs for all astorian knights when they pass any karl astor statues throughout the empire.

the young knight then continue riding towards the imperial palace.

after several minutes the young knight see the sight of majestic imperial palace that faintly visible in the far, the roads gradually empty from houses and buildings instead it was replaced by landscape of beautiful gardens filled with any kinds of pretty flowers and trees.

he finally arrive at the palace gates guarded by a platoon of silver armored golden cloaks guardsmen.

"HOLD right there, state your business".

one of the gold cloaks shouting to the young knight, while the other gold cloaks standing by protecting the gate, they did not recognize the young knight.

"alfred byron, here under direct orders from general arthur firenze, commander of the 5th legion, im bringing important messages for the grand commander reizen fuze, this is the order seal for my identification".

the young knight who's name is alfred byron identified himself while giving the gold cloaks his order seal, a special seal that can granted high level access in the military, then the gold cloaks start examining the order seal carefully.

"apologize sir alfred, the order seal is verified, one of us will take you to the grand commander, you may proceed".

the gold cloaks salute to alfred and give orders to his subordinates to open the gates and to take alfred to palace door.

"this way sir but please get down from the horse and follow me" alfred nod and get off from his horse as the palace forbid individual horses except for carriages then he follow the gold cloak as they enter the imperial palace courtyard.

during their walk inside the courtyard, alfred sees and heavily revered the grandeur imperial palace, it is the first time for him setting foot inside the palace, this is where the kaiser, ruler of astoria, the most powerfull individual in the realm reside, and is also serve as the main court for all political and military power in the empire.

it's a huge palace adorned with white gold colors and many, there is large beautifull fountain with 3 woman statue representing 3 wives of karl astor who help him founding astoria that positioned in middle of courtyard and lots of beautifully carved column, statues, gardens decorating the entire vast palace, he can see several servant tending and caring the gardens, it is a perfect palace for one of the most strongest and influential nation in the realm.

the main palace door was 4 meters tall, with silverish colors, and 2 golden dragons entwined each other image can be seen in the middle of the door, while there are 2 black armoured with golden cloak standing in both sides of the door, both are members of inner imperial guard, responsible for the inner main palace defense, and there is also a palace official with black uniform standing in front of the door.

alfred now stop before the main palace door, then the gold cloak escorting him starts speaking with the palace official who waits by the door.

"sir alfred, please follow that official, he will take you to the grand commander himself".

and the gold cloak salute to alfred and return back to the outer gate.

"sire before we enter the palace, these guards will conducting search all over your body for security reason, so please lift your hand up to the air, and we also need to take your weapons temporarily".

alfred nod while removing his swords belt and one of the guards start walking towards him then using some kind of magic items to scanned alfred body.

after few seconds the search is done, the guards return the swords back to alfred and let him pass inside.

inside the palace, alfred walking in a vast hallway with red carpets and shining floors, many parades of armors, weapons, shields stored inside protected glass box, and dozens of exquisite paintings, small statue, expensive furniture decorating in stylish way the entire palace interior.

'sigh..... this is even more grand than our estates and the marquis castle that father serves'.

he start to remembering a marquis castle that he visited with his father once.

they keep walking until they arrive outside a room in 2nd floor, the official knock at the door then signaling alfred to enter.

alfred open the door then enter, inside he see a middle age men with short dark brown hair and scars running vertically in his black eyes, he gives people feelings of a hard battle hardened soldiers that has through many bloody battles.

this middle age men is none other the famous reizen fuze, grand commander of the southern military district, astoria forces formation are seperate into 4 district.

4 district are the southern district, western district, and eastern district who each commanded by a grand commander, except for the central district which is directly commanded by the kaiser himself.

the 4 military area are responsible for the defense of the empires territory according to their assignment, but the oceans blocked the entire northern empire territory which is why there is no need for another district except for a seperated imperial naval command for the defense along the coastlines.

each military district commanding several legions and squadrons of wyvern or gryphon knights.

because the southern territory which is directly borders what was called the gobi deadland, a barren lands filled with barbarians, orcs, goblin tribes who sometimes raiding deep into empires territory, and also strong demons beast that in period of time came out from the arga forest.

thats why southern district holds the largest contigents of legion including the 5th legion that alfred attached to, compare to the other district as they need to defend a fragile southern territory.

reizen is currently siting near a desk and writing something peacefully, but when alfred enters the room, he start looking at alfred.

"are you the one who's firenze send??".

alfred start to sweat a little, reizen's gaze give him a very heavy feelings, but he still maintained his composure.

he give reizen a salute first before answering

"yes grand commander, general firenze order me to bring an urgent messages to you", then alfred brought a red envelope that contained a sensitive information and handing it to reizen.

reizen then open the envelope then start to studied the letters content for a few minutes before finally raise his head towards alfred who is still standing straight in front of him.

"what is your name and how old are you?" reizen suddenly asked alfred.

"my name is alfred byron commander, i am 18 years old now, serving as knight battalion leader in the 5th legion" alfred answer decisively.

"hmm..... 18 years old and a level 2 super warrior huh, wait byron you said... hehe i see you are the one who's the champion of academies tournament last time are you.... you had a good talent... keep it up".

reizen start to praising alfred, knowing that alfred had a high cultivation rank for his age.

it must be known that average 18 years old who cultivate are still lingering between level 3 or level 5 fighter rank, even lots of people above 30 years old still cannot make a breakthrough from fighter rank to super warrior rank, so level 2 super warrior at the age of 18 years old like alfred are simply fenomenal.

"thank you my lord for the praise".

instead of being neither humbled or became arrogant because the praise, alfred thanked reizen with a relax face that show no emotion.

"tell me... with your strength and age, your potential could be said limitless and you can enter directly as imperial guard but instead you choose to be attach with the legion and deployed to the front line... why is that??".

reizen continue to ask alfred with interest in his eye.

it is the fact that by entering the imperial guards that one social status will rise as the imperial guards are an elite forces who defend and protecting the kaiser, it is a great honor to became one of their members, while joining with the legion does not bring much of benefits.

alfred silent first for few seconds before start answering.

"the reason is to get what i want,..... but first i need to get stronger, constant battle over period of time is greatly stimulating cultivation progress, commander also know this right..".

alfred answering with a serious face.

"thats why i choose to be deployed with the legion especially the legion attached to the southern district where there are many foreign powers and demon beasts incursion is located, so lots of battles happen in that area".

when alfred is speaking, reizen silently listening and sometimes nodding as he undertood it himself.

the legion that was deployed to the south will be stationed near the the empire southern border to block any savages tribes raids and demon beasts stampede that happened frequently, they will face an extensive numbers of battles, also the legion sometimes sending a small mobile detachment to make a cross border counter raid againts barbarian villages deep in gobi deadland.

even for alfred who just joining the legion for a few months already tastes several battles against barbarian, orcs and even the demon beast.

"second is ... yes ... to get a higher status, the status that being a member of imperial guard alone is still not enough to help achieving what i want, only with promotion through merits in battlefields and higher strength that i hope it will be enough".

alfred with unwavering gaze at commander reizen as he answer all the question, he also know that the stronger you are the more you can be respected by the peoples while merits can get you reward of higher position or even noble title's.

"ha ha ha..... to get what you want hah?? that's interesting....".

reizen is laughing after hearing alfreds answer.

"yes commander, correct but... why is it interesting?".

alfred is kind of confused reizen's reaction towards his dreams.

"when i ask you before i thought that you will answer about some bullshit being deployed for greatness and the honor of the empire, but instead its to get what you want... hahha".

reizen really amused with this young man who standing silently in front of him right now.

suddenly there is a knock in the door and someone entering the room, it is one of the palace officials.

"lord fuze excuse me for interupting, but the meeting will began shortly in imperial war room".

the palace official inform reizen about some meeting alfred thought.

"very well, i will be there, and you alfred byron follow me now, you accompany me to the meeting".

reizen dismissed the official while beckoning alfred to follow him.

"yes commander". alfred greatly confuse but he still following reizen because a superiors order.

both of them leaving the room together, and head straight towards the imperial war room.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

reizen and alfred did not know that there is a person who's following them from behind, this person has been following alfred since alfred first attracted his attention in the plaza all the way to the palace, he's identity is none other than the unparalled dark prison overlord arno.

the reason why arno suddenly attracted to alfred is not because love at the first sight or something like that, instead it's because arno can feel that this boy had really strong destiny connection with him, but what's the reason behind it, even arno himself does not know anything about it, he can only watching alfred closely to see what's gonna happen in the future.

both reizen and alfred is still walking towards the imperial room where the meeting will be held while arno is following just behind them, naturally they were unable to feel his presence, if they know then both of them will be totally shocked.

in greysia realm where the saint ranked experts is represented the peak but because there wasn't many of them so they cannot be use as power benchmark, instead it is the grandmaster rank that stands as first class experts.

a grandmaster or grand mages ranked individual can enjoy many reputations and placed in importants positions if they joined a country's or organizations, lot's of these organizations or countrys will try to inviting them to join their sides, the amount of grandmaster experts in one sides can be used as a benchmark on how strong the organizations or country's is.

astoria empire itself had relatively large numbers of grandmasters experts in their ranks compared to other country except for the saint dragons mountains, for example all grand commanders of the military district can only be held by a grandmasters ranked officers.

just like reizen fuze himself who had the strength of level 3 grandmaster, he already have lots of experience in a war, even battling another grandmaster expert who had higher level than him and survive, that's why his combat sense and awareness had been trained and forged that even he can feel a peak level 6 grandmaster warrior presence from a far.

this is why it will be shocking event for reizen to be followed unnoticed.

but the one who's following him was arno the dark prison overlord afterall, so it's just natural for reizen not noticed him.

finally after walking for several minutes they arrived inside the imperial war room, a spacious but simple decorated room, there's only few furnitures inside, there are a large oval table with several chairs in it in the middle of the room, and one grand looking chair at the edge of the table that it looks like prepared for someone important, this room is used for a high level military affairs meeting.

there is already several people's inside, most of them were middle age mans wearing sharps black and white millitary uniform.

reizen then starts talking to these man's and introducing alfred to them, and alfred quickly doing a salute towards them, because he know who these peoples are, they were grand commanders of military districts , and several generals along with their adjutants which is all of them was his superior with higher officers rank.

while arno just strolling around the room looking at the paintings on the wall as he doesn't interested in these peoples conversation.

not along the room door is open, and a beautiful woman is entering the room along with her assistant, and arno is looking at her while remembering that this is exactly the woman who's spying on him back at the toadman fanctom stores.

'he... i see, it looks like this woman had a high position in the empire,... but hell, .....why her destiny is also connected to me, even had higher intensities than that alfred boy... this is the third time already just for today alone..., '.

arno pondering while standing near an open window while still looking at her, trying to understand why this woman also had destiny connection with him.

'initial heaven rank or should i say level 1 grandmas....no, it's a grand mage huh....'.

arno found out her strength which is a level 1 grand mage according to her mental power, almost all people in this room now is at grandmaster ranks or heaven rank, except for alfred.

the adjutants and the lady assistant each of them is only at super warrior ranks, and of course including arno who himself is a half step divine supreme.

"ah the young miss of the dreyfuss family... welcome welcome, you still beautiful as ever huh hahaha".

one of the grand commanders laughed while welcoming the lady and praised her, he was a large men with dishelved red hair and red beards.

"thank you lord altmar, you still really carefree as ever huh, don't you know that the city states are getting restless this past month." the lady smile while also start to greet the other people.

"i know i know, but my western district is always ready hehehe don't worry, but reizen over there is the one with huge headache with all the orcs and barbarians hahahha".

the grand commander of the west district altmar still laughed very loud as he start teasing reizen.

"altmar.....sigh... welcome lady melissa, how is your parents by the way, still relaxing at their seaside home?".

"both of them is fine, also they decide to living their retired life in there instead going back to the capital, even my little brother is with them right now." .

melissa explaining her parents condition to reizen, as he knows them personally.

"ah so the duke and duchess it's fully retired huh..., so it was you then who is now taking care the dreyfuss affairs isn't ?"

"yes, because my cute brother is not yet an adult and still in the academy, he's unable to succeded father yet, that's why lots family responsibilities is now fall on me to take care".

melissa is holding her head and sighing while speaking about her family affairs.

"but you also the members of the....you know, is it alright for you to carry many burdens?".

other commander start asking melissa as well.

"yes yes but i'm sure for the rose genius there is nothing she can't take care of right miss hahahahha".

commander altmar still with his unique loud laugh while encouraging melissa.

"indeed but, you should also pay attention to your safety and health, if there is a time when you had any problem, don't hesitate to seek us, even if we're already old but we still usefull sometimes".

reizen suggest that if melissa needing their help, they will quickly come to support her, while the other commander who is listening also nodding their heads.

"commander altmar that.... please don't called me with that nickname, i kinda hate it he he, ....but thank you my lords, i will not be polite then when that time is come".

melissa smile brightly while giggling as she heard them offering their support.

melissa actually very happy when talking to these old veterans, because they were soldiers and served for long time in the military, their attitude is honest and straightforward unlike nobles who is heavily involved with politics.

and about the rose genius, is melissa famous nickname during her time studying in jetsun academy, as she was able to became an adept mage at the age of 19 years old, it has to be known that cultivation for mage is much more harder than warriors, that's why there are many grandmasters compared to grand mages.

the rose name came from dreyfuss duchy emblem which is a roses.

although melissa always hated the nickname but she was definetly a genius, and is further cemented as she became a grand mage in her 30's, it's very hard for a super warrior breaking through to grandmaster, not to mention from an adept mage to grand mage.

even though the other grand commanders in the room are also at grandmasters rank but they cannot be compared to melissa at all as they already so old when they breakthrough to the grandmaster rank.

these grand commanders ages are varied between 80-90 years old, of course because when someone's had higher cultivation rank not only it will increased their body's and soul strength but also increasing their lifespans.

for a human grandmaster their average lifespans is around 150-200 years, while a saint ranked age can reach 300 to 500 years old.

"by the way lady melissa, i'd like to introduce you someone,..... this is alfred, he's a young genius like you, he's my adjutant for today".

reizen also did not forget introduce alfred to melissa, then he start to chatted with the other commanders and general while leaving melissa and alfred.

"alfred byron my lady, i'm serving with the 5th legion..".

alfred quickly gave salute and introducing himself to melissa, altough he never met her before but he know who she is, this is lady melissa dreyfuss, she's the one who is in charge of the dreyfuss family right now, the dreyfuss family is one of the most powerfull and oldest noble's family in the empire, this doesn't crack joke.

"ah so you are alfred byron, i've heard of you, hemmmm.... so you arthur firenze men's huh.... oh yes did your father old man regis still with marquis kesara??" .

melissa start looking up and down on alfred's.

"yes lady dreyfuss, my father still served marquis ernest kesara as his counselor, father had friendly relations with the late marquis, and now he's helping his son".

alfred grew anxious as he was examined by melissa.

"he he, relax just call me melissa don't be so formal,.....also both old man regis and the late marquis serving in the same legion together during ostia war you know, they don't just have friendly relations, they were best friend's, it's natural i think for regis taking care of his friend's children, and ernest kesara is also a capable and honest man, unlike majority of other noble's right.....i remember the last time i've met your father was at ernest wedding several years ago but i didn't see you there, what happen ?".

melissa remind alfred that his father and the late marquis are inseperable and they relation is more than just a friendly relationship as regis byron is really loyal to his deceased friend.

"umm sigh...at that time i did not come because i'm still at the academy, and because the wedding is being held back at kesara estates which is very far from the capital, so the academy did not gave me permission to attend.....sigh".

alfred sighing while also remembering the time he's finally home when ernest kesara complaining to alfred about why his little brother from a different father and mother did not attend his wedding event.

"heheh..... so that's what happen, you know the academy sometimes really miser and strict about their rule heheh... alright i've got a proposition for you but let's talked about it after the meeting's end.... it's regarding a certain little sister of mine....you know her right....heheh".

melissa then gigling while mentioning someone to teased alfred.

"ho...ho..w did you know!!?" alfred then suddenly frozed because melissa's words

"hehe of course i know.... but like i said let's wait until the meeting is over..... look they already here".

the room door is finally opening again, this time several peoples with uniforms and full armored enter the room while circling a person in their middle, this person is a middle age men wearing extremely grand white gold military uniform adorned with red cape, his height is tall and his body is full of powerfull muscle, he had short golden hair and blue eyes, overall he had very majestic and overbearing presence.

when the other people in the room seeing this person all of them quickly placed one of their hands in their chest and bowing toward that person, including melissa and alfred, because the person who just entered the room escorted by several people now is exactly the current ruler of astoria empire, kaiser wilhelm astor.

'hemm high stage heaven ra aih..... forgot again... level 4 grandmaster huh.... not bad.... but these peoples...aih they really do have different way of thinking now huh sigh...'.

arno who already moving to the balcony start looking at the kaiser and gauges his strength, but he also pondering about the kind looking middle age men wearing a full black armor who's standing beside the kaiser.

that black armored man have the strength of level 6 grandmaster, which is signify that he was stronger than the kaiser and everyone in the room, but his attitude was neither arrogant and looking down towards them, even he had a humbled attitudes towards the kaiser.

arno also analyzed about this from before when melissa talking to the grand commanders who was stronger than her but their attitudes is the same with that black armored man, these situation kinda making arno stupefied and feeling marvelous somehow.

because back then during arno's own time, the strong always preys on the weak, for the strong can get everything they want just because they were strong, but now even though the strong are still respected and idolized but not severed as from before.

"alright let's not wasting anymore time shall we, lets begin".

the kaiser then beckoning to start the meeting, although he speaking very leisurely but his voice had a powerfull feeling about it.

then everyone start to take a sit except for the adjutants that are standing behind their direct superior including alfred who's standing behind reizen, alfred still anxious trying to maintained his composure because he didn't think the kaiser himself will come to the meeting.

"reizen let start with you first, how's situations in the south ?".

the kaiser who sits in the grand chair is asking reizen about his district situation.

"yes, the situation in the south is deteriorating rapidly, i've just received a messages from the 5th legion commander general arthur firenze concerning a large numbers of barbarian hordes spotted just few kilometers near the border in gaztic valley, but the messages also mentioned that they seem just idling around doing nothing".

reizen then reports the message content that he got from alfred to the kaiser.

"hmm.. what are they doing in there??, sigh..... what about the demon beast then??, the message is too short and vague, we need more to understand the general situations".

there is an old man with whitish black hair and beards wearing long grey robes who sits beside the kaiser start asking question to reizen, while the kaiser nodding his head agreeing with the grey old man.

"now that's what the real problem is, i've been recalled back to the capital almost a month now, the situation had change rapidly since i left the south, that is why i invite this young knight behind me to the meeting, because he is just arrived here today from the south bringing firenze message, he will know more about the situations".

reizen then informing everyone that he had invited alfred to debrief everyone on the situations.

"your majesty my name is alfred byron, leader of knight battalion in the 5th legion, as commander fuze says, i'm indeed just arrived under direct order from general arthur firenze, and i also know about the south current situation more or less".

alfred start introducing himself and bowing to the kaiser, but under everyone and the kaiser gazes he even more grew anxious and sweating.

the kaiser then smile looking at alfred, before start speaking.

"you are regis byron son huh..... good i've expecting more of you in the future, but now tell me the situation before you left in details".

"yes your majesty, huahhh... the situation in the south is lot more complex than it looks, majority of the problems actually came from the demon beasts instead the barbarians, the demon beasts is coming from the deadland in large scales that we haven't seen before and wreaking havoc the entire southern borders, several villages and small towns close to the borders have been damages from this attack, all the legions attached to southern district already moved to evacuating the civillians from the affected area to the north and pushing back the demon beast but the problem is still persist"

alfred flawlessly reporting the situation he know.

"then what about the barbarians, you said that the demon beast is the real problem instead the barbarian, what's the meaning of this?".

the black armored man who is always silent before start speaking suddenly with his deep but soft voice.

alfred looking at the black armored middle age man, he knew who the man is, he's the famous geralt redia, one of the 4 major imperial guardian and the strongest one, 4 major imperial guardians is the ultimates strong group who's their main task is the protection of the imperial family and as the extended arms of the kaiser.

alfred also knew that geralt redia is the only disciple of visser gallard, astoria heavenly protector, and the strongest person in the empire.

'if only i had great teacher like him too.... then...sigh'.

alfred sighing while slightly envying geralt in his heart, because geralt had a saint ranked expert as his teacher, he quickly recovering his thoughts before answering again.

"it's like this lord geralt, the barbarians from many different tribes and even there is an orcs in their ranks start suddenly coming towards the southern borders with appearantly their whole people, but their not attacking us at all instead they just building tents outside the legion outpost in the borders, also there is a report coming from the 13th legion stationed near farach's pass that they had established a peacefull contact with one of the barbarian tribes, the report also said that the barbarians just want us to provide a protection to them as something weird happen in the middle of gobi deadlands terrying them, that why they decide to migrating all the way to the north".

when alfred finished speaking, both of the grey old man and geralt redia start looking at each other and nodding their head as they already understood something.

"heh look at those 2 old codgers, you both know something's up right,.... come on spit it out!!".

commander altmar start shouting loudly after watching the 2 man looks like know about something, even though the kaiser is also in the room, but altmar did not care at all beside the kaiser did not seems to mind a bit as he already accustomed to altmar's wild attitudes.

"old man roger did you hide something from me??" .

even the kaiser also rather suspicious to the grey old man.

"sigh....your majesty it's not that i hide something from you, it's just that both me and the geralt kid needing a confirmation first about the authencity of the stories we've heard, but after hearing that young man's report we also convinced that something actually happen in the gobi deadland.".

the grey old man is speaking while sighing that in fact he know's something is happening.

"then what's actually happen in the gobi deadlands master??, just tell us now....please".

melissa start pleading the grey oldman to telling them about the situations, this grey old man who is a level 4 grand mage is actually melissa teacher also the one who serves as jetsun academy's headmaster, roger greyson.

"heehhh, very well.....it's like this.... few days ago i've received a messages from the white tower mentioning that they felt an incredible mana distruption in gobi deadlands but they don't know for sure what is actually happen.....".

old man roger start narrating story he received from the white tower, the white tower is actually an organization that was created by the mages during the times of angevin empire, their headquarters is located at the ancient white tower near the kingdom of vela in eastern side of the continent.

"they also share the information with the greysia's church who also already know beforehand, 2 days ago they decide to sending a team to investigate the gobi deadland, the team already depart to astoria now riding gryphon they will probably arrive soon".

old man roger then finished his story, while everyone in the room start to pondering.

"what kind of mana distruption is happening?? and also when did it start to happen??".

it's melissa turn this time asking her master.

"we don't know, but according to greysia church they already feel it about 1 month ago".

old man roger answering his students while also pondering about the matters

'mana distruption??? ....ah it's just an energia outburst from....hemm it looks like it came from a device related to space but, there is some sort of formation array that almost blocked my sense, it need a closer look to know more, but not now...'.

arno who is in the balcony sending his divine sense to the far away gobi deadlands, and found out about the mana distruption just like that.

"excuse me.... if i'd may interrupt,..... the demon beast stampede also intensified since 1 month ago, the timing is also somehow aligned, although in the past demon beast also frequently attacking the southern border but never with the scales like currently happens now, the barbarian who originally is really ferocious and likes to fight each other but now somehow they start working together even get along pretty well with the orcs to migrating to the north, i think they were all running away from what happens in the middle of the deadlands".

alfred is informing everyone about his conjecture.

"exactly.... but it happens 1 month ago which coincidently during that ....terrifying thunder along with the dragon roar and images in the skies happening right..... is there a connection between them somehow??".

vasilli zaza, grand commander of the eastern distict start speaking while asking about some possibilities that mana distruption is connected with the massive thunder event.

everyone in the room excluding a certain person who sits in the balcony looking bored, start to remembering the huge thunder streaks in the skies that happen 1 month ago, the thunder grazed the skies in the entire realm with loud roars and massive dragon images, it placed fear on everyones heart who witness them.

some people in the room even had a goosebumps and gulping sound can be heard when they remembering the event, they will not forget that event as long as they live.

but arno who sits in the balcony are also wondering.

'1 month ago? so it's when i wake up huh.... hehe it looks like azure dragon lower domain cause a bit of uproar in the realm back then, well it is my fault because i use it unconsciously....my bad...'.

arno just keep sitting in the balcony.

"geralt i want to consult with your teacher about that event's meaning, i also think there is a definetly relation between the 2, is there anyword from him??".

the kaiser asking geralt who stand behind him.

"no you majesty, right after the event, my master received a summon invitation and already left for the saint dragon mountain, and i haven't heard from him this past 1 month".

"ah i see the saint dragon mountains huh.....then it's probably him right who summoned your teacher".

the kaiser and everyone start to pondering while nodding their heads, because they know who is the one that can quickly summoned their empire heavenly protectors on a whim, even the kaiser of astoria himself it's not easy to meet his own empire heavenly protectors.

there is only one person in the entire greysia realm that can do that, that person is none other the saint dragon king avarion, ruler of the saint dragon mountains and who is known by everyone in the entire realm as the strongest being in the world.

he also the last member who still alive of the original 4 hero who defeat the devil emperor samael 1200 years ago, saint dragon king avarion already very strong 1000 year ago and nobody know how strong he was currently.

beside he's a saint dragon, a mighty dragon race that has natural ability to accumulated strength in their body through time, so the longer the dragon live the stronger they are.

"hemmm..... then melissa is there any news from other foreign states that somehow connected to the distruption in the gobi deadland that your SAD peoples knows about?".

kaiser willhelm then moving the topic by asking melissa about foreign news.

"yes your majesty, western city states also alarms by the demon beasts incursion to their territory and many beastman tribes is getting restless as they were also affected by the demon beasts attack aswell, meanwhile the dwarven nation also reporting about the increasing demon beasts sighting in vega mountains foot near arga forest encroaching their territory"

"what about the eastern states and arga forest?"

"eastern state is still chaotic as ever, and according to my trusted sources, arga forest situations seem pretty much stabil as the dark elfs who's living inside the forest is living just like nothing happen at all, they were not really affected much by the distruption in gobi, but they are on guard and tighten the defense along several of their villages just in case, that was all your majesty there are no more news.".

melissa finish her reports.

after that kaiser willhem is silent for a few minutes, while everyone is waiting for the kaiser word soundly.

"very well..., altmar... keep an eye on the city states and tighten the defense along the western borders".

"yes your majesty"

"vasilli... ready the legions under your district command, if the dwarves nation sending in a distress call, immedietly moved them to vega mountains to support the dwarf as soon as possible".

"at once your majesty".

"while you reizen it's best for you return back to esnoz to reassume southern command, just keep the south checked and also the civilians that has been evacuated aswell the barbarians are your problem from now on, do what you must....."

"yes your majesty at your command"

the kaiser start giving order to the 3 grand commanders concerning the whole fiasco, with a decisive voice.

the 3 of them then saluted towards the kaiser and answered with voice full of confidence, 3 of them really looked heroic and overbearing when they answering the kaiser, many people in the room looking at them with respected gaze.

'as expected of the grand commanders, they were really different huh sigh..... it looks like i have a long way to go'.

even alfred start admiring them more inside his heart.

"and admiral geihar, put the navies under standby orders from now on, we don't have any problems in the seas right, but just in case something major happen".

the kaiser also giving his order to the brown haired middle age men wearing white uniforms, that always silent since the meeting begin.

"at your command your majesty".

the man then saluted towards the kaiser and answering him with soft but decisive voice. the man is admiral geihar essen, grand admiral of the imperial navy, he's very quiet and reserved person as he's more 'talk less do more' type person, although very unsociable and hard to approach but no one doubt his loyalty, as he served in the navy for almost 70 years.

"listen everyone, now we know the general situations currently that's why we must prepare for something that i think will happen...it's just i really had bad feeling about this whole event's..... so for the safety of the empire and it's people, i sincerly asked all of you....to worked harder... if there isn't anything else then the meeting is conludes".

the kaiser admit that he had bad feeling about the distruption as somehow it will lead to more greater problem in the future, when everyone in the room heard that they started to sweat a lot as they know that a monarch premonition tends to actually happens.

"your majesty if i may, when master says before that both the white tower and greysia's church sending their team to investigate deep into the gobi deadlands, i'm also thinking after hearing your majesty says we also must prepare, i have a suggestion for this matters....".

melissa suddenly offer a suggestion while everyone was about to standing from thier chairs.

"alright let's hear it....." the kaiser nod then gave signal to melissa to continue.

"i suggest that we also sending an investigation team too, this is an opportunity for us to know more about the situation as our empire is one of the most affected by this whole event, and i also propose that i'm the one who is leading and picking people for the team".

most people hearing the suggestion is agreeing with melissa even the kaiser also nod his head while pondering, but when they heard that melissa suggest that she's leading the team, the room is in uproar.

"nooo!!!! melissa don't start a joke!!!, this will be dangerous mission, if we send the team they may not came back at all".

even the kind looking old men roger is suddenly become ferocious after hearing melissa proposal.

"the old codgers is right you know miss, anyway.... dont't crack a joke okay, i mean why do you even want to go to the deadland anyway??".

commander altmar also voiced his complain.

"melissa this.... are you sure... although sending in an investigation team is good suggestion, but about you leading them is..... it's not that i don't trusted your capabilities, but this is the gobi deadlands.... you know, what will i said to your parents if something happenedto you".

the kaiser was worried about the idea to send his young talented subordinate to a low survival mission.

"lady melissa, the gobi deadlands is not something that you can underestimate, with your strength the barbarians and orcs will not be a problem to you, but it is the demon beasts that will posed you a threat, you also knew about their ecology right, the more stronger demon beast is making their lair in the middle of the deadlands near the mana distruption is located which is the place that you need to investigate, this an extremely dangerous area that even the barbarians who is native's there also avoiding the area as much as possible,...your majesty if we send the team then it will be the best to includes me too".

geralt redia also lectures melissa about the danger of gobi deadlands, also nominating himself to be include in the team.

"i know exactly about the danger and i've already thinking about it before i'm suggesting the proposal, master i'm not a little girl anymore alright and i'm not joking, i have decide that if our empire is sending a team, then i want to leading them, and i take no less than that, beside lord geralt should be stay in the empire in case something major happens, so your majesty please give me the chance, i will definetly not disappointed you".

melissa gave them who is worried about here, a confident answer.

after hearing melissa answer, peoples know that it will be impossible to convinced her, as they know about her stubborn temperament, the kaiser set his gaze looking at melissa face silently for a minute or two, while melissa also looking at the kaiser without fear as she only take a yes as an answer.

"sigh.... i guess it will be hard for you to change your mind huh..... very well..... we will be sending the team and you melissa dreyfuss will be leading them, this mission will be under the IA authorities especially you, and i'm also giving you the blank check to use any supports from the military and the civil affairs to help you in the mission, but first it best for you to report to him about the mission, if your team succesfull and returning alive, there will be huge rewards and commendation for them".

the kaiser finally agree sending melissa with the team to investigate the gobi deadlands, while the old man roger is sighing heavily because her student will be going to a dangerous mission.

"yes your majesty thank you, i will certain bring the team back and myself alive, and yes i will also report to him,... for the first use of the blank check, i'd like to use it to includes alfred byron as the first team member under my command, is that alright commander reizen ?".

melissa thanked the kaiser for the chance, and she immedietly use the first support from the military which is the transfer of alfred byron from the legions to her team.

alfred was flabbergasted as he did not understand why melissa suddenly drag him to her team, but then he remember that there will be huge rewards and commendation for them if they successfully investigated the distruption, this could be a major opportunity for him, so he just silently accept hoping that reizen will agree to it.

reizen then look at alfred behind him, then smile before answering.

"sure lady melissa, no problem.....he's a capable young man i'm sure he will be useful to the team,... alfred from now on you're no longer a knight battalion leader of the 5th legion, i will be transfering you to the lady melissa team directly, i will also tell firenze about your transfer so you don't have to worried about that" reizen also agreed to alfred inclusion in melissa team.

"yes grand commander thank you".

alfred was elated in his heart, it's really grand opportunity for him to get some merits and facing danger to promote strength, although he also afraid as he also heard some scary stories about the deeper parts of gobi deadlands back in the legion camps, but he will not backdown, to continue chasing what he wanted.

"hemmm good good but melissa be sure to take an extreme cautions..... then if there isn't anything else then let's concludes this meeting, you are all dismissed".

the kaiser words effectively end's the meeting, and he also leaving the room together with geralt and old man roger along with the other escorts.

the old man roger gazes at melissa who is bowing to the kaiser along with other people, and sighing heavily while shaking his head then he also left with the kaiser.

after the kaiser left, the other people also starts to left after saying goodbye to each other.

leaving only 4 people inside, melissa, her assistant and also alfred who is from now on under melissa command, while there is also another person in the room who's currently trying to sit in the grand chair that the kaiser sits in before and listening to alfred and melissa talks.

he is none other than the unparalleled arno the dark prison overlord.

"this is will be a huge thing for you right, i mean the rewards will be enoumous when we returning back after the mission, ..... also jennie you don't have to wait for us, you can go back first if you want".

melissa start speaking with alfred while offer her assistant to go back first, the assistant also taking up the offer and left, leaving only alfred and melissa right now, also arno who's thinking that this grand chair is indeed more comfortable than the other chairs in the room.

"if we returning back alive you mean, and what is the proposition you talked about before the meeting lady??, also how did you know about her?".

alfred asking about something that melissa want to propose about it before.

"no nevermind, because there is a huge situation development thanks to this meeting, just forget the earlier proposal,... about that hehehe i know her personally you know.... even she called me big sister, she.... hehe mentioned you a bit to me... look let's straight to the main point alright,..... you already in her heart, but your status is the main obstacle, that's why i'm including you in this mission, so that you can have more merits and achievement than from getting it by being attached with the legions".

melissa explaining the reason why she let alfred joined her team.

"i see.... then thank you lady melissa but..... why do you wanted to help me??".

alfred was confused why melissa is helping him, as he did not had any relation with her before today.

"sigh... i'm not helping you alright..... actually i'm helping her.... because she is my cute little sister although we're from different parents.... her status is already fixed, no matter what she do, it will not change anything, that's why you must gained strength and status, so it will be enough to shutting up people's mouth when the time of your union came.".

melissa then start talking about her little sister that seem had relation with alfred.

"yeah i wil.....no i definitely achieved it" alfred then with fire burning in his heart, he swear that he will getting stronger and achieved more more status in the empire so that he can stand alongside her, even arno smile looking at him as he posesses an unyielding character.

'this kid got his priorities right.....but love huh..... hahaha what a good reason'.

arno nodding satisfied.

"good... work hard then...but now our next move is to picking up people for the team, i'm thinking making a small team between 7-10 people will be enough as it does not attract many attention, they must have enough strength and unique skill also with acceptable attitudes, do you have any ideas?".

melissa is telling alfred about her plan while asking him about person they will recruited.

"well about that........i think there's is only 2 person i know, one is a level 1 super warrior legionnaire i knew in the 5th legion, he's extremely talented with bow and crossbow or anykind of long range or throwing weapons, the other one back then is a level 4 super warrior close range fighter, she's a spear expert, but i haven't seen her for almost a year, maybe she still teaching in the academy who knows, both of them is good people with good attitudes aswell, although the woman is a bit rude".

alfred start giving infos about the 2 people he know that can be recruited in the team.

"that's great we will put them to our list, i've also already have several people in my own list, so we can procced from it,..... hmmm it looks like is already night huh... let's end it for now, you can go but tomorrow morning come to this place alright... i'll take my leave first...see you tomorrow.".

melissa leave after noticing that the night is arrive and also giving alfred an address written in a piece of paper, then alfred also leaving the palace as well while arno decide to follow him and keeping his divine sense on melissa.

'he goes towards an inn to rest ha, it look like i also need a place to stayed too, the inn also looks good" .

arno follow alfred all the way until he arrive at an inn in the city downtown, the inn is a normal but clean inn, it's a good inn overall, alfred already booked a room when he arrived in the city earlier so he goes straight to his room.

while arno revealing his presence in the alley near the inn, as there are many peoples activities inside the inn and outside near the inn front doors.

he then enters the inn and walk to the reception desk, there is a charming middle age lady behind it smiling as arno approach her.

"hello...sir, welcome to our inn, is there something i can help you with?" the charming proprietress is welcoming arno with her smile.

"just need a single bed room how much for 1 night ?

"it's 50 silver for 1 night, it also includes a breakfast and hot water that can be delivered to your room at anytime you want".

"very well i'll take it for 2 days, here is 1 gold...." arno gave 1 gold coin to the charming proprietress for 2 days renting a room, then she start registering arno.

"here you go sir the key to your room, the room number is also written in it so you can easily find it, do you need the hot water now ?, i can delivered it to your room". the charming proprietress is offering arno the hot water.

"no it's fine... i'm just want to rest so you don't have to do that". arno refused the hot water then climb up to 2nd floor where his room located.

after he found his room and entered it he slowlly sits in the bed, he caress the soft bed gently with his hand, then he start wondering about everything that happen and he found today, it has been a million years if according to the history book he read back in the library since he's hibernating.

he understand many things for example the time when the chaos entering this universe and it's demise at his hand, along with the gaia realm breaking apart, it is all happens during the immemorial era around 1 million years ago.

which is even for arno himself is a really long time, it is a long forgotten era by the people in all realm.

the other thing is about the people of greysia realm seems does not noticed or simply does not know about the existence of other large realm except for the underworld realm even that they only vaguely knows about it.

arno think's that the other 2 large realm already so far away from the greysia realm and there is really great distance seperating them.

without a martial sovereign rank strength it is impossible for the cultivators to break the boundary of the skies and venturing into outer space to goes to these realms, maybe some people still had the knowledge about the other realm during the dawn era as they still had powerful cultivators back then but it looks like the knowledge along with other heritage also lost through war and time.

'i've also read about this so called a fighting aura martial arts that majority of the warrior in greysia realm practice,..... i guess the academy is good place to start... if i want to know more, maybe can also peeping about mage cultivations heh..'

arno already start making plans for tomorrow.

he then start to gather his mind and checking both melissa and alfred with the divine sense.

'that melissa woman is already return to fanctoms store, while alfred is already sleeps... it's time for me to rest aswell'.

after knowing both of their situation arno then retracted his divine sense.

arno remember the 2 people that he had destiny connection the most and the other 1 is the wolfman he meet the first who's also connected to him but it's intensities are not really high compared the other 2, so he doesn't keeping an eye on him.

and just he's about to close his eye, he mutters.

'.....so much happen's today, and this is just the first day sigh... ...destiny... because i've decided to just enjoying the view while waiting for my tribulation, let's played along and see what you have'...