*BOOM*
*CLANK*
*CLANK*
In what looked like a grand training hall, three figures clashed violently, their swords eting in a flurry of steel and power, sending shockwaves across the massive chamber. Every strike left devastation in its wake, the ground beneath them cracking slightly under the force of their relentless blows.
But this was no ordinary battle—it was two against one. And yet, contrary to what most would expect, the lone fighter was the dominant force in this fight. His two opponents, despite their combined efforts, were being utterly overwheld, struggling desperately to keep up. The gap between them was vast, their coordinated attacks failing to make a difference against his sheer skill. That single warrior who held the overwhelming advantage was none other than the Human Emperor, Aldrian Valtheris, facing off against two newly promoted Ninth-Stage Warriors—warriors who were supposed to be among the strongest in the empire.
*CLANK*
Their swords clashed once more, the force of the collision creating a piercing tallic ring that echoed throughout the training hall. Both warriors had attacked simultaneously, striking with full force, but Aldrian effortlessly blocked their strikes as if their attacks carried no weight at all.
*BOOM*
The impact generated a swirling burst of wind, blowing Aldrian's simple clothes—a plain shirt and pants—against his muscular fra. Unlike his opponents, who were clad in full black armor, the emperor wore no extra protection, yet he remained completely unscathed. In stark contrast, the warriors' armor was in terrible condition—scraped, dented, and barely holding together, evidence of the relentless damage they had endured. It was painfully clear that, despite their numbers and rank, they were nowhere near Aldrian's level. He wasn't even struggling—he looked like a bystander, utterly unbothered.
"Huuu... haaa..."
"Huuu... haaa..."
The two warriors panted heavily, their breaths labored. Despite being Ninth-Stage Warriors, their exhaustion was evident, their bodies trembling slightly from the overwhelming pressure of their opponent. This alone was proof of Aldrian's terrifying strength.
After taking a mont to catch their breath, they prepared to continue. However, before they could launch another attack, Aldrian's voice cut through the air like a blade.
"Useless. You can't even follow a simple order," he said, his deep voice laced with disappointnt as he looked at them with his piercing black eyes.
Both warriors imdiately stiffened. They could feel the weight of his disappointnt pressing down on them.
"But your Majesty, we can't do that," one of them spoke hesitantly, bowing his head in deference.
"Huh? Who gave you the order?" Aldrian asked, his tone unreadable.
"You did, Your Majesty," they replied in unison.
"Then what are you hesitating for?" Aldrian's voice carried a dangerous edge now.
"But, Your Majesty... it would be treason if we tried to kill you. And we do not want to harm you," they responded, their voices filled with hesitation.
At their words, Aldrian suddenly burst into laughter.
"Hahahahaha!"
His deep, resonant laugh echoed throughout the hall, sending chills down their spines. But when the laughter stopped, his expression turned deathly serious.
"Unfortunately for you," he began, his gaze dark and piercing, "I do not want care or worry from my soldiers. What I want is blind faith and absolute discipline. If I tell you to kill , you do it. If I tell you to slaughter my children, my people, even the innocent—you obey. No hesitation. No questions." His voice was final, leaving no room for argunt.
The warriors swallowed hard but eventually nodded in understanding, albeit reluctantly.
"Good," Aldrian said, his voice slightly less cold now. "Then co at like you truly intend to kill . Do not stop until you have landed a fatal hit."
The warriors exchanged a glance before nodding firmly. This ti, they would not hold back. They steeled themselves, tightening their grips on their weapons, and got into position. Then, without hesitation, they disappeared from their spots—moving at such blinding speed that it almost seed like they had teleported.
Aldrian remained still. He stood relaxed, his expression calm, as if he had not even registered their approach. One warrior aid his blade at the emperor's head, while the other targeted his heart, both striking with lethal intent.
And yet—Aldrian did not move.
Even as the razor-sharp blades closed in, stopping re inches away from his body, he did not flinch.
Then, they spoke:
"Sorry, Your Majesty... we can't. We can't hurt you. Forgive us."
They had stopped. At the last second, they had hesitated once again.
Aldrian's expression imdiately darkened, his relaxed posture shifting into sothing much more dangerous.
*CLANK*
The sword in Aldrian's right hand slipped from his grasp, hitting the floor with a crisp tallic ring.
The next mont, without warning—
*BAM*
Aldrian's fist slamd into the face of the first warrior, sending him flying backward like a ragdoll. Before the second warrior could react, Aldrian's other fist crashed into his gut, his imnse strength shattering the black armor with a sickening crunch. He, too, was thrown back violently.
What followed next was pure brutality.
With nothing but his bare hands, Aldrian ripped them apart—flesh, bone, and armor tearing like paper under his monstrous strength.
He ripped their inside out.
"Useless." His voice was cold as he flicked the blood from his hands, the lifeless remains of the warriors now nothing more than a grueso ss on the floor.
"Garrick."
Garrick who had been standing at the edge of the training hall imdiately stepped forward. He was tall but slightly hunched probably because of his old age, wearing a hood that covered his full body only leaving his head in open. He bowed slightly. "Yes, Your Majesty?"
"Clean this place up. Feed their corpses to the dogs," Aldrian ordered, stepping over the mangled bodies without a second glance.
Garrick nodded, his face neutral. He had long grown used to his emperor's cruelty. This wasn't the first ti, nor would it be the last.
Aldrian, after having his mood soured, was about to turn around to leave and clean himself up. But before he could take a step, Garrick spoke again.
"Your Majesty, the Seer is here to et you."
Aldrian stopped mid-step. His expression remained unreadable.
"The Seer?" he repeated.
"Yes, Your Majesty. She is standing just outside the training hall. It appears she has sothing urgent to tell you," Garrick inford him.
Aldrian remained silent for a mont, considering. Then, with a small nod, he replied,
"Send her to the main hall and tell her to wait for ."
"But, Your Majesty, she is just outside the training hall, and it looks like she has sothing important to tell you," Garrick added, hesitant.
Aldrian thought for a mont before replying,
"Okay. Tell her to co in."
Garrick bowed and swiftly walked toward the large doors, his footsteps echoing through the now eerily silent hall.
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