Chapter 1063: The Emperor Arrives

Mid-September.

Ten days after the Supreme Council dissolved, the aftershocks of the war that shook the entire Prime Material Plane were still fermenting; for most of the Empire's people, no impact had been felt yet, but in the Duke's domain of Longpis, everyone could see the change.

Since that day, Flaniss Floating City returned to Longpis; although the Fu Kong Cheng was intact and no one died, the mood of defeat infected everyone.

The whole city was steeped in a pessimistic atmosphere.

The next day, the Duke… no, Tim*Kenan Master was no longer a duke, and Longpis was no longer a ducal domain.

Tim*Kenan Master announced to the entire city that anyone willing to follow him out of the Empire should register in Flaniss within three days.

The Emperor gave Flaniss only ten days, and the quota was just 200,000 people.

Flaniss already had about 150,000 residents; roughly 100,000 chose to continue following Tim*Kenan Master, and the remaining 100,000 slots weren't filled until the seventh day.

Then came the relocation.

Tim*Kenan Master opened the teleportation array, allowing people to teleport from the city to Fu Kong Cheng.

The legendary Wizards of Eight Leaves spared no expense, even paying several times the normal price to buy supplies and alchemical materials across the Empire. One magical airship after another, laden with cargo, landed in Flaniss, unloaded, and took off immediately, clearing the berth for the following ships.

Longpis's residents watched the magical airships go in and out of Fu Kong Cheng, until today, the day designated by the Emperor.

At noon.

Boom!

A thunderous roar echoed from the sky.

People couldn't help but look up and saw a massive entity leap out of the void, its whole body silver‑gray, shaped like a triangular dagger magnified billions of times, over two thousand meters long, hovering about five miles from Flaniss, its presence dwarfing Fu Kong Cheng.

Star Destroyer!

Longpis's residents were stunned into a dumbstruck silence.

The battle ten days ago had two most eye‑catching focal points: the Emperor himself, and the Star Destroyer the Emperor had built.

This epoch‑making marvel shattered the supposedly invincible myth of Fu Kong Cheng!

Rumors about the Star Destroyer have worn the Empire's people's ears to the point of callus, yet no one knows how they were made; it's the Emperor's secret. All they know is that Star Destroyers are divided by size into two classes: Empire class and Victory class.

The Empire‑class ones are smaller in power, at least eight of them.

The most powerful Victory‑class, apparently only one exists so far; it is the Emperor's flagship, named the "Augustus".

The one hovering over Longpis is the Augustus.

Even though people have seen its photograph in newspapers countless times, only seeing the Augustus with one's own eyes conveys its grandeur; a photo captures not even one ten‑thousandth of that awe.

The whole city fell silent for a few seconds, then erupted.

The Emperor Arrives in Longpis!

Everyone looked up at the sky and saw a towering portal open on the side of the Augustus Star Destroyer; elegant, radiant dragons streamed out, their rainbow‑like scales refracting beautiful light in the sun.

Legendary rainbow dragons!

Each rainbow dragon bore a golden‑armored knight on its back, wielding a massive golden spear, a red plume atop the helmet fluttering in the wind, exuding a formidable aura.

The rainbow‑dragon knights split into two squads, forging a path in the air.

Twelve leading rainbow‑dragon knights hoisted a double‑headed eagle banner, leading the way toward Flaniss Floating City; dozens of rainbow dragons formed a spectacular formation high above, appearing from the ground like a sky‑bridge spanning the Star Destroyer and the floating city.

Amid the anticipation of the masses, a golden‑shining giant dragon appeared.

It had three heads of different colors, its body over a hundred meters tall, its outstretched wings blotting out the sky; even from a distance its terrifying draconic might made many city residents' limbs go numb, their bodies trembling uncontrollably.

A man in golden armor sat on the dragon's back, helmetless, with a blood‑red cloak draped behind him.

The vast majority of Longpis's residents could not discern the man's features, only a vague silhouette on the dragon's back.

Yet everyone knew who he was.

The Emperor of Aurenser!

The one who, in just a few short years, rose from commoner to Consul, overthrew the Supreme Council, was personally crowned by the God of Magic ten days ago, and finally ascended the imperial throne—a ruler of the Empire worshipped by countless, His Majesty Ryan Augustus!

A not‑particularly raucous cheer rose in Longpis.

This place had once been under the rule of Duke GreyEagle; the Emperor's popularity here was not high, and people welcomed him merely out of reverence for strength.

The rainbow‑dragon knight corps quickly arrived over Flaniss.

A passage opened within the Arcane barrier of Fu Kong Cheng; the dragon knights rushed in and, under the mixed gazes of Fu Kong Cheng's residents, landed on Eight Leaves Square.

When they saw the Emperor atop the golden three‑headed dragon, none failed to show awe.

Of course, some harbored hidden hatred, unwilling to show it.

Bang!

Borch fell to the ground amid the gale; he lay prone, allowing Lei En to step down his neck as a ladder and stand on the ground.

The surroundings had already been cleared.

Besides the rainbow‑dragon knights, there were six hundred Extreme Warriors led by Malius, who for the past ten days had been stationed in Flaniss Floating City, overseeing Tim*Kenan and enforcing the Emperor's expulsion order.

"Your Majesty!"

Malius half‑knelt and saluted.

A few squads of Extreme Warriors behind him also saluted, punching the chest of their powered armor hard, producing a thunderous sound: "Greetings, Your Majesty!"

The Extreme Warriors' roar echoed through Flaniss.

"Stand up," Lei En said, looking at his earliest followers, with authority yet warmth: "Commander Malius, brothers, you have all worked hard."

The Extreme Warriors rose with a rustle, withdrew to the side, and spread into a defensive formation to guard the core.

Around Eight Leaves Square stood many residents; from the surrounding towers, pairs of eyes peered out of windows, and balconies high in the city were packed with people—some eager to catch a glimpse of the Emperor, others curious to see what the Empire's expelled enemy looked like.

Portals opened before them one after another.

Tim*Kenan and Ma Youfu appeared, accompanied by a group of legendary Wizards; several of them were members of Eight Leaves—Otiluk, Bigbai, Tansen, Nistoo, Zomgi, and others—each possessing several spells they had named themselves.

The Empire's Wizards were familiar with all those names.

"Seen Your Majesty."

Tim*Kenan slightly bowed, appearing very aloof. Ma Youfu and the many legendary Wizards hesitated, then called out, "Your Majesty."

The mention of "Your Majesty" slightly eased Lei En's expression.

At least, Tim*Kenan is a person willing to accept reality, acknowledging his rule over the Empire. Recognition from an enemy often carries more weight than that from a friend.

"You need not be overly formal."

Lei En showed a faint smile and asked, "Master Tim*Kenan, are you ready?"

"No," Tim*Kenan replied in a flat tone.

Lei En neither affirmed nor denied, knowing ten days was too rushed, yet even a month would be insufficient. This is an expulsion, a forced exile by violence, a severe punishment, not a long journey or residence, so how could everything be ready for you?

Tim*Kenan felt extremely displeased and snorted.

He said coldly, "If Your Majesty comes to display the emperor's authority, looking down on Franlis as a victor, then you have already seen it; please return."

"I am here to see off Master Tim*Kenan and all of you," Lei En replied earnestly.

"Oh?"

Tim*Kenan's expression shifted slightly.

Ma Youfu and the legendary Wizards also sensed something; Lei En seemed to be extending goodwill, which might mean Franlis could return to the Empire?

Suddenly, a hint of hope appeared on the Wizards' faces.

None of them wanted to leave the Empire.

Oriense Empire is the Wizards' Empire, the largest gathering of spellcasters in the world, protected by the God of Magic; any Wizard seeking to advance further on the path of transcendence and explore magical truth could find no better nation than Oriense.

Yet they cannot part from Franlis; now Master Tim*Kenan has been expelled by the emperor, and they can only inherit and follow Master Tim*Kenan.

If they could return to the Empire, that would be ideal.

And that only requires a single word from the emperor!

Lei En noticed the Wizards' shift in emotion, smiled inwardly, and asked, "Master Tim*Kenan, where does Franlis intend to go?"

At those words, everyone's gaze fell on Tim*Kenan.

Master Tim*Kenan was expelled, but the emperor did not designate a destination; Tim*Kenan may choose any place outside the Empire.

In the past ten days, everyone in Franlis has been speculating where they will go, and some have personally asked Master Tim*Kenan.

But he has not disclosed anything.

By now, Franlis is already prepared, the emperor has come to see them off, so Master Tim*Kenan should finally be able to speak, right?

However, Master Tim*Kenan not only did not answer, but asked, "Do you, Your Majesty, wish to designate my place of exile?"

"Of course not," Lei En shook his head. "If Master Tim*Kenan has not yet made up his mind, I have a suggestion for you to consider."

Tim*Kenan fell silent.

In fact, he had already chosen a destination: a very distant plane, remote and hidden, which he discovered centuries ago during planar travel; its area is about one‑third of the Empire, but most of it is barren and severely lacking in resources.

The plane's natives comprise several races, including two human sub‑species of high intelligence, with a total population under one million.

The plane hosts both benevolent and malevolent deities, though they are obscure and far below the level of the God of Magic or Luo Xi.

The overall civilization level of the plane is low, yet its potential is considerable.

Tim*Kenan intends to unify the plane, spread magical knowledge and wisdom, train Wizards, and establish a Wizard nation of his own.

He even considered using the planar nation as a base for a future counter‑attack on the Empire.

But he also knows it is merely a wishful fantasy.

Tim*Kenan hesitated for a moment; he naturally caught the subtext in Lei En's words—a hint directed at him. If he obeys the emperor's command, Franlis could have a chance to return to the Empire, and the temptation is overwhelming.

"Your Majesty, please speak," Tim*Kenan yielded, thinking to listen for now.

Lei En raised his hand, released a Soundproof Force Field, and said:

"Black‑Afidlan."

Within the field were only Tim*Kenan, Ma Youfu, and the legendary Wizard Ba Ye; upon hearing Lei En's words, they reacted intensely.

The hot‑tempered Tan Sen shouted angrily, "Do you intend to send us to our deaths?"

The other Wizards also glared at Lei En.

Lei En remained unmoved, understanding why the Wizards might misunderstand; the "Black‑Afidlan" he mentioned is the well‑known "Dark Continent."

The Dark Continent is a branch of the Old Continent, located to its southwest.

In fact, the Dark Continent is a true continent, even larger than the New Continent, its area exceeding twice that of Oriense Empire and covering one‑third of the entire Old Continent. Yet it is separate from the Old Continent, connected only by a peninsula at its northeast corner, forming a land bridge.

To the north of the Dark Continent lies the elves' homeland Aoroan, separated by the "Inner Sea."

To the west is the "Falling Star Ocean"; crossing its endless storms and vast seas leads to the east coast of the New Continent.

Legend has it that the Dark Continent is the origin of the Prime Material Plane's intelligent races.

This vast continent gave rise to the world's earliest natives, with countless mountains, rivers, grasslands, and forests; abundant resources, pleasant climate, and countless races and beasts dwelling upon it.

Humans, elves, dwarves, orcs, and the ancestors of many races were all born here, spreading across the world!

About eighteen hundred years ago.

It was the late Second Era, when the Abyss's second invasion ended the age of dragon and giant dominion over the world.

According to archaeological records, the Mother of Evil Dragons Ti Ya Xi Si, in the year 8320 before the New Era Calendar, fell at the crucial moment when the gods resisted the Abyss, pledged allegiance to the Lord of Darkness Yu Ke Suoen, and sacrificed the Black‑Afidlan continent to the Lord of Darkness.

The entire continent was ravaged by dark forces, killing almost all its inhabitants, dragons, and the armies that resisted the demons.

The Second Era ended there.

Ti Ya Xi Si thus earned the infamous title "Dark Dragon Queen," and the continent became known as the Dark Continent.

The Abyss's demons ravaged the Prime Material Plane for centuries, destroying everything the dragons and giants created, leaving only scattered sparks of civilization before retreating back into the Abyss.

After millennia of development, elves and dwarves rose to become the world's dominant powers, with orcs later joining them.

At that time, the vast majority of the Prime Material Plane revived with new life.

The only exception was the Dark Continent!

The might of the Lord of Darkness surpasses the imagination limits of gods and mortals; the damage it inflicted on the Dark Continent has not healed to this day. This continent is shrouded in shadow year-round, and has merged with the first layer of the Abyss, the 'Myriad Abyss Plain,' long becoming part of the Abyss.

Ti Ya Xi Si rules part of this layer of the Abyss, engaged in endless struggle with numerous demon lords and evil gods.

But its greatest enemy is the Sun God Ge Weng!

One of humanity's three great empires, the oldest nation, the 'Lamon Empire,' is located in the northern part of the Dark Continent. The Lamon Empire combines government and religion; all its people worship the Sun God, and everyone considers entering the Sun Church and becoming a Sun Knight an honor.

From the day of its founding, the Lamon Empire and the Sun Church have aimed to restore the entire Dark Continent as their ultimate goal.

From the first year of the New Era Calendar to the present.

For over two thousand five hundred years, the Lamon Empire's territory has mostly been expanding, but over a thousand years ago the Death Lord killed his father and rebelled against the state, breaking this momentum, causing the Lamon Empire to decline for several hundred years, and the border was also pushed back a thousand li.

Now the reigning 'Laman Dis the Great' works diligently to govern; he has finally resumed advancing southward, the empire's territory has expanded again, and it now occupies about one-third of the Dark Continent.

In short, the Dark Continent is extremely dangerous.

Moreover, this continent is regarded by the Lamon Empire and the Sun Church as the promised land, and they will not allow any other nation or force to interfere.

The appearance of a floating city in the Dark Continent will surely provoke unimaginable consequences!

However, Tim*Kenan seemed somewhat calm.

He looked at Lei En, his eyes thoughtful.

(End of chapter)