The Almighty Supreme WarLord

Allan and D'arken were stunned to see the emperor's shocked expression. Since they'd known him, it was undoubtedly the first time they had ever seen him so visibly taken aback, given his reputation for maintaining a stoic demeanor and calm composure. However, as they reflected on the situation, they could understand why he was so stunned. After all, even they themselves couldn't deny they were stunned as well.

In this world, people had always lived for power, to the extent that they would kill for it. The Gods and Goddesses of War were esteemed generals—four-star generals, no less. This was a position many would kill for, yet these individuals had casually relinquished their posts for one man as if they were nothing! It was utterly surreal. Had they not witnessed it with their own eyes, they wouldn't have believed it.

The room remained silent, the silence stretching for what felt like an eternity before the emperor finally lifted his gaze. He looked as though he had aged a decade in just a few minutes. "I had misjudged them." He said in a deep weary tone.

D'arken shook his head at the emperor's weary tone and pale expression, then sighed. "It's understandable that they would choose Ares over anything else. Though not their father, that lad had given them life. As he said before leaving, he made them who they are. A just man would forever be loyal to the one who made him."

Allan shrugged indifferently, a grin spreading across his face. "In any case, it's good they left." He said. Turning to the emperor, he added, "Isn't that what you wanted, Your Imperial Majesty?"

The emperor's expression darkened, completely ignoring Allan's question. With a tone heavy with bitterness, he said, "How can I possibly tell the people that their revered Gods and Goddesses of War have been stripped of their positions? I'm afraid such news would incite chaos throughout the nation, a kind of turmoil we've never experienced before."

"Since you knew doing so would undoubtedly incite chaos throughout the nation, why then did you still do it?" D'arken furrowed his brows. Though he had accompanied the emperor on this journey, most of what happened was not predestined, leaving him baffled.

Allan, however, was well aware of the reason behind the emperor's decision. He rolled his eyes at D'arken and retorted, "D'arken, are you still oblivious to what is going on? Did you really think what one of those punks said was just mere fallacy?"

Initially, Allan had thought the emperor was going against the Gods and Goddesses of War solely because of him and that had made him so over the moon. It felt like an honor beyond his wildest dreams.

However, upon deeper reflection, he realized that compared to the Gods and Goddesses of War, who had valiantly fought for the nation and secured victory in the war, and him, who had hidden in his underground palace with his family, he wasn't that significant. So, there was simply no way the emperor would risk going against the Gods and Goddesses of War just for him.

It was then that it gradually dawned on him that the emperor was leveraging the pretext of seeking justice for him to pursue a different agenda altogether — the complete dismantling of Ares's influence within the military! This realization had sent a cold shiver down his spine. The emperor was sure a sly man. He made a mental note to always stay in his good graces.

Meanwhile, at Allan's words, D'arken's confusion deepened. He couldn't help but narrow his brows as he asked? "What are you talking about, Allan?"

Allan snorted. "Hmph! D'arken, I expected better from someone of your standing. I—"

He was about to continue when the emperor abruptly cut him off.

"D'arken, you can leave now. We will follow shortly." His tone was firm.

D'arken turned to the emperor, confusion etched across his face. They had been deep into an important conversation, and now he was being asked to leave? Why?

Besides, they had arrived at the headquarters together and it only made sense to leave together, so why was he being asked to leave first?

What was really going on?

His mind swirled with questions, but the emperor had spoken, and he couldn't defy him. Bowing 60°, he turned and walked away. However, he didn't head straight for the exit. Instead, he made his way to a large tree in the center of the courtyard, where he stood gazing at the rising moon.

His mind was clouded with thoughts. Was it really true that the emperor stripped those lads of their positions because they chose not to enlist? Or was there some truth to one of their claims, that the emperor was doing all this to completely undermine their Master's influence in the military?

His brows narrowed slightly as the question Allan asked before he left the meeting room echoed in his mind– "Did you really think what one of those punks said was just mere fallacy?" So did that mean the emperor really stripped those lads of their positions because of Ares? That had to be it. He shook his head, a mixture of shock and confusion running through him.

Ares had only done good for the nation. He couldn't understand why the emperor would be so against him. It couldn't just be because of his revenge plans, right? Was there a hidden story he was unaware of?

Back in the meeting room, the emperor's eyes bore into Allan as he scolded, "Your mouth runs like a spring, Allan!"

Allan recoiled at the emperor's harsh tone and intimidating gaze. He bowed slightly, his voice trembling, "What did I do, Your Imperial Majesty?"

"Isn't it obvious? You nearly exposed me to that old man!" The emperor snapped.

Allan's brow furrowed in confusion. He struggled to grasp what the emperor was referring to until a flicker of realization dawned on his face. "You mean D'arken?"

"Who else?" hissed the emperor.

"But he's one of us."

"Hahaha." The emperor let out a cold laugh, shaking his head. "You may be nearing fifty, Allan, but you remain as naive as a kid still latching onto his mother's breast." His expression abruptly darkened, turning serious. "D'arken is not like us. Though a man with power, he isn't corrupt. If he knew the true reasons behind my decision to strip those lads of their positions, do you think he wouldn't oppose it? He is a just man!"

Though corrupt, Allan detested being branded in such a manner, and he couldn't suppress the flicker of bitterness that sparked within him. If anyone else had dared to call him corrupt, he would have swiftly put them in their place. But this was the emperor, what could he possibly do? He didn't even show his resentment as he nodded in realization, "I see. I'm sorry, Your Imperial Majesty. I spoke out of turn. I'll be more careful with my words next time."

The emperor said nothing and walked to a seat, gazing off in a certain direction.

Watching him, Allan sighed and summoned the courage to approach and sit down as well. Silence enveloped them before Allan finally spoke. "Your Imperial Majesty, that punk committed treason by threatening you and should have been arrested, but you let him go. You even gave him your card and made a statement, "If only it were that easy," what did you mean by that statement and why exactly did you let him go?"

The emperor let out a wry smile. "Who do you think Ares is?"

"Isn't he just an orphan who grew up in an orphanage and has nothing to his name?"

The emperor laughed, a dark chuckle that seemed to hold countless secrets. "That's what everyone believes," he said in a grave tone. "But if you knew his true identity, you'd understand why I can't act against him openly even though he threatened and challenged me." He stood up, walked over to Allan, and placed a heavy hand on his shoulder. "Some secrets, like the one I bear, are better left untold. They have the power to bring about catastrophe."

He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in before continuing. "Anyway, I have a task for you. Ares will soon arrive in the Middle Province. You must find a way to kill him and bring back my card.

"Just because I can't openly do anything to him doesn't mean I can't do so in the shadows." An evil glint flashed in his eyes. "Make sure no one hears of this order. If anyone finds out, your life and the lives of your family will be at risk."

Allan felt a chill run down his spine. The emperor had just allowed Ares to leave, but now he was ordering his assassination. Though he was excited about this, after all, he also wanted to kill Ares, he couldn't help the fear coursing through him. He had thought the emperor was just a sly man but now it was obvious he was more than that! The man was dangerous! He didn't even want to think about the emperor's last words. But he knew one thing for sure; for someone who could decide to get rid of a hero like Ares, who was he and his family?

With a trembling hand, he mimed zipping his lips and whispered, "I swear, I'll take this order to my grave. And you can be rest assured that I will complete the task."

"Good." The emperor nodded in satisfaction. "One more thing." He dipped his hand into his regalia and produced two sealed letters, placing them on the table in front of Allan. "I want you to deliver these letters to the Arkones of the aristocratic families on the dorsum before Ares arrives in the Middle Province. I don't care how you do it, but you must ensure these letters reach them at least three hours before Ares arrives."

"I apologize for my curiosity, Your Imperial Majesty, but why are we delivering these letters to the Arkones of these families?" Allan furrowed his brows as he picked up the letters and studied their addresses.

The emperor regarded him with a stern gaze. "Curiosity is not always a virtue," he replied sharply. "In any case, the devil is heading their way. Don't you think they deserve to be forewarned and prepared?"

"But no matter what, they're just insignificant families," Allan countered cautiously. "As His Imperial Highness, why do you concern yourself with them? Besides, if your intention is to alert the aristocracy, there are six prominent houses in the Middle Province. Why choose only two? Wait!" He abruptly exclaimed, fear flickering in his eyes. "Could it be... could these two families be the ones responsible for orchestrating Ares' imprisonment?"

The emperor merely smiled without saying anything. But this mere reaction of his caused Allan to break out in a cold sweat. He stood up abruptly, his voice trembling. "Your Imperial Majesty, since you are alerting them, does... does that mean you were behind the plot to imprison Ares?"