Crossbridge Empire, Eryndor City.

The spatial portal stabilized in the plaza in front of the palace, and figures began to emerge from it.

"It's the royal family of Pood Empire! They've all come to surrender to Crossbridge Empire!"

"The glory of the Empire will never fade!"

"Emperor Aurek's authority is so overwhelming! With no Bloodblade, he has rendered Pood Empire powerless to resist!"

"The Empire's momentum is unstoppable!"

"We are destined to witness a new era of greatness! Just think of the humiliations our Empire endured over the past ten thousand years…"

"Don't mention the past! The Empire has never failed its people, and the Emperor even more so!"

"…"

The people of Eryndor City were filled with excitement, their hearts ignited with pride.

Every citizen felt a shared sense of honor. Defeating semi-hegemonic powers, crushing hegemonic ones, destroying Goldflow Empire, and now, even an emperor of an empire begging for surrender…

This supreme authority of the Empire had become a part of their own pride, allowing every citizen of Crossbridge to stand tall, for they too were Crossbridge people!

The past humiliations had faded away, and the long-dormant spirit and courage of Crossbridge had been fully awakened through each victory and seismic transformation.

"The glory of the Empire will last forever!"

"May the Creator bless the Empire with eternal life!"

It was unclear who started it, but soon the entire Eryndor City erupted into fervent cheers, their voices echoing like a tidal wave throughout the heavens and earth.

The sound reached the ears of ministers like Winston and Heimerdinger, as well as the elderly Prince's household.

These old men, who had dedicated their lives to the Empire, couldn't help but feel their eyes moisten.

This was a day they had never even imagined.

At least, they could never have imagined such a scene happening in the first half of their lives!

Will, holding the scepter of Pood Empire, stood at the bottom of the towering staircase leading up to Valoria Palace.

Guided by the royal guards, he ascended towards the hall that symbolized supreme authority.

With each step, he climbed the 999 steps.

At the top of the stairs, a majestic figure stood, holding the Emperor's Scepter. His black-golden royal robes fluttered in the wind, and the rubies on his crown gleamed brightly.

Beneath the crown were eyes that looked down on all beings.

With every step Will took, he felt the will of an emperor within himself crumble and disintegrate. The sensation stabbed at his very soul.

Climbing these 999 steps felt like enduring 999 lifetimes of suffering.

Finally, he reached Aurek, gazing up at this youthful figure.

The opponent he had once ignored, even scorned.

"I present myself before the esteemed Emperor."

Will slightly bowed, holding the scepter of the empire in both hands.

"I, Will, Emperor of Pood, offer the authority of the Empire and ask that Crossbridge Empire accept our submission."

Aurek's cold eyes swept over him but did not reach out to take the scepter.

"I will not accept the submission of one who stands before me," he declared.

Will's heart shook violently, and the unwillingness and anger in his eyes nearly overwhelmed him.

Refuse to accept someone standing? Then he would have to kneel!

His inner struggle raged, but in the end, he knelt on one knee, holding the scepter high, and proclaimed loudly.

"I, Will, Emperor of Pood Empire, present the authority of the Empire and request the Emperor of Crossbridge to accept our submission!"

Only then did Aurek extend his hand to take the scepter that symbolized Pood Empire's authority.

He examined the scepter, and his domineering voice echoed across Eryndor City.

"This will not be the last time."

"And you, Will, the Emperor of Pood, will not be the last one to kneel before me at the top of these steps!"

"On this path to supreme power, many more like you, failures, will eventually climb to the top and kneel at my feet."

"Watch closely…"

Aurek was unconcerned with what Will was calculating or how much humiliation he was feeling.

Having chosen submission, Will and all of Pood Empire would never escape from his grasp.

"Imperial warriors, march on Pood Empire!"

The Imperial Borders.

The iron tide of Crossbridge Empire began to march towards Pood Empire at full speed.

All the provinces once belonging to Pood Empire were now incorporated into Crossbridge Empire's territory.

The power of Crossbridge Empire surged once again.

Rand, Pippin, Cole, and the governors of the four surrounding provinces of Eryndor City all felt the imperial will they could command had become stronger than ever before!

Selene Empire.

A female official quickly entered the grand hall, respectfully bowing.

"Your Majesty, Emperor Will of Pood has surrendered to Crossbridge Empire."

"Will and the members of his royal family have entered Crossbridge's Eryndor City, and the army of Crossbridge Empire is fully taking over the territory once held by Pood Empire."

On the throne, Empress Elizabeth, draped in her magnificent royal robes, exuded majesty.

Her expression was wise and calm, and she did not seem particularly surprised by the news.

She gazed at the enormous map of the Eastern Domain, letting out a cold snort.

"Hmph! Will has made a move that seems well-calculated."

"Too bad, he still underestimated Aurek."

Standing beside her, Catherine spoke up.

"Your Majesty means that Will is betting on the outcome of the confrontation between the Eastern Domain alliance and Crossbridge Empire?"

"That's the only wager he could make," Empress Elizabeth said slowly, pacing.

Catherine continued, "Let the Eastern Domain forces clash with Crossbridge Empire. If both sides suffer, Selene Empire can seize the opportunity to unify the Eastern Domain."

"You underestimate the old foxes of the Eastern Domain, and you also underestimate Aurek," Elizabeth replied sharply, her eyes flashing with the brilliance of someone who saw through everything.

"Their vigilance is not to be underestimated!"

"Selene Empire will not sit idly by, but will instead assist Aurek in severely weakening the Eastern Domain alliance, and then we will divide the Eastern Domain with Crossbridge Empire."

Catherine looked slightly worried.

"Won't this make Crossbridge Empire too strong?"

"I'm afraid we might not be able to back out when the time comes…"

Catherine knew that Empress Elizabeth's identity was not as simple as it appeared.

She had vaguely touched on some of the secrets hidden beneath layers of veils but could never piece together the full picture.

The Empress herself was a huge mystery.

Catherine could not see through her, but that did not stop her from feeling a deep sense of awe.

What the outside world didn't know was that Empress Elizabeth's rank had long surpassed the mundane, stepping into the domain of gods!

And she was continuing to grow stronger at an unbelievable speed.

However, compared to the Empress's mystery, Catherine's inner wariness towards Aurek was equally intense.

The strange behavior that man exhibited seemed to belong to something beyond order—a terrifying unknown.

All intelligence pointed to him possessing an ability to cultivate a powerful imperial army.

And that army's strength continued to grow, seemingly without limit.

Catherine couldn't help but worry. If one day those imperial armies were elevated to a level near that of gods…

At that point, the situation would be completely reversed.

It would no longer be a matter of them plotting against Aurek; instead, the entire continent would become a pawn in his game!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.