The Elder Dragon attacked first. "Abyssal Flame!" A torrent of black fire swept across the area where Arthur stood.
Arthur raised his left hand. "Constellation Shield."
Starlight appeared before him, forming a transparent shield with the pattern of a constellation. The Elder Dragon's hellfire slammed into the shield and was reflected, scorching some of the dragon's own scales.
"What!" The Elder Dragon was shocked to see its attack reflected.
The Celestial Fallen did not waste the opportunity. It dove down, its sword cloaked in dark energy. "Fallen Strike!"
Arthur dodged the attack by leaping to the side, then counter-attacked with Excalibur.
"Stellar Slash!" The slash from his sword created a flash of starlight that severed the Celestial Fallen's left wing.
"Arghh!" The Celestial Fallen crashed to the ground, black blood pouring from its severed wing.
The Elder Dragon didn't stop. "Dragon Domain!" The entire area within a 200-meter radius was filled with a draconic aura, drastically increasing the Elder Dragon's power. Its body grew larger, its scales hardening like black diamonds. Its eyes glowed redder, and poisonous smoke billowed from its mouth.
"Don't disappoint me, you human prodigy."
The Elder Dragon attacked with a series of slashes and bites. Its attack speed doubled. Arthur retreated while defending, using Excalibur to block the giant claws. But the power of the Dragon Domain made every impact create a shockwave that tore the ground apart.
I must end this quickly, Arthur monologued.
Arthur leaped high into the air, away from the Elder Dragon's reach. In the air, he raised Excalibur upwards.
"Call of the Stars!"
The dark sky suddenly lit up. Dozens of points of light appeared, like stars falling from the heavens. The lights gathered at the tip of Excalibur, making the sword shine like a small star.
"Astral Sword Rain!"
From Excalibur, hundreds of starlight swords shot down like a meteor shower. Each light sword struck the Elder Dragon's body with devastating force.
The Elder Dragon roared in pain as dozens of wounds opened up on its body. Its Dragon Domain began to weaken as its concentration was broken.
The Celestial Fallen, which had been downed, rose again, its remaining right wing beating strongly. "Shadow Resurrection!" Its body was enveloped in black shadow, healing some of its wounds.
"You're making this exciting, Arthur!"
The Celestial Fallen and the Elder Dragon attacked simultaneously from two different directions. The Elder Dragon from the front with a deadly bite, the Celestial Fallen from behind with a sword slash.
Arthur was in a pincer position. In this critical situation, he used one of the forbidden techniques of the Stellaris family.
"Stellar Time!"
Time around Arthur slowed drastically. The movements of the two monsters became incredibly slow, giving Arthur an opening to move. Arthur slid under the Elder Dragon's bite, then spun to evade the Celestial Fallen's slash. In the same motion, he slashed the Elder Dragon's neck with full force.
"Stellar Convergence!"
Excalibur glowed with the energy of the Aries constellation. The slash penetrated the Elder Dragon's diamond-hard scales and severed its artery. Black blood gushed out like a fountain. The Elder Dragon staggered, its body beginning to lose strength.
"Im... possible..." The Elder Dragon fell to its knees, gasping for breath.
Seeing this, the Celestial Fallen unleashed its final form. "Divine Corruption!" Its entire body transformed into pure dark energy. In its energy form, the Celestial Fallen became faster and harder to hit. It attacked Arthur with waves of dark energy from all directions.
Arthur defended with his Constellation Shield, but the relentless attacks began to crack it.
This is difficult. I have to use that technique.
Arthur took a deep breath, gathering the mana in his body. He raised Excalibur high, and starlight began to gather above his head.
"Cosmic Gravity!"
The gravitational field in the battle area changed drastically. The weakened Elder Dragon was sucked upwards, as was the Celestial Fallen in its energy form.
"Supernova Explosion!"
The starlight above Arthur expanded like a small sun, then exploded with incredible force. The explosion created an energy wave that swept across the entire area within a 500-meter radius.
The already weakened Elder Dragon could not withstand it. Its body was turned to dust in the explosion. The Celestial Fallen screamed in pain as its energy form was forced back into a physical one, then its body was also incinerated by the supernova.
When the light of the explosion faded, nothing was left of the two SS-rank monsters but scattered ash in a large, newly formed crater.
Arthur fell to his knees, his body trembling with exhaustion. Excalibur fell from his grasp, sticking into the ground. All the mana in his body had been depleted by that final technique.
The Sages, watching from a distance, were stunned by their emperor's power. Even injured and exhausted, Arthur could still defeat two SS-rank monsters alone.
"Your Majesty!" Sage Aldric ran to Arthur, who was sitting weakly.
"I'm... fine," Arthur answered in a hoarse voice. "What is the condition of the capital?"
"Thanks to your sacrifice and that of the Archmages, all the monsters have been defeated. The capital is safe, Your Majesty."
Arthur heard this with a flat expression. He had already predicted the end of this war. Sage Aldric was surprised by Arthur's expression. Arthur should have been happy that the capital was now safe, but instead, he seemed displeased.
Arthur was different from others. His aide Tharlic and his apprentice Althair didn't even know his true nature. Arthur was not a good emperor. From the beginning, he never cared about his people; he had no empathy in his heart. The only one who knew this was the Empress of the Empire, his wife and the mother of his child.
From the beginning, Arthur had no intention of becoming emperor. He was motivated to become emperor because of Elena Rose, his wife.
4 years ago - at the Ostrivien Grand Academy
Class 11C was known for its energetic, ill-mannered, and noisy students. Prince Arthur was there, but he was not yet the crown prince. Professor Aldwick was explaining, but the students were completely random. Some were listening, some were chatting with their seatmates, some were doodling on their desks like children, and some were sleeping. The class consisted of 22 students, with 10 girls and 12 boys.
Professor Aldwick, unable to bear it any longer, walked out without a word. The students turned their attention and said in unison, "THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, PROFESSOR!"
Instantly, the boys stood up and started dancing.
"Finally, a free period, hooray!"
"HAHAHA!"
But Arthur didn't join in. He just sat quietly in his seat, observing the girl he was after—a commoner girl, a girl famous for being crazy. Her name was Elena Rose. She had pink hair and amber eyes. She was a genius, but compared to the students in Class 11A, she was just a loser.
Elena was currently sitting in the professor's chair, pretending to be a professor.
"Alright, children, there's an announcement from our bald headmaster. He said that the Academy will be on break for the next two weeks," Elena said in a serious tone. But her expression was funny to those who knew her true nature.
And strangely, the other students played along with Elena's game, saying, "Hooray! Thank you for the information, Professor Elena!"
In the corner, Arthur just stared at Elena with a smirk on his face.
During recess - in the garden
Under a tree, Arthur and Elena were seen staring at each other. Arthur was the one who had invited her to talk here. Elena didn't actually want to, but Arthur had given her 10,000 platinum coins. Tempted, Elena agreed. She spoke first. "So, you still want to try to win me over?"
"Yes."
"I don't want to... unless," Elena said, holding her chin in thought.
Arthur just stared into Elena's beautiful eyes. In his heart, Arthur would do anything Elena wanted.
"Unless you become the emperor..." Elena said, looking into Arthur's sapphire blue eyes. "Because when I grow up, I just want to sleep all day. I don't want to work, I don't want to do any strenuous activity. I just want to spend my future husband's money. So if you become the king of Stellaris, then I will accept your proposal."
"Alright, I will become the emperor," Arthur replied with a wide smile. No strenuous activity? I doubt I can grant that one, the adult Arthur monologued.
The Stellaris Empire originally had four princes, including Arthur himself. But Arthur killed his own brothers so that the throne would fall to him.
Back to the present
I can't protect this Empire, Arthur monologued. But I will make sure our son lives to the end.
From a distance, the sound of echoing applause was heard.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Arthur raised his head and saw two familiar figures walking toward the battle area. Emperor Alaric von Moonstone, with his white robe fluttering, and Emperor Valen von Heartstone, in gleaming red armor. The two rival emperors walked leisurely, as if they were taking a stroll in a park.
"An admirable performance, Arthur," said Emperor Alaric mockingly. "You truly deserve to be called a prodigy."
Emperor Valen added with a cruel smile, "A shame that performance will be your last."
Arthur immediately stood up as if he had no injuries. He picked up his Excalibur, which was stuck in the ground. The Sages around him were terrified. They were already severely wounded and could not possibly help their emperor fight two Transcendents at once.
"You two..." Arthur stood tall and said, "attacked the other territories as well, didn't you?"
Emperor Alaric laughed. "Of course. The Grand Duke of the North is fighting Archduke Silverlake and Duke Huxley, accompanied by Lilith. Archduke Veltharis is facing Duke Purceus and Duke Mavendra. Emperor Oberon is going around attacking lower nobles like Marquises, Counts, and Barons."
"Emperor Lucien is facing Kaizer Alexander."
"Your Empire is too dangerous, Arthur," Emperor Valen said, drawing his legendary sword. "If left unchecked, Stellaris could conquer the entire continent."
Arthur replied sharply, "It's not that we are too strong, but that you are too weak." He spat to the side and said, "You decrepit old geezers. Your place is beneath my feet," Arthur said arrogantly.
"Weak?" Emperor Alarik gritted his teeth. "This 'weak' man will destroy everything you have."
Arthur took a deep breath and exhaled. Something within him changed. His sapphire blue eyes turned golden, the same as when he used his Stellaris power. The sword Excalibur responded to its owner's will, absorbing the stellar energy from the earlier explosion and from the sky.
Emperor Alaric and Valen felt the change in Arthur's aura. Despite his fatigue, the Emperor of Stellaris still radiated a deadly threat.
"Interesting," Emperor Valen smirked. "It seems you still have a little energy left. But it won't be enough against the two of us."
Emperor Alaric took out his staff, which glowed with lunar energy. "It's time to end the legend of Arthur von Stellaris."
The three emperors faced each other in the middle of the ruined battlefield. The night wind blew fiercely, carrying the scent of blood and destruction. The sages retreated, watching with apprehension a battle they could not face.
However, none of them realized that Arthur had cast a Self-Splitting Spell during their conversation. The Self-Splitting Spell was a common spell, meaning it could be used by any mage regardless of their affinity, but it was extremely difficult to master. The odds were about 1 in 1,000,000.
The Self-Splitting Spell was different from the clones Rio had shown earlier. Rio controlled his clones at will, whereas this spell was not like that. The other self had its own personality and moved on its own, not requiring commands from the original.
The other Arthur flew toward the evacuation point, to where Althair was.
Althair's Point of View
I was still with Clara in the secluded spot. Hearing the truth from her, I felt my heart being torn apart. My anger slowly faded. I took a healing potion from my storage ring and gave it to Clara.
"Clara..." I called softly. "Drink this, so the wound on your head can heal."
Clara accepted it and drank it. Slowly, the wound I had caused healed. Actually, she could have healed herself; I didn't need to give her a potion, but the wound was from me, after all.
"I know you must hate me now, Al. I was ordered to spy on you all, but..." Clara wiped her tears. "I never took that mission seriously."
The Truth-Detecting Stone in my hand turned blue.
"My father, Marquis Remelton, he... he's not a good father. Since I was a child, I was always beaten if I didn't obey his orders. He sees me only as a tool for the family's interests."
I listened intently. The stone in my hand remained blue.
"When I entered the academy and met you guys, for the first time, I felt what it was like to have real friends. You didn't see me as a Marquis's daughter, but as Clara. Just Clara."
Her tears flowed more freely. "That's why I never intended to hurt you. Even every time my father asked about you, I always lied, saying you had no potential."
The stone remained blue. She was telling the truth.
I dismissed my magic weapon and squatted in front of her.
"Clara, why didn't you tell us from the beginning?"
"Because I was afraid you would hate me and leave me. You are the only happiness in my miserable life."
Unconsciously, my hand rose and wiped the tears from her cheek.
"Stupid. You think we would leave you just because your father is evil? We are friends with Clara, not with Marquis Remelton."
Clara looked at me, her eyes still filled with tears. "Really?"
"Yes."
I stood up, offering my right hand for her to hold. She took it and stood up.
"Hey, Althair," Alex called.
"What is this? The situation is critical and you're busy with a girl, tsk tsk tsk," said Rio, who was actually jealous of me.
Alicia remained silent. I knew what she was feeling, but I didn't want to say the wrong thing.
That's when I saw a light flying in the sky. It was heading toward the forest. Knowing what that light meant, I immediately started running as fast as I could. I ran as fast as my legs could carry me.
My friends followed me, saying, "Hey, where are you going?"
I answered, out of breath, "Just follow me, this is important."
When I arrived, standing before me was the back of Emperor Arthur, my mentor. My friends caught up, shocked to see the Emperor here. They bowed 90 degrees toward him.
Except for me.
Because I realized there was a baby in his hands. He turned to face us. My friends, getting no response, slowly stood up straight. They were just as shocked as I was.
"Whose baby is this, senior?" I asked.
"Did the Emperor kidnap someone's baby?" Rio said foolishly.
"No, you're wrong. The Emperor must have saved a baby that was left behind in our search," Alex answered more positively.
"Forgive us, Emperor. We were so careless," Alicia apologized.
"This baby..." Arthur began to speak, "is my son, the first and last prince."
My jaw dropped. My friends had ridiculously shocked expressions on their faces. It's true, the empress hadn't appeared in public for a long time, leading to rumors that the Emperor was hiding her from his enemies. And without realizing it, the cause of this war, my enemies, also believed that.
I quickly composed my expression and thought logically. It made sense that the empress never appeared because she was pregnant. After all, a pregnancy is nine months, and the empress had been out of sight for almost a year.
I asked, "What's his name? And why did you bring him here?"
"His name is Carsel von Stellaris. I'm going to give you one last mission, as your emperor and your mentor," he said in a flat tone. "Go to Heartwood with this baby."
My friends were confused when they heard 'Heartwood'. Of course they were. It was a place only the senior and I had ever visited. It was a secret forest, a forest believed to be the heart of the world's life.
I was confused, not by his words, but about my friends. This was clearly an escape. Would my friends be willing to accompany me on such a dangerous journey?
"I hope the three of you will go with Althair as well," Arthur said to Alicia, Alex, Rio, and Clara. "This Empire will fall. Everyone will die. The people you know, your beloved families, the home you hold dear."
"This is the final night of the Stellaris Empire," he said without a hint of guilt.
Alicia collapsed upon hearing this, her hands covering her face, trying to hold back her sobs. Clara was there, comforting her by stroking her back. Rio stood frozen. He then walked toward Arthur and said, "You're the Emperor, aren't you?" Tears streamed from his eyes. "You have to save this empire."
Alex, who usually acted foolishly, immediately grabbed Rio and pulled him away from Arthur.
Arthur replied with a flat face, "I'm sorry, I can't."
"Don't say you can't, try! Do you think we've just been sitting around? I fought. I kept helping the wounded even when I knew they would still die. Don't give up, Emperor. Isn't that the Empire's motto? 'Never give up'."
"I can't... This is not an ordinary battle."
Seeing this dramatic scene, I immediately snapped at Rio, "Not giving up doesn't mean we'll win!"
Everyone turned to me, but I continued, "I'll take the mission. You can follow me or not. Clara, you can go back to the Moonstone Empire. I won't be angry. They will surely welcome you back."
I walked forward toward Arthur. He handed me the baby along with a storage ring.
"The contents of that storage ring are supplies for survival. It's enough for nine years, so take good care of it."
Carsel... he was sleeping soundly, unaware of the many people who were about to die.
"Get out of here, now!"
The Arthur in front of me vanished, a sign that he had returned to his original body.
BOOM!
The sound of a massive battle echoed from behind us. Even though we were tens of kilometers from the front lines, it was still audible.
I immediately summoned my familiar, an adult eagle, and climbed on. But the back of my collar was pulled. I turned to see who it was. It was Rio, the one who had been crying earlier.
"We're coming with you."
"Are you sure? That means you're leaving your families here."
"Yes. Besides, there's no other choice," he answered firmly.
Rio stepped forward and looked at the sleeping Carsel. "You are our last hope. We will do our best to protect you with all our strength."
Alex summoned his familiar, a lion. Rio summoned a wolf, and Alicia summoned a tiger. Clara summoned a frog...
Yes, that's right, a frog.
But don't laugh. That frog is still a mystical beast.
But before she could summon it with a rune, I quickly stopped her. I told her to just ride with me.
And so, we left that place.
But I realized something was off. What was going on? So I looked back and... The evacuation site was already on fire.
The enemy troops with the moon symbol representing the Moonstone Empire were there, watching us leave. They immediately drew their magic arrows toward us.
But before they could succeed, a dark creature slaughtered the troops. I knew it was the Obbsurian race.