Cleaver Of Sin

Chapter 629: Move

Thousands of kilometres away from the Wargrave Ducal territory, at the capital of the Zarethorn Empire, life went on as usual, nobles walking around as though they owned the world itself, commoners hustling endlessly in pursuit of survival, Adventurers and Mercenaries moving with deliberate purpose as they set out to carry out their various missions, Merchants and traders striving tirelessly to make profitable sales while engaging in subtle negotiations and exchanges.

All in all, the day was no different from any other, and at the very heart and center of the capital of the Zarethorn Empire stood the Imperial Estate, where the Emperor and the Royal family resided in unparalleled magnificence.

Above, thousands of meters in the air, Malrik appeared in a blur, his eyes cold and devoid of warmth, his presence strangely absent as though he did not exist within the very fabric of the moment itself. After Asher had informed him about the mind manipulation of Emperor Zolthemir Lux Vanthelmor, his very first instinct had been to come here without hesitation and erase the man from existence entirely.

However, after receiving considerable counsel from his right-hand man and most trusted aide, his personal butler, Conrad, Malrik had ultimately decided against launching a direct attack on the Emperor. Nevertheless, that did not mean he had abandoned his intent to confront the man. Rather, he had simply chosen a different approach, and thus, he had come seeking answers.

Malrik shot downward towards the Imperial Estate with immense speed, and upon reaching the ground, he landed with effortless ease and controlled grace. Without uttering a single word, he walked towards the gate leading into the estate, and as he arrived before it, two Knights stood stationed there with composed discipline. The moment their eyes fell upon Malrik, their bodies tensed ever so slightly, betraying their awareness of his overwhelming reputation.

Malrik’s usual confident smile was nowhere to be seen; all that remained was an expressionless mask, a face that appeared as though it had been meticulously carved from cold, unfeeling stone.

The Knights at the gate immediately bowed as they greeted him respectfully, "We welcome the First Sun to the Imperial Estate," they said in unison, opening the gate promptly as they spoke, not daring to delay even for the slightest moment.

Malrik walked past them without acknowledging their greetings in the slightest, and in a blur, Conrad appeared just a step behind him, having positioned himself carefully to ensure that his Young Master would not disregard their prior discussion and act purely on impulse and anger.

After a few minutes of walking, Malrik arrived at the Imperial Palace, but before he could step inside, he was halted by four Knights stationed at the entrance.

"We greet the First Sun," the four Knights bowed slightly and spoke in unison. Although they were Knights serving directly under the Emperor, they were still not nobles and thus maintained a degree of respect.

Malrik came to a complete halt. He did not return their greeting; instead, he simply stared at them with his cold blue eyes, his gaze alone conveying a silent yet commanding order for them to step aside.

"Might I ask if you have an appointment with the Emperor, First Sun?" one of the Knights asked calmly, meeting Malrik’s gaze without fear or hesitation.

Conrad, who was fully aware of how dangerously thin Malrik’s patience could be, attempted to step forward in order to explain the situation diplomatically, but before he could utter even a single word, Malrik spoke.

"Move."

His voice was calm, dangerously calm, carrying an undertone that suggested imminent violence. He did not release his presence, nor did he make any dramatic movement or display of power.

The four Knights immediately frowned, already sensing that the situation was rapidly escalating toward conflict. However, according to the laws of the Empire, only the heads of noble houses were permitted to enter the Imperial Palace without prior invitation or formal appointment, and Malrik, despite his overwhelming strength, was not a Duke, but only the son of one.

"First Sun, according to the laws of the Em—" before one of the Knights could complete his statement, a sharp, thin silver light flashed with immeasurable speed, far beyond their ability to perceive or react to.

In the next instant, four thin silver lines appeared across their throats, and immediately, blood burst outward like a violent crimson fountain. Their heads were severed cleanly, flying into the air before collapsing to the ground alongside their lifeless bodies with heavy, echoing thuds.

Witnessing this brutal and instantaneous scene, Conrad could only sigh softly in quiet defeat, inwardly blaming himself for not acting sooner to prevent such an outcome from unfolding.

With the deaths of four Imperial Knights, the Knights stationed throughout the Imperial Palace grounds immediately sprang into action, their weapons drawn as their presences flared outward into the surrounding air, forming a tightening encirclement around Malrik and Conrad.

"First Sun, Malrik Wargrave, you are hereby placed under arrest under the Laws of the Zarethorn Empire for the execution of Imperial Knights," one of the Knights declared in a composed yet authoritative tone.

Malrik offered no response. He simply stepped past the four decapitated Knights and entered the Imperial Palace without hesitation, not even sparing a single glance for those behind him.

The surrounding Knights immediately moved to apprehend him, but before they could advance any further, Conrad stepped forward and blocked their path. He stood calmly in his butler uniform, his expression composed as he spoke in an even, controlled tone.

"I’m afraid, gentlemen, that you will have to go through me first," he stated indifferently. "Besides, I do not need to remind you why the First Sun is so feared; in truth, you stand a far greater chance of contending with me," he added, as a katana materialized in his hand, his stance subtly shifting as he prepared himself to engage the Knights before him.

Malrik continued walking without pause. With Conrad holding the line outside, he proceeded forward without obstruction, making his way directly toward the Throne Room where the Emperor was said to always reside.

Within the inner sections of the palace, Knights were notably absent, as only maids and butlers who served the Royal family were present. As such, they bowed respectfully and greeted Malrik as he passed, none daring to question or obstruct his advance.

Before long, Malrik arrived before a set of massive golden double doors, their surface intricately designed, standing guard before them were two Knights who exuded the presence of Radiant Soulstar Life Rankers, their composure steady and calm.

"State your business," one of the Knights demanded arrogantly. Despite being fully aware of Malrik’s reputation, they, backed by the protection of the Emperor, spoke as though they were not addressing the son of a Duke, as though they were not standing before the youngest Crownstar Life Ranker on the planet, the youngest in recorded history.

However, as expected, Malrik paid absolutely no attention to their words or their status. At this moment, he cared for neither their authority nor their arrogance. His patience had grown thinner than ice, and these two had chosen the absolute worst moment to provoke him. A long, diagonal silver slash erupted outward without any visible motion from Malrik whatsoever.

With overwhelming force and terrifying precision, the two Imperial Knights, who stood merely a step away from ascending into the Crownstar Life Rank, were cleaved apart effortlessly, their bodies split from chest to torso, their armor offering no resistance whatsoever against Malrik’s attack.

The slash did not cease there, it continued forward, striking the massive double doors and the wall behind them, and upon impact, both the doors and the wall exploded outward violently, sending debris scattering across the surroundings with a deafening, thunderous force, shaking the very structure of the palace itself.