I Can Copy And Evolve Talents

Chapter 1264: The Coming Destruction

Northern stood in the council hall with King Ruger, a handful of officials gathered around them in loose formation. The tension from the throne room hadn’t dissipated—if anything, it had concentrated, settling into the stone walls like something physical.

"In all honesty, we do not have much intel about the Empire," the King admitted, "let alone the Emperor himself. There are records of histories that my predecessors wrote of their brief exchanges. The only thing that has always helped us from the brink of destruction was the mountain itself."

He sighed, shifting his weight. "Despite being a small nation, the mountain has aided us in times past—enough to have a back and forth with the Empire. Of course, in all those exchanges, we’ve never had to face the full force of their attack. It’d simply be pointless for them to bother so much over such a small nation..."

King Ruger leaned his head on his hand, the gesture suddenly making him look older. Wearier.

"Which is why I truthfully do not understand why they seem ready to do just that now..."

"Your Majesty, we can’t be so sure yet..." one of the officials cried out.

"What other confirmation could there be?" The King’s voice sharpened. "If that young man came out to openly lure us, then the Empire must be backing his actions. Moreover, the number of envoys they came with? Bringing that many soldiers into another King’s throne room is already enough reason for them to be slaughtered. Like Lord Northern said, every one of their actions was coldly calculated for our response."

At that moment, Prince Rieran bit down on his lip and lowered his head.

"I apologize, Father... I was—"

The King exhaled and waved him off.

"You showed enough restraint, Rieran. I can’t imagine what would have happened if your other three brothers were around."

"Ha... the Empire’s army certainly would’ve perished in this throne room." The officials responded with knowing laughter, the sound echoing off the stone.

’The Ryugan brothers. Not exactly known for their emotional regulation, apparently.’

Northern believed he had seen them before, but he couldn’t quite place faces to names anymore. And frankly, it didn’t matter enough to bother.

He exhaled.

"So there’s no useful information?"

The King responded with forced optimism. "Of course, if you go through the archives, I’m sure there’s a wealth of knowledge about the Empire’s armies. But about their Emperor, or even the Imperial princes and princesses—" he shook his head, "—there’s none."

"I see..."

’Disappointing. I was hoping to find something about my father. Maybe even my grandfather.’ The thought left a bitter taste, but he pushed it aside. Personal excavations could wait. The Empire wouldn’t.

"Of course!! Roma can help you go through the Grand Archives—you can search through everything!"

Roma was visibly taken aback by her father’s declaration, by the sudden enthusiasm that had crept into his voice.

Northern, meanwhile, found the offer quite agreeable.

’Something has to be useful in those archives. And who knows—I might get lucky. Stumble across some secret the old kings discovered and buried.’

He nodded.

"That’s good. However, is it alright? You’re practically giving me permission to access all of your Archives."

The King was thoughtfully silent for a moment. Then he smiled—the expression genuine, if tired.

"I believe you have a good heart. You saw the Empire’s bullying and couldn’t just let it go. I could see how you didn’t want to interfere in all of this... but still, you did. You come off as a good person, Lord Rian." He paused, something curious entering his tone. "Ha. Mind if I ask—your friends from before call you Northern, but you introduced yourself as Rian. I find Northern to be an intriguing name. While Rian is a dangerous one. Are you perhaps from the Northern continent?"

Northern exhaled.

’Talk about priorities. We’re on the brink of war and he’s curious about etymology.’

"No... my father... he had an impeccable naming sense."

"Ah. I’m sure he’s going to be a man of valor. I look forward to meeting him."

Northern smiled coldly. The expression didn’t reach his eyes.

’You really, really don’t.’

"I’m sure that meeting would be... memorable," he said, his tone carefully neutral. "But let’s focus on the immediate problem. The Empire isn’t going to wait while we sort through family introductions."

The King nodded, missing the tension beneath Northern’s words entirely. "Of course, of course. Roma, please escort Lord Rian—Northern—to the Grand Archives. Give him access to whatever he needs."

Roma bowed slightly. "Yes, Father." She glanced at Northern, something thoughtful flickering in her expression. "Shall we go now?"

Northern nodded. "The sooner the better. Time isn’t exactly on our side."

As they moved toward the exit, the King called after them.

"Lord Northern! When you’re finished with your research, please join us for evening meal. It’s the least we can offer after... everything today."

Northern paused, half-turned. "We’ll see. I need to check on my people first. Make sure they’ve collected Abyss Tyrant without incident."

"Of course, of course. The invitation stands regardless."

Northern and Roma walked out of the throne room in silence, the weight of the day’s events settling between them like something physical. The corridors felt quieter now. Emptier. Most of the palace guard had been dismissed, though Northern noticed increased patrols moving through the halls—nervous energy trying very hard to pretend at normalcy.

They descended several levels, moving deeper into the mountain’s heart. The architecture shifted gradually from ceremonial grandeur to functional austerity. Fewer decorations. More bare stone. The kind of spaces built for purpose rather than impression.

"You’re quiet," Roma observed finally.

"Thinking."

"About?"

Northern considered how much to share. "About what the Empire wants. About why now." He paused. "About whether this conflict was always inevitable or if something specific triggered it."

Roma was silent for several steps. "My father thinks it’s the aetherium. That they’ve finally decided our resources are worth the effort of conquest."

"Maybe," Northern said. "But the timing bothers me. The Empire has known about your aetherium for generations. So why now? Would they send such an obviously provocative envoy unless they were ready for large-scale war? And is this really about Ryugan?" He let the question hang. "Or did they just want to show you—clearly and unmistakably—what they could have done from the beginning if they’d wanted to... while they prepare for something else entirely?"

Roma stopped walking.

She turned to him, her expression stern. Guarded.

"Why would you think this?"

Northern stepped closer, his gaze flat and unreadable.

"Roma. There’s a possibility that the Empire isn’t just targeting Ryugan. They might be starting something much larger. A Continental Crusade." He let that sink in. "And Ryugan is just their first march."

She frowned, the words visibly unsettling her. "What?"

Northern looked at her, his voice viciously flat despite the tension coiling beneath it.

"Reimgard... they’re about to try to conquer the entire continent."

He paused.

"I think."