Read Novel Full Chapter 572: The next phase
Chapter 572: The next phase
Far away from the turmoil and wars, hidden within a location that did not exist on any map, a vast chamber sat in absolute silence.
The room itself was ancient.
Massive black pillars rose toward a ceiling that vanished into darkness, while strange runic patterns glowed faintly across the polished stone floor. The air felt unnaturally heavy, carrying a pressure capable of making even powerful cultivators uncomfortable.
At the center of the chamber stood a lone figure.
Ken.
The proud commander who had once spoken confidently before kings and armies now stood with his head lowered.
Not out of respect.
Out of necessity.
Because the six figures seated before him were among the very few individuals in the world capable of making him feel genuine unease.
Four men.
Two women.
They sat upon elevated stone thrones arranged in a semicircle overlooking the chamber below.
Yet none of their faces could be seen.
A dark mist continuously drifted around their heads, concealing their identities entirely.
Even their voices seemed distorted by the strange energy surrounding them.
They were the true architects behind everything.
The people who had started the war.
The people who had manipulated kingdoms.
The people who had financed rebellions.
The people who had installed false rulers and usurpers throughout the continent.
The public knew nothing about them.
Most kings didn’t even know they existed.
But Ken did.
And that knowledge alone was enough to make his current situation uncomfortable.
The chamber remained silent for several moments.
No one spoke.
No one moved.
The silence itself felt like punishment.
Finally, one of the men leaned slightly forward upon his throne.
“You failed.”
His voice echoed throughout the chamber.
Calm.
Emotionless.
Far more terrifying than anger.
Ken immediately lowered his head further.
“The situation became more complicated than anticipated.”
The response earned no reaction.
A second figure spoke.
A woman.
“And Lechia?”
Ken clenched his jaw.
“Lost.”
The chamber grew even quieter.
Another man spoke.
“And the Emperor of Rus?”
Ken’s expression darkened.
“Rescued.”
The third question came almost immediately.
“The operation in Rus?”
“It has been compromised.”
The fourth figure finally moved.
Only slightly.
Yet even that small movement caused the pressure inside the room to increase noticeably.
“So let us summarize.”
The voice belonged to the second woman.
“Lechia has been reclaimed.”
“Yes.”
“The Emperor escaped.”
“Yes.”
“The resistance has gained reinforcements.”
“Yes.”
“Your enemies are growing stronger.”
Ken remained silent.
The answer was obvious.
The woman continued.
“And despite all your preparations, despite the resources provided to you, despite the advantages you possessed, your opponents have achieved victory after victory.”
Every word landed like a hammer.
Ken could feel sweat forming despite the cold atmosphere.
Normally he would have defended himself.
Normally he would have argued.
Not here.
Not before these people.
The first man finally spoke again.
“Explain.”
Ken took a breath.
“The situation changed because of several individuals.”
The six figures listened silently.
Ken continued.
“The Empress recovered far faster than expected.”
“The Blackmare alliance became involved.”
“External kingdoms began supporting Lechia.”
He paused.
Then added the final name.
“And Xavier Alden.”
The chamber became still.
Even among the six figures, that name clearly held significance.
One of the men leaned back slightly.
“The boy again.”
Ken nodded.
“He was involved in nearly every major setback.”
The woman on the far right spoke.
“The same boy who infiltrated Rus and rescued the Emperor.”
“Yes.”
“The same one who survived your imprisonment?”
Ken’s jaw tightened.
“Yes.”
The room fell silent once more.
One of the men drummed his fingers lightly against the armrest of his throne.
A soft sound.
Yet somehow louder than thunder within the silent chamber.
“We underestimated him.”
Nobody argued.
Even Ken couldn’t.
The man continued.
“And this Ice Belle?”
The question caused Ken’s expression to harden further.
For the first time since entering the chamber, genuine frustration appeared in his eyes.
“She has become a problem.”
“A problem?”
Ken nodded.
“Her growth rate is unnatural.”
The six figures listened carefully.
Ken rarely praised enemies.
Which made his words more significant.
“When I fought her in Lechia, she had grown stronger than expected.”
He paused.
“During our second battle…”
For the first time, hesitation entered his voice.
“…she fought me evenly.”
The pressure within the chamber shifted.
Several of the figures straightened slightly.
One of the men spoke.
“Evenly?”
Ken nodded.
“By the end of the battle, she was my equal.”
Silence.
Then he continued.
“And she unveiled a technique unlike anything I have seen before.”
The woman on the left spoke.
“Describe it.”
Ken’s expression darkened.
“A storm.”
He remembered the battlefield.
The sky.
The winds.
The devastation.
“A tornado powerful enough to trap three Celestials simultaneously.”
The room became completely silent.
No one interrupted.
No one questioned him.
Because they could hear from his tone that he was not exaggerating.
Ken slowly clenched his fists.
“It was unfinished.”
That statement drew attention.
His eyes lifted slightly toward the shrouded figures.
“It wasn’t complete.”
The implications settled heavily throughout the chamber.
If an incomplete technique had nearly killed him…
What would happen once it was perfected?
The first man finally broke the silence.
“Then she must die.”
The statement was delivered casually.
Like discussing weather.
No hesitation.
No emotion.
Just a decision.
Ken remained silent.
The man continued.
“The Empress.”
“The boy.”
“The Ice Belle.”
“The Emperor.”
His fingers tapped the armrest once.
“They are becoming symbols.”
Another figure nodded.
“And symbols inspire resistance.”
The first man leaned back upon his throne.
“That cannot continue.”
For the first time during the meeting, the six figures began discussing matters among themselves.
Quietly.
Calmly.
Yet every word carried enormous weight.
Below them, Ken remained standing in silence.
Listening.
Waiting.
Because despite all his authority elsewhere…
Here he was merely an instrument.
Finally, one of the women broke the silence.
“You have disappointed us.”
Her voice was calm, yet every word struck like a hammer.
Ken clenched his fists.
“I accept responsibility.”
“Do you?” another man asked coldly. “Because from where we sit, we see failure after failure.”
“The kingdoms are rallying.”
“The resistance grows stronger.”
“And Xavier continues to survive.”
The name alone seemed to darken the atmosphere.
Ken lowered his head even further.
“I underestimated him.”
A short laugh echoed through the chamber.
“Everyone underestimates him.”
“That excuse no longer interests us.”
Another council member leaned forward slightly.
“The fact remains that among all our commanders, you are still the only one we believe capable executing our plans.”
Ken looked up slightly.
The council rarely offered praise.
Even now it sounded more like a burden than a compliment.
“We have evaluated every battlefield.”
“We have reviewed every report.”
“Others have failed.”
“Others have died.”
“But you continue to adapt.”
The first woman spoke again.
“For that reason, we are granting you additional resources.”
Ken’s eyes widened slightly.
A massive crystal materialized before him.
Then another.
And another.
Each radiated enough energy to sustain an army.
Ken’s breathing became heavier.
The council was truly committing everything.
“You will receive more troops.”
“More elites.”
“More artifacts.”
“Whatever you require.”
One of the men rose from his seat.
“But understand this.”
The chamber instantly became colder.
“The time for delays has ended.”
The mist around him twisted violently.
“We are no longer interested in territorial victories.”
“We are no longer interested in political gains.”
“We want results.”
His voice became deadly.
“Eliminate the leaders.”
Another council member continued immediately.
“And eliminate the Ice Belle.”
The temperature of the room seemed to drop further at the mention of her.
Even the council viewed her as a growing threat.
“Their influence spreads too quickly.”
“Their victories inspire hope.”
“Hope is dangerous.”
The woman at the center slowly nodded.
“As long as the leaders remain alive, the resistance will continue to unite.”
“They must die.”
Ken swallowed.
The pressure from the six figures became overwhelming.
“Can you accomplish this?”
For a moment, silence filled the chamber.
Then Ken slowly rose to his feet.
His eyes hardened.
The humiliation he had suffered.
The defeats.
The setbacks.
The growing legend surrounding Lucas.
All of it had become fuel for his hatred.
He looked toward the council.
“This time…”
His voice was low.
“I won’t fail.”
The shadows remained silent.
Whether they believed him or not was impossible to tell.
The central woman finally waved her hand.
“See that you don’t.”
The artifacts and crystals floated toward Ken.
“Go.”
“Prepare.”
“The next phase begins now.”
The chamber trembled.
The six figures slowly faded back into darkness.
One by one.
Until only Ken remained.
Standing alone.
Surrounded by enough power to shake the world.
Yet instead of relief, a dangerous smile slowly appeared on his face.
“Xavier…”
His fingers tightened around one of the ancient scrolls.
“You’ve survived every trap I’ve set.”
His eyes gleamed with murderous intent.
“But now…”
A dark aura leaked from his body.
“…I’m coming for you myself.”
The chamber shook violently as his laughter echoed through the darkness.