Read Novel Full Chapter 561
Chapter 561: Chapter 561
The standoff between the Apprentices of Arcadia Archonos and the Golden Army of the Elysian Empire became very tense.
Both sides had weapons in their hands, and both sides were hesitant to use them.
The Elysian Empire simply could not afford to make an enemy out of one of the Five Academies, and the Arcadia Apprentices could not act recklessly here since Westesia belonged to Aventine, a rival Academy and a powerhouse that was considered much stronger than them.
"I think we should all put our weapons down. We can fight later when that Key becomes accessible." A tall young man with a ponytail, wearing a crown over his yellow and black hair, suddenly spoke up.
Once he had everyone’s attention, he stepped forward and covered Ilsa behind him, and, as if on instinct, several Apprentices adopted a defensive formation to protect him.
It was clear that his identity was far from simple, and those who were well-informed, especially the Apprentices of Aventine, immediately recognised him.
Those sparkling orange eyes were unmistakable. However, before someone could call out his name, he announced his identity himself.
"My name is Balon Balthazar, and I am the Second Prince of East Balzar. I want you to know that my fellow Apprentices are my responsibility on this expedition." His voice turned cold with the last word. "So, I hope you will not push my hand."
After his words fell, the Golden Army seemingly became even more hesitant to act.
East Balzar was the sixth-most powerful Empire on Amaya and could be considered the overlord of Orenesia. Compared to them, Elysia paled in strength, and from what they had heard, the Second Prince of East Balzar was a prodigy among prodigies.
His feats at the young age of only three decades were already greater than those of many renowned old monsters in the world. He was listed 14th on the list of the Top 100 Prodigies on Amaya and was named a Son of Heaven because the forces in Heaven were already extending their olive branches to him.
Also, if the rumours were true, he was next in line to become an Enforcer of Arcadia Archonos.
It was unwise to make an enemy of someone as talented as him, especially if you were unable to kill him on the spot. The repercussions and the revenge would come with blood and ashes, leaving nothing of their line behind to be remembered.
So, how could a mere Commander and his platoon act recklessly against him?
Balon appreciatively nodded when the soldiers of the Golden Army sheathed their weapons.
"You are our guest, Prince Balon. We show our respect to you."
After the Commander gave him a polite bow, he silently led his forces back to their camp.
The tension was finally resolved.
The Apprentices of Arcadia had just heaved a sigh of relief in their hearts when someone suddenly appeared in front of Balon, tensing them up again. And this time, it was someone they actually feared and were worried about.
"Lord Markos." The Prince bowed to the Enforcer of Aventine, having recognised him as the famous Yellow Enforcer.
"Prince Balon." The man with black hair and silver eyes greeted him with a nod. "You are not allowed here without an official decree, and especially not without an Enforcer."
"That’s a Key to the Prison Realm, My Lord. If we don’t take the risks, we might never get the chance again." The Prince’s orange eyes sparkled as he looked at the Yellow Enforcer. "However, we are not trespassing on your continent. Our Enforcer is running a little late, but they will be here soon." He said and then pulled out a Black Badge bearing the sigil of Arcadia Archonos, with two Golden Phoenixes spinning around as they ascended into the sky.
Markos frowned when he saw the Black Badge, which was only given to the Team Leader sent out by the Academy on a very important mission.
However, he was not one to be fooled.
"Who’s the Enforcer that will be leading you?"
"We don’t know yet." Balon shook his head, and his face now showed no emotion.
The Yellow Enforcer had his doubts, which only grew stronger, but he could not really take any action based on his suspicions. Especially not against this group of Apprentices. At least, not yet.
"I hope your Enforcer will be here within two days, or I will have to take action. Please contact Arcadia and ask an Enforcer to get in touch with me as soon as possible." He lightly said as he glanced at all the Apprentices of Arcadia, gauging their reactions to his words, and then nodded to Balon before disappearing from his place.
"Thank you, Balon." A light whisper sounded out from behind the Prince, bringing a smile to his lips.
"You’re welcome, Ilsa." He said and then glanced around the place, scanning all the forces with his keen eyes, his sharp gaze missing no detail as he observed their movements against the frozen backdrop.
"Master Forro."
"Yes, Prince." The man in question, who had a white beard, though not because of his old age, responded with a bow before getting to work.
The Team of Arcadia had their own Sealing Masters with them, and as soon as Balon gave the signal, they started testing the Barrier under Forro’s lead.
Keith, who was watching everything happening in the Settlements on the holographic screen, thoughtfully looked at the images of Balon and Ilsa.
[Subject: Ilsa Viscera Elysius]
[Child of Destiny (Grade A). Evil Star]
[Age: 16]
[Race: Ashaya (Mortal)]
[Bloodline: Elysius Flamera (Mystic)]
[Status: Six-Star Apprentice of Arcadia Archonos, Amaya. Third Princess of the Empire of Elysia. The Disciple of the Green Enforcer]
[Cultivation Realm: Rank 6 Martial Master]
[Special Physique: The Innate Flame Physique]
[Special Treasure: The Fragment of the Sword of Storms (Immortal). The Spirit Flames of Solace (Mystic). The Immemorial Rune of Extinction (Hell)]
[Talent: 9-Star Indigo]
[Strength: 18]
[Constitution: 20]
[Speed & Reflexes: 21]
(10 is the average limit for Martial Masters)
[Charm: 92]
[Fate Value: 19856 (Fluctuating with a rising trend)]
[Destiny: Born out of Sin, Life out of Death, the Curse of Hatred, Ilsa is an Evil Star destined to bring death to the Blood that flows through her veins.]
[Fate (Blue): It appears that an unknown Fortuitous Encounter awaits her in the immediate future.]
"Unknown Fortuitous Encounter?"
{Yes, Host.}
"Is there a way to learn what exactly it is?"
{It will consume a lot of Fate Value since the System will have to peek inside the Plans of Destiny. It is recommended that the Host does not choose this option unless he considers it necessary.}
"What does Blue mean?"
{The Fate is ranked just like the Talents, Host. You can consider the limitations and value of the Fortuitous Encounters by keeping in mind the limitations of the Talents.}
"So, Blue is something extraordinary, but not necessarily something that will excite an Immortal or even a Saint."
{Yes, Host.}
As soon as he received the confirmation, he lost much of his interest in the Fortuitous Encounter that awaited Ilsa. He was still curious about it, but that was all.
A smile crossed his face when he saw Balon’s information, and even though the boy was not a Child of Destiny, he was much more talented than Ilsa. And by the looks of things, he was meant to be one of her greatest strengths.
What really interested him, however, was the Bloodline that ran through the boy’s veins.
He had Monster Blood and possessed traces of an Immortal Bloodline. And not just any Monster Blood, but that of some fearsome Tigers.
"No tasks?"
{Tasks will be issued as things progress. Right now, the Host does not have a definitive plan for the Child of Destiny or her Consort.}
"Consort?" he asked in surprise.
{It seems that Balon is meant to be one of her Consorts.}
"Interesting." He smiled as he glanced at Ilsa again.
Being born as an Evil Star was a Curse, and usually, they led to the deaths of the people dearest to them.
He could already tell that Balon would one day sacrifice his life or die because of his love for her.
Sorting out his thoughts, he inadvertently glanced at his daughter, who was curiously looking at the screen.
"What’s on your mind?" he asked.
"They lied." She said, and he raised his brow at her words.
"Who?"
"The Team of Arcadia. They lied to the Yellow Enforcer. I don’t think they have come here with the Academy’s permission."
"Why do you think so?" he curiously asked.
"They were hesitant when confronted by the Golden Army. If they had come here with the Academy’s permission, they would not act so reserved against a mere Golden Platoon of Elysia. That guy, Balon, and the girl, Ilsa, are good at masking their thoughts from appearing on their faces, but the rest are not. I have been observing them. They are all very uncomfortable with the situation they find themselves in. And an Enforcer running late in such a situation sounds like a stretch. If anything, an Enforcer would appear at such a scene before the Team of Apprentices. And then there are the Apprentices themselves. A lot of them are way too young to come to such a place..." Minami explained her thought process, and the more he listened, the more he found her adorable.
"Well, I wouldn’t say I am surprised that you can read lies. After all, you are my daughter." He teasingly said, and the dark-eyed Eldeilyon brightly smiled at him before planting a quick kiss on his lips.
The two of them stayed inside their cabin for the rest of the afternoon, playing chess and keeping tabs on what was happening out there, and when the sky finally darkened, they got ready for the meeting they were going to attend. Outside, the stillness had started to grow stronger, and an invisible weight was pressing down on the breaths of many who had yet to notice it.
Tonight was a very important night for all the forces who had gathered here, and for all the forces that were yet to arrive.