After Hammond finished the call, he looked solemn and let out a deep breath. The Shadow Troops were a unit that had never been seen by the public, a force with no honor but only loyal to Drakonia. They operated in the darkest corners of the nation, performing the most dangerous tasks yet remaining unrecognized.They held the highest ideals and were ready to sacrifice their lives.Hammond sighed, seemingly reluctant. "The Shadow Troops. I truly regret this."Warren frowned and said, "It concerns the foundation of Drakonia. It's unavoidable. The Shadow Troops were established to die for the country. They are nameless heroes. Perhaps, decades from now, people will finally recognize their contributions. Their families don't know what they are doing now and may even resent them, but they will understand in time."Hammond shook his head without saying more.Soon, the four elders of Drakonia left the Drakonian Council for the Emperor's Pavillion under the escort of the Royal Guards.Mea
"You tell me, with all these achievements, is it not enough for the position of Grand Marshal?" Hammond shouted passionately, pointing at the old officials and vehemently defending the Emperor's decision."That's right. I, representing the Combat Division, am the first to support this decision." At this moment, the Combat Division's Grand General stepped forward, endorsing the Emperor's decree. "Xayne represents glory for Drakonia. If he turns against us, I will be the first to die in atonement."With the Grand General's support, the officials fell silent, unable to argue loudly, but continued to voice their concerns."Grand General, you are not Xayne. How do you know he won't become arrogant? The position of Grand Marshal is a significant one. The case of Xander is a perfect example.""Exactly. Xayne is still Xander's grandson and Xander's whereabouts remain unknown. Some say Xander was seen in the Northern Plains. If they join forces, will Drakonia change its surname to Xavier?"
The Emperor's imposing presence dominated the entire council hall, leaving every minister in the room silent and trembling with fear. They had just witnessed a terrifying display of power when a single glance from the Emperor caused one of them to drop dead on the spot. It was a stark reminder of the Emperor's once-legendary ferocity and ruthlessness. The qualities that had been overshadowed by the passage of time. The ministers had nearly forgotten how formidable their ruler had been during his ascent to the throne, and the recollection now sent shivers down their spines.The Emperor spoke as he scanned the room with a cold gaze, "Since the Ten Elders of the Wyncock have agreed, who among you dares to disagree?"The ministers, who were still kneeling on the ground, exchanged nervous glances but dared not utter a word of dissent. In unison, they responded, "We obey the Emperor's command."Just as the Emperor was about to issue his decree, a powerful figure suddenly entered the
The Emperor's face flushed with anger as he snarled, "Klink! Do you know who you're speaking to? How dare you command your Emperor?!"Klink quickly responded with a smile, "I wouldn't dare, Your Majesty. You misunderstand my intentions. I am merely thinking of the future of Drakonia. To put it plainly, Xayne is not qualified for the position of Grand Marshal! If Your Majesty insists on this appointment, then I will be forced to proceed with my own plans."The weight of Klink's words was undeniable—this was no longer just a debate about the Grand Marshal's position. It was a direct challenge to the Emperor's authority. Klink's intentions were clearly treacherous.Immediately, Warren, Hammond, the Four Elders of the Drakonian Council, and the Ten Elders of the combat division began to rebuke Klink."Master Klink! How dare you speak to the Emperor this way? This is beyond insolence—it's treason!""Klink! How dare you defy the Emperor's decree?!""Is the KB Kings Circle planning to r
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Hammond responded promptly, then hesitated before asking, "But what about the KB Kings Circle? After today, it’s clear that Klink harbors treacherous intentions."The Emperor frowned as a fierce aura surrounded him. "As long as I am still the Emperor, he won’t dare to rebel!"Hammond nodded in agreement.At that moment, the War Department's general approached and said, "Your Majesty, there has been movement in the three new war zones. It’s highly likely that the KB Kings Circle is involved! I fear that even with the title of Grand Marshal, Xayne may not be able to command these war zones."The Emperor’s gaze turned cold and calculating. "I didn’t appoint Xayne to command the war zones. I did it to give him a title, to place the stakes on him. If Xayne fails, the title of Grand Marshal will be worthless. But if Xayne succeeds, then anyone or any faction opposing him will be branded as traitors! I'm giving them a choice—a test of loyalty—to see who they’ll place
Xayne let out a cold snort and then yelled, "Hunt! I should have executed you myself back then! Now I'm warning you, move your troops out of my way, or I'll kill you first!""Hahaha!" Hunt laughed, He then sneered, "Xayne, you think you can kill me in this situation? I've got over forty thousand soldiers behind me. If you make a move, they'll open fire immediately! But… if you're willing to step down, kneel before me, and lick the dirt off my boots, I might let you keep your corpse intact."As he spoke, Hunt lifted his combat boots, revealing some dirt on the surface."Xayne, times have changed in Drakonia. We need to embrace the new power. If you stay stubborn, you won't escape death.""Enough!"Xayne's voice was cold as his hand shot forward. His military knife flashed like lightning. With a sickening thunk, it pierced through Hunt's chest and stomach in an instant.Hunt's eyes filled with terror. Even as he died, he could not believe Xayne would actually strike.With a heav
A group of men stormed into the command center, taking control within seconds. The commanding officer was slammed onto the table by the massive, six-foot-three man who had led the charge.The brute picked up the satellite phone and dialed a number, speaking with deep respect. "Dragon Commander, I've secured the command center!"On the other end, Dragos's voice was serious as he replied, "Excellent! Proceed with the mission!"After hanging up, Dragos's expression hardened. He turned to his subordinates and asked, "Where is Drakon King now?"One of the men quickly answered, "He's about fifty miles from the capital!""Gather all the men! We're going to meet the Drakon King!!" Dragos commanded."Yes, sir!"In an instant, nearly three hundred elite members of Dracarium assembled in the underground base and headed out to the city's gates to welcome the Drakon King.Meanwhile, within the capital, Klink was sitting in the main hall of a secluded manor. He coldly gazed at Drake standin
The Radiant Commander was a level of power that everyone aspired to reach—a state of being that would allow one to transcend their mortal limits, grasp the essence of the universe, and truly understand the foundations of this world."Radiant Commander?" Drake whispered the name of that fabled realm. Just saying it made him shiver uncontrollably as he was unable to fathom the idea. In his mind, the Quad-Divine Commander realm that Klink had reached was already an unattainable peak. But above that, there was still a realm of the Radiant Commander.All these years, Drake had never even heard of a Radiant Commander-level figure appearing. If those two ancient legends of Drakonia had truly ascended to that realm, it would be beyond extraordinary.Heaven Slayer and Earth Conqueror—the very names alone were enough to instill fear across the eight directions and all four seas.Meanwhile, ten miles outside the capital, Dragos and a group of elite Dracarium warriors were already waiting re
Dean's wild provocations quickly drew a crowd of onlookers.At that moment, a striking young woman stepped forward, removing her sunglasses as she made her way through the throng.The woman was dressed in an elegant black gown, the hemline revealing a pair of flawless, slender legs that caught everyone's attention. Her expression, however, was haughty, as though she looked down on everyone around her.She was Deanana Lovorka, the heiress of the Lovorka family conglomerate. While not exactly a household name, she was considered a minor socialite in the upper circles of Drakonix."Manager Dean, it's been a while!" Deanana greeted casually.As someone who frequently traveled abroad for business, Deanana was a familiar face at the airport and she had crossed paths with Dean on several occasions.But she was not here for a casual chat with Dean. It was far from it.She had come specifically to see Xayne.This was, after all, the legendary King of the North. Just six months ago, he w
"Do you have any idea whose luggage this is?" Aava asked coldly with a sharp and commanding tone.She was on the verge of revealing her special credentials—something she rarely used unless absolutely necessary. Xayne had been her hero, someone she deeply admired. The ridicule from Miodrag moments earlier had already pushed her to the edge, and now even a low-level airport staffer dared to humiliate him."Of course, I knew. Xayne, the King of the North six months ago; now he's just a regular civilian," the staffer replied with icy indifference. The staffer smirked. "Miss, do you think Xayne is still the mighty King of the North? There's no war, the capital isn't under siege, and he's utterly useless now. Take my advice—someone young and beautiful like you should stay far away from trash like Xayne. Get closer to someone like Young Master Dongfang instead. It'll do wonders for your future!"Dean swaggered over, cigarette dangling from his mouth, hands clasped behind his back. His ex
Upon hearing those words, both Xayne and Aava paused in surprise, then frowned in unison.The VIP lounge was clearly still operating as usual. Inside, over twenty people were relaxing—some reading newspapers and sipping coffee. There was no sign of any "closure" or "disinfection."It was obvious that this so-called announcement was deliberately targeting Xayne and Aava."Manager Li, isn't this going a bit too far? That's Xayne—formerly the King of the North. He has special privileges to use the VIP lounge. If this gets reported to higher-ups, we could all be in trouble…," whispered one of the airport staff, cautiously approaching Dean."Higher-ups? Haven't you heard? Young Master Lyuben already gave the order—anyone who sides with Xayne will see their entire family wiped out." Dean sneered, exhaling a cloud of smoke as he lit a cigarette."And even if the higher-ups find out, what can they do?" Dean added mockingly. "I'll admit, six months ago, I wouldn't have dared cross Xayne. B
Miodrag's laughter quickly caught the attention of onlookers in the bustling terminal. But their gazes were fixed not on him but on Xayne.The "King of the North" was a name nearly everyone recognized, yet no one dared approach him. Lyuben's warning had spread far and wide: anyone who got close to Xayne would face annihilation."Miodrag! What gives you the right to mock Mr. Xayne? Just hours ago, he was fighting on the front lines for this country. And you? What have you done besides indulge yourself in luxury?" Aava snapped with a sharp and clear voice."Heh, I pay taxes, don't I? Doesn't spending money generate tax revenue? Without people like me keeping the economy alive, what would Xayne have eaten in the north? Dirt?" Miodrag smirked, his tone dripping with mockery. He sneered and continued, "If not for us rich kids throwing around millions in donations every day, Xayne wouldn't even have warm dirt to eat!""Damn it! The nerve of that guy!""What's so special about the East
"Is it true that Xayne captured the so-called 'Lord of Light' alive?" Lyuben remained calm as he was playing a grand piano in the lounge."Indeed! Word is, the Lord of Light's master, Master Emin, was present as well. However, Xander also made an appearance. My analysis suggests it was Xander who forced Master Emin to retreat, while Xayne crippled the Lord of Light." An older man lowered his head respectfully as he spoke, his voice tinged with urgency."Oh? Defeating the Lord of Light… he must have had a trick up his sleeve. Was it some kind of tactic or setup?" Lyuben asked without betraying a hint of emotion."It's said that Xayne specializes in traps and ambushes. Otherwise, Hiram and his crew wouldn't have met their end in that mansion. Master Dongfang, you mustn't underestimate him!""Hmm?!" Lyuben's eyes shot open suddenly, piercing beams of icy resolve radiating toward the older man.The man immediately lowered his head further, not daring to meet the gaze of the young lead
"Lowes, what are you panicking for?" Zoro's cold gaze locked onto Lowes.Even though Lowes was several generations younger than him, as the head of the Bullard family, he had the status to stand on equal footing with Zoro."I'm not panicking, I just don't want to see more white funeral banners hanging at the Bullard family estate. If Xayne comes back and chooses to settle the score, do you think any of us can handle it? You might not know this, but back when King Quidie rebelled, even Klink didn't dare lay a hand on him," Lowes replied, his voice strained but steady.He paused, taking a long, slow breath to calm himself. "Put it another way, if Xayne comes for us, even KB Kings Circle won't step in to save us. If that doesn't scare you, then I don't know what will!"The air in the room grew colder. Lowes glanced around at the faces of the other family heads, hoping to see reason in their eyes. But then came a sneer.Zoro let out a low, disdainful chuckle. "Even if Xayne didn't die
"Xayne!" Zoro clenched his fists so tightly. If anyone had a grudge against Xayne, the Eastin family's hatred was no less than that of the Bullard family. Not to mention, Flamey had been killed by Xayne not long ago. This blood feud had to be settled.The Big Four weren't some weak, defenseless prey that Xayne could toy with as he pleased. For decades, the Big Four had controlled the heart of the Drakonia's economy. Every senator, governor, and political figure had to show them respect. But since Iver's death, the Big Four had lost their glow. People who once bowed their heads were now looking down on them. The root of all this was because of Xayne.That's why, after Flamey's death, the Eastin family had no choice but to call upon their master, a man who had been living in seclusion for decades. Every bit of information regarding Xayne's trip to Egenda, his plans, his contacts, and even his flight schedule had been deliberately fed to Lord of Light.They made it clear that the momen
"In the end, his ambitions were never realized. When he attempted to merge all five Dragon's Hearts, he died. After his death, the Dragon's Hearts vanished without a trace. That's why the Light Order has always kept a close eye on Drakonia, especially on the methods Commander Zedd used to track down those Dragon's Hearts," Joe explained.Hearing this, Xayne was utterly stunned. He had never imagined that over a century ago, Commander Zedd had possessed five Dragon's Hearts. That would have been a time when Drakon Destiny was on the rise. However, because of the failed fusion, Commander Zedd lost not only his life but also Drakon Destiny's, which declined, leading to the humiliations and defeats that followed over the next century."So you're saying the Dragon's Hearts are tied to the fate of a nation?" Xayne asked, his shock evident."Absolutely. Based on our research, there's no doubt about it. The fate of Drakonia is linked to the Dragon's Hearts. Every time someone successfully f
In the VIP lounge of the airport, Xayne and Aava were waiting for their flight. Not long after, a tall, broad-shouldered young man strode in. He scanned the room briefly before his eyes locked onto Xayne and Aava. Without hesitation, he walked straight toward them. "Mr. Xayne, I'm sorry for the wait. I was sent here by Yves."The young man sized up Xayne, his eyes flashing with surprise when he saw that Xayne was completely unharmed. Word had spread about Xayne's clash with Lord of Light, a confrontation that even drew out a Radiant Commander figure, Emin. Yet here Xayne was, perfectly fine. It was hard not to be impressed.As Yves's right-hand man, Joe Zhird knew better than to underestimate someone like Xayne. His respect was evident in his tone and demeanor. With his status as the top lieutenant of Black Ice Platform, even the heads of prominent families would approach him with courtesy. But right now, it was Joe who was showing deference to Xayne, and this caught Aava by surprise