Chapter 231: Chapter 231: Future Emperor?
"Whoaaa, what!"
"God!"
The soldiers from both sides were struck dumb, pausing the war to a complete stop. Their eyes were on the unfolding spectacle before them.
Aengus was now the epitome of an apocalypse.
His dragon form left everyone stunned by its sheer size. He was now a 6,000-meter-long and 2,500-meter-wide black dragon.
Terrifying!!
It was as if he had ascended to the heavens; his dragon head and crimson eyes pierced through the clouds, almost reaching the edge of the troposphere.
Each of his wings shone like the sun, radiating with a mixture of crimson fire and hellfire. It made the very air burned, and ground scorched.
The blazing heat produced from his body above melted people nearby, as if the sun itself had descended right above their heads, so close.
General Leon, though shocked, smiled as he watched Aengus shine so brightly, just as he had once told Aengus he should.
"So, it's true, Leon... we welcome a new Emperor?" General Felix and Martin muttered beside him, both awed and terrified.
"Yes. He is the one who could bring true order and peace," General Leon murmured, his gaze fixed on the massive Fire Dragon.
From their conversation, it seemed that Leon had once spoken to them about Zero's goal and promise. At that time, they dismissed it as a joke, but now they were beginning to take it seriously, sensing a bright future ahead.
"Mm..Hmm... it looks like he was born for this task," General Martin agreed, looking contemplative.
"Now that I think about it, with this monstrous dragon form, it would have been pretty easy to defeat the Beast Lord in Darkwood Forest, right? That basilisk was far smaller than him now, if I remember correctly." General Felix smiled brightly, feeling a weight lift off his chest. It was because he had made a decision for a better future.
General Leon had no definite answers, but he noticed the acceptance on Felix's face. This made him feel hopeful for the future.
---
As the apocalyptic fight raged high in the sky, Aria and the squad watched in awe at their captain's sudden transformation and the earth-shaking battle unfolding before their eyes.
Just as promised, none of the squad members died in the encounter with the enemies. When they were close to death, they were miraculously saved by the mysterious, instant death of their enemies.
"We underestimated Captain Zero once again, everyone. He is a god among men!" one soldier said with a fanatical expression.
The battle had paused due to the apocalyptic fight above, and they marveled at the world-shaking spectacle before them.
"CREAACK!"
"RUMBLE!"
With each collision, the world trembled, the air thinned, and the clouds vaporized. The starry night sky was clearer than ever.
Aria was happy to see him shine. She hoped this would clear all the inferiority complex and suffering he had endured in the other world.
Once he returned, he would be able to stand proud, making his mother happy.
As for her... the future was uncertain about their journey together, but what was wrong with being a little optimistic?
She might have to wait a little, but she had confidence in him to overcome any obstacles.
Aria ensured their squad's safety to fulfill the promise on his behalf.
Delilah, Drake, and Yona were shaken to the core, imagining such a powerful presence beside them just a while ago. They were simply too stunned to speak.
The two captains looked on with reverence, as if witnessing godly might.
As for the Northern Duke and the royal princes, their expressions were bright and incredulous. They were certain they were going to win after Aengus's might was revealed.
"I can't believe a person surpassing the Transcendentals was seen in our kingdom," Crown Prince Malcolm muttered, feeling the heat grazing his face even from miles away from the main battlefield.
"Haha... I even doubted his strength at first, thinking he was just an arrogant brat," Duke Milroy said with a regretful sigh.
"Now that I think about it, he was just being humble in front of everyone, hiding such power inside him. How embarrassing is that?" he laughed, mocking himself.
"Milroy, what's happening? We heard we're winning."
Suddenly, an old, husky voice reached their ears.
They turned to see the King himself, present on the battlefield, accompanied by a few guards and closely guarded by knights.
The nearby soldiers gave respectful bows, acknowledging his wise presence.
Duke Milroy smiled. "Yes, royal brother. Look... your wish is coming true, though it was the hand of an unfamiliar person."
The old King gazed at the night sky, illuminated by a burning sun and the holy aura of a sword.
"It's the Kairos Empire's Legacy Skill of Sword Fusion! And who is that Dragon, Milroy?" the King asked.
Crown Prince Malcolm answered, "Father, it's the same boy that General Leon, Ethan—or Zero, you could say. Delilah teamed with him at that time."
"Oh..."
King Milphomor recalled the boy with black hair from the High Human race.
"I see... But I thought he was a High Human. Since when did this young man become capable of defeating so many Transcendentals together?" the King asked, doubtful but trusting that Milroy and his son wouldn't lie.
"Well, he can't be judged by common sense. Perhaps he is the key to breaking out of this world, just as foretold in the old divination," Duke Milroy replied.
"Anyway, big brother, you should really consider how to get him to join us. It would ensure the kingdom's long, prosperous future," Duke Milroy suggested, his arms crossed.
The King seriously considered the proposal. The young man's future was limitless, full of potential.
His old, shrewd eyes turned to his youngest daughter, Delilah, among Aria's group, seemingly coming to a decision.
---
Aengus's paw slammed down once more, easily deflecting the sword's charge and feeling slightly ticklish from its sharpness.
The impact created a devastating air pressure downward, forming a massive crater beneath his paws, as if a mountain range of five peaks had emerged. The fusion sword vibrated intensely from the impact, becoming dull and cracked as it was forced into the ground, creating a sword-shaped crater, same as the five-clawed mountain range.