On top of a lonely mountain peak, a middle-aged man descended from the sky, landing a distance away from a black-haired girl who was crazily swinging her sword around. This girl was Jian Si, soon-to-be the leader of the Mountain Ba Sword sect.

As for the man, he was the current Patriarch and he was the only one who was on good terms with Cold Sword.

"Jian Si, get ready, the king summoned us both."

His tone was light and friendly, he didn't behave like a Patriarch but more like a friend. Jian Si heard him but kept swinging the sword, not bothering to give a reply.

After a few minutes of watching her repeat the same thing, the man sighed and said:

"Look, I know you hate the royal family but the current king is different and his unexpected summon is worrying me."

"Hmpf! If he needs to talk to us, why doesn't he personally come? We're not his subjects!"

None of the sects and clans of Green-Leaf world are publicly obeying the royal family, however, many were brought under Isadore's wing after he promised them many benefits. The Mountain Ba Sword was one of the exceptions as not only was it strong enough to stand on its own, it is situated outside of the capital so the king's influence can't reach it that easily.

"We're not obligated to go but it seems to be an important matter."

The man paused for a second before adding:

"Wrath was sent here to personally escort us."

The red sword in the girl's hand came to a sudden halt, she turned her head toward the man and staring at him for some time before sheathing her sword.

The two didn't linger there any longer, they went to the sect's entrance where Wrath was patiently waiting. After a brief greeting between the sect master and Isadore's personal guard, both the Patriarch and the disciple were led to the royal castle at the center of the capital.

The King, Isadore Marfront, was waiting for them in a spacious courtyard. He was leisurely sipping some tea while throwing a couple of curious glance at the mysterious girl brought by the Nameless Knight.

Before Leiu left, he entrusted the girl to Isadore, saying that he has to protect her until the time comes. Though, from what Wrath said, the girl doesn't need protecting as she's extremely strong and has awakened the bloodline of Fenrir. Her identity is still unknown to the King but he didn't dare directly ask her anything or try to investigate her background. The last thing he wants is provoking Leiu as it'll bring doom to all of Green-Leaf.

"I see that you have arrived on time, please have a seat."

Isadore motioned for the two guests to sit but Jian Si kept looking at him with an unfriendly expression. She didn't seem too interested in coming here and her attention soon shifted to Saly, who was quietly meditating.

"Please excuse my sudden summon but the matter is rather urgent."

The King seemed to be talking to Jian Si rather than the Patriarch, who was confused. After a slight pause, Isadore continued:

"I believe we have a mutual acquaintance."

Though her attention was focused on Saly, Jian Si still heard the young King but gave no reply.

"Arthur MoonStar."

Only when he uttered that name did Cold Sword have a reaction. Though she tried to hide it, her minuscule change in her expression was noticed by the keen-eyed Isadore.

The Patriarch was oblivious to the relationship between Jian Si and Arthur hence his confused expression. He chose to maintain his silence and listen to what the King has to say.

"I don't know your exact relationship with him which is why I summoned you here. I also summoned Patriarch Buera because whatever will happen will affect your sect."

Isadore took another sip from his tea before he crossed his arms and started explaining:

"As you know, Arthur has a wife, which you also met. She's the daughter of the Matriarch of the White Specter Clan and not long ago, she was forcefully brought back to her clan… which is something Arthur did not and will not tolerate."

It was the first time Jian Si heard about this so she was really surprised. She never thought that her teacher's wife, that overbearing silver-haired woman actually belonged to the White Specter Clan. Even without hearing everything, Cold Sword could kind of guess what Arthur will do.

She didn't have that many interactions with him but he sure was a vengeful and stubborn person. Someone who will use any means to achieve what he wants. Back when she wanted to kill him inside the Kang's family ancient tomb, he managed to shift the situation to his favor and successfully escape with his life.

Furthermore, each time they meet, his strength seems to have dramatically increased. Everything about him was strange, from his mysterious dark powers or his ruthless sword skills. The skill he imparted her last time had become her ultimate trump card, something that could even kill Sovereigns.

Noticing that the girl was no longer feigning the fact that she didn't know Arthur, Isadore smiled and resumed talking:

"Arthur has already declared war to the White Specter Clan and will soon attack."

Feeling overwhelmed by all the new information he was hearing, Buera, asked:

"He declared war on them? Does he have some sort of a special background?"

Isadore shook his head and replied:

"Not at all, he originates from a low-Realm."

"Then isn't his declaration of war merely a joke? How can he expect to attack the White Specter if he has no one to help him? We're not talking about a normal sect but one of the top ten in the Cloud Sea Universe."

"Well… soon, you'll see how and with what he plans to attack. Plus, I didn't summon you here to discuss that but another matter."

"What do you want?"-Jian Si

"Hahahaha It's not what I want but what you can do."

For the first time since they came, Isadore switched his gaze from Jian Si to the Patriarch.

"This war will change everything, it'll be a great change, however it may be… and seeing your sect is somewhat acquainted with Arthur, I believe this will be a great opportunity for your sect, and my kingdom, to rise to great heights."

Buera waved his hand while massaging his temples, trying to process the king's words.

"Wait wait… are you asking us to help that Arthur?"

"It's simply an offer, you're not obligated to do as I say."-Isadore

Buera let out a sigh, got up and said:

"Then we refuse your offer. Whatever the outcome of the war, it'll not affect us. If it's as you say, it's not a battle for us and the enemy is the White Specter Clan, judging from what I have heard about the Matriarch, that Arthur or whatever won't stand a chance even if he brings exceptional individuals."

Buera turned around to leave and Jian Si remained silent, choosing not to voice out her opinion and obediently accept the Patriarch's decision.

As they were making their way out of the courtyard, Jian Si heard a small, almost unnoticeable voice.

"Cowards."

She abruptly turned around only to see the little girl from earlier glaring at her. Despite her appearance, her glistening sky-blue eyes brought with it an invisible pressure that weighed down on the frowning Cold Sword.

*********

Arthur knelt before a well-decorated tomb, his eye closed and his aura eerily contained. He remained in that position for a very long time, not saying or doing anything.

He only stood up when a tall and muscular figure appeared behind him.

"Why are you here wasting time? Shouldn't you be preparing for the war?"

A smiling Jackob patted Arthur's back while saying. In response, Arthur gave him a wry and forced smile while saying

"This is the least I can do."

"Come on, man! It's not your fault. You were busy dealing with many serious problems, we cannot expect you to be here every time something happens."

Arthur didn't give a reply, he reciprocated Jackob's actions and patted the muscular man on his shoulders before leaving him alone, fully aware that behind that smile is a lot of sorrow and grief. They haven't been married for long but Anastassia disappeared, leaving a healthy Ragnar behind.

Instead of looking for his missing wife, Jackob steeled his heart and took care of the sect and his son.

…

Arthur held a cute baby in his arms, grimacing at the laughing newborn and playing with him. This was Ragnar, Jackob's son, a healthy boy. As he gazed at the innocent baby face, Arthur's whispered:

"Don't worry, your uncle will find your mommy, it's a promise."

"Oh! You're here!"

A mature woman wearing glasses and a gorgeous black dress entered the room and walked toward Arthur. A black-haired and grumpy looking youngster was following the woman. They were Robin and Rey, the kid who empowered by Arthur using Dark Magic.

As his gaze landed on Rey, Arthur nodded his head, satisfied with the progress the boy made. As for Robin, she didn't seem too different, just more responsible and less emotional.

"Rey, take Ragnar and go play with him outside."

The youngster didn't dare disobey the strict-looking Robin, he took the baby from Arthur's hand and swiftly left the room.

This only left her with Arthur, who was confused by her actions. Her gaze contained accumulated anger and rage for some reason.

Then, out of nowhere, a hand came flying at him, violently slapping his cheek, causing a crisp sound to reverberate across the empty room. Even Rey, who just left the room could hear it but he didn't try eavesdrop and merely brought Ragnar elsewhere.

Though he could have dodged her slap, Arthur chose to accept it, thinking that there must be a good reason behind her actions. Seeing his confused expression, Robin's was further incensed.

"You really don't realize what you have done?!"

'SLAP!'

She ruthlessly slapped his other cheek, not caring about his feelings.

"You're so focused on your wife that you ignore everything else! Do you never think about the consequences of your actions? Do you not care about those around you? Have you ever asked yourself about the reason all of this happened?!"

'SLAP!'

She kept slapping him while slowly pushing his body, not even restraining her strength. Arthur only reacted after getting dozens of slaps, he stretched his hand and stopped Robin's incoming hands.

"Just what have I done to infuriate you this much?"

Robin violently freed her wrist from his hand while letting out a crazed laugh

"What you have done? I don't even know where to start!"

Her reddened face and heavy breathing clearly showed how angry she was. After taking a deep breath, she stared at him with a piercing glare while saying

"Do you know that Anastassia's disappearance is your fault? The millions that died on Itas Continent? Your fault. You're so busy thinking about your shitty war that you forgot to ask about your missing daughter! Where was she last seen? Is she alive? How can you be so obsessed with your wife and forget about your friends and family?"