As the last member of the Seven Swords left the room, the defense cum detection barrier Arin, the head of the Seven Swords deployed earlier dispersed.

Hidden in a corner, a small grey spider crawled out between the dusty book shelf.

Mrs. Spider scanned the room for any enemies before slowly making its way out from the room. Once she found her way out, Mrs. Spider morphed into a dove as it flew its way towards the capital of the Empire, Castile.

◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆

Watching the gore scene orchestrated by the Honored Hero, Mongered slammed the table and stood in front of Her Highness.

“That bastard of a Hero! Allow me to march and lay waste on their pitiful army!” Mongered Marrion roared.

A simple cavalry charge towards the Hero camped can easily kill him and all of his party.

Though, Black Barok may be the pride of the Seven Star Alliance but it’s still a baby to monsters from the House of Marrion.

Who else can withstand the charge of their Herculean Horse and the might of the enchanted cavalry weapon. They will be trampled by the hooves of the Herculean Horses as the head of the bastard Hero will be paraded for all to see.

To dare to point their sword to the Empire, that itself is just cause for their annihilation!

“Settle down, the Festival of the Three Moons is upon us. To miss the festival will be a loss of growth for the whole House of Marrion.” Lady Avigail

“Even if we decide to go for the offense, more than 60% of their army consist of forced beast men, demons and demi-human slaves. Killing all of them will destabilize the whole region. Unless we are prepared to help rebuild the whole seven countries, it’s a loss cause. Not to mention, the slave army consist of children and women, our soldiers will not be so motivated on killing innocence.” Saniz the 6th Council member responded.

“Why are we still debating about this? They brought their armies here, we should receive them with smiles. As for the seven states, let the fallen soldiers be a reminder of them the consequences of misplaced greed.” Marrion slammed the table.

“Aren’t you all underestimating them a little bit too much? The Hero is a Slavemancer and a Mind Magician. How many of our soldiers has the ability to fight off his unique skills and magics? It won’t be funny when the whole House of Marrion suddenly become his puppets. Especially now when he has gathered the whole Seven Alliance against us.” Lord Antonnio Coros, cautioned them.

“My spies tell me that his power grow stronger with each slave he enslaved. I’m afraid in a battle even against one of the Council member, I can’t guarantee we won’t succumb to his magic.” He continued.

‘Ara, ara..., another otherworlder nut job has arrive. Why is it there is always an ego manic wanting to conquer the world and somehow has unique skills?’

[Suggestive Hypnosis lvl 6]

[Unending Obedience lvl 3]

[Slavemancer lvl 9]

‘Such troublesome skills at that.’

Biting her lips, Lady Avigail began to ponder an effective way to counter this situation. It was the Empire’s mistake to let such a cancerous threat to grow but for them, the internal threat the Ex-Emperor posed was more critical for them. In the end, it’s too late for regret. What done is done.

Just as she was about to propose her new plan, from the corner of her eyes, she realized something, “Where is the Empress?!”

On top of the striking throne sat a beautiful white egg nested with multiple magical cushions but their Empress sleeping on top of it is now gone.

◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆

Flapping her wings and coiling her tails around the Soul Beast Egg, Kumon subconsciously licked her living ‘Cushion’.

It tastes like fresh vanilla soft cream.

The answer for their problem is obvious, a large AOE magic attack against Black Barok would kill off the Hero.

This is not a war against a country or the Seven Star Alliance, this is simply a tyrant who enslaved the whole region to do his bidding. A tyrant with no successor inheriting his ability at that. An eliminable tyrant. Should she help?

‘Let’s wait a bit, let them…..’

‘Help.’ ‘Help!’ ‘Please anyone, please help!’

Opening her closed eyes, there it was.

In a motionless world where the time itself remained stagnant, the young Minister of Defense enjoying his new gifts on top of a luxurious silk covered bed. As for the beast girls, their eyes were dead except one. The same one in the spy magic before.

Her eyes remained fighting as her cries dried yet the limbless petite body of a girl struggles to fight her oppressor. When her eyes met Kumon’s, she tried to speak but her tongue was no more resulted only inaudible sobs and cries. In response, Kumon flew towards her and placed her front paw on top the young lady’s hand while gazing into her eyes.

“Say thy three wishes. A warning though.

For every wish, there is a price.

Each price is of equivalent value of the wish.

If the wish is to my liking, only then it shall be granted.

Choose them well.”

‘I only want one, give me power! Power to burn my enemies!’

“If that is what your truly desire, then let the price be ….”

Using the last of her will power, the young lady nodded her head.

◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆

Instantly teleporting to their Empress, the whole Council moved along with half of the Emperor’s Guards.

All arms to the teeth, they came prepared to lay waste on those who dared to kidnap their Empress but what greet them was nothing of that sort.

Floating above Black Barok, all of them bare witness of the might of the Empress. Darker than night, black flames engulfed the fortified city. Burning all of Black Barok and those in it. Laying waste to any defense and crushing any resemblance of resistance.

A hero? An impregnable fort? Seven Swords? Seven Armies?

Who are they in front of true power?

In less than five minutes, the once proud Vanguard of the Seven Star Alliance completely fell. Even the bones were reduced to mere ashes.

And from the ashes, a single entity formed.

A beast with black flames as her flesh and blood. A monster capable of commanding both respect and fear even to the most trained warriors.

Even then, the monster nodded her head to their Empress before disappearing into the woods.