Divine Emperor of Death

Randal's eyes became moist as he felt incredibly moved.

He hardened his heart and made a great sacrifice by ruining his own reputation when retreating, and he cared for his subordinates so he couldn't let them die a meaningless death. He didn't think anyone or even the new Emperor would understand him or his decision to retreat.

So when he came to the Imperial Palace, he was prepared to die by taking his own life in return for his failure.

Logan knew that Randal was a loyal commander in the Army. As far as he knew, his Imperial Father would praise him a lot for his bravery and courage, but he also mentioned how he was compassionate and loyal.

Logan also knew that Randal's subordinates admired and obeyed him, so losing him would mean a great loss to the already weakened Loret Empire, as the army morale would be at an all-time low.

Logan, the current Emperor, should've in all right beheaded Randal by himself for the mistakes he had committed to establish his authority in the Throne Hall. But he also understood that doing so was foolish, as it would only lead to dissatisfaction and chaos among his men.

In reality, he had started to doubt whether if there were any people already planning to desert his Loret Empire.

"How dare you show your face in front of the Emperor after that miserable defeat!? Instantly show yourself out."

A handsome middle-aged man with sharp facial features berated the Army Commander, Randal. 

His face looked sharp, yet his eyes were slightly lazy, but even then, he exuded a solemness that didn't give someone the opportunity to mock him. He had lush green hair that is neck-length long.

He is none other than the current head of the Cauldon Family, one of the two Noble Families which sided with the Imperial Family to quell the rebels.

"Now now, Duke Evan Cauldon, there's no need for that, our Majesty has already forgiven him."

Another middle-aged man replied with a calm expression on his face.

He looked dashing and had bright red hair that cascaded down to waist-length.

He is none other than the current head of the Nolan Family, the other of the two Noble Families that sided with the Imperial Family during the rebellion.

"Hmph, are you in support of a coward in the midst of a war, Duke John Nolan?!" Duke Evan Cauldon questioned.

"There's no need to fight among ourselves now, and show some restraint, you're in front of the Emperor, Duke Cauldon." Hendrickson calmly interjected as if he was tired of this farce.

Duke Evan Cauldon harrumphed and said nothing more. He was not that afraid of an Emperor that was just a little more powerful than him. 

What he didn't know was that Logan had already broken through to Adult Soul Stage. If he knew, then he would've not dared to be this disrespectful towards the young Emperor.

The other two were silent as if this had nothing to do with them. They were the leaders of the Ruthless Sword Sect and Piercing Dragon Sect.

Both of the Sects were Sky Grade Sects, albeit Low-Level in which they only had a single Law Seed Stage Powerhouse sitting on the helm of their respective sects.

Nevertheless, the current Imperial Loret Family wasn't that different from them since they had lost most of their power due to the rebellion.

The destruction of an Empire has nothing to do with those two sects, but since they have connections to the Imperial Family previously, there will probably be a chance for them to get eliminated by the invading Empires. They were here to decide whether to help the Empire cross over this calamity or not.

"Enough!" 

Logan echoed, his voice influenced almost everyone present visibly as they subconsciously turned attentive. His voice was magical, along with undulations that surprised each and everyone present.

"Adult Soul Stage!" The five of them were astonished.

They then replied in unison as they bowed, "Congratulations to the Emperor on breaking through to the Adult Soul Stage."

The crowd in the back echoed as well.

Logan nodded his head casually.

"Randal, when exactly will they invade the Imperial Capital?" He questioned.

"Reporting to your majesty! The invading Empires will march here within a day." Randal replied to the best of his knowledge.

Communications were lost, and the scouts no longer replied to him. This was the best answer he could give out right now.

There was a momentary silence in the Throne Hall.

"This is bad!"

"There's no way we will be able to survive..."

"Should we run?"

Various whispers and soul transmissions were swirling around the Throne Hall simultaneously.

"Silence!" Hendrickson bellowed.

The crowd stood horrified and shut their mouths.

Logan knew that this scenario remained hopeless. Most likely, the probable situation is that they would have to escape and reclaim the Empire later.

Logan felt like he was stuck in a mire now.

On the one hand, he felt like he had to protect his family no matter what. On the other hand, if he escaped, he felt like he was acting opposite to whatever he learned in his life and that he would have no face to meet his ancestors after death.

The Loret Family had always heavily valued morals and victory. From an early age, Logan was influenced by these values.

To run and leave his Empire to be pillaged, isn't that just the opposite of its teachings?

*Woooo!~*

Suddenly, the sound of a war horn being blown echoed throughout the Imperial Capital.

Everyone was suddenly petrified. A random guard came inside the Throne Room with hurried strides and reported. "Your Majesty! This is bad! The invaders have arrived behind our Northern Gates!"

Logan had an ugly expression on his face, 'So soon?!'

He immediately looked at Claire, who was silently seated beside him, and his heart was almost convinced to escape when he heard a voice.

"Your Majesty, do you plan to escape?" The two Sect Leaders asked in unison with a cold face.

Logan became startled. 

He shot a glare at those two Sect Leaders, trying to obtain something out of their faces. He could vaguely see that they were not afraid of the consequences of betraying him.

He knew that if he tried to escape, these two could betray him anytime they saw fit. He could even see them probably handing over his head to appease the invading Empires.

A hand grabbed Logan's palm, and he turned back to see Claire smiling beautifully at him. The same smile that made him remember the vow they took together when they married each other.

[We live together and die together!]

Logan tightly grabbed her hand and nodded at her. He then turned around to them and majestically uttered, "Escape? Are you two so afraid of death that you would support the prospect of me escaping so that you could escape yourselves with the remaining shameless faces you have left?"

The two Sect Leaders' faces flushed quickly with a red hue by being berated in this Throne Hall, where many people were witnessing their 'grandeur'. Just when they were about to counter-attack with words, they heard the Emperor's voice again.

"I'm going to war! If you have the guts, follow me or else scram the hell out of my Empire!" Logan shouted with fervor and made his way out of the Throne Room while heading towards the North Gate of the Imperial Capital, making Claire also followed behind.

The two Sect Leaders were left with no choice but to follow.

The other four of them also followed behind the Emperor as he walked with a grand disposition, and witnessing that the Emperor himself was leading them, the crowd automatically followed behind them.

Logan abruptly sent a soul transmission to Imperial Advisor Hendrickson.

"Escape with Davis and Clara!"