Chapter 400 400: Ambitious!

****

Gabriel's departure from the Kingdom of Arecia was in such a way that not many people in the Empire knew that he wasn't in the Empire at all!

Throughout the days that Gabriel was missing, the news about the deaths of most of the people who rose in an uprising against Gabriel was spread far and wide! The stories were even more brutal than reality, oftentimes exaggerated by the people who spread such news!

This was also what Gabriel wanted in the first place. More and more people were starting to acknowledge Gabriel as a blood Demon. However, they were also scared because of the stories. None of them dared to plan an uprising again.

The Royal Knights also didn't stop to curb any stories. If anything, they just let things progress. Amongst all the stories, there was also one more rumor that had started to spread under the Knights' noses.

It was unclear where that rumor came from or if it was true or not, but at many places, stories were spreading subtly that Gabriel was associated with the Dark Mages!

Many other Empires had also sent their spines to the Arecia Empire to slowly infiltrate and find out more about the current situation. Many neighbouring Empires sent their spies which were currently in the Royal Capital!

If it was before, the news about Gabriel being associated with the Dark Mages would've been enough to shock people enough for them to demand a change in leadership or even look for outside help.

Unfortunately, currently the situation was just too strange and the citizens were just silent and only observing the situation.

In one such tavern of the Royal Capital, many prominent figures of the capital were sitting and having a good time. Since Gabriel had stripped all the Nobles of their powers, most of the people in the Empire suddenly became commoners and lost all powers! Even the strength of the Academy was curbed under such heavy measures!

Many people from other Empires noticed such things and thought about trying to take advantage of the situation. The Empire was at its weakest after all and perfect to swallow.

Unfortunately, after the intelligence gathering and all the stories they heard, even they didn't dare to be hasty! It was said that Gabriel had wiped out an entire army himself while he was only a Knight!

"I really pity you people, living under the rule of a demon! It seems even worse than it would've been living under a dark mage!" One of the spies sighed, talking silently to his informants in the Empire.

"Shh, don't speak so loud! If the Knights heard you, it won't be good! Don't get me in trouble with that Demon!" The informant looked all around the tavern carefully, making sure that no one heard them.

"You're quite popular in the Empire, aren't you?" In one of the private rooms on the first floor, two youngsters were sitting next to each other, looking at the entire ground floor through the glass window. "To me, it looks like you're sitting over a bomb that can explode at any time, with even the slightest fire."

"The entire world is a bomb for someone like me, no matter where I go. It's just a matter of my identity being exposed," Gabriel replied to Avilia, not being bothered about her words. "However, you don't have to worry about me. This bomb... It will only blow up my enemies. I will let Arecia be my downfall. This is just the start."

"Well, you certainly have some time now. The neighbouring Empires won't even think about attacking Arecia anytime soon. However, the same can't be said about the Churches. If you really execute your plan, it'll lead them straight to this Empire, won't it?" Avilia asked, still unclear how Gabriel was going to execute such an ambitious project while preventing the Empire from being destroyed.

Gabriel took a sip of his beer, finishing it in one try before standing up. "As I said before, they'll come to this Empire even if I don't do anything. Since I have some time before the execution, I would rather spend that time in preparation. However, before that... I need to go somewhere. You can go and wait for me at the palace."

Gabriel stepped out of the room, covering his face with a mask. However, before leaving, he turned around. "Oh, and tell the guys at the Palace to increase the speed. The formation that I stole from the Church of Flames is still not implemented completely."

"Tell them to finish it in a week. Also, don't think about sending a shadow after me. I don't want to have to destroy it."

Avilia heard Gabriel and rolled her eyes. However, she also stopped the spell that she was going to cast. This guy was really troublesome!

After Gabriel left, the room returned to the old silence with only Avilia behind. Avilia was still sitting in the room, thinking about the past and more importantly about the words that she had heard from the Holy Lord of Wind!

"Even if I don't do anything, he will die..." These words kept floating in her head. She didn't understand what the Holy Lord of Wind meant at that time, but she couldn't help but wonder if this was what he meant.

Even without him doing anything, Gabriel was executing such a dangerous plan. This was akin to turning the entire world against him in one stroke. This was just too dangerous.

However, she felt as if this wasn't right. She felt that there was more to the words of the Holy Lord of Wind than what was happening! Something much bigger.

In the end, she also finished her alcohol. She left a few gold coins on the table before disappearing as well.

She went straight to the Royal Palace of Arecia. After telling the current Saint Knight to fasten the progress of construction, she went to the room that was assigned to her to rest, still wondering just where Gabriel went and what was he trying to hide.

"Whatever. You can't hide it for too long. Sooner or later, you'll have to show me..." She muttered lying on the comfortable bed.

****

Leaving the tavern, Gabriel reached near the Royal Garden of Legacy which he had prohibited for others! Many Royal Knights were assigned outside a seemingly ordinary garden to prevent anyone from entering!

The Knights didn't even know why they were protecting a garden. It wasn't as if anyone was going to rob grass here. However, they followed commands.

"Your Majesty!"

The Knights that were getting bored guarding at night were stunned to find the Emperor in the distance! They all dropped to their knees respectfully.

"Enough with the greeting. Retreat and no one is allowed to enter within five hundred meters of the boundary of this garden, including you!"