Chapter 131 - Going Inside the Celestial Sword Empire

Six silhouettes riding their savage beast mounts arrived at the gates of the Celestial Sword Empire. They saw a long line of people wishing to go inside the empire. 

Everyone was stunned shitless after seeing the six silhouettes draped in long black robes. They were actually riding savage beasts that emitted strong and overpowering auras! 

How could those noble and arrogant-looking beasts allow someone to ride their backs?! If they were people from the late Beast Tamer Pavilion, then they could still somewhat believe the scene. But these people didn't look like someone from that place. 

Aside from the Beast Tamer Pavilion, there were only a handful of people who were capable of subduing savage beasts, and all of them were the peak experts of Shura. After thinking about it, they sucked in a deep breath of cold air while looking warily at Cale's group. 

The crowd parted ways and allowed them to skip in line. Many other people were dissatisfied, but after being glared by the Savage Horned Knights, they shut their mouths tight.

Cale smiled wryly while looking at the people who were glancing at them curiously. They were dying to know who were these people that were capable of subduing such ferocious beasts! They knew that Savage Horned Knights were violent in nature, but they appeared meek and tamed in front of this group.

The gate guards glanced sharply at Cale's group. Although they released an overwhelming aura, the guards looked at them fearlessly. They still had their garrison captain who was at the peak of Saint-Class level. And besides, their duty was to prevent suspicious-looking people from entering their empire as they might be spies from other major powers. And the group in front of them was giving off a feeling that screams: We are spies!

"Stop! Who are you people and what is your purpose for going inside our empire?!" The gate guard spoke firmly, but thick beads of sweat trickled down his face as he glanced warily at the mysterious group in front of him.

Cale remained silent for a moment before he took out the recommendation letter written by Alucard. He then tossed it towards the guard nonchalantly who caught it with a surprised look.

The guard read the words written on the letter and his face turned graver every second. This was actually a letter personally written by the Mercenary Guild's rank eleventh Adamantine-Rank mercenary, the mighty sire Alucard!

The Mercenary Guild was one of the backbones of the Celestial Sword Empire. It also had a mysterious origin that dated back on the earlier establishment of the empire. Meaning, it was as old as their empire! But the past emperors up to the present did not do anything to prevent the Mercenary Guild from expanding their sphere of influence. Whereas the Mercenary Guild also helped the empire during their times of crisis. It was as if the two were working together, forming a secret alliance to further strengthen the Celestial Sword Empire.

The Guildmaster of the Mercenary Guild was also quite mysterious. Everyone hasn't heard anything about him for a very long time as if he had vanished out of thin air. But even with that being the case, the guild was still respected by the citizens of the empire and most of the young generation wishes to someday become strong mercenaries.

"Are you done reading?" A calm voice broke the silence, waking the stunned guard out of his dazed state. He rolled the letter carefully before glancing at the man in front of him who was riding on a savage beast that was glaring at him. His body was covered with goosebumps after feeling the beast's glance, and he could not help but look carefully at the man who was able to subdue such a terrifying beast. 

His facial features were covered by an aesthetically pleasing silver wolf mask. Only his charming lips were uncovered. The man gave off a feeling of profound mystery and his strength was indiscernible. The commanding air around him was very thick, but it was not unpleasant as if it was naturally engraved on him. 

The guard dazedly returned the letter to Cale while allowing them to go inside the empire. The other guards were surprised at his actions and thought that their comrade had gone crazy for allowing such a suspicious-looking group to go inside their empire.

The guard waited for Cale's group to disappear from their sights before he turned to look at his comrades and the surrounding people who were waiting for him to speak. He cleared his throat before speaking in a hoarse voice.

"That group... Sire Alucard personally wrote a  recommendation letter for them to become Platinum-Rank mercenaries. Do you guys know what that means?"

Everyone's eyes went wide like saucers after hearing the guard's words. Of course, they know what that means! Sire Alucard was backing them and aside from that, to get a recommendation letter to become Platinum-Rank mercenary, one should be at least a Saint. Which means those six people were all Saint-Class level fighters!

Saints could be considered as leader level figures even on Shura. And to be recommended as Platinum-Rank mercenaries, it means that they were not just ordinary Saints, but Saints with boundless potential! 

Cale's group looked around the city. Although it was not the empire's capital city, it still gave off a vibe of confidence and power. 

The buildings and houses were not tall and majestic like the ones on Earth, but they were made from unknown rocks that were even sturdier than the minerals on Earth. Their design was also simple, but pleasing to the eyes. 

There was a constant stream of people walking around the city giving it a refreshing feeling. Cale smiled at the ambiance of the city. 

"Now, where can I find a branch of the Mercenary Guild? I should have asked that guard before we left..." Cale sighed regretfully.

* * * 

Sword City, Imperial Palace of the Celestial Sword Empire. 

A majestic army of men clad in silver and golden armor with a  sharp golden sword drawn on their capes rode their horses while maintaining their formation. These horses were savage beasts bred for the purpose of becoming companions for the empire's soldiers. So they were more tamed and obedient than typical savage beasts. Although they were weaker than Savage Horned Knights, they were also helpful during battles.

The crowd glanced excitedly at the soldiers. They were the famous Dual Sword Army of the empire! Leading them was one of the strongest experts of the empire, General Lexus. He was a mid-stage Immortal-Class level warrior, behind him were his two deputies who were also at the initial stage of the Immortal-Class level. 

The three experts were leading about a thousand soldiers who emitted thick killing intents. They were a group of battle-hardened men who had experienced countless wars. Such a strong army was actually on the move. As for where and what their mission was... No one knows. Perhaps only the people from the Imperial Palace knows what the army's goal was.

"The both of you lads, stay here in the capital. I alone am enough for this mission..." General Lexus spoke solemnly without glancing at his two deputies. He climbed on his horse's back before urging it forward. He did not even wait for the answers of his two deputies. 

The two deputies were surprised for a moment, before climbing on the back of their horses. They then chased after the old general, intending to follow him on the mission.

They were also inside the Imperial Palace, so they have heard about their emperor's circumstances, and as to what led to the abrupt mission of their general. 

General Lexus felt the presence of his two deputies chasing from behind him. He smiled faintly, but he still spoke in a loud and commanding voice. 

"Are you brats tired of living?! Do you not know which place I'm going to?! I'm going to one of Shura's forbidden regions, the Cave of Endless Grievance! Now, if you still value your lives, then scram out of my sight!" General Lexus bellowed in a loud and raspy voice.

The two deputies did not speak and just silently followed their general. The three of them have been together battling nonstop for dozens of years. They had developed a deep sense of brotherhood that could not be cut off by a mere forbidden region. 

"General, you already know that you can't stop the both of us from coming with you on this mission. And besides, we also do not wish for the emperor to perish..." One of the deputies spoke firmly, his gaze resolute.

"He is right, general. Us brothers should be together on this mission..." The other deputy spoke with a faint smile on his boorish face.

General Lexus' gaze softened. He remained silent for a moment before he laughed heartily. He then urged his horse to run towards the vanguard. The deputies glanced at each other with smiles before they chased the general.

"Hiyaa!"

"Hiyaa!"

* * *

Somewhere within Sword City, inside a luxurious villa.

A strikingly handsome man in his late twenties was sitting lazily on his chair. A malicious grin can be seen on his face which destroyed his beautiful visage. Behind him was an old man with murky eyes, standing respectfully.

"Say, Minister of the Left. What do you think about my plan on sending that old bastard away, wasn't it brilliant?" The man chuckled deviously and his handsome face contorted with extreme wickedness. 

The old man glanced fearfully at the man, but he still uttered a reply, albeit in a shaking voice.

"Your highness, it was brilliant."

Malicious cackles reverberated inside the room giving off a feeling of eerieness.