Kieran, known throughout the empire as the "Battle Maniac," had arrived.
His reputation preceded him. As one of the emperor's strongest generals, Kieran's name was synonymous with unstoppable force and unyielding prowess.
He was a legend on the empire's borders, a warrior whose battle exploits were recounted with awe and respect.
Tales of his victories spread far and wide—enemy forces trembled at the mere mention of his name, while his allies celebrated his unrelenting spirit and invincibility in battle.
Kieran's piercing gaze finally settled on the woman standing beside Marquis William. The storm brewing within him was palpable, sending ripples of tension through the already hushed hall.
"William, You b*stard!" Kieran's voice cut through the silence like a blade, sharp and unyielding.
!!!
Gasps of shock and astonishment echoed across the room. The dignified guests, who had been engaged in polite conversation and superficial pleasantries, now found themselves frozen, their attention riveted on the unexpected confrontation.
Low whispers and murmurs quickly filled the air as everyone tried to process what they had just witnessed.
"He cursed at the duke's heir," one guest murmured, eyes wide in disbelief.
"Even though he's a general under the emperor, that's still too much," another whispered, shaking their head.
"What will Marquis William do?" a voice queried anxiously, capturing the collective uncertainty of the crowd.
Kieran's lips curled into a sinister smile, a stark contrast to the typically composed and reserved demeanor of a high-ranking general.
His expression conveyed a dangerous blend of contempt and satisfaction as if he had been waiting for this moment to unleash his wrath.
Marquis William's face tightened, but he maintained a semblance of composure. The fiery insult from Kieran, while shocking to all present, did not seem to surprise him as much as it did the others.
"What's the meaning of this, Kieran?" Marquis William's voice was measured but held a sharp edge, demanding an explanation without displaying weakness.
"No, you give me an explanation," Kieran shot back, his voice vibrating with raw emotion. "Why is she here?"
The room fell into an even deeper silence, the tension so thick it seemed to stifle the air.
Whispers and murmurs broke out among the guests, all stunned by Kieran's audacity and the revelation of his connection to the woman at William's side.
Suddenly, an invisible pressure filled the room as Kieran's aura began to seep out, an almost tangible force that bore down on everyone present.
The guards, unprepared for the overwhelming power, fell to their knees, gasping for breath. It was a demonstration of his might, a silent declaration of his superiority.
This was the power of an ascendant—a being who stood far above the masses.
William's eyes narrowed as he watched Kieran advance, a cold determination replacing the initial shock.
"Are you rebelling against the empire?" he shouted, his voice a mix of authority and desperation. The general's intentions seemed clear, and William's hand instinctively moved to the hilt of his sword.
"Rebelling? What are you saying?" Kieran replied, his tone mocking. "I'm merely cleaning the empire of its trash."
He continued his menacing advance, his eyes locked onto William with an intensity that spoke of deep-seated rage.
Seeing no other option, William released Julie's hand and drew his sword, the blade catching the light as it left its scabbard.
Though recently awakened, William had trained rigorously and was confident in his ability to defend himself. He squared his shoulders, readying himself for what was to come.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" William challenged, his voice steady despite the growing fear in the room. "If we fight here, this entire building could collapse. Many innocent lives will be lost. Can you take responsibility for the deaths of these noblemen?"
Kieran's expression remained unchanged, his eyes blazing with a fury that seemed unquenchable.
"The death of one or two nobodies won't make a difference to the empire," Kieran spat, his disdain for the assembled nobles clear.
William's grip tightened on his sword, his mind racing for a solution.
"Even if the son of Duke Dwight is involved? I'm sure you don't want another dukedom as an enemy," he countered, hoping to leverage Spark's presence to defuse the situation.
At the mention of the Dwights, Kieran paused, his eyes shifting to the side where Spark stood.
Amidst the tension, Spark waved nonchalantly, a casual grin on his face as if he were merely a spectator to the unfolding drama.
Kieran's eyes narrowed.
"It's you... Are you also with them?" Kieran demanded, his voice hardening as he addressed Spark directly.
Spark raised his hands in a gesture of mock surrender, his expression one of amused detachment.
"Hey, hey, don't drag me into this pit of fire," Spark said, his tone light and unperturbed. "I'm only here on invitation. No need to involve me in your... domestic disputes."