Chapter 878: Thirteen Pillars
Alexandro, the White Death, sat motionless upon his throne, his pale eyes gazing across the Grand Assembly Hall. Yet when his gaze settled upon Vlad, standing calmly on the pillar to his left, there was a faint flash of approval.
That single nod shook the chamber.
The Emperor of Graecia was not known for kindness, nor for bestowing recognition lightly. His standards were beyond ruthless—worlds had been judged and annihilated for less. For the White Death to acknowledge someone meant that they were truly exceptional, a warrior or sovereign standing on the same stage as the greatest beings of the universe.
Vlad, the True Depravita of Wrath, did not flinch under that gaze. His aura radiated like a red sun, his presence embodying wrath itself—a flame that never dimmed, that only grew stronger with each wound, each battle, burning brighter until all who stood before it were consumed.
The silence ended when the Emperor’s voice echoed like law through the chamber.
"We are all present. The leaders of each faction—state your names and titles."
It was a command, not a suggestion. Everyone in the hall knew that even if they were familiar with one another, the Emperor demanded ceremony. To disobey meant destruction.
A young man no older than thirty stepped forward. His hair was as white as snow, and his golden eyes blazed like miniature suns. On his back rested a bow forged of black bone, radiating a wicked aura that would have corrupted a lesser man. Yet in his hands, its malice was restrained, disciplined, controlled.
When he spoke, his words rang with power:
"I am Prince Altharion Graecia, Crown Prince of the Empire, and Voice of the Emperor."
The Crown Prince’s name carried weight. Altharion was said to be the strongest prodigy born to the imperial family in five centuries, already brushing against the threshold of Lordhood despite his youth.
Vlad studied him carefully. Beneath that regal and disciplined aura, he sensed something else—bloodlust honed razor-sharp, the intent of a warrior tempered on the deadliest battlefields of the universe. The Crown Prince was no sheltered flower. He was steel, tempered and unbreakable.
Vlad stepped forward next. His aura ignited, the phantom of the Red Sun of Wrath blazing behind him.
"I am Vlad Xaos, ruler of the Xaos Kingdom, Hero of the Land of the Three Calamities."
His words were followed by a respectful bow to the Emperor. Though foreign to this hall, his presence was undeniable.
From the next pillar, a woman advanced. Her raven-black hair gleamed with lunar radiance, and in her hands she carried twin crescent swords forged from living moonlight. Her presence was no less than that of Vlad or Altharion.
"Selene Lunaris, High Mistress of the Moon Blades, the Demon Slayer."
Vlad’s eyes sharpened. That title—Demon Slayer—was not one taken lightly. This woman had not merely fought demons; she had marched into the Abyss itself, carving carnage through endless hordes.
A tall woman in gleaming frost-armor stepped forward, silver hair trailing behind her like a comet. Her eyes, cold and unyielding, pierced through deception as if it were air.
"I am Isolde Frostveil, Queen of the Eternal North, Keeper of the Frozen Thrones."
Her power radiated like glacial tides—unyielding, patient, yet capable of crushing anything in her path.
The next figure was a familiar face: Spartacus, clad in void-forged armor, his eyes glowing with constellations that seemed to shift and swirl with every glance.
"Spartacus, Warden of the Infinite Corridors, Guardian of the Graecian Skies."
His introduction was curt, yet it needed no flourish. Spartacus was the empire’s greatest master of space, a strategist whose command of the void was second to none.
A regal man stepped forward, crowned with divine fire, his broad shoulders draped in robes of authority.
"I am Konstantine, Slayer of Dragons, Shield of Civilization."
Vlad noted with surprise how much stronger the king had grown since their last meeting. His aura burned brighter, steadier, like a beacon of unshakable resolve.
The chamber brightened as a figure of immaculate beauty and terror stepped forward—an angelic being clad in white armor, six radiant wings blazing with divine fire.
"I am Seraphiel, White Seraph of the Heavenly Chorus."
His voice carried neither pride nor arrogance, only absolute certainty. This was a being that embodied obedience and purity, the Emperor’s faithful executioner.
Darkness answered light as a sorcerer stepped forth. His violet hair shimmered like fire, his robes alive with ever-shifting runes, and his eyes glowed like twin amethysts burning with forbidden knowledge.
"Kael, Arch-Sorcerer of the Abyssal Flame, Master of Ten Thousand Spells."
The chamber seemed to ripple with his presence, as though reality itself bowed to her command.
A towering knight clad in adamantine black armor strode forward, his greatsword nearly as tall as Vlad. His steps were thunder, his aura unyielding iron.
"Magnus Ironheart, Black General of Graecia, Crusher of Rebellions."
His sword was said to cleave mountains; his will, to break empires.
A veiled woman glided forward, her midnight-blue robes shimmering like the cosmos. Her eyes, hidden beneath her veil, radiated galaxies.
"I am Amara, Voice of the Stars, Keeper of the Cosmic Veil."
Vlad felt threads of possibility stir around her, as though even his future twisted slightly under her gaze, the power of the Law of Time radiating from her existence.
A monstrous presence followed. A half-dragon warrior emerged, black scales covering his body, crimson eyes blazing, a halberd in his grip that pulsed with abyssal flame.
"Drakon Veyr, Heir of the Abyss, Flame that Devours Worlds."
Just like Spartacus, the Drakon went straight to the point before vowing to the White Death.
The next pillar shone like dawn. A radiant woman stepped forward, clad in golden armor, her every movement a hymn of purity.
"Aurelia Dawnbringer, Flame of Purity, Sword of the Empire."
Her holy aura made even corruption itself recoil.
Finally, the group at the last pillar made a step forward, led by an old man with hollow eyes. His life force seemed non-existent, yet at the same time, he gave the aura of eternity.
"Marko, Keeper of Death. The One That Rest."