From Secret Clan to the Divine Dynasty

Chapter 437 Iron Blood Marshal Horatio_2

In the affluent district, carriages and steam-powered automobiles bustled incessantly on the streets, ferrying noble ladies to their afternoon tea gatherings. Coachmen skillfully navigated their vehicles, weaving through the crowded streets with ease, while the shops and stalls lining the roads bustled with activity, displaying a wide array of goods. Shoppers carefully selected their desired items, haggling with the shopkeepers.

The whole of Kennas was driven by an invisible force; everyone was busy with life, striving for their livelihood.

It is the city of ten thousand cities, a city of dreams! For most people on the Ouden Continent, this city represented infinite possibilities and hope!

Finally, there were fewer people outside.

Darren knew the reason; it was because the carriage was getting closer to the core of the city.

Imperial City.

The royal family of the Lorne Empire had always been a powerful Divine Blood clan, the supreme family, boasting many top-tier Bloodlines, including the dual Divine Bloods of Blazing Sun and Salvation. Consequently, the chances of an Extraordinary Exponent in their family awakening the power of Bloodline were tremendous.

At last, he arrived at the core of Kennas and laid eyes on that palace.

It seemed like an artistic masterpiece collectively sculpted by the wisdom of all Lorne citizens, each inch exuding a sense of nobility and elegance!

The entire palace was constructed with immaculate white marble, resembling a giant cloud that had gently descended from the heavens, or as if a crystal-clear iceberg, shining softly yet brilliantly under the sunlight.

Each piece of marble was carefully selected and polished, smooth as a mirror, reflecting the blue skies, white clouds, and the surrounding scenery; it made the entire building seem suspended between heaven and earth, both solemn and mysterious.

"Please halt your steps!"

Merely approaching, Darren was intercepted. He quickly produced a token from Viscount Johnville, and the palace guards asked him to wait, then took the token away.

About ten minutes later, the guard returned and handed the token back to Darren Fischer, who had been waiting.

"Please follow me, but remember not to wander. There are many barriers and Arrays in the palace. If you wander, something untoward might happen."

Darren nodded softly, feeling that it was less about preventing mishaps and more about ensuring he didn't stumble upon certain secrets belonging to the Lorne royal family.

Stepping through the gates of the Lorne Empire's Imperial Palace, he was greeted by a wide, straight avenue lined with meticulously trimmed trees and blooming flowers. At the end of the avenue loomed the magnificent palace complex, intricately built and ascending layer by layer.

Inside the palace, the white marble floor was as smooth as a mirror, reflecting the soft lighting and exquisite decor, transporting one into a dream-like world. The walls were inlaid with gold, silver, jewels, and gemstones that gleamed brightly, complementing the white marble. The ceiling was adorned with exquisite frescoes.

Karl's consciousness accompanied Darren, observing everything around him.

He felt an urgent sense that the palace harbored Forbidden rare artifacts unseen before, surely single-digit numbered. Their allure to him was immense!

"Unfortunately, there's no way to take it from here for now... The power of that Forbidden rare artifact is a bit too terrifying, much stronger than those with double-digit numbers!"

Karl gazed in a certain direction of the palace, overwhelmed by the presence permeating in all directions. It was an irresistible temptation for him!

At last, Darren arrived at a grand hall and stopped.

A man was waiting for him there.

Before seeing him, Darren was completely unaware of his presence, but the very moment he laid eyes on him, he sensed a terrifying, unsettling aura.

How could this be?

It was as if he had reverted back to being mortal, an uncontrollable fear rising from the depths of his heart when faced with this man!

"You finally arrived, Duke Darren Fischer. Good, you are neither a minute late nor excessively early, arriving ten minutes ahead of time,"

"Hmm, I like the way you conduct yourself." Read new chapters at empire

There stood a man at the pinnacle of history, with a sculpted, rugged and profound appearance, exuding an extraordinary leadership aura.

The strongest man in the Lorne Empire.

Iron Blood Marshal!

Horatio Wesley!

He was tall and well-built, with broad shoulders and a thick back, short hair a mix of unyielding black amidst the silver-gray, meticulously groomed. His forehead was broad, his eyes conveyed profound wisdom, his gaze sharp as an eagle's, piercing to the deepest fears and desires of the heart.

Horatio's nose was prominent, his lips pressed into a straight line, and his chin bore a beard that was trimmed just right.

Majestic and mature.

Those were the two best words to describe him!

He wore a custom-made marshal's uniform, with golden epaulettes that glittered in the sunlight, and his chest was covered with densely packed medals and decorations, each a testament to his bravery in countless battles.

"Darren Fischer, the Emperor and the Prime Minister are still at the banquet, they will be over soon,"

"At that time, you will need to report all matters to us."

"Report?"

Darren murmured the word, gently shook his head, and mused silently.

Clearly having heard his voice, Marshal Horatio looked at him and nodded, speaking calmly, "Don't forget, Darren Fischer, Cyart is just one of the many pawns we have."

"So, you need to make your report, just as you would to a superior."

Darren nodded, saying, "Of course I understand that, Marshal Horatio sir, without a doubt, the Fischer family and the whole of Cyart are pawns of the Lorne Empire, we will risk our lives for the interest of His Majesty the Emperor of Lorne, and for His Majesty, we will defeat and seize those Eastern countries."

He paused and then continued with a smile, "However, whether a pawn or a soldier, they need ample reward to maintain adequate combat strength."

"In order for us to have strong motivation, to bring tangible benefits to the Lorne Empire, and to ensure your initial investments don't go to waste, Marshal sir, I hope you can provide more support."

Horatio remained silent for a while, then sneered, "Hah, almost every puppet, every pawn speaks like that, but why does the Lorne Empire really need to care about you all?"

Darren nodded and immediately responded:

"The reason is simple, it is because of the situation I notified you of a few days ago by sending a message... Your puppet in Vallere has been captured, and it's very possible that Vallere might completely turn over to the Seven Stars."

"If the Lorne Empire abandons Cyart now, watching Cyart being annihilated by the three countries, the entirety of the Ouden Continent's East will become the Seven Stars Empire's territory!"

Marshal Horatio's expression didn't change, as if he wasn't affected at all.

In reality, what made him more uncomfortable wasn't whether the Lorne Empire could profit, but the significant growth in the Seven Stars Empire's influence.

The people from the Eastern Four Kingdoms didn't matter; their death didn't matter, but the Seven Stars Empire, being an archenemy, every move they made weighed heavily on Marshal Horatio's heart.

If they really allowed the Eastern Four Kingdoms to fall completely under the Seven Stars' influence, the enemy capable of producing Extraordinary materials would multiply, and given time, the Seven Stars Empire would definitely have more Monarch Transcendents than before, and just one additional Heavenly Enlightenment would be enough to erase many of the Lorne Empire's advantages.

No!

He absolutely could not let those Seven Stars people succeed!

Marshal Horatio paced back and forth for a moment, then suddenly gazed at Darren Fischer and said calmly:

"You're very clever, Duke Fischer of Cyart."

"For us Lorne citizens, we already have enough, even one more Cyart as a pawn, or one less Cyart, doesn't make a substantial difference to the Empire."

"However, the Seven Stars are indeed the deepest hatred within all Lorne citizens' hearts."

Darren didn't utter a word, just smiled. His provocation hadn't even been a covert strategy, but rather a straightforward analysis of the facts.

It was hard to deceive such a man; he could only be guided.

Marshal Horatio instantly understood the logic.

He said coldly, "Even though I know you're using rhetoric, I have to admit you're right. The current situation is indeed as such; we Lorne citizens cannot give up on Cyart."

"Vallere has been a major disappointment to us..."

Then suddenly, Marshal Horatio's presence surged forward powerfully, instantly causing Darren's expression to drastically change.

"So, Duke Fischer of Cyart, I hope you can show sufficient strength! You must win this war!"