Hero of Darkness

Chapter 1108 The Crystal

Argos Belmont, the Revenant Sovereign finally revealed his connection to Kahn as the Hero of Darkness.

Contrary to Kahn's previous speculations… the Vampire King had no ties to the God of Darkness at all. But not only did he know the Heavenly King of Fire, Romulus Lykaios, one of Kahn's mentors… who had been hiding his true identity for the past 300 years, but he also had the means to track Kahn ever since he became a first-stage saint.

The only definitive answer he offered… indicated that the revenant sovereign was carrying on a mission that had been handed down to him.

Before Kahn could ask who passed down this mission to Argos, the latter mentioned another entity that shared the same mission as him.

"Do you know did someone like me… a being who can easily rule over an Empire by myself chose to settle and create such a small kingdom?

50 years ago… none of these empires even knew that I existed until I purposefully revealed myself to them." iterated the vampire king.

"Why is that?" asked Kahn in a calm yet eager tone.

"Because I was biding for time. A small kingdom is perfect for hiding things.

Most of the species and races in my kingdom are actually discarded parts of civilizations and empires.

It didn't even matter if they were born in an empire that served a particular god or goddess.

Even if these people followed the doctrine of those said Gods… there was a prejudice against them." he revealed a fact about the Belmont Kingdom.

"Just because someone was born as a vampire, demonkin, a dark elf, a thrall, an ogre, an arachnid, descendant of some monsters… there was already a preconceived notion against them in those so-called 'civilized and divine' empires.

No matter where you go… you will always find such outcasts, shunned and discriminated against just for being born." stated Argos sternly.

"He is correct, boy.

The Rakos Empire is a prime example of how an empire that doesn't follow any religious institution, serves a god, or has a class system catered towards a particular species or a race… faces so many obstacles.

True Democracy is just an illusion. And there will always be people who try to overtake these civilizations.

At best, one can hope that the governing authority at least treats them like living beings. Because in this world where powerhouses like Saints and Legendary monsters exist… the weak have no say in this arduous journey we call life." said Rathnaar, his voice echoing in the throne hall.

"The Peak Saint is right. You must be aware of how many times even the Rakos Empire faced uprisings and coups for centuries even after he founded the empire despite the opposition from many neighbouring empires.

Even though the monarchy no longer exists… the Whitlock family both ruled and protected the empire up until 100 years ago.

Even after their annihilation… that Empire still has three 7th-stage saints to protect it.

I did not have that kind of luxury." explained Argos in a contemplative tone.

"It is true, young lord. Even I became a 7th-stage saint only a decade ago.

Although we would have no problem turning ourselves into an empire… we simply did not seek bloodshed." spoke Lucian, the golden-haired vampire.

"So this Belmont Kingdom… is a safe haven for the outcasts and misfits of all the other empires of vantrea?" asked Kahn.

"Yes. But as you can see… the population is smaller even compared to other kingdoms and most of the species are either nocturnal or have distinctions that are considered taboo in many other empires.

If we decided to expand… there would be more than enough cause raised in the name of religion and whatnot to start a war." spoke the Revnant Sovereign.

"I'm the only reason why no one has attacked us yet in the past 50 years.

But what if I'm not here? Millions of inhabitants of the Belmont Kingdom would be massacred just so these fuckers could feel good about themselves while boasting how they eradicated the evils of the world." his tone carried great resentment as he explained the founding reasons of this kingdom.

"But then, what are you hiding in this small kingdom of yours?" queried Vildred, the Lightning Dragon Emperor.

Argos on the other hand, slightly chuckled and responded…

"Sometimes, you have to create an illusion to hide another one. Create a fire to burn the evidence or mask an evil plot as a policy that would be hailed beneficial for the masses." he iterated as he got up from his throne.

"To the outside world, the Belmont Kingdom is a land of misfits and those who have been deemed as evil or blasphemous.

But within the irksome existence… lies a greater threat to all these empires." he said as he transported all of them into a secret area of the castle.

Schwoom!

Schwoom!

In everyone's sight, came a massive 10-meter tall blue crystal that emanated an otherworldly energy.

To Kahn, it felt familiar but also mysterious at the same time.

A part of him was drawn to this gigantic crystal floating in this room, but the remaining part was telling it to destroy it as soon as he could.

"Hold yourself for now. It's not the correct time to destroy it yet." spoke Argos Belmont, as if expecting Kahn's reaction.

"Ruvak Un-tuyek Nvem Orakis." chanted the vampire king.

Rumble!

Rumble!

Soon, the gigantic crystal started breaking and splitting itself periodically, creating the shape of a massive gate.

And through this gate, appeared a white translucent pathway.

"Alright, let's see what this big secret is." spoke Kahn as his group started walking through that white door.

******************

As a new realm was introduced to Kahn and the allies… their entire body shook with sheer disbelief.

Gasp!

"What is this place?" asked Kahn.

The entrance had led them over a thousand kilometers high in the sky of this unknown realm.

And with their sights as Saints, everyone could see the details spread over this vast land.

What appeared in front of them, was an unknown civilization.

Here, Kahn and the company could see thousands of massive castles, temples, buildings, and districts.

Kahn was instantly reminded of Rathna, the capital of the Rakos Empire.

However, things just didn't end there.

Because he saw millions of inhabitants varying from all the species he had come to know across all the empires he had been to so far.

The sky itself was filled with thousands of flying vehicles in an orderly manner with checkposts supported by magic formations that acted like toll booths and maintained the air traffic.

These ships themselves varied from those with passenger transportation, cargo ships, battleships, and a few ginormous warships that ranged up to 10 kilometers in length alone.

Meanwhile, there were flying mounts like griffins, gargoyles, and bird-like monsters that spanned up to 500 meters as they spread their wings.

Kahn with his multiple bloodlines could tell that some of them were descendants of the Godbeasts even if they had a minute trace of the bloodline.

Yet the ginormous creatures were used as mere carriers for tourists or courier services.

As their eyes focused below, the perfectly planned city map also revealed highly advanced cars and vehicles that used mana stones as the source to fly and many people who couldn't inherently fly themselves had machines similar to jetpacks on their back, levitating perfectly as they also went about their lives.

As for the architecture of the ginormous buildings that housed thousands of people of all races and species by each, resembled a lot from the different eras he was aware of.

Byzantine, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, Neo-Modernism, and Parametricism… all these development and architectural styles blended perfectly in the form of 20 to 30-story buildings.

But their presence didn't affect the nature. Rather, subtly planted gardens, playgrounds, and all forms of greenery also coexisted well with this modernized structure perfectly.

One could even say that it carried the color and culture of various countries and civilizations that existed on Earth in a single city.

"And here I thought the capital we saw outside was multicultural and highly diversified.

Despite all of this… everyone is perfectly following order and I don't see any form of issues.

[This place makes modern earth look so… primitive.] he thought to himself.

"Would you believe this kind of place has been existing here under a combined governance of a monarchy, theocracy, and republic at the same time?" spoke the Revenant Sovereign with a playful tone.

"What?! What nonsense is that?

How come this place hasn't been burned to cinders yet? For a place like this to exist so peacefully…

What exactly is this place?" asked Vildred, the Lightning Dragon Emperor.

Kahn, Omega, and Rathnaar also had their curiosity piqued to the point their ears enlarged just to hear the secret behind this realm.

Find more chapters on empire

"Welcome…"

Watching their fervent countenances, the Vampire King lightly smirked and revealed the truth.

"To the Abyss Empire."