Chapter 237
by post_apiChapter 237: The Arrival of the Reaper
Another World
In the vast realm of Aliin, only one continent hosts the civilized nations. This land, teeming with over a hundred million diverse intelligent species, thrives with lush vegetation and peculiar creatures unknown to any other world.
In the northern expanse of this continent stands a mighty ancient empire. For over a decade, its dominance has been unchallenged, its cavalry corps and magical forces sweeping through the land, leaving no foe undefeated. Victory after victory, the empire now stands at the cusp of claiming every corner of Aliin.
Under its iron hooves, countless lives have been crushed. Resistance has proven futile against the empire’s overwhelming might. It is a force deemed invincible.
Discovery of Another World
Recently, the empire’s sorcerers unearthed something extraordinary—something that defied comprehension.
Other worlds exist.
To the people of Aliin, whose understanding of existence had always been confined to their visible universe, this revelation was earth-shattering. Their once-limited worldview now stood transformed. Tangible proof of another realm had emerged, complete with precise coordinates to this uncharted world.
These coordinates, astonishingly, had been captured with ease, as if gifted by an unseen hand. They pointed to a realm entirely unknown to them.
When this discovery was relayed to Emperor Aliin, a ruler weary of the monotony of conquest, he found himself intrigued. Mobilizing the full might of his empire, he ordered the construction of the “Gate of Space,” a portal to this new world. Through knowledge extracted from interdimensional spaces, the gate was completed swiftly.
The Gate of Space
Now, the gate looms over the outskirts of the imperial capital—a massive, circular structure shimmering like a silver mirror, dozens of meters high. Beyond its threshold lies the unknown.
The emperor’s finest army, the Black Dragon Cavalry Corps, was the first to venture through the gate, a symbol of his ambition to conquer all existence. Guarding the portal, meanwhile, is the Imperial Capital Defense Army, an elite force second only to the Black Dragon Cavalry.
General O’Hare, commander of the defense forces, stood watch before the shimmering gate. His silver armor gleamed, though his expression was heavy with unease. Thousands of soldiers camped behind him, disciplined and vigilant.
O’Hare, like all Aliin people, bore the distinctive traits of his race: light-blue blood coursing through his veins and gill-like “quinn” structures on his neck that enhanced physical endurance when activated. Yet, as formidable as he was, doubt clouded his thoughts.
“The emperor… reckless,” he murmured, recalling how the entire Black Dragon Cavalry Corps had been sent through the gate without reconnaissance. “To explore the unknown, shouldn’t we begin with a small team? What if the other world cannot even sustain life?”
The unease gnawed at him. Though he harbored suspicions, no one could question the emperor, a “cataclysm-level” warrior unrivaled in power.
A Family’s Plea
Later that day, O’Hare returned to his residence in the upper district. His wife and children greeted him at the dining table, though the atmosphere was tense.
“People are pressuring you to take a stance on the imperial succession,” his wife said, concern etched on her face.
O’Hare sighed. The emperor’s health was failing, his lifespan shortened by years of using the forbidden “Starfall” power. A successor had to be chosen. Yet the political maelstrom was treacherous.
“You must withdraw from this,” his wife implored. “Move to another province, away from the capital’s schemes. For the sake of our children—”
Her words trailed off as she gazed at their young faces, filled with both fear and hope. O’Hare hesitated, torn between duty and family.
“I will think about it,” he finally said. His wife embraced him, tears of relief streaming down her face. For the first time in years, O’Hare felt a flicker of clarity.
The Grim Reaper
At the space gate, the sky darkened. A figure emerged—a pale young man, his golden pupils encircled by rainbow light. A blue flame burned within his eyes, and his black robes flowed like living ink.
The soldiers felt an unbearable pressure, their instincts screaming submission. They knelt before him in terror.
This was the “Grim Reaper.”
With a flick of his finger, he
unleashed a wave of black
radiance. It surged like an
unstoppable tide, annihilating
everything in its path.
Thousands of elite soldiers
vanished without a sound.
The imperial capital, once a
beacon of power, crumbled to
dust. Even O’Hare’s family,
reunited in a fleeting moment
of peace, was swept away in
the chaos.
The empire, poised to
dominate the continent, was
obliterated in mere moments.
The Grim Reaper descended,
surveying the desolation.
Without a word, he turned and
stepped back into the portal,
leaving it open.
A New Chapter
Inside a villa far away, Bai Yan
narrated the events to Sylve.
“The Grim Reaper,” he said, “is
the most dangerous among
the ‘Eyes of the Empire.’ His
power is unparalleled.”
Sylve looked at him, puzzled.
“How did you know?”
Bai Yan only smiled, ruffling
her hair. The pieces were
falling into place. The final
steps of his plan were near.