Varian's expectations of Zion Emperor were right.
After reading just a bit of his history and doing some research in those three days he stayed on the other side, Varian concluded one thing.
Zion Emperor was a paranoid soul.
Zion Duchy had two very powerful warriors.
The genius prince Xelor—an alumni of the kingdom's academy. At a young age of 800, he already reached rank 7.
He was considered suspicious and was not allowed much direct contact with the duchy's top officials.
Rumors said that he was not Jataur's biological son but Varian didn't have any opportunity to verify it.
Regardless, Xelor was a powerhouse to reckon with.
The second was a war hero from Zion duchy who contributed a lot to the kingdom's army and retired just a year ago.
As he was also a rank 7, he too was sidelined and given the position of 'Sage'— a title typically given to a guardian with no political inclinations.
Sage Nevar, like Prince Xelor, was actively discriminated against.
'So if push came to shove and his own life gets threatened, Jataur would send them here. One, to the end threat. Two, hoping that the threat ends these two and removes these variables.'
Before the powerhouses enter the scene, however, sending scouts was standard protocol.
— — — —
Far away from the space crack where the Pala envoys were stationed, a section of space split open and ten rank 6 men in a black costume with imprinted gold runes stepped out.
They quickly deployed a few formations that distorted the light as well as blocked off their life signals.
Then stepped out a man with a powerful aura. The leader of the team, an old man with a trimmed brown beard and bald head, took a moment to observe the surroundings.
His heart raced as he recalled the promise made by his father, the Zion Emperor.
"Oleg, you are my eldest born. You deserve the throne, but the opposition factions are asking me to pass it on to that bastard Xelor. What if he is younger than you and a bit stronger than you?
You deserve what is rightfully yours. If you have any merit to show, I can easily transfer the throne to you."
"But father, is there really such a big task?"
"It's a bit dangerous, so forget it."
"No, Father! I want to do it!"
"No, Oleg. It's too dangero—"
"Trust me. Please."
"Be careful."
Oleg's mother died early on and he grew up under his father's guidance, taking his word as gospel. So, he believed every word and saw this mission as the only chance for his glory.
Taking a deep breath, Oleg waved at the space portal. "Come out."
A hundred prisoners wearing light brown armor flew out at a slow speed. They were mostly rank 3s and rank 4s.
Save for a rank 2 Hazel who stood out even among this group of purple-skinned Zions because of her beautiful white wings, though they were folded to reduce attention.
Even the death-row Zion prisoners distanced themselves from her with a look of disgust.
'Father, is this the people you tried to be loyal to? Forget as equals, they don't even see us as sentient beings.' Hazel felt an unspeakable despair in her heart.
If she was given a chance, she'd go back to the past and slap herself for lamenting in outer space.
That man though…
Black hair and black eyes. A perfect face that would make the college girls' hearts flutter.
She had seen many of those handsome and charming men in the kingdom's academy. But this one was different.
It wasn't about looks. He held an irresistible attraction, like a deep abyss. A dangerous, strong and confident man who appeared out of nowhere.
Hazel had seen geniuses but somehow, this man was in a league of his own. She didn't know his age or background.
And he was strong. So strong that Hazel felt even the thought of resistance was crushed.
"I promise you, I'm trying to persuade him. There's no way I'll kidnap him."
'Son of a bitch!' Hazel lowered her head and cursed him for a millionth time.
He didn't lie to her. He didn't try to kidnap the prince. He persuaded the prince to not marry her—by killing him—the greatest and foolproof persuasion method ever.
'Bastard! You feel no shame using me for your schemes?' Hazel grieved for her future.
There's no way she'd survive this ordeal—she was added to these death-row conscripts just so her death could have a military value. Even if she luckily didn't die, they'd kill her.
"I know you all must be thinking you're here for death. But trust me, this mission is bigger than your crimes, however heinous they were." Oleg began his speech in a characteristic self-assured tone.
It worked.
The death-row prisoners looked up at him with a spark of hope.
Noticing it with his sharp insight, Oleg began to paint a pie. "If you perform your duties in this mission, your sentence will be changed to 50 years imprisonment.
If you make good contributions, your sentence will be reduced to 5 years.
And if you help us in a breakthrough…"
Oleg glanced at the prisoners from left to right, his gaze meeting their eyes and forcing them to stare at him like statues.
"Not only will you be released, you will also be given enough money to not worry about drinks and whores for a hundred years."
The prisoners' morale rose dramatically and they all grew eager to participate in the mission.
No matter how dangerous the mission could be, it wouldn't be worse than a certain death sentence.
Might as well take the chance.
'Fools…' Hazel bit her lip and lowered her head. She was just being envious.
She didn't know what their crimes were. Perhaps they could be pardoned. But her crime? No matter what or who, she'd have to die.
There's no way Zions would allow the woman who killed the son of their Holy Matriarch to remain breathing.
"Alright team, let's get to the search! This place is near Centaurus we fought in the last war! Use the treasures for stealth, control your aura, and do your best! Victory be ours!"
Punching his fist into the air, Prince Oleg, the leader of the scouts, led them on their search for the base of the infamous Black Rose.
