"He told me to tell you what happened on the battlefield and how he slaughtered all our soldiers mercilessly." The General lowered his head as he started speaking.
"So he wanted me to know what happened? A challenge? Interesting. As expected, this couldn't be the world of a Lord of Sin. They won't have a death wish like that... And it's also not one of the Kings I know... That only leaves one person." His face turned dark as he managed to put all the pieces together.
"Did he say anything else?"
The General nodded. "He also wanted me to tell you that he is going to create an Empire of Gluttony. And that he would appreciate it if you didn't interfere with his plans. He said he had already killed one. And don't want you to make him kill a second one so soon."
"Azekiel." Hearing the clear challenge, Elijah's face started twitching unwillingly.
There were many complicated thoughts in his head. He didn't know which one to focus on. On one end, he wanted to rage that a New King was threatening him to hide like a coward. On the other end, he wanted to laugh at the challenge.
"I don't know what trick he used to kill Michael, but it seems like he has gone crazy in the aftermath. I've spent two years of my life on this floor, all so I could have what no one had! And he thinks he can come here and tell me to stop?! No one can take what's mine! No one is allowed to, not even him!"
"Your Majesty?" The General gazed at the young King in confusion, unsure what he was thinking.
"Get a new army ready. Call forth all soldiers from every border. Enough playing around. It's time to siege the Empire of Pride. I can't wait around any longer, even if it's him."
"Your Majesty? All soldiers? Won't that leave out borders with other Empires without defense? We share a border with five other Empires after all."
"It doesn't matter anymore! Call them all in. I want all of them here in two days, ready for battle! I won't accept a second mistake!" Elijah commanded the General before departing. He didn't even want to look at the man.
Even though Elijah was commanded for the Army's arrival, his head was still not calm. It was really chaotic. "I was so close to having it! That Azekiel! He just had to arrive at the last second and interfere with my plans! And after interfering in my plans, he thinks he can command me to stay out of his?!"
"I've sacrificed so much for this, scheming for ways to get inside the Empire of Pride while Michael was alive, but it wasn't easy. I spent last year bribing his official to create a weak spot in his defense. Even though I had to go against Michael, I was ready to offend him! I was ready for this war even if he was alive, and that's what I prepared for!"
"Within a few months, everything would've been ready. I would've taken over the Empire of Pride, thanks to the moles I placed in the Minister Council! Before Michael could know about it, I would've been in his Royal Palace! I would've found out without anyone knowing!"
"Even though it would've offended Michael and created an enmity between us, I was prepared for it since the Tomb of God was worth it! After succeeding, even Michael would've been nothing before me."
"When I heard the news of Michael's death, I was stunned but happy as well. Things had become easier. Plans could move faster but now! That... That scumbag thinks he can spoil my years of penance?! No! Not even in dreams, I'll let him do it! Enough Patience! Time to let my greed flow freely!"
Pacing through the long hallways, Elijah reached the balcony of his Royal Palace. He stood on the balcony and gazed at the setting sun in the distance.
"Azekiel, generally, I would've left you alone. I don't care what other Kings do and how far they climb. I only care about my goals. However, now that you've decided to interfere in my plans, you're in for a rude awakening."
"I am not interfering in your plans. I'm going forward with my plan. But if your plan happens to stand in the path of my plans, I promise I won't hesitate."
"You'll realize that no two Kings are the same. Just because you managed to kill Michael, using some tricks, it doesn't mean you can stand before me."
"For your sake, I hope that the Empire you want to create is noway near the Empire of Pride. Make whatever trash Empire you want far away from the Empire of Pride, and the two of us won't come face to face. But if you don't..."
Elijah let out a deep sigh. He was so frustrated and enraged that he had started talking to himself. Fortunately, no one was there to hear him.
"Azekiel, no matter what happens, don't go near the Empire of Pride!" Elijah gazed in the distance where the Empire of Pride was established.
****
"Finally, we are here... The first town of the Empire of Pride..."
Azekiel got off the horse at the entrance of the town. There stood two guards with a spear at the entrance, blocking the path.
Generally, the guards would have alerted the Army General in the town about the arrival of so many people; however, none of the fifty or so people seemed to be carrying a single weapon. It didn't appear as if they were here to attack. They seemed more like travelers.
"State your name and your purpose of visit!" The Guard pointed the spear at Azekiel.
Azekiel only smiled in response. "The last person to point a spear at me is already in heaven. I would advise you to lower that spear. I'm here to meet your General who ran away from the battlefield recently."
"Y-you... Who are you?! How dare you talk about our General like that!"
"Don't worry. I don't think even your General will mind it. I'm a friend of his. He will recognize me as soon as he sees me. Moreover, it's not like I will do anything wrong? I don't even have a weapon." Azekiel shrugged his shoulders. "Do me a favor and call your General here, or take me to him."
"Are you really the friend of the General?" The Guard asked suspiciously.
"If your General says no, won't you kill me for lying? So why would I lie?" Azekiel smiled in response. "How about it? Let all my men stay here and just take me to your General? After he gives you the approval, allow my men inside?"
"This..." The Guard looked at his fellow man. "Take him to the General. We can't call him here since he's resting. So we'll have to take him instead. I'll keep an eye on the others here."
The other guard nodded.
"Start moving!" He commanded Azekiel to take the lead.
Throughout the way, the soldier kept the aim of his spear on the back of Azekiel as if he was going to stab Azekiel if he showed any strange movements.
Azekiel followed the directions of the man and advanced ahead.
He was soon brought to the building that was the biggest he had seen in the entire town. Even though the place didn't seem majestic like the structures in the Royal Capital, they were still better in comparison to what this town had.
Two Soldiers stood at the entrance of the building.
"This man claims to be the friend of the General. He is here to meet him," The guard told the guards at the entrance.
"What is your name?"
"Azekiel. I'm a really old friend of your General." Azekiel smiled innocently.
One of the guards opened the door and entered. He went to the General, who was sitting on the couch with the Captains of his army, thinking about their next plan of action, when the guard attracted his attention.
"Azekiel? Someone who claims to be my friend? I don't seem to recall that name, but send him in. Maybe it's my memory that is betraying me. I have to see him to be sure."
The guard returned to the entrance and opened the door for Azekiel to enter. Both of them kept an eye on him, even now.
Azekiel took his first step inside...
