Chapter 483: Chapter 252: Fast Breakthrough! (Two in One)_1 Both Albert and Michael knew Essien’s character. Nevertheless, they decided to go and try to talk to him. The others could only watch as the two of them advanced towards the Dark Canyon checkpoint, their hearts filled with tension and anticipation. The Dark Canyon was a place filled with dense Dark Power. It was the strongest line of defense Essien had established. Looking at the Dark Canyon ahead, Chen Mo was indeed tempted to try and breach it himself. However, if Albert and Michael could successfully negotiate, it would certainly save some effort. As soon as Albert and Michael entered the 10,000-meter range of the Dark Canyon, they immediately felt an intense dark aura. The surroundings were filled with a bizarre atmosphere, and the daylight suddenly turned pitch black. Within the darkness, faint, eerie glimmers shimmered, causing unease. "Essien, it’s us. Dispel your enchanted maze." Though both were Marshals of the same rank as Essien, everyone had their specialties. Neither Albert nor Michael excelled at dealing with enchanted mazes. Naturally, they had to ask Essien to dispel it himself. As their voices faded, although the Array was not dispersed, faintly glowing will-o’-the-wisps emerged from the darkness to guide them. They cautiously followed the ghostly flames through the mist-shrouded path, advancing along a winding mountain trail toward the checkpoint’s core area. The closer they got, the stronger the Dark Power became. Indeed, if not for their own considerable strength, this Dark Power alone would have been enough to halt their advance. Eventually, they arrived before a gigantic Dark Tower. It soared into the clouds, shrouded in dense darkness. This was where Essien’s Formation was located. He was waiting for them inside. Albert and Michael entered the tower together. A spiral staircase led upwards to Essien’s room. Each step was accompanied by a profound sense of pressure, as if the entire tower were silently warning them. Finally, they reached Essien’s room. It was filled with an aura of darkness, with only faint light filtering in through a window. Essien sat on a black throne, his gaze as sharp as a knife. Seeing Albert and Michael enter, he offered a faint smile. "It’s been a while, gentlemen. Please, sit." Seeing that Essien was still cordial, they promptly sat down before him. "You two are Marshals of whom the Empire is proud," Essien began, his voice tinged with doubt. "Why have you suddenly sullied yourselves by associating with the Rebel Army? If only one of you had done this, I might have understood it as betrayal. But for both of you to do so, and even bring eight Generals along—that, I am very curious about." Though he was a prodigy and had become an Imperial Marshal at a young age, on equal footing with seasoned Marshals like Albert and Michael, he was, after all, still just a naive youth. He spent most of his time engrossed in his own world, studying Arrays and Magic, largely unaware of worldly changes. This time, if not for the message from the Imperial City, he wouldn’t even have known about the Rebel Army’s existence within the Empire. Seeing Essien’s youthful inexperience, Albert and Michael exchanged a glance, and Albert promptly clarified the current situation for him. Albert explained with a smile, "Essien, we haven’t associated with the Rebel Army. We are striving to find a better solution. There are many injustices and much corruption within the Empire, leading to dissatisfaction and resistance among the people. We do not wish to see the Empire plunged into civil strife and war. We hope to resolve these problems through reform and dialogue, thereby achieving peace and prosperity for the Empire." Michael continued, "We have seen the people’s suffering and their aspirations. We wish to use our strength and fulfill our duty to be catalysts for change. Our actions with the eight Generals are not out of blind betrayal. Rather, they are intended to make the Empire take notice, to compel the corrupt individuals in power to recognize their mistakes, and to work together to resolve the issues plaguing the Empire. We want to protect the people and the future of the Empire." Essien listened in silence, his gaze gradually deepening. He pondered for a moment, then looked at the two Marshals. "Your thoughts and determination have moved me," Essien said. "Perhaps I have been too engrossed in my own world, neglecting the problems within the Empire. You’ve given me a new perspective on how I can contribute to this country." He stood up, walked to the window, and gazed into the distance. In Albert and Michael’s eyes, only boundless darkness lay beyond the window, but to Essien, everything outside appeared normal. He was gazing at the distant armies. Among them was a woman he admired. His gaze settled on a dashing figure dressed in silver. Sister Katerina, if I perform well, will you acknowledge me then? he mused. Although his talent in Magic was outstanding and his talent in Formations astonishing, allowing him to become an Imperial Marshal at a young age, the woman he admired had never truly seen him as a man. You always see me as a younger brother. When I can stand on my own and make a significant contribution to this country, surely you will understand that I am a man who can be trusted and relied upon. Although his heart’s true desire was merely to earn the acknowledgment of the woman he admired, the words he was about to speak would be entirely different.