Chapter 654: Chapter 655: Go Forth And Destroy Abellona smiled softly. She didn’t see his face, but there was no doubt. That person... that man... the bastard was alive after all. The emperor had officially announced the beginning of the war games. However, before the actual event started there was a small tradition that needed to be honored. It was a small tourney where people showed off their strengths via aptitude tests. It was supposed to be a way to allow nobles and the audience to know those who had a high chance of winning the war games. Naturally, it was completely optional. However, to motivate those who would participate and to build hype, the empire had a special reward for those who won. It wasn’t money of course, so she was sure he would not be interested. However, she still hoped he would join. The reward for each category’s victory was actually a flower. Of course, these flowers weren’t meant for the winner. They were something the winner would be allowed to give to any lady present. To put it plainly, it was given to the fairest lady of them all. Abellona didn’t care about this. Throughout the years, many people had given her such flowers. Though this year... it suddenly mattered to her if she got one. There were so many great dignitaries here, nobles and rulers from other nations. Members of the Church were also present, surprisingly including the Inquisition. People like Father Dantalion, the Witch Hunter. This man was ruthless. He was known to have killed and tortured hundreds of people. He was feared even by demons. Father Dantalion, the Witch Hunter. "An inquisitor...." Abellona muttered under her breath. A high cardinal was also seated with him. In fact, it seemed this high cardinal was none other than Aurelius Venn, the Smoldering One. She winced, biting her lips. Two of the Temple’s most extreme fanatics were the representatives this time. It was like the Temple hadn’t come for ceremony, but to fight. ’Former head inquisitor Aurelius Venn... now turned cardinal... and Dantalion the Witch Hunter. Is this about Ashcroft...’ Abellona bit her lips. "They can’t drag me away for questioning... I’m a princess... though... it’s still a possibility." She sighed, looking at the arena. ’Suppose I have one more reason to compete... I should stay in the public eye and maybe off-world for a while.’ Abellona stood up. She had been planning to join the war games anyway. She walked to the front of the imperial pavilion and stood before her father’s throne. Kronos glanced at her. "Granted." She hadn’t even asked. However, she didn’t need to. She bowed and walked up to him, whispering into the emperor’s ear. His eyes flickered. "Are you sure..." She nodded firmly. "Yes, father. I am positive. It seems he truly did not die. However, I can only confirm if I can see the face under his hood." The emperor narrowed his eyes, staring far across to the other side, to another floating pavilion where the Grand Duke Brightwater was smiling softly at a white-haired young girl who seemed a little nervous. "I’m afraid my hands are tied. Being emperor doesn’t make me free to act, Abellona. It simply means I have to keep a lot of unstable elements together while hoping everything doesn’t go to shit." She winced when she heard her father curse. It seemed even the emperor was under some degree of pressure. The four dukedoms always did whatever they pleased. While on the surface it looked like the emperor controlled everything, the truth was he was merely the head of his own domain, and the dukes were far more autonomous. "A small spark could bring it all crashing down." He held his daughter’s hand, his grip firm but weary. "You understand why we need to stay united and maintain the status quo." Abellona nodded. The emperor closed his eyes, whispering only to her. "We have enemies without, in the name of the demons. And within, we have the Temple and the one who has ruled in the shadows." "Abellona... I must give love to my people and think of what allows the continued existence of the empire." No one else could hear their conversation due to the emperor’s power. But Abellona understood her father’s worries. Valtheron was a difficult place to rule. With everything he had to maintain or destroy, and the constant wars, it was a heavy burden. "Then what do you suggest, father?" The emperor sighed. "We are growing weaker as a household. The dukedoms are isolating us, and they have been for many millennia. Their ties with each other are stronger, both political and blood." Abellona was aware that those in the dukedoms could not mix blood with the imperial family. But that was because the ducal houses had made this rule. The emperor leaned back in his chair, his eyes distant. "For now, we need to make the smartest decisions." Abellona truly understood, even so... "If we only maintain the status quo, how will we ever move forward? Our ancestor took the bold step of crossing the Doom Continent to Soltheon. She overcame impossible odds and even faced the Wicked Prophet. Father, I understand where you’re coming from, truly I do..." She felt her heart beating like it was going to burst. She had never questioned her father’s wisdom before. "But if we do not take a leap of faith because we fear what we have to lose, doesn’t that mean we’ve already lost?" Abellona lowered her head, then raised it to face the emperor directly. "It’s not just about what we stand to lose, but what we hope to gain." The emperor chuckled softly. "Hmm. My daughter has grown. You now challenge my words." She bowed her head. "I... I apol—" "No, that’s fine. What we stand to gain... what do you wish to gamble on? The world is uncertain, and it seems I am growing old..." The emperor stared into the distance with a blank expression. "I wish sitting here and gazing into the distance could allow me to see the future, but even with an attribute like time, what I see is uncertain..." He held his daughter’s hands again, his gaze softening. "You were born under an omen of destruction. However, I did not see that as a curse. Sometimes we must destroy to allow the creation of something anew. Abellona... go forth and destroy." Abellona’s eyes flickered. She nodded deeply. "Yes, my father... my emperor." The emperor watched his daughter’s back as she walked away, his voice low and distant. "I wonder what awaits us all in this future that I cannot see."