Chapter 1077: Forced To Make A Hard Decision A few hours after Tiona saved Zia from the Azothralls... Lucan and his ministers finally arrived at Cressmont City. Upon arriving, the first thing he did was look for Zia. Seeing that she was still unconscious, he sealed up the healing pod and filled it with a sedative liquid. He had already looked through the data sent to him by the Head Researcher. But until they were found, he didn’t dare to move Zia anywhere. "Is there still no news of the Head Researcher’s whereabouts?" Lucan asked the Artemian Officer who was currently cooperating with the Azothralls to search for the missing researchers. "No, Sir," the officer reported. "We’re looking for clues as we speak, but the only clue we have obtained so far is the destroyed floor of the facility. Something big must have broken through from the ground and captured all the researchers. "I believe this creature is also affiliated with the Jinn who took the young lady from the facility." Lucan frowned. "Do everything in your power to find them." "Yes, Sir!" the officer replied before cutting off the connection. The Commander of the Artemian Army glanced at the destroyed floor of the research facility, which proved that someone or something had indeed broken through the facility from deep underground. Since they had used a similar method to capture Zia, Lucan already knew that he might not see the Head Researcher again. Fortunately, there was a second group of researchers. They were currently checking the mine deposit they had found a few days ago, and they had been away when the incident happened. He was tempted to call them back so they could continue the research about Zia, which would allow him to gain the power he sought. But just as he was about to do this, he received an alarming report from one of his scouts who were patrolling the border. "Sir, the Jinn Army has mobilized, and they are headed this way!" the Scout reported. "What?!" Lucan looked at the scout in disbelief. "How many Jinns? Is it just a part of their army or their main army?" "Sir, they numbered in the hundreds of thousands," the Scout answered. "I believe all the Jinns in the continent are now marching in our direction." As if wanting to prove that what he was saying was true, the scout showed his commander the video he had recorded. After watching the short clip, Lucan’s face darkened and hastily cut off his connection with the scout to contact Prince Aurelion. "Your Highness, what’s the meaning of this?" Lucan asked. "Did you bring your army to discuss the conditions of our collaboration?" A sneer appeared on Prince Aurelion’s face. "Lucan, it’s time to drop the act. You took someone very important from me, and I want her back. If you wish to live, you will bring Zia to me. If not, just wash your neck. I’m coming for your life." Lucan was shocked at Prince Aurelion’s declaration. Fortunately, he managed to prevent it from showing on his face. He immediately tried to pacify the Prince. After all, while they were not afraid, an all-out war between them and the Jinns would cause massive losses on both sides. Lucan was also certain that the loser of the battle would be the Artemian Army. The Jinn Army had dozens of Rank 9 Monsters, as well as two Majin Princes and a Majin Princess. The Artemians only had one Archon, which was Lucan, and two Rank 9 Sovereigns, which were the Golden Azothralls. While their mobility was superior to the Jinns, this would mean that they would always have to be on the run to escape from their march. "There might be a mistake here, Your Highness," Lucan stated, doing his best to remedy the situation. "We don’t have Zia." "Stop the lies, Lucan," Prince Aurelion replied. "Or it will be your last. I already gave you an ultimatum. When we arrive at Cressmont City, and Zia is still not given to me, we will destroy you. It doesn’t matter how far you run or where you hide. I will find you, and I will kill you. "I won’t mind allying with the Wanderers if I have to, just so I can locate your hiding spot and get Zia back. Even if you start living underground, I’ll make sure to use every resource at my disposal to hunt you down." Lucan could tell that Prince Aurelion was serious. Also, he could tell from the voice of the Dragonkin Prince that he was a hundred percent certain that Zia was currently in Cressmont City! The Artemian Commander was half-tempted to ask the prince how he found out. But doing so would be akin to admitting that he was the one who ordered Zia’s kidnapping. So he decided to convince the Majin Prince that he was mistaken. "Zia is not here, Your Highness," Lucan stated. "If you like, I am willing to mobilize the Artemian Army to help you look for her." "Liar," Prince Aurelion said coldly. "It seems that you really think that you can fool this prince. No matter. I’ll make sure to drink your blood and eat your flesh after killing you. That is the only way I can sate this hatred that I am feeling right now." Prince Aurelion gave Lucan the "Don’t f*ck with me" gaze, and pointed in his direction. "Remember, if Zia is still not delivered to me before we reach Cressmont City, I will officially declare war against you and the Artemian Army." The ultimatum was given coldly, giving Lucan no way to give his reply. War was about to happen, and it was all because of a single woman. For a brief moment, Lucan wondered if he would have done things differently if he knew that this was the outcome of his greed for power. But after careful consideration, he realized that he would have done the same thing even if given a second chance. He just didn’t know how the Dragonkin Prince found out that he was lying, which was the cause of the headache that he was now about to face. The Artemian Commander glanced at the unconscious young lady inside the healing pod before clenching his fists. He was forced to make a hard decision.