"Hehe, if that old man dares to obstruct my path, he shouldn't be surprised if I incinerate him with my flames!" David responded with an air of unshakable resolve.
Upon seeing this, Noah merely glanced at it, shaking his head with a faint smile.
"I don't know how you can be so confident," Noah replied playfully to David. "You should understand that he is the mightiest human on this earth, and his strength may have come close to the legendary Elemental Lords of old."
Emperor Julius of the Ancient Star Empire was an incredibly formidable figure, regarded as the true leader of the entire human continent.
None of the emperors from the other four empires dared to challenge him.
Julius was known for his exceptional strength, reputation, and innate talent.
His abilities were unparalleled, especially considering his rare affinity with a unique element—the element of death.
This power set him apart, making him akin to a god of death who could eliminate his adversaries effortlessly.
Moreover, the elemental art he had developed was exclusive to him, as history had never recorded anyone awakening the element of death before.
"You're right, I might be speaking in jest," David said, his gaze fixed on the snow, his words carrying a hint of hidden meaning. "But in the future, you might be quite surprised by what I can achieve."
Upon hearing David's words, Noah shot him a sidelong glance and felt an underlying message that left him uneasy.
"Is there something you've done that I'm unaware of, David?" Noah inquired, his tone carrying a sense of seriousness.
Regrettably, David offered no direct response, merely offering a faint smile.
"You'll find out," David replied cryptically.
Noah, sensing that further questioning would be fruitless, reluctantly refrained from pressing the issue.
Suddenly, from behind the two of them, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed.
"Mr. Duke Noah! My apologies for the interruption."A breathless guard called out to Noah urgently.
However, as his gaze inadvertently fell upon David standing beside Noah, his body froze in shock to the point where he could hardly breathe.
"Duke, Duke David!" The guard was so petrified that he felt as though he might wet his pants in fear.
Though there was no shame in it, David had a reputation for being icy and unwavering.
While Noah also held a similar reputation in the eyes of the general public, the guard knew that Noah displayed both kindness to their people and ruthlessness toward those who disrupted his peace.
Observing the guard's initial shock, Noah merely shook his head slightly and inquired, "Is there something that has you so alarmed?"
Upon hearing the question, the guard quickly regained his composure and nodded earnestly.
"That's right! The border region detected significant movement about two hundred kilometers away, suggesting a potential impending attack by the enemy," the guard explained cautiously.
Upon hearing this news, Noah furrowed his brow with concern.
"Are they already on their way?" he muttered softly, his gaze shifting to David.
"How do you intend to respond? Will you confront them directly?" Noah asked David, awaiting his response.
David nodded slightly, turning to face Noah.
"Yes, I'm heading there now. Would you like to join me?" David offered with a subtle smile, speaking words only the two of them could hear.
Instantly, a grin formed on Noah's lips as he nodded in agreement.
"Of course, it's been a while since I've stretched my limbs. It seems they've forgotten about the two of us; we're not as active as we used to be," Noah replied playfully.
The two exchanged smiles and nods.
Noah then turned his attention to the guard, whose face displayed a mix of disbelief and astonishment.
"Marshal the troops and dispatch around ten thousand soldiers to secure the area located fifty kilometers from the border. No one is to enter that zone; no exceptions," Noah ordered sternly and loudly, causing the guard to jump in surprise.
Though the guard seemed eager to ask for more details, he refrained and instead nodded quickly.
"Understood, Duke Noah," the guard replied respectfully before briskly making his exit, leaving Noah and David in solitude.
"Alright, let's proceed," David said casually. In an instant, his surroundings burst into flames, and his form slowly vanished into thin air.
Noah grinned, and suddenly, water bubbles encircled him.
Gradually, he disappeared into the falling snow, following the path David had taken.
...
"Ugh. Where am I?" Arthur muttered as he slowly opened his eyes, finding himself in a strange and unfamiliar location.
The desolate terrain stretched out before him, dry and barren, with a dark, foreboding sky overhead, as if he had stumbled upon the apocalypse.
"What on earth is this place? What's happening?" He furrowed his brow, overwhelmed by a whirlwind of emotions—conflict, astonishment, and discomfort.
Amid his bewilderment, a sudden realization struck him, causing his eyes to widen.
"Wait! Wasn't I at the imperial reading site, flipping through that mysterious book? And then, I was suddenly transported to this bizarre location." He slapped his forehead, gradually regaining his composure.
"Sigh... That cursed book actually swallowed me whole and brought me here." He muttered to himself as he rose to his feet, his gaze scanning every nook and cranny of his eerie surroundings.
There was no sign of life, and even the air felt oppressive and foul, making each breath a struggle.
"Strange... What is this place, and how did that enigmatic book transport me here?" His mind raced, desperately seeking answers.
Suddenly, a bright white speck of light in the dark sky above caught his attention.
"What's that?" Arthur lifted his gaze to the heavens, fixed on the intriguing phenomenon.
The single dot of light in the sky suddenly split into six separate points, orbiting one another in a mesmerizing dance.
These dots of light whirled rapidly through the sky, causing the darkness to gradually retreat.
Yet, it was as if the darkness resisted, refusing to yield, and it slowly began to regain its dominance over the heavens.
Then, without warning, a deafening explosion shattered the stillness.
The six points of light began to dim, leaving Arthur both surprised and filled with unease.
To his astonishment, a booming voice echoed throughout the world from above the sky.
"You all will never defeat me, never!"
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