Chapter 956 Personal Grievances (2/2)

A youth whose childish features have now became firm himself, Arlwa's body slowly rose before landing on an elevated platform where his gaze with his brother was level. ”On the other hand, you can do whatever you want,” he said serenely, ”you are emperor and you have the right to do so.”

Nevertheless, his words were simply greeted by a snort.

”Hah!”

Dimore glared at Arlwa coldly and sneered. ”Who do you take me for—a tyrant? Arlwa, I'm ultimately a man who knows about duty and the purpose in protecting my charge—do not think that is only you who has learnt the meaning of heroism and fulfilling promises. I swore to protect the Empire as Father had done, and I would never go back on my word.”

Arlwa lifted his brow while Dimore descended slowly from his throne, slowly moving lower. ”Many have claimed that the most important part about being a hero is to be responsibile and to fulfill their pledges,” the incumbent Emperor said as if talking to himself, ”just as many would say that wise kings are those who are smart, who never allow for personal feelings to interfere with national policies, nor disregard the rules they have made.”

”And I would say that it's all bloody nonsense. One of them is the central tenet of becoming a good person, and the other is the central tenet of being an Emperor—if even that cannot be done, they can never be considered a good person.”

Dimore arrived beneath the elevated platform where the throne stood, while Arlwa landed on the floor of the palace once again. The Emperor extended his hand. A longsword materializing out of Steel Strength then appeared in his grasp, while the prince also breathed a sigh and his palm was now enshrouded with layers of layers of translucent air armor.

”The most important part about being a hero is the ability to become a hero, just as the most important apart about being Emperor is the heart to guide the Nation forward.” Dimore's eyes appeared to be blazing with an inferno then. ”If father could do it, then I can do it too,” he growled. ”And what I would do in time would certainly be much more profound than what that deified old codger has ever achieved!”

A formless breath emanated away from Dimore's body, just as Arlwa's own body projected a forceful presence of energy. The might of both men clashed, gusting a gale across the entire interior of the palace and yet, that gale remained in their forms and did not trigger any sort of alarm. Not even the handmaidens who were carrying out their cleaning duties nearby were jolted.

”Radical fellow. The years have not changed you at all.”

Sensing that his brother still had the slightest edge in ability over himself, Arlwa's lips curled—it could have been either a cold grin mocking his prideful brother, or the simple delight of a champion meeting another champion.

Either way, all he did was clench his fists and he then said quietly, ”So, shall we begin?”

”Let's end this,” Dimore thus replied, and raised the blade in hand.

A blaze ignited, burning the curtains and stirring ripples that distorted light itself.

The palace intrigue that had involved two generations and lasted over a dozen years was at its final bow—no matter who came up on top, the two would have hence abandoned their personal grievances to head towards the age of the future.

Joshua took it all in.

He watched the new Emperor fight his own brother, watching as the palace conflict that had began from the last generation lead to the present conflict and the moment as the ancient Empire severed the final thread connecting itself to the past.

He could see the heirs of Israel darting across every direction. There were those who proved to be political failures and were forced to exile themselves to other worlds, choosing to develop new realms; there were those who brought along their younger brother and his four fairies and wandered the stars, just as there were those who were consecrated as a goddess amongst the innumerable male technicians in the Garden of Truth… each of them had their own destinies, and regardless of whether they were prince or princesses, they each had their journey to venture.

Finally, Joshua turned his eyes towards the infinite Multiverse.

There, the seemingly countless civilizations were surging upon boundless worlds.

The Knowers still wandered in search for legacies in need of safekeeping, whereas the Galaxy of Bloodbath remained deathly silent. That was perhaps the quiet night before the storm, although many civilizations remained at war in faraway, remote corners. They would rob and hate each other, vileness that consumed the stars, groups that countered violence with violence and could not be negotiated with.

War perhaps occupied most of history for intelligent civilizations and intelligent life. Even if they had arrived upon the Void where there was near infinite resources, the cycle of hate that would draw Evil Gods would never stop—the chains of grievances were still enforced while vengeful wills accumulated, and in the silent remains that none knew about, Chaos was piling, awaiting its coming day of advent.

The stars had their own paths.

The dark sounds that ended everything and all life became ever closer.

The Great Mana Tide had long since stirred and moved the wheels of fate for this era. In this sudden yet seemingly expected age, the power of destiny drove history. The stars swirled on, drawing streaks of bright illumination upon the Void, marking a trail upon the loyal records of time.

”It was the worst of times…”

Seemingly picking up the pungent scent of blood along with smoke from the cannon barrels, the warrior surveyed the Multiverse and smiled earnestly.

”…it was the best of times.”

He could see that the final conflict was about to come. It would be the war to end all wars, the destruction to end all destruction.

He could see that there was light shining in the once unfathomable darkness thanks to his presence.

He could also see that he had a part in the alignment of stars.

And it was very bright.

As it should have been.

Joshua never once believed that he was a savior, nor did he fought to save.

However, he could not deny that the darkness had always incurred his displeasure, and that he would ignite a bright fiery light upon the unparalleled gloom of the Multiverse.

It was neither a crusade, salvation, nor some arbitrary guardianship. It was the personal resentment of a human being, an intelligent being, and a person who lived to fight against the masterminds who were bent on controlling everything.

”It's almost time,” Joshua muttered, linking up to the faraway prayers and thoughts coming from Stellaris.

”Time to go.”