Chapter 768: The Legend of the South
"Something like that..." Ethan replied with a light shrug, trying to sound modest and brush off the attention. "I just did what had to be done."
However, Isabella, who was far too proud of her man to let his achievement go unnoticed, had no intention of staying quiet. Seeing the blue-robed diplomat’s skeptical gaze, the princess straightened her back, her eyes shining with enthusiasm.
"Involved? That’s an understatement!" Isabella chimed in with a radiant smile, her voice filled with pride. "He was the one who single-handedly flattened all four rebel sects. Practically all by himself!"
Ethan blinked in surprise and glanced at her sideways, but the princess was already on a roll, and there was no stopping her now.
"When he faced the Crimson Ethereal Sect, he reduced their runic walls to ashes before their elders could even react," Isabella continued exaggerating details she hadn’t even witnessed firsthand. "And at Black Mountain, they say the sky turned pitch black for three whole days while he crushed their Grandmaster! Not to mention the Heavenly Sword Sect and Thunder Dragon! Their leaders didn’t even get the chance to unsheathe their weapons before Ethan forced them to their knees."
The blue-robed diplomat listened with his mouth agape, shifting his gaze from the princess to the young Deputy General in awe. Even Ambassador Kaelen, who until a moment ago had shown utter disdain, loosened his grip on the reins and swallowed hard in silence. The four sects mentioned were formidable forces in the south; knowing that such powerhouses had been eradicated by the youth sitting just a few feet away sent an involuntary chill down his spine.
Ethan let out a tired sigh and rubbed the back of his neck, while King Alaric’s face reflected a mix of amusement and indulgence as he watched his daughter show off like that.
"Princess, you’re adding way too much fluff to the story," Ethan muttered in a low voice.
"I’m adding nothing," Isabella replied in a flirty whisper, leaning slightly toward him with a playful spark in her eyes. "I’m just making sure everyone in this empire knows exactly who they’re dealing with."
The blue-robed diplomat cleared his throat, offering a respectful bow toward Ethan from his seat.
"I-Impressive..." the blue-robed official stammered, staring at Ethan with wide eyes. "The Empire certainly heard rumors regarding the fall of the sects, but the official version assumed it was a massive military operation by the crown."
"I was just lucky with the timing, nothing more," Ethan replied with a faint smile, shrugging with completely feigned modesty.
Upon hearing that response and noticing the youth’s composure, Ambassador Kaelen swallowed hard in silence. The arrogance with which he had received them at the dock vanished entirely. Without uttering a word, the ambassador reached into his spatial ring and pulled out a golden, velvet-wrapped scroll.
He turned his body with respect and offered it to Ethan with both hands.
"Deputy General Ethan..." Kaelen began, a tone of almost servile caution now filtering through his voice. "I apologize for my earlier lack of tact. Upon verifying the imperial intelligence network reports, I was instructed to deliver this to you personally. His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor, has been following the events in the south. Upon confirming that a single rising star was behind the fall of the sects, he issued this decree: an invitation to a private audience prior to tonight’s opening banquet."
King Alaric’s eyes widened in genuine surprise, exchanging a weighted look with Great General Vaelen. An invitation directly from the Emperor himself—delivered mid-transit and bypassing the vassal royalty—was an unusual honor and a clear sign that the imperial court already had their eyes fixed on them.
Ethan took the golden scroll with indifference and stored it inside his spatial ring, looking at the ambassador with a faint smile.
"I accept the invitation," Ethan said. "May I bring companions to the audience?"
"Of course, Deputy General," Kaelen replied, bowing slightly with obvious deference. "The decree allows you to bring one guest of your choice. Furthermore, please be aware that tonight’s banquet will be the official welcome for the heroes of each region. The welcome banquet for the vassal kingdoms in general is scheduled for tomorrow."
King Alaric nodded in silence, immediately understanding the Empire’s strategy: they wanted to evaluate the key rising stars and young talents before mixing them with the full diplomacy of the lesser kingdoms.
"I’m coming with you," Isabella whispered, squeezing Ethan’s hand firmly with a resolute gaze that left no room for debate.
"Sounds good to me, Your Highness," Ethan replied, giving her a relaxed smile as the carriage finally came to a halt in front of the palace’s main entrance. "Let’s see what kind of show the Emperor has prepared for us."
Once the imperial envoys retreated with deep bows, the group was left alone in the Palace of the Vassals’ majestic courtyard. King Alaric cast a quick glance around, immediately recognizing the residence’s runic architecture.
"This way," Alaric instructed, gesturing with his head and taking the lead with a firm stride. "I have been to this place a couple of times during past tournaments. The royal quarters are located in the east wing; it’s the most private and protected area of the estate."
The group followed the king through the sweeping white marble corridors decorated with golden banners, while the royal guard assumed strategic positions along the perimeter to secure the compound.
"Rest and prepare yourselves," Alaric added, halting before the main chambers’ doors before locking eyes with Ethan and Isabella. "The audience with the Emperor won’t be a simple courtesy meeting. He will want to test your mettle, brat, and see if the tales from the south are real."
"Let him try," Ethan replied with a serene smirk, pushing open the door to his quarters as Isabella stepped alongside him to prepare before nightfall.
Ethan let out a soft chuckle at the king’s warning and looked the princess up and down with a relaxed smile.
"You don’t need to dress up too much, you already look beautiful," Ethan said, adjusting the sheath of his black sword at his hip.
King Alaric whipped around instantly, scowling menacingly as he crossed his arms.
"Stop flirting with my daughter right in front of me, brat," the king warned him in a stern voice.
"So behind your back is fine, right?" Ethan replied with sheer nerve, flashing a mocking smirk as he looked at the sovereign. "I can ask you to turn around if you prefer."
Alaric gritted his teeth, fuming in a mix of exasperation and suppressed rage, while Vaelen let out a low, muffled laugh. Isabella, for her part, covered her face with her hands to hide her blush and the playful smile she couldn’t suppress before stepping into her quarters.