The Sword Emperor Transmigrates-Chapter 251

Thanks to the close partnership between the Light Dragon Commander Corbin, the substitute commander-in-chief of the expedition, and Gordon, the chairman of the Atlantis Maritime Alliance, the agreement between the Alliance and the Empire progressed with unprecedented speed.

Even though Gordon was the unchallenged authority in the Council of Atlantis, he could not openly side with the Empire before the other council members. Besides, there was no need for him to do so.

While Atlantis produced considerable wealth, it did not hold half the world’s assets, nor could it rival the Empire in technology or economics to provoke its greed. However, the other council members and prominent figures in the city weren’t aware of that fact.

Though they understood the importance of information, the sheer distance between the southern seas and the Empire was too vast. Without the Mage Tower’s spatial portals or long-range communication artifacts, the accuracy of information was inevitably affected.

Additionally, despite its massive size, the Arcadian Empire's strict secrecy made gathering intelligence even more difficult.

“The ruling class of the Atlantis Maritime Alliance will comply with any conditions the Empire puts out as long as their territorial rights and power base remain unthreatened. For example...”

“That works well. Let’s add that clause and finalize it.”

“I’ll also include a few loopholes in the exceptions. There’s nothing more dangerous than delays during emergencies.”

In the end, the strategic adjustments from Corbin and Gordon subtly embedded their righteous conspiracy into the agreement. The result granted the Arcadian Empire full operational control during crises that the Atlantis Maritime Alliance could not handle on its own.

To those who foresaw global-scale crises, the implications of this agreement carried much weight. But to those unaware, this would look like a hastily patched-up set of terms.

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Had Gordon acted purely out of self-interest, his actions would have been nothing short of treason. Yet, because his choices were motivated by the greater good and survival, he had no qualms about the agreement. His cold calculation had already determined that, even with all of Atlantis’s forces combined, they would not stand a chance against even one Demigod Tier entity.

A time will come when survival hinges on whether one can join forces with the Empire. Missing this opportunity would mean the Alliance’s annihilation or submission under far harsher conditions.

With Gordon’s calculated cooperation, solidified by a clear sense of duty, the expedition force swiftly completed its mission. Having two Grand Magi capable of creating a spatial portal leading directly to the territory of the Cardenas family ensured that the return of the expedition was nearly instantaneous.

* * *

Flash!

Using the spatial portal created by Cruella, dozens of individuals crossed in an instant and arrived at their destination.

As always, they arrived at the outskirts of the Cardenas family estate. The salty sea breeze, which had clung to them, vanished without a trace, replaced by a familiar scenery and air that warmly welcomed the returning expedition.

For the Golden Dragon Knights, who rarely left the confines of the family grounds, this moment felt oddly sentimental. Many of them curiously scanned the mundane landscape around them, as if seeing it for the first time.

“Well then, we’ll be returning to the Arcane Society!”

“We shall remember your dedication and effort. As usual, the knights of Cardenas never fail to impress.”

The two Grand Magi praised the knights who had accompanied them and disappeared once more into the void, returning to the Arcane Society. Unlike when they had opened the large-scale spatial portal for the group, this time, they required no incantation. With familiar comrades, there was no need for lengthy goodbyes.

Leonard, observing the efficiency of the mages, turned to address the Golden Dragon Knights.

“Well done. As knights, you’ve proven yourselves worthy of bearing the name of Cardenas. Your valor in battle proved beyond doubt that without you, both we and the Grand Magi of Wickeline would have faced much greater peril. Take pride in yourselves. The Order of the Golden Dragon has finally become a force befitting of the Cardenas prestige.”

Despite having faced monsters so fearsome they could drive one to ruin with a mere glance—not once but twice—the eyes of the Golden Dragon Knights burned with unyielding resolve, like flames refusing to be extinguished in a torrential storm.

Hosts of the Outer Gods? Fragments of True Gods? None of that mattered to them. The thought of living a meaningless, stagnant life was what truly terrified them.

“Return to your quarters and rest. Prepare yourselves both physically and mentally for the next mission. By now, you should have realized the magnitude of the enemies we face. No other knight order could possibly stand against them. Only you can bear this burden and achieve victory.”

Leonard’s speech was devoid of theatrics—no grand gestures, no raised tone—yet it carried an undeniable heat, stirring the pride and determination of the Golden Dragon Knights. Their resolve burned brighter, as if ignited by his words.

Satisfied with their reaction, Leonard nodded and said, “Dismissed.”

In perfect synchronization, the Golden Dragon Knights performed a salute with their swords before dispersing with practiced precision.

Only then did Demian step forward, clicking his tongue in amazement. “No one would believe you’re not even twenty. Turning a bunch of arrogant fools into elite knights and drawing out their loyalty? That’s no small feat.”

“People who wish to prove their worth will give their lives to those who will help them do that,” Leonard replied calmly.

Indeed, a true warrior will die for the one who knows their worth. Leonard’s response was a subtle allusion to this ancient proverb from the Central Plains.

Corbin, catching the meaning, nodded in admiration. “Indeed, there’s nothing stronger than the desire to be acknowledged for one’s talents, especially for people like the Golden Dragon Knights, who accidentally ruined their own paths once.”

Leonard was the one who had given them another chance, the hope of escaping from that stifling stagnation, and the ability to stand against even Demigod Tier beings through the Eighteen Arhats Formation. Naturally, this had instilled unwavering loyalty in them.

The three knight commanders exchanged thoughts as they made their way toward the estate where Declan awaited. Without any interruptions, they arrived at the office of the Archduke of Sword.

Declan’s eyes widened briefly upon seeing Leonard. “Well, well...”

His expression wavered between amazement at Leonard’s extraordinary growth and a knowing calm, as though he had begun to piece together the reasons behind it.

Shifting his gaze from Leonard to Demian, and then to Corbin, Declan finally spoke up, “Demian, you lost your arm?”

“I got grazed by Scylla’s authority. I had to sever it and use regeneration magic to reattach it. It’s not fully healed yet.”

Declan’s eyebrows twitched slightly at the response. “Judging by the scars left on your soul, it wasn’t just Scylla that intervened, was it?”

“It also mimicked the Hydra’s poison. It couldn’t unleash its full power, so I managed to excise it before it spread further.”

“I see. Take a month off to recover. Damage to the soul requires special attention—it’s far more critical than physical injuries or mental strain.”

Leonard was taken aback by Declan’s ability to casually examine Demian’s soul and deduce the extent and cause of the damage.

We have the same Dragon Eye, and yet he’s able to perceive what I could only glimpse during my divinity-enhanced state...?

There were two plausible explanations for this phenomenon. Either Declan’s mastery was leagues ahead of Leonard’s, enhancing the functionality of his Dragon Eyes, or Declan had experienced divinity as well. Leonard quickly dismissed the first possibility.

After overcoming the series of battles in the southern seas, Leonard’s level had risen to the point where he could challenge Declan directly. He believed that if they were to duel ten times, he might even win once or twice.

“Hmm.”

While Leonard calculated this gap, Declan tapped his temple—a habit of his when confronted with particularly puzzling situations—as he reviewed the reports on the expedition’s activities in the southern seas.

Then, fixing his gaze on Leonard, Declan began, “Commander Leonard.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“While you were eliminating the Outer God’s cult in the southern seas, the Demoniac worshippers were being purged in the far east. They were led by a notable figure under the Heart Demoniacs—Behemoth.”

Recalling Wade’s earlier report, Declan’s face hardened, and for a good reason.

“Curiously, both your report and Commander Wade’s pointed out an unsettling similarity between the two operations. They both mentioned how these forces, despite years of preparation, abandoned their pursuits abruptly. It’s as if they were scheming something way bigger and sinister and needed to clear their hands for that.”

Leonard frowned. “Outer Gods and Demoniacs... They have no connection, do they?”

“Up until now, no,” Declan replied grimly. “But we stand on the brink of unprecedented challenges—ones even our ancestors among the Three Noble Houses never faced. The twilight of the world draws near, Leonard, and we must be prepared for anything. We cannot dismiss any possibility, not even the worst case scenarios.”

Declan’s statement—hinting at a possible alliance between the Outer Gods and Demoniacs, two of the most catastrophic threats to Arcadia—left the gathered commanders visibly shaken.

Even Corbin, usually unfazed, found his voice quavering as he asked, “But... isn’t communication between Outer Gods and Demoniacs fundamentally impossible? If that were feasible, this world would’ve been destroyed long ago.”

“You’re referring to Wickeline's research, correct? I remember it well,” Declan affirmed. “According to their findings, the Outer Gods—existing beyond the great dimensional boundary—cannot interfere with the Nine Hells, which are tethered to this world as a sub-dimension. Dual layers of the world’s law prevent the creation of even the smallest Rift.”

The Nine Hells, cast away from this world during the God-Slaying War, now lay buried deep within the dimensional core. If one were to liken the dimensional barrier to the planet’s atmosphere and an Outer God’s invasion to a meteor impact, then the coordinates of the Nine Hells would be akin to the Earth’s molten outer and inner cores.

For beings like the Outer Gods, who faced significant restrictions even when interacting with the planet’s surface, interference with the Nine Hells seemed impossible.

“The rationality of mortals often reveals its limitations when applied to inherently irrational beings, like True Gods,” Declan said gravely. “What we deem impossible might not be so for them.”

“...It seems our workload has just increased,” Demian muttered.

“If no leads present themselves, we may have to send a reconnaissance squad into the Nine Hells.”

Even with Arcadia’s overwhelming power and the Three Noble Houses’ latent strength, launching a large-scale expedition into the Nine Hells would be nothing short of suicide. The Demoniacs lurking behind the Hell Gates were countless, and beyond them lay an unending swarm of their kin, teeming like cockroaches in the Nine Hells.

Should an overwhelming number of Demoniacs combine forces with the Brain and Heart Demoniacs—beings on par with Demigods—even the Three Noble Houses would need to prepare for annihilation to stand a chance.

For Declan to suggest such an operation, despite knowing the risks, underscored the foreboding future he envisioned.

“We’ll discuss the details further in the upcoming Grand Council. You and Corbin may leave now, but Leonard, you stay.”

“Yes, my lord,” the two replied in unison before leaving the room.

Leonard remained behind with Declan, separated by only a desk and a few paces

“Is there something specific you wish to discuss with me?” he asked cautiously.

“It’s less of a task and more of something you should know,” Declan said, his expression uncharacteristically weary.

He then dropped the heavy question with no preamble whatsoever.

“I see you’ve been suppressing your divinity by concentrating on your Mindscape. Did someone tell you about that method? Was it the Ancestor?”