Chapter 78: Wishes


    It was not the grandest tents ever made, but it was enough for a small army. That was how Messenger William felt when he reached the group of tents made for the Dazearyn troops.


    ''Are they underestimating us?'' Seeing that the number of soldiers on their side weren''t exactly a lot, the messenger couldn''t help but furrow his eyebrows in response.


    But right after he thought that, he immediately shook his head, shaking that thought away.


    ''No, no, no don''t think like that William. This is the Dazearyn Empire that we''re talking about. They don''t underestimate nor do they overestimate. I''m sure they have a reason for such a low soldier count,'' He told himself as he was led to the main tent by two Dazearyn guards.


    ''I really wish I could go back to my home..'' Looking at the tent in front of him, William couldn''t help but let out a small sigh.


    He was supposed to be on vacation, but an urgent order from the King had put a stop to it. The King had specifically requested him, so it wasn''t like he could pass the job off to someone else either.


    ''Why did I have to be so good at my job..'' William wanted to cry.


    Swish!


    One of the guards opened the cover to the tent and went ahead while the other stayed behind, and held the cover open for William. As William caught up with the guard who moved forward, he found himself walking on the man''s right hand side, a few steps behind.


    It was not nearly as spectacr as William had expected. The main tent was probably norger than the rest of the tents. There was a bit more space than the rest and some expensive-looking sculptures and a weapon''s chest on the side, but that was all. Wiim''s gaze shifted to the centre of the tent as he went in.


    In the middle of the tent stood a tall, solidly built man with a full head of grey hair and red eyes which were stuck on William, studying him as if he was looking at his prey, and William couldn''t help but feel as if he waspletely naked.


    "Are you the messenger from Argria, young man?" The figure didn''t move his gaze that seemed to spark with aggressive energy, and asked.


    Gulp!


    William swallowed the saliva inside his mouth. That may have been a simple question, but William felt as though he couldn''t answer straight away. He was like a deer caught in headlights.


    ''That''s one powerful aura'' William had been struck with both fear and amazement.


    Although he was just a messenger, William considered himself to be decent when it came to cultivation. But today, he felt as if he had to reconsider his strength. Even the mere energy ripple that was leaking out from his concealed aura was enough to make him feel difficulty in breathing. This was simply a new level of mightiness, and he couldn''t help but be surprised.


    "T-That''s me, Emperor Gottfried! My superior, General Ivan, has sent me here to ask you to join him for a small talk. I-If you would like to join, of course.." Although it was hard, Wiim was eventually able to speak properly, and presented the message from General Ivan to Emperor Gilbert Gottfried.


    "A ''small talk'', did you say?" Gilbert Gottfried walked towards messenger William as he spoke and ced his hand on his shoulder. "I''m assuming your General is aware of why I''m here, doesn''t he?"


    Gulp!


    Messenger William gulped down another round of saliva once again. He once again remembered the glorious vacation that he was about to take, and was internally crying about his misfortune.


    "The G-General knows everything, Emperor. He still insists that you have a talk with him before you do anything.." Although he wasn''t able to look him directly in the eye, William was able to give him an answer.


    "Oh? Is that so? Very interesting.." Emperor Gilbert Gottfried, who was surprised by the messenger''s words, loosened his grip on his shoulders and let out a loudughter. "Ha ha ha! I like this feeling. Alright then. I''ll agree to the request. "


    "Understood, Emperor," Messenger William bowed his head and secretly let out a sigh, satisfied that he had done his job without any problems. "The General requested that you arrive alone, for the pr-


    "Don''t try and push my limits, messenger!" Before messenger William could finish his words, a wave of powerful aura hit the atmosphere, causing him to fall down to his knees, gasping for air.


    Help! Help!


    William wanted to scream for help, but to his horror, realized that he couldn''t even make a sound because of the murderous aura that was pressuring him.


    "Pathetic," Emperor Gilbert Gottfried looked at the kneeling William and clicked his tongue in disgust. He waved his hand, and all of a sudden, the murderous aura disappearedpletely, and William began breathing hard.


    "I''m bringing my troops, whether your General likes it or not. Understand?" the Emperor said loudly as his gaze was fixed on William, who nodded furiously. Right now, he just wanted to leave as soon as possible.


    "Good! Now get out of my tent!" Emperor Gilbert Gottfried waved his hands, and William bowed as fast as he could and quickly walked back. "Oh, and another thing!" Gottfried spoke suddenly, causing William to stop walking and turn around.


    "Try not to read my face the next time we meet, alright messenger?" the Emperor spoke with a sinister smile, sending a chill down William''s spine. "You''re going to regret it the second time.."


    ....


    "Private army? Did you not tell him that for the meeting to take ce, he had toe with less than twenty men?" General Ivan asked.


    "Uh, yes General I did in fact say that," the messenger turned his gaze away from the General''s face as he spoke. "But he didn''t agree to the conditions. I apologise once again. I have failed to persuade them."


    "It''s alright," General Ivan said as he clicked his tongue, irritated by the actions of the other party and waved his hands, motioning the messenger to leave.


    Messenger William bowed his head and walked back to his tent.


    ''I really need that vacation '' William let out a sigh once again.


    *****************


    "Third Elder, I want you to be the very first Headmaster of the Royal Academy of Argria. How about it?"


    "Your majesty, are you really giving me the position of the Headmaster?" The Third Elder asked, and the Kingughed in response. "Of course I am. It will boost the morale of the citizens as well. What do you say?"


    "If that''s what your majesty wishes, then I''ll dly take the position. Thank you, your majesty!" The Third Elder spoke slowly, in a neither humble nor arrogant manner, and bowed his head once again.


    "Good," the King smiled, and his eyes shifted towards the two who were standing behind the Third Elder, and said, "Now, how shall I reward the two of you?"


    "We merely did our duty as a citizen of Argria, your majesty." Senior Wilfred Beldon spoke as he bowed his head to the King and continued. "We didn''t do anything special, and as such, I do not think we should be getting any rewards, your majesty!"


    "Ha ha ha! I like your attitude, young cultivator!" The King let out a heartyughter as he spoke. "But you need not be so humble. You both risked your lives to protect your country and your king, and that isn''t something that everyone can say. You say it''s merely your duty, but I believe it''s something greater. I believe that as two young cultivators who haven''t yet left the academy, you both risked your lives for me and your country, and that deserves recognition."


    The King then shifted his gaze towards ude and asked, "Tell me, young man... What do you think I should gift you?"


    ude pondered for a moment before looking at the King and slowly saying, "Your majesty, I want to ask you to give me a position in the Royal Army after I graduate from the academy!"


    "Oh? You want to join the Royal Army? That''s interesting," The King couldn''t help but be stunned when he heard this. "Why do you wish to join the Royal Army, young man?"


    "Well, because I believe that as cultivators in the martial world, almost everything is decided by strength. And as such, I believe a position in the Royal army is the best ce to grow my cultivation skills and techniques. And being a subsidiary of the Royal Army, it also means that I''m already starting off at a higher position of power." ude spoke and his eyes flickered with a strand of a bright light. "I believe I can contribute more to the country if I am able to reach my full potential."


    "Ha ha ha! That''s good. You''re an ambitious young man, I like it!" The King then looked at Wilfred Beldon again and he asked, "What about you, young man? Are you satisfied with what your junior has requested, or do you wish for something else?"


    "I''m fine with it as well," Senior Beldon nced at ude for a brief second, before nodding his head.


    "Very well then!" The King nodded his head, satisfied by their answers and said. "I''ll make sure that your wishes are granted!"