Chapter 236: Welcome Written in Thunder (2)

Ethan nodded, acknowledging that he’d neglected this aspect of preparation.

After all, when it came to the Empire and its affairs, he was practically ignorant of everything.

Asterion nodded, satisfied with his response.

"I might have overlooked that mistake if it came from someone else. But you’re an exception, boy. I expect a great deal from you."

"Please don’t go placing random expectations on me... I’ve already got enough on my plate."

Ethan chuckled before turning his gaze toward the old man beside him.

"Still, I’m genuinely surprised. I never took you for the type to give such valuable advice... I thought you were just some drunken old man who wandered around causing trouble."

Ethan wasn’t about to miss his own opportunity to mock him.

The Uncrowned Emperor’s expression immediately darkened.

"One of these days, my hand might just slip if you keep being this disrespectful."

"I certainly hope it doesn’t. You’ve only got one hand left, remember?"

The two laughed softly, their casual exchange drawing the attention of those around them.

It was a strange sight.

One was a legendary old man of overwhelming strength, while the other was merely a young hunter who had yet to make a name for himself.

Under ordinary circumstances, no one would dare speak to the Uncrowned Emperor in such a manner.

Perhaps Ethan was the only person who could get away with it, apart from Asterion’s two granddaughters.

Their exchange particularly caught the attention of the knight commander, who couldn’t conceal his astonishment.

’Has the Uncrowned Emperor taken another disciple?’

The commander murmured the question under his breath, almost to himself.

But Kevin, who was walking nearby, heard him.

His expression immediately darkened.

"Asterion has no disciples left... They’re all dead."

Kevin quickened his pace after saying those words.

And for once, his voice carried emotions he rarely allowed others to hear.

Meanwhile, Asterion finally realized that he’d done just about everything except answer Ethan’s original question.

So he returned to where their conversation had begun.

"You asked me about the capital’s protection... The answer is simple. As long as the Five Generals are present, the capital is safe."

Ethan’s eyes gradually narrowed at those last words.

"The Five Generals?"

The old man nodded before elaborating.

"They’re five exceptionally powerful warriors who have earned the title of General. Every one of them has reached King-rank, and that commander of the Royal Guard was one of them."

This was the first time Ethan had heard any of this.

The Arden Empire possessed a formidable military force, one that clearly couldn’t be underestimated.

And that was only natural.

After all, it was an entire empire.

Gass, the commander of the Royal Guard, was one of the Five Generals Asterion had mentioned. Ethan had to admit that the man was exceptionally powerful, having reached the very peak of King-rank.

And there were four others who were no less powerful than him.

"So that’s why he could leave with the prince without worrying about the capital..." Ethan nodded in understanding before turning toward Asterion.

"What about you, then? Aren’t you the strongest person in this Empire?"

He was essentially asking why Asterion wasn’t a General himself.

The old man clicked his tongue in response.

"Don’t compare me to those clowns! They’re nowhere near my level!"

Resting his hand on the sheath of his sword, Asterion pointed out an important distinction.

"I only intervene when something extraordinary happens, something beyond what anyone would normally expect. If the royal family ever finds itself forced to summon me, it means a catastrophe has already struck."

Ethan understood.

Asterion effectively occupied a rank of his own, standing above the Five Generals.

He would only intervene if they failed, an exceedingly rare occurrence that would require an opponent of tremendous power.

Someone on Asterion’s level, among the strongest individuals on the entire continent.

"...You’re incredible, old man. Looks like the legends about you weren’t exaggerated after all."

"Have you finally begun to comprehend my greatness? Then you’d better start showing me some respect."

"Haha... We’ll see about that."

Ethan turned his attention forward once again.

They had already reached the checkpoint.

As expected, security was extremely tight. Ethan and his companions were subjected to a thorough inspection, with the guards examining their weapons, everything they carried, and their identification.

During the inspection, however, Ethan noticed something interesting.

The guards had no way of accessing his personal weapon storage space.

’Just as I thought. The Legendary Weapons Master Blessing allows me to carry any number of weapons without anyone discovering them.’

It was an enormous advantage.

The fact that even the heavily guarded imperial capital couldn’t detect his hidden arsenal was proof enough.

He could smuggle weapons into virtually any location he pleased.

All he had to do was present the weapon he was visibly carrying for inspection, and the guards returned it to him afterward.

The entire process took approximately half an hour before they were finally granted permission to enter the Land of Gold.

And the moment they passed through the walls, everyone was stunned by the sight awaiting them.

A sudden explosion of noise washed over them, as though the walls had been completely isolating them from the sounds of the city.

Before them stretched a bustling sea of people, crowds moving back and forth through the streets in every direction.

The Land of Gold was like an architectural masterpiece born from the heart of a dream.

Its broad, meticulously paved streets stretched into the distance as though they had been laid out by an artist obsessed with perfection. On either side stood elegant, towering buildings of European design, constructed from pristine white marble that gave the entire city an air of refined grandeur, their polished surfaces gleaming almost brilliantly enough to steal one’s gaze.

The fa?ades were adorned with intricate carvings and delicate ornamentation, while tall windows and graceful stone arches lent the surroundings the timeless charm of an ancient European city.

The roads themselves were remarkably clean and orderly, lined with magnificent lamps positioned at carefully measured intervals.

Their soft golden radiance spilled across the white marble, bathing the streets and buildings in a warm glow that transformed the city into a breathtaking spectacle beneath the night sky.

It was almost as though the entire capital had been painted gold.