Chapter 1658: The Power of the King II

The Seven Gods’ Swords were legendary weapons bestowed upon King Lucient, each possessing a unique power that set it apart from all others. Among them, Calamity was renowned for its overwhelming destructive force, a blade capable of cleaving a cliff apart with a single swing. Its name alone was enough to inspire awe, and witnessing its true power was an entirely different matter.

The battle did not last long, under the command of Lucient and his Archknights, the Bael horde that had threatened the border was swiftly brought to ruin. Calamity swept through the battlefield in arcs of pale, chilling light, each strike tearing through the monstrous creatures with terrifying precision.

Beside Lucient, the Archknights fought together with the effortless coordination of warriors who had stood together through countless battles. There was no hesitation, no wasted movement, and no room for the enemy to advance. What had initially appeared to be a threat requiring immediate reinforcements soon became little more than a one-sided slaughter.

One by one, the Baels fell. Those that attempted to surround the knights were cut down before they could even get close, while the larger creatures met the same fate as their smaller kin. The ground trembled from the sheer force of the onslaught, and the air was filled with the fading roars of dying monsters. In a remarkably short span of time, the entire horde had been wiped out.

There was not a single casualty among Lucient’s forces, and every moment of the event was captured on camera. The footage was transmitted live, spreading across the world before the dust had even settled.

What began as a report regarding an incident at the border quickly transformed into a spectacle witnessed by millions. Screens in city squares, government buildings, military command centers, and private residences all displayed the same scene: King Lucient and his Grand Knights standing amidst the remnants of an enemy horde—their demeanor calm and unhurried, as if the battle had been nothing more than a brief interruption to their daily routine.

For ordinary citizens, the broadcast inspired both wonder and disbelief. Yet it also served as a stark reminder of who had once saved them during the Dark Age War and stood against the Black Dragon, Nazareth. As they watched Lucient and his Archknights effortlessly crush the Bael horde, memories of that dark era resurfaced, rekindling their gratitude and reminding them that the power that had once saved the world remained as formidable as ever.

In a bustling shopping district, the crowd gathered around a massive public screen fell silent as Calamity slashed through the towering figure of Bael. A man, mid-meal, let his spoon drop, completely unaware. Nearby, a child clutched their mother’s sleeve, eyes wide with wonder, while the mother stared at the screen, her mouth agape in shock.

"Was that really just a single swing?" someone whispered.

"That creature is enormous..."

"Aren’t those monsters supposed to be a threat to entire armies?"

"That’s King Lucas for you. Have you forgotten who saved us from the Black Dragon and brought light back to this world?"

The realization spread through the crowd like wildfire, awakening memories of the miserable years they had endured during the Dark Age War. They had heard tales of the seven gods’ swords, Lucient’s countless victories, and the extraordinary abilities of his Archknights. Yet stories and reports were one thing; witnessing such overwhelming power with their own eyes was another.

Across the world, similar scenes unfolded. People abandoned their conversations to watch the broadcast, while news presenters struggled to maintain their composure as the footage replayed the battle from different angles. Commentators hurriedly analyzed every movement and strike, marveling at the astonishing speed with which the Bael horde had been eradicated.

Some people cheered. Others watched in awestruck silence. No one spoke as Calamity tore through the remnants of the giant Baels. The creatures were cleaved apart in a single, devastating strike; they had no chance to regenerate, as their hearts had been sliced ??in two.

Only when the battlefield fell silent did the president of one of the countries let out a long, heavy sigh.

"What is the casualty count?" he asked.

"None confirmed, sir," the general replied, his expression grave. "The entire horde was wiped out before our analysts could finish calculating their numbers."

The president turned toward him. "Not a single casualty?"

"That is correct, sir."

For a moment, the room was silent once more.

The general lowered his gaze to the report in his hands, though the figures had already been committed to memory. His nation possessed advanced weaponry, specialized combat units, and gifted people who had spent years training to confront threats of this magnitude.

Even so, an engagement involving such a large number of Baels would ordinarily demand extensive preparation, considerable manpower, and an acceptance of inevitable losses. Yet, Lucient’s forces had accomplished it without a single casualty.

"Increase our intelligence efforts," the president finally ordered. "I want a complete assessment of every Archknight involved, as well as King Lucas’s current condition. We need to determine whether what we witnessed today was truly as it appeared."

He fell silent for a moment, observing Lucient as he stood amidst the fallen monsters. "Although," he added in a low voice, "I think we already know the answer."

His composure reflected an absolute certainty. His authority radiated through the fluid movements of those fighting by his side. And the blade in his hand served as a reminder that the legends surrounding the sword of the seven gods were not merely exaggerated tales.

The legend was a reality, what happened during the dark age war was also true, that time when the black dargon fall under the power of Lucient, it was a the show case of Lucient power that the world was now permitted to witness.

The broadcast continued to circulate long after the battle had ended. Clips of Calamity’s devastating strikes flooded social media, accompanied by heated discussions, awe-struck commentary, and endless speculation about the other six swords. Analysts debated the true extent of the Archknights’ abilities, while ordinary citizens shared the footage with friends and family, still marveling at the extraordinary power they had witnessed.

Yet beneath the admiration and fear, one message remained unmistakable: this was no ordinary victory, but a deliberate demonstration of power delivered before the eyes of the entire world.

It was a reminder that the Seven Gods’ Swords belonged to King Lucient, and that his Archknights were more than mere elite warriors. They were the extensions of his will, the blades through which his authority commanded the battlefield.

Together, they possessed the overwhelming strength to eradicate a threat capable of endangering an entire region before the world could even comprehend the scale of the battle.

For the citizens who looked to Lucient for protection, the broadcast brought reassurance. For the nations that measured their power against his, it brought unease. And for anyone who had begun to question the standing of the Lucient bloodline, the footage left little room for doubt.

The Heir of Lucient did not need to declare his supremacy. He had merely drawn his sword, and the entire world had watched as the battlefield answered for him. Lory understood perfectly well what those results would mean. This would tilt the balance of power even further in Lucient’s favor.

The impact would extend far beyond the battlefield. Heads of state would review the footage in their private offices, military commanders would reassess their strategies, and intelligence agencies would scramble to determine the true extent of Lucient’s military capabilities.

Some nations would be eager to strengthen their diplomatic ties with the kingdom, hoping to secure a closer relationship with such a formidable power. Others would grow more cautious, reconsidering policies that might antagonize a kingdom capable of demonstrating such overwhelming strength.

Even those who harbored ambitions of challenging Lucient would have to think twice.

After all, there was a considerable difference between hearing that a kingdom possessed formidable warriors and witnessing those warriors annihilate an entire horde without suffering a single casualty.

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___Cestine Palace____

Lory’s smile deepened as she watched the broadcast at her room, her gaze lingering on the image of Lucas and his Archknights standing victorious amid the fallen horde. ℴ

Jay had done more than simply show the world a victory. He had given every nation a reason to reconsider its place in the international order.

"I didn’t realize this kind of strategy could be so effective," Zhao Li Xin remarked. His hands continued their gentle massage, his attention shifting briefly from Lory to the television.

Lory turned her head toward him, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes. "What? Showing off your power and reminding everyone who truly holds the advantage?" she asked.

"Of course, it was very effective. Like a slapped right to the cheek." She adjusted the blanket over her lap before settling back against the cushions.

"Lucas hasn’t demonstrated his full capabilities since he awoke from his coma. Naturally, people have begun to wonder whether he’s still the same person he once was. Some might even believe that his prolonged absence has weakened Lucient’s position." Her smile turned knowing. "But after this broadcast, those doubts will be much harder to sustain."

Her gaze returned to the screen, where the footage of Calamity cleaving through the Bael horde was being replayed.

"Our people need to see that their king is still capable of protecting them. The international community needs to be reminded that Lucient hasn’t lost its strength, either. And the people of Harland need to know that they can still place their trust in us." She paused, her expression growing more thoughtful. "Once that confidence is restored, the influence Luxemborough and the S.A.I.N.T. organization have been holding over the world will naturally weakened even further."

Zhao Li Xin gazed at him for a moment, his expression one of deep thought. "Regardless, they won’t stop," he said. "Not after everything they’ve done to reach the position they’re in now."

"No, they won’t," Lory said, casting a meaningful look as if she could already foresee the dangers ahead. "They will become desperate and stop at nothing to achieve their goals, regardless of how others might perceive them. They’ll stop playing nice and resort to ruthless tactics—and when that happens, many people will get hurt."

"But what choice do we have? If we do nothing, they’ll continue tightening their grip on the world. More people will suffer, and those who could offer them another way out will be prevented from doing so."

Her expression grew resolute as she looked back at him.

"We cannot allow that to continue simply because confronting them is dangerous."

Zhao Li Xin remained silent for a moment, his gaze resting on her thoughtful face. Then he resumed his gentle movements, his thumb tracing a slow circle against her ankle.

"Are you prepared to bear this risk?" Zhao Li Xin asked. He knew that beneath the princess’s calm and resilient exterior lay the heart of a kind young woman, someone who never wished to see anyone come to harm.

Lory met his gaze. "We were trained for this...I was trained for this, to choose the lesser of two evils, even when both choices are terrible, I will choose the path that causes the least amount of damage to the future." Her voice remained soft, yet there was not a trace of hesitation in it.

"You’re always so strong, Lory." Zhao Li Xin smiled knowingly, his gaze filled with both admiration and a hint of helplessness.

She glanced toward the television once more, where the victorious figures of Lucient’s knights filled the screen. "Still, we must be prepared for retaliation. We cannot afford to underestimate what Luxemborough and the S.A.I.N.T. organization might do when they realize they’re losing control. But if we allow fear of their response to dictate every decision we make, then nothing will ever change."

"Well, I agree with you on that, but..." Zhao Li Xin’s voice trailed off as his gaze fell to the small bump beneath the blanket covering her lap.

Lory followed his gaze, understanding the unspoken concern behind his hesitation.

"Your condition, Lory," he murmured, his brows drawing together slightly. "Your power is still unstable, and you’re carrying our child. You can’t keep putting yourself in danger as though none of that matters."

"My power may still be unstable," Lory replied calmly, "but if I have to make a choice, I’ll always choose the path that protects my people and the one I love." Her violet eyes brimmed with determination that Zhao Li xin knew so much.

Zhao Li Xin sighed softly. He reached for her hands, enclosing them in his own and holding them with quiet tenderness. "You don’t have to take every risk yourself." His thumb brushed gently over her knuckles as he met her gaze. "I’m here, aren’t I?"

Lory’s expression softened. "You are."

She tightened her fingers around his, as she drawing reassurance from his warmth. Her violet eyes remained fixed on his, their usual gentleness now shadowed by a foreboding she could neither dismiss nor explain.

"The war is coming, Li Xin," she whispered. "I can feel it in my bones. And when it finally begins, I have a feeling it will be the last one."

"Then I will be with you until the very end." Zhao Li Xin smiled, his expression carrying that same unwavering determination.