Chapter 998: Alternate Timeline: The child king (1)

Harshavardhan stared in disbelief. "An ungraded weapon capable of killing a seven-star rank expert from several kilometers away?"

He slowly looked toward the king.

"Who exactly is this Kiara, King Caleb?"

Even Caleb Crescent could only smile bitterly. "I ask myself the same question sometimes. Her background appears ordinary. Yet after arriving in the Phoenix Empire..."

"She suddenly rose like a dragon emerging from deep waters."

Then the king turned toward Philip again.

"Reply to her. Tell her I will personally attend. And summon Treasurer Zaros immediately."

He paused briefly before adding.

"Also, contact Lunar Bank. We may require a substantial loan."

Harshavardhan’s expression changed instantly.

"Your Majesty... the Aryavarta Empire can assist with that."

Both Caleb Crescent and Philip looked toward him.

Harshavardhan continued.

"If everything regarding those weapons is true... Then even one million gold coins may not be enough. I possess enough authority to promise this on behalf of my Emperor. The Aryavarta Empire is willing to invest ten million gold coins into Celestra."

"In exchange... We want ten of those flying vehicles called aircraft."

The room fell silent afterward.

King Caleb narrowed his eyes slightly.

Temptation surfaced within his heart immediately.

Ten million gold coins was no small number.

Yet the decision was difficult.

If Celestra won the auction, surrendering half the aircraft would hurt deeply.

Each aircraft represented a terrifying military value. Atleast on paper, a flying war machine equivalent is said to be several seven-star rank experts.

Owning twenty of them could elevate Celestra’s military strength to rival neighboring empires.

But refusing the Aryavarta Empire’s offer also carried danger.

This northern empire was not weak.

In the entire world, the Aryavarta Empire is the only Empire that rules the land on two different continents that are separated by thousands of kilometers.

About one-fifths of its land is in the Xynnar Continent and borders Solaria.

The other four-fifths of its land is five thousand kilometers away in the Continent of Jambudweepa, where its imperial capital is also located.

Then, one might wonder how they could still manage to rule the land in the Xynnar continent. Despite the fact that the mainland of Jambudweepa is five thousand kilometers away, there are tons of islands between the two continents, and the Videha Dynasty claims every single island between the two continents as its own. Because Solaria is not strong enough to fight for those islands, there were no contenders for its dominance in the Ocean.

As for the land in the Xynnar Continent, at the moment, the land is under the control of the House Lefeuvre, a vassal of the Aryavarta Empire. Most of the alliances and trades done in this continent are done through the Lefeuvre Dynasty.

And Celestra is a key ally of Aryavarta, due to the Crown Prince’s connection to the Empire’s Great Sage.

Seeing their intention to extend their cooperation further with Celestra, King Caleb couldn’t help but think of various things.

Like an alliance with them could open endless trade routes and future opportunities.

And perhaps...

Political marriages too.

At that thought, Caleb Crescent briefly remembered his son.

Then remembered Kiara.

A faint sigh escaped inwardly.

"She had rejected my son and was engaged to someone else. Gideon might not give up because Kiara hasn’t married yet and is living with the hope that engagements can be broken off at any time, but eventually, he will come to his senses.

Finally, the king nodded.

"Very well, we accept your offer. But understand something clearly... We may end up competing directly against Emperor Alexander during the auction."

At that, Harshavardhan smiled confidently.

"You need not worry. If I possess the authority to approve ten million gold coins... Then, dragging along one of our Royal princes will not be difficult either."

Those words immediately lit expectations inside Caleb Crescent’s mind.

"Then..."

"Can you persuade Arjun to accompany us?"

Harshavardhan visibly froze for a second. "The Fourth Prince?"

Almost instantly, he understood the king’s intentions without needing an explanation.

The Fourth Prince is one of the favored princes of the Dynasty but he wouldn’t likely get the throne easily because of the fact that his mother is deceased. However, he had a younger sister. He loves her very much and wouldn’t want her to be caught in the middle of politics.

Adding on top of that, the prince is a good friend of Gideon. So, if he comes here, there could be a high chance of convincing him to match Princess Vrishali with Gideon.

On the other hand, for Aryavarta, a marriage alliance with Celestra will also benefit them greatly. Celestra is located on the west coast of the southern part of the continent and is connected to two mighty Empires. Trade becomes rather easier.

Seeing that their thoughts aligned perfectly, Harshavardhan smiled.

"I shall do my best."

Meanwhile...

Far away within the Kingdom of Solaria...

On the outskirts of Helius City...

A twelve-year-old boy sat atop a flying horse beneath the blazing afternoon sky.

The wind tugged fiercely at his robes.

In his small hands rested an M-99 sniper rifle almost longer than his own body.

The metal weapon gleamed coldly beneath the sunlight.

His breathing slowed.

His shoulders stiffened slightly.

Far away in the distance...

A target stood positioned among rocky hills.

Then—

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

The deafening sound of gunfire rolled endlessly across the barren hills outside Helius City, each explosive shot echoing against the cliffs like thunder repeatedly striking the same mountain peak.

One after another, the kneeling prisoners collapsed forward.

Some fell sideways.

Some twitched briefly before becoming motionless.

Every single skull had been pierced cleanly by a terrifying 12.7mm round that ripped through bone and flesh with frightening precision, leaving behind nothing but silence where desperate breathing once existed moments earlier.

The soldiers standing behind the prisoners were pale from beginning to end.

Their fingers trembled around their weapons.

Sweat rolled continuously down their necks despite the cool wind brushing across the hills.

None of them dared move carelessly while those bullets flew through the air.

Because they had seen it clearly.

The rounds did not merely kill.

They erased.

A single mistake in aim and anyone standing nearby could have lost their life instantly.

Fortunately for them...

The shooter never missed.

After the final prisoner collapsed lifelessly onto the dirt, the flying horse circling above slowly descended toward the ground while its wings stirred dust and dry leaves into the air.

The young shooter jumped down lightly from its back while carrying the massive M-99 sniper rifle over his shoulder.

Compared to his small frame, the weapon almost looked absurdly oversized.

Yet somehow...

It suited him perfectly.

Clap.

Clap.

Clap.

A middle-aged-looking man landed behind him before slowly applauding with admiration visible across his face.

"Magnificent, Your Majesty. You truly are a genius born once in a century. Without any formal training, you not only struck every target without fail, but each bullet entered through the exact center of the skull as though guided by destiny itself."

The soldiers behind them silently released sighs of relief one after another.

Some discreetly wiped sweat from their foreheads while others loosened their grip on their weapons.

The execution was finally over.

And the terrifying child king had finished testing his favorite weapon.

This twelve-year-old boy was none other than Phaethon Solaris, the current King of Solaria.

Although he was merely a two-star rank Spirit Warrior belonging to the Fighter Path, he had always loved ranged weapons far more than swords or spears.

First, it had been bows.

Then crossbows.

He even managed to try to strike a deal with the Dwarves to get their magical ether cannons, although he failed in the end as they weren’t interested.

And at the moment...

His interests lie in guns.