Challenge (Seeking Subscriptions)

Challenge

Morici Empire, Imperial Capital.

The former Mercenary City, City of Fairness, had undergone more than two hundred years of imperial development and had become the political and economic center of the entire continent.

Magnificent marble buildings towered everywhere. Merchants and nobles from across the nation filled the streets, while humans and beastmen lived together in peace, creating an unusual scene of prosperity.

A carriage from the north blended into a merchant caravan and easily passed the city guards' inspection before entering the city.

The window opened, revealing a young, handsome face.

"Tuckerau, and Iliya... I'll prove it to you... an imperial legend... heh..."

Phil murmured before closing the window.

Night.

Deep within the resplendent imperial palace.

Jupiter sat quietly in a rocking chair, his gaze unfocused as he wondered about something unknown.

The physique of a legendary Warrior allowed him to retain a youthful appearance, with the effect only fading at the very moment before his death.

Even so, his eyes were no longer young, carrying the weight of age.

Having sat upon the emperor's throne for two hundred years, what schemes and intrigues had he not seen? It was more than enough to make him grow and mature.

He had even reached a state where his heart was as still as dead water.

Recently, some of his descendants had begun fighting for power, competing to show themselves off before him like peacocks spreading their tails. Jupiter knew perfectly well what they wanted.

But he was already exhausted, too exhausted to concern himself with such matters.

Now, there was only one thing that could still draw his attention.

"The second Obelisk... has finally emerged?"

Jupiter let out a faint sigh. "Mages... a group of people who wield mysterious powers—healing, fire, flight..."

He tossed the intelligence report onto the