Chapter 7: The Envoy, Part 2
Albert Warner was already old.
As the third son of the previous patriarch of the Warner family and the uncle of the current patriarch, the old nobleman now held a high position in the Imperial Foreign Ministry. But he understood that no matter how distinguished his status, without exceptional talent in cultivation, he could not withstand the erosion of time—he was sixty-two years old. No matter how well he maintained himself or how many strengthening potions he used, his bodily functions would gradually decline, just like earlier, when merely walking down the airship's steps had left him somewhat exhausted.
This was a helpless reality.
But now... the Ambassador felt power surging through every fiber of his being!
The priests and paladin apprentices standing before the Lord's Manor, under the command of their teachers, had cast a variety of non-repeating enhancement blessings in perfect unison, catching Albert off guard and enveloping him instantly in a massive sphere of holy energy. As the sphere dissipated, what appeared before everyone's eyes was a stunned Imperial Ambassador.
"Such power!"
Instinctively swinging his right hand, the sound of air being split accompanied a semi-transparent gust that struck the stone floor. Now, Albert felt as if his muscles contained enough strength to tear a polar bear apart with his bare hands. He took a step forward, his once-unsteady gait now firm and solid. The overwhelming sense of power nearly made him leap into the air. The Ambassador, whose mind and body had been strengthened to their peak, now experienced an illusion—even if a Mountain-Crushing Dragon roared before him, he would not flinch!
"How do you feel now?" an old priest asked.
"Excellent!" Albert clenched his fist, nodding with confidence. "I feel like I could kill a Ground Dragon!"
"Ah... go on, then." Hearing this, the old priest sighed and shook his head gently.
"The Lord is waiting for you in the main hall. All other attendants, please remain at the entrance."
Upon hearing this, the guide spoke respectfully, opening the gate of the outer wall surrounding the Lord's Manor. Meanwhile, the clergy who had finished casting their spells vanished as silently as the wind, and faintly, voices could be heard from around the street corner, saying things like, "Not a bad performance this time, eighty points." Unaware that he had become a test subject for the Saint Lawrence Cathedral's clergy examinations, Mr. Albert stepped energetically into the Lord's Manor garden.
In a nearby inn, which had been reserved as the residence for the visiting envoys, three individuals of different appearances and noble status stood by a window on the third floor, watching the scene unfold.
"Do you think he'll make it to the Lord's Manor smoothly?" A pale-skinned elf, holding a wine glass, took a sip of calming potion. The Far South Elf Ambassador murmured, "At his age..."
"Hmph." The dwarf, who was still leaning against the wall to maintain his stance, snorted coldly and did not reply.
"The Lord has restrained himself quite a bit now... In any case, may the Seven Gods bless him." The envoy from the Church of the Seven Gods, who also looked unwell, offered a brief blessing, then closed his eyes and silently recited a prayer.
For Albert, who had entered the Lord's Manor, the light vanished in an instant.
It was like walking through the deep sea. The world grew narrow, darkness sprouted at the edges of his vision, and as he snapped out of his euphoric mental state, Albert suddenly realized that he had unknowingly reached the center of the garden before the Lord's Manor. Now, every move he made was as difficult as running against a tidal current.
A Legendary Domain.
The well-traveled old nobleman understood in an instant what he had encountered.
Perhaps it was the spontaneous influence of an overly powerful being on the surrounding world, or perhaps existence itself signified some form of transcendence. As one of the most powerful beings in the Mycroft World, Lord Joshua Radcliffe's very presence was a Legendary Domain. Even without any deliberate action, the pressure of his existence was enough to make ordinary people feel as if they were walking through a blizzard or climbing a steep mountain. But now, the Lord had clearly restrained himself—at least, the garden was still full of flowers and grass, and the trees were lush and green.
If he hadn't...
Albert shook his head, not daring to imagine further. He continued walking forward, his steps steady.
Soon, he arrived at the main hall of the Lord's Manor.
The hall was spacious and grand, but it was not as luxurious as one might imagine. The walls were adorned with various weapons and trophies, including the skull of a Giant Beast and the claws of a Five-Colored Dragon. The floor was paved with black stone, polished to a mirror-like sheen, reflecting the dim light. At the far end of the hall, behind a long table, sat a black-haired young man.
Joshua Radcliffe.
The Lord of Moldavia, the Count of the North, the Legendary Warrior.
He was dressed in simple black clothing, without any armor or weapons, but his very presence made the air around him seem to solidify. His gaze was calm, yet it carried an invisible pressure that made it difficult for anyone to meet his eyes.
"Lord Radcliffe." Albert stopped, bowed slightly, and spoke respectfully.
"Ambassador Warner." Joshua nodded, gesturing for him to approach. "Please, have a seat."
Albert walked forward and sat down in a chair opposite the long table. Up close, he could feel the Lord's aura more clearly—it was like sitting before a dormant volcano, seemingly calm but capable of erupting at any moment with devastating power.
"I have read the letter from His Majesty the Emperor," Joshua said directly, without any pleasantries. "He wishes for me to attend the celebration in the Imperial Capital next spring."
"Yes, Lord." Albert nodded. "His Majesty hopes that you, as the Empire's third Legendary, will appear at the ceremony to demonstrate the Empire's strength."
"Demonstrate strength?" Joshua chuckled lightly. "I think His Majesty is more interested in showing off."
Albert did not dare to respond to that. He simply lowered his head, waiting for the Lord's reply.
"Very well, I will go." Joshua leaned back in his chair, his fingers lightly tapping the table. "But I have some conditions."
"Please, speak freely, Lord."
"First, the Empire must increase its support for Moldavia. I need more resources and personnel to develop this land."
"Of course, Lord. His Majesty has already prepared a corresponding plan."
"Second, I want to see the information on the Takur Annihilation Order. I've heard they've been active recently."
Albert hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "I will convey this to His Majesty."
"Good." Joshua stood up, signaling that the conversation was over. "Then I will look forward to the celebration next spring."
Albert also stood, bowed again, and prepared to leave. But just as he turned around, Joshua's voice came from behind him.
"Ambassador."
"Yes, Lord?"
"Tell His Majesty that I am very interested in the 'Ultimate Sublimation Aggregate' project."
Albert's body stiffened slightly, but he quickly regained his composure. "I will relay your message, Lord."
After leaving the Lord's Manor, Albert let out a long breath. He realized that his back was already soaked with cold sweat.
"Truly worthy of being a Legendary..." he murmured to himself, shaking his head with a bitter smile.
Back in the main hall, Joshua was still standing there, looking at the direction in which Albert had left.
"Master, why did you tell him about the Ultimate Sublimation Aggregate?" A voice suddenly sounded from the shadows. A young girl with silver hair stepped out, her eyes filled with curiosity.
"Because I want to see the Empire's reaction." Joshua turned around, a faint smile on his lips. "That project involves too many secrets. I need to know how much the Empire knows."
"Understood." The silver-haired girl nodded, then disappeared back into the shadows.
Joshua walked to the window, looking out at the distant mountains.
"Next spring... it seems things are about to get interesting."