Dancing on the golden ashes

I stood there, speechless for a long time. This overwhelming amount of power would definitely help in the upcoming battle… or would it? I couldn't shake the nagging doubt inside me. After all, how strong would a creature at level 200 actually be? The last time I saw it, I couldn't even move an inch. The very pressure it exuded was so intense it felt like it could crush me in an instant.

The more time passed, the closer the battle got, and the more anxious I became. The uncertainty gnawed at me, yet I couldn't let it show. At least, from watching countless dramas, I'd learned that a leader must always appear strong—even when they feel weak. If a leader shows weakness, their army will also become weak. Not because of individual skills, but because of the morale. Morale—it's a silent weapon, but one of the most powerful in any battle. A shift in morale could determine victory or defeat.

"Empress," a soft voice entered my ears, but I was too deep in thought to respond.

"EMPRESS!"

Suddenly, a loud shout snapped me back to reality. I realized, with growing horror, that my soul power was leaking out, and my hand was still pressing on the cannon, continuing to feed it. The cannon kept firing relentlessly, its power building with each shot. The entire ocean seemed to vibrate under the intensity of the blasts, and soon, the ground itself began to tremble violently beneath my feet.

The waves receded, and in the distance, I saw a massive wave of water rushing at us—at least fifty meters tall.

Not only was this insane to even fathom, but that much water could easily flood any city in its path, drowning everything in its wake. The destruction it would bring was unimaginable.

I could see how terrified Ryu Chae-rin looked. Her entire face turned pale, completely devoid of color—she looked like a ghost. And then, in the next moment, she fainted.

"Well... I'll have to do something about those episodes of fainting, or else she'll never be able to contribute in the battle." I sighed deeply, feeling the weight of the situation. My body lifted into the sky, moving effortlessly.

"Great flood!" I called out with energy. I hadn't used this ability in a while, but this time I decided to get creative with it. Instead of summoning a massive wave of water, I infused it with earth energy, creating a colossal fifty-meter-tall wall right in front of the shore. The towering wave crashed into the wall, but the wall didn't budge—not even an inch.

That was the power I commanded now. Whether it was natural disasters or powerful abilities, they were nothing before me. Only a few people in the world might still be able to challenge me. That's how confident I was. But to be honest, it was only natural. Anyone would feel invincible standing at the top.

I watched as the wave began to recede. Some water splashed over the wall, crashing onto the Blazelia trees. Still, it wasn't nearly as bad as the disaster I could have caused if I hadn't intervened.

"Well, that's taken care of... now..."

I looked at the girl lying on the edge of the mountain and the massive cannon. I shook my head, creating a rift next to them. Soon, I appeared with Ryu Chae-rin and the cannon back in her lab—or whatever you could call this place.

I gently laid her down on the single bed I found in the corner. She was as fragile as a leaf, though I couldn't say much better about myself lately. With the growth of my body strength, my physique had changed a little as well. I had grown a bit more round in certain places, which made me feel embarrassed.

I had always been extremely thin—so much so that doctors were afraid for my life. Now, I looked more... healthy. Ugh... I can't believe I look like this now. I wanted to curse fate, but maybe I should thank it?

Well, I didn't care about love interests, so there was no point in looking attractive to the opposite gender. But still, it felt somewhat good to know I looked... well, good.

I left a note for the girl:

"I am very amazed with your creations. Please prepare five of the best cannons to be ready on the defensive walls in three days. Make sure they are mobile, in case the monster approaches from a direction we don't expect. Your Empress, Lee Gaon." Discover more content at My Virtual Library Empire

"I hope she doesn't faint again... this is really a big problem..."

I left the place and strolled through the city, my gaze drifting to the worried expressions of the people. Everyone looked at me, silently seeking reassurance. I couldn't give them a real one. The upcoming fight could very well end with me being squashed like a mosquito, but I had to give them something.

I made my way toward a building that was slightly larger than the others. It was adorned with a beautiful design, and inside, I knew, was the war room. The entire building was constructed from wood, just like the others, but there was something special about it. Perhaps it was the fact that so many powerful auras gathered here daily, training, showcasing their skills.

I had never entered this place before. I'd heard it was built during my absence. Seong-hoon had requested its construction, and Min-jeong had provided everyone with the materials. To be honest, she was amazing. She could manipulate nature at will, creating lush forests the moment one was cut down. She was truly the child of nature, just as her role suggested.

I pushed the massive wooden door open, and soon the stench of sweat filled the air. Countless people were standing in a circle, cheering someone on. I moved closer. The event must have been incredibly exciting if no one had noticed me yet. I couldn't help but chuckle to myself as I stood to the side, deciding to watch for a while.

There was a chair on the second floor, which no one dared sit in. So, I decided to take my seat there, observing the scene below.

And then, my eyes were met with a sight I had never imagined—the battle of two powerhouses of the city.