MTLNOVEL Chapter 20: You talk too much
A deep, ancient voice rang through the battlefield.
A suffocating power surged across the capital, shaking the very foundations of the city. The air trembled, and even the sky seemed to darken in response. A figure stepped forward, his presence overwhelming.
An old man with a regal aura emerged from the depths of the castle. His long, flowing hair was silver like the moon, and his piercing eyes radiated wisdom and authority.
This was the First King.
The Founder and Creator of this country.
The man who had built this nation single-handedly.
For ordinary people, he was supposed to be dead. A mere legend.
But for the current king who knew the truth , he had gone into seclusion for over a century, attempting to break through to Rank 8 and become a legend. Even among Rank 7 Masters, his power was overwhelming. His mere presence had ensured peace in the past.
Back when he ruled, no kingdom dared to wage war.
But when he chose to go into isolation to reach Rank 8, his son took the throne. And that was when Human greed took over.
Wars began. Neighboring kingdoms coveted the riches of this land. The second king perished in battle, and his son—the current king—rose to power, a mere Rank 5 at that time. After decades of war, he finally reached Rank 6 and established dominance, but one kingdom never relented—Astria.
The endless conflict between this nation and Astria reached a peak when the first king kidnapped Astria's princess. But that was 300 years ago. No one even knew if she was alive anymore.
And now, this once-great king—his grandson—was pinned against a wall like some crude decoration, impaled by four black swords.
The First King's gaze landed on him.
There was no anger. No sadness.
Only a look of pity.
But he did not move to save his grandson.
His focus turned toward Azreal—the man who had done all this.
The man inside the Blue Barrier.
Azreal, who stood at the heart of the battlefield, showed no emotion. If anything, he looked slightly annoyed. He hadn't even acknowledged the First King's presence yet—his eyes were fixated on the Blue Dome.
For some reason, the barrier's strength had increased drastically. Its quality, its density—everything had improved. It wasn't just a minor upgrade.
It was a qualitative transformation.
The realization hit him immediately.
"Ah, I see."
Azreal chuckled as he examined the rune patterns embedded in the dome.
This barrier needed an energy source.
The stronger the energy source, the more powerful the barrier became.
And now, with the First King—a Rank 7 Master—awakening after centuries, his presence had unknowingly fueled the barrier, making it far stronger than before.
At that moment, the First King finally spoke.
"Who are you?" His voice was deep, ancient, carrying a weight that could crush lesser men.
Azreal barely spared him a glance.
To him, the First King was nothing more than a buzzing fly—an unnecessary distraction. His golden eyes gleamed as he muttered to himself.
"So, the stronger the energy input, the stronger the barrier…"
As he continued studying the runes, the First King mistook Azreal's silence for fear.
"Hmph… You finally realize the power before you, don't you?"
A sneer formed on the old king's lips. His aura erupted, shaking the land beneath his feet.
"I am a Rank 7 Star Master."
"I am the First Ruler of this country."
"I command millions, and I have built this empire with my own hands!"
His voice thundered like a god's decree.
But then—
He froze.
Azreal finally looked at him.
And in that instant—a suffocating aura descended.
BOOM!
The air itself seemed to collapse under the pressure. The clouds split apart. The ground cracked open.
Azreal released his own aura—and the truth became clear.
He was also Rank 7.
The First King's mouth went dry. He had assumed Azreal was Rank 6. That would explain why he was so powerful but still beneath him.
But no.
This man—this monster—was his equal.
Azreal sighed.
"You talk too much."
His golden eyes gleamed with irritation.
"I have no interest in your past. I don't care about your 'great deeds.' Seriously, why do you guys love to monologue so much?
"Your kingdom is in ruins."
"Your grandson is a wall decoration."
"Your people are dying."
His voice turned sharp.
"And instead of acting, you waste time talking."
Azreal raised his hand.
SHING!
Four black swords appeared in the air.
A dark wall manifested behind the First King.
Before the old ruler could even react—
SCHLUNK!
The swords pierced through his limbs—impaling him against the wall, just like his grandson.
A second wall decoration.
Azreal smirked.
"Perfect."
He took a step forward, gazing at the two impaled rulers before him.
"Now, I have two decorations for my new kingdom."
The city fell silent.
The once-proud rulers of this nation—one past, one present—were now nothing more than trophies.
And Azreal?
He had just claimed the throne.