Aran Imperial City, under the Emperor's feet.

The rolling black smoke from the New City Industrial District soared into the sky, transforming into a shroud that obstructed the clouds and covered the sun.

The hazy mist obscured the view, while heavy thunderclouds rolled in the distance.

Rain poured down in torrents, with each pounding raindrop breaking apart upon impact.

Conqueror Avenue.

The massive granite-paved road joined seamlessly, with rows of endless blue crystal lampposts providing light even in the low-visibility rainy weather.

Due to the Emperor's northward campaign to assassinate the king, the line of dragon corpses marking his path, resembling a kite with a broken string, gave this route its name.

The blood of the entire nation and even the whole Western Continent flowed into this place. The road network had to be complex, facilitating the transportation of goods, the movement of people, and military channels, each requiring different pathways.

And the nobles also had their exclusive passages.

Even so, a long line of carriages queued in front of Nashano's, awaiting inspection by the cold and mechanical Royal City Army guards.

The Royal City Army was the most unique force within the Aran Army System, directly subordinate to the Emperor, receiving orders only from him or the Imperial Guard.

It was a powerful organization, no less violent than the Old Aran Witch Hunting Secret Department.

Even Augustus, the acting chairman of the Aran Military Committee and the highest commander coordinating all the armies, had no authority over the Royal City Army.

Cicero and Augustus were the Emperor's right and left hands, the highest-ranking individuals in Aran besides the Emperor and the Pope.

The icy barbed wire checkpoint, with high-intensity beams from the magical lenses atop the towers, swept across the area.

In all these years, Liszt had rarely seen the Giant Clan.

The most recent encounter was last year at the secret port in Londen City, where he met a somewhat comatose giant brought by Marcus.

It was known that there were eleven high towers from the Ancient Era still standing, and the Emperor allowed no one to be higher than him.

Spectacles had to be created, but those magnificent structures were beyond human capability.

In the second year of his autocratic rule, the Emperor personally led a campaign to conquer the Oathbreaker Land in the South West Sea, subjugating the Giant Clan, who lived off herding mammoths and behemoths.

The Overlord had also conquered that place, enslaving all the giants.

And the Emperor did it as well.

Only these two, in two thousand years, had achieved this feat; not even the might of Emperor Engma had managed it.

Thus, during the early years of New Aran, intimidating the Four Seas, curbed other nations' thoughts of taking advantage of its initial weakness and launching attacks.

Of course, in this era of great maritime exploration, the term "slave" gradually faded, but in essence, it was no different—the Giant Clan became the Emperor's hard labor force.

They built the wonder of the Imperial Palace, no less impressive than the eleven high towers, suppressing the Eternal Sect's ancient and iconic Sky Clock Tower.

Now, seeing the five to six meters tall giants walking outside the carriage window again, with each step resonating deeply, rain pelting their bodies, their steel frames, and massive bodies were the world's mightiest warriors.

Yet still, they were conquered by the Emperor.

This time, Liszt dared not take risks; he would arrive and depart on the same day, staying no longer than six hours.

Marcus had said he'd wait for him in the National Museum at Dragon Stone Square, one of the few places the Eternal Sect dared not monitor him.

The flow of carriages ahead began to ease; the entering lane was for Aran bureaucrats.

As a member of the Royal City Army lifted the carriage curtain,

Liszt felt a shiver despite having yet to enter the Imperial City; he could already sense the Emperor's domineering ambition. The boundless and terrifying invisible pressure surged like waves.

The Aran people living in the Imperial City might not sense it, but Liszt, being at odds with the Emperor, could feel it.

He whispered to himself three times, "The Emperor is merely a singer," to calm his nerves with psychological self-suggestion, then regained his composure.

It's said the audacity of anti-imperialists within Aran was comparable to daring devils, entering and exiting the Royal Court while conspiring behind their backs required immense mental fortitude.

Fortunately, Nashano mentioned that Dragon Stone Square was far from the Imperial Palace, on the outskirts of the Central District. With the giants' labor and magic energy industry's support, the world's resources flowed into the Imperial City, possibly creating the most vast and grand Royal Capital in two thousand years. The Imperial Palace was not visible from Dragon Stone Square.

"Show me your card."

The Royal City Army, wearing black armor constructed from magic energy, said coldly, the expression behind his iron mask unreadable, yet full of killing intent.

Nashano, being an Aran Hereditary Noble, acted naturally.

He used a scanning magic energy device to check the internal circuitry, showing he was an Earl from one of the towns near the capital of Aisnor Province.

But the Royal City Army showed no deference to any nobles; even their Great Duke had to submit to inspections as per the Emperor's decree.

The "Lord's Bill" caged the old nobles of Aran, making rebellion inevitable. Though they still garnered wealth via tiered tax dividends, once at that level, mere wealth no longer sufficed; supreme respect and absolute power were their pursuits, fueling numerous anti-imperialists.

"Who is that?"

The Royal City Army pointed at Liszt, who was cloaked and hooded beside Nashano.

"A servant of mine, an honor-level adventurer."

"Remove your hood."

The Royal City Army demanded curtly. During the Continent Martial Arts Competition, management was lax, even allowing some Western Continent grey factions to gamble. But now, over two months before the Stargazing Festival finals, it was not the time; the Royal City Army had to be diligent in their duty. During the Stargazing Festival, the Imperial Guard would reallocate defensive resources.

Nobles were inspected because anti-imperialists were no secret in Aran, constantly guarded against.

"He recently contracted leprosy, and it's unsightly."

"Hurry up, there are others waiting behind."

All those using this lane were nobles, with all the time in the world; there was a long queue behind Nashano's carriage.

A few seconds passed.

The Royal City Army, seeing no reaction from the cloaked man, signaled another guard to reach through the side window and yank off Liszt's hood.

As Nashano had claimed, he had leprosy, with a few pustules on his face—naturally, the result of the Thief Guild's disguise skills.

"Your card."

The Royal City Army demanded coldly.

Liszt handed over his card, which was scanned to check its circuitry.

Generally, only newly initiated adventurers would undervalue their identity cards, making them subjects of special attention.

Indeed, he was an honor-level adventurer and an immigrant from Far East Lostra.

Examining Liszt closely, the Royal City Army noted his high cheekbones and deep nasolabial lines, further disgusted by the leprosy.

"Nothing else, proceed."

Drawing down the curtain, the soldier gestured the next noble forward, two hawk horses with shining feathers drawing an ornate carriage behind them.

Nashano's carriage successfully entered the city, heading straight for Dragon Stone Square, intending to leave immediately after picking up Sharon.

Liszt also breathed a sigh of relief.

"You are more reliable than you seem."

Despite having no entourage, Liszt trusted the loyal Nashano entirely.

According to Swan, the Aran Navy had set its sights on Black Sail, indicating severe troubles for Mulong—not only from the army and the sect but potentially from a naval attack.

They couldn't linger any longer.

Swan remained in Duguli, overseeing naval appointments while also instructing the Heaven Port transfers, Violet and Nishi, on business operations. A former district staff chief of the Thief Guild, Swan was highly competent.

Dealing with the Netherworld Envoy was difficult, but an opportunity had to be created for Saleret to eliminate it while keeping an eye on Ben, the former Shadow Messenger. Despite losing his threat, vigilance remained crucial. The trade representative position in Duguli was highly lucrative; the Joker couldn't be unaware.

Galen, an Aran native with a clean background, was trustworthy and presentable, representing the adventure group in legitimate matters and recruiting reliable locals to form Black Sail's operation in Aran.

Rein and Chuan Che had to return to Mulong, where manpower was scarce; Heaven Port was also sending reinforcements.

Lostra's stance and investment, and cooperation with the Seventh Amendment, were crucial.

In the first and second quarters, Heaven Port underwent major development with Mo Yutong working on the East Sea CBD, leading to significant financial losses, a situation expected at year-end.

If fiscal deficits continued, with numerous shareholders withdrawing, Liszt himself would lose his leadership, especially with the East Sea entering a new season. Even if he managed to suppress the situation, continuous deficits would cause a vicious cycle, leading to an influx of madmen in the East Sea, risking his fate becoming like Doringger's.

One tough situation after another.

Liszt opened the curtain slightly, gazing upon the grand structures resembling New England Gothic architecture.

He was on a path of no return.

Now, he was set to meet the resurrected Dragon Master Chosen.

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