—The Glitnir Empire, Celestial Palace.
The Celestial Palace occupied the highest level of the grand palace situated at the heart of the Glitnir Empire's flourishing imperial capital.
Its interior was crafted from flawless white marble, featuring stone pillars carved by master artisans standing at regular intervals.
A vibrant crimson carpet extended from the grand double doors all the way to the throne, lined on either side by imperial dignitaries gathered in formal attendance.
Seated upon the throne was an elderly, white-haired man. His thoroughly tempered physique was obvious even beneath his garments, and the scars covering his body made his background as a veteran warrior abundantly clear. This was the reigning Emperor of Glitnir, renowned as the Conquering Emperor—Amnes di Glitnir himself.
"Repeat that."
Emperor Amnes, a ruler who seldom lost his composure, uncharacteristically raised his voice as he demanded answers from the vice commander of the defeated Imperial Summoner Corps.
Faced with the emperor's terrifyingly grim presence, a collective gasp rippled through the assembled ministers.
"Initially, the operation was progressing smoothly, and we even managed to corner Kingdom Knight Commander Arnold. However, a black-haired youth intervened and upended everything. Ifrit was subjugated, Lord Enz was killed, and Lord Zignir suffered defeat in swordsmanship. Furthermore, while returning to the capital, Lord Zignir declared his resignation from the Six Knight Generals and vanished."
Kneeling on one knee with his eyes fixed on the floor, the vice commander repeated his earlier report in a faint, trembling voice.
A wave of agitation broke across the room at the shocking news.
"Silence."
Amnes's flat, commanding voice brought immediate stillness to the chamber.
Without moving anything but his eyes toward the pillar behind him, Amnes addressed a man leaning against the stone with folded arms—clad entirely in black garb except for his exposed left eye.
"Four, what do you make of this?" he asked bluntly.
"That long-nosed monster swore absolute obedience to him, right? Then this black-haired brat must have something that charmed it. Either some sort of taming art, or he's simply stronger than the beast to begin with..."
This time, the hall erupted into a sudden uproar.
"Stronger than the long-nosed monster...?" A blonde woman in full armor rested her hands on her slender hips, looking toward the man in black. "Wait, Four, aren't you basically saying the kid is stronger than Ifrit?"
"Yeah, exactly. Those creatures live by the law of the jungle. They'd never willingly bow their heads to anyone weaker than themselves."
"Then isn't it more likely a taming art?" a petite man with a bowl cut chimed in nonchalantly, rolling a four-sided object between his palms. "After all, I doubt there's anyone in the human race aside from you, Four, who could beat Ifrit in an outright brawl."
"Fair point, I suppose," the Red-Haired Giant agreed through a massive yawn.
"Recruit the black-haired boy into the Six Knight Generals. Use whatever means necessary," Emperor Amnes decreed coldly.
"What about summoning the Hero?" Four asked.
"Such trivial matters do not concern me," Amnes muttered with disdain.
"Your Majesty, what should we do about Zignir?" the Red-Haired Giant asked sleepily. "Shall we eliminate him?"
Amnes shook his head.
"Leave him be. So long as that black-haired youth wishes for Zignir's survival, I have no desire to create unnecessary friction with him. Instead, use his grandson's desertion as justification to reinstate Ashburn into the Six Knight Generals."
"By your will! It shall be done."
The Red-Haired Giant bowed, and the rest of the assembly offered a synchronized imperial salute before departing the throne room.
"Four, can you defeat that black-haired youth?" Emperor Amnes asked quietly once they were alone.
"Yeah. No problem."
"Should he refuse to submit to our empire, kill him."
"Understood."
With a simple raise of his right hand, the man in black dissolved into thin air like smoke.
"A superhuman who surpasses even Ifrit, is he...? If I bring him to heel, our empire will possess two living weapons alongside Four for the annihilation of the demon race. Once that is done, that vast continent will finally be mine—"
The Conquering Emperor's laughter, thick with triumphant ambition, echoed throughout the vast, empty expanse of the Celestial Palace.