The Shining Star Above The Heaven-Chapter 387: Arrogant!

Not long after Wilmar gave the order, the people began to disperse once he was done with them. However, Wilmar asked one person to stay.

This person held great influence within the Atria Empire and knew about Aldrian. In fact, he had even attempted to kill him by hiring assassins from the Thunderous Shadow Pavilion.

He was Carlson Harris, the head of the Harris family and the leader of the Golden Swan Commerce.

Wilmar looked at the man and said,

"I regret that one of your family members was killed by that man, but do not worry. As my subject, you will have justice. In the end, that man will face judgment."

"I thank you, Your Majesty, for your support. I will also do my best to support Your Majesty in his endeavor toward a glorious victory," Carlson replied while bowing.

Wilmar nodded in satisfaction, but then, suddenly, he created an invisible soundproof barrier around them. Carlson could sense it. At that moment, he knew their conversation could not be leaked.

"How is the preparation with the devils? Is there any news from them?" Wilmar asked.

"No, Your Majesty. I have also been unable to contact them, and their usual hidden meeting place appears abandoned. It’s as if they are trying to cut off all ties with us."

Wilmar frowned at this. He had initiated the coup not only because he was confident in winning the civil war but also because he had received suggestion from the devils. Once the civil war was over, and with the neighboring Vindas Empire having just lost one of its Grand Dukes, the devils had claimed they would take advantage of the situation.

Wilmar found this to be a good development, as it aligned with his plans. He could finally begin spreading his influence beyond his own empire. The Grand Duchy of Larson, positioned right at the border, would be the perfect starting point for his expansionist ambitions now that it had fallen.

However, ever since he carried out the coup, the devils who had occasionally contacted him had strangely cut off all communication. Carlson, who had also been working with the devils, seemed to be experiencing the same thing. freēnovelkiss.com

Wilmar felt infuriated. It was clear that the devils had merely used him and then discarded him once they no longer needed him.

But he wasn’t surprised. After all, he had made a deal with devils.

"I see," Wilmar said. "If the devils truly intend to run off on their own, then we must sever all ties with them as well. We don’t really need them anyway. Without my permission, they will have no room to move within this empire. It’s their loss."

"Alright, Your Majesty. This is exactly what I’ve been thinking as well. It seems they only sought to instigate us before disappearing. I have already done some cleaning, so there will be no evidence linking the Golden Swan Commerce headquarters to the devils."

"Good," Wilmar said with a nod. "Even if the devils have fled, we will continue with our own plan. We will proceed as intended."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"By the way, what about Carsius? What is he doing?" Wilmar asked.

"He is still in seclusion," Carlson replied. "It seems he is still refining some of the divine grade artifacts he stole from the main church."

Wilmar had given Carlson the task of hiding Cardinal Carsius. He couldn’t entrust cardinal Carsius to anyone else because they were the only ones who knew about each other’s connection to the devils. That was also the reason why Cardinal Carsius chose the Atria Empire as his escape route.

There was no way for Cardinal Carsius to flee to the Vindas Empire or the Doria Empire, as the devil networks in those empires had been completely dismantled by their respective imperial families. If he attempted to escape there, he would be caught immediately.

"He better hurry. He will be useful in our expansion," Wilmar said as he leaned back on his throne. With that, the soundproof barrier vanished.

"Alright, you may go now. Keep up your good work—I am satisfied with your efforts."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I will do my best," Carlson said, bowing before excusing himself.

Once Wilmar was alone, he smiled and closed his eyes.

"Yes, this is how it should be. I will be the one to have the last laugh. Even when the prophesized time comes, I will still emerge as the winner. Not even the devils will hinder me," he muttered to himself.

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After a satisfying meal, Aldrian finally stepped out of the restaurant with the others and decided to take a look at the situation. He told the old man, York, that he would meet him again in the future when he wanted to go to the Rosalind Barony territory. Aldrian thought it would be much better to bring someone familiar with the family and the land.

The city was still in chaos after the bodies of Marquess Parus and Young Master Alexi were discovered. With the top chain of command lost, the forces loyal to the second prince were essentially headless and directionless.

For now, they could only do their best to maintain order and continue their usual duties. However, they still had a few high-ranking cultivators above the Low Grand Duke stage stationed in the city, and they believed that would be sufficient for the time being.

Many soldiers also tried to enter the mayor’s mansion, but they couldn’t, as there seemed to be an invisible wall preventing them from going inside. Aldrian had already blocked off the entire mansion area so that no one could enter and disturb the people he had saved.

As for catching the killers? The garrison commander, now the strongest among them after Marquess Parus’s death, felt that tracking them down would be difficult. Someone capable of not only killing Marquess Parus but also torturing him beforehand had to be far stronger than him. If the culprit was an assassin, then capturing them would be nearly impossible. The only thing they could do now was maintain order until reinforcements arrived.

Aldrian could sense the chaos as he and the others walked toward the mayor’s mansion. For now, he had decided to make this city his base within the empire. The second step in doing so was to clearing out all forces loyal to the second prince. The first step had already been completed when he claimed the entire city as his domain.

As for clearing out the second prince’s forces, he had already devised the easiest way to accomplish it.

As he approached the mayor’s mansion, he noticed a large congregation of soldiers still attempting to break through his spatial shield. He could only smile at their futile efforts—his shield was strong enough to withstand even a full-powered attack from an Emperor-stage cultivator.

The garrison commander also noticed Aldrian’s group and couldn’t help but frown. As a cultivator at the peak of the Grand Duke stage, he immediately stepped forward and shouted before Aldrian could get any closer.

"This is a restricted area! Unauthorized parties are forbidden from stepping inside!"

However, Aldrian simply looked at him with a calm expression before sweeping his gaze over the gathered soldiers.

"If you want to know who killed your lord, Parus, then here I am! I am the one who killed him! Anyone who wishes to come, come to the mayor’s mansion!"

His voice was slightly raised, but he imbued it with energy, amplifying it so that it echoed throughout the entire city.

The garrison commander, who had just shouted at him, immediately grabbed his ears, feeling as if they were about to burst. The nearest soldiers fared even worse—many collapsed instantly, blood flowing from their ears as the overwhelming force of Aldrian’s voice struck them down.

At this moment, the entire city finally realized that something must have happened to Marquess Parus. Many people began emerging from their homes and establishments, curious and unsettled. The forces loyal to the second prince were shaken upon hearing the declaration.

At the site where the bodies of Parus and his son were being transported to a secure location after being taken down from the city walls, the soldiers there made a decision—they would head to the mayor’s mansion.

From various parts of the city, people could see many soldiers moving in the same direction—toward the mayor’s mansion. The sight sent waves of fear through the citizens, as many believed a great battle was about to erupt within the city. In response, they hurried to find shelter.

However, not everyone hid. Some brave individuals dared to step outside, following the soldiers from a distance. These were the ones who still harbored rebellious hearts, eager to see it for themselves. Was that bastard Parus really dead?

Once they arrived at the scene, their eyes widened in shock. The entire force of the second prince’s faction in the city had already surrounded a small group of five people. More than four thousand soldiers, varying in cultivation levels, stood ready with swords, spears, and bows aimed at the group—yet they hesitated to attack.

The leader of the group appeared to be a handsome young man, and many began to wonder—was he truly the one who had claimed responsibility for killing Marquess Parus?

Aldrian glanced around at the sea of soldiers brimming with hostility toward him and his group. Yet, with calm, he simply spoke.

"For those who manage to escape this place after today, spread the word—this city is already mine. Any party that tries to seize it by force will be considered a threat, and I will respond accordingly."

Upon hearing this, the onlookers widened their eyes in shock.

Arrogant—truly arrogant!

This was no different from declaring war against every faction in the empire! Who was this man who dared to speak with such audacity?