Chapter 454: Deterrence Force
The people were shocked by the sudden voice and instinctively searched for its source. One by one, they looked up and saw a figure floating in the sky. The moment they recognized who it was, a collective gasp spread through the crowd. The figure had become a hot topic throughout the empire ever since his involvement in the civil war.
Moreover, it was said that he was heading to the capital to confront the second prince directly—a move that had caused the prince’s entire force to halt their operations and regroup in the capital. To some, he had already become an idol, admired for his extraordinary strength and achievements that one could only hope to replicate.
"As you know, I’m on my way to the second prince because he’s crossed a line I won’t ignore," Aldrian said. "You’ll hear what he did in the Weilmar Barony soon enough. I’ve had a score to settle with him since the day I arrived in this empire, and this time, I intend to end it."
Troops were already closing in on Aldrian from all directions. This was a large city that located near the capital, and due to the current circumstances, the military concentration here was immense. He could already sense many powerful individuals among them, ranging from the King Stage all the way to the Emperor Stage making their way toward him.
Civilians began fleeing the area in a panic as soldiers poured into the district where Aldrian hovered. They knew that if a battle broke out, they’d be caught in the crossfire and their lives could be lost in an instant.
A few moments later, Aldrian was already surrounded—three Emperor Stage cultivators, over a dozen at the King Stage, and thousands of others at various cultivation stages on the ground. The city district below was packed with soldiers, all of them seemingly prepared to fight at any moment. Various artifacts had already been drawn, their powerful auras spreading across the area.
Aldrian could see that these troops were far more battle-hardened and disciplined than those in Bermin. The look in their eyes said they were ready for combat at any second. Yet despite their resolve, he could still sense the nervousness buried deep within their hearts—the fear they tried so hard to suppress.
He observed it all with a calm expression and continued to speak.
"My problem is with him. I have no desire for an unnecessary bloodbath, so I’ll give you a choice," Aldrian said calmly. "Don’t follow the second prince’s orders to head to the capital. Stay in this city until I’m done with him, and you’ll keep your lives."
Hearing Aldrian’s words, the troops was stunned. Many even began to consider that it might be the wiser decision. But just then, the strongest among them, an old man clad in knightly armor, with cultivation at the middle Emperor Stage shouted out to the others.
"Don’t falter!" the old man roared. "He’ll kill us all after he kills His Majesty! It’s better to fight him to the death than wait like lambs for the slaughter. All units, prepare to attack!"