Chapter 83 – Foundation of an Empire

Three months.

That was all it took.

Three months of war, training, bloodshed, and relentless movement through the desolate terrain of the Dark Nation. The region, once swarming with feral beasts, corrupted trolls, chimera kings, and crawler spawn, had been reduced to ash and memory.

Reyon stood atop a black cliff, the wind lifting the tattered edge of his dark cloak. Below him, the vast wastelands were empty—silent proof of their work.

"They're gone…" Ray muttered behind him, wiping sweat and dried blood from his cheek. "Every last monster. Wiped out."

The slaughter was so massive the the vast land were died in red color of monsters blood

Beside him, Alice held her staff loosely. Her mana signature pulsed with newfound power—7th circle. Her silver hair fluttered with the breeze.

"Not bad," she murmured. "We cleared an entire corrupted territory in three months. You've officially turned us into monsters too, Reyon."

Sylph flopped to the ground beside a broken boulder, arms wide open to the sky. "Not monsters… warriors!" she cried with a grin. "I can feel it—my core is almost bursting. I think I've reached the peak of the 7th circle!"

Reyon stepped down from the cliff and approached them. His face was calm, composed—but the pride in his eyes was unmistakable.

"You three did well," he said. "Better than I expected. Ray, Alice… your circles have risen. And Sylph, you've almost broken through."

Sylph gave him a thumbs-up from the ground. "I'd say we all deserve a feast, but knowing you, there's something next already, huh?"

Reyon didn't smile. He simply nodded.

"There is."

The group fell silent.

Reyon turned, his cloak fluttering as he faced them fully. "I wanted to wait until the Dark Nation was fully cleared before telling you. But now… it's time."

He paused.

"I'm going to establish an empire."

Ray blinked. "Wait… an empire?"

Sylph sat up. "Like… a real one? Kings, land, palaces?"

Reyon nodded. "We're no longer part of the Brook Kingdom. I've already started construction."

Ray let out a laugh and clapped him on the shoulder. "You crazy bastard… you really did it. I knew it!"

Sylph stood, practically bouncing with excitement. "Finally! No more kissing up to the nobles of Brook. A place for people like us!"

But as they celebrated, a shadow passed over Alice's face.

She didn't say a word.

Reyon's eyes flicked to her. He saw it—the tension in her shoulders, the way she gripped her staff just a bit tighter.

"Don't worry, Alice," he said quietly. "I won't pressure you to join us."

Alice raised her eyes, meeting his.

"You can choose to stay in the Brook Kingdom," Reyon continued. "Despite your choice… we'd still be your friends."

Alice's eyes softened, just for a moment. Then she looked away.

"I'll give you my answer…" she said, "after the title fight with Sylph."

Sylph smirked. "Oh? You're still thinking about that? I thought you were too scared to lose your title."

Alice cracked her knuckles. "We'll see who's scared."

One Month Later – Dark Nation, Capital Center

Where the Berserker once ruled with madness, a new capital now stood.

Skilled architects of the Phoenix Clan worked day and night, channeling mana, manipulating earth, and shaping steel and stone with unmatched precision.

Massive castles carved from volcanic obsidian stood tall at the center. Towers of white marble with glowing sigils lined the skyline. Bridges made from cerberus's bones arched over wide rivers purified by water mages. Grand residential districts expanded in every direction.

It had taken only one month.

But now—what was once the Dark Nation—had become the most advanced, majestic capital on the continent.

At the center stood the Phoenix Emblem Tower—an obsidian spire capped with golden wings.

It was from this tower that the official announcement echoed across the land.

The Phoenix Empire was born.

Flags unfurled. Bells rang through the skies. And across the continent, the news spread like wildfire.

Small nations, seeing the rise of a new superpower, quickly sent gifts—precious ores, magical beasts, enchanted artifacts.

Even the Elise Kingdom sent a crate of imperial gems, engraved with the royal seal, symbolizing their acceptance.

But not everyone rejoiced.

Only one force—the Brook Kingdom—refused to recognize the empire.

Their silence was louder than any declaration of war.

Coronation Ceremony – Phoenix Imperial Hall

Reyon stood at the edge of the royal platform, arms crossed as nobles, warriors, and high-ranking officers gathered. The hall shimmered with the glow of enchanted gemstones embedded into every pillar and stair.

He watched silently as Edward, his once distant father, stepped forward in flowing crimson robes. His face bore the weight of authority.

With solemn grace, Edward was crowned Emperor.

Serena Bellford, standing tall at his side, being the first lady became the Empress

Evelyn, blood of the emperor and knight of unmatched caliber, was bestowed Duchess Title.

The twin mountains of Phoenix power—Marshal Derox and Alrin—were officially granted the title of Marquis, each bestowed with vast territories.

Below them, a new standard of nobility was announced:

7th-circle Elites that used to be generald would be titled Earls.

Standard 7th-circle magicians became Viscounts.

Squad leaders—those commanding units under generales control—were granted Baron status.

Ray, for being the heir became Prince.

As for Reyon…

He stepped forward in silence as the imperial herald read aloud.

"For unmatched contributions in strategy, war, and sovereignty… Reyon Phoenix is declared the Founder of the Empire, and shall bear the title Archduke—a rank second only to the Emperor."

The nobles clapped. Some reluctantly. Others in awe.

Ray approached and clapped him on the back, whispering, "Only you could get a title made just for you."

Reyon didn't respond. His gaze was distant, focused elsewhere.

Territorial Division – Imperial Strategy Room

The empire was divided carefully. Nobles stood around a glowing map of the continent as divisions were marked by enchanted light.

Lands were assigned under the two Marquises—Derox and Alrin. Each commanded a domain equal to the Elise Kingdom, with lesser nobles ruling over their provinces.

Evelyn, titled Duchess, was given the entire Horizon Forest—a territory larger than both Marquis domains combined.

The horizon forests and two marquis domains combined made up half of the empire

Reyon stood silently.

The rest of the empire—the other half—was his.

And with that, he made a declaration.

"The Classers Headquarters will be moved from Elise… to my land."

His words echoed through the chamber.

Within weeks, the Classers were reestablished—bigger, better, sharper. Their reach spread across nations. With new resources and personnel, their information network became the most fearsome on the continent.

Nothing moved without them knowing.

Months Later – Phoenix Empire, Outer Districts

Five months passed.

The once-darkened nation that had been home to chaos now became a greenland—the largest fertile region in the world.

Commoners, skilled artisans, and refugees from other kingdoms began flocking to the new empire.

New towns rose overnight. Merchant guilds flourished. Blacksmiths, alchemists, even enchanters arrived seeking safety and purpose.

Markets buzzed with life. Songs replaced the silence.

A dead land had been reborn.

Phoenix Imperial Palace – Royal Hall of War

Now a sustained nation, the Phoenix Empire held its first Royal Council.

The palace hall had been upgraded, its walls embedded with the rarest jewels known to magickind—blazing rubies, sky sapphires, thunder diamonds. Chandeliers made of dragon glass hung from the ceiling.

Both Marquis rank and above was gathered.

Reyon stepped forward.

He stood at the center of the hall, wearing a cloak of black and silver—the symbol of his rank as Archduke.

He looked over the gathered nobles.

"It's time," he said, his voice clear.

"Time to end the biggest threat to our empire."

The hall stilled.

"The Wyvern," Reyon continued. "It still roams beyond the northern peaks. A creature that once tore through the heart of the old kingdoms. If we allow it to live… it could be the end of everything we've built."

He paused, letting the silence press.

"I suggest that only my father, my aunt evelyn, and I go to subdue it."

A murmur rippled through the hall.

Edward frowned from his throne. "Just the three of us? Reyon… are you sure? Do you think we'd be able to take that thing down?"

Reyon looked him in the eye.

"Father," he said calmly. "I've reached strength equivalent to the peak of the 8th circle. Aunt Evelyn's ultimate rivals spells of peak 8th circle. And you… you've always stood at the top."

He took a breath.

"Not only that… involving other high nobles could cause internal discord. With their strength, they'd be nothing more than easy meals for the Wyvern. And if any one of them dies, their territories will fight over the scraps. We must avoid that."

Edward studied him for a long moment.

Finally, he sighed and leaned back.

"…Alright."

His voice echoed.

"We'll do it. But this mission is to remain a secret. No one else is to know."

Reyon nodded.

"Understood."

He turned, walking out of the imperial chamber, his cloak trailing behind him like a shadow.

The empire was ready.

But first, he would slay the ruler of monsters