Chapter 466: 454 Golden Emperor_1
 

Time was ticking away, and the situation on the continent was quietly changing.

Once unstoppable, the Western Empire now teetered on the brink of collapse. After losing Mel City and Mud Quagmire Fort, the arrogant and foolish imperial nobles finally understood the predicament they were about to face.

Under these circumstances, the foundations of the mighty empire had a vastly different outlook on the disasters occurring at the empire’s two borderlines.

Facing the Soaring Dragon Legion and Vide people who had crossed Mel City and were launching attacks on other Western Empire towns, the incompetent nobles only felt fear.

Whatever they said at this time would be false; those were monsters that could tear them apart and swallow them whole.

If their territories were conquered by the Eastern Empire, they would merely switch allegiance without significantly changing their present life.

But if the enemies were those monsters, the situation might be completely different.

Thus, on the Western Empire’s two border lines in the southeast and northeast, the situation was polarizing.

The resistance against the Dragon Soaring Empire grew stronger, while the resistance on the Western Empire’s side weakened significantly.

Some shameless nobles even surrendered their cities along with their private armies and subjects, especially after the Eastern Empire’s Floating City appeared in the sky above the Western Empire.

As a nation that once possessed a Floating City, the Western Empire’s nobles understood there was no hope for victory.

Knowing full well they could not win, they figured it was better to join the other side.

Under this mindset, Western Empire cities and towns below the Eastern Empire’s Floating City would surrender without hesitation.

Furthermore, the Cordan Plains and Oakland Federation, having formed alliances with the Eastern Empire, began launching attacks on the Western Empire from the south and southwest.

The Western Empire’s territory was rapidly occupied by the Eastern Empire, the progress far exceeding that of the Soaring Dragon Legion.

Meanwhile, Otto’s Blackstone Floating City was still in its final adjustment stage.

With the exterior appearance and standard features of the Floating City complete, Sofia and the others were working overtime to optimize Blackstone Floating City’s transformation speed.

Although Blackstone Floating City could not reinforce the Soaring Dragon Legion in time, at Otto’s suggestion, more legions marched towards the Western Empire.

Barbarians and Black Iron Dwarves were among them, and Caran was also ready for battle. With a single command from Otto, the newly-formed Holy Dragon Knights would rush to the battlefield.

But for now, Otto had not done so; he had other arrangements for Caran, the Land of Red Flames, and Purgatory City.

Due to the Western Empire’s fierce resistance, Gaz’s progress was not going smoothly, but this situation was quickly alleviated.

Although Blackstone Floating City could not reach the Western Empire in time, another Floating City entered their territory.

This naturally belonged to Dawn Forest and was the Elves’ Royal Court – the Dawn Garden.

The Floating City, which had not been used for a long time, suddenly took off, leaving a terrifying abyss-like pit in the distance, scaring numerous elves.

Despite much opposition, Elise forcefully pushed through. She exposed the Western Empire’s numerous atrocities against the elves, firmly pinning the blame on them.

Then, she assembled the passionate and easily influenced young elves to re-form the Dawn Legion. Although small in number, it was enough to control Dawn Garden.

Elise decided to lead the troops in person, leaving Catherine to guard the Dawn Forest, preventing any accidents during Elise’s absence.

On the surface, there was no direct connection between Dawn Forest and the Soaring Dragon Legion.

However, with their strong participation in the occupation, the Western Empire had no choice but to divert significant resources to deal with the elves.

As a result, the pressure on Gaz and the others was greatly reduced.

The Western Empire could not understand why their general Mentor went to Dawn Forest to seek help from the elves.

But somehow, instead of waiting for reinforcements, they were greeted with an unrelenting attack from the elves.

The elves currently had little interest in territories outside Dawn Forest. Their reasons for coming here were simple.

First, it was due to the queen’s command.

Second, it was to avenge their brethren who had once suffered endless agony from the war and plunder.

Others might also have committed these crimes in the past, but now, Elise had successfully pinned the blame on the Western Empire.

The Western Empire was now surrounded by enemies, their forces in disarray.

If they were given time, perhaps they would still have a chance to turn things around.

However, each power engaged in carving up the spoils of the Western Empire was unwilling to give them any opportunity.

As more high-ranking officials and nobles in the Western Empire came to understand this reality, they reluctantly began to consider a once-unthinkable and shameful idea.

In the Western Empire’s capital, Felkorde City, many high-ranking figures that were rarely seen together gathered in the palace.

Some were dukes with territories equal to small countries, others were top legendary warriors renowned throughout the continent.

Now, they all gathered in the palace, fiercely arguing with each other.

In front of them lay a young man with hollow eyes, lounging on a huge golden throne. He was the current ruler of the Felkorde Empire, the Golden Emperor Gode.

Once upon a time, he was glorious and held countless lives in his hand.

But at this moment, he could only helplessly watch the quarreling nobles and warriors in front of him, despair in his eyes.

Not long ago, his power had been circumvented by his subordinates, who were now considering when to grovel before the Eastern Empire.

As for the reason he was still alive, it was solely because the shameless people below wanted to wrap him in a bow, sending him as a gift to the Crimson Empress.

At that time, all that awaited him was death.

Although the Crimson Empress was technically his great-aunt, it would not stop her from breaking his neck personally.

Familial ties were worthless in the face of imperial power.

Perhaps ending it all prematurely would be a wise choice.

Just as Gode was contemplating when to turn his thoughts into actions, the once bustling hall suddenly fell silent.