A Villain's Way of Taming Heroines

Chapter 629 Tactics and Violence - I

With the disappearance of the Empress and the gradual withdrawal of numerous fifth-stage extraordinary beings and forces, the city of Celestia no longer stands as the emblem of imperial splendor.

In the outer city, remnants of destruction from the Day of Catastrophe can still be seen. This majestic city, once a testament to the supreme power of the Imperium, is now a decaying shell.

Yet today, this city has suddenly sprung to life, and the reason...

Inside the carriage, the Duke of Azuregold rested his face on his hand, gazing at the sparsely populated streets, and suddenly let out a chuckle.

"Even though she has no chance of survival, no one dares to gamble, still adhering to her rules that bind like a collar on a cornered beast."

"The Empress..."

The man lazily leaned back into the embrace of his maid: "No, it's the divine species, truly fearsome."

"As long as that blazing sun continues to burn in the Empire for even one more day, no one dares to reach for that position."

The Duke of Azuregold reclined against the maid's firm softness, his tone contemplative but his demeanor unbothered.

As a pure merchant, he harbored no desire for the throne. His presence here was merely to assess the subsequent developments, attending a farcical meeting.

"Master, we have arrived."

The Duke of Azuregold responded with a light hum, and with the maid's assistance, disembarked from the carriage, arriving at the steps leading to the palace at the highest point of Tianxin City.

He looked up at the long staircase leading to the seat of supreme power, then at the silent yet fiery blood-red sun, and donned a humble expression of reverent submission. Though the throne was vacant, he ascended the steps slowly, like a subject paying homage to the emperor.

When the Duke of Azuregold entered the long-unvisited grand hall, the other nine dukes had already arrived.

"Oh, everyone is so early."

He greeted the other dukes, who stood at the pinnacle of the Empire, without any ducal dignity: "Was there a need to be so hasty?"

"Lord Hydral."

Hydral, Hydral.

No longer Ansel, no longer the young Hydral, just Hydral.

After regaining their composure, the other dukes also bowed to Ansel, addressing him as "Lord." Although some seemed to harbor other thoughts, the outward display of respect was ultimately observed.

Ansel did not respond, but under the watchful eyes of the dukes, he walked towards the throne at the deepest part of the hall.

As he drew nearer to the throne, the gazes of the dukes began to change—curiosity, gravity, contemplation... Some concealed their speculations, while others made no effort to hide their emotions.

When Ansel reached the final step before the throne, all eyes fixed on his legs—one more step, and he would tread upon the stair that only the emperor could ascend.

Tap.

His scepter lightly touched the ground, and his steps halted just before the stairs.

Hydral turned around, hands resting on his cane, a gentle smile still gracing his face. Yet from within this youthful form emanated an aura the dukes knew all too well.

A dark and dangerous aura.

"Esteemed Dukes, you have gathered here due to the proclamation of the Duke of Flame Attendant," he said, unhurriedly, in a commanding tone. "Thus, you must all be in agreement with Duke of Flame Attendant's proclamation, correct?"

No opening pleasantries, no superfluous words. This Hydral seized control of the conversation from the start, smiling as he spoke:

"The Empire now needs a steward."

"..."

No one dared to respond.

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