CLEAVER OF SIN Chapter 739: Thalvorn Empire

With a gentle landing, the Sky Jet settled onto what appeared to be an immense landing platform. The instant the aircraft touched down, students leaped to their feet, eager to reach the exit they had entered through. However, the very next moment, the female Instructor from earlier materialized on the lowest deck of the craft.

Her presence brought all students to a halt. She regarded them with a stern gaze before speaking in a level tone, "While I recognize your excitement, remember you are within an unfamiliar Empire and represent both the Zarethorne Empire and the Star Academy. Here, you are not nobles, and your families hold no sway. Conduct yourselves appropriately, or I shall enforce such conduct." Her words, though delivered flatly, carried an implicit threat, yet such a warning was undoubtedly necessary.

After all, the mere fact that many were children of nobility within the Zarethorne Empire did not guarantee their pride and arrogance would be tolerated elsewhere.

The students could only nod in silent agreement, refraining from any defiance. Despite their curiosity about the Instructor's final statement, they were resolutely determined not to discover its meaning firsthand.

"We shall disembark the Sky Jet in the same order we boarded," the Female Instructor announced calmly, and with her words, the doorway hissed open.

Asher, Teo Swig, and Thalric moved forward, leaping from the elevated aircraft and landing with remarkable grace.

It was the afternoon, and the sun remained high in the sky, dominating the world with its intense radiance.

At ground level, FatelessPen was already present, awaiting their arrival. As he had previously stated, he would be overseeing the students throughout their stay in the Thalvorn Empire.

Asher's purple eyes swept over the surroundings, his body stiffening in sheer astonishment as his gaze met the unbelievable. All around him, natives of the Thalvorn Empire were navigating various forms of transport, from a plethora of cars and bicycles to power bikes, all moving through the Thalvorn Empire.

Asher remained frozen, his head slowly turning to the side, where he observed a traffic light system cycling through red, yellow, and green.

The other students surveyed their environment with expressions of awe and wonder, captivated by every unfamiliar sight passing by.

Yet, Asher found everything remarkably familiar. In that moment, he felt as though he had somehow been transported from antiquity back to Earth once more. Furthermore, people walking along the streets casually held phones in their hands. Some were engaged in conversations, others were texting, and some chuckled at videos they were watching.

"They possess... the internet?" Asher mused inwardly, his disbelief profound.

However, as Asher and his schoolmates marveled at their surroundings, the inhabitants of the Thalvorn Empire also stared back, noting their distinctly different attire and appearances. After all, distinguishing foreigners was hardly a challenge.

"It appears we haven't arrived at some sort of airport," Asher thought, slowly shaking his head.

But the astonishment did not cease; even their architectural designs mirrored the twenty-first-century aesthetic of Earth. Gleaming glass structures soared skyward, while others featured low metallic fences and sleek, modern designs.

Although Asher kept his thoughts to himself, he had already surmised they had landed in a less developed district. It seemed every individual he had observed thus far on the roads was either someone who had failed their awakening or had only just surpassed the Kindlestar Life Rank.

"Magnificent, is it not?" FatelessPen's voice emerged from beside them, as he had been standing silently behind Asher and the others.

Asher genuinely struggled to find words. This was far beyond magnificent. Merely by standing there, he grasped that the Thalvorn Empire had achieved a level of technological advancement that was almost frightening, leading Asher to question if this was truly an Empire or an entirely different world.

"It truly is," Finch chimed in, his eyes gleaming. He, William, Ryaen, and Vaelric had already approached Asher the moment they descended from the Sky Jet.

Even the Imperial Prince, who possessed prior knowledge of the Thalvorn Empire, remained stunned by the spectacle unfolding before his own eyes.

"I perused records of the Thalvorn Empire in the Imperial Library, but as I mentioned earlier, reading or hearing about something can never compare to witnessing it firsthand," Vaelric remarked, his gaze following a sports car that sped past them with astonishing velocity.

Indeed, he had encountered tales of their advanced technology, but could a Prince, completely ignorant of such things, ever truly grasp its essence?

Were there horses? Carriages?

Such modes of transport were non-existent in the Thalvorn Empire, unlike their prevalence in the Zarethorne Empire, which consequently made the latter appear incredibly primitive in nearly every conceivable way.

Shortly after, a variety of automobiles glided forward, halting before the assembled students. As the vehicles came to a standstill, uniformed military personnel emerged, their gear secured with weapons holstered at their sides.

The moment they appeared, the onlookers from the Thalvorn Empire, who had been intently observing and pointing at the Star Academy students, promptly retreated, unwilling to linger nearby.

Asher’s gaze fixed upon the military figures; he could sense the formidable power and pressure they contained beneath their composed exteriors. Each individual radiated strength, distinctly different from the subdued presences he had detected from the common folk moments before.

One of the Thalvorn Empire’s military contingent, seemingly designated as the Commander for this deployment, stepped forth. Though she refrained from outwardly projecting her power, her very presence conveyed her cultivation reaching the illustrious Crownstar Life Rank.

"Welcome to the Thalvorn Empire, the Realm of Technology." Her voice was even and measured, carrying a hint of respect as she addressed the visiting delegation.

Similar to the customs within the Zarethorne Empire, no gender-based distinctions existed here. Advancement to positions of authority was attainable by anyone, irrespective of their gender, for power, might, affluence, and influence were never dictated by one's sex.

Before any other response could be voiced, FatelessPen advanced and inquired, "Are you the ones assigned to escort us to our accommodations?"

"Yes," the female Commander affirmed without delay, gesturing towards the parade of vehicles.

FatelessPen turned to the students, his voice ringing with authority, "Five students per vehicle."

The students proceeded forward without hesitation, selecting their respective vehicles alongside their companions. Many, unacquainted with automobiles, struggled to even open the doors, necessitating assistance from the soldiers who promptly obliged. Asher, William, Finch, Ryaen, and Vaelric found themselves seated within one of the sleek sports cars.

Instantly, FatelessPen manipulated his soul-bound pen, conjuring nearly a hundred identical clones of himself, each possessing the power of the Crownstar Life Rank. Every clone dispersed, joining individual groups of students within their chosen vehicles.

His vigilance was paramount; one could never be certain what reckless actions a student might undertake or what machinations the Thalvorn soldiers might attempt.

While the Inter-Empire Competition generally proceeded peacefully, it would be foolish to discard one’s caution entirely.

FatelessPen’s original form occupied Asher’s vehicle, and with that, the entire convoy surged forward, accelerating rapidly.

Meanwhile, the remaining Crownstar Life Rank cultivators from the Zarethorne Empire traveled in their own separate conveyances, each occupying their space alone, a stark contrast to the students who shared their rides.