Dragon Monarch System Chapter 1065:- The Axel City.

Axel City, widely regarded as the unofficial capital of the entire Ashen Covenant Faction, held immense sway within the Empire. Though never officially declared, its status as the de facto center for the Harrington-led alliance was cemented by its role in hosting major meetings, political dialogues, and significant trade agreements.

However, the Empire’s formal refusal to recognize Axel City as the faction’s capital stemmed from deep-seated political concerns. Aditya’s father held a strong conviction that such an acknowledgment would fracture the Empire from within. In the Emperor’s view, the existence of separate political entities or regional blocs with independent authority was unacceptable. All noble houses, Dukes, and territories were expected to serve the Empire with unwavering loyalty under a single banner.

Formally recognizing Axel City as the Ashen Covenant Faction’s capital would have transmitted a perilous message throughout the Empire. It could embolden other influential factions and noble alliances to assert their claims for their own capitals and independent governance. Over time, this could exacerbate divisions among the Duchies, undermine the Imperial Throne’s authority, and foster divided loyalties, prioritizing faction allegiance over imperial duty. In a worst-case scenario, it could sow the seeds for future insurrections or civil wars, as factions might gradually begin to operate as distinct nations rather than integral parts of a unified Empire.

Axel City, a metropolis that served as the de facto capital for the entire Ashen Covenant Faction. Officially, this status was never granted by the Empire due to political considerations. Aditya’s father believed that granting such recognition would lead to the Empire's fragmentation, as the Emperor’s philosophy precluded the existence of internal factions, with all citizens serving the Empire equally.

As dusk began to blanket Axel City, its surface remained serene. The nascent flames of the impending civil war had yet to touch the lives of ordinary citizens. Bustling streets, open businesses, and the continuation of daily routines persisted, with most people oblivious to the precipice of chaos the Empire teetered upon.

Conversely, the atmosphere among the upper echelons and societal elites was markedly different. The influential nobility, prosperous merchants, and prominent families were acutely aware of the escalating tensions across the Empire. Many had subtly initiated protective measures for themselves, their enterprises, and their assets in anticipation of the civil war. Meanwhile, the common populace remained entirely ignorant of the brewing tempest.

In comparison to the territories governed by other Dukes, the domains under the Harrington Faction, also known as the Ashen Covenant Faction, exhibited a superior degree of stability and tranquility. These regions experienced economic prosperity due to the collaborative efforts and prudent, long-term strategic decisions of their leaders. Among the Empire’s one hundred and nineteen Duchies, those aligned with the Ashen Covenant were esteemed as the most affluent, second only to the Capital itself.

A further significant contributor to their affluence was the remarkably low incidence of corruption within these territories. Small-scale merchants and ordinary businessmen found they were not compelled to engage in constant bribery of officials to conduct their operations or secure approvals. The process of establishing a business, expanding trade, or even managing routine matters was considerably more straightforward than in other parts of the Empire. Consequently, a substantial number of individuals preferred residing and conducting business within the domains controlled by the Ashen Covenant Faction.

"What is this?" Victor’s gaze fixed upon a metallic, square-shaped box emitting a faint blue luminescence.

The cubic container was approximately the size of a human head, its surface intricately covered with minuscule runes. These engraved lines were so fine that even a seasoned cultivator would struggle to perceive them without holding the box at close proximity to their face.

"It is a device designed to ensure we face no interference when we commence our assault." This was an advanced rune formation, procured from the Organisation's secure vault.

Ren strategically positioned the box in an inconspicuous corner of the city, concealing it within an old, derelict house. The chosen location was remarkably close to the city wall, merely ten meters away.

"We must deploy three more of these devices strategically around the city."

The fundamental purpose of these devices was to isolate and seal the city's immediate area from the external world. Once all four boxes were activated, any form of teleportation into or out of the city would become impossible, effectively rendering travel beyond the city walls unattainable.

"This way, we can complete this mission with peace of mind, without risking our identities being exposed."

Ren produced three more boxes, handing one to Victor.

Another box was given to Sophia.

The last one went to Renji.

"Place each of these boxes near the city walls in three other directions. Ensure each box is concealed, so no one can discover them."

"Remember, if even a single box is found or struck by some minor attack, this entire formation will cease to function." This was the formation's critical vulnerability: the boxes lacked any self-defense capabilities. Upon hearing this, everyone solemnly nodded.

"When the formation is activated, each box will emit a blue pillar of light into the sky. Because of this, there's a chance our enemies might use these pillars to pinpoint the actual boxes' locations."

"That is precisely why I prepared twenty additional dummy boxes. Once the formation goes live, those decoys will also release identical blue pillars of light simultaneously. This should make it significantly harder for anyone to determine which locations are genuine and which are false."

"Concurrently, fireworks will be launched throughout the city to occupy everyone's attention and sow further confusion. With so many lights appearing at once, our adversaries will find it much more challenging to accurately identify the boxes' true positions." Ren had already dispatched his subordinates to handle these tasks.

As the one in charge of this mission, he possessed the full authority to acquire anything necessary from the Organisation’s treasure vault for its successful completion. This was a standard privilege extended to high-ranking members entrusted with critical operations, and this mission held paramount importance for the Organisation.

Ordinarily, certain limitations would apply to what a core Organisation member could withdraw from the vault. However, for this specific mission, Leo granted him unrestricted access to whatever resources were needed.

The Organisation’s treasure vault was even more magnificent and valuable than that of the Celestial Dragon Empire. This fact was hardly surprising, considering the Organisation had existed for a considerably longer period than the Empire. Over countless years, it had amassed an unimaginable quantity of wealth, rare materials, artifacts, and hidden treasures.

Leo himself had journeyed across the globe over the span of a million years. Throughout these expeditions, he gathered innumerable valuable items that could potentially benefit him or the Organisation in the future. Some treasures were designated for specific missions, others proved useful for cultivation, and some served purely as strategic assets. Everything was collected with a singular objective: to guarantee the Organisation always possessed the necessary means and resources to execute any undertaking successfully.

"Any questions?" Ren inquired.

"How do we handle your grandfather, Boris?" Sophia asked. Renji harbored the same concern. The individual they all feared the most was the former emperor, Boris.

Boris would undoubtedly present the most significant hurdle to their success. Without a viable strategy to neutralize him, completing this mission and departing alive would be nigh impossible. His mere presence alone exerted immense pressure on everyone involved.

Despite Boris having lived in seclusion for the past two or three decades, appearing resigned to his eventual demise, his cultivation had barely waned. Any slight decline he might have experienced could easily be offset by his formidable combat experience and honed battle instincts, cultivated over more than twenty thousand years.

And that was not the most perilous aspect.

As the former Emperor of the Celestial Dragon Empire, having reigned for over twenty thousand years, Boris undoubtedly possessed countless concealed techniques and trump cards unknown to anyone else. He had witnessed far too many battles, schemes, and wars to be underestimated. Whether it involved dismantling their formation or thwarting any countermeasures they devised against him, no one believed Boris would passively accept his fate.

"You do not need to concern yourselves about him. I have devised a plan for my grandfather." Ren expressed unwavering confidence in his strategy.

Initially, this entire plan was conceptualized solely for the purpose of eliminating Aditya. Every detail was meticulously prepared, taking into account his movements, his power level, and the individuals surrounding him at that time.

However, the unexpected arrival of Boris, coupled with Aditya now residing with his grandfather, Harrington, introduced a completely unforeseen variable that had not been anticipated in the original blueprint. This development fundamentally altered the overall situation, compelling them to re-evaluate several components of their strategy.

Despite the circumstances, they clung to the belief that all was not lost. A few strategic changes and minor tweaks to their initial strategy, and they were convinced they could still steer the situation. From their perspective, the scales of advantage remained tipped in their favor.

"Victor, your sole objective is to eliminate Aditya. Show him no quarter," Ren commanded, his voice chillingly devoid of emotion.

A sliver of anguish still resided within him as he uttered these words. However, his cousin, Aditya, had undoubtedly evolved into a significant impediment, not only for their organization but particularly for him.

He might have considered leniency towards his cousin, but the alarming reality of Aditya garnering the allegiance of so many influential Dukes and Duchesses transformed him into a menace far greater than initially perceived.

For Ren to retain his position as emperor and maintain dominion over the Celestial Dragon Empire, his cousin's demise was an absolute necessity. No other path remained viable.

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