The Adventures of an Overpowered Knight in Another World Chapter 581- Summit (2)

The Queen wished for Lunaris's leaders to grasp the wider view and yield on minor matters.

Leona, quiet at the side, connected the dots. She now grasped why Reinhardt had come to Windbloom, what his task entailed, and the reason behind the Summit's hasty assembly.

Soon enough, their discussion turned to the approaching Summit.

"Your Majesty, Jerrel plans to raise the issue officially at the summit. He requested I relay that he wants a solid alliance from Solaris."

"Very well, tell him that he has Solaris’ complete backing." The Queen nodded, pausing to ponder before adding more.

"I will send messengers bearing gifts and letters, alerting them to the situation. Aetherion especially remains in debt to Solaris. Your efforts from before guarantee their loyalty. With their position set, the rest will have no choice but to align."

Now that the Queen had stepped in to prepare the foundation, he felt a wave of relief.

Backed by Rune's proof and the support of Solaris, Aetherion, plus other realms, Lunaris yielding seemed over 80% likely.

"Then I shall take my leave, Your Majesty."

Having covered all key points, Reinhardt rose to depart.

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Day by day, Windbloom grew ever more bustling.

Flags of nations and kingdoms waved from walls. Luxurious noble carriages crowded the roads, while knight orders from various realms patrolled about.

Trade in Windbloom exploded to record levels over recent days.

Two days on... the Seven Kingdoms Summit was set to begin at last.

In the city's core rose a grand circular edifice of white stone, vast enough for thousands. This colossal hall served as the Summit's stage.

Delegates from every land streamed in successively.

From Solaris

From Nocturnium, realm of eternal night, stepped Crown Prince Vaelor Nocturnis. He bore ghostly pale skin, blood-red eyes, and hair black as midnight.

His escort was the notorious Mordred the Black, at the head of his Dread Eclipse knights.

At this sight, Reinhardt breathed easier. He had zero desire to face that woman who let fists do the talking over words.

If Erza Crimsonstar had led Nocturnium's group, she'd have lunged at him on sight without question.

Just as in Aetherion before. Their past held some bad blood, after all.

Still, the Dread Eclipse Order matched the Crimson Revenants in strength.

Better yet, Mordred had entered the hero realm. No one doubted his might.

The moment Reinhardt noticed him, Mordred locked eyes too. Those shadowed orbs, lined like with kohl, sized up Reinhardt coolly.

The pair of knights exchanged nods of recognition.

Reinhardt turned to scan the rest.

From Aetherion, mightiest of the seven, came Diana’s father, the king himself.

His complexion wasn't fully restored, but it showed healthier hues. Evidently, his chat with Diana had sparked some recovery.

His guards included the Hell Marshal himself.

With silver hair slicked back and his signature monocle, the knight radiated an aura hard to overlook.

As a familiar face to Reinhardt, who'd even collaborated recently during Aetherion's capital assault by the Heavenly King, he held deep respect for him.

While the Hell Marshal nodded approvingly for past assistance, Reinhardt's thoughts ran elsewhere.

Good that Vaerion stayed away. Their history differed from Erza's brand of grudge.

From Drakmor, empire of iron wars and endless campaigns, strode Emperor Kael Drakmor, a colossal knight of legend.

Trailing him were Bloodforged Legion elites under Achilles Ironheart, a Level 10 Hero whose war deeds rivaled ancient deities.

From Vesperia, eldest among the seven, glided Arch Queen Selena Vesperia in enchanting robes and towering heels.

Her allure, though shy of Solaris's Queen, captivated the onlookers fully.

Behind her lumbered Sigurd Gallowstone like a mobile bastion. A Level 10 Hero built to challenge even Brutus's bulk.

Towering past three meters, he loomed gigantic.

Then from Paradoxis Kingdom arrived King Mercurion Paradoxis. Cassian Nightfall, famed hero of the realm, stood at his back.

It felt like a heroes' gathering. Each of the Seven Kingdoms fielded a hero plus their knight order for protection.

The aura pressed down heavily.

Even motionless, a Level 10 knight unleashed pressure crushing to common folk.

With six gathered simultaneously, the scene awed. Such gatherings of elite knights and heroes were rare spectacles.

The six Heroes shared knowing glances. Each brimmed with pride.

Reinhardt averted his eyes from the mighty kingdoms.

Lesser realms boasted impressive figures too.

From Rune came King Jerrel Runehart, steady and firm, with the elite Order of Emerald.

From Baskerville appeared knight Galahad.

Several Level 9 knights stood out too. Their strength demanded respect.

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Rulers and their entourages settled around a huge round table hewn from timeless rock, chatting animatedly.

Minor kingdoms extended courteous salutes to the majors.

The Great Kingdoms waged sly verbal battles among themselves.

Courteous phrases hid pointed politics, covert barbs, sly digs. Smiles concealed blades, praise veiled barbs, every word layered deep.

This banter dragged on till the Summit's official start.

Yet amid it all, one chair stayed vacant: Lunaris's.

Among the Seven Great Kingdoms, only Lunaris hadn't shown.

As moments ticked by with no arrivals, subtle strain built, hitting Solaris and Rune hardest.

Jerrel clasped hands, brow furrowed in worry.

Solaris's Queen drummed fingers on stone, patience fraying.

Lunaris prompted this Summit. But its group never materialized.

Silence dragged, unease mounting for all, until Aetherion's King, top voice among the Seven, broke in from his spot.

"Let us wait. Lunaris wouldn't dare snub a gathering this grand."

And wait they did.

Minutes stretched to hours. No Lunaris trace. No envoy, no word.

Now even Aetherion's King sensed trouble.

Tension grew thick, suffocating.

As whispers stirred the hall, a knight behind Aetherion's King shuddered like struck by dire tidings.

He bent close, murmuring to his sovereign.

The king's face twisted instantly into stunned horror.

What news was this?

While others eyed the intel warily, their own channels soon delivered the same bleak report.

Every leader's expression soured without fail.

Reinhardt, at the Queen's rear, caught the whisper effortlessly with keen senses—no eavesdropping needed.

The revelation shook even him, Divine Traits notwithstanding.

All ties to Lunaris cut off!!

Messengers to that land vanished without trace!!

Lunaris seemed devoured by utter quiet.

The truth hit like icy drench. Foreboding chill. Lunaris hid dark happenings, upending every plot and ploy.

Murmurs exploded into uproar as strains ignited. Lesser realms especially, their intel nets paling against the Great Seven, grasped little.

Plus, with envoys lost en route to Lunaris, dread filled their minds.