The Conquerors Path Chapter 982 - 980-General Of A LifeTime.

While the exterior world and the girls who had marked the site were descending into chaos, filled with desperate wishes to storm the gates and investigate, the situation inside was far from tranquil. Shortly thereafter, the tension broke as news rippled through the grounds. Max Lionheart had arrived, supported by his private legion, and the academy lacked the authority to even attempt to block his path.

He appeared at the head of a personal army, a force forged in absolute loyalty to him alone. Beyond his military rank, his status as the presiding patriarch and the grandfather of Austin granted him an undeniable right to visit. However, his legal right to bring an armed force stemmed from the unique marks he bore as a high-ranking general, a distinction that is incredibly rare in this world.

Only a select few within the realm are privy to his secret identity—the persona of the general who commands the hunters of corrupted beings. This army operates in the shadows, battling malevolent forces that attempt to seep into the world from a hidden rift, entities whose level of corruption defies human comprehension.

The reality is that Max serves as the commander and general who has stood as the primary bulwark against this encroaching tide for ages. Although he isn't the sole general in existence, the immense respect he commands affords him a unique global standing and significant influence, accompanied by various high-level privileges.

The public legends surrounding his name already make him a figure of aspiration for many. Yet, there are deeper, classified legends that remain unspoken due to the sensitive nature of his missions. These are secrets known only to the absolute elite, the kind of deeds that would make his fiercest enemies tremble where they stand.

The complication began when Max was appointed to lead this army, with the war councils providing the recruits—ranging from the powerful and talented to battle-hardened convicts. At one point, the council treated the unit as a dumping ground, sending only the most useless dregs of society. It was an era when the threat of corruption was largely ignored by the masses.

Nevertheless, those who entered that army were fundamentally changed. Every single soldier emerged with a soul-deep loyalty to Max Lionheart. They had bled, died, and suffered horrific injuries for him; even those stripped of their limbs would find a way to drag themselves back to the front lines if Max called their names.

Their devotion bordered on religious worship. At one stage, the war council even suspected Max of employing forbidden magic or brainwashing techniques. Despite the rarity of such powers, they were so bewildered by the soldiers' fervor that they investigated these absurd claims, only to find a loyalty rooted in genuine truth.

The survivors of that living hell evolved into the most formidable military force in existence. The war council attempted to bribe Max, offering him vast wealth and status to see him step down so they could install a more compliant puppet, but every attempt failed.

Each time they pressured him, he pushed back harder, growing more refined and powerful until he became one of the most revered generals in the region. Max’s only real oversight was his refusal to engage in political maneuvering or factional power plays. Satisfied with what he possessed, he felt no need to pursue further titles or political dominance.

In truth, a fact only Austin truly grasps, is that Max possesses little desire for life itself. His continued existence and fighting spirit are fueled solely by the need to protect his family. He yearns for his deceased wife and wishes to be reunited with her in the afterlife. Having focused entirely on his army and the war, he only realized the necessity of political leverage when it was already too late.

By the time that realization struck, he had already suffered far too many losses.

Even so, he retains a massive amount of military influence and maintains numerous alliances within the army and the war council. This is the primary reason the council hesitated to act aggressively against Austin.

There was no other reason for their restraint. Had they acted on their impulses upon discovering Austin's true capabilities, they would have seized control of him immediately. Instead, they remained in the shadows, offering hollow praise. They knew a direct confrontation would lead to victory, but the cost would be devastating—a price they weren't willing to pay during such unstable times.

Consequently, they limited themselves to minor provocations—enough to be annoying, but never enough to cross the line. However, the situation has now spiraled out of control in a truly spectacular fashion.

The day Max Lionheart set foot in the academy was an event no one could ignore.

He brought only 1,000 of his elite guard into the academy grounds. As an official with supreme authority over matters of corruption, he arrived with his full array of titles, leaving the academy with no grounds to refuse him entry.

The thousand soldiers arrived in perfect, disciplined rows. They stood in rigid formation, their grip on their spears unwavering. The murderous aura radiating from them was so thick and crimson that it mirrored the swirling mists of corruption, containing a faint trace of that very power within their presence.

The gates shimmered as Max Lionheart finally emerged. He looked as formidable as ever, his eyes gleaming with the wisdom and power of his years, his aura seemingly consuming everything in his vicinity. In unison, the thousand warriors began to strike the ground with the butts of their spears.

Though the taps were light, the collective force of their reverence and might warped the very air. To an outsider, it appeared as though they were announcing the descent of a god. Mira stood watching, maintaining her usual composure, alongside several elders and instructors. Despite many of these teachers being high-level cultivators—some perhaps equal to or stronger than Max in raw power—they all felt inexplicably weak in that moment.

Visible ripples of red mana twisted around Max as he walked, his gaze fixed forward. The atmosphere began to churn like a localized cyclone. It was less a physical storm and more an illusory manifestation of his overwhelming aura, forged from a lifetime of slaughter and hardship.

Max advanced with measured, ringing steps.

The soldiers continued their rhythmic tapping, vibrating the earth in sync with his stride until Max reached Mira.

"Dad."

Mira spoke, her eyes rimmed with red. Seeing her state, Max pulled his daughter into a gentle embrace and kissed her forehead softly.

"Do not fret, everything is under control."

When he spoke, it felt like a decree of absolute truth. To Mira, these were the most comforting words possible, offering the safety she had always found in the man who anchored her world. To the onlookers, however, his voice sounded like a demon emerging from the abyss. A dark, black shadow seemed to flicker around him, making him appear as the personification of death itself.

To say Max Lionheart was angry would be a massive understatement. He was down to his last child, a daughter who was the living image of his late wife. Seeing her in tears and knowing the state of his grandson filled Max with a cold, nameless fury.

With Mira at his side, Max marched toward his family’s quarters, ready to protect what little he had left with savage determination.

"Let us go,"

Max muttered, patting his daughter’s head as they walked away. He didn't spare a single glance or word for the gathered elders and teachers, and none of them dared to utter a word of protest. The two of them simply headed home as a family.

Inside their residence lay Austin. He remained in a deep, peaceful slumber, having not moved for an entire week. Three beautiful women sat by his side, their faces etched with profound concern.

Grace’s eyes were bloodshot from exhaustion. Nora wore a mask of fear that barely concealed her simmering rage. Elda looked utterly devastated and consumed by guilt, perched on the edge of the bed while clutching Austin’s hand.

"Big brother, please wake up..."

She pleaded in a whisper, her heart heavy with grief. Unbeknownst to anyone in the room, another woman watched from the shadows, her presence so perfectly concealed that even an Imperial-level expert could not detect her.