The Invincible Full-Moon System Chapter 1778: Shattered Peace

Rex rested in the shallow waters, his head cradled in Nivellen’s lap.

With Nivellen’s assistance, his mind had grown far more tranquil, yet he chose to remain in her presence for a few moments more.

The realm was desolate and silent, providing a flawless sanctuary for his temporary isolation.

Linthia was capable of holding back the voidal monsters for several more minutes, meaning there was no immediate pressure to return. Furthermore, his companions were just as drained as he was. This brief respite served as a vital opportunity for everyone to recover their strength.

The path ahead was still fraught with obstacles.

"So, that is how it unfolded..." Nivellen murmured softly.

Rex had detailed the components required for the remedy, specifically the grueling ordeal of securing the Phoenix Feather—the most elusive of all the ingredients. He had intentionally glossed over the most brutal details to spare her feelings, but she seemed to perceive the truth regardless.

"You have endured so much," she said, her fingers moving gently through his hair. "I wish you never had to experience such agony."

"I've grown accustomed to it," Rex replied, keeping his eyes shut.

"Pain is not something one should ever become used to," Nivellen sighed. It pained her that he had become desensitized to suffering that would break any ordinary mortal. "You must rest when the chance arises. Whenever there is a lull in the chaos, you have to take advantage of it."

"Haah..." Rex let out a heavy breath. "That’s easier to say than to do. My mind doesn't have an off-switch."

While the idea of mental silence was appealing, it remained an impossible luxury.

His adversaries were lurking everywhere; even a second of lowered defenses could grant them an opening. Just moments ago, at the peak of his success, Kaiser had struck.

It was a dishonorable tactic for Kaiser to grant power to someone who wasn't even a werewolf.

The move had caught Rex entirely off his guard.

"Regarding our enemies, how was Kaiser able to interfere with the Mortal Realm again? I assumed the assault led by the Yule Moon Lunirich God had violated the laws of the world."

"The laws vary from realm to realm. Neither Kaiser nor the other Lunirich Gods face those specific restrictions within this domain."

"I... I understand."

It was as he suspected; the distinction between the Mortal Realm and the Spirit Realm went beyond mere geography.

The reality was far more complex than he had anticipated, a detail he had unfortunately overlooked.

Rex intended to drift back into his rest, lulled by Nivellen’s rhythmic stroking of his hair, but a memory forced him to stay alert. Thinking of the different planes of existence reminded him of the information shared by Princess Davina.

"Tell me... I’ve heard rumors that the Chaos Realm has become active recently," he remarked.

At those words, Nivellen’s expression flickered and her hand momentarily froze.

She recovered her composure almost instantly, attempting to look as though the mention of that place meant nothing to her.

"Are you still... hesitant to speak of the Chaos Realm?" Rex inquired, his face showing visible worry. He was concerned that the Chaos Corruption had left her traumatized. "If the subject still causes you pain, I won't bring it up again."

"No, it isn't that..." Nivellen offered a soft smile. "What was it you wished to know?"

Rex paused for a moment.

Encouraged by her response, he continued. "The Black Rift that tore through the Spirit Realm originated from the Chaos Realm. Now, Chaos Phantoms are manifesting across the Mortal Realm. I can't help but ask... what is the true nature of the Chaos Realm? Is it merely a domain of corrupted creatures?"

Despite the cryptic data from the System, his personal encounters with Chaos Spawns, and the reports from Princess Davina, the core essence of the Chaos Realm remained an enigma.

He recognized its symptoms, but not its heart.

Specifically, he sought to understand the motivation behind its relentless expansion into other worlds.

"I am unable to provide that answer."

"Unable? You mean you know the truth but are forbidden from telling me?"

"Yes," Nivellen admitted with a regretful nod. "If I were to reveal even a fraction of its nature, I fear the entities dwelling there would be drawn to you. For now, concentrate on increasing your Cultivation and gathering divinity. I will give you the answers once you are truly prepared."

Rex draped an arm over his eyes, pondering her warning.

"And what of the Dame of Snow? If she is an ally, her support would be invaluable. Do you know her identity?"

"I believe you will encounter her soon enough."

...

Meanwhile, at the Tomb of Heroes.

Princess Davina sat upon the central dais, flanked by four towering monuments.

She had already sent a carriage and a small escort to take April to a healer for urgent care. Regardless of her own opinions, April’s well-being was a priority—she knew Rex would expect nothing less.

Now, she remained in wait.

Rather than heading back to report the events of the tomb, she stayed behind.

She had recently established contact with Duke Lorcan and learned that he and Emperor Dominar were currently en route to her location. A powerful energetic distortion had severed all communication earlier, which was why they had been unable to track her down sooner.

In the meantime, soldiers were meticulously combing every inch of the area.

They were searching for any concrete evidence that an Angel had been present.

However, their efforts were in vain.

Empress Morgana had scrubbed every lingering trace of Angelic Qi from the site.

"The driver's testimony is my only hope of convincing them," she sighed, gazing toward the horizon and wondering if Rex had reached safety. "Even if they doubt the involvement of an Angel, the Empress will certainly be the primary suspect."

Swish—!

Three blurs of light shot out from a Black Rift, appearing on the scene.

Princess Davina rose to her feet, identifying two of the figures immediately.

Bam—!

Duke Lorcan hit the ground hard and sprinted toward his daughter, his face etched with anxiety.

"Daughter!" he cried, gripping her shoulders and scanning her for any signs of injury. "Are you unharmed? Did they hurt you?"

"I am perfectly fine," she said with a reassuring smile. "I didn't get caught in the crossfire. There is no need for alarm."

"Nonsense!" Duke Lorcan barked, pushing back his sweat-soaked hair in a fit of stress. He had pushed through the Black Rift at a desperate speed to reach her, his breath coming in ragged gasps. Having recently buried two sons, the prospect of losing his daughter was more than he could bear. "I couldn't reach you for hours! How could I not be worried?"

"I understand, I didn't realize the distortion was that thick," she said, holding up her hands. "But truly, I am safe."

Behind the Duke, Emperor Dominar stood back to give them a moment of privacy.

Kaine, meanwhile, had gone to interrogate the soldiers on site.

He surveyed the landscape with a piercing gaze, taking in every detail of the battlefield.

Finally, Emperor Dominar stepped forward.

He moved with a ghostly, effortless grace—not so much walking as flowing through the air.

"Your Majesty..." Princess Davina offered a respectful bow and curtsy.

"Are you truly well, Princess?" he asked with a poised, calm demeanor. "I can provide healing for any ailment you possess."

"That won't be necessary, Your Majesty. I arrived after the fact, so I was not involved in the combat," she answered honestly.

Emperor Dominar nodded, his eyes drifting to the massive destruction scarring the earth, clear evidence of a catastrophic struggle. "Do you have information regarding what transpired here, Princess?"

"I do," Davina replied firmly. "The Empress is responsible."

At this, the Emperor’s brow twitched into a frown; he hadn't expected such a direct accusation.

She spoke with absolute conviction.

She was certain that Empress Morgana was the architect of this ruin.

Princess Davina recounted everything to the Emperor, starting with the agreement Rex had made with the Empress and her own advice to meet at the Tomb of Heroes for the exchange. She noted that while Rex’s Qi was all over the area, he was nowhere to be found.

It was obvious he had been walked into a trap.

Since Emperor Dominar had never met Rex, Davina emphasized that she knew his energy signature perfectly. Duke Lorcan supported her claim, confirming he also sensed Rex’s life force at the scene.

The most disturbing detail, however, was that only Rex’s energy remained.

Despite the signs of a duel between two powerful beings, only his signature lingered.

"And what follows?" Emperor Dominar questioned. "If this is true, what would motivate the Empress to act this way? Why seek the death of this... Rex? She lacks for nothing. She would not risk this for a mere Phoenix Feather or a demonic blade."

As expected, the Emperor was still looking for reasons to shield Empress Morgana.

It was a predictable reaction.

"I cannot say for certain, but I am convinced it involves an Angel," Princess Davina declared.

That statement finally broke Emperor Dominar’s composure.

Usually unshakable and detached, he looked genuinely stunned.

"An Angel...?"

"Yes. I have a witness. Based on his report, I suspect an Angel has infiltrated our world. Your Majesty knows Rex is an outsider. He is a master from the Mortal Realm. It is possible Angels exist there, and one of them may hold a grudge against him."

Emperor Dominar’s posture turned rigid.

A slight shiver ran through him before he slowly turned his head.

His eyes locked with Kaine’s.

It appeared he had been mistaken, while Kaine had been correct all along.

It was common knowledge to the Emperor and Kaine that Empress Morgana descended from Angels, a fact that only bolstered Davina's theory. Angelic bonds are incredibly potent; if Angels existed in the Mortal Realm, they could easily influence her.

That was the catalyst for this betrayal.

Knowing the Empress, she wouldn't act so recklessly without a reason.

An order from a pure-blooded Angel was a motive she could not ignore.

"Your Majesty," Kaine spoke up, staring directly at the sovereign. "I discovered a concealed chamber within the treasury that I believe the Empress constructed. That room likely served as a sanctuary for an Angel. This cannot be overlooked. She has betrayed your trust for her own kin."

"She..." The Emperor took a step forward, his voice a low, dangerous growl. "She sold out the Empire for her own kind."

Though the conclusion was logical, Emperor Dominar was visibly shaken by the reality of it.

Duke Lorcan and Princess Davina assumed his distress was rooted in his affection for the Empress.

But Kaine understood the deeper truth.

This event confirmed a terrifying suspicion: the Emperor’s divine connection to the land itself had been corrupted. His reaction wasn't born of heartbreak for Morgana, but from a realization of total betrayal.

The one source of guidance he had relied on his entire life had become a tainted, deceptive wellspring.

The land itself had told him to crown Morgana as Empress.

And that guidance had been nothing but a lie from the darkness.

Now, a haunting question filled his mind... who could he possibly trust if even the world beneath his feet had turned against him?

"Very well..." Emperor Dominar finally spoke with a sharp nod, looking back at Kaine. "You are tasked with hunting down the Empress. Bring her before me. I want her to answer for this personally. Use whatever force is required to find her and bring her back."

"Your Majesty..." Princess Davina pleaded, stepping toward him.

"Yes," Emperor Dominar acknowledged. "You have my permission to use the crown's authority to mobilize forces and find your fiancé."

"I thank you, Your Majesty," she said, bowing low.

With those few words, the Empire’s fragile peace was torn asunder, sparking a new era of chaos.