The Almighty Supreme WarLord

The emperor didn't beat around the bush as he hit the nail on the head. Taking a brief pause, he stared directly at Ares and spoke calmly, "With the war having ended tonight, I know you intend to return to the Middle Province to seek revenge against those who unjustly sent you to jail, and sentenced you to death without allowing you the chance to get an attorney and prove your innocence.

"As the emperor of our beloved nation, it is my duty to maintain peace in all provinces, so naturally, I shouldn't allow you to set out on this journey. However, considering who you are and what you've done for the nation, I won't stop you. But I must make it clear to you that I won't support you either. In simpler terms, you are totally on your own.

"You are not allowed to use your authority to deploy your soldiers, and House of Astralis won't back you. Additionally, if you commit murder and are charged by the authorities, the police have full rights to sentence you for your crime. You will receive no special privileges. None at all. On—"

Ares suddenly burst into laughter, cutting the emperor off. He looked at the emperor as if he were a great joke. When he finally stopped laughing, he tilted his head and met the emperor's gaze squarely. "You say you won't stop me, yet you strip me of my right to exercise my authority? And if I commit murder, I'll be sentenced?

"Your Imperial Majesty, is this how you treat a national hero? Do you think the citizens would be pleased with you if they knew this?"

"Are you threatening His Imperial Highness, Ares?" Allan snapped, glaring at him.

Ares's eyes narrowed, his gaze cold and hostile. "You are the leader of House of Astralis, Supreme Commander, commanding millions of soldiers. Where were you when the war was going on?

"Would you stand there with your head held high and talk to me if the enemies had won? A coward like you who knows only to cower and hide in his underground palace with his family should better keep shut when I'm speaking to His Imperial Highness!"

Nearing the end of Ares's statement, his voice rose tremendously.

Instantly, the temperature in the room dropped sharply, and tension rose in the air. It was as if another war was about to break out. But this time only between the two.

"Alright, let's all calm down, shall we? We're adults here for fuck's sake, how can we be bickering like children?" Interjected D'arken, the leader of the Temple of D'arken, glancing between Ares and Allan.

While the leader of House of Astralis was known as the Supreme Commander, the leader of the Temple of D'arken was simply known as D'arken. He wielded authority comparable to Allan's because, while the Supreme Commander had control over the nation's military within the country, D'arken controlled the nation's military forces stationed abroad. However, D'arken was strictly prohibited from deploying his soldiers within the country's borders or exercising his authority domestically.

Turning to the emperor, D'arken bowed and said respectfully, "Sire, I believe there are still matters you wish to discuss, why not spill them already?" There was a note of urgency in his voice, likely because he feared Ares and Allan might come to blows if the emperor did not intervene soon.

The emperor appeared to understand as he nodded. Shifting his gaze to Ares, he smiled, "Ares, at the beginning of my statement, I told you I have two offers for you, right?" Without waiting for Ares's response, not like he was going to get one from him anyway, he continued,

"After days of discussion between myself and some special identities, we have decided to bestow upon you the title of D'arken. You would become the new leader of the Temple of D'arken.

"But there's a little catch: to earn this title and position, you must undertake a solo mission overseas. This mission is to ensure that none of the countries overseas will ever be able or entertain the notion to attack us again. That is the first offer.

"The second offer is to make you Allan Montgomery's deputy. I believe you know what that means, but in case you don't, I'll explain: if anything should happen to Allan, you would take over as Supreme Commander. Now, the choice is yours."

The Gods and Goddesses of War were typically composed and rarely surprised, but this time, they couldn't help it. Their jaws dropped, and their eyes widened in shock. But who wouldn't be? To hold any of the positions listed was to wield significant power and authority in the country!

After the emperor, those in these positions could either make or mar the nation. An example was Allan, who almost marred the country by cowering away from the war.

The Gods and Goddesses of War turned to gaze at Ares, their eyes shining under the dim light. They were not only pleased with the offers but exceedingly excited. After all, no matter which offer their master chose, he would gain significant power and authority. However, they seemed to have overlooked the catch on the first offer.

There was silence for a while as everyone waited for Ares's decision. Meanwhile, Ares himself didn't look like he was about to make a decision anytime soon.

After more than twenty minutes, Allan couldn't hold it any longer. He glowered at Ares. "What is taking you so long? How can you keep His Imperial Highness waiting for so long?"

Ares laughed. "For such ridiculous offers, if I choose to let him wait for an eternity, have I done any wrong?"

Seething, Allan cursed angrily. "You..."

"Your Imperial Majesty," not caring about whatever Allan had to say, Ares interjected, turning to the emperor. "In the end, these offers, while they may seem glorious, are only your ploys to stop me from seeking revenge. One intends to keep me overseas for several years or even kill me, and the other intends to keep me in office without the knowledge of when I would ever be free." He shook his head, laughing bitterly.

"You really thought this through, I must give you that. But I think you might have misunderstood my personality thinking these mere offers could stop me from seeking revenge. Now, this is my decision." A bone-chilling, murderous aura suddenly burst out of him, the sheer force causing the bulbs in the room to burst, plunging the room into darkness.

The figures in the room had no other option but to quickly turn on their phone flashlights, illuminating the space again.

Ares, on the other hand, wasn't really concerned by their actions as he continued, his voice icy-cold, "I refuse your offers, and, I'll say this just once: anyone who tries to stop me from seeking my revenge will be considered a mortal enemy.

"It doesn't matter if you are the emperor, the Supreme Commander or even D'arken. I will go back to the Middle Province and seek my revenge. And, Emperor," he locked eyes with him, "if your police department or any other forces in the country dare to stand in my way, they will face the same fate as my enemies on the battlefield. Do you want to bet if I will follow through?" He brazenly stretched out his hand.