CHAPTER 32: CHAPTER32-ROYAL MERCENARIES, IMPERIAL VAMPIRES

It was no exaggeration to say that Aurek now held the reins of the entire situation.Step by step, through meticulous planning and unrelenting will, he had taken control of the imperial capital and forced his enemies into a corner.

During this time, he had also summoned an astonishing three hundred Elemental Assassins.Each of these assassins was not only formidable in combat strength but, when deployed en masse, became a terrifying legion of shadows.

By now, even an Expert Rank powerhouse could be brought down with ease if they faced the coordinated strike of so many Elemental Assassins. Watching these silent killers move like wraiths in perfect unison gave Aurek a rare sense of comfort. For the first time since ascending the throne, he felt genuine security.

His own personal strength, too, had increased at a startling pace.And yet, despite this progress, Aurek’s expression remained grave.

Half a month earlier, he had dispatched fifty Elemental Assassins beyond the capital walls. Their mission was simple: purge the lawless gangs and malignant forces festering in the outskirts.

But now, half a month had passed, and not a single one of those assassins had returned. Instead, what reached him every day was a steady rise in Emperor Points.

What did that mean?

It meant that even on the very doorstep of the Crossbridge Empire’s heart, there still thrived countless dark and violent organizations. Even with the ruthless efficiency of the Elemental Assassins, half a month was not enough to eradicate them all.

If this was the state of things in the imperial capital, then what of the empire at large?How many groups like the Blackfish Gang were festering in the shadows of the provinces, feeding like parasites on the nation’s lifeblood?

The thought weighed heavily on Aurek’s heart, a momentary fatigue pressing down on him.But that heaviness did not last long. Almost immediately, a spark of determination reignited in his chest.

Half a month ago, he had fewer than a hundred Elemental Assassins under his command.Now their number had tripled.

If he was given enough time, purging these dark forces would merely be a matter of course. It was not impossible, just difficult.

The real priority lay elsewhere.First, he had to deal with the contradictions and threats festering within the palace itself.Only once imperial majesty was re-established could everything else fall into place.

With this resolution, Aurek devoted himself to further strengthening his foundation. He continued to channel his Emperor Points into cultivating his own power.

At the Apprentice Rank, the most important task was to increase one’s affinity with energy.Among most Awakeners, energy affinity was considered the ultimate factor in determining one’s future path. The greater the affinity, the further one could go.

That was why Aurek, despite consuming vast amounts of Emperor Points, still lingered at Apprentice Rank.Had he not deliberately suppressed his advancement, he could have long since stepped into Elite Rank.

But Aurek was not content with a simple breakthrough. His ambition was far greater.He sought to push his affinity with energy to its absolute limit.

Because of this, he remained at Apprentice Rank outwardly—but in terms of actual combat power, he was not inferior to any Elite Rank fighter.

As his affinity deepened, however, Aurek encountered a new obstacle. His body could no longer absorb enough energy from the environment to meet his needs.

At this point, there was only one solution: Energy Stones.

The irony was bitter. He was the emperor of the Crossbridge Empire, and yet he possessed not a single Energy Stone for his own cultivation.

As for requesting some from the Royalist Party, Aurek dismissed the thought immediately.Such a move would damage his dignity and, worse, shake the party’s confidence in his leadership.

But then a thought struck him. He remembered the stash revealed earlier by Butler Brown.Among the treasures, there had indeed been Energy Stones.

Without hesitation, Aurek retrieved them and began drawing their power.

As he expected, the pure energy sealed within the stones surged into him rapidly. His body drank it in like parched earth receiving rain.

His cultivation rose steadily. Apprentice Rank, level two... then three... until soon he had reached Apprentice Rank, level four.

Outside his residence, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed. Many palace guards bustled back and forth, clearly burdened with some urgent task.

Frowning, Aurek opened the door and addressed them in a cold voice.

"What are you all so busy with?"

Angie, flushed and sweating, hurried forward to answer.

"Your Majesty, we are preparing the monthly supplies for the mercenaries stationed at Valoria Palace."

The words had barely left his lips before Aurek’s expression turned to ice.

"Stop everything. At once."

"Ah?"

Angie’s face froze in shock. He opened his mouth as if to protest, but then caught sight of the emperor’s frosty gaze. His courage melted instantly, and he bowed his head without another word.

"Stop everything," Aurek repeated firmly.

"Yes, Your Majesty... but what should I tell the mercenaries?" Angie asked timidly.

The mercenaries were not an insignificant detail. Their presence had been crucial in maintaining the peace of Valoria Palace. After all, there were twelve Expert Rank warriors among them—a force impressive enough to intimidate many would-be troublemakers.

If the royal family were to offend them, it would be a heavy loss for the empire.

"There is no need to explain anything," Aurek replied, his tone flat. "They will come to me themselves."

Without another word, he turned and returned to his chambers.

Elsewhere in the palace, the mercenaries soon received word that their subsidies had been cut off.

Their faces darkened instantly.

"What does this little emperor mean by this?" one of them spat.

"Who knows? Perhaps we should go ask him directly," another suggested with a sneer.

Without hesitation, the twelve Expert Rank mercenaries flickered out of sight, vanishing from their quarters and reappearing before Aurek.

"Emperor, what is the meaning of this?" one demanded, his voice sharp."Cutting off our subsidies? Do you want us to leave Valoria Palace?"

Another added, his tone thick with threat:"I advise you to think carefully. If we walk away, what do you think will become of this palace? What will happen to you?"

Their combined aura pressed down like a storm. For most men, the oppressive weight of twelve Expert Rank fighters would have been unbearable.

But Aurek merely set aside the book in his hand and lifted his gaze calmly.

Indeed, their strength was impressive. Their presence alone could shake most factions. But in his eyes, they were nothing special—just twelve mercenaries fattened on imperial wealth.

"The empire has granted you much," Aurek said, his tone cool but heavy with authority. "But it seems you have already forgotten your true duty."

The mercenaries’ expressions twisted with anger.

"What are you implying, boy?" one growled.

"Nothing more than this," Aurek replied evenly. "The empire’s resources are nearly depleted. It is time for you to show some understanding."

The mercenaries exchanged incredulous looks.

"So what you’re saying," one asked coldly, "is that the Crossbridge Empire will no longer subsidize us?"

"In that case, we have no reason to stay here."

"Exactly. Without support, you expect us to remain? Impossible."

Their voices rose, a tide of dissatisfaction rolling through the hall.

But Aurek’s expression did not change. His eyes glowed with the unshakable majesty of a sovereign.

"In that case," he said at last, his voice calm but cutting like a blade, "then you can get out."

The words struck like thunder.

The mercenaries froze, stunned into silence. For a long moment, the room was deathly quiet.

Never—not once—had they imagined Aurek would dare to speak so.

This weak and spineless little emperor, the one they had long dismissed as a mere child, now ordered them to leave?

Had he gone mad?

Did he not understand that without their presence, Valoria Palace would have descended into chaos long ago?

What was he thinking? Surely he did not truly intend to drive them away?

It was absurd. It was laughable.And yet, the icy certainty in Aurek’s eyes told them he meant every word.

For the first time, the mercenaries felt a shiver crawl down their spines.