Hero of Darkness

The following day after Kahn met with Szayel, in one of the central cities of the capital Rathna, a grand meeting was being held inside a ginormous castle.

In reality, this entire settlement that was as big as a city, had millions of people with thousands of houses and businesses was actually the main headquarters of the Neutral Faction.

The headquarters of one of the three most powerful factions in the Rakos Empire was 5 times bigger than the headquarters of the Vandereich clan that Kahn visited a long time ago. And at the central region, the titanic white castle that was surrounded by legions of soldiers and defensive weaponry held some of the most important figures of the empire.

Inside this castle, over a thousand people ranging from different sizes, races and species sat on different platforms. Each of these figures wore luxurious and noble attires while plenty of them excluded the aura of a powerful being.

In the grand meeting hall, an old but long and white-bearded tigerkin was sitting on a throne at the end of his long hall. The aura that leaked from his being was kept at minimal but even so, anyone who even looked at this three-meter tall orange tigerkin could instantly gauge the strength of this almighty being.

A 7th stage saint!

This tigerkin warrior was indeed of the three strongest people in the entire empire. And also the leader of Neutral Faction.

A tall and firm bearkin knight in completely red knight armor who himself was a 5th stage saint himself spoke in a loud tone.

"In the presence of faction leader Stalin, I commence this meeting!" spoke the Bearkin knight and took a seat on a throne of his own on the right side, sitting amongst the other 30 saints who were divided into the group of two, all of whom were some of the most influential people in the empire.

The old but still in incredible physical shape tigerkin finally spoke in a domineering tone, his voice resounding in the entire hall where thousands of people sat on multiple levels of platforms on both sides...

"The reason why I have called all of you here today so urgently is to relay key information to everyone. An opportunity that affects our entire faction's future for the next generations to come.

As some of you might have heard of it already... The date for the Emperor's Chosen that comes after every 50 years has been finalized." explained the leader.

The entire crowd went into a heated discussion as soon the faction leader, who was no weaker than Szayel's grandfather relayed this information.

After a minute, he spoke again with resolute eyes as he addressed all the top clan leaders and members of the faction.

"As you already know.. We have only two candidates who managed to reach the rank of a semi-saint under the age of 30, fitting the requirements and qualifications to become our representatives and compete in this competition.

This is an opportunity for us to gain new territory which can help our entire faction prosper for decades to come. And once our rule is solidified, we will naturally gain full control of that region as per the rules set by the imperial family of the past.

No one from the government regardless of which sector or faction they are from can object as per the previous arrangements.

Last time, it was the Demi-Human Faction who won the competition 50 years ago and now there are only two suitable regions left for us to seize.

Either of which can bring enormous and unimaginable wealth given their location and resources. And hence, I have chosen the most capable of the younger generation to represent us.

I want all of you to wholeheartedly welcome our two champions!" commanded Stalin and clapped his hands.

The next second, the giant entrance door to this hall was opened with a creak and a troop of soldiers clad in black and golden armor with spears marched inside the hall.

Their loud thuds filled the surrounding area as all the members present looked at the middle of this formation where two humanoid figures walked in sync.

When these two figures finally came close to the throne of the faction leader dressed in regal clothes, both of them knelt in respect in front of the tigerkin who had a pleased expression on his face.

One of the figures was a long black-haired and blue-eyed young woman dressed in a pitch-black sorceress attire while the other was a silver-haired young woman of the same age, donned in silver and red armor who had two red horns coming out of her head. One of them was long while the other was short, indicating that she was a halfbreed demonkin.

Both of these young women were of the same age as Kahn.

"Kassandra of the Mikaelson clan, also renowned as the Raven Sorceress.

Celine of the Armitage clan, praised as the Dual Sword Saintess.

Both of you are the most talented geniuses of the Neutral Faction. Your talent in your respective classes exceeds many of us when we were of your age. And thus, I have decided to entrust both of you with the future of our faction and represent us in the Emperor's Chosen competition.

Do any of you have any objections or misgivings?" spoke Stalin.

"No, lord faction leader." spoke both the young women in unison. Their pleasant voices chimed in the hall while showing compliance to all the authority figures.

"Good. The competition will start exactly after one month from today, so in the meantime; both of you will be trained by the mighty saints of our faction.

Not only by those who specify in your relevant classes but the others of different classes to help you gain more battle experience against different types of enemies. Do you understand?" spoke Stalin in a kind tone.

"We understand." again, both the young women replied together.

"I expect great things from both of you." said the tigerkin leader but his countenance turned serious the next second as he gazed at the other saints and the thousand members of the faction.

"And there's another important announcement I have to make here.

Should either Kassandra or Celine win the competition and ultimately pave the road for the bright future of the faction.."

Said the faction leader and stopped his words... He took a deep breath and continued his words in a kingly voice that sent the entire hall into chaos...

"The winner shall become my successor!"