Lightning Is the Only Way

The group passed the borders of the Icy Pride Empire without anything happening. Just like any other Empire they had passed through on the way, no one bothered to stop a leader of an Empire.

Some hours later, everyone arrived at the base of the Mountain of Pride. The squad and Gravis were used to the mountain's imposing appearance, but the Emperor felt intrigued. After all, he hadn't seen the Mountain of Pride yet.

"Truly impressive," the Emperor said with a sigh after a minute. "No wonder the Empress is one of the most powerful level three Emperors," he said.

Gravis' ears perked up when he heard that. He hadn't known the specific power of the Empress in relation to her Realm. Yet, somehow, it didn't surprise him that she was one of the most powerful level three Emperors.

Gravis had already guessed that the Law of Pride wasn't as simple as the normal Laws. One could observe matter and elements, but it was difficult to observe Pride. Just like Gravis' Law of Suppression, the Law of Pride was also a Law that couldn't be easily observed.

Gravis had already realized that his Law of Suppression wasn't simple. This Law alone allowed him to jump an entire level in the Nascent Nourishing Realm. If Gravis had understood no other Law and had basically no fighting experience, this Law alone would let him triumph over a King a full level above himself.

One had to remember that a level four King knew around four Laws. Yet, with only one Law, Gravis would be able to jump an entire level. Using only one Law to defeat someone that understood four Laws one entire level higher than oneself seemed ridiculous.

Gravis guessed that his Law of Suppression was about as powerful as the Law that had allowed the Inquisitor to summon these powerful Spires. It was simply on another level than the Initial Laws.

Gravis was right in that regard. He didn't know much about the classifications of Laws, but emotional Laws and Laws that didn't really physically exist, like the Law of Suppression, were generally considered Low-Rank Laws. This was an entire Rank higher than Initial Laws. One had to remember that one needed to understand at least three Initial Laws to understand a Low-Rank Law.

"Follow me," the Grand Elder said as he suddenly appeared in front of them with serious eyes. For the first time, the Grand Elder was looking at Gravis with a judging and severe look. Obviously, he had already been informed about what had happened by the Emperor.

The Emperor and the squad lowered their head in a show of respect, while Gravis only raised a questioning eyebrow at the Grand Elder. When the Grand Elder saw that, he huffed and went upward. Even in this situation, Gravis didn't follow basic protocol.

Some seconds later, everyone arrived at the peak of the Mountain of Pride. The squad immediately lowered their heads and didn't dare to look at the Empress. In comparison, the Emperor looked at the Empress with an intense stare. Since he was an Emperor, he didn't need to show subservience to such a degree. A basic show of respect was enough.

The Empress opened her closed eyes as she looked into the Emperor's eyes, who immediately started shivering. The pressure he was experiencing was unreal. It was almost like a God was looking at him that could kill him with just a thought.

'I want her!' he thought intensely but didn't show any of that on the outside. On the outside, he simply lowered his head slightly in a nodding gesture, which was the basic show of respect.

"Hi!"

every other beast become nervous and fearful. Did Gravis have

absolutely nothing just now. The Grand Elder stepped forward and

come forward," the Empress commanded with an imposing and cold

to make the Empress repeat

lives," the Empress said. "Tell us

exasperation as he heard the

entire story honestly. They wouldn't dare to lie in front of the Empress. When one of them said a vague statement that could be

the statements had to be direct. Half-truths were a known way

but they were simply too nervous, which made them refer to things

about. Then, they told her about how they arrived at the defensive line and how their dead squad leader had

to explain everything. They didn't hear all the conversations, and they also didn't know how Jessy, Gravis, or the Inquisitor performed their attacks. Their

the

Mountain of Pride. Now, only the Emperor, Gravis, the Grand Elder, and the

"Traitor," the Empress said.

making the present Emperor sweat

his words. "Which Laws have

comprehended the Law of Danger. Against the Inquisitor,

the fights, and those two Laws fit the abilities that Gravis had used. This also explained how he

gaps of the earlier testimony,"

seemingly not realizing the difficult situation he was in and simply filled in the missing gaps. Those gaps were the conversations that the squad couldn't hear and a more detailed description of his

could lie, there was no reason to.

had happened, and she also knew that all of these things were just a series of unfortunate events. Yet, Gravis had still

Commander Rime, who had only intended on helping him, into a life and death

might use a one-sided testimony that said that they

meant that Gravis had to be punished. There was no way around that,

Emperor," the Empress said as she looked

Empress?" the