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!"

nervous

react to his words. It was like he had said absolutely nothing just now. The Grand Elder stepped forward and took his place beside

come forward," the Empress commanded with

the Empress repeat her order and took

be able to threaten your lives," the Empress

he heard the Empress refer to him

They wouldn't dare to lie in front of the Empress. When one of them said a vague statement that could be interpreted in multiple ways, the Empress commanded them

the lie, the statements had to be direct. Half-truths were a

which made

they had all talked about. Then, they told her about how they arrived at the defensive line and how their dead squad leader had lured them into an

also didn't know how Jessy, Gravis, or the Inquisitor performed their attacks. Their power was simply too high for them to

with explaining everything. The Empress allowed them to leave the mountain and go back to their homes. When a new squad leader was chosen,

only the Emperor,

"Traitor," the Empress said.

me, it's Gravis," Gravis interjected, making the present Emperor

didn't seem to react to his words. "Which Laws

Inquisitor, I comprehended the

had heard the description of the fights, and those two Laws fit the abilities that Gravis had used. This also explained how he had managed to survive

the missing gaps of the earlier testimony,"

and simply filled in the missing gaps. Those gaps were the conversations that the squad couldn't hear

was very straightforward and just told it as directly as possible. Even if he could lie, there was no reason to. After all, Gravis believed that he was honestly innocent and not a

options. By now, she had a very clear picture of what had happened, and she also knew that all

intended on helping him, into a life and death fight. Additionally, an

leader of a level three Empire or higher was allowed to kill an Inquisitor. Otherwise, traitors might use a one-sided testimony that said that they only defended themselves. After all, the dead Inquisitor wouldn't be able to tell their side

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

Emperor," the Empress said as she looked

Empress?" the Coast Emperor