Lightning Is the Only Way

Gravis arrived on top of the Mountain of Pride without any fanfare. Right now, only the Empress was present, but Gravis could feel the Grand Elder a couple hundred kilometers away. He was apparently busy with something else.

"So, you have returned," the Empress said as she looked at Gravis. "How much have you gained?"

"I've managed to comprehend a total of 13 level one Laws in the last hundred years!" Gravis said victoriously. "That should be enough experience for now, right?"

If the Empress hadn't already heard about Gravis understanding seven Laws previously, she would have been shocked right now, but thanks to Gravis' earlier pit-stop, she had been prepared for something like that.

"No level two Laws?" she asked.

Gravis scratched the back of his neck in a bit of embarrassment. "No, but I'm on the verge of understanding two, which should be the Composition Law of all Plants and the Composition Law of Physical Elements. Sadly, both of these Laws won't increase my Battle-Strength as long as I don't fight any plants or beasts with the specific elements," Gravis said.

The Empress nodded. "Understandable. You don't have enough experience regarding Laws to understand level two Laws without sudden enlightenment or a tempering opportunity. Yet, your current experience should be enough. However, I would advise you to take, at least, one more break as an Emperor."

Gravis nodded. "I think so too. At some point, I will meet Emperors that know more than one or two level two Laws. If I don't manage to retain my lead in understanding Laws, I will fall behind faster than I can notice."

Then, the Empress looked at Ferris with narrowed eyes. "Elder Ferris," the Empress slowly said. "I feel a bit of danger from you. I presume that your gains have also been bountiful?" she asked.

Ferris nodded respectfully. When he was in front of her, he always acted like a subservient Elder instead of his usual, excited self. "Since the last time I have come here, I have managed to understand another level two Law regarding fire."

"Another one, huh?" the Empress commented. "Remaining at your current Realm would only be a waste. I would advise you to search for tempering. It is time for you to ascend."

assessment. I have stayed a level one Emperor for

we are in agreement. Which route do you wish to

"Route?" Gravis asked.

his usual excited self. "Oh, right! I forgot that you

as he started explaining. "There are four ways that Emperors can go about increasing their

under another Emperor leading an Empire. The beasts that choose this path follow the orders of the Emperor. Of course, due to their power, they are treated rather well and will be sent on fitting missions. This is for the Emperors that don't want to bother with all that political

create your own Empire. If you decide to do that, you need to fight another Emperor for their territory. The loser dies, and the winner eats the loser and rules the new territory. The advantage is that you can choose what you want to do, and you're also still part of the land

to fight another Emperor for them. Most Emperors have no problem with just giving you a mountain or something. The advantage is that no land beast will bother you as long as you remain in your territory. Yet, the disadvantage is that you can only temper yourself with the agreement of the land beast camp. This option is mainly for

gives you the most freedom, and you can also attack any Emperor from any camp without the whole camp going after you. Yet, you are also not protected by

nodded and thought about it. Every way had its advantages and disadvantages. All four of them were viable to reach the top. Yet, it

and could simply live their lives out to the end. Leading one's own Empire was the second safest way, at least after one managed to kill another Emperor for their territory. After all, one would have

third safest way would be to stay in another Empire. Sure, the Empire wouldn't mistreat them, but one would still have to follow orders in the end. The most dangerous way was obviously the last one. With that way, one basically would have

you choose?" Gravis asked

but I also don't want to bother with managing an entire Empire. On top of that, I want to ascend and not just remain here forever. So, I will choose the fourth way. I want to become a

whatever happens, happens. However, keep in mind that if you require a safe place, you can come back to the Icy Pride Empire. I can't accept you back into the

good. You allowed me to spend a long time comprehending Laws and never forced me to fight without my consent. I will remember this, and if

neutrally at Ferris. "You've spent too much time with Gravis. You should know that you don't need to tell me

a bit in embarrassment. "I know," he

the Empress said, "I'm not your Empress anymore. Now, I'm only Azure

thought. 'So, that's her name. Quite fitting

was great