Princess Gladys witnessed a very peculiar scene. After the projections or avatars of the great nobles were crushed by Muria's aura, spatial teleportation fluctuations emerged in the imperial palace.
The true bodies of these great nobles began arriving one after another. This was a privilege they had: when the emperor summoned them for significant events, they had to appear in person. However, for events like welcoming victorious returnees, they had the freedom to choose, usually opting for avatars or projections. But now, Muria had forced them to appear in person.
Of course, only at such times could they directly teleport into the palace. Normally, even with the emperor's permission, they could only appear at designated spots.
"Ahem!"
Emperor Sandra, seated on the throne, couldn't help but cough lightly as Muria gradually looked his way. Although watching these great nobles make fools of themselves was amusing, he still had to maintain some decorum.
As the 154th emperor of the empire, Sandra held the highest authority but was often unhappy. The empire's long existence had led to complex entanglements of interests among various noble factions and military forces, causing him many constraints and concerns. Seeing Muria crush everything in his path naturally pleased him.
"Too bad!" Muria found that these guys reacted quickly. After crushing about thirty nobles' projections with his aura, it became useless as their true bodies had all teleported in.
"Muria Iapetos Elonsas greets Emperor Sandra!" Muria looked up at the highest point of the palace, his attitude neither humble nor arrogant, merely nodding slightly. He didn't think he needed to bow or kneel to this most powerful person in the world.
Such a scene made the eyes of the arriving great nobles flicker. Even those marquises whose projections had been crushed suppressed their anger because Muria's identity seemed intimidating.
"Congratulations on your triumph and for defeating that little princess, Titan and Dragon King's descendant, Muria!" Emperor Sandra didn't mind Muria's seemingly indifferent and somewhat proud attitude because there was no point in doing so.
"The rumors are true!"
The emperor's words, personally identifying Muria, made the empire's great nobles realize who stood before them. So, all the great nobles, regardless of their thoughts or willingness, had to wear warm and friendly expressions when facing Muria. This was a political stance.
If anyone showed hostility or malice towards Muria, even if the emperor ordered their entire family to be eradicated, it would be deserved. No force would help them, for this was an empire ruled by a royal family with Titan blood. Those who dared defy the Titans would surely die.
"Thank you! It's only with your help that I could win this battle!" Muria displayed unusual humility. Without the emperor's secret orders, he couldn't have reached Solos World. Moreover, he returned through a royal-controlled star gate. The Chris royal family had truly gone all out for him.
Muria naturally remembered these favors, intending to repay them generously in the future. Although his current power and influence were insignificant compared to the Uranos Empire's size, he had confidence that the Chris royal family would not regret their investment in him.
Then followed a series of superficial but polite mutual praises, led by Emperor Sandra and joined by the great nobles who seemingly forgot all that had happened. They politely and tactfully praised Muria, almost making him lose himself. Only Gladys' timely reminder brought him back to reality, and Muria returned the compliments.
Having served as the Grand Duke of the Lokman Kingdom, he merely had to slightly modify the praises he had once received and recite them.
After this mutually satisfying exchange, Emperor Sandra hosted a grand celebration banquet in his name, sparing no expense, showcasing the empire's opulence.
Once the banquet ended, Muria, along with his fleet, used the Deep Blue Chamber of Commerce's channels to embark on the journey back to Synapse.
While Muria didn't mind enjoying himself occasionally, he refused to indulge excessively.
"Muria!" As Muria's fleet traversed the spatial rift, a large white cat approached him.
"Yes, Troy, what's up?" Muria reached out to stroke its head, enjoying the familiar texture.
"I can't keep up with you anymore!" The pure white cat gazed at Muria with its cyan tiger eyes, showing undisguised disappointment. While being a soul-willed entity was significant, it wasn't enough in Muria's growing power structure.
As Muria's contracted partner, it could only watch as Muria led others into battle, staying behind to await the outcome, hurting its pride.
It was a legendary white tiger, a natural king of beasts, not a domesticated pet. Muria treated it as a pet in jest, but not taking it to battle was due to its insufficient strength.
"You're talking nonsense," Muria ruffled the white tiger's fur before smoothing it again. "In a few decades, you'll naturally advance to legendary status. What's the problem?"
"But by then, who knows how far you'll have advanced? The gap is already there and will only grow wider."
"Silly cat, what gap? I just ascended by devouring and merging with divinity," Muria laughed, scratching its chin. "If I had the means, I'd get some divinity for you too."
"By the time you have that ability, I'll already be legendary!" Troy purred contentedly.
"That's the spirit," Muria laughed. "Do you know my next plan?"
"What do you plan to do next?"
"Conquer all the frost giant tribes, unify them, and assist Claudia in becoming the true Frost Queen, living up to her title!" Muria's eyes glinted with determination. "So, there will be many wars ahead."
"You're helping that white dragon again? Expanding her power," Troy squinted in displeasure.
"Helping her is helping myself," Muria patiently explained. "No matter how strong she becomes, she'll obey my orders. What's hers is mine, and what's mine is still mine."
"I get it."
…
"Warning, detecting dense spatial fluctuations. A large number of high-energy unknown entities are about to breach Synapse's spatial maze!"
"Detecting the presence of Synapse's master, Muria. Matching residual aura... 100% match, confirming the master's return!"
"Detecting the aura of Synapse Central Intelligence Agency's Miles, matching..."
…
"Confirmed, the entities breaching the spatial maze are the Synapse's First Void Expedition Fleet. Alert lifted, welcome back, master, and Synapse's warriors!"
A series of urgent warnings rang in Mia's ears as she handled Synapse's affairs, leaving her stunned. Since the establishment of Synapse's magical intelligence system, it was the first time such warnings had been triggered.
However, hearing Muria's name brought a joyful smile to the dragonborn maid's face. She lifted her skirt and ran out of the central castle, issuing various commands to prepare for Muria's return.
"Mia, thank you for your hard work!" Muria said with a hint of guilt upon seeing the waiting blonde girl after disembarking from the void battleship.
In Synapse, Mia was an all-around administrator who could handle almost everything but couldn't manage anything completely. With Muria leading Synapse's legends on an otherworld expedition, all responsibilities had fallen on her shoulders. Muria could see the undeniable exhaustion on the dragonborn girl's face.
"This is my duty, Master Muria," Mia responded gracefully.
Just as Muria was about to speak, an inexplicable feeling surged in his chest. He looked up at the sky, and after a few moments, the legends who had disembarked from the void battleship, including Fiona and Frost Tooth, also looked up. The giants and chromatic dragons exchanged puzzled glances.
Seeing the legends look up, the giants, dragons, and Synapse residents followed suit.
Then, they saw the sky falling!
Or rather, from beyond the void, a massive creation was breaking through the world's barrier, descending into Erathia, and its landing spot was precisely where Muria stood in Synapse.
The colossal object, encased in endless fire, grew larger in the residents' eyes, bringing intense pressure and heat, like a falling sun.
"Cloud City!" Muria exclaimed in surprise, recognizing the descending marvel.
"Muria!" A furious shout echoed in the sky. A crimson streak of light separated from the colossal Cloud City, rushing straight at Muria.
Hearing the familiar male voice, Muria's smile froze. "Brother-in-law?! How is it you?!"
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