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Since the establishment of the Devil Guild, the various measures of the Azure Empire had been continually challenged.

Especially their plans to eradicate the Dark Lords and fully unify the Eastern Shore. 

Now, these plans were utterly stalled. 

Every time the empire's army made a move, the Dark Lords would receive forewarning. 

This led the empire's leadership to suspect treachery within their ranks. 

Yet, upon thorough investigation, it wasn't as straightforward as suspected betrayal.

Furthermore, sustaining a war incurs enormous costs. 

Even though the Azure Empire boasts immense power, the Dark Lords are no pushovers. 

And the Heroes they recruit aren't fools either. 

Without proper compensation, how could these Heroes willingly risk their lives to hunt down the Dark Lords on the empire's behalf?

All these challenges had already given the empire's leaders headaches. 

And now, to make matters worse, someone dared to stir up trouble, aiming to establish a city under the Dark Lord's dominion. 

It was absolutely audacious! 

What next? Would they establish a kingdom once the city is built?

With malicious speculation, the upper ranks of the empire debated, eventually reaching a unanimous decision. 

They issued a concise and vehement command: "Assemble the Demon-Slaying Army. Target the Dark Lords. First target: the Abandoned Temple!"

Such a resolute order was rare. 

It bore witness to the determination of the empire's leadership. 

The subsequent rewards attached to the order — an array of rare materials, highly-valued magical knowledge, and the opportunity to become an official of the empire... 

These enticements drove many Heroes to the brink of frenzy.

They rushed to enlist, and in no time, a vast army was formed.

At this moment, within the royal city of the Azure Empire, at the residence of Lana Mokos...

A maidservant rushed in, informing the book-engrossed Lana·Mokos of the latest news. 

Lana merely lifted her gaze, placing the book on the table. 

A sardonic smile graced her lips as she remarked calmly, "Do you know? To me, the lot within the palace are nothing but fools." 

"Do you think a plan conceived by fools could ever bear fruit?" 

"From now on, don't bother me with such matters."

The maidservant nodded hastily before making her exit. 

However, once she had left, Lana Mokos's countenance turned decidedly frosty.

Swiftly, she left her residence, heading toward the dwelling of Master Bain. 

In no time, Lana Mokos encountered Bain, who was also on his way out. 

Bain jestingly said, "Lana, what's the hurry? This doesn't seem like the usual you."

"Mr. Bain, are you aware of the recent decision by the empire's upper echelon?" Lana Mokos inquired.

"You mean the empire's decision to assemble an army to, once again, combat the Dark Lords?" Bain queried, to which Lana Mokos nodded in affirmation.

Continuing, Bain expressed, "Lana, I understand your concerns. But I believe you're already aware of the crux. It's a transformative era for the world, and no one can halt it. The moment the Heroes and Dark Lords arrived, this change was set in motion."

"It's going to be a tumultuous struggle. Even if the Azure Empire stands mighty, it will, like the ancient kingdoms of yore, fade into the annals of history. Future generations might stumble upon its existence in old tomes or unearthed relics. And all they would do is sigh in nostalgia."

"All things are destined to perish. Such is the world's law. However, there's a way to alter that: by setting the rules oneself. But such power can only be wielded once you ascend as a deity."

"For now, Lana, that's all I have to say. I hope, the next time we meet, you'll have attained the stature of a deity."

Though Lana Mokos had myriad questions burning within her, Bain's final statement silenced her before she could voice any.

She quickly asked, "Mr. Bain, are you leaving?"

Bain nodded, "Yes, I've been in the Azure Empire for quite some time now. It's time for me to explore further. But before I leave, Lana, I have one last thing to say to you. Remember it."

"Please speak, Mr. Bain," Lana Mokos exhaled deeply, resigning herself to the reality of Bain's imminent departure.

"The world is vast. The Azure Empire is not its entirety, nor is the Easten Shore, not even the distant continents... You are a prodigious talent, the most gifted among all I've encountered. I hope your destiny lies beyond the stars."

With a smile, Bain gestured to the sky.

At that moment, an almost dreamlike panorama unfolded before Lana Mokos. 

A crimson sun swiftly descended, casting shadows across the horizon. 

The heavens then revealed a constellation of stars, each shimmering as if beckoning Lana Mokos.

"Mr. Bain..." Lana Mokos was awestruck.

All the pride and confidence she had gained from others seemed to dissipate in this singular moment.

"What kind of immense power is this?" 

"A deity?" The thought crossed Lana Mokos's mind, but she promptly dismissed it. 

Even a deity couldn't possibly command such power with just a mere gesture.

"And Mr. Bain is not a deity."

Noticing the perplexity in Lana Mokos's eyes, Bain chuckled, "Lana, there are things you're not yet ready to understand, which I cannot divulge."

"I hope you will take every adversary seriously from here on."

Fully grasping Bain's intention, Lana Mokos promptly nodded, "I will, Mr. Bain."

Bain responded with a nod, "Very well, until we meet again."

As Bain was leaving, Lana Mokos inquired once more, "Mr. Bain, is there anyone else with abilities like yours?"

"There once was, but not anymore," Bain looked back with a smile and a shake of his head.

He then turned away, departing from the capital of the Azure Empire.

This time, no one knew his destination.

Indeed, few truly understood Bain, many unaware that he was one of the Azure Empire's great scholars.

After Bain's departure, Lana Mokos returned to her residence and immediately summoned Elder Jode from the research academy, asking, "How's the production of the inferior Blood Source?"

"My Lady, we've produced approximately two hundred thousand drops," Jode promptly responded.

"Two hundred thousand... That should be nearly sufficient," Lana Mokos muttered to herself. 

She then addressed Jode, "Coordinate with the empire's higher-ups. The research academy is prepared to offer them unlimited access to our recent discoveries, including this batch of Blood Source. However, they must provide the corresponding resources in exchange. Also, they must ensure victory in this war!"

"But My Lady, the assets of the research academy..." Jode said hesitantly.

On the surface, the research academy appeared to be an official institution of the Azure Empire. 

In reality, it was entirely founded and controlled by Lana Mokos. 

Both she and Jode were intimately aware of its treasures. 

For instance, the teleportation Magic Circles scattered throughout the Azure Empire were masterpieces of the academy from many years ago. 

Beyond these portals, much of the academy's work focused on the research of elixirs and large-scale war machinery. 

Jode was uncertain how the Dark Lord's factions could possibly counter these revelations.

His hesitation was not born of sympathy for the Dark Lord's factions, but rather a clear understanding of the tight-fisted nature of the empire's elite. 

Extracting the desired resources from them would be like squeezing water from stone.

"If they refuse, I'll deal with them personally," Lana Mokos declared. 

"Furthermore, inform them that I will personally intervene in this war. I'm keen to see if these Dark Lords are genuinely formidable, or if our side is simply too inept. Also, one more thing: I lay claim to the Dark Lord from the Abandoned Temple."

Seeing the resolute determination in Lana Mokos's stance, Jode felt it fruitless to dissuade her further.

Upon leaving Lana Mokos's residence, Jode proceeded directly to the Imperial Council Hall, conveying Lana Mokos's intentions. 

The news immediately elicited excitement among many of the high-ranking officials. 

With Lana Mokos's support, victory in the upcoming war seemed assured. 

However, when considering the cost they would need to bear, their faces contorted in discomfort, and they began to deliberately change the subject.

Jode, conveying Lana Mokos's exact words, prompted another shift in their expressions. 

Reluctantly, they agreed with forced smiles. 

Yet, once Jode had departed, the top echelons of the empire reconvened to deliberate. This time, the topic was Lana Mokos herself.

"Why has Lady Lana decided to personally involve herself in this matter?" Someone inquired, but no answer was forthcoming. 

Within the power structure of the Azure Empire, the Mokos family was the royal house, ostensibly holding sovereign authority over the entire realm. 

However, the real reins of the empire were held by the upper echelons of the nobility.

Yet, Lana Mokos was an exception. 

While she generally kept her distance from the daily affairs of the Azure Empire, her influence was vast. 

It wasn't solely derived from the king's endorsement but also from the considerable power she had amassed behind the scenes. 

Equally important, she was exceptionally talented in her own right.

"How peculiar," someone finally remarked after a prolonged silence, stating what was obvious to all.