The Strongest War God

“Of course,” Xetsa Yeza’s lips curved into a slight smile as she readily agreed, her demeanor almost causing Braydon Neal to question her sincerity.

Fela Yengo’s anxiety surfaced.

“Divine Priest, you promised to cede half of your territory to the Young Divine Lord. Where does that leave me?”

“Don’t be naive,” Xetsa chided him calmly.

“The future accomplishments of the Divine Lord’s descendants won’t be confined by a mere dynasty. The Young Divine Lord has mastered the martial arts banished immortal. He’ll be the second Young Divine Lord in our martial civilization’s history, reigning over all realms and beings.”

Xetsa’s words ignited a spark in Fela’s eyes.

He grasped the implications behind her statement—the second Young Divine Lord, successor to the first Great Divine Priests of the Oracle Palaces, the true Lord of the Ruins.

At that moment, Fela understood the significance of Xetsa’s words.

And as Xetsa continued, her tone softened, “Relinquish the Zunde Royal Dynasty. In a century, the aging emperor of the Donta Imperial Dynasty will step down. The Oracle Palace will endorse you as the new emperor.”

“Really?”

Fela’s eyes gleamed with anticipation.

The difference between the lords of the Zunde Royal and Donta Imperial Dynasties was profound—the former held dominion over the skies, the latter over the earth, ruling over all territories within the ruins.

They were on equal footing with the Oracle Palace, commanding immense influence.

With Xetsa’s assurance, Fela harbored no objections.

Xetsa produced a map, delineating the Zunde Royal Dynasty with a red line.

“We’ll allocate half of the territory to the Young Divine Lord’s companions first. The remaining half will follow in two years.”

“Why?” Braydon frowned, puzzled by the delay.

“Consider it insurance against the Young Divine Lord’s potential flight during this interim,” Xetsa’s sweet smile masked her warning, her voice soft but firm.

“Are you in contact with the14th Oracle Palace?” Braydon’s inquiry was sudden.

Xetsa gave a slight nod.

The Oracle Palaces possessed a unique means of communication, allowing them to transcend worlds despite the ruins’ isolation.

Braydon immediately grasped Xetsa’s motive for preventing his escape.

She must have gleaned some information from the 14th Oracle Palace.

Sensing Braydon’s thoughts, Xetsa spoke gently, “Young Divine Lord, don’t fret. With your mastery of the martial arts banished immortal, though you hold the secrets of immortality, few are tempted. Many hold you in reverence.”

“Moreover,” Xetsa continued softly, “the Ancestral Land’s experts have already issued a warning on your behalf. As long as you remain within the ruins, none will dare to harass you.”

Braydon remained skeptical.

If all the denizens of the Oracle Palace were benevolent, then all the spirit beasts would be herbivores.

The truth was evident—Braydon had no choice but to heed the Oracle Palace’s call.

If he didn’t go, the Zunde Royal Dynasty would dispatch troops to Machusa and crush the Northern Army.

However, if he did go, there would be benefits.

This wasn’t a decision that required much thought.

“Rest for the day. We’ll depart tomorrow,” Braydon declared softly.

“I’ll accompany you,” Xetsa’s demeanor, though usually cool, softened with a smile directed at Braydon.

However, Braydon knew what Xetsa was thinking. It was obvious that she was trying to prevent him from running away.

If she wished to follow, so be it.

He proceeded to the city lord’s Mansion and issued a commanding summons, “Initiate the highest military assembly of the Northern Army. All hundred regimental commanders and ten lieutenant commanders must be present.”

“Yes, sir!”

The guard outside the door responded promptly.

Blake Matthews, Joshua Mandor, and Skylar Neal, representing the three Northern Army legions stationed in Jaa’ku, swiftly made their way to the meeting.

Frediano Jadanza, responsible for guarding Jaa’ku, remained stationed and was unable to attend.

After midnight, everyone had assembled, and Braydon took his seat in the meeting room, awaiting the arrival of the last three lieutenant commanders along with their 30 subordinates.

“Let’s begin the meeting. Henceforth, all matters concerning the Northern Army will be overseen by Deputy Commander Jadanza, with Skylar and Luther serving as assistants,” Braydon announced decisively.

Skylar expressed surprise, “Brother, are you returning to the outside world? Heather is due to give birth soon.”

“I wanted to, but circumstances have changed,” Braydon replied casually, his tone betraying little concern.

While many found it puzzling that Braydon, as a husband, wouldn’t rush to his wife’s side as she approached childbirth, those within the Northern Army understood that there must be a reason behind his decision.

Skylar’s expression darkened with anger.

“Brother, Heather’s pregnancy before marriage will undoubtedly invite gossip and rumors from outsiders.”

“Rumors?” Luther Carden interjected from his seat, his gaze sweeping the room.

“I’ve already ordered the Northern Army to set up ambushes. Anyone daring to besmirch the honor of the daughter of Hansworth will face ruthless punishment.”

“Heather carries a dragon and a phoenix in her womb. The boy will be the future young master of the Northern Army, while the girl will be the pearl of our people. Any insults against her will not be tolerated,” Luther declared with a steely resolve, his eyes flashing with a fierce determination.

Luther, overseeing the Northern Army’s covert operations, was well-versed in handling delicate matters.

He was prepared to take any necessary action to protect the unborn child—the future leader of the Northern Army—from any potential harm or slander.

It was widely acknowledged within the Northern Army that the Northern King’s judgment was infallible, and any stain on the child’s reputation was unacceptable.

Heather Sage, despite her hopes for her children to lead ordinary lives in the future, could not afford to take any chances, given the importance of her unborn child’s role as the future commander of the Northern Army.

In reality, perhaps Braydon’s concerns were unfounded, but it was better to err on the side of caution.

When King Braydon’s son was born, he was destined to inherit the mantle of Young Master of the Northern Army—an inheritance of his father’s legacy.

In due time, he would assume control of the Northern Army and its million-strong cavalry.

But for now, Braydon diverted the conversation away from personal matters within the conference room.

“I’ll be departing tomorrow. Tonight, we’ll seize control of half of the Zunde Royal Dynasty. We’ve already secured two of the 73 cities. As per our agreement, we require an additional 36 cities.”

“I’ll grant you half of the 73 cities of Zunde,” Xetsa responded resignedly. “That’s 36 and a half cities!”

“Make it 37 cities,” Braydon decided, wasting no time.

The pressing concern was how to conquer these cities swiftly.

Even deploying all ten lieutenant commanders of the Northern Army wouldn’t suffice to capture them all.

Xetsa, appearing disinterested, offered no further assistance beyond relinquishing the 5,000 miles of Zunde Royal Dynasty territory.

Braydon, sitting at the head of the table, eyed Xetsa discreetly, formulating a plan.

“Don’t look to me for help. I can’t provide any,” Xetsa rebuffed preemptively.

“Then provide me with 37 divine decrees,” Braydon demanded bluntly.

“What?!” Xetsa exclaimed in disbelief. “Do you think divine decrees grow on trees?!”

“I’ll leave with you once I’ve received the divine decrees,” Braydon insisted.

With the aid of the divine decrees, the Northern Army could assert control, compelling compliance from the aborigines.