The conference room echoed with laughter as nearly everyone around the table wore amused expressions. To them, Elias Crowe’s proposal bordered on insanity. They had expected discussions about trade agreements, territorial expansion, or perhaps a merger between powerful business empires. Instead, they were being asked to wage war against the most feared military figure in Karethwyn. It sounded less like an alliance and more like collective suicide.Golden Marlon was the first to rise from his chair, still chuckling as he straightened his expensive suit. “What a complete waste of time,” he said, shaking his head. “I actually postponed an important weapons contract to attend this meeting. Had I known this was your grand proposal, I wouldn’t have bothered stepping foot in Ravenmoor.”Harry Blake also stood, lazily adjusting the cufflinks on his sleeves. “I have to agree. You’re asking us to gamble our families against the King of War. Even if victory is possible, the cost alone would crip

Jaden stepped out of the shattered conference room as though nothing extraordinary had happened. Behind him, the luxurious chamber was left in complete ruin, its expensive furniture reduced to splinters while Vin and Jin remained unconscious beneath piles of broken debris. Several guards stared at him from a distance, but not a single one dared to move. They had witnessed enough to understand that stopping the King of War was nothing more than wishful thinking. Jaden calmly adjusted the collar of his coat, slipped both hands into his pockets, and walked back toward the grand banquet hall with the same composed expression he had worn when he first arrived.By the time he entered the gala, the atmosphere had changed completely. The once lively hall was beginning to empty as influential guests slowly departed after concluding their private discussions. Elegant music still echoed through the ballroom, servants continued serving wine, and businessmen exchanged polite smiles, but Jaden’s sh

Several passing soldiers stopped to watch.Some even started placing friendly bets.Hope stared at the growing crowd before sighing once more.“This headquarters is becoming a circus…”Drax and Ares sat opposite one another.Their enormous hands clasped together above the table.Julie cleared her throat.“The rules are simple!”She pointed dramatically toward Drax.“On my left is the undefeated giant himself… Uncle Drax!”Several soldiers clapped.Julie immediately pointed toward Ares.“And on my right…”She paused for dramatic effect.“…the walking mountain… Uncle Ares!”Even louder cheers erupted.Julie looked between them before smiling mischievously.“Oh! I almost forgot.”She folded her arms.“Whoever wins…”“…becomes my favorite uncle.”Drax immediately grinned.“Hear that?”He looked confidently at Ares.“Don’t worry, Julie.”“I’ll win.”Ares burst into laughter.“The only thing this little man has been feeding you is fairy tales.”He flexed one arm casually.“I’m obviously the

Nobody joked this time.Within minutes, the group had assembled inside one of the largest conference rooms in headquarters.The atmosphere inside was completely different from the lively courtyard outside.A massive digital display covered nearly the entire front wall, while a holographic projector illuminated the darkened room with streams of blue light. Several intelligence files were already waiting to be presented.Seated around the long conference table were only five people.Jaden occupied the seat at the head of the table.Hope stood beside the presentation screen with her tablet.Kaiden leaned back lazily in his chair with his feet crossed.Drax rested both elbows on the table while maintaining an unusually serious expression.Ares folded his arms silently.The playful atmosphere from earlier had completely disappeared.Jaden looked toward Hope.“Begin the briefing.”Hope nodded.She tapped her tablet.Immediately, dozens of files appeared across the enormous screen.Satellite

Drax’s expression gradually stiffened.Jaden continued.“I know what happened after your fight with Michael Thornfell.”“You haven’t been yourself since then.”“You’ve avoided assignments.”“You’ve isolated yourself.”“You’ve trained harder than anyone else.”“But you’ve stopped trusting yourself.”Every word landed perfectly.Because every word was true.No one interrupted.Even Kaiden remained unusually quiet.Drax slowly lowered his gaze.The memory of his defeat still haunted him.He had been one of the strongest Warlords.A symbol of overwhelming strength.Yet Michael had defeated him decisively.That loss had shattered more than his pride.It had shaken his confidence.For weeks he questioned whether he was still worthy of carrying the title of Warlord.The silence stretched for several moments.Finally…He took a deep breath.Then slowly looked back at Jaden.“…I’m fine now.”Jaden studied him for a few seconds.It wasn’t a perfect answer.But it was enough.“Good.”He changed