The Sovereign

Six years ago, to salvage the Vegas family from financial ruin and to repay the kindness of its patriarch, Dimitri Vegas, who had offered him shelter, Fugaku entered into a matrilocal marriage. He became the husband of Vior from the prestigious Diningrat family in the Northern region. He never suspected it was all a scheme, a cold-blooded plot by Vior to steal the Vegas family's business secrets. On their wedding day, Fugaku was subjected to inhuman cruelty. He was brutally beaten, poisoned, abducted, and cast into the unforgiving sea.

But fate was not done with him. Against all odds, Fugaku survived. He not only escaped with his life but was also inducted into Kastiya City's most enigmatic special forces unit: the Celestials. Forged in the fires of this new life for over two years, Fugaku was reborn—a stronger, harder man. He rose to become a warlord within the unit, revered as the leader of the Celestial Forces. He guarded Kastiya City, eradicating all who threatened it.

Now, honorably discharged from the service, the time had come to settle the debts of the past. Yet, amidst his thirst for vengeance, he never forgot the woman he had wronged. Back then, abducted and thrown into a derelict warehouse by the docks, he wasn't alone. Beside him was a beautiful, yet cold, woman who had also been captured. She had saved him, but his consciousness was a blur. He couldn't recall her name or her face, a frustrating void in his memory.

***

The sun blazed in a clear, beautiful sky, its heat radiating down with fierce intensity. At the airport, an atmosphere thick with tension hung over a veritable sea of people. A hundred thousand valiant soldiers of the Celestial Military stood in perfect formation, awaiting the arrival of the Warlord they revered as their leader.

"All units! Attention!" a commander’s voice boomed. Every soldier snapped to face Fugaku. "Salute!"

The sound of a hundred thousand hands striking their brows in unison echoed like a thunderclap, shattering the airport's silence.

Fugaku Meteor disembarked from his fighter jet, his stride unwavering as he walked past the endless rows of his soldiers. He gave a cold, sharp nod, returning their salute with equal precision.

An Audi sedan purred to a stop between the military ranks. The door opened, and a woman in a tight, black leather suit and dark sunglasses emerged. She removed her glasses, revealing a pair of crimson eyes that seemed to be filled with fresh blood. A faint yet potent aura of slaughter clung to her. But in Fugaku's presence, she was as docile as a servant. "Sir, we've found her."

"Good." Fugaku grunted, waiting for the rest of the report. The woman was Shilpy, his personal assistant.

"Her name is Aprilia. She works at the Central Building. Her identity has been intentionally concealed, so we don't have much more at the moment." Shilpy cast a timid, cautious glance at Fugaku. Seeing no reaction, she continued, her voice steady. "A month ago, that criminal was living in the Northern region before leaving Kastiya City. Her current whereabouts are unknown." "Vior Diningrat, of the Diningrat family, acquired the Vegas family's Martyr Company a few days ago and is now its new CEO."

"That is all, sir."

"Thank you." Fugaku nodded, then suddenly coughed. When he pulled his hand away from his mouth, it was stained with blood.

"Young Master, is the old ailment acting up again?" Shilpy quickly produced a handkerchief, her beautiful eyes filled with worry.

"It's nothing. Let's go to the Vegas estate." Fugaku waved her off and strode toward the Audi. Once inside, he fell silent. The scenery blurred past the window, but Fugaku's mind was adrift, his gaze distant.

Watching his somber expression, Shilpy sighed internally.

Compared to settling old scores, the Young Master is far more concerned with this woman named Aprilia.

Hours later, they arrived. "Young Master, we're here." Shilpy parked in front of a grand, modern villa on the outskirts of the city.

"Yes." Fugaku nodded but didn't immediately get out. He turned to Shilpy, his voice flat. "Continue investigating Miss Aprilia. I want a full report by tonight."

"Understood, Sir."

After exiting the car, Fugaku stood before the Vegas family gate, his gaze lost on something small within the courtyard. It was all so painfully familiar. "I wonder how Shanny is doing now," he murmured. The image of a lively young girl surfaced in his mind, and a rare, faint smile touched his lips. No one else could draw such a pure expression from him; only Shanny. She was Dimitri's daughter, the girl he had grown up with. If not for Vior, they would likely be married by now.

Shaking off the memory, he rang the doorbell.

Ding Dong…

No one answered.

Ding Dong…

He pressed it again. Still nothing. This was strange. The Vegas residence was never empty. He peered inside, but the villa was unnervingly still and silent.

"S-Sir…" Finally, after Fugaku's persistent ringing, a figure emerged. An old man, bent over and coughing, shuffled toward the gate.

"Anson." Fugaku greeted him with a smile. Anson was the Vegas family's loyal butler, devoted to Dimitri.

"You are?" Anson paused, his hand on the gate latch. He looked up, his eyes widening in disbelief. After a ten-second stare, he exclaimed, "You… Fugaku!" Then, his excitement curdled into grief.

"What is it, Anson?" Fugaku asked, his concern growing.

"Master, you've come too late…" Anson said sorrowfully. "I'm so afraid… afraid the Old Master won't make it."

The words struck Fugaku like a bolt of lightning from a clear sky. The smile on his face froze. Three seconds later, his expression twisted into a predatory snarl. Like a wild beast singling out its prey, he growled, "What happened to Father?" Dimitri had always been the picture of health. It had only been a little over two years. How could he be on death's door?

Just then, a woman with long hair in a white dress, her body sensually curved, approached with her arm linked through that of a handsome, brand-name-clad man. "Anson, who is this?"

As her eyes fell on Fugaku, her face contorted. She recoiled as if she'd seen a ghost. "You… Fugaku?"

"Shanny… It's been a long time." Fugaku instantly suppressed the murderous aura radiating from him.