Chapter 77 – The Birth of Legends
The world could not remain silent.
The events of the past week had shaken the foundations of power itself. The empire, once the undisputed ruler of the continent, was now in crisis. The balance between kingdoms had been broken. And at the heart of it all were two individuals who had defied everything.
Leonhardt Valerian Everhart, the Empire's Betrayer.
Aetheria Nyx Lunaris Solis, the Ruler of Night.
Their names had already become legend.
But legends were never simple.
They could be worshipped.
They could be feared.
They could be hated.
And in this moment, the world was struggling to decide which they would be.
The Empire's Official Decree
A hush fell over the imperial court as the emperor stood.
His expression was unreadable, his golden eyes cold as he looked down at his gathered nobles.
"Write this down," he commanded.
A scribe immediately dipped his quill into ink, hands trembling as he prepared to record the emperor's words.
"Leonhardt Valerian Everhart is no longer a citizen of this empire."
The court stilled.
"He has betrayed his home, his family, and his duty." The emperor's voice was calm, yet merciless. "For the sake of a woman he refuses to name, he has cast aside the empire that raised him."
The nobles shifted uncomfortably.
They knew who she was.
The entire world knew.
She had made sure of it.
And yet, the emperor refused to speak her name.
He would not acknowledge the woman who had made even kings bow.
He would not give her more power than she already had.
"From this day forward, he is no longer recognized as a member of the Everhart family."
The scribe nearly dropped his quill.
Disowning Leonhardt was one thing.
But erasing his very existence?
The emperor glanced at the Grand Duke, whose face remained stone-cold. His father had already made his decision.
Leonhardt Valerian Everhart was gone.
Only the Betrayer remained.
The Nobles' Reactions
The news spread like wildfire through the noble houses.
Some rejoiced.Some despaired.
But all were shaken.
Leonhardt had been the empire's greatest genius, a future Grand Swordmaster, a 9th-class magician at the age of seventeen.
And they had cast him aside.
"Madness," Duke Reinhardt muttered, swirling his wine. "The boy was worth more than entire kingdoms."
A marquis scoffed. "Then why did he throw it all away?"
Silence.
Because no matter how much they hated to admit it, the answer was simple.
Because of her.
The Daughter of the Sun God.
The Night's Queen.
The woman who had made the world kneel.
She had claimed him as hers.
And now, he belonged to no kingdom but her own.
The Grand Duke's Family – Unspoken Pain
The Everhart estate was silent.
Not a single servant dared to speak.
The air was heavy, thick with unspoken words.
The Grand Duke sat in his study, staring at the letter in his hand—the official decree erasing his son's name.
His wife stood near the window, her gaze fixed on the moonlit sky.
Their remaining children stood outside the room, listening but unable to enter.
Finally, the youngest daughter whispered.
"…Will he ever come back?"
Her voice was barely audible, but their mother heard her.
A deep sigh.
"…He has already made his choice."
The younger brother clenched his fists. "He abandoned us."
The mother turned her gaze to him, her expression unreadable.
"…Then why do you look like you're about to cry?"
His body tensed, his jaw tightening.
Because he had lost the one brother he had always admired.
But he would never say it.
The Common People – A Divided Nation
The commoners spoke in hushed voices.
At every tavern, every market, every street corner, there was only one topic.
Some called him a traitor.
Some called him a fool.
Some called him a legend.
But one thing was clear—no one could ignore him.
"He abandoned the empire for a woman?!"
"Do you think he's in love?"
"Who cares about love? He had everything!"
"But isn't she the Daughter of the Sun God? Maybe he's not the fool—we are."
"Didn't you hear? He's stronger than the Grand Duke now."
"…Stronger than the Grand Duke?"
"Not just that. They say he's close to becoming a Grand Swordmaster."
A hush fell.
The Grand Duke was the strongest human alive. The only one closest to reaching the peak of swordsmanship.
If Leonhardt had surpassed him…
Then what was he now?
And if he truly became the first Grand Swordmaster…
What would the empire do then?
The Other Kingdoms – Calculating the Future
The Kingdom of Aurion had grown silent.
No messengers were sent.
No war preparations were made.
Because there was no need.
With Aetheria Nyx Lunaris Solis standing at their helm, no empire or kingdom would dare to attack.
But the other kings of the continent were not so calm.
They gathered in secret councils, whispering their fears and calculating their next moves.
"The empire has made an enemy out of its strongest warrior."
"The Night's Queen is untouchable. No kingdom dares to challenge her."
"So… where does that leave us?"
Silence.
Because no one knew the answer.
They could only watch as the world changed around them.
And pray that they wouldn't be the next to kneel.
A Legend in the Making
The world now had two legends.
One was the Night's Queen, the future goddess who had forced all to bow.
The other was the Betrayer, the man who had defied fate itself.
Their paths had merged.
And now, the world could do nothing but wait.
Because this was no longer a story of kings and empires.
This was the beginning of something greater.
Something that would be remembered for eternity.