Near the south border of the Scarlet Banes' territory.

It was already nighttime and the sound of Werewolves howling resonated with the calmness and tranquility brought by the night, a collective requiem to appease the Lunirich Gods. One Werewolf, however, was looking at the moon, sitting on top of a rock.

"Finally, the waxing gibbous came, the cycle should be back to normal" Alaric muttered.

Due to the Second Breath, the moon cycle was also disrupted.

But now that the first quarter has proceeded to the next phase, it should be normal now.

Even the level of moonlight energy in the air was increasing steadily.

Looking at his claws, he clicked his tongue seemingly in displeasure before he closed both of his eyes to savor the taste of the moonlight. Alaric meditated, his scorching energy swirled in a soft motion around the rock he was sitting on.

Moreover, his King Mark appeared, taking the darkest hue of crimson.

It was a darker crimson even compared to the Blood Moon King Mark.

As opposed to the energy, swirling around his King Mark—it swirled like a serpent around his claws instead—causing his sharp steel claws to gleam red. He groaned lightly but stayed full focus on his meditation.

Grabbing a mutated bull carcass on the side, he chomped on it while still meditating.

Half an hour passed silently, and his meditation was disturbed by the arrival of a Werewolf.

Opening his eyes, he saw an Alpha Werewolf kneeling before him.

"How is it?" He asked with a demanding tone. "Is the map of the old stayed consistent?"

Upon hearing this, the Werewolf with crimson tattoos all over his right arm, bowed deeper in response, "All of the packs had checked twelve landmarks and all of them are consistent. As expected, it was not exact, but we can still use the old map"

Pleased by this information, Alaric nodded and waved his hand to dismiss the Werewolf.

Since he is a Prince, there are about thirty packs under him.

Five of the thirty were considered as the inner packs, while the rest stayed as outer packs.

Of course, he had his own pack where he acted as the Alpha.

But it was not his pack's obligation to do the menial things, so they weren't here right now.

"Also, I'm here to inform you that the Dancing Stripes Pack is ready to commence their move, as Princess Selene was getting too impatient—even though the Honey Moon is not here yet," the Werewolf informed.

Nodding, Alaric devoured the mutated bull's corpse in mere seconds.

He then eventually came down from the rock, "I'll see it being done, you go on ahead,"

Moments later, Alaric arrived at the flat top of a rock formation.

Gathered there was a pack of twenty Werewolves—all bearing the fearsome aura of a ninth-rank realm. Like a uniform, these Werewolves also have a golden stripe on their left arm, and tail, a mark that showed them hailing from the Dancing Stripes Pack.

It was Princess Selene's direct pack, and they all seemed to be restless.

But that was natural for them as the Honey Moon was approaching.

Alaric scanned the crowd before his eyes landed on a peculiar, female Werewolf on the side.

He wasted no time in approaching her under the onlookers' gazes.

Unlike the other Werewolves around, she was the only one, who had two stripes on her left arm, and also a mark made of golden lines on her left shoulder. In addition to that—her furs were thicker on the neck and also around her breast area.

Just from the distinctive two stripes and mark, a Herald Mark, it was clear who she was.

She is Riona, the trusted Beta of the Dancing Stripes Pack.

"Riona," Alaric called and stopped before her. "I don't see Selene anywhere, where is she?"

Casting a glance at Alaric, Riona replied, "She's too unstable, so we left her behind"

"I see," Alaric nodded, expecting that answer before he looked around again.

As a Female Alpha who was also the Princess of the Honey Moon, Selene has no Luna since there are no male Luna. Because of that—whenever she was losing her sanity, there was no one who could help her calm down.

Alaric understands why Selene was left behind by the pack because of that.

"So, have you chosen the four Betas who would participate in the challenge?" He asked.

Upon hearing this, Riona who also acted as the Alpha's substitute nodded, "I heard there's an Anti-Werewolf amongst them and she's also the Female Alpha—so I will be going against that Werewolf. As for the other three, I already have the right people in mind"

Flicking her fingers, three other Werewolves came and stood beside Alaric.

Knowing that the challenge will be tough, the four Werewolves were all strong and unique.

"Garm will be facing Arnulf," Riona gestured towards a fierce-looking Female Werewolf with multiple scars marring her body. "She already fulfilled her third deed and because of that— the Honey Moon blessed her furs, runic power will not work on her. Garm is also the oldest, she wouldn't be out experienced by Arnulf"

Moving onto the Werewolf beside Garm, Riona continued, "Next one is Cassia,"

Contrary to Garm, Cassia was a small female Werewolf with an athletic build.

In addition to that, her claws were different than the others.

For some reason, her claws were longer and sharper, providing her with a long reach.

"Cassia was born unique, and her claws could tear through barriers. She would be facing the one called Gistella since that Werewolf was said to also be an Enchanter," Riona added—and there was only pride as she introduced these four Werewolves to Alaric.

Lastly, the third female Werewolf is an eerie one.

She looked young, at least the bearing she brings made anyone consider her to be young.

More importantly, her black furs were longer at certain parts, and they were swaying eerily.

Swaying as if they were underwater.

"For the last one we have Fiona," Riona introduced, and there was tenderness in her eyes as she looked at Fiona. "She's my daughter—and even though she's young, she would be more than enough to participate. Her unique bloodline will make her triumph, I'm sure"

Despite the disagreement, Alaric decided to trust Riona.

If she thinks her daughter would suffice then so be it.

"Kyran is the last one, right? He was not known well, there's limited information about him so are you sure you want to let your daughter, Fiona handle him?" Alaric asked, it would be very risky to let Fiona handle an unknown Beta. "It would be better to let Cassia handle Kyran,"

Upon hearing this, Fiona suddenly intervened, "Don't worry Your Highness, I will win,"

"In fact, let my fight against Kyran be the first one," She added confidently.

Riona smiled and rubbed her daughter's head gently.

'I have a bad feeling about Kyran. I should ask Leif if he knows more, about this Kyran,' Alaric pondered, but as he looked at Riona and Fiona silently—he shook his head. 'Selene's pack is stubborn, I doubt I could change her mind'

Deciding to remain silent, Alaric shifted his gaze elsewhere, "Okay, let's proceed,"

"I'll start the Pride Challenge, and you'll howl as loud as you can after I'm done," He added.

Meanwhile, back to Dargena City.

Rex was waiting for the installation of Kileena's Analyzer to be completed in silence.

He thought that it would be done in a minute—but it has been five minutes and the progress percentage was still about forty percent away—from being completed. Glancing to the side, Rex found Mavenna smiling and blushing alone like a mad woman.

"Hey, are you good? Did the effect from the collar still linger?" He asked in concern.

But this made Mavenna snap out of her dreamy stance.

Realizing that Rex was asking her a question, she quickly shook her head, "N- Nothing!"

"Don't mind me, my body is on fire! Eh? I mean my body is fine!" She added.

Upon hearing this, Rex frowned and wondered if he had broken Mavenna already, but that should not be the case considering that she was a Succubus. But then, his eyes shifted to the side when the gate of the castle wall was opened.

It was only then that he saw Kyran, and behind him was a group of Dark Elves.

Judging from their attires, they should be hailing from nobility.

"Your Majesty, do you have time to spare?" Kyran asked when he reached Rex.

...

Moments earlier.

"Follow me, we are going to meet the Emperor,"

Kyran was currently in front of the advanced teleportation formation place.

Before him was the group of Dark Elves, that had recently arrived at the city, and leading the group was none other than Bevryth. Since she was standing at the very front, the other Dark Elves must've been from the Aldri Family.

It had been arranged that the Aldri Family would come to the city when Bevryth got better.

Despite Kyran saying when she got better, he meant when she regained her consciousness.

He didn't care about Bevryth's mental condition.

Upon hearing that they were going to be brought to meet the Emperor, the Aldri Family could feel their heart sink to the pit of their guts. Even the notion of meeting the Emperor scares all of them, but they know that they should be safe.

"We're going to be fine. If Lord Kyran wanted us dead, he would've done so," Valthor assured.

Since his wife's condition was not good, he was taking charge of the family.

A couple of minutes later, they arrived in front of the castle's front.

Compared to the castle of the Dark Elf King or even the great tree, the Emperor's castle was much more grand with the weight of power. Even from the outside they could feel the power radiating from the castle was enormous.

Like a living entity, the castle was suppressing them heavily with its might. Read the latest on

"I must warn all of you," Kyran suddenly said. "How you act next determines all of your lives"

Upon saying that, he waved his hand, and the castle wall's gate was opened automatically.

Every single one of the Silverstar Pack's inner members would be recognized by the castle.

As the gate was opened, the entire Aldri Family could feel a cold wind rushing against them.

As though expecting them—the entire Aldri Family felt a choke of dread, when they were met instantly by a figure standing at the center of the bridge. One glance is all it takes for them to recognize the figure as the Emperor.

The Emperor held a collar chain attached to a dormant Succubus.

Even in her subdued state, Bevryth and the other Aldri Family members sensed her immense strength, possibly, even surpassing Bevryth's own. However—the Succubus was kneeling on the ground submissively before the Emperor.

Deg!

In addition to that, their hearts skipped a beat when the Emperor glanced over at them.

His crimson eyes were sharp—swirling with power, unmistakably marking him as the chosen one of this era. Even the aura his body emanates was overwhelming, a palpable force of the clear meaning of invincibility.

An aura of someone who stood at the peak of strength and killed countless powerful beings.

Despite Kyran already stepping inside, the Aldri Family stood paralyzed.

Before such entity who wielded so much power, they felt naked and minuscule like an ant.

Bevryth and the other Aldri Family members could tell that if Rex wanted to, he could destroy them without sparing another glance. Just then, however, Kyran pivoted and introduced, "I've brought you the Dark Elf Family who are seeking atonement,"

In the next instant, Valthor quickly grabbed Bevryth and headed over to Kyran.

Leading the entire family, he prostrates on the ground, "Greetings to the Emperor!"

"We come before you with deep regret and a heavy heart, seeking your mercy!" He added.

Upon seeing all of the Dark Elves prostrating on the ground before him—Rex turned his eyes towards Kyran, with a raised brow. In response—Kyran went over to whisper something, into his ears.

He did that knowing that Valthor was stealing glances at them.

Seeing the peculiar gaze Rex gave to them after Kyran's whisper, Valthor's heart pounded.

'W- What did Lord Kyran say to the Emperor...? It's... It's not a bad thing, right?'

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