Hero of Darkness

Kahn and Celine passed through the final door that emitted blinding white light when it opened after Celine used her blood. 

The last key was the Imperial bloodline and if not for her being present here… Kahn would've never been able to overcome this final hurdle. 

Behind them, all his subordinates and the hostage aka Ezekiel followed without making a sound. 

Finally… Kahn and Celine passed through the white fog-like light and saw the new surroundings that they both knew was coming based on the experience from the previous two doors. 

But after they saw the scenery… both of them were left speechless on the spot. 

A vast and flourishing land with luscious greenery. And in the middle of it… was a ginormous castle that was the biggest construction Kahn had seen in his new life yet. 

This ginormous castle located at the hillside region, covered in white clouds seemed so pristine and heavenly that even Kahn was rooted on the spot as he admired a marvel of architecture. 

At the front before even the castle's perimeter began, was a gigantic statue of an angel that almost seemed like a living person. 

"So this is it… the Imperial family was behind the forbidden region all along." spoke Kahn as his assumption was finally solidified after he looked at the Imperial family's crest in the front of the castle. 

After traveling for nearly an hour, they finally reached the gate and again, Celine used her blood to open it while Kahn did the heavy lifting of pushing the massive metallic gate. 

This place… was only meant for saints of the Imperial family to enter as far as he could tell. 

After both of them ventured inside the now dilapidated yet still very majestic castle… they saw the massive statues and halls that were made of pure gold and rubies. 

There were so many jewels spread across the hall that Kahn couldn't even fathom the total wealth. 

[I hope Smaug isn't the dragon guarding this place.] thought Kahn and traveled along with Celine.

However, both of them had a job to do so they carried on with their journey.  Panda Novel

[Alright… grab it all.] said Kahn and Blackwall, Jugram and Oliver appeared out of his shadow and quietly hid themselves in these small peaks of unbelievable richness. 

Afterward, they took out hundreds of high-grade space rings and started pulling in all of the goods as soon as Kahn and Celine went to the deeper halls. 

Both of them spent hours going through different halls, rooms and even basements that were filled with ancient artifacts, gold coins, rubies, diamonds and even crests full of epic rank armors and weapons. 

Yet there seemed to be no end to this palace that was filled with things left by the Imperial family. 

And when they finally walked down to the bottom floors of the castle… they finally found an underground terrain that looked like ancient ruins. 

"It's too big. We need to separate from here on, otherwise we won't be able to find the tablet in due time." said Kahn as he looked at Celine. 

Celine nodded and just as Kahn turned around to leave… 

STAB! 

A blood-red blade stabbed right through his heart and the one to do it was none other than Celine. 

Blergh! 

Kahn coughed up blood as his body dropped on the ground. 

"Why?" he asked with a horrified expression. 

"Sorry, mister Salvatore… you were never supposed to see this place. It was one thing if you managed to assist me in beating some strong opponent. But now I think that you've outlived your usefulness… it's time for you to close your eyes." spoke Celine with a lifeless expression. 

After a minute… Kahn's struggling figure stopped moving and he closed his eyes for the last time. 

And once again… Kahn was betrayed by those who were supposed to be his allies. 

----------------

20 DAYS AGO

In the main meeting hall of the Armitage Clan headquarters in the capital Rathna… Celine stood in front of her father, a pure demonkin and 6th stage saint archer. 

"Celine… you know what you have to do, right?" asked her father, Walter Armitage. 

"Yes, lord father. I shall be the one to get the tablet no matter what." she replied. 

"Now that Kassandra Mikealson is out and Victor Apopis is on the run… It leaves only Nabi and Salvatore. 

Ezekiel Nabi is just another sheltered brat despite his talent in magic… but Kahn Salvatore poses a big threat to all of us.

And since it was Kassandra who seduced Kahn Salvatore and brought him to their side, we really can't afford for him to be the one to retrieve it. 

And if the rumors are right… then he too is a descendant of the Imperial bloodline." he spoke with a somber expression. 

"If the tablet is retrieved by him, Damon Mikealson will be the one to become the next faction leader. 

And Salvatore will be wed into their clan. He will be protected by them and with the bloodline of the First Sage in the play… Kahn will have the claim to the throne of the Rakos Empire. 

The Mikealson Clan will push the entire neutral faction for it and there will be a war just like 100 years ago. 

This time… even we won't have any merit despite your bloodline. So of all people… Kahn Salvatore must be killed when you're in the forbidden region." said Walter Armitage in an authoritative tone. 

"I understand, lord father." spoke Celine and bowed respectfully. 

Since the Emperor's Chosen competition… Celine was overshadowed by both Kahn and Kassandra. 

One was the strongest semi-saint of the youngest generation while the other one was the strongest mage of them all among their peers.

While their name spread across the masses and they gained more fame and acknowledgment from the whole empire… 

Celine's name faded from the topic of discussion and once the most talented swordsmaiden who had been the center of attention from the entire capital, her clan and the three factions was now tuned into… 

A Nobody.