The Conquerors Path Chapter 971 - 969-Lets Dance!

Eleanor remained suspended in the air, her movement restricted on all sides. The collective gaze of the Imperials was fixed intently on her, yet she only responded with a smirk. As she calmed her mind to analyze the predicament, the lead Elf suddenly broke the silence.

"Remarkable. What sort of monster have you fostered?"

The Elf’s inquiry left Eleanor momentarily confused until he manifested an orb before her. Her eyes widened as the vision within revealed Austin’s battle. He was locked in combat with a massive warrior, matching him blow for blow. No, Eleanor realized as she looked closer—Austin wasn't just matching him; he was dominating the entire exchange.

"Just so you are aware, your disciple is currently engaged with the named Juggernaut of this generation," the Elf added.

Eleanor’s shock quickly transformed into a surging tide of pride that swelled within her chest. That wasn’t merely her student; that was HER man down there, asserting his dominance over the world. A fleeting spark of possessive jealousy flickered through her seeing him shirtless, but she suppressed it immediately, refusing to show any weakness to the Elf.

A gentle smile touched Eleanor’s lips as Austin’s previous promise echoed in her thoughts.

<I will become worthy enough to be with you, strong enough to hold the world with you....>

Those words always brought her warmth, and seeing Austin now, crushing his peers and defying the world, she felt that the day he would hold the world for her was fast approaching. This realization filled her with a profound heat, and her love for him acted as an anchor, washing away the suffocating pressure of her current captivity.

However, Eleanor’s expression soon turned cold and ruthless. The Elf remarked again, "He is contending with him using nothing but raw physical strength..."

As the Elf muttered this, he observed Eleanor’s proud smile, his mind racing. Though his face remained a mask of indifference, he was internally stunned. He was witnessing something that should have been impossible: a human who appeared to possess no weaknesses whatsoever.

The thought took root in the Elf’s mind as he spoke, "You truly have raised a monster."

"No, I merely provided the proper guidance. Everything else, he forged into his own legacy," Eleanor replied casually. Her focus remained on Austin, while a deep, bubbling killing intent and desire burned in her soul. She understood the mechanics of this conflict, but the War Council's intent to harm Austin terrified her. She knew he would be viewed as a significant threat to their order.

A flash of ruthlessness crossed her features. She realized she might have to risk everything in a final, destructive gamble to break free. The weight of that decision made her tremble momentarily, but she steadied herself. On the surface, she appeared composed, but internally, she was gathering her power for one ultimate explosion.

That singular intent burned deep within her.

....

"Oh? Now this is getting interesting," the Elf noted.

The attention of every Imperial shifted toward the carriage that had just touched down. Eleanor’s eyes burned a manic blood-red when she saw Austin being barred from his own home—a place that was his by right of inheritance. To her, there was no greater insult.

"How dare you... HOW DARE YOU!?"

Eleanor’s scream sounded as if it were torn from the pits of hell, vibrating through the heavens. Yet, before she could strike, a different scene unfolded. Austin didn't lose his temper. He didn't scream. Instead, he summoned his grandfather!

The Elf’s lip twitched at the sight. He understood Max Lionheart’s true standing better than most. While the world saw him as the greatest General, his hidden status granted him authority that could override many laws during times of war—and war was looming. Provoking such a man was a tactical nightmare for anyone.

Just as the Elf considered granting Austin entry—his mind weighing the boy's potential—something shocking occurred. Austin produced two stones. The moment they appeared, every Imperial felt a cold shiver run down their spine. To a commoner, they looked like ordinary pebbles, but the survival instincts of these masters, honed through countless life-and-death struggles, screamed a different message.

Mortal danger!

Before their eyes, Austin crushed the stones. A brilliant golden radiance erupted, blinding everyone, including the Imperials. Even the watching princess was stunned, a wry smile forming on her face as she recognized exactly what those items were.

...

Austin POV:

What is the most appropriate reaction to this mess?

In truth, there isn't one perfect answer because the situation is layers deep in complexity. My master, Eleanor, is currently paralyzed by the law. This is because any Cultivator who ascends to the Imperial realm must swear an oath to defend the realms when summoned.

Originally, it was a simple vow intended to maintain peace and foster unity. However, over time, as the thirst for control grew, the meaning of the oath was corrupted. The War Council claimed the authority to intervene wherever 'corruption' was found, turning any internal dispute into a matter of national security.

When they invoke this, Imperials bound by the oath are forced to stand down. They must watch as the War Council 'rectifies' the situation in the name of the realm. What began as a noble protection has been warped into a political shackle.

There is no escape from it. The War Council monitors everyone who reaches the Imperial realm, forcing them to take the vow. To refuse is to be branded a traitor to the very land of your birth.

It is a perfect trap—a set of invisible chains. While there are some legal protections against total slavery, the Council can be devastating when they play their cards as they are doing now.

Eleanor cannot interfere because the War Council’s actions are technically legal. Since they’ve declared a state of emergency, her stepping in would be seen as an act against the realm itself. Granted, if the Council fails to prove any corruption exists, the backlash they face will be catastrophic.

But so far, this strategy hasn't failed them once.

I contemplated this as the golden light enveloped me. My mind worked at high speeds, mapping out various strategies. Honestly, I knew that if I just talked my way through it—mixing some subtle displays of power with political maneuvering—I could resolve this peacefully. I have enough social and personal influence for that.

But I am absolutely livid.

I’m tired of one problem after another being shoved in my face. More importantly, seeing what’s happening in the sky makes my blood boil. My master, my lover—the woman I cherish—is being held like a prisoner in the clouds, unable to move. I can sense what she’s planning, too; she’s preparing a suicidal move just to save me. She’s ready to die for me.

Furthermore, these people have invaded my home, my association, where I am the Young Master. They’ve broken in and are treating me, the rightful heir, like a stray dog at the gate. I am beyond pissed. I want to thrash every single one of them. I want to cave their faces in. Will this cause more problems?

Without a doubt, yes. 100%.

Do I care? Not even a little.

Can I fix the aftermath? Definitely.

I smirked. Some might remember that back at the academy, I used a Dragon God’s arrow to take down Xavier—an item from a dangerous inheritance. That arrow nearly killed me, but it wasn't the only treasure the Dragon God left behind. There were several trials with unique rewards, and I am the only one who cleared them and lived.

The stone in my right hand grants me power equivalent to a level 3 Dragonoid. To ensure my Dantian and body don't shatter under the pressure, I'm using the stone in my left hand—a rare artifact designed to stabilize that power so I don't implode. Once the effect wears off, I'll be perfectly fine. Both are gifts from the Dragon God.