The Invincible Full-Moon System Chapter 1778: Shattered Peace

Rex rested in the shallow waters, his head pillowed by Nivellen’s lap.

Though he had regained his composure through her presence, he chose to linger in the stillness for a few moments more.

The realm was draped in a muted, desaturated haze, providing a sanctuary of perfect isolation.

There was no immediate pressure to return; Linthia was capable of holding back the voidal monsters for a short while longer. Furthermore, his companions were just as drained as he was. This brief respite was a necessary mercy for them all to recover.

The trials, after all, were far from over.

"So, that is the sequence of events..." Nivellen murmured softly.

Rex had been recounting the components required for the antidote, specifically the arduous journey to claim the Phoenix Feather—the most elusive of all his objectives. He had intentionally omitted the most brutal details to spare her feelings, but she seemed to see through his censorship.

"You have endured so much," she said, her fingers gently threading through his hair. "It pains me that you had to suffer such trials."

"I've grown accustomed to it," Rex replied, keeping his eyes shut.

"That is not a burden one should ever grow used to," Nivellen sighed, her heart aching that he had become desensitized to agony that would break any mortal. "You must rest when the opportunity arises. Whenever the urgency fades, you should cherish the silence."

"Haah..." Rex let out a heavy breath. "That's easier said than done. My mind doesn't have an off-switch."

As much as he craved mental peace, it felt like an impossible luxury.

With adversaries lurking in every shadow, even a second of relaxation could be a fatal opening. He remembered how Kaiser had struck just as he felt he had finally achieved victory.

It was a treacherous move, especially since Kaiser had bestowed power upon a creature that wasn't even a werewolf.

The ambush had caught Rex completely off guard.

"Regarding our enemies, how was Kaiser able to interfere with the mortal realm again? I assumed the assault led by the Yule Moon Lunirich God had already violated the laws of the world."

"The laws vary between realms. In this specific domain, Kaiser and the other Lunirich Gods are not bound by those restrictions."

"I... I understand now."

It was as he suspected; the distinction between the Mortal Realm and the Spirit Realm involved more than just geography.

The complexities were far greater than he had anticipated, a detail he had dangerously overlooked.

Rex considered drifting back into his thoughts under Nivellen’s soothing touch, but a sudden memory spurred him to speak. Mentioning the different planes reminded him of the intelligence provided by Princess Davina.

"Tell me... I’ve heard rumors that the Chaos Realm has become active recently," he remarked.

At those words, Nivellen’s expression flickered, and her hand momentarily froze.

She recovered her mask of calm almost instantly, trying to appear as though the mention of that place didn't affect her.

"Are you still... hesitant to discuss the Chaos Realm?" Rex asked, his face showing genuine worry. He feared she might still be haunted by the scars of Chaos Corruption. "If it still causes you pain, I won't bring it up again."

"No, it isn't that..." Nivellen offered a soft smile. "What was it you wished to know?"

Rex paused for a moment.

Encouraged by her response, he continued. "The Black Rift that tore through the Spirit Realm originated from the Chaos Realm. Now, Chaos Phantoms are manifesting throughout the Mortal Realm. I can't help but wonder... what is the true nature of the Chaos Realm? Is it merely a domain of twisted creatures?"

Despite the cryptic hints from the System, his personal encounters with Chaos Spawns, and the reports from Princess Davina, the core of the Chaos Realm remained an enigma.

He understood its outward symptoms, but not its heart.

Specifically, he sought to understand the motivation behind its aggressive expansion into other worlds.

"I am unable to provide that answer."

"Unable? You mean you know the truth but are forbidden from sharing it?"

"Yes," Nivellen admitted with a regretful nod. "If I were to reveal even a fraction of its nature, I fear the entities within would be drawn to you. For now, concentrate on your Cultivation and the accumulation of divinity. When you are truly prepared, I will tell you everything."

Rex draped an arm over his eyes, processing her warning.

"And what of the Dame of Snow? If she is an ally, her assistance could be invaluable. Do you know her identity?"

"I believe you will encounter her soon enough."

...

Elsewhere, within the Tomb of Heroes.

Princess Davina sat upon the central dais, flanked by four towering statues.

She had already organized a transport and an escort to take April to a healer for urgent care. Regardless of her own opinions, April's well-being was a priority—she knew Rex would expect nothing less.

Now, she remained in wait.

Rather than heading back to report the events of the tomb, she chose to stay behind.

She had recently established contact with Duke Lorcan and learned that both he and Emperor Dominar were currently en route to her location. A powerful interference had previously severed all communication, preventing them from finding her sooner.

Meanwhile, the soldiers were meticulously scouring the area.

They searched for any tangible evidence that could prove an Angel had been present.

Their efforts were in vain.

Empress Morgana had thoroughly erased every lingering trace of Angelic Qi.

"The carriage driver is the only witness I can offer," she sighed, gazing toward the horizon and wondering if Rex had found safety. "Even if they doubt the involvement of an Angel, the Empress will undoubtedly be the primary suspect."

Swish—!

Three blurs of light tore through the Black Rift and materialized nearby.

Princess Davina rose to her feet, recognizing two of the arrivals immediately.

Bam—!

Duke Lorcan touched down heavily and sprinted toward his daughter, his face etched with anxiety.

"Daughter!" He gripped her shoulders, his eyes scanning her for any signs of injury. "Are you unharmed? Did they hurt you?"

"I'm perfectly fine," she said with a reassuring smile. "I wasn't caught in the crossfire. There's no need for alarm."

"Nonsense!" Duke Lorcan barked, pushing back his sweat-soaked hair in a fit of stress. He had pushed himself to the limit to reach her through the Black Rift, his breath coming in ragged gasps. Having recently lost two sons, the prospect of losing her was more than he could bear. "I couldn't reach you for hours! How could I not be worried?"

"Alright, I understand. I didn't realize the distortion was that severe," she said, raising her hands in a placating gesture. "But truly, I am safe."

Emperor Dominar stood behind the Duke, allowing the father and daughter their moment.

Kaine, meanwhile, had moved to interrogate the soldiers on site.

His sharp gaze swept over the ruins, absorbing every detail of the battlefield.

Finally, Emperor Dominar stepped forward.

He moved with a ghostly, effortless grace—a motion that seemed more like a silent glide than a physical walk.

"Your Majesty..." Princess Davina offered a respectful bow and curtsy.

"Are you truly well, Princess?" he inquired with calm authority. "I can provide healing if you have sustained any injuries."

"It is unnecessary, Your Majesty. I arrived after the main conflict, so I remained out of harm's way," she answered honestly.

Emperor Dominar nodded, his eyes drifting to the massive destruction scarring the landscape—the clear remnants of a high-level battle. "Can you explain what transpired here, Princess?"

"Yes," Princess Davina replied without hesitation. "The Empress happened."

The Emperor’s brow twitched into a frown. He hadn't expected such a blunt, unwavering accusation.

She spoke with absolute conviction.

She was certain that Empress Morgana was the architect of this devastation.

Princess Davina recounted the details: the agreement between Rex and the Empress, and her own advice to meet at the Tomb of Heroes for the exchange. She noted that while Rex’s Qi signature was all over the site, he was nowhere to be found.

The conclusion was obvious: he had been lured into a trap.

Since Emperor Dominar had never met Rex, Davina emphasized her ability to recognize his specific energy. Duke Lorcan confirmed her claim, noting that he too could sense Rex's lingering life force.

Yet, the most disturbing part was that only Rex’s signature remained.

Despite the clear evidence of a duel between two combatants, only one trace was left behind.

"And what then?" Emperor Dominar pressed. "If this is true, what motive would the Empress have? Why seek the death of this... Rex? She possesses vast wealth. She would not commit such an act for a mere Phoenix Feather or a demonic blade."

The Emperor was still attempting to rationalize the Empress's actions.

It was a predictable reaction.

"I cannot be certain of the motive, but I am convinced an Angel is involved," Princess Davina declared.

This revelation finally shattered Emperor Dominar’s composure.

He usually maintained an air of detached superiority, but this claim visibly shook him.

"An Angel...?"

"Yes. I have a witness. From his testimony, it appears an Angel has infiltrated our realm. Your Majesty knows that Rex is an outsider from the Mortal Realm. It is possible Angels dwell there, and one may have followed him with a grudge."

Emperor Dominar’s posture turned rigid.

A slight tremor ran through him before he slowly turned his head.

His eyes locked with Kaine’s.

It appeared that Kaine’s previous suspicions had been correct all along.

It was a known secret to the Emperor and Kaine that Empress Morgana carried the bloodline of Angels, which only served to validate Davina's theory. The bond of Angelic kin is powerful; if Angels from the Mortal Realm reached out, she would answer.

This explained the current crisis.

Morgana was not one to act without a calculated reason.

A directive from a pure-blooded Angel would be more than enough to command her loyalty.

"Your Majesty," Kaine spoke up, his gaze piercing. "I discovered a concealed chamber within the treasury that I believe the Empress constructed. It likely served as a sanctuary for this Angel. This cannot be overlooked. She has betrayed your trust for the sake of her own race."

"She..." The Emperor took a step forward, his voice a low, dangerous growl. "She sold out the Empire for her kin."

While the logic was sound, the reality of the betrayal seemed to hit Emperor Dominar with unexpected force.

Duke Lorcan and Princess Davina assumed his distress stemmed from his affection for the Empress.

Kaine, however, understood the deeper horror.

This event confirmed a terrifying truth: the Emperor’s mystical connection to the land itself had been corrupted. His reaction wasn't born of heartbreak, but of the realization of a fundamental violation.

The source of wisdom he had relied on his entire life had been compromised.

The land had been the one to whisper that he should make Morgana his Empress.

That whisper had been a lie from the start.

Now, he was haunted by a single thought: who could be trusted if even the earth beneath his feet had turned against him?

"Very well..." Emperor Dominar finally spoke with a sharp nod, looking back at Kaine. "You are tasked with locating the Empress. Bring her before me. I demand to hear the truth from her directly. Use whatever means are required to secure her return."

"Your Majesty..." Princess Davina stepped forward, her expression pleading.

"Yes," Emperor Dominar acknowledged. "You have my permission to mobilize the imperial forces to find your fiancé."

"My deepest thanks, Your Majesty," she bowed.

With those few words, the fragile peace of the Empire was torn asunder, signaling the start of a great upheaval.