My Celestial Ascension

Chapter 687 The Enemy Hideout

"They are hiding further inside the district. Everyone, prepare for any surprise attacks from the enemy!"

Emperor Philip gazed into the distance, his eyes sharp with determination. Drawing his weapon, he prepared to confront the members of the Golden Skull organization, unwilling to take any reckless risks.

As he surveyed the desolate remains of what was once a glorious district of the Imperial capital, a deep sorrow settled over him. Letting out a heavy sigh, he reflected on the destruction before him.

This is a grim reminder of how even the smallest spark can ignite a catastrophe, leaving behind scars not only on the land but also on the hearts and minds of its people.

"You have stolen my words, Your Majesty. We must not give them any chance to take us by surprise... You're wiser than I expected." Aisha smirked, unsheathing her sword and gripping it firmly. She cast a glance at Emperor Philip, a wide grin playing on her lips.

"Indeed. I concur, Your Highness!" King Richard added, drawing his own weapon and tightening his grip.

Prince Tristan, though primarily a mage and not skilled in close combat, also unsheathed his weapon—just in case. He had never been adept at handling sudden attacks.

However, after witnessing how Yuan and his wives effortlessly vanquished powerful monsters with sheer strength alone, he had resolved to train both his body and magical abilities, striving to become strong in all aspects.

'This is my chance to test how effective my training has been. Will I be able to stand against the members of the Golden Skull?' Prince Tristan swallowed nervously as the cold air sent shivers down his spine. The eerie silence of the place only heightened his unease.

"Magic Knights, stay vigilant as we enter the old noble district! The enemy could strike from any direction!" Emperor Philip commanded, his voice firm as everyone braced for battle.

"Understood!" came the synchronized response.

With that, the group marched into the deserted part of the city, moving cautiously through crumbling buildings and piles of rubble. The deeper they ventured, the stronger the unsettling feeling grew.

"This place is giving me the creeps..." Daniel muttered under his breath, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings.

"I know what you mean," Prince Tristan admitted with an awkward smile. He felt the same uneasy sensation creeping over him.

Daniel let out a small chuckle. "It's comforting to know I'm not the only one."

Tristan chuckled as well, the brief exchange easing some of the tension in the air.

After several minutes of walking, Aisha closed her eyes and activated her powerful detection magic, scanning the area for any signs of an ambush.

"I sense 20 guards stationed outside and another 80 resting inside that large villa. Be careful—those guards are armed with dangerous weapons radiating a strong aura," Aisha reported, pointing toward the massive structure in the distance.

Her expression grew more serious. "Furthermore, I detect five individuals who stand out the most. Each of them possesses an unimaginable amount of mana—it almost seems unreal."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Philip and King Richard immediately tensed, their expressions darkening as a heavy silence fell over the group.

"Five with immense mana... that sounds troublesome," King Richard muttered, his grip tightening around his weapon as he studied the looming villa.

"Indeed, it does," Emperor Philip agreed, a strange smile flashing across his face before he continued forward, his expression quickly turning serious again.

A few minutes later, they arrived at the ancient villa. The once-grand structure was now covered in vines, its surroundings abandoned and overgrown with wild grass, giving the entire area a haunting, desolate atmosphere.

Aisha, watching from a distance, smirked. "Impressive... For the king of a small kingdom, he's quite capable. He has potential."

Suddenly, another masked figure lunged forward, his movements swift and deadly. "You bastard! I'll kill you! Now die!"

His dagger gleamed as he rushed toward King Richard with alarming speed—

"Not on my watch! You'll be facing me!" Read exclusive chapters at My Virtual Library Empire

In a flash, Emperor Philip stepped between them, his sword slicing through the ground in a powerful arc. A deep cut stretched several meters across the battlefield, halting the masked individual's advance.

The enemy hesitated, gripping his dagger tightly as his voice wavered. "Move aside, or I'll kill you too...!"

Emperor Philip scoffed. "You think you have what it takes to kill me? Don't make me laugh, you damn criminal!"

Before the masked man could react, Philip launched a sudden, precise strike—catching his opponent completely off guard.

Slash!

With a single swift and deadly blow, Emperor Philip ended the masked individual's life in the blink of an eye.

Tristan and Daniel, still locked in combat against four enemies wielding immense magical power, looked on in shock at the sheer ease with which Philip had dispatched his foe.

After a fierce struggle, Tristan and Daniel finally managed to defeat their opponents. However, in the process, they had taken a few hits—fresh bruises now marked their faces from the relentless blows of the masked individuals.

In the end, they secured victory by driving their swords straight into their enemies' hearts, granting them a swift, painless death.

Aisha, watching from the sidelines, scoffed.

"They don't deserve to die so peacefully. They should have suffered before receiving death." Her voice dripped with disdain as she gazed down at the lifeless bodies scattered across the ground.

With an air of absolute control, she stepped forward, her calm expression unwavering. The atmosphere around her shifted—growing cold, almost suffocating.

Then, in a single breath, she whispered:

"Blank Clan's Sword Technique, First Form—Whispering Wind."

In an instant, Aisha vanished.

A split second later, she reappeared a few meters behind the remaining masked individuals. A soft click echoed as she sheathed her sword, releasing a quiet breath.

Thud. Thud.

One by one, the last standing members of the organization collapsed. Their bodies had been cleanly severed in half, leaving behind a sight so terrifying that even the onlookers struggled to process what had just happened.

Aisha turned slightly, glancing at the corpses with a smirk.

"These people were nothing but mere pawns—ridiculously weak! Yet, they carried themselves as if they ruled the world. How amusing." She let out a soft chuckle, unfazed by the carnage.