Ex rank talent Awakening: 100\% Dodge rate-Chapter 175 - : HIDDEN UNDERGROUND BASE

Emperor Augustus stepped down from the royal carriage, the ornate wheels grinding to a halt on the polished stone tiles of the imperial courtyard. Cloaked in flowing robes that shimmered under the light of the twin suns, his presence alone demanded reverence. His knights, generals, and ministers instantly fell to one knee, their heads bowed in absolute deference, not daring to raise their eyes to meet the emperor's.

The minister of war, a man whose eyes had aged more from sleepless nights than from years, took cautious steps forward. "My lord, how was the peace talk?" he asked with a trembling voice, the weight of uncertainty hanging thick in the air. His heart pounded within his chest. He already knew the answer wouldn't bring peace.

"The war has been delayed for now," Emperor Augustus said, his tone flat yet commanding. "Our current priority is our final stand against the demons. In two days, the decisive battle will commence. But make no mistake—the dispute with the other nations remains unresolved. A continental war is still imminent. Once the demon invasion is crushed, we will face them. Use the time we have wisely. Prepare."

The minister of war bowed deeper, his shoulders trembling. "At once, my lord," he said, quickly stepping away, relieved to have survived another moment in the presence of his emperor.

From the side, Prince Jason stepped forward. "Father," he said with reverence, bowing his head with admiration and respect.

"My son," Augustus responded, his voice still ironclad. "Come. We have words to exchange."

Without another glance at the gathered officials, Emperor Augustus turned and walked with poised authority toward his private quarters. Jason followed closely, flanked by the elite imperial guards whose every step echoed precision. The other ministers lingered behind, whispering among themselves, aware that the emperor no longer cared for their counsel. They were tools—useful only until they weren't.

Inside the grand chamber, the emperor gestured sharply. "Come with me."

Jason obeyed, stepping into the dimly lit room. A cool breeze flowed from the enchantments lining the walls, carrying the scent of ancient incense. The guards sealed the entrance behind them, leaving father and son in isolation.

Emperor Augustus sat gracefully on the edge of his bed, his posture relaxed yet emanating complete dominance. "Now," he said, eyes gleaming with cold calculation, "how far have you progressed in bringing this foreign player under my feet?"

Jason smirked lightly. "Soon, Father. The pieces are in place. The only thing left is for the protagonist to take the stage."

The emperor's gaze sharpened. "You're wasting time," he said icily. "Men like him are never given the luxury to grow. You nip such weeds before they become towering oaks, too thick to fell. I do not appreciate an enemy I haven't sanctioned."

Jason nodded, sweat trickling down his back. "Thank you for the wisdom, Father. I will see to it he is brought down swiftly to ease your mind."

"Good," Augustus said, but his eyes narrowed with a sudden shift in intensity. "And Jason… you should already know this—you're not fit to rule over me if you haven't figured out that I've been sabotaging your efforts. That should serve as your wake-up call. The death of your elder brother does not make you the sole heir. Do not plot against your siblings again. The last time I turned a blind eye. The next time, you lose not just your claim to the throne—but your life."

Jason's breath hitched. "Yes, Father," he murmured, bowing deeper as a chill crept down his spine. The emperor's presence was suffocating. His charisma, his detachment, his ability to manipulate all within his grasp—it all reminded Jason why this man ruled the world with an iron heart. freēwēbnovel.com

"You may leave," Augustus said simply.

Jason bowed once more and left, heart pounding, mind reeling.

Outside, the emperor addressed the knights stationed at his door. "From this point onward, no one is to disturb me. I don't care if the empire is burning—I desire to rest."

"Yes, my lord!" they answered in unison.

Emperor Augustus turned and entered the room again, alone. With a flick of his wrist, he activated a runic enchantment on the bed lamp. His sigil ring pulsed with faint blue light as he bent the lamp downward.

A quiet mechanical hum followed. The bed split in two with clockwork precision, revealing a hidden opening beneath. The floor parted, spiraling into a staircase of pure obsidian. Sounds that should've echoed off the walls were muted completely, suppressed by powerful sound-cancelling spells woven into the very air.

Descending slowly, Emperor Augustus moved deeper into the earth. The walls glowed faintly, illuminated by ambient magic as he entered the heart of his hidden sanctum—a colossal underground base, hidden far beneath the castle. It stretched like a labyrinth, fortified by countless enchantments, its size rivaling the entire palace above.

Suspended in massive glass tubes filled with glowing liquid were experimental subjects—humans, dire wolves, fire bears, goblins, orcs, vampires, mermaids, even demons and elves. Creatures captured, mutated, and stripped of their identities. They floated lifelessly, not dead, but not quite alive.

The emperor did not spare them a glance. He moved with cold familiarity, following twisting corridors, his sigil ring guiding him through the maze. The deeper he descended, the more sinister the environment became. The air grew colder, unnatural, as he finally reached the lowest level.

Here, robed beings worked in silence. Their faces were obscured by pitch-black masks—no holes for eyes, mouth, or nose. How they breathed, spoke, or saw remained a mystery even to the emperor.

One of them stepped forward, his mask slightly different. It bore a white number—20. Two glowing voids where his eyes should've been peered out from behind the mask, drawing in light like a black hole. To gaze into them too long was madness—paralysis, soul fragmentation, or death for the weak-minded.

"My lord," Number Twenty said with a mock bow, his voice oozing amusement. "An honor, as always."

"Number Twenty," Augustus said, his tone laced with revulsion.

"That's me!" Number Twenty chuckled like a jester playing before a tyrant.

"Enough of your antics. How are the preparations?" Augustus asked, unmoved by the man's unsettling aura.

"Oh, going splendidly, my lord," Number Twenty replied. "The prisoners you sent us were... subpar, but we made do. Most have been successfully converted into shadow slaves, some even mutating into delightful variants."

"You promised a top-tier prisoner," he added, twirling a dagger in his gloved fingers. "Where are they?"

"They escaped," Augustus said flatly.

Number Twenty gasped. "Escaped? How tragic! I was looking forward to playing with them." He pouted dramatically. "No wonder you need shadow slaves. Your knights are as useless as garden statues. Tsk, tsk."

"Enough," Augustus snapped, his voice cold enough to freeze time. "Do not insult my knights."

Number Twenty raised both hands in mock surrender. "Forgive me, my liege. So touchy today."