Chapter 191: Prelude to Battle of The World

Meanwhile, in the capital of the Orthus Empire, Ophelia—disguised as a servant—paced back and forth in the throne room in a panic, biting her nails. In her hand was a letter addressed to the Emperor from a spy regarding the movements of nobles, soldiers, and commoners living in territories governed by lords across several major cities in every region of the Orthus Empire.

"Damn it... damn it all... how could this happen," Ophelia muttered.

"Give it up already, Ophelia."

Ophelia turned to see an old man standing behind her. Her face immediately contorted with rage at the sight of him.

"Bedryt, why are you here? Why are you mocking me?" Ophelia screamed.

"I am only warning you. The fragments of Ordione that you believe to be you and Malekh—it has been proven it is not you. I correctly sent those two soul fragments to a world called Earth. They lived as humans there and even fought for their country. Someone as uneducated as you will never be able to win against them. Now, I suggest you surrender and return to the gates of hell so you can be with Malekh, your lover," Bedryt said casually.

"Ha... don’t make things up! Malekh and I are the true soul fragments of Ordione, not them! I will show you that I will defeat them and free my lover whom they have imprisoned," Ophelia said, pointing her finger at Bedryt’s face.

"Sigh... I came here because I was kind enough to warn you. Do you not see the northern horizon? The flying island palace of Soratopia is already there. You won’t stand a chance," Bedryt said, brushing Ophelia’s finger aside.

"Just you wait, old man. I will finish them. Don’t think for a second that I am weak. I am the goddess who once ruled this world... don’t speak so recklessly in my presence. I will live in this world with my lover, and don’t think you can stop me," Ophelia said angrily.

Bedryt remained calm. He observed Ophelia’s face—the sorrowful face of a woman who had been separated from her beloved for a long time. Bedryt’s expression turned somber as he looked at her, and he shook his head.

"Fine. If that is what you want, I will not stop you, nor will I help them. Whatever the outcome, I will not interfere. But let me emphasize one thing: never regret your decision, and accept the consequences when they come," Bedryt said.

Having finished his piece, Bedryt vanished, leaving Ophelia alone. Ophelia stood in silence for a moment. Tears began to flow, and her teeth ground together.

"I am a goddess... why can’t I be like Ashton and Esmeralda? I also want to be with my soulmate... am I wrong for wanting that? No... I am not wrong. This world is what’s wrong. I will correct this world with my teachings and my own hands. Just you wait, Bedryt. I will prove to you that I am the true half of Ordione," Ophelia said, hardening her heart. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

"Blam!"

Ophelia turned to see Edmund rushing in. His face was flushed, and he looked absolutely livid. He held a piece of paper in his hand.

"What is it, Your Highness?" asked Ophelia, still in her servant disguise.

"Look at this," Edmund replied, handing her the paper.

Ophelia read it, and her eyes instantly went wide. The paper contained news from a spy stating that all the nobles and their people were flocking to the city of Vernice to attend the wedding of Ard, Eva, and seven others—an event that would unite the entire world into a single entity called the Liberta Empire.

"So this is why the nobles are moving... they want to join the new empire that will be inaugurated at this wedding," Ophelia muttered.

She turned to see Edmund, who looked like a mess, sitting on his throne while propping up his head. Ophelia wiped her face, reverting to her goddess form, and walked toward him. Upon seeing Ophelia, Edmund was startled and immediately knelt, even though his fists remained clenched.

"Stand up, Edmund," Ophelia said.

Edmund stood. His face was twisted with such frustration that tears began to fall, and he hung his head. Seeing Edmund’s state, Ophelia felt a surge of irritation—not because she sympathized with him, but because she regretted choosing such a weak man to be her emperor. However, she masked her anger with a smile.

"What is it that you desire, Edmund?" Ophelia asked.

"I... I want to stop that wedding... I want to destroy them and the city of Vernice," Edmund replied venomously.

"Very well. Let us do it. I will be by your side," Ophelia said, embracing Edmund while wearing a sinister smile.

***

One week later, "Clang... clang!" The town bells at the newly built, sprawling monastery rang out loudly. "Hurry... move it!" shouted Adeline, who was dressed in a beautiful gown as she sprinted down the hallway first. Behind her, Eva, Alicia, Milia, Beatrice, Rosalind, Pyria, Mirea, and Claudia were all running, clutching their white wedding dresses to keep from tripping because they were running late. When they reached the monastery entrance, they were greeted by Irina and Xeria, who were waiting for them.

"Sorry, we’re late," Eva said.

"It’s alright, Your Highness. Hurry, it’s time," Xeria urged.

"Right, everyone line up just like we practiced during the dress rehearsal yesterday," Eva told the others.

"Okay," Alicia, Milia, Beatrice, Rosalind, Pyria, Mirea, and Claudia replied in unison.

They immediately formed a line side-by-side, starting with Mirea and ending with Pyria, with Eva right in the center. After Irina, Xeria, and Adeline helped straighten their dresses, the monastery doors swung open. Every face in the room turned toward the entrance, and nearly everyone looked on in awe at the sight of the eight girls, who looked stunning and incredibly elegant in their white gowns and veils. They began to walk down the red carpet through the vast, beautiful monastery, which featured high arched ceilings and numerous windows that let the sunlight stream in, toward the podium at the front.

Eva could see many Orthus nobles she recognized on the right side, bowing their heads with smiles on their faces as they saw her. The knights, too, gave her a formal salute. On the left sat Alexis, Abel, and Adeline, who had joined her brothers to represent the Kingdom of Fredonia. Next to them were King Leonard and Princess Eliza representing the Kingdom of Ateras with the barbarian chieftain Osgrelf representing the barbarian tribe, followed by Geoffrey, Thorena, and Nikolai representing the Kingdom of Durnhill.

Finally, there was the royal advisor of Rellios, accompanied by Reina, who was crying as she watched Rosalind and Beatrice. In the front row on the left, Elmer sat alongside Grethia and Tatiana, who was wearing a helmet but also a beautiful gown. In the front row on the right, Eledar the Elf chief, Bhadra the Dark Elf chief, and Dimitri the Vampire Lord sat together. Then, they all turned their gaze toward the altar.

Ard was already standing there. Behind him stood Ainsley and Irwin, carrying two boxes containing the rings. When the eyes of the eight brides, hidden behind their veils, met Ard’s gaze, they all flashed a smile. They then lined up in front of him. In the center stood Aerinis, acting as the Officiant since she held the highest authority among the guests and because King Leonard had declined the role. She was flanked by Luca and Gigi, serving as witnesses from the goddesses’ circle.

"Very well, let us begin this wedding ceremony together."

Aerinis began reading the blessings from start to finish, while Luca and Gigi nodded along beside her.

"Emperor Arden Larsen Liberta, do you take Evangeline Juliana Orthus, Alicia Herlena Einhard, Claudia Bargesk, Beatrice Anastasia Rellios, Rosalind Zoya Flaurend, Milia Gladis Orlaf, Mirea Kranzer, and Pyria Wysacaryn to be your empresses, in joy and in sorrow, in health and in sickness, until the end of your lives?"

"I do," Ard answered.

"Evangeline Juliana Orthus, Alicia Herlena Einhard, Claudia Bargesk, Beatrice Anastasia Rellios, Rosalind Zoya Flaurend, Milia Gladis Orlaf, Mirea Kranzer, and Pyria Wysacaryn, do you take Emperor Arden Larsen Liberta to be your emperor, in joy and in sorrow, in health and in sickness, until the end of your lives?"

"We do," the eight of them replied loudly.

"Please, lift the veils of your brides and place the tokens of your bond upon them."

Ard stepped forward and lifted Eva’s veil. "Hey Ard, why did you make the script so much like the ones on Earth?" Eva whispered. "Drop it; only the questions and the rings are similar, but they aren’t the same," Ard replied. "Only the order is different," Eva countered. "Just don’t talk about it now," Ard whispered back. Then, Ard turned to take the rings from the boxes held by Irwin and Ainsley, who followed behind him, and placed a ring on Eva’s finger. Afterward, he did the same for Alicia, Milia, Beatrice, Rosalind, Pyria, Mirea, and Claudia.

Once finished, Ard stepped back to his place. "Very well, from this day forward, you are husband and wives who will navigate life together..."

"Wait a moment, Your Majesty Aerinis," Eva said, raising her hand to interrupt.

Naturally, Aerinis was confused, and a hush fell over the monastery. Eva turned to look at Ard with a pout.

"You’re forgetting something important," Eva said.

"What?" Ard asked.

"You may kiss the bride," Eva said, and then she immediately lunged forward, hugged Ard, and kissed him. Ard, of course, kissed her back. Everyone watching was shocked half to death, but they all began to smile and eventually burst into applause.

"Oh my," Aerinis said, startled but smiling, while Luca and Gigi looked delighted.

Finally, after Eva, Ard also kissed Alicia, Milia, Beatrice, Rosalind, Pyria, Mirea, and Claudia one by one. Only then did the ceremony proceed with the signing of the petition by the representatives of the kingdoms and tribes. Ard was officially inaugurated as Emperor alongside his eight wives as Empresses, marking the official founding of the Liberta Empire. The atmosphere inside the monastery became incredibly festive as everyone cheered and applauded, while some were even moved to tears.