Chapter 476
“The King Phase Accord may be on the verge of being torn apart p>
As Jimmy finished speaking, the conference room fell once again into a deathly silence. Even those senior members of the Shadow Division, usually untouchable, turned ashen, their bodies trembling.
Christopher drew a deep breath, let out a long sigh, and slumped into his chair.
“So it really came to this p>
Ever since Leander’s battle at the Aorinth Peaks shook the world, he had expected the age of King Phase to return—but he had never imagined it would happen so quickly.
Only a month had passed since the news spread, yet events had already spiraled beyond all expectations.
Jimmy remained calm, though a faint twitch at the corner of his mouth betrayed his
unease.
As head of the Shadow Division, he carried authority naturally. “You are all senior members of the division. You know the secrets of Astria’s martial world and beyond.
“A century ago, the King Phase Accord kept the King Phase from appearing. Now, after General Ashcroft’s earth-shaking battle, the dormant King Phase are stepping into the mortal world. At this pace, the King Phase Accord’s control over them will weaken.
“The King Phase Accord being torn apart is only a matter of time. We must be fully prepared. Raise the alert level to the maximum. The return of the King Phase cannot throw Astria into chaos. Understood p>
“Yes!” They answered in unison, though their voices lacked confidence.
The term “King Phase” loomed over them like a mountain. It had not fallen, but its weight pressed down, suffocating-like the presence of death.
The meeting continued for another ten minutes before everyone left. Only Jimmy and Christopher remained.
Christopher laced his fingers on the table. “Jimmy, could the King Phase Accord really be broken? Isn’t the top overreacting? For a hundred years, no King Phase has appeared here or abroad. That proves the King Phase Accord still holds.
“It held firm for nearly a century. No King Phase dared move. Even the arrogant Arbitration Office had no King Phase on the board. Do you really think one battle by Jeff would make them tear it up p>
Doubt laced his voice.
Jimmy exhaled slowly. “Christopher, you know this better than I do. Why ask p>
He shook his head and stood. “It’s not just us. Agylae, Skarovia, Angleland, Etrax, the Europa Union-every major power is quietly preparing. The age of the King Phase is about to begin. Nothing can stop it now p>
Christopher fell silent, unable to respond.
After a long pause, a hard light sparked in Jimmy’s eyes. “Christopher, it’s time we paid a visit. Time to meet the man who has reshaped the balance of the world— General Ashcroft p>
Night on Swallow Hill brought little change from the day. Tourists still wandered, and the mountain remained alive with activity. The darkness added a layer of mystery.
At the summit, Leander avoided neon-lit tourist paths. He chose rough, hidden trails, climbing straight to the top where ordinary people could never reach.
On the lone peak, he stood with his hands clasped behind his back, overlooking Highcliffe. His eyes carried the weight of ages, like a century-old man who had lived through countless lifetimes.
He recited the lines with a quiet melancholy, Heroes rise when storms. gather. Once you step into the world time ships by like the moon overhead. Empires and grand ambitions-they’re nothing but jokes over wine. Life itself is just one long, intoxicating journey p>
His gaze shifted to the distant horizon.
Under his divine sense, everything within thousands of feet fell under his perception.
He detected two hidden yet powerful auras moving toward him.
Either one could rival the top five of the International Combat Units. One approached the strength of Khaedor.
“It’s him p>
From the aura alone, Leander recognized one of them. He stayed on the peak and waited.
Two figures landed one after the other, stopping about fifty feet away. One was white-haired but youthful, exuding a sage-like air-Christopher. The other wore a military uniform, posture precise, eyes sharp and commanding.
“General Ashcroft, it’s been a long time.” Christopher smiled.
Leander kept his hands behind his back, nodded slightly, then turned to the soldier.
The man raised a hand in a crisp salute. “Minister of the Shadow Division, Jimmy Wilder, saluting the Guardian of the Nation p>
Jimmy’s rank matched a Captain General, yet he saluted Leander because of the Guardian Medal he bore. With that medal, he was the Guardian of the Nation. Every official, no matter rank, owed him respect.
Leander dipped his head in return and studied Jimmy with interest.
“So, what brings the Shadow Division’s head and deputy here p>
He was unsurprised they had found him. In a city this large—indeed, across all Astria—the Shadow Division’s intelligence network observed everything.
He had just returned to Highcliffe and taught Dylan a lesson. That high-profile action would be impossible to miss.
Jimmy lowered his hand, expression grave. “General Ashcroft, we came to tell you something important p>
Leander’s eyes remained calm. “I’m listening p>
Three of the world’s strongest stood atop Swallow Hill, clouds swirling at their feet. Down below, tourists remained oblivious.
Jimmy met Leander’s gaze. “You’ve shaken the world. Standing alone at the top of the International Combat Rankings means your power has already reached the peak of the Transcendent Realm. By now, the term ‘King Phase’ shouldn’t be unfamiliar to you p>
His eyes darkened. “The King Phase once ruled the world. Even Anglelang xose to global dominance only because a King Phase moved behind the scenes, driving the world into the Age of Sail. A King Phase views Transcendents as ants, and their lifespan exceeds two hundred years But for nearly a century there’s been no sign of them-no movement, no sightings. Do you know why p>
Leander shook his head.
Jimmy stepped forward, stopping beside him at the edge of the peak. His voice grew heavier.
“A hundred years ago, a colossal war swept across the world. It was a war of the strongest-martial artists, sorcerers, and metahumans. No officialhistory records it. Only the most classified files of the great powers contain the faint traces that remain. That war is known as the War of the King Phase p>