887 Sneaking into the Palace!
As Jacob moved closer to the palace, the once-thronged streets became eerily sparse, the crowd thinning out and giving way to an even heavier military presence. Guards patrolled with grim determination, but when they noticed the Ascaris Viper slithering ahead of Jacob, they averted their gazes, pretending not to see him.
These experts, normally vigilant and disciplined, were far from their best. Their minds were clouded with fear and resentment, the oppressive weight of their predicament crushing their resolve. Almost 90% of the Myriad Galaxy King's loyal subjects harbored deep-seated grievances, their faith in their leader shaken.
Jacob's sharp gaze didn't miss the whispers of defiance brewing among them. Some of these experts were already scheming to escape, willing to abandon whatever leverage the Myriad Galaxy King held over them. However, the thought of fleeing filled them with equal dread.
Everyone had seen what happened to those who tried. The Zodiac Beasts, relentless and unyielding, pursued deserters with horrifying precision. Survivors of failed escape attempts were non-existent; some had perished mere moments after making their move. It was a grim certainty—leaving the city meant death. This knowledge left them trapped in a torturous dilemma, their anger festering into silent rebellion.
Jacob observed all this quietly, his expression unreadable. He couldn't help but reflect on his own harrowing encounters with the Zodiac Beasts. Their persistence was unparalleled, and he knew their hidden forces included Legendary Kings lurking just beyond the spatial barrier. Yet, he couldn't fathom their true intentions. Why did they toy with the city's defenders instead of launching a decisive assault? It was as if their actions concealed a greater agenda.
Finally, Jacob's group emerged onto a vast marble road, its polished surface gleaming faintly in the fading light. Ahead, the palace of the Myriad Galaxy King loomed—a breathtaking structure that seemed to pierce the heavens themselves.
The palace's architecture was unlike anything Jacob had ever seen, a fusion of ancient grandeur and celestial majesty. Its exterior was made of shimmering crystal, reflecting the skies above like a colossal mirror. Intricate golden runes wove across its surface, constantly shifting and reforming in mesmerizing patterns, radiating an aura of overwhelming authority.
Massive steps carved from pure white stone ascended to an enormous pair of double doors. These doors, each crafted from a single slab of radiant crystal, shimmered faintly with an internal light. Guards clad in ornate, star-engraved armor stood at attention along the steps, their spears crackling with elemental energy.
Yet despite their imposing presence, Jacob could see the exhaustion etched into their faces. Even these elite soldiers, standing at the threshold of the palace, bore the weight of unending tension. The relentless attacks of the Zodiac Beasts had drained them, both physically and mentally.
Jacob paused at the edge of the grand plaza before the palace, taking in the bustling activity around him. Supply carts were being unloaded near the steps, brimming with weapons, armor, and provisions for the troops. Messengers darted back and forth, their expressions harried as they carried orders to and from the King's inner circle.
In one corner, injured soldiers were being hastily treated by nervous healers, their movements hurried and uncertain. Even the once-pristine plaza bore the scars of the ongoing chaos—cracks ran through the marble, and faint traces of dried blood hinted at earlier clashes.
It was clear to Jacob that the Myriad Galaxy King's overbearing decisions were tearing apart the morale of his subjects. The soldiers' loyalty was fraying under the strain, and their king's oppressive rule, meant to secure the city, was instead sowing seeds of despair.
With a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips, Jacob took a step forward, his eyes fixed on the magnificent palace. The turmoil, the fear, and the chaos—it was all a testament to the precarious balance of power. He wondered, with grim amusement, just how long this fragile order would hold.
As Jacob approached the grand steps leading to the palace, the energy crackling from the elite guards' spears created an invisible wall of menace. These soldiers, though fatigued, were well-trained and alert. Breaching their formation without causing an alarm would've been a near-impossible task for anyone else.
Autarch didn't respond verbally. Instead, a subtle wave of power emanated from him, weaving itself into the air like an unseen melody. The next moment, gray miasma suddenly burst out from Ascaris Viper's body.
11:51
But Jacob wasn't alone.
"Autarch," Jacob sent a mental message, "Distract them," Jacob commanded, his tone calm and resolute.
Autarch didn't respond verbally. Instead, a subtle wave of power emanated from him, weaving itself into the air like an unseen melody. The next moment, gray miasma suddenly burst out from Ascaris Viper's body.
It was the Ascaris Viper's innate poison, and at this moment, Autarch used all the soul force in the Ascaris Viper's body to fuel it, instantly covering the entire area. The elite guards nearest the base of the steps suddenly froze, their eyes widening as they weren't expecting someone to dare to cause such a scene right in front of the palace.
But when they thought about how the Myriad Galaxy King had almost driven everyone to the brink of despair, they knew something like this was bound to happen. Someone finally couldn't take it and attempted to retaliate, and they were even lamentable for this guard.
However, they can do nothing but perform their duties, and instantly, Legendary Noble Rank soul forces gushed out from the guards as they quickly covered the poison. Although this poison could even harm Fable Legendary Rank beings, it was easy to suppress for them. However, the reason behind this mist wasn't to harm them but to distract them, which Autarch succeeded in doing splendidly.
The next moment, the air around Jacob seemed to ripple. A faint, formless presence materialized beside him, like a shadow blending into the ambient light while covering Elia as they both seemed to vanish into thin air. He also summoned Autarch back, and the Ascaris Viper's lifeless corpse fell.
Taking full advantage of the distraction, Jacob stepped into the palace's shadowed corners, his movements silent and precise. At the same time, Elia was completely under his soul force's control, incapable of resisting, but she had no intention of resisting at all.
In fact, she was witnessing everything with ecstasy and shock. Jacob blended seamlessly with the surroundings and easily bypassed those distracted guards.
The shimmering double doors, despite their grandeur, were no obstacle. Jacob placed his bony hand on the surface, and the next moment, under his power, a small opening in the massive doors eased open just enough for him to slip inside, any sound swallowed by the commotion.
Inside, the palace was even more overwhelming than its exterior. The walls were adorned with moving murals depicting celestial scenes of battles and conquests. The floors shimmered like liquid starlight, and the air was dense with an oppressive energy, making each breath feel heavy.
Jacob didn't stop to admire the architecture. His eyes followed the faint trail of energy leading deeper into the palace—a trail left by a powerful being which should be none other than the Myriad Galaxy King himself!