Published at 13th of December 2025 8:49 am

Chapter 1826 The Dark Messenger Part 1

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In a secluded corner of Mid Sector 99-

A man with dark skin and piercing yellow eyes stood completely motionless before a colossal, ancient gate, his hands calmly resting over his stomach, as if bracing himself for what was beyond. The air around him was thin and crisp, carrying the faint scent of minerals and distant fog.

Behind him, an endless spiral staircase descended into the depths below, vanishing beneath a thick blanket of mist, giving the illusion that it plunged straight into the planet's core. The silence was almost deafening, broken only by the soft rustling of air as it passed over jagged stone. Perched far above, a small castle clung precariously to a needle-like mountain peak, fragile yet defiant against the void surrounding it.

Rreeeek

Minutes dragged on, each second feeling like hours, until the massive gates finally creaked open, granting entry to the guest. He stepped forward lightly, his movements precise and deliberate, each step echoing softly against the cold stone corridor that seemed to stretch endlessly into the castle's depths.

The corridor was dark, slightly narrow, and foreboding, its shadows dancing with every flicker of unseen light. The guest advanced slowly, his sharp eyes scanning every corner, every archway, as though memorizing the hall's structure before reaching the grand chamber at its end.

The hall was imposing and vast, dominated by two ornate thrones, intricately carved from obsidian and inlaid with gold filigree. Upon them sat two figures, exuding both ease and a certain boredom, as if centuries of routine had dulled their curiosity.

The guest paused a moment before bowing slightly. "Greetings, Guardians," he said with measured respect, the slight nod of his head carrying both deference and quiet authority.

"Ranther..." A deep, resonant voice broke the silence from the figure on the left. Though the darkness concealed his face entirely, the smooth, soft skin of his hands revealed he was still remarkably young. "It has been far too long since you last chose to visit us."

The figure on the opposite throne spoke, his voice lighter, betraying youth despite the weight of his presence. "The last time you came, you were still a child. You had just grasped the reins of your empire and dared to threaten us, haha."

"That was because the Millennium Eternal Chaos Empire kept pressuring us at the time," Ranther replied, his voice calm but tinged with humility. "I had no choice but to play the fool in front of you. I apologize for my actions back then." Again, he bowed, his eyes conveying sincerity. "I hope you do not hold that against me even now."

"Hmm, I remember everything, of course, but I do not bear it against you. On the contrary, I have long held an excellent impression of your character," the first guardian responded, his voice a careful mixture of reflection and respect. "Indeed," said the second guardian, a hint of amusement in his tone. "He came shouting, yet left in the peace he sought. You were a clever boy, Ranther, and you have remained so for many long years. You elevated your empire to heights your ancestors could never imagine. But, alas..."

Both fell silent, letting the weight of their words linger in the air like a tangible force.

Even Ranther remained quiet, the gravity of the moment pressing upon him. It was clear the two guardians were hinting at his potential relinquishment of power, at joining the Grave Centennial Empire. "The world is in constant motion," he finally said, his voice steady and deliberate. "If we do not adapt with it, we will be trampled underfoot. Change is the law of life, inevitable and relentless."

"Oh?" A tone of sharp sarcasm crept into the voice of the first guardian. "Are you saying you would have been trampled if you had not bent your head and become a part of the rising power? I did not expect such candor from you."

"I am merely stating a fact: change comes for all, whether we accept it or resist it. Stubbornness benefits no one, and resisting the current only yields consequences opposite to those desired," Ranther replied, his words calm, firm, and deliberate. Then, almost imperceptibly, a small smile flickered across his face. "I see Your Majesties have embraced change yourselves, and returned to youth. Haha... youth truly suits you, without a doubt. It accentuates the strength and wisdom beneath the surface, as well as the grace of those who have weathered centuries."

"Haha, you noticed?" one of them lifted his hand and began slowly rotating it left and right, the movement deliberate and measured, as if testing the air itself. "It's a marvelous device," the other added, a smile creeping across his face. "Invented by Lord Human, flawless, with no side effects. I thought I'd give it a try... and I have no regrets whatsoever, haha."

The two of them radiated genuine delight, a rare and unguarded joy that only came when someone had reached the pinnacle of age, power, and status. At this point in life, so few things could truly pique their interest, and Lord Human's harmless invention had clearly become a captivating little toy-an elegant distraction, both playful and clever.

Observing their reaction, Ranther allowed a small, gentle smile to form across his face. "I don't wish to burden Your Majesties with trivialities any longer. I will speak plainly... I request that you prevent the Eternal Chaos Millennium Empire from interfering with the affairs of the Grave Double Centennial Empire." "Hmmm..." one of them murmured, resting his chin in his hand, his tone carrying a faint note of irritation. "That word 'Double' bothers me slightly."

The other guardian nodded slowly. "Hmmm... you must admit, young Ranther, that they are attempting far more than they can manage. That infant Aro dares to challenge peoples who have been here since before the current stars were born-and who will remain long after the celestial bodies have perished." "Has Aro wronged you in any way?" Ranther asked, sweeping his sharp, observant gaze across the two guardians. "I could summon him to offer his apologies. To my knowledge, neither Aro nor anyone from the Grave Double Centennial Empire has even approached your private star fields."

"Oh, but you meddle everywhere else," one of them said, gesturing toward Ranther twice with deliberate emphasis. "You cannot simply remain asleep in your chambers while the rest of the house burns around you. That would be

illogical, unreasonable."

"Hmmm, we are still the number one power in this sector, Ranther. For a rising empire to declare war on two star field while simultaneously harassing another Millennium Empire... even recruiting new wings from distant starfields, opining more war fronts... how are we expected to interpret such recklessness?"

The second guardian exhaled, his features tight with barely restrained frustration. "The pressure upon us is immense, Ranther. Your new empire behaves like a mischievous child at times, and it is our duty to ensure it is disciplined. A little restraint is required."

"...." Ranther's brows twitched involuntarily. Aro had feared that the Millennium Eternal Chaos Empire might act against them soon and had warned him that they rarely take action.

But hearing these words, Ranther realized that Aro's caution had been well-founded. They were indeed preparing to ove against the Grave Empire.

This was no ordinary threat. This was not just another force, not merely another conflict...

The Millennium Eternal Chaos Empire was ancient, vast, and terrifyingly powerful. They commanded nearly a thousand fleets, and an army that seemed infinite, with epic armor sets accumulated and perfected over countless millennia, the huge numbers of World Cataclysms and Nexus states residing

there.

Their dominion encompassed an entire starfield, with two Guardians enforcing order and authority with relentless precision.

Every current force of the Grave Empire, with all the Black Wasps, all their armies, their wealth, and the mighty Note fleets... if they were to clash with the Millennium Eternal Chaos Empire, they would be utterly annihilated. Especially if the Millennium Eternal Chaos Empire were to unite other powers into an alliance against them-they would never act alone, they know that a war against the Grave Empire would worn them to the ground, so they would take everyone else with them!

"I wish to convey something important, gentlemen," Ranther said, his words quick but measured, urgency lurking beneath calm tones. "I understand that the Millennium Holva Empire seeks to draw you into this conflict, claiming that we are supported by some external entity attempting to meddle in the sector. They assert that your involvement is inevitable, and employ such narratives to

tarnish our reputation."

"Oh?" one of them tilted his head, a small smile of intrigue curling on his lips. "Is

that not the truth, Ranther?"

Ranther exhaled slowly "It is precisely the truth,"

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