Chapter 49: Ch 49: An Ant and A Lion

2 days later, on a floating island filled with lush vegetation and thriving wildlife stood a man-made wooden castle.

Before its gates gathered an army of humans and flying beasts. They stood in disciplined formation, their weapons gleaming under the sky, wings beating softly in unison.

The atmosphere was tense. This was clearly not a parade.

They were preparing for battle.

“Lord Horas, the army is ready!” a general announced loudly while kneeling on one knee.

Skylord Horas, a man in his early thirties, stood atop the wooden battlements and looked down at his forces.

He smiled with pride because of what he achieved.

On Earth, he had been nothing more than a small-time librarian. A man buried behind dusty shelves and forgotten books.

But here?

Here, he was a lord.

A hero in the eyes of many.

A conqueror for his enemies.

Three hundred soldiers stood under his banner. From beautiful, battle-hardened women to ferocious flying beasts, every one of them awaited his command without hesitation.

They trusted him.

They believed in him.

Horas spread his arms in a gesture of superiority.

“This world rewards those who dare,” he murmured to himself.

And he intended to take everything it offered.

Thud!

Just then, a figure landed on the wooden platform like an agile fox.

Felix (DesertFox) straightened his posture smoothly. His sharp, handsome features stood out under the bright sun. Above him, a majestic peacock spiraled once in the air before descending gracefully to land at his side.

Skylord Horas raised an eyebrow after seeing him.

“Well now… What brings you here, little nephew? Have you finally decided to submit your island to me?” he asked with crossed arms.

Though his words sounded almost familial, there was no warmth in his eyes. Only ambition.

Felix noticed it immediately.

“Uncle Ron, I think you’re mistaken. I didn’t come here to submit. I came to warn you about something.”

“Haha… ” Horas laughed, as if he was greatly amused.

“Warn me? About what exactly?”

Felix’s expression turned solemn.

“That water island, It probably belongs to Aegis. And you should know very well who he is.”

For most Skylords, that single name was enough to cause fear.

But Horas merely snickered,

“I know that already, and that is precisely why I intend to take it.”

His eyes were filled with greed..

“A Sea God’s domain. There should be endless water. Powerful followers. An island like that doesn’t deserve to be ruled by someone who hides behind mercy.”

Felix’s eyes narrowed.

“You’re making a grave mistake. Aegis isn’t someone you can treat like the others.”

Horas waved a hand dismissively.

“Everyone bleeds the same in the end. God or human, conqueror or guardian. This world rewards strength, not caution.”

Felix hissed,

“Anyway, don’t say later that I didn’t warn you. What happens next… is entirely upon you.”

The peacock spread its wings majestically after receiving Felix’s gesture.

Felix turned and leapt away, vanishing into the sky without another word.

Horas watched him go without a word. But his smile morphed into something colder.

“Let him come,” Horas muttered loudly. “I’ll see for myself how terrifying this so-called Sea God truly is.”

Above the wooden castle, war preparations continued.

By noon, the entire army was ready to depart.

Banners flew high. Wings spread. Armor clinked as soldiers took their positions confidently.

Everyone was anticipating a great battle.

But before Horas could give the order—

“Lord! Someone’s coming!” a messenger screamed as he descended from the sky in panic.

Horas frowned. “Who?”

Everyone’s eyes turned upward.

The sky above seemed to dim for a brief moment.

Then they saw him.

Two majestic crimson birds. Their wings spanned like blazing banners.

Each flap their wings distorted their visions.

And riding upon one of their back, stood a young man, eyes focused.

He was calm and upright, as if the heavens themselves were merely a road beneath his feet.

On his head rested a spiked golden crown.

In his hand, held casually as though it were nothing more than a walking staff, was a long trident of black and gold.

Yet the aura he radiated was anything but casual.

It pressed down on the army like an invisible tide.

Men swallowed unconsciously.

Some soldiers lowered their heads without realizing it, knees trembling as instinct screamed submission.

Others, especially the women among the ranks, found their gazes locked onto him, unable to look away.

Divine charm. It was like a magnet for opposite genders, birthed from a God Physique.

Horas felt humiliated. The war had not even begun, and his army was already taken over by the enemy’s pretty boy features.

“Snap out of it!” he barked, loud enough to break them out of their stupor.

“L-Lord… look there… He’s not alone,” one of the soldiers finally noticed the figures following Aegis.

Behind him followed several little girls and dozens of children, which earned a mocking scoff from Horas.

“Tsk. Is that all Aegis has? Some children playing warriors?”

From that distance, he couldn’t see the true features of these “children.” If he had, he wouldn’t have dared say that aloud.

Aegis finally stopped, and so did his little soldiers, hovering dozens of meters above Horas and his army.

“A—”

Horas was just about to speak, but Aegis pointed the trident at Horas’ head.

In an instant, all breath was seized from him.

Horas couldn’t even speak, as if the very water inside his body locked his vocal system completely.

“What’s happening? Why can’t I speak?”

Aegis lowered the trident slowly.

The pressure around Horas’ throat vanished, and air rushed back into his lungs. He staggered half a step, coughing harshly, humiliation burning hotter than fear.

Aegis’ finally opened his mouth, but his words were calm and cold:

“Do you still wish to attack Aquabyss?”

The question was simple.

But to Horas, it felt like being challenged by the sea itself.

He straightened his back, veins bulging on his neck as pride forced him upright. Slowly, he lifted his spear and pointed it toward Aegis.

“You think scaring me for a moment makes you untouchable?” Horas snarled. “Look around you. You’re outnumbered ten to one. My army can crush you and those brats you brought without effort.”

His voice grew louder, feeding off the presence of his troops.

“Flying beasts, elite soldiers, three hundred warriors who’ve tasted blood. And you?” He laughed harshly. “You bring children to a battlefield.”

Behind him, his soldiers regained some confidence. It could be seen from how tight they gripped their weapons.

Aegis listened without interruption.

Then he smiled.

It was the kind of smile that appeared when someone had already know the outcome.

“Very well,” Aegis said quietly.

He retracted the trident, resting it casually against his shoulder.

“Why don’t I amuse you a little.”

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