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The Fall of the Strongest Divine Tier

When this news broke three years ago, shockwaves rippled across the entire nation—and the whole Hestdral continent.

Before the rise of the overpowered protagonist, the Divine Tier had always marked the world’s strongest beings. To these natives, it was practically a divine symbol.

To wield power capable of slaying even the mightiest deity—what realm could the opponent possibly have reached? The Boundless Realm?

The natives had no clue.

According to intelligence leaked from the Dragonkin tribe, the Silverfrost Dragon Queen had sacrificed herself to cover her people’s retreat, perishing alongside enemies wielding multiple Arcane Cannons. Her demise remained shrouded in ambiguity, spawning countless conflicting rumors.

Yet no matter the version, one truth stood unchanged…

“The resurrected Silverfrost Dragon Queen… and the black-haired youth whose power far surpasses the Peak of Transcendent Rank—this duo could rightly be called the strongest in the world. If they targeted any nation…”

“Even if numbers held them off, the aftermath would bring heavy losses…”

Voices overlapped in anxious debate.

Eugia and Mia, the two brothers, felt deep unease toward this mysterious dragon-human pair. Black lines of exasperation etched clearly across their foreheads. As the nation’s de facto administrators, national security weighed on them. Should they strengthen defenses? Issue a wanted notice?

Even if hostility wasn’t evident now, the future held no guarantees.

They voiced their concerns, seeking Frederick’s judgment.

But before Frederick could speak, Princess Lia cut in, irritation flashing in her eyes at her brothers’ words.

“You two idiot brothers! Just try issuing a wanted notice for Brother Xiao Xi—the one who saved *my* life! See if I don’t run away *right now* to tell him everything you’re plotting!”

“Lia, calm down! We’re just hypothesizing—right, big brother?”

“Yeah! Even if he saved you, we can’t ignore his potential danger!”

“I don’t care! I don’t care! If you hurt Brother Xiao Xi, I’ll never forgive you!”

With that, Princess Lia raised her tiny hands, puffing up like an agitated kitten as she shot a fierce glare at her older brothers.

Here stood her own blood relatives—yet she defended a stranger she’d met only once.

Their hearts ached. Truly, they might be the most pitiful older brothers in the world.

Their sister wasn’t even wed, yet they already tasted the bitterness of her departure.

“Quiet, all three of you. Regardless of reason, no wanted notice will be issued.”

“Father!”

Seeing Frederick sided with her, Lia’s furious expression bloomed like a freshly opened flower—a sight so radiant anyone witnessing it would be left breathless, forever imprinted in memory.

“Father… may I ask why?” Eugia raised a hand, swallowing his discomfort at his beloved sister smiling for an outsider. Mia mirrored his tension.

Frederick scanned his children, a faint frown creasing his brow. Hands folded beneath his chin, he replied calmly:

“First—he saved Lia’s life. We cannot repay kindness with betrayal. Even if he poses a hidden threat, we must honor our ancestors’ teachings.”

“This…”

Eugia and Mia exchanged glances. They understood the principle. Though they grumbled about the man stealing their sister’s smiles, they were fair-minded. Never would they act ungratefully.

“Then… Father, are we to do nothing?” Mia pressed.

“We must not betray kindness,” Eugia added firmly, “nor be ungrateful. He saved Lia—and me. We *must* repay this debt.”

“Yes! Yes! Brother Xiao Xi saved me! We *have* to thank him properly!” Lia jumped up, eyes sparkling. She nearly lunged to cling to Frederick’s arm, bursting to declare rewards for Cang Xiaoxi.

Watching his daughter utterly captivated by the mysterious black-haired youth, Frederick offered a wry smile and shook his head.

—*Truly, a daughter grown is a daughter gone.*

“So, Lia,” he asked lightly, “what reward would *you* propose?”

“M-Me?” Lia tilted her head, pointing at herself.

“Yes. He’s *your* benefactor. The choice should be yours.”

“I… I… I don’t know what to give Brother Xiao Xi…”

Flushed, she fidgeted with her fingers, twisting them shyly. Though she had an idea for Cang Xiaoxi, shyness and fear of rejection sealed her lips.

Amused by his transparent daughter, Frederick chuckled. That old saying flashed through his mind again.

“How about inviting him to our country?”

“Eh?! Father, you mean…?”

“Mm. Exactly.”

Frederick nodded.

Lia’s eyes widened. Unfiltered joy lit her flushed cheeks. She shifted her legs nervously, hands covering her burning face—already lost in a fantasy of Cang Xiaoxi arriving on a white dragon to greet her.

The little princess was utterly smitten… completely unaware the youth was elsewhere, quietly munching a Spirit Peach.

“Father! You’re serious?!”

Stunned by their sister’s blissful trance, the two devoted brothers shot upright to protest.

“What? Do you two have objections?”

Before they could raise a finger, one displeased glance from Princess Lia silenced them utterly.

Meekly straightening their postures, they watched their sister daydreaming of married life—and clenched their fists in frustrated heat.

—*Just wait. This sister-stealing grudge… will not be forgiven!*

“Ahem. Lia, discuss your needs with the head maid. Now, your father must speak with your brothers on state affairs. You may return to your room.”

Likely sparing his sons further despair, Frederick dismissed her.

The moment Lia left with her maid, the brothers’ dramatic collapse began.

“Father! Marriage is no trivial matter—please reconsider!”

“This unknown youth! Even with his deed, we can’t let Lia throw herself at him!”

“Father!”

“Father!”

Flanking Frederick, tears of anguish streamed down their faces.

Brotherly devotion wasn’t a sickness—but when it struck, it was lethal. These two were terminally afflicted.

“You two,” Frederick sighed, massaging his furrowed brow. “Normally sharp, handling state affairs flawlessly… why does Lia make your wits vanish?”

Shaking his head at his “foolish sons,” he waved a hand gravely.

“I never said I’d marry her off. What are you worked up about?”

“Eh? But you said… Ah?!”

They pointed at each other—realization dawning.

—*“How about inviting him to our country?”*

Frederick had never mentioned marrying Lia to Cang Xiaoxi. The entire farce was Lia’s misinterpretation.

Watching their father’s shamelessly calculating smirk, both brothers’ lips twitched.

“Father… you’re definitely kneeling on the washing board later.”

“Ahem! You think I *wanted* to?” Frederick’s face flushed as he turned away. “Lia was here—we couldn’t discuss what comes next.”

“Uh… fair point.”

They nodded in understanding.

After all, this meeting wasn’t just about Cang Xiaoxi and the resurrected Silverfrost Dragon Queen. A far graver matter threatened the nation’s very foundation.

“Sadom… can actually wield the Imitation Holy Sword? This is serious trouble…”

“Yes, Father.” Eugia clenched his fists, teeth grinding. “Not only stolen—but *wielded*… I take full blame for this crisis. Please punish me.”

“Big brother, it’s not your fault. We anticipated risks… aside from Sadom wielding it…”

Mia tightened his grip on his own Imitation Holy Sword, frustration simmering.

A blade meant *only* for Sage bloodlines—now wielded by an outsider. Not a miscalculation. Simply… unimaginable.

“Enough self-blame,” Frederick said firmly. “The deed is done. Our duty is to prevent worse. Now—pull yourselves together!”

“Yes, Father!”