Chapter 472 The Emperor Arrives
Thorian stared into Raven’s calm, unreadable eyes–and for a moment, he almost forgot the stabbing pain in his chest. His breathing quickened, ragged with suppressed panic.
But not wanting to raise her suspicion, he forced himself to settle down and spoke slowly. “You asked me to investigate Cassian’s whereabouts… I received intel suggesting he might be here. I’d just arrived when I saw her attacking you. In the heat of the moment…”
Before he could finish, a fit of coughing overtook him.
Blood bubbled at the corner of his lips and splattered to the floor with each cough.
Raven frowned slightly and gestured toward the members of the Star God Association. “Help him up. Let him rest.”
Thorian, pale as a ghost and now supported by two of her people, still forced himself to whisper, “Be careful,”
Even as he was being helped to safety, he didn’t forget to warn her. But Raven’s gaze lingered on him with a growing sense of unease. Among all the people present, most didn’t know her true strength–and that was understandable.
But Thorian? He had followed her for years. He knew Estella wasn’t her match. And if he knew that, why had he still leapt out to shield her? Why that warning, now?
Before Raven could think further, Estella–furious that her strike hadn’t landed–let out a cold laugh, her voice sharp and mocking. “My, Raven, your charm really is something. To think a man would throw himself in front of you like that.
“But don’t get too smug–he blocked one attack, not the next. Since you insist on courting death, I’ll gladly grant your wish.”
With that, she raised her palm again and lunged, unleashing the same deadly move directly at Raven.
Rin’s eyes lit up with twisted excitement. ‘This time, he thought, ‘Raven won’t be so lucky. She’ll die at Estella’s hands. Finally.‘
After all, her death meant no one would be left to hold him accountable for what he had done.
The other members of Indigo Lab stared at Estella without blinking, waiting for the moment Raven would be struck down.
But that moment never came.
Because just before Estella’s palm touched Raven, her body suddenly froze mid–air.
Then, in the next instant, a shrill, piercing scream ripped through the lab.
Estella was hurled backwards like a rag doll, crashing to the ground over thirty feet away.
She hit the floor hard, coughing up blood as her limbs spasmed. Gasping, she looked up at Raven, eyes wide with disbelief.
‘Impossible,‘ she thought. ‘How can she be this strong?‘
“No way…” Rin breathed, eyes going wide.
He had witnessed Raven’s strength at the Ortega family banquet, but Estella? She was one of the most formidable warriors in the entire Sunset Empire.
And even she couldn’t land a single hit?
The realization hit him like a hammer to the chest. His confidence shattered. What now? How was he supposed to stop Raven from digging deeper into Cassian’s disappearance?
Before his panic could spiral further, Raven turned to her subordinates from the Star God Association and said coldly,” Search the entire perimeter. Don’t leave a single corner unchecked. I don’t care if you have to tear this place apart–find Cassian.”
“Yes, ma’am!” her members answered in unison before scattering like shadows.
Raven walked straight toward Estella’s crumpled figure, then raised her foot and pressed it down on her chest.
Estella sneered despite the pain. “This had nothing to do with you. You brought this on yourself. Since you’re so eager to die, I’ll grant your wish.”
Raven didn’t answer. She didn’t have to.
She understood one thing perfectly–you don’t leave weeds to grow back. Estella had to die.
Just then, footsteps echoed from the hallway.
Another group emerged from the shadows, man Successfully unlocked!
Estella’s eyes flicked up, and when she saw the man at the head of the group, her expression changed instantly. Struggling to lift her head, she cried out, “Your Majesty! Help me!”
There was no mistake. The man who had arrived–flanked by guards and cloaked in imperial authority–was none other than the Emperor of the Sunset Empire, fresh from his palace.
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Chapter 472 The Emperor Arrives
At the sight of him, everyone inside Indigo Lab straightened. The tension that had gripped the room finally loosened.
‘The Emperor is here.’ Raven wouldn’t be able to act so recklessly now.
Estella seized the moment, blood still staining her lips as she called out, “Your Majesty, this woman murdered Prince Arian and Finnley at the Ortega family banquet.
“She dared to challenge the royal family in public! She deserves to die a thousand times over. You represent the Empire- you must not let her walk away!”
Her words dripped with righteous fury. When she turned to look at Raven again, her gaze was full of cruel satisfaction. ‘You’re finished, Estella thought. ‘You’re just a glorified guard dog from the Star God Association. In front of the Emperor, you’re not even worth the dirt beneath his boots.‘
And from the corner of the room, Rin and the others watched as well, smug grins spreading across their faces. They thought the same thing. ‘With the Emperor here–Raven’s done for.‘
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