Space cracked open as Jake arrived in his spaceship. Through the glass, he stared into the vast, bleak void of space. It was dark, depressing—and directly ahead of him stood a massive fortress.
Spaceships armed with blasters and loaded with soldiers patrolled the area. The moment Jake appeared, they surrounded him instantly.
"No one is allowed within the premises of Military Zone B. Step back, or state your identity and reason for entering," a male soldier's voice rang out through a megaphone as Jake grinned in disgust.
"Cosmic Executioner Eleven from the Dreadborne Organization. I'm here to find someone," Jake replied coldly. He still loathed humanity—and he would make sure to wipe them out before he dies , that's the only reason he is still living.
The moment the name Dreadborne Organization was mentioned, silence followed.
If it had been any other organization, the military might have evaluated the visitor's rank and intent before allowing access. But this was different. This was the Dreadborne Organization.
Their ranks had already been shared across military channels. They all knew what a Cosmic Executioner signified—a Galaxy Realm being.
A high-level entity from the Dreadborne was here.
"Give us a moment while we inform our commander," the soldier said as he rushed to the communicator aboard his ship and connected the line.
"Report," a stern voice responded from the other end.
"A Cosmic Executioner from the Dreadborne Organization is here," the soldier said.
"How do you know he's from the Dreadborne?" the voice asked, suspicious.
"There's an Infinity Crest on the ship. It's not registered in our database, and all specs of the ship are unknown," the soldier explained.
"...I see. Then let him in," the voice replied.
"Understood. Executing the order now," the soldier said before ending the call. He returned to the main hub and grabbed the megaphone.
"Cosmic Executioner Eleven, you are welcome to the military base of the Federation," the soldier announced as a path opened through the mass of ships.
Jake maneuvered his vessel closer and closer to the fortress. But the nearer he drew, the clearer it became:
Behind the fortress floated a massive planet—clearly the true military base, the place where commanders and elite soldiers dwelled.
"So close to the Federation's core... but why here, at the military zone? What does it mean?" Jake thought, docking his ship in the bay.
The soldiers outside were both excited and terrified. A member of the Dreadborne Organization was here—the mysterious force that had taken the Federation by storm.
What does Cosmic Executioner Eleven even look like...?
At the Duke's Mansion…
In the study room, the Duke was reviewing the purchase and sales ledger when he heard a knock.
"My Lord," came a familiar voice. The Duke paused.
"Come in, Darwin," he said. Darwin was the family's butler.The two greeted each other like old friends. Eventually, Darwin spoke again.
"Something has happened, my Lord… the military…" he trailed off, unsure how to continue.
"Is there a war, Darwin? Speak up—I'm listening," the Duke said calmly, though he felt something was wrong. A dark premonition loomed.
"The military has declared that the Duke's family is no longer part of their ranks," Darwin said carefully.
"What?!" the Duke shot to his feet, stunned. The Duke family's lineage traced back to the founding of the military. He himself was a general, and many in his extended family still served.
"Darwin… is this a joke?" the Duke asked grimly.
"I'm afraid not, my Lord. And… someone from the military is here," Darwin added with a sigh.
The Duke stormed into the sitting room. His entire family was there—his two daughters, his wife, his brothers and sisters, their children—all formerly in the military. Now, all had returned home.
"What is the meaning of this?" the Duke asked, scanning the room. Everyone bowed their heads.
The aura of a Peak Universal Realm being erupted from the Duke, pressing on everyone present.
The military man bowed slightly out of respect. The Duke was still the same man who had once followed the great General Drazen into war—and won for humanity.
"From this moment on, General Rackus, Sergeant Lin, Commander—" the man began to list every military-affiliated member of the Duke's family.
"You are all dismissed from service. The military has severed all ties with the Duke family. And—"
"WHO DARES?!" Rackus—the Duke—shouted.
His peak universal aura blasted across the Federation.
All across the star systems, people trembled.
Who just released such a terrifying aura?
"The Crown Prince… Theron," was the only explanation as the Duke collapsed into a chair, his strength drained.
Cries filled the air as family rushed to support him.
"What I feared most has happened..." Rackus muttered. "Liya… Liya, go to Theron's palace. Beg him. Plead. Offer your body if you must. Go, Liya!"
Everyone froze in shock, but understood.
Liya was stunned. Offer her body to Theron? Just because the military cast them aside? Why?
"Liya. Now!" the Duke shouted, grabbing her shoulders, eyes fierce.
She had never seen her father —it felt like he had become someone else entirely.
"D-dad… you're scaring me…" Liya whispered as his grip tightened.
"LIYA!!!" he roared, but her eyes turned cold.
"Man, fuck this. I'm no longer part of the Duke family. I belong to the Dreadborne Organization now. If you all die, then die—I don't give a damn. Piece of shit," Liya said coldly and walked away.
The military representative stood frozen. Did she just say... Dreadborne Organization? And disown the Duke family?
The Duke mansion plunged into chaos.
Elsewhere in the Federation, Liya appeared.
"Man... I thought I'd feel some kind of loss or attachment... but there's nothing. No love, no pain. Only Caius still matters to me," Liya muttered in disgust.
"I'm done with this. Caius, I'm coming for you. And I'm sorry I didn't control the Duke mansion when I had the chance—those people don't deserve pity," she said, walking in one direction.
At the end of her path lay the Royal Family.
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