"So what if I leaked this? Emperor Hadre Ethren was publically executed in the third level! Do you think we can suppress that kind of information!?" Merkel Ethren yelled with a retort.

The other two Imperial Protectors failed to react as their expressions became blank.

"So that's why... So that's why you're all seeking my return... He's dead... Hadre's dead... And here I was thinking when I can take my revenge against him for betraying me at the last moment..." Alexi Ethren uttered in a trance.

Only when the Imperial Protectors implored him to return as the new Emperor did he come out of his reverie again.

Alexi Ethren's expression became nasty as he clenched his teeth, "Get Lo-"

"Oh~ The newly coronated Emperor Hadre Ethren is already dead? And to be executed by the Alstreim Family... What bad luck for the beginning of a new era of the Ethren Empire..." A deep and lamenting voice reverberated around the area.

Davis turned around towards the residence and bowed, and the moment he did, the others reacted the same as they turned and bowed as they clasped their hands in respect.

The three Imperial Protectors were worse since they had to bow and clasp their hands while kneeling. It became the ultimate humiliation for them, but they had no choice but to do that at this time because standing up now would mean disrespect.

Davis's expression twitched as he almost burst out laughing!

Looking at them follow him in paying respects to himself; he felt a sense of twisted satisfaction.

"Continue~ I can see that you three were the ones who dared to disturb me yesterday..." The avatar's deep voice trailed off with the silent breeze.

The three Imperial Protectors shuddered from hearing the frosty tone.

"Perhaps, this tragic event of your empire is related to what I obtained, right?"

Alexi Ethren reacted with a confused expression on his face, 'What does this have to do with senior?'

Even Arianna Woller thought the same, but the ones who were kneeling were well aware. The three Imperial Protectors almost cursed the Conferred Queen's Protector in their minds. If it weren't for him, none of this would've happened!

They passively forgot the fact that they were the ones who hid the information from the local hegemon, resulting in this happening.

But what could they do? They didn't want to become mindless slaves... A fate that was worse than death...

"Head Envoy Havle Alstreim, who is now an Elder, brought a Grand Elder of the Alstreim Family named Krax Alstreim to our Empire and investigated us of the existence of the plant lifeform in the Sunset Tear Mountain..."

Merkel Ethren took the initiative and started to explain how the Alstreim Family investigated them and even forced a slave seal upon a strong Imperial Protector, managing to gain information which resulted in knowing that they indeed tried to hide information to 'plunder' the treasure for themselves in the future.

"In the end, just by knowing the fact that we hid this existence and failed to report, the current Emperor was executed, and we were forced to take this humiliation without being unable to do anything."

"Not only did they not execute the Emperor, but they also wanted to cripple our Ancestor... But..."

"But what?" Alexi Ethren narrowed his eyes.

Merkel Ethren sighed, "When they barged into the Ancestor's chamber, they found him dead, passed away in seclusion..."

Alexi Ethren wasn't surprised. It was just as he expected. Otherwise, with all this commotion happening in the Ethren Empire, the Ancestor would've long ago appeared unless he was a coward like his imperial father.

Even the Imperial Protectors weren't surprised since there were no replies when they kneeled in front of the chamber and begged for an audience. They didn't want to disturb as that would be extremely rude and life-threatening when one considered Ancestor's cultivation and age....

They could only guess if their Ancestor was secluded in deep inextricable cultivation or was dead, and not disturb. Once the Alstreim Elders barged in, it turned out that the reason why their Ancestor didn't respond or come to aid was that he died in seclusion.

"Hmph, so one of the Imperial Protectors turned into a slave, the Emperor is publicly executed, the Ancestor has passed away in seclusion. You want me to become the Emperor of a severely weakened empire despite ostracizing and attacking me in the past?"

"Good... Good..." Alexi Ethren smiled as he nodded his head; however, the killing intent in his eyes remained plain to see.

However, Alexi Ethren couldn't be bothered about this farce anymore.

He could full and well understand why these old farts would want him on the throne instead of making one of themselves the Emperor. Although the rules stated that they could not become Emperors after becoming Imperial Protectors, at times like these, when there's a significant deficiency in talent and power, no one would bother with the rules, especially when the Ancestor who established the rules is not alive anymore.

Despite all this, why would they be demanding for him to be coronated the new Emperor?

Was it his cultivation?

No!

Was it his talent?

Certainly not because they have already offended him! Why would they want to see him grow?

Then what could be the main reason?

It's because he was personally saved by the Conferred Queen's Protector at that time, so it could be said that he was acquainted with the Conferred Queen and managed to garner such a person's favor!

If it weren't for this, why in the heavens would they want him after all that they did to him?

Because it has tremendous benefits to the Ethren Empire if he became the Emperor!

The only matter Alexi Ethren could see from these three is that at least they are loyal to the Ethren Empire, and didn't pursue benefits for themselves in this tumultuous times that rocked the Ethren Empire.

Nevertheless, only he knew that he was not acquainted with the Conferred Queen's Protector, much less the Conferred Queen. He only knew about Alchemist Davis in this place, and with his help, they were merely enjoying asylum from the possible danger that came from the Ethren Family, although now it felt even more ironic.

"So you all need my friend over here, Alexi Ethren, to become the new Emperor? I can make this happen..." Davis changed his tune and calmly uttered.

"You!" Alexi Ethren swiveled his head towards Alchemist Davis in disbelief.

"But for that, I have a condition..." Davis ignored his reaction.

The three Imperial Protectors reacted as if they found their hope, but the sudden mention of a 'condition' poured cold wanted on their heads. They wanted to decline, but they were out of straws to hold on to at this point.

A deal with a monster is something that they could not avoid.

Nevertheless, since Alchemist Davis seemed to possess a good reputation, they considered for a few seconds before they nodded their heads.

"Good, I just want to know what is the identity of the existence you all hid from the Alstreim Family?"

The three Imperial Protectors looked taken aback while Alexi Ethren became interested, wanting to know what brought the weakening of the Ethren Empire this time.

Merkel Ethren possessed a hint of confusion on his face, "Didn't senior tell you?"