Ascent of Hero on the Dragon Throne

"Chief Bryant only wishes the best for our empire. He has no obligation to consider marrying off his granddaughter, the successor of their clan, to you. It is a sacrifice, and we shall appreciate him for his service to the empire," the emperor sighed.

Rocky remained silent and his eyebrows knitted in thought.

Both Isis and Lena had their eyes on him, also lost in their own thoughts.

A long silence ensued and finally Isis remarked, "Basil, you don't have to worry about hurting my feelings. It's fine." She knew that it was hard for him to give an answer to the emperor in her presence. But from the moment she had decided to marry him, Isis never expected Rocky to solely belong to her. He was like the wind—free and wild. He would always attract any women in his path with his unique charm; she had accepted that long ago.

Rocky turned to glance at her. Seeing her gentle smile, he turned to his father and said, "Father, I've made my decision. I will announce it in front of the people."

The emperor was hesitant. He couldn't tell what was going through Rocky's mind. He wanted a clear reply, but decided to respect his son's decision.

"Basil..." Isis whispered. She had so much to say to him, but stopped herself and looked at their son who rested silently in her arms.

"Father, if there's nothing else, I will make the announcements to the public." The emperor nodded slightly. Rocky bowed to him, turned around and headed to the door.

"Father, what will his replies be? Will he marry Shirley?" Isis asked, unable to contain her anxiety after Rocky disappeared through the open doors.

"Whatever he chooses to do, I believe he will make the right decision for the empire and for himself," the emperor replied solemnly.

Isis exchanged a glance with Lena, and both of them walked to the door to witness the announcement.

Bryant and Marcia walked up to Rocky when he entered the palace hall.

"Your Royal Highness, I believe that His Majesty told you about his decision?" Bryant asked straightforwardly.

Rocky nodded.

"And? Do you agree?" Bryant asked tentatively.

Rocky didn't reply. Instead, he walked out of the hall, and Marcia and Bryant followed close behind him.

The whispering of the crowd quieted down instantly when he walked out. Everyone's eyes were focused on Rocky

moment, they looked at Rocky with more fear, because they realized that the man in front of them was to a certain extent more fearful than the emperor of the Holy Dragon Empire.

"Secondly," Rocky said, raising his voice to silence the crowd. "From this day forth, the Holy Dragon Empire will abandon all contact and relationship with the Dragon Master Clan."

This time, the crowd erupted. The ministers and royal members stared in shocked silence at Rocky. The Dragon Master Clan was the backbone of the Holy Dragon Empire from ancient times, and if they broke ties with them, they would have to deal with frightening consequences. The other empires would grab this opportunity, and then the Holy Dragon Empire would be like a piece of meat dangling in front of them for the taking.

When they were to finally process this information, the royal members and ministers present rose in loud uproars, unlike the previous whispering.

"The emperor has valid reasons for making this decision. It is the conclusion he came to after a long discussion with General Marcia and Chief Bryant. Do not stir up any rumors in the empire over this. If any of it reaches my ears, I will guarantee that the perpetrators will be punished accordingly," Rocky warned, his face turning stone-cold serious.

The royal members and ministers immediately quieted down. They were already aware that Rocky was a man of his words.

"And finally... I believe everyone is aware that Miss Shirley and I are engaged, and are supposed to get married soon," he paused.