Chapter 326: Commander Of The Masters
**** [Billion’s PoV]
It was the morning of the next day.
I stood tall, fully dressed, my clothes clean and sharp. North stood across from me, arms folded, watching with that quiet intensity she always carried.
I was ready.
Today was the meeting with the Emperor. A lot would be decided there and I needed to show up as more than just a soldier.
Yesterday had gone better than I expected.
After meeting North, I’d focused completely on the goals I had set. I hunted without pause, fought with full force, pushed my limits in every direction.
And now—
I glanced at my status.
[Billion Ironhart – Level 199]
One step away.
One level from reaching Grandmaster rank.
But that wasn’t all.
I’d done more than just level up. I’d reshaped the way I fought. Stripped away what no longer worked. Reinforced what did. Created new skills from scratch—skills made from the laws I now commanded. My Psynapse had stabilized into something even more refined, and my control over Essence had taken a leap forward.
I now had comprehension over new minor laws. I could feel them stirring inside me, just waiting to be tested.
Everything had changed.
I felt sharper. Calmer. Dangerous.
"So, how do I look?" I asked her.
North smiled and gave me a playful wink.
"Hot."
I rolled my eyes. "Come on, I’m aiming for a professional look here."
She laughed and tilted her head. "So, open shirt with the top two buttons undone, rolled-up sleeves, and shoulder-length hair counts as professional now? Not the military uniform?"
I nodded with a completely straight face. "Yes."
She chuckled, clearly amused. "Well then, yes. You look professional... and hot."
I stepped in and kissed her forehead gently. "Don’t miss me too much. I’ll be back soon. After that, we head for the realm. Steve’s transformation should be complete by now."
She nodded. "Take care. And don’t cause trouble in there."
"I never do," I said, smirking.
With that, I spread my wings wide and launched into the sky.
It didn’t take long to reach the capital. Within seconds, I landed softly in front of the security.
This time, I didn’t bother hiding my presence, not from the Emperor’s guards, not from the Holt spies, not from anyone.
The security check was done in an instant. I strode down the main corridor toward the royal meeting hall, boots hitting the floor in steady rhythm.
I noticed the soldiers on patrol eyeing me as I passed. Their stares were a mix of surprise, respect, and something else....uncertainty, maybe.
I chuckled and exhaled.
Then, I spread my perception across the entire palace. The Essence around me stirred. My will followed next, washing outward like a silent storm.
The air shifted. Wind picked up faintly. It was like the walls themselves recognized me.
One by one, the soldiers began to straighten. Some stood at attention, others saluted with trembling hands. But every single one of them spoke a single word as I passed.
"Commander."
I nodded back without slowing down.
And kept walking.
I arrived in front of the massive, closed doors of the royal meeting hall.
The two guards stationed there looked at me with wide eyes, surprise flashing across their faces. One of them straightened immediately and saluted.
"Commander."
The second guard followed suit without hesitation. They didn’t ask questions, didn’t stop me. Instead, they stepped to the side and pulled the towering doors open with practiced precision.
The doors parted with a deep groan, revealing the long hall beyond. I stepped inside.
The moment I crossed the threshold, I let my perception expand.
The hall was large—ornate and echoing with quiet tension. Light poured in through high windows, illuminating the two long rows of seats arranged on each side. I counted twenty people inside. All high-ranking officials. Most of them I recognized from news or videos. Some I had met personally.
At the far end of the hall, the Emperor sat tall on his throne, calm and composed, his golden robe draped like the sky itself. Beside him stood his personal guard, unmoving.
To the right of the throne in the first row sat Arkas, arms folded and eyes on me. I caught a hint of amusement in his expression.
On the left was General Cassian Dorey. Then Edgar, and my grandmother, seated with the other department heads. She didn’t hide her reaction. A soft smile had already formed on her lips.
I spotted Dante too, standing half-shrouded in the shadows of a corner, arms behind his back. Watching.
My steps were slow, steady, as I walked into the middle of the hall. And then, I stopped.
I didn’t need to speak.
I simply let my will expand—quietly, steadily, like a tide rising across the room. My Psynapse pulsed with clarity as I let my will press around me.
The atmosphere shifted.
Wind rippled faintly. Essence stirred.
And the thought I carried within that silent pressure echoed wordlessly across the minds of everyone present.
"I am here."
Several people sat straighter in their seats. A few flinched. Whispers broke out. Confusion. Surprise. Awe.
I saw my grandmother’s eyes soften even more.
And then I bowed my head slightly toward the throne.
"Your Majesty."
The Emperor’s smile deepened. He raised a hand toward the front row.
"Take your seat, Billion."
I looked and saw it, an open chair in the first row, reserved specifically for me. Right beside Edgar.
I walked forward and sat down without hesitation.
The Emperor spoke from his throne, voice calm but commanding.
"This is Billion Ironhart," he began. "A soldier from Probationary Elite Unit 02."
Several heads turned my way. Murmurs followed. The name hadn’t reached everyone, but from their expressions, it soon would.
"Today," the Emperor continued, "I assign him a new position."
He paused, just enough to build the silence.
"Commander of the Masters."
The entire room stilled.
"From this day onward, every soldier of the Empire ranked Master and below also falls under his authority. He may command them—how he wishes, when he wishes. The official communication will be sent after this meeting, and his name and status will be updated in the records accordingly."
He let the statement hang in the air, then added:
"This is not up for discussion. I have already approved it."
The silence that followed was thick. Not a single word of protest. Just stunned faces and hushed thoughts.
I stood up from my seat and faced the Emperor.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
He nodded once, pleased, and then returned to his throne.
"The purpose of this meeting," he said, now addressing the entire hall, "was to formally introduce Billion to all of you and to inform you of a decision regarding the Holt family."
His voice grew colder, sharper.
"War is near. And we no longer have the luxury of hesitation."