Damn, I Have to Marry the Strongest Antagonist at the Start?

Ysera, the ruler of the Emerald Dreamscape, was truly about to engage in a life-and-death duel with the princess of the Celestial God Palace?!

Leslie and the elf queen stared at Owen in shock.

They had initially been skeptical of Owen's earlier prediction, but now, not long after he had made it, it was becoming a reality.

At that moment, Madelyn came rushing over, looking curious and slightly confused.

When she arrived, she tilted her head and asked, "Why are you and the elf queen staring at Owen like that?"

Before anyone could answer, she added excitedly, "Brother, two professors from Academy City have arrived!"

Owen nodded. "Let them in."

Moments later, two elderly professors entered the courtyard.

"Academy City Professor Andy greets the Emperor and Empress!"

"Academy City Professor Barron greets the Emperor and Empress!"

Both professors bowed respectfully as they entered.

"I have a task for you," Owen said after giving them a quick once-over. Their composed demeanor made them seem like ideal candidates.

"Please give us your orders!" the two professors responded eagerly.

Before coming here, they had been given strict instructions by the leadership of Academy City to carry out any and all tasks given to them by Owen and Leslie.

Academy City was fully prepared to provide any support necessary, for only with Owen's assistance could they regain their footing in the Sanctuaries.

What they feared most wasn't the work—it was the possibility that Owen might not trust them enough to give them any tasks at all.

Owen handed them a crystal ring.

"This contains a rich supply of Life Spring Water. Go to the wild plains where the boarmen dwell and find their leader. Tell them that Azure Kingdom seeks to form an alliance."

"If they agree, we'll provide them with a steady supply of Life Spring Water."

The professors exchanged glances and nodded vigorously.

"We'll head there immediately and complete this task!"

As intelligence experts, they were well aware of the boarmen's existence.

These creatures were a unique race in the Sanctuaries. Owen's decision to approach them now was clearly part of a broader strategy to prepare for the Sanctuaries' invasion.

After discussing a few more details with Owen, the professors departed swiftly.

Though the boarmen were known for their erratic tempers, they had a natural affinity for items infused with life energy.

With Life Spring Water as a bargaining chip, success was almost guaranteed.

Once the professors had left, Owen gathered Leslie and Madelyn and made his way to the outskirts of the imperial capital.

With the plan set, it was time to head for the Sanctuaries and prepare their trap for Ysera.

As they rose into the skies above the capital, Leslie cast an icy gaze over the city below. Her expression was devoid of warmth, her demeanor exuding a chilling authority.

Sensing Leslie's cold aura, Owen couldn't help but notice how closely she resembled the original villainess from the anime.

While he observed her, Leslie turned to meet his gaze.

In that instant, her icy demeanor seemed to melt, replaced by a gentle warmth that felt like the sun breaking through a winter storm.

As their eyes met, the chaotic energy lingering above them seemed to dissipate, carried away by an unseen breeze.

"The chaos has lifted. A new epoch begins," they said in unison, their gazes drawn skyward.

During the Millennial Cataclysm, the void and spacetime had seemed to collapse into chaos, leaving the heavens shrouded in darkness.

Now, the world was finally restored.

Their expressions grew solemn.

A new epoch meant new conflicts—and new challenges.

"Let's go. This time, we'll take both Emerald Dreamscape and Ysera," Leslie said, her voice carrying a commanding edge that brooked no dissent.

...

Meanwhile, as the chaotic energy dispersed, everyone in the imperial capital felt as though the sky had brightened.

Across the city, people paused their activities to look up.

Warm sunlight bathed the world, filling them with a sense of comfort and serenity, as if they were soaking in a soothing hot spring.

Many couldn't remember the last time they had felt such warmth.

Cheers erupted throughout the capital and across Azure Kingdom.

The endless darkness had lifted. Once more, they could see the sun, moon, and stars.

It marked the beginning of a new epoch.

For some, the sensation was surreal, as if they had crossed from one lifetime into another.

During the days without sun or stars, time had felt meaningless. Even the concept of its passage seemed irrelevant.

Now, as order returned, they finally felt as though the Millennial Cataclysm was truly behind them.

Across the kingdom, factions began mobilizing in earnest.

Word had spread of the Emperor and Empress's plan to invade the Sanctuaries, and many groups had been preparing for this moment.

Shadow Clan moved like shadows through the areas untouched by sunlight, racing toward the border's teleportation arrays. Their goal was to infiltrate the Sanctuaries.

The Moss Giants and Black Iron Dwarves, carrying colossal bundles as large as mountains, formed an alliance and began their journey to the teleportation gate.

In contrast, the departure of the White Tower Tech Guild caused an enormous stir.

Their latest creation, an enormous flying battleship, hovered in the air like a behemoth, casting vast shadows over the ground below.

Its sheer scale and futuristic design captivated the citizens of Azure Kingdom.

To mages accustomed to a world dominated by magic, the sight of this massive technological marvel was a revelation—a glimpse into a future they had never imagined.

Among the departing factions, the dragon clans also made their move.

Hundreds of dragons took to the skies, their vast numbers blotting out the sun as they headed for the border.

The sight of the dragons, long synonymous with power, left onlookers awestruck.

Among the three strongest dragon clans—the Golden Dragons, Bone Dragons, and Blood Dragons—their participation underscored the scale of the kingdom's mobilization.

At the border, the plains were teeming with representatives from various factions, all gathered around the enormous teleportation array.

The array shimmered like a massive blue gem, radiating powerful spatial energy.

Standing at the forefront of the gathering was an elder in a black robe: Bill, the lifelong Grand Professor of Academy City.

He had been assigned to oversee the passage of forces into the Sanctuaries and to greet the arriving factions.

From his vantage point, the plains stretched endlessly, filled with members of countless races and factions.

Though they hailed from different backgrounds, they now stood united under the Azure Kingdom's banner.

The scene was harmonious, a testament to the Emperor's ability to unite such diverse forces.

Bill's heart swelled with admiration.

Only someone as powerful, talented, and visionary as the Emperor could have achieved such a feat.

As the final moments of preparation ticked by, Bill raised his staff and declared, "Now that everyone is here, let us depart!"

"This time, under the leadership of the Emperor and Empress, we shall conquer the Sanctuaries!"

Just as his voice rang out, a childish voice piped up.

"Grandpa, where's Brother Owen?"

Bill turned to see a small girl from the Bone Dragon clan at the forefront of the crowd, pouting as she asked her question.