Chapter 1 The Return of the War God

• Serindia International Airport, Avaloria
• The airport had been on lockdown for a whole month!
• A newly built high electric fence surrounded the area for miles.
• Armed soldiers, rifles in hand, were stationed at the few entrances, continuously checking the few civilians allowed in.
• Most of them were carrying fruits, vegetables, meats, and wild game. Their eyes filled with fervent anticipation as they gazed towards the airport.
• Miraing the roads for miles, hundreds of thousands of Serindia citizens stood in perfect rows.
• They were all there for one person.
• A revered hero in their admiration!
• Inside the airport.
• Kings from 108 Avalorian countries had travelled far and wide, their eyes fixed reverently on the airport entrance.
• These kings, who usually commanded immense respect, now stood nervously like schoolchildren awaiting their teacher.
• At that moment, Darius stepped out of the military vehicle, his boots hitting the ground with authority.
• "Welcome, War God!"
• "Welcome, War God!"
• "Welcome, War God!"
• In unison, the 108 kings shouted, their voices filled with excitement and respect, using the Valyrian to honour him.
• Darius Harrington, the young marshal, is the Five-Star War God.
• He had spent five years in Avaloria, bringing peace to the entire continent, ending wars, and ensuring safety for everyone.
• With his incredible intelligence, he invented a type of desert wheat, eradicating hunger across Avaloria.
• With his extraordinary medical skills, he tackled malaria, AIDS, meningitis, and other deadly diseases, significantly reducing illness across Avaloria.
• Using the mysterious, mystical arts techniques from Daeloria, he even altered the continent's fate, creating a "Daeloria Arcana" layout that solved the water shortage problem once and for all.
• Thanks to him, Daeloria and 108 Avalorian nations maintained a lasting friendship, securing Daeloria's strong international standing.
• His three great halls were renowned worldwide:
• The Draconic Treasury Hall, which controlled wealth.
• The Celestial Sovereign Hall, which wielded power.
• The Eternal Judge Hall governed life and death.
• Darius stood tall and sharp, his eyes like stars.
• However, he frowned slightly as he looked at the kings from 108 countries who had travelled such great distances. With a hint of amusement, he said,
• "Who told you guys to come all this way?"
• "War God, we don't want you to leave!"
• "If you stay, I'll give up my throne right now!"
• "Please, War God, Avaloria needs you!"
• Thud!
• Thud!
• One after another, the 108 kings bow down in unison, begging Darius to stay and continue bringing prosperity to Avaloria.
• Darius gently shook his head.
• "My mission here is complete. I have to go back!"
• "War God!"
• These kings, usually so dignified, were unexpectedly moved to tears at that moment!
• "You little brats, stand up! What's the first thing I taught you when I got here? Shout it out!"
• "Real men bleed. They don't cry!"
• The 108 kings roared with all their might.
• "Attention!"
• Instantly, all the kings stood at attention.
• "At ease!"
• All the kings relaxed their stance.
• "Alright, everyone, disband immediately and return to your countries!"
• This scene was witnessed by the Daeloria soldiers welcoming Darius back, leaving them in awe and speechless.
• Darius boarded the plane to return home. Just before the cabin door closed, he looked down at the tearful kings and smiled, saying, "Alright, you little brats, I'm off. Don't miss me too much!"
• Below, the 108 kings collectively gave a sharp military salute, watching as the plane gradually ascended into the sky.
• The next day, Noverian City.
• Returning to his homeland, Darius was filled with emotion.
• He had once been the most capable and cunning warrior in Daeloria's military.
• He was also the pride of the Harringtons.
• But for the sake of an undercover mission, he had to take on the false identity of a convicted rapist, ending up in prison and becoming a publicly disgraced figure.
• His parents died of heartbreak, relatives took over the Harringtons Group, and his siblings were left homeless. His fiancée had waited for him for five long years, enduring unimaginable pressure.
• After completing his mission, Darius hoped to return to everyday life, but he was assigned an even more challenging task—rebuilding Avaloria. This mission took another five years.
• More than anything, Darius wanted to see his siblings and his fiancée, Lenora Nelson.
• "Whew, this is it!"
• Darius stood at the entrance of a run-down apartment complex, a mix of emotions playing across his face. Once, his family had been incredibly wealthy, but his siblings had fallen on hard times because of him.
• Inside the cramped two-bedroom apartment, a family of six squeezed into the 60 square metres.
• The second eldest, Kael Harrington, his wife, Freya Radcliffe, and their two children occupied the main bedroom. The fourth brother, Gabriel Harrington, and the youngest sister, Aveline Harrington, shared the smaller bedroom.
• "Honey, the rent and utilities are due soon. Also, Faye and Felix's kindergarten requires them to enrol in an after-school program, which costs 75 dollars each," Freya said, worry evident in her voice.
• "Also ... "
• Kael had barely walked through the door when his wife started listing off the bills that needed to be paid. Little did she know, he had just lost a 150-dollar bonus at work today and was feeling pretty down.
• "Yeah, yeah, I know," he replied, lifting a cigarette and lighting it, head bowed.
• The monthly rent and living expenses were crushing him, totaling nearly 750 dollars. There was no promotion or raise in sight at his job, and after the New Year, their eldest son, Felix, would start primary school, adding even more to their financial burden. Not to mention, he still had a younger brother and two younger sisters to worry about.
• At least their third sister, Mira Harrington, was married, which took a bit of the load off his mind.
• But Gabriel and Aveline were still unmarried and without stable jobs. He could put off worrying about Aveline for now, but Gabriel and his girlfriend were getting serious and discussing marriage. As the older brother, Kael felt he had to contribute.
• Buying a car, a house, or organising a wedding. Each of those could cost at least 15,000 dollars.
• Kael silently calculated their family savings, smoking more heavily than he did. The more he thought about their situation, the more he resented his eldest brother, the so-called rapist.
• If it weren't for him, their parents would still be alive. If it weren't for him, Kael and his siblings wouldn't be struggling in poverty.
• When those relatives shamelessly took over the Harrington company, they were forced onto the streets. Kael dropped out of school and took on five jobs, gritting his teeth to support the family and pay for his siblings' education. He sheltered them from the storm.
• "Kael, thinking about that jerk again?"
• Aveline walked over and casually snuffed out his cigarette.
• "Hmph, if you ask me, Darius, that bastard deserves to be torn apart!"
• Before Gabriel could finish speaking, the doorbell rang.
• "Coming!"
• Kael opened the door to find a face that looked almost exactly like his own.
• "Kael, I'm back."