Rise of the Cosmic_Emperor

It quickly became popular opinion for everyone to steer clear of these lunatics. Obviously, as good-looking as they all were, they were also incredibly vicious.

That said, it did not change the fact that it made Edvard very embarrassed and his glare at Hal did not let him see Selina trying her best to get Hal\'s attention.

He did notice it though when Hal turned to her and winked, causing the busty girl to blush deeply. A change that caused Edvard to turn speechless while Arnold did not know what to say.

After all, Hal intimidated him terribly.

Attention was quickly back upon the couple who were renewing their vows. 

Marlon was all smiles as he made his wife a promise to always be faithful and not let anything come between them, which Hal believed was quite a stretch considering Death could very well come between them very soon.

The exchanging of vows was soon completed and the Bride and groom bowed to the heavens while the guest wished them many years of happy married life. 

This was of course more of a routine as most of those spectating could not care less if the couple up and died the next day.

Then when the couple was seated and toasts were made to them, Hector stood up on the terrace of the castle where he and his family sat to overlook their Guest and immediately garnered the silence and respect of many in the crowd.

It did not matter if they hated the old man, what mattered was that at that moment, he was still the most powerful in the city and he was still Mayor.

"I truly appreciate you all for coming today to share in my Happiness. It really warms this old man\'s heart" Hector began and then turned to Marlon.

"Son, you have made quite a few mistakes in your life and I admit that they disappointed me greatly, but today you have not only renewed your vow to your wife, you have also renewed your vow to me to be the son I can be proud of.

To Marlon" He said and raised his glass in a toast to his son.

"To Marlon" replied many merchants but none of the Great family heads raised their glass.

Solidarity was one thing, Ass kissing was another matter altogether and one that had no importance.

Hal and his ladies however raised their glasses in respect to the toast. Their smiles made it seem like they were really enjoying the day\'s events.

"When is it going to start? I can\'t take this anymore" Rita told Hal out of the corner of her lips.

Hal patted the back of her hand, 

"Soon" he smiled.

Hector turned to Olivia, 

"To you my dear, I toast as well. That you have put up with this son of mine has warranted my respect for you. And don\'t worry, should he ever hurt you again, just tell me and let me deal with him..." A few sniggers could be heard and Marlon himself smiled even if he did look uncomfortable.

"To Olivia" Hector called and glasses were raised once again, 

"To Olivia" They chorussed.

"There is so much I\'d still like to toast to as well as so many others. Like my diligent Son, Darryl. My capable grandson Alex and most importantly, I feel it is necessary I toast..."

Hector suddenly stopped and perked to something that could not be seen.

Immediately, he stumped his feet to the ground and released a large amount of Cosmic Energy into an Array circle that activated a Dome of swimming runes that shielded the mansion.

"What the..." Said one merchant, obviously worried the Mayor was trapping them for a possible slaughter when a ball of flame suddenly flew at the Dome...

*Booommmm*

...and exploded against it.

This must have been what Hector had sensed.

Immediately everyone on the scene stood to their feet and adopted a battle stance. After all, while the merchants were more about wealth than strength, they were still experts in their own right.

Such a stance was instinctive.

Even the weaklings who were barely at the Cosmic Pearl realm (weaklings considering their age) were on their feet.

The young generation was also on their feet and by the side of their parents or guardians.

The only ones who remained seated were Hal and the three ladies who seemed perfectly at ease. 

In fact, their expression lacked any surprise or shock that it should have held. 

Could they have been in on this attack?

"Finally" Rita sighed.

"You say that like the ceremony was boring" Hal chuckled but it was Melinda who answered, 

"Well, it was boring and that is undisputed, but my issue is that it really was nothing related to me so I did not see the point." She said.

"Same" Rita agreed with a sigh.

Marla was the only one who had something different to say, 

"I just can\'t believe those old dudes can still stare at us when we threatened to pluck out their eyes"

The cause of the explosive contact was seen soon when an Army of Plebeians, led by San Fidwud arrived.

It was quickly clear that compared to what they brought today to Edgar castle, what they had brought to Hal\'s mansion had been incredibly small.

The army they brought this time around was in thousands and at least ten times what had been used in their assault against him.

Hal was not surprised though cause he already had a rough estimate of the combined might of the Plebeian alliance thanks to his inside men.

However, as he had not told any of this to the ladies, their eyes widened in mild shock that the Plebeians still had this massive number of Men.

While those at the Cosmic Armament Realm were in hundreds and not that many, it was made up for with the thousands of Cosmic Pearl realm Experts.

"How did they train all these men?" Melinda asked in disbelief. The question was rhetorical of course because she already knew how.

She was only asking to express her immense disbelief at the number of resources the Plebeians had been given.

San spoke up and the act of infusing his voice with Cosmic Energy seemed particularly effortless now that he was at the Cosmic Phenomenon Realm, 

"Apologies for being late for this joyous occasion. I was preoccupied with the preparation of the perfect gift for you.

Don\'t worry, I put a lot of thought into it and I am quite confident you will hate it."

Darryl\'s face twisted in anger. The attack had not really caught him or Marlon by surprise as Hal had informed them beforehand and they had already rallied the Edgar force in the pretense that it was for security.

The problem lay in that Hal had told them the situation would not really change all that much despite their preparations.

"How dare you, Fidwud? You are attacking the Mayor\'s home. Do you have any idea whatsoever of what the consequences will be?" Darryl asked.

He was not highlighting the fact that Hector was Mayor just to pull Rank or post but to highlight that San had no hope against a Cosmic Phenomenon expert.

San understood what Darryl was saying perfectly and sneered from atop his palanquin and released the pressure of his Cultivation Base, 

"Cosmic Phenomenon Realm" Karon\'s eyes widened and he was not the only one shocked.

Then the two Plebeian Runemasters, Baret and Ian stepped forward and slammed their hands against the Dome that surrounded and protected Edgar castle.

From the point they touched, projected Runes spread and with it as a clutch, the two began to pull the Dome in opposite direction from each other and thereby created a large opening.

One that was enough to allow the Plebeian force\'s entry.

San cackled loudly,

"I declare this the start of Operation: Gatecrasher.

Today I bring down the Great Edgar family!"