The Conquerors Path
chapter-501

"If you wish to lead an army, then first you have to choose what kind of leader you want to be: one that will protect your soldiers to the end or the one that will do anything to win," Grace's voice spread out, her words ringing to every student. I could see all of them raising their shoulders up while their eyes focused deeply on Grace. She nodded her head as she spoke again.

"No path is wrong because, in the end, our duty would always be to protect the kingdom behind us, to make sure your enemies won't plunder your kingdom, and for that, you should be willing to be the hero and the villain of others' lives."

As Grace said this, an intense aura escaped from her body, her presence commanding, one that I rarely got to experience.

"A good general will protect and safeguard soldiers, but a great one would remain undefeated and guard his or her kingdom to the end of their lives. And as I was saying before, you take this life, you must make sure what kind of general you want to be, you must be sure of what kind of fights you would have to deal with."

As Grace finished saying this, she slowly took out the sword at her waist. The sword itself was a beauty of creation, but the moment it was held in Grace's hand, it became a killer. Raw red energy released from the sword as it called out for death and war. With my enhanced senses, I could feel the pressure of the lives it reaped radiating from within the sword.

"Just know as you trudge this path, there would always be times you question your actions, are all these deaths and lives necessary?" As she said this, Grace lightly touched her sword. "Are I truly fighting for something? Is this all worth it? If ever such thoughts reach you, and they will, just think about the people behind you. Don't focus on the glory, don't think of the family and lives you took, just focus on the people left behind in your kingdom and strive to keep them safe."

As her final words rang out, Grace waved her sword, an incredible sensation flowing from the sword, as the beautiful woman now felt deadly and sharp.

'Damn, she's hot.....' I loved seeing such a side of my mother, one that demanded absolute power and control. The power appearing from her showing a striking difference to her dress, making her look sexy yet deadly. But while I felt this, I could see the awe and fear filling the rest of the students, especially the older ones who could easily feel the dread coming from Grace.

Soon the feeling subsided as my mother placed her sword back, her normal sense coming into play as silence enveloped the huge hall.

"Any questions before we head to the simulation?" Grace asked, and soon several of the students raised their hands. Grace chose a girl among them who asked, "Teacher, what kind of general are you?"

This brought everyone's focus towards Grace, who replied with a smile, "The latter one. I strive to protect all my soldiers and my Empire."

Hearing this, hushed discussions filled the hall. Grace's eyes traveled through it all until they settled on me, the only one standing in the hall. Her eyes met mine as I threw my hood away; I wore it to not distract my mother, but now it isn't of any use. The moment Grace saw me, a gentle smile filled her face, which quickly brought great damage to the rest of the male students and even the teachers.

It didn't even take long before the rest of the students started to focus on me, their eyes beaming into me. Looking downwards, I could even see Nora among the gathering, her eyes meeting mine as a similar gentle love-filled smile bloomed on her face, both hers and my mother's being very similar.

Clap! Hearing the clap, everyone turned towards Grace who spoke, "Why don't you all head towards the simulation now?"

Hearing her words, every student below started to head towards another part of the room, most probably the illusion simulation room where they would have to lead different scenarios as generals. The proud part being that my sister always comes up on top in this; she is single-handedly the best general of my generation, even the older ones can't compare to her.

'Though they would all be leading real-life situations soon' My mind swirled. While illusions are good, it doesn't give the best situation in real life. After all, unpredictable things can always happen in real life. In fact, the last year students even have a real-life deployment where they would have to lead a group of their own within the real world for some time.

'Time is running out; war would soon elapse us.' It's just a matter of time before the Beastmen Council declares their war statement. From then on, the rest waiting for the perfect opportunity would strike. My intel tells me that those hidden groups are aiming to take down the key powerful figures of the new generation, in fact, that was what they aimed for back in the realm, though I thwarted that.

'But I can't protect them forever.' There are several geniuses of this generation, and some would definitely fall to the threats ahead. Moreover, the War council won't be able to intervene till things reach a world-threatening situation, which won't in normal circumstances, but I and even the War council know that isn't the case here.

Right now, the presence of corruption energy is increasing, and a huge amount of death covering over this world from war would only fasten the speed of corruption. There is no doubt that by the end of the war, several powerful people would be corrupted and no one would be able to tell it. An Era where trust can't exist would rise again.

'But I will never let the people I care about get hurt.' With my mother's awakening, the Empire would be stronger than ever. Knowing how smart Grace is, she would have already started to prepare for the war ahead. Just as I was thinking so, everyone in the room went ahead, Grace asking for some time, walked in front of me. Her green, gentle eyes twinkled as she spoke to me.

"Follow me." I nodded my head at it, and soon the two of us got inside my mother's office, and just as we did, Grace jumped into my embrace. Her hands holding me tight, her face rubbing against my chest as she spoke.

"I'm sorry for avoiding you..." Her muttering words were heard as I hugged Grace back, my hands slowly patting her back as I placed a light kiss on her cheeks.

"And I am sorry for hiding all of this from you, I just didn't want to hurt you, I love you too much for that..."

Hearing my reply Grace raised her head from my chest, her hands holding my face gently with her boobs nicely pressed again my chest.

"Don't be, you had every right, While it hurts, it hurts me more when I think that I couldn't see it but I just want you to know that you are not alone and you will never be, I will always be there for you, my love..."

"Grac-"

"Call me mother"

My mom interrupted her eyes narrowing at me, our dynamics have been a mess ever since our first time where I would take her more as my woman that my mother but it would seem that my mother doesn't want me to forget her motherly side too.

"Mother....."

I said with a smile and just as I did, my mother lunged forward, her lips meeting mine as her hands wrapped around my neck, I responded back, as my mouth sought her out too, and my hands moved with passion as I gropped my mother's ass, her supple cheeks changing forms under my torment, while her tongue danced in my mouth.

Soon I lifted her off the ground by her ass and placed her on the table, her lips still connected, it would seem that a fire has ignited between the two of us, and I for one am not about to let it go.