Atticus stood at the precipice, his amber eyes locked onto the vast armada approaching the shore. The moonlight shimmered on the steel hulls of the enemy ships, creating an eerie glow on the horizon. The chilling sea breeze rustled his long, wheat-colored hair as he contemplated the impending battle.

Amidst the waves crashing below, Atticus heard a calm, commanding voice behind him. "Supreme Commander, there are too many enemies. We should call for reinforcements." It was Dominic, one of his loyal officers. Atticus didn't need to turn to recognize him; the tone was enough.

With a composed demeanor, Atticus replied without shifting his gaze from the encroaching ships. "It's fine. I will be the one to take action this time." Dominic, although taken aback by the response, immediately saluted and muttered, "Okay, sir."

Suddenly, the enemy ships erupted with a deafening chorus of trumpets. The sound pierced the night, causing hundreds of troops to clutch their ears in discomfort. Dominic swiftly issued orders for battle preparations, but Atticus raised a hand, signaling restraint. He unsheathed his unique sword, its curved blade gleaming with a bright red edge, as though it had been stained by the blood of countless battles.

In a fluid motion, Atticus swung the sword through the air. The sea itself momentarily split apart, and several enemy vessels disintegrated in the wake of his attack. Panic spread among the enemy infantry as they realized their peril.

Arrows, imbued with the essence of MANA, filled the sky, hurtling towards Atticus and his troops. Atticus merely flicked his hand, and a colossal wall of fire erupted in front of him, intercepting the incoming arrows. Dominic understood the unspoken command and nodded in readiness.

Atticus turned his attention to the mages among the soldiers. He gestured, and they cast long-range fire spells, launching fireballs towards the enemy ships. The resulting explosions sent shockwaves through the sea, causing it to churn and froth.

With another wave of his hand, Atticus froze the remaining water, creating an icy barricade. Dominic and the soldiers gaped in astonishment, their focus shifting from the battlefield to the awe-inspiring display of power.

Atticus broke the silence with a resonant voice. "The rest is up to you." With that, he quietly left the battlefield, soaring towards the capital of Exeoketis.

En route to the castle, Atticus encountered two guards who requested his identity. He responded stoically, "I am the Black Emperor." The guards, visibly taken aback, bowed deeply and promptly guided him to his destination.

As Atticus and the guards proceeded towards the castle, they came across a man with striking ocean-blue eyes, complemented by his blonde hair. All around them, people and guards showed deference by bowing.

Atticus and the man, Augustine, exchanged a prolonged, meaningful gaze before Augustine chuckled and patted Atticus's shoulder. "Sorry to disappoint, but I won't hug you, as that would be quite... unconventional." Atticus rolled his eyes and asked, "How can a king be so childish? Can't you just show me the way to the council meeting?"

Upon entering the strategy room, they found a round table at the center, adorned with a colossal map. An array of diverse weapons hung on the walls, serving as both decoration and a stark reminder of their purpose. People had gathered inside the room, and one impatient man expressed his frustration by stomping his feet, causing the entire room to shake.

A stern woman swiftly rebuked him. "Do that in front of the King of Exeoketis if you want to instigate a war during these dire times." The man retorted, "And what gives him the right to behead me, the King of Dwarvas?" The woman chuckled, undaunted. "He's an emperor and one of the top ten strongest individuals in the world. With his might, he could easily conquer entire kingdoms singlehandedly."

Atticus and Augustine approached the door to the strategy room, feeling the tremor caused by the impatient man's outburst. Atticus quipped, "Are the people inside so uncivilized?" Augustine, scratching his head, replied, "Let's find out." As they entered the room, Atticus's piercing gaze fell upon a burly, bearded man. With an expressionless face, Atticus commented, "It seems like you're the one responsible for that sudden shake." The bulky man provocatively retorted, "So what if it is me?"

The room fell into a tense silence as Atticus took a step forward. In that moment, he released a surge of bloodlust so overwhelming that even those with strong mental fortitude felt a shiver down their spines. Several people, unable to withstand the pressure, vomited blood, staining the floor crimson.

Atticus, satisfied that his message was clear, resumed his calm demeanor, silently awaiting the council meeting to begin.