The experts from the Twelve Divine Dominions arrived outside of Hexopolis and temporarily settled on a nearby mountain, watching in silence as they discussed what was happening. McKinley's expression was rather glum. His eyes kept darting to the white-bearded and well-dressed elder of the God of Light's shrine, Gyál, as he laughed and chatted with the other Dominion Guardians.
As one of the three Lightkeepers of the God of Light, Gyál was quite powerful and a rather active figure among the other Keepers. Apart from Yarus from the Dominion of Darkness and a few other senior Guardians from the Dominions of Death and Destruction, the others were wary of Gyál.
The Dominions of Light, Life and Water had always been at odds with the Dominions of Destruction, Darkness and Death. Minor skirmishes were common between them, and they were mortal enemies during the Battle of the Gods. Given their history of rivalry, they could never be completely on each other's side. This time, they had come together only because of the unifying threat of the Godhunter Alliance.
Gyál and Yarus had almost come to blows, but they were said to have calmed down. After that, their two factions stayed apart, without offending each other, just watching each other carefully.
Given the tension between the two sides, the armies of the six dominions led by Gyál and Yarus could have started fighting on the spot once the matter in the Fringe was settled. They had already occupied their respective territories, while McKinley stood alone, occasionally suffering the indignity of being taunted by Gyál.
"Hexopolis of the Fringe?" Gyál laughed suddenly when he saw those words Han Shuo had posted at the entrance. "They had a name change, huh? Even though they're about to be razed to the ground? They really are a bunch of interesting fools."
He turned to McKinley from afar and said, "McKinley, do you think the Godhunter Alliance could have wiped out your friend already? I hear you have a good relationship with that brat named Bryan. Haven't you taken special care of the Celestial Pearl Pharmacy in Ethereal City? Since you cultivate edict of space energy, you'll definitely have something to do with it if he survives in the end, right?"
"No comment!" McKinley huffed without paying any attention to Gyál.
"Oh, McKinley, Ethereal City is right next to the Fringe. I don't know how you can be so clueless and still become a city lord," Gyál sneered.
"Bryan won't be killed so easily. If he's really in the Fringe, would you dare to fight him alone?" Yarus shouted, laughing.
Gyál seemed surprised, as if he hadn't expected Yarus to say such a thing. After a moment's thought, he laughed and said, "I heard that Bryan had gone to the City of Gorging Clouds before. Hahaha, it seemed that you worked with Darkwater and Darkstone to fight him, but I heard that you suffered quite a loss."
Gyál stopped suddenly and shook his head. "Yarus, it seems that you haven't just stagnated over the past few years, you've actually gotten worse. To think that a nameless brat like him could take care of the three city lords of the Dominion of Darkness... I must have overestimated you."
Yarus smiled without looking the least bit offended. "Oh, really? How about we leave Bryan to you later? We'll take care of the rest."
Gyál didn't take Han Shuo seriously at all. "Just him alone? Hahaha! I wouldn't even have to deal with him personally. I'll only play with him if he proves himself."
"Haha, then I'd like to see how the game goes when he really shows up. Alright, let's go. We're already at their door."
"Yarus, is Bryan really so powerful?" Talbot, the Lord of the City of Wraiths, asked in a whisper.
Back then, Han Shuo had killed Portlem in his city and proclaimed that he had no fear of retribution, making Talbot reluctant to act against him. This time, he took the chance to come to the fringe himself with this expedition, with revenge in mind.
Yarus said in a serious tone, "Since Bryan hasn't been active in the Dominion of Light, it's no surprise that Gyál doesn't understand his power. But he's been to the Dominion of Death and Darkness many times before. I don't think he should be any weaker than you. But it didn't matter. If he had been weak, I would have been able to destroy him with Darkwater and Darkstone.
"Are you confident of defeating him now?" Talbot said, even more quietly than before.
Yarus shook his head resignedly. "No! I'm not confident, even if everyone here fights him with me. I don't understand this guy at all. But Gyál and the others don't know Bryan's power at all. If he's still in the Fringe, we'll let Gyál take the brunt of his power. As soon as he's injured, we'll withdraw from the Fringe and attack Gyál. Yarus had used darkness energy to create a barrier around them before this conversation began, so the others weren't aware of what they were planning.
"Can Bryan do that?" Talbot asked in shock.
"Just watch." Yarus smiled mysteriously and whispered, "Just remember. If Bryan appears and shows his power, we must leave without hesitation and ambush Gyál and the others outside the Fringe. I told our Lord Overgod about this. He said that since the battle of the gods is bound to happen, we should strike first.
...
After some time, the guardians of the Twelve Divine Dominions finally arrived at the great stone gate inscribed with the words 'Hexopolis'. Gyál laughed and announced loudly, "All those in this cesspool, Godhunters or criminals hiding in the Fringe - they deserve to be destroyed. Today, the holy radiance of the God of Light will shine upon this filthy place, cleansing it and ushering in a new dawn!"
With a loud click, the stone gate opened and laughter could be heard from within. "Hahaha, I've been expecting you all. Those who come to visit are my guests. Come in. It's good to see you again, McKinley, Yarus. Don't be strangers."
"Who are you?" Gyál asked haughtily.
Those from the other dominions were also confused as to what was happening. Hearing such a young voice threw them for a loop. Hegemons were usually middle-aged or older people. There was no one that young in their ranks.
Yarus's expression changed as he hesitated, before he shot a hidden glance at Talbot. Feigning a smile, he said, "I didn't think you of all people would be the ruler here. Since you have invited us in, I will indulge your hospitality for a drink. However, let me make it clear that we have come to the Fringe for the Godhunters, not for you, so please do not misunderstand."
"Bryan? You are Bryan?" Gyál realised immediately who he was. Now he seemed hesitant, as if he was confused about something.
"Who was the one who just announced that he didn't have to deal with him personally? What's going on? I see you haven't gone in yet. Are you scared?" McKinley said, venting his pent-up frustration.
"Shut up!" Gyál said as he glared at McKinley. "You're inferior to me, so don't you dare mock me!"
He huffed and glared at the others before leaving, his followers following behind him. Yarus smiled as he noted Gyál's fear. The fact that there were no Godhunters around meant that they had been defeated, supposedly by the current ruler.
"Be careful, Talbot. We'll leave the divine guards outside and go in ourselves. Our goal isn't the same as Gyál's. We don't need to stay here and will leave as soon as the tables are turned!" Yarus reminded.
Talbot, who had sworn to take revenge on Han Shuo, dropped it completely when he noticed Yarus' attitude. He knew he was no match for Yarus, so how could he possibly defeat someone even Yarus was wary of?
They all slowly approached the recently renamed Omphalos with their own agendas and goals. The only one who seemed to show no fear was McKinley, who knew that Han Shuo would not harm him. That was why he dared to lead the way.
The moment they entered, McKinley saw Han Shuo with Salas and Wasir in the middle of the wide street. There was no one else but the three of them, but they were all smiling calmly.
McKinley just nodded slightly and gestured with his eyes to tell him which one was Gyál. However, Han Shuo could already tell who it was without needing to be informed with his current power. Besides, it was easy to see which of them was the biggest arsehole.