As long as you have the courage, fierce ghosts go on maternity leave.

Chapter 280: Alexander’s Secret Weapon

Beneath the grey robe was not the wrinkled face of an old crone, as Alexander had imagined.

Rather, when the robe was lifted, it revealed an exceptionally beautiful visage framed by a cascade of soft, jet-black hair.

The moment the woman beneath the robe revealed her true face, the world seemed to fall into a surreal stillness.

The eyes of all the Ghost Imperials and Ghost Kings flickered with unspeakable horror. Then, almost as if choreographed, faces of Thaddeus, Kassadin, and several other Ghost Imperials lit up with extreme elation.

They suddenly fell to one knee, exclaiming, "We greet the female Emperor!"

This woman was not Alice. She was the other hidden female Emperor of Dark Hell, the one who had once annihilated an entire city on her own—Blizzard.

"Do you still have reservations when I am here?" Blizzard’s eyes swept over the assembly as she gently waved her hand.

At once, the Ghost Imperials who were on their knees felt as if their bodies were no longer under their own control. Compelled by an invisible force, they found themselves rising to their feet.

"No concerns remain! With you here, we can certainly hold back the enemy’s onslaught!" Thaddeus and Kassadin promptly declared. It was apparent they were well-acquainted with Blizzard and keenly aware of her formidable abilities.

"Greetings, female Emperor," said Alexander, who was already aware of Blizzard’s existence. His surprise was minimal as he bowed courteously before her.

Then, with a trace of worry, he added, "May I inquire where my elder brother Louis and female Emperor Alice have gone? Their absence at such a crucial time concerns me. Have they run into danger?"

"Worry not," Blizzard replied, shaking her head. "They’ve gone to the Mist World to confirm certain matters. You’ll reunite with them before long. Meanwhile, you will act as the lord of Dark Hell, and I shall follow your command."

At her words, the crowd was overcome with astonishment. But even those who had reservations about Alexander held their tongues.

For not only was there Blizzard, a powerful female Emperor, but standing beside Alexander were other extraordinary figures: the Blood Queen, a guardian.

And Emperor Kui, who commanded millions of Devil Babies and was strong enough to exhaust even the most resilient of ghost Emperors. All were unwavering in their support for Alexander.

Who would dare object in the presence of such formidable beings?

"Given the circumstances, there’s no need for further concealment. Tony, let our people come forth," Alexander said, turning to Tony beside him.

Originally, Alexander had not planned on deploying the Fierce Ghost Association so soon. He believed that Alice had her own tricks up her sleeve, and Louis was not as mundane as he seemed.

But Alexander had not anticipated that they would be absent from Dark Hell at such a critical juncture. Now, acting as the lord, he couldn’t afford to hide his strengths any longer.

Behind him, at Tony’s shout, a wave of footsteps began to resonate. Many faces were alight with anticipation.

"I’ve long heard that the Fierce Ghost Association has considerable hidden strengths. During that auction, they deployed thousands of ghost kings. Today we’re fortunate to witness it," muttered a ghost king nearby.

"If Abigail Imperial and Emperor Kui willingly follow him, and even the hot-tempered Kassadin has been tamed, the Fierce Ghost Association must be no trifling force," Thaddeus agreed, nodding at the speaking subordinate.

"Thaddeus! Who the hell are you calling hot-tempered? Believe me, I can end you," Kassadin retorted, his eyes glaring in a fiery rage.

"Been honing your skills in the years we haven’t seen each other? Come on then, let’s see who’ll take down whom!" Thaddeus waved his hand and a staff enveloped in ghostly energies materialized.

Upon seeing the staff, Kassadin hesitated for a moment. That was an Emperor-class weapon, reputedly handed down through Thaddeus’ ancestors.

Furthermore, Thaddeus himself was stronger than Kassadin. He was one of the strongest Ghost Imperials in Dark Hell, second only to the Emperor Kui.

The two were old friends, both having served under Blizzard. Kassadin knew full well that if he could have defeated Thaddeus, he would have turned him into a battered mess long ago.

After a moment’s thought, Kassadin enveloped Edward standing beside him in a hug and announced, "Brother, we’re like limbs of the same body now. If you want to fight, it has to be both of us against you."

After saying this, Kassadin, sensing his own audacity, hastily added, "My little brother and I are thick as thieves! If we’re taking down one, we’re both in. If we’re taking down ten, we’re still both in."

"Pah!" Thaddeus spat, disdaining to entertain Kassadin’s shameless proposition any further. Edward’s spatial control abilities were no secret; without a countermeasure, he was virtually unbeatable. Fight that? What a joke!

"Kassadin! Since you and Alexander are old friends, would you care to comment on the strength of the Fierce Ghost Association’s army? The footsteps sound oddly synchronized," inquired a curious ghost king under Thaddeus, who was also familiar with Kassadin.

"Fierce Ghost Association’s army..." Kassadin’s expression grew strange. He glanced at Edward, pondering for a moment before finally saying, "Just wait and see! It’s shocking! In terms of power and everything else—absolutely shocking!"

Kassadin’s words piqued the curiosity of everyone present.

Step! Step! Step!

The footsteps within the fortress grew closer, their sound overpowering yet immaculately synchronized, as if emanating from a single entity.

"Hold on, why does this sound so familiar?" asked someone.

The majority of ghosts in this terrifying world were deceased from the real world and therefore recognized many elements of that realm.

Even those who had been dead for hundreds or thousands of years found their memories triggered by the distinct, synchronized steps.

They looked at Alexander incredulously and said, "You didn’t, did you? Military training for ghosts? Turned them into a formal army?"

"You’re surprised by that?" Kassadin sneered, "The real shocker is yet to come!"

Just as Kassadin’s words fell, ranks of the Fierce Ghost Association members, impeccably lined and marching in unison, stepped out from the city gates. What Edward saw behind him almost made him spit.

What was this?

Familiar black tailcoats, white gloves, sunglasses, and, incredibly, a pin emblazoned with the words "Fierce Ghost Association" on their chests.

To top it all off, each of these individuals was armed with a blade or a steel pipe. As they emerged from the gate, they bowed to Alexander and Tony in synchrony, collectively shouting,

"Tommy DeVito!"

"Jimmy Conway!"

The unified roar of a ten-million-strong army sent a surge of adrenaline through the crowd. Well, for most people, but certainly not for Edward.

It was more than a little unsettling. It would drive anyone insane to see tens of millions of clone-like versions of themselves.

Edward fixed Alexander with a venomous stare and said through gritted teeth, "Alexander, you have an addiction to cosplaying me at the city lord’s mansion, and now you’ve brought a whole troupe?"

Edward had been busy with administrative duties at the city lord’s mansion and hadn’t seen the regular members of the Fierce Ghost Association, who had been secretly training through instances. He hadn’t expected Alexander to pull a stunt like this.

"It’s a misunderstanding, purely a misunderstanding!"

Perhaps it was the appearance of the female Emperor from Blizzard and the vast Fierce Ghost Association army that had buoyed the spirits of Dark Hell. Everyone seemed to be in a relaxed mood, enjoying the spectacle and waiting to see how Alexander would placate Edward.

Alexander was equally speechless.

Back at Happy Clinic, he had come across Foreskin, who was hunting traitors, and had lectured him thoroughly on maintaining a proper image. Little had he expected Foreskin to take things to such an exaggerated extent.

After thinking it over, Alexander finally said, "Actually, all of this is your fault!"

"My fault?" Edward’s eyes widened.

"Yes, yours!" Alexander said, full of conviction.

"This is the first external war for the Fierce Ghost Association, and we needed to make an impression. We needed gravitas. So, I ordered them to dress in the most dashing, captivating, and elegant fashion before the battle.

And, well, you see the result. In any case, it’s just apparel; they still fall far short of you in demeanor and looks. Anyone can see the difference!"

"Oh, is that so... Well, that does make sense," Edward hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement.

The crowd stood agog, baffled by Edward’s surprising response.

Only a select few who truly understood Alexander nodded in agreement. Yes, this was so Alexander!

Just as the crowd was awash in bemusement at Edward’s reaction, every ghost of Imperial rank or higher simultaneously lifted their gaze to the sky.

In the distant sky, a mass of dark clouds loomed like a ruptured firmament, slowly descending in the direction of Dark Hell. On the horizon, a black line approached ceaselessly, resembling a torrential flood at a distance.

"Endless legions of the Endless Abyss army, swathed in their dark armor, are coming!" Edward exclaimed, his demeanor abruptly serious. "Ten million soldier-grade ghosts, just from Endless Abyss!"

Upon hearing this, the faces of those in the Dark Hell assembly turned a shade paler. They had long heard rumors of the might of the Endless Abyss, but never did they expect such ferocity.

"This is incredible," Thaddeus, ashen-faced, remarked, casting a subconscious glance at Blizzard.

Initially, with the support of Fierce Ghost Association’s six million soldiers, they thought they stood a fair chance, if not of outright victory then at least of a balanced fight.

After all, Fierce Ghost Association was formidable, armed to the teeth and highly trained.

"But now, the enemy outnumbers us by a full double!" The crowd’s eyes turned to the Blizzard Empress. She and the Blood Queen seemed the only ones capable of tipping the scales.

"That’s impossible," the Blizzard Empress shook her head, stating, "This is Dark Hell. I can’t summon hell warriors here."

"Then what are we to do? Are we to fight them head-on?" Abigail Imperial asked with concern.

"If I charge into the center of their army, how confident are you that you can protect me?" Alexander asked, not mincing words.

"What level of protection are you asking for?" The Blizzard Empress queried cautiously.

"The very center!" Alexander declared without hesitation. Despite his talent in manipulating space, such a feat would be suicidal against an army of tens of millions.

"With two Inheritance Ghost Emperors in their ranks, it won’t be easy," the Blizzard Empress shook her head.

"Leave the Inheritance Ghost Emperors to me," Emperor Kui, who had been silent till then, suddenly spoke up. "Even if I can’t defeat them, I can at least keep them occupied."

"That might be worth a try," Blizzard nodded.

"What are you planning to do in the center of their army? Unleash some kind of ultimate attack?" Thaddeus was one of the few Imperials present who knew the least about Alexander.

While he recognized Alexander’s extraordinary capabilities and even his control over some forbidden power, he found it hard to believe one person could make a difference in a battle of this scale.

"Is he planning to turn himself into a nuclear bomb or what?"

"An ultimate attack might actually work, perhaps even turn the tide," Alexander said, pulling a cigarette from his pocket. He lit it and looked out at the approaching army that surged like a tsunami, a hint of steely resolve in his voice.

"Alexander, don’t be rash! The power of one individual against such a large army is limited unless..." Edward began, anxiously shooting a subconscious glance at the Blood Queen, "Now is not the time for rash actions. The Fierce Ghost Association’s army has been training for a long time; we are not without fighting strength."

"And what happens after the battle? How many of us will be left? I managed to conquer Ash City with the two of you, and today, I have a secret weapon I intend to try," Alexander replied, his voice unwavering.

He did indeed possess a secret weapon of nuclear proportions.