Episode 1

On the southwestern frontier...

The conflict among the Nine Provinces had subsided. Fortifications have been secured. Each unredeemable fortress had instilled fear in the hearts of their enemies!

At this moment, within a grand edifice, a ruler scrutinized a young man. His expression bore a tinge of melancholy.

"Do you truly intend to return to the Central Province? For now, do you wish to keep the location of the Greatest Warrior a secret?"

As a sovereign, the elderly man gazed into the youth's eyes with profound respect.

Behind the young man stood the Nine Great War Gods.

The Nine Great War Gods had rendered immense service. In just five years, their contributions were towering. Their mere existence sowed terror in the hearts of their adversaries.

Officially titled 'War Gods,' they reveled in unmatched power and wealth and were soon to return to the Nine Provinces.

Each would rule their own province autonomously. They possessed the authority to decide life and death.

Yet at this moment, the Nine Great War Gods humbly stood behind the youth.

Fane Woods was bestowed the title of Greatest Warrior by the Sovereign. His power now surpassed that of the highest War God.

The Sovereign was taken aback. Initially, the media planned an official announcement of the identities of the Nine Great War Gods along with their Greatest Warrior.

However, for some reason, only the identities of the Nine Great War Gods were divulged. The identity of the Greatest Warrior remained an enigma.

"Yes! I yearn to know how Salena fares now. Since all here is resolved, they no longer require my services!"

At last, a gentle smile graced the stern visage of the man. Salena was his beloved, his wife.

"My lord, may we accompany you to meet your wife?"

From his rear, one of the Nine Great War Gods, named Abner Young, inquired with curiosity.

Could one imagine the reaction if it became known that these esteemed deities were merely his subordinates?

"Let us defer this discussion for another occasion!"

Exhaling deeply, Fane seemed lost in contemplation.

Five years ago, during a counteroffensive, the ruler suffered heavy losses and conscripted every able warrior from across the land.

The Taylor family of the Central Province fell prey to this scheme, necessitating that they contribute a young generation as an exemplar to the provincial capital.

Elder Taylor was advanced in age and responsible for city order. Young Master Taylor was the sole scion and heir to the Taylor legacy.

Of course, Elder Taylor opposed sending his only grandson into battle for fear of ending his lineage. But the Taylors could not fall back.

It was during that time that deliverer Fane Woods appeared. A revelation struck Elder Taylor, prompting him to wed Fane to the Taylor's second daughter, Salena, in a mock marriage.

This ruse would allow Fane to represent Young Master Taylor on the battlefield as a member of the Taylor family.

Naturally, Fane had his own conditions. Initially, he sought a loan from Elder Taylor for his ailing mother's treatment.

Swiftly, the Taylor's second daughter was compelled to marry Fane, the delivery man. The modest wedding ceremony made Salena Taylor the century's joke.

On their wedding night, a despondent Salena initiated a consummate marriage bond with Fane in her inebriated state.

By the next morning, Salena wept.

That same morning, Fane was drafted as a soldier. Thus began their five-year separation.

Throughout those years, Fane encountered countless life or death situations. But the thought of Salena waiting at home sustained him.

In that time span, he transformed from family paragon to the central figure.

"Salena, fear not. I shall fulfill my duties to you!"

Fane clenched his fist. Anticipation of reuniting with Salena infused his typically tranquil heart with a trace of joy.

***

Four days later, a private aircraft gently descended at the Central Province International Airport.

"The Central Province! A place of profound memories!

Setting foot on this soil once more, a grin hinted at the corners of Fane's mouth.

Gazing at Lana Zechs, he slowly said,

"Since leaving the southwestern battlefields, I am no longer the Great Warrior. Henceforth, call me brother!"

"Understood, Brother Fane!"

Lana nodded her head. Assigned to the Central Province, she rejoiced in returning beside her master.

A Rolls Royce Phantom, bearing the license plate A99999, awaited at the airport's exit.

A bespectacled guard courteously opened the door as a middle-aged individual emerged from within.

If individuals from an elevated stratum recognized this to be Mason Drake, the Central Province's wealthiest, their jaws would surely drop to the ground.

One who compelled Mason to provide a personal airport reception was clearly no ordinary person.

"This trouble shall be worthwhile should I glimpse the Hell Queen's visage!" Mason declared.

He was acutely aware of what the War God represented.

Upon concluding his statement, a man and a woman approached him.

"The War God, the Hell Queen, Lana Zechs is here!" announced one guard respectfully upon their sighting.

"Let us depart."

Mason straightened his attire. For the first time, he approached Lana with deliberate care.

"Mason Drake of the Drake family greets the War Goddess's return to the Central Province! We have prepared the War Goddess's residence. Please accept this black card. I hope the War Goddess finds favor in it!"

Mason led his subordinates toward Lana, slightly stooping while presenting the black card to her.

Nevertheless, Lana's brow furrowed, and she coolly stated, "Your source is well-informed, as expected of the province's wealthiest!"

With that, she casually viewed the black card and scoffed coldly.

"Since you've made living arrangements, I shall abide. As for the card, keep it!"

"By all means!"

Mason wiped the sweat from his brow before daring to look up, pocketing the card.

"And you are...?"

He surveyed Fane, probing with a question.

"I was merely a fellow soldier!"

"A twist of fate has me returning to the Central Province, and we became friends! You may leave. I shall hail a taxi and head home!"

Fane smiled and glanced at Lana.

"Stay in touch via phone, yes?

"Of course!" Lana nodded in affirmation.

Upon hearing this, Mason's heart raced. This private jet was for the War God's dispatch. That this individual could return alongside the Hell Queen hinted at an extraordinary background.

What astonished him further was how Lana regarded this man with overt respect.

Soon after, a taxi pulled up outside a row of villas.

There lay the Taylors’ residence!

Having survived innumerable life and death predicaments, Fane could not suppress his bitter smile at the sight of the villa's gate.

At the time, if not for Elder Taylor's self-endangering threat, Salena would not have consented to wed him alone.

It was also the Taylors' dismissive attitude towards their own marriage that disillusioned Salena and facilitated her relationship with a mere delivery man like himself.

Though their union was a sham, Salena lost her chastity to Fane. Just before Fane's departure, Salena vowed to await his return, deeply moving him.

And at last, Fane had returned.

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