Chapter 159 We are on a glorious road
——"Oh my god!! This is really the end!"

——"Is Zerath going to turn completely evil?"

——"I think I can understand him a little bit now."

——"I didn't expect that Xerath would be betrayed by Azir!"

——"Hasn't Azir always trusted Xerath? How could he say such a thing?"

——"This time, Xerath no longer believes in Azir!"

The audience can see Xerath's mental journey on the big screen, but Azir can't.

Azir's words completely disappointed Xerath, and from then on he never mentioned the agreement to abolish slavery to Azir again.

He bowed respectfully, apparently accepting Azir's decision.

Later, Azir continued his conquest, and Xerath was always by his side. However, he was now cautious in his every move, gradually increasing his influence in a region. Now he is plotting to take this land for himself.

Stealing an empire is no small task, and Xerath knew he would need more power.

……

"But why did Azir betray Xerath?"

"He's been doing well so far, huh?"

During the commentary show, both commentators frowned.

If there is any trace of Zerath's change in the film, it is that a child born of slaves, as he grew up, enjoyed power and gradually lost his original heart.

Azir's transformation was too sudden. Not to mention Xerath, even the audience watching the video were caught off guard.

You know, after Xerath saved Azir, he immediately asked his father for credit for Xerath!

Although the emperor did not care about Xerath's status as a slave, Azir swore that he and Xerath would become brothers.

Moreover, Azir ascended to the throne with the assistance of Xerath. Even over the years, Xerath has been his right-hand man and capable assistant!
Everyone felt that there was no reason for Azir's attitude to change so drastically, especially since he was still allowed to hold a high position after he reprimanded Xerath.

When the perspective of the film shifted to Azir, everyone understood the whole story.

……

Let’s go back to the time when Azir ascended the throne.

The new emperor of Shurima worked hard to expand the territory and continuously enhance his prestige in the empire. The territory of Shurima reached its peak after the Icathia incident.

While governing the country, Azir was also examining the country's system.

He implemented new policy reforms to improve the living standards of slaves, and also privately formulated a plan to overturn thousands of years of tradition and eventually liberate all slaves. However, Azir, who had been well-read since childhood, had a profound understanding of slavery!
The foundation of this empire was built on the flesh and blood of slaves, and many nobles had to rely on forced labor to maintain their wealth and power.

Such a stubborn foundation cannot be overturned overnight!
If Azir's plan is made public too early, it will surely fail.

Therefore, he never revealed this plan to anyone. He kept it strictly confidential, not even telling Xerath, because the issue of slavery has always been a knot between the two of them.

Although Azir always wanted to recognize Xerath as his brother, he must first free all of Shurima's slaves.

And this is the truth of the matter!
Azir has never forgotten his promise with Xerath!

When the scene returned to the one where Azir reprimanded Xerath, everyone realized that Azir was just pretending to be nice to the nobles of Shurima and was also hiding his true purpose!

Because he needs the support of these nobles to rule the vast Shurima Empire, and if he wants to expand the territory and stabilize the rule of Shurima, he also needs the support of these nobles behind the scenes!

And when Azir's majesty reaches its peak and no one dares to resist him, that will be the time for him to announce the abolition of slavery!
……

"So this is the truth of the matter!"

Where Xerath couldn't see, Azir was working hard for the agreement they had made.

But he didn't know that they had already drifted apart!

Xerath no longer trusts Azir, and he begins to try to usurp greater power and authority!
The famous legend of Renekton's Ascension revealed that a mortal did not have to be chosen by the Sun Priests, and that anyone could rise.

So Xerath began to plot to steal the power of the Ascended. Slaves would never have the chance to stand on the sun disk, so Xerath began to instill vanity in the emperor, making the emperor ego inflated, and implanting the vision of an empire that united the world into Azir's mind.

But such a dream cannot be achieved unless Azir can achieve ascension like the greatest heroes in Shurima's history.

This is Xerath's plan, he wants to obtain the power of the Ascendants!

However, this was also Azir's plan.

The abolition of slavery is bound to be opposed by all the nobles in the empire, so he not only needs to stand at the pinnacle of power, but also at the pinnacle of strength!
When the Shurima Emperor, who is an ascended being, abolishes slavery throughout the world, no one would dare to object!
So with the support of Xerath, Azir announced that he would perform the ascension ceremony, and he claimed that he had obtained the qualifications to become an Ascended on par with Nasus and Renekton.

Many questioned this decision, believing that the Ascension ritual was extremely dangerous and only those whose lives were about to end would attempt it, and only those who dedicated their lives to Shurima were worthy of the honor of Ascension.

Only the Sun Priests can decide whether a person can ascend, not an emperor's megalomaniacal right to grant himself.

However, Azir and Xerath's efforts over the years paid off. Under their decades of rule, Shurima prospered again and its territory reached its largest size!
No one dared to oppose the orders of such an emperor who was at the peak of his power. Azir's imperial majesty also expanded along with the territory of the empire. Azir did not listen to these advices and continued to do his own thing. Under the threat of suffering pain and torture to death, the sun priests had to obey Azir's orders.

At this point, Azir's plan is close to success!
As long as he becomes an Ascended - and Azir also believes that he can become an Ascended, then a Shurima emperor who gathers power and strength can abolish the slavery that has been practiced in this ancient empire for thousands of years!

And Xerath's plan was close to success following Azir's plan, but before that, he still had one last step to go.

(End of this chapter)