Chapter 1 Returning After a Decade

"Lord Mark, the Seraphia Marriage Bureau received an order. A mere Three-Star Warrior Captain has requested that you dissolve your marriage with your wife!" In a sleek black Maybach departing Seraphia Airport, the middle-aged man in the front seat leaned forward, addressing the young man seated in the back respectfully. The middle-aged man's demeanor was solemn, filled with astonishment and pity for the Three-Star Warrior Captain. After ten years of warfare, this should have been a time of peace and enjoyment for him. Instead, he had made a grave error upon returning to Seraphia. During those ten years, Yantara had faced the threat of formidable armies from eight nations. In this critical period, twenty legendary generals had emerged, each wielding unparalleled influence. Seated in the back of the car, the young man was their supreme leader, elevated above the other nineteen generals! The monarch of Yantara had personally bestowed upon him the title of 'the Defender' and the rank of 'Nine-Star Supreme General', granting him authority over life and death. Who would dare challenge his marital status? "Forced me to get a divorce? This Three-Star Warrior Captain has some nerve! Issue my command: He must appear at the Claytons' residence within twenty minutes. If he arrives even a moment late, his entire family will face execution!" Mark declared icily, then rolled down the window to gaze upon the transformed scenery outside. The world had changed significantly in the past decade ... His name was Mark Brooks, renowned in battle as Mighty Mark. Ten years ago, due to family business conflicts, both of his parents had been murdered, and he narrowly escaped the same fate. At that time, Laurel Clayton had loved him deeply, despite his destitution. During the height of national crisis, Laurel could only watch as her resolute and steadfast lover boarded a westbound train. They had promised not to shed tears, yet she chased after the departing train as far as she could. Five years ago, tensions in Nordwest eased, and he finally made his first phone call home. Laurel was overjoyed. That year, the monarch of Yantara, in a bid to encourage the men of the West Conquest, had made an unprecedented decision to allow marriage certificates to be issued even in the groom's absence. This decree brought solace to many, infusing hope into their weary hearts amidst the brutal battlefield. Against all advice, Laurel had accepted his proposal over the phone, becoming the first woman in Seraphia to receive the special marriage certificate. "I only ask one thing: Come back to me alive," Laurel had pleaded at the time. Another five years had passed since then. In the past decade, Laurel had spent the first five years as his girlfriend and the latter five as his wife. Her dedication was unwavering. Now, Mark returned as the war god, Mighty Mark, prepared to offer Laurel the world if she so desired! He was now en route to the Claytons. Meanwhile, the streets bustled with post-war revelry, with many people out celebrating. Today was also the day for publishing the lists. One side honored heroes, while the other memorialized martyrs. A woman in a snug skirt and white blouse eagerly scanned the list for Mark's name, only to find disappointment swiftly replacing her anticipation. She maneuvered through the jubilant crowd and slipped into a quiet alley, hesitating as she dialed that number once more. It was out of service. "Mark, if you're alive, you'd better appear before me soon. I can't bear this onslaught of criticism and slander alone!" Laurel muttered to herself, her lips trembling. Brushing away tears, she returned home disheartened, only to be stunned by the sight of over a dozen black Mercedes-Benzes parked at her doorstep. "Laurel, you're back! Come, come, meet your future husband. Your father and I have already given our consent to this marriage!" As Laurel entered, her mother, Tamara Poole, rushed forward, her face radiant with joy. "Future husband?" Laurel was stunned, her expression quickly morphing into revulsion upon seeing the man standing in the living room. "Ms. Clayton, it's been a while." The man smiled and approached while extending his hand politely, but Laurel had no intention of shaking it. "Please leave. You're not wanted here!" Laurel said icily. The man's name was Dean Coleman, and for the past five years, he had been persistently bothering Laurel. Before, circumstances had shielded her—everyone knew about Laurel's special marriage certificate, so Dean didn't dare to act. But now, everything had changed; the war had ended, and Laurel's husband hadn't returned. Dean saw his opportunity. "Not wanted? It's not your call whether I'm welcome or not," Dean sneered, projecting an air of control over Laurel. "Laurel, don't be unreasonable. Dean is in the mining business, and he's considered the wealthiest man in Seraphia. He's a perfect match for you!" Tamara interjected sternly, her tone authoritative. "But Mom, I'm already married!" Laurel blurted out anxiously, her face reddening. "Married? You went to the Marriage Bureau alone and got a piece of paper; is that what you call being married?" Tamara scoffed, her eyes rolling. She almost collapsed in anger at her daughter's ingratitude. "Even if you are married, so what? Can't you just get a divorce? "That useless man isn't worthy of being a Clayton son-in-law! "I checked the hero list just now, and Mark's name isn't there. Even if he died in battle, shouldn't he be listed as a martyr? I suspect he never went to war. Forget about that failure!" Eddie, Laurel's father, spoke gravely. "I don't care what you say. I am married, and this certificate is state-recognized. I won't marry anyone else," Laurel said tearfully, feeling her mental strength wavering under her parents' pressure. "A certificate? That's nothing. My cousin, Josh, is fresh from the battlefield. He's a Three-Star Warrior Captain, and I've briefed him on this matter. By the end of today, your marriage certificate will mean nothing!" Dean's eyes leered over Laurel's hourglass figure with a lecherous glint in his gaze, eagerly anticipating their marriage. "Dean, you're despicable!" Laurel's face drained of color, a mix of anger and helplessness washing over her. Am I truly going to be forced into marriage with this disgusting man today? As they spoke, the head of the Clayton family and several of Laurel's uncles entered the house. They congratulated Eddie's family and warmly welcomed Dean, as if they were already one big happy family. No one considered Laurel's feelings. Tamara even found Laurel's marriage certificate in her room and flung it to the floor like trash. "Does this failure deserve to marry you?" Laurel tried to pick it up, but Dean stomped on it with his foot! Laurel crouched, trying to retrieve the marriage certificate with her and Mark's signature from under his foot, sobbing, "You're defiling my husband's signature. Get your filthy foot off!" At that moment, Josh Mallin, the Three-Star Warrior Captain, arrived hastily at the Claytons' residence in full uniform. "Haha, Josh, you're here too? Are you here to congratulate me on my impending wedding?" Seeing Josh in his military uniform, Dean couldn't have been happier. He was proud that even a Three-Star Warrior Captain had come to honor him. "Hah! See this? This is my cousin who just returned from the battlefield. He's a Three-Star Warrior Captain. Handling your little marriage certificate is child's play for him," Dean turned around and boasted to Laurel's family. Eddie and Tamara nodded in reverence, careful not to offend such an influential figure. But Josh couldn't enjoy their flattery. His face paled, feeling uneasy. What have I done to make the Defender order a small Three-Star Warrior Captain like me to come right away? He even threatened to execute my entire family if I was even a second late. Have I done something wrong regarding this? Who is Mark Brooks? Does he have any connection to the Defender, Mighty Mark? Inside the Clayton house, while everyone was busy flattering Josh, a black Maybach pulled up outside, and Mark stepped out of the car. Gazing at the familiar path ahead, Mark felt a rush of emotions and a smile crept onto his face. "Laurel, I'm back."