From Outcast to Overlord The Unyielding Heir (Leander Ashcroft) novel Chapter 477

"A war of the War of the King Phase?"

Leander's eyes narrowed. He had read countless ancient texts, yet none mentioned even a hint of such a war—not a scrap of record.

The words "King Phase" already represented the pinnacle of human power—older and more legendary even than the Transcendent Realm. A century-old war named after King Phase made him begin to grasp what it implied.

Jimmy's gaze darkened.

"This war engulfed the entire world. Anywhere martial artists lived—every corner, every backwater—was swept into it. The cause is nearly forgotten now. I don't know the whole story either. What's certain is that it was led by the King Phase figures of that time.

"In that battle, the King Phase masters went all out. Each nation's King Phase masters formed factions and waged a war that lasted nearly a year. Even world-class underground powers, like the Arbitration Office and the Church, were drawn in."

He paused briefly. "Nearly all the King Phase masters were drawn into it—a no-holds-barred chaos. The carnage was immense. Sixty percent of the world's top fighters perished. Rumor says there were close to a hundred King Phase masters. When the war ended, dozens were dead, lost to history.

“In the end, the Western King Phase gained a slight edge over the Eastern King Phase. That victory marked the beginning of imperialist expansion, leaving the East almost irreparably weakened. Most people think the Opium Wars started Astria's century of humiliation. They don't realize the defeat of the Eastern King Phase in the War of the King Phase was the true trigger."

Leander's eyes flickered. The kingdom of Orenthall had been in actual decline over a century ago, a time of deepest humiliation for the land. He had never imagined there was such a hidden truth behind it.

Christopher stood silently, listening. He and Jimmy were senior members of the Shadow Division, but Jimmy's clearance allowed access to far more secrets. Much of this was his first time hearing it straight from the source.

Jimmy's eyes dimmed, as if seeing the battlefield again.

"After that war, the East never fully recovered, falling under the pressure of the West. Though the King Phase of East and West had a clear winner, it was a hollow victory. The Church, once at the peak of its power, suffered catastrophic losses during the battle—its King Phase were nearly wiped out. Ten years later, the Arbitration Office seized the opportunity and crushed them completely, rising as the undisputed ruler of the underground world."

Leander stared at the clouds, silent. The War of the King Phase was staggering in scale.

Transcendents were already far beyond ordinary humans, wielding power enough to intimidate entire nations. A century ago, nearly a hundred King Phase—far surpassing the Transcendent Realm—wielded forces that could shape the world. Just imagining it made the blood run hot.

The power of a King Phase defied description. Even he could not grasp it fully. If over a hundred King Phase fought at once, the entire world would become a battlefield. Cities would crumble wherever they went, as if leveled by a storm. It was, without a doubt, one of the greatest disasters in human history.

"So that explains why King Phase vanished for nearly a hundred years."

Jimmy nodded. "Yes. That was the beginning of their disappearance. After the King Phase Accord circulated underground, every King Phase went silent. None dared stir trouble. Even the Arbitration Office held back. No living King Phase believed they could survive a united hunt by the rest."

He paused, then continued. "Time passed, and fear faded. A few reckless King Phase masters began moving again. In the 1920s and '30s, there were still signs of King Phase masters operating in the shadows. By the mid-20th century, they vanished completely. No one dared show themselves again. Precisely, King Phase masters fully disappeared after World War II."

Leander propped his chin, thinking. Moments later, his eyes sharpened.

"Nuclear weapons?"

Jimmy nodded firmly.

"Exactly. Nuclear weapons. Their emergence marked the start of the modern arms era. Agylae leapt to global dominance. The advent of nuclear weapons ended the age when King Phase ruled the world."