family estate, the Venerable "Heaven's Blessing," Islabith, sat inside the greenhouse with Athena and Yuta.
Chloe and Madeline were strolling nearby, leaving Keri and Leri to play together, while Sira was busy calming herself and bringing her powers under control.
As Yuta relaxed and watched the children, Athena broke the silence in a calm voice:
"I heard that the Duchy of Guilford has been brought down and annexed into the territory of the De Moliar Duchy, and that the current Magic Emperor is Bulgord Kathali."
Yuta looked at her, wearing a faint, provocative smile:
"Oh, take it easy, Athena. Seizing things isn't exactly new for the head of the De Moliar family. Have you forgotten that he controls Duke Shin Akater William, the ruler of the Athrias Duchy?"
"As for Bulgord Kathali being the current Magic Emperor... well, I actually wanted to be the Magic Emperor myself, but they turned me down, claiming I was still a minor and hadn't met the necessary requirements."
Athena sighed as she listened to Yuta. After all, he had never personally killed Aster Guilford nor faced him in a magical duel; whereas Bulgord Kathali had proven his competence time and again over the past centuries, making his position as the current Magic Emperor entirely logical. Yet, the Venerable Heaven's Blessing Islabith seemed unconcerned with the events unfolding around her. To her, there was no need to become the Magic Emperor or anything of the sort; after all, as the entity who had bestowed the Wings of Blessing upon them, her status was already on par with Gunhars Gunlfin, Emperor of the Human Empire.
"It is, in truth, a trivial matter. It makes perfect sense for Balgurd Kethali to be the current Magic Emperor, given that they only admit individuals from their own inner circle. Admitting someone like Yuta would run counter to their objectives; furthermore, his history as a test subject for the Scorpion Organization renders him untrustworthy—unless, of course, they harbor some malicious intent behind granting him the position, or something of that nature. Wouldn't you agree, oh 'unrevered' Ruler of the Duchy of Athrias?"
Yuta gazed at her for a few seconds, wearing a smile that seemed to say, "You aren't easily dealt with, are you?" Yet, he remained unperturbed; after all, the Venerable Heaven's Blessing Islabith possessed the ability to read the world's narrative—utilizing the same "Reader System" that Hadrian Amita Valeria Ayumi Decimus had once used to monitor the events surrounding Reinhardt.
He helped himself to a sweet, his mind drifting back to the day he had threatened Duke Shin Akater William in the presence of the Lord of Berhais City—recalling, too, the astonishment he had felt regarding the events of that day.
The Venerable Heaven's Blessing Islabith then displayed a system interface showing the title of Chapter 4 of the novel. It made him want to laugh, yet he was simultaneously aware that this was something not to be taken lightly in the slightest. It felt more like an extra reminder from his revered and noble mother—Islaebith, the Blessing of the Heavens—that someone might be watching him, disregarding the fact that he was the Emperor and Master of the Ruler's Path.
[Chapter 4: The King Behind the Curtain]
Not long after Yuta destroyed the "Tomb of Rulers" dungeon and liberated Athena, the High Ruler of Death, from a prison that had held her for over 340 million years...
A maid entered Yuta's room with steady, graceful steps that betrayed her extensive experience. She bowed respectfully to Yuta, who sat by the window wearing a smile that boded nothing good.
"It is time for breakfast, My Lord." Her tone held a subtle tension; Yuta, however, noticed her hesitation, which piqued his curiosity.
He regarded her with a calm gaze that made her shiver involuntarily as he spoke: "What is it? Speak. Is there something you want, or what?"
The maid remained silent for several minutes before finally composing herself and speaking: "I beg for mercy, My Lord, but I put poison in your food last night. I didn't want to do it, but rival hunters forced me. Please, have mercy!"
Yuta continued to look at her, his expression revealing nothing of his inner surprise; Unable to use his precognitive abilities and still unaccustomed to his new body, he found it difficult to gauge his surroundings—especially given that he was currently at his weakest. However, regarding the poisons, he possessed an XXX-rank healing ability that automatically treated his body.
He sighed, gazing calmly at her as she struggled to stand. He approached with steady steps, preparing to kill her; someone like her—completely untrustworthy—posed a dangerous threat.
He gripped her face firmly—hard, yet not enough to break her jaw—causing tears to stream down her cheeks from the sheer pain and terror.
She spoke in a broken, pleading voice: "They were going to kill my brother. I did this only to protect him."
Yuta's expression betrayed not a shred of concern for her words. Yet, there was something strange about the girl; she seemed incredibly familiar, though he couldn't recall when or where he had known her.
He leaned in close to her neck. The maid's expression darkened, assuming he intended to assault her, but Yuta had no interest in her body whatsoever. Instead, he caught her scent—it was hauntingly familiar—but when had he smelled it before? He wasn't yet certain.
He released her, looking at her calmly as he spoke: "Alright. You will go to the city of Tokmarin at midnight—understood? And you will return after the Summer Festival ends—understood?" The maid looked at him with a calm yet shocked expression, then spoke in a tone of gratitude; however, Yuta remained indifferent and left immediately. After all, he had absolutely no trust in her, and he had removed her from the city of Brahis solely to ascertain her true nature more conveniently.
He headed toward the dining hall with a faint smile, accompanied by two Rulers: the High Ruler of Destruction, Higurashi—now known as Sera—and the High Ruler of Death, Frederica, known as Athena.
Ultimately, he possessed something akin to a cornerstone—beyond the Sword of the Masters of Life and the Masters of Death that he had obtained from the Empire...Alif and the Rulers' Tomb Cell.
Several minutes passed before he could enter the dining hall and take his seat. A maid handed him a newspaper; upon opening it, he found a piece of news that was meant to shock him:
[On the 674th day of the year XX/XX, at 6:00 AM, the body of the head of the Athryas Kingdom's Hunters' Organization was discovered under mysterious circumstances. Rumors suggest the former leader's son will take his place, with some skeptics accusing him of assassinating his father to secure the position and status. However, a criminal court has ruled the death a result of cardiac arrest, and the matter remains a subject of debate.]
Yuta stared at the newspaper for a few seconds before speaking sardonically to himself: "Was it Gowther McTire who carried out the assassination? Right, Hyun?"
The system interface appeared, confirming his suspicion. He realized that the Human Empire had orchestrated the assassination because the leader posed a threat to their objectives; after all, the McTire family acted as "cleaners" of corruption—specifically, the kind of corruption that conflicted with the Human Empire's interests.
Sipping his coffee, he muttered sarcastically to himself, "Oh, Junhars Junlvin... what a filthy scoundrel you truly are!" He set his cup down and turned his gaze toward Sira, who was eating a grilled steak. He gently stroked her hair, causing her to blush with embarrassment.
"Eat up so you can grow big and strong and help your big brother." Yuta's voice was calm as he placed the newspaper on the table.
Siri, meanwhile, smiled with a childlike air, nodding her head.
Yuta turned his gaze toward Athena, who was holding a letter, his expression one of surprise: "Who is the letter from? The city mayor? The Hunters' Guild?" His voice was laced with bewilderment as he took the letter from her.
Athena, her expression betraying suspicion regarding the sender's intentions, spoke in a quiet tone: "It is a message from the King of Athrias; he wishes to meet you at the Duke of Berhais's palace."
Yuta narrowed his eyes as he listened, then opened the letter and read it intently. He rose from his seat with a faint smile—one that made Athena shudder for a moment, as she sensed a looming disaster.
As Yuta headed toward the Duke of Berhais's palace, that smile remained fixed on his face: "It seems I've secured an excellent asset."
Five minutes later, at the palace gates, two B-rank guards stood watch; they turned their gaze toward Yuta as he approached.
One of the guards pointed his weapon at him and spoke: "You there—what do you want with the Duke?"
Yuta sighed, ignoring them completely as he walked into the palace—an act that infuriated them. One of the guards angrily pointed his sword at Yuta; though Yuta's expression remained unchanged, he effortlessly severed the guard's head, causing the other guard to collapse in sheer terror.
Yuta then continued on his way as if nothing had happened. After all, he knew the ruler of the Athrias Kingdom had ordered this; news of the destruction of the Rulers' Tomb dungeon could not possibly have failed to reach them.
Shortly thereafter, in the audience chamber, Yuta stood before the throne of the Athrias Kingdom's monarch, gazing at him calmly.
"What do you want, King Shin Akatir William?" Yuta's tone was incredibly calm—a fact that left the Duke of Berhais and the council heads utterly shocked.
Shin Akatir William, however, was infuriated by Yuta's words and tone. He spoke with an air of arrogance and conceit: "I want you to become my guardian—in other words, I want you to be my right-hand man."
Yuta looked at him silently for several seconds, causing Shin Akatir William's arrogance and self-confidence to swell. Then, Yuta uttered three words that left the entire palace in a state of shock: "I refuse the request."
His tone was resolute, infuriating Shin Akatir William to the point where his face turned red; unaccustomed to having his requests rejected by those he deemed his inferiors, he snapped: "You—this isn't a request; it's an order, you wretched scoundrel!" The words were dripping with contempt, causing Yuta's expression to turn cold; after all, as the Master of the Ruler's Path, hearing such words from someone who ruled over a mere speck of his empire provoked him.
He spoke in a chilling tone, fixing his gaze on the other man: "Listen, Shin. You know I could wipe your nation off the map if I wanted to. So, watch the words that leave your tongue before I cut it out. Do you understand?"
Shin pointed a finger at Yuta, panting with rage: "How dare you threaten a king like me?"
Yuta looked at him with annoyance, placing a hand on his forehead in exasperation at Shin Akatir William's sheer stupidity and arrogance. "I don't think you grasp the situation you're in right now," Yuta said calmly, snapping his fingers.
The world shifted into a void of pure white, stripped of the laws of time and space. Shin Akatir William was stunned for a moment before screaming out, "Speak, you bastard! Why is there nothing here but white?"
Yuta delivered a devastating kick to his stomach, shattering several ribs. Yet, he showed no signs of stopping, raining down a barrage of punches and kicks for several minutes.
He left Shin Akatir William battered and broken, his body riddled with fractures and injuries, blood streaming from his face and various other wounds. Yuta spoke in a calm tone, looking at Shin Akatir William, who was struggling to remain conscious: "Do I look like I'm joking? If you want everything restored, then give up your rule."
"But... but..." He hesitated, unwilling to lose his position. Yuta leaned in close to his ear and whispered calmly: "Choose between your rule and the lives of millions of humans. But don't worry—you'll remain king in name only. I have no interest in this small country; I aim to control the entire human realm. This country will simply serve as a springboard for that conquest—do you understand? If you try to tell anyone, you and everyone you hold dear will die. Understood? Now that we have an agreement, let's restore everything."
Yuta snapped his fingers, instantly restoring the world to its original state—so quickly that Shin Akatir William was left thinking that everything Alif and the Rulers' Tomb Cell.
Several minutes passed before he could enter the dining hall and take his seat. A maid handed him a newspaper; upon opening it, he found a piece of news that was meant to shock him:
[On the 674th day of the year XX/XX, at 6:00 AM, the body of the head of the Athryas Kingdom's Hunters' Organization was discovered under mysterious circumstances. Rumors suggest the former leader's son will take his place, with some skeptics accusing him of assassinating his father to secure the position and status. However, a criminal court has ruled the death a result of cardiac arrest, and the matter remains a subject of debate.]
Yuta stared at the newspaper for a few seconds before speaking sardonically to himself: "Was it Gowther McTire who carried out the assassination? Right, Hyun?"
The system interface appeared, confirming his suspicion. He realized that the Human Empire had orchestrated the assassination because the leader posed a threat to their objectives; after all, the McTire family acted as "cleaners" of corruption—specifically, the kind of corruption that conflicted with the Human Empire's interests.
Sipping his coffee, he muttered sarcastically to himself, "Oh, Junhars Junlvin... what a filthy scoundrel you truly are!" He set his cup down and turned his gaze toward Sira, who was eating a grilled steak. He gently stroked her hair, causing her to blush with embarrassment.
"Eat up so you can grow big and strong and help your big brother." Yuta's voice was calm as he placed the newspaper on the table.
Siri, meanwhile, smiled with a childlike air, nodding her head.
Yuta turned his gaze toward Athena, who was holding a letter, his expression one of surprise: "Who is the letter from? The city mayor? The Hunters' Guild?" His voice was laced with bewilderment as he took the letter from her.
Athena, her expression betraying suspicion regarding the sender's intentions, spoke in a quiet tone: "It is a message from the King of Athrias; he wishes to meet you at the Duke of Berhais's palace."
Yuta narrowed his eyes as he listened, then opened the letter and read it intently. He rose from his seat with a faint smile—one that made Athena shudder for a moment, as she sensed a looming disaster.
As Yuta headed toward the Duke of Berhais's palace, that smile remained fixed on his face: "It seems I've secured an excellent asset."
Five minutes later, at the palace gates, two B-rank guards stood watch; they turned their gaze toward Yuta as he approached.
One of the guards pointed his weapon at him and spoke: "You there—what do you want with the Duke?"
Yuta sighed, ignoring them completely as he walked into the palace—an act that infuriated them. One of the guards angrily pointed his sword at Yuta; though Yuta's expression remained unchanged, he effortlessly severed the guard's head, causing the other guard to collapse in sheer terror.
Yuta then continued on his way as if nothing had happened. After all, he knew the ruler of the Athrias Kingdom had ordered this; news of the destruction of the Rulers' Tomb dungeon could not possibly have failed to reach them.
Shortly thereafter, in the audience chamber, Yuta stood before the throne of the Athrias Kingdom's monarch, gazing at him calmly.
"What do you want, King Shin Akatir William?" Yuta's tone was incredibly calm—a fact that left the Duke of Berhais and the council heads utterly shocked.
Shin Akatir William, however, was infuriated by Yuta's words and tone. He spoke with an air of arrogance and conceit: "I want you to become my guardian—in other words, I want you to be my right-hand man."
Yuta looked at him silently for several seconds, causing Shin Akatir William's arrogance and self-confidence to swell. Then, Yuta uttered three words that left the entire palace in a state of shock: "I refuse the request."
His tone was resolute, infuriating Shin Akatir William to the point where his face turned red; unaccustomed to having his requests rejected by those he deemed his inferiors, he snapped: "You—this isn't a request; it's an order, you wretched scoundrel!" The words were dripping with contempt, causing Yuta's expression to turn cold; after all, as the Master of the Ruler's Path, hearing such words from someone who ruled over a mere speck of his empire provoked him.
He spoke in a chilling tone, fixing his gaze on the other man: "Listen, Shin. You know I could wipe your nation off the map if I wanted to. So, watch the words that leave your tongue before I cut it out. Do you understand?"
Shin pointed a finger at Yuta, panting with rage: "How dare you threaten a king like me?"
Yuta looked at him with annoyance, placing a hand on his forehead in exasperation at Shin Akatir William's sheer stupidity and arrogance. "I don't think you grasp the situation you're in right now," Yuta said calmly, snapping his fingers.
The world shifted into a void of pure white, stripped of the laws of time and space. Shin Akatir William was stunned for a moment before screaming out, "Speak, you bastard! Why is there nothing here but white?"
Yuta delivered a devastating kick to his stomach, shattering several ribs. Yet, he showed no signs of stopping, raining down a barrage of punches and kicks for several minutes.
He left Shin Akatir William battered and broken, his body riddled with fractures and injuries, blood streaming from his face and various other wounds. Yuta spoke in a calm tone, looking at Shin Akatir William, who was struggling to remain conscious: "Do I look like I'm joking? If you want everything restored, then give up your rule."
"But... but..." He hesitated, unwilling to lose his position. Yuta leaned in close to his ear and whispered calmly: "Choose between your rule and the lives of millions of humans. But don't worry—you'll remain king in name only. I have no interest in this small country; I aim to control the entire human realm. This country will simply serve as a springboard for that conquest—do you understand? If you try to tell anyone, you and everyone you hold dear will die. Understood? Now that we have an agreement, let's restore everything."
Yuta snapped his fingers, instantly restoring the world to its original state—so quickly that Shin Akatir William was left thinking that everything What had just happened felt like a mere illusion—were it not for the fear gripping him as he gazed at Yuta.
He spoke inwardly, his eyes darting about with a tension that remained outwardly invisible: "Everything has returned to the way it was."
Yet, he felt the bewildered gazes of those around him; his body was drenched in sweat and trembling violently.
He pleaded via telepathy—words that drew a mocking laugh from Yuta: "Yuta, I'll do whatever you want. Just don't hurt my family, alright?"
A cunning smile played on Yuta's lips as he replied to Shin Akatir William: "As long as you don't defy my orders, nothing bad will happen to your family."
Yuta immediately bade everyone farewell and left the palace. Seconds after he exited the hall, Shin collapsed from his throne: "That monster, Yuta Casiral... who on earth is he?"
The Duke hurried toward Shin in alarm; he had understood nothing of the exchange. All he had witnessed was Duke Shin Akatir William rising, only to find the King in this pitiful state. He helped him up, speaking anxiously: "Your Majesty, are you alright?"
"Yes, I am perfectly fine. I shall return to the capital tomorrow; have the carriage ready for an early morning departure." Shin Akatir William spoke in a tone feigning composure, yet his trembling betrayed the charade. The humiliating state Shin was reduced to after meeting Yuta made the Duke think twice about ever incurring Yuta's enmity.
Yuta gazed at the system screen for a few seconds before dismissing it, glancing over at the Venerable Sky-Blessing Iselabeth, who wore a faint smile.
He leaned back against the sofa, staring calmly at the ceiling. He looked toward Athena, only to find she had left the room while he was reading the chapter. He then turned his gaze back to the Venerable Sky-Blessing Iselabeth; she was reading the same novel, *Game of Death*, which made him view her with suspicion for a moment before he looked back at the ceiling and let out a deep sigh.
After all, he was sitting with a figure who—had she been an enemy—would have posed a dire threat. He felt relieved that she was his mother; had she been an adversary, he would have found himself in a truly disastrous situation.
He looked at her, shifted his posture, and poked her cheek with his finger. She looked at him with surprise that quickly turned to annoyance; she pinched his cheek hard, leaving him momentarily stunned before he pulled his finger away. Yet, she kept pinching his cheek tightly as she spoke in a sharp, irritated tone: "What an ill-mannered son you are! You need to be taught some manners!" Yuta remained silent as he watched, prompting her to offer a faint, satisfied smile and gently pat his hair. Flustered by her actions, Yuta's gaze shifted to the hand resting on her lap—an invitation for him to lay his head there. He accepted, of course, because he wanted to—not because of any murderous intent lurking beneath that affectionate smile.
After all, when it came to his own survival, Yuta was more than willing to cast aside pride and honor; if fleeing or submitting was the best option, he saw no issue with it—and the current situation was the perfect example of this.
While the Exalted Blessing of the Heavens, Islabith, gently stroked Yuta's hair like a loving mother, Chloe and Madeline sat beside Athena, looking slightly annoyed that Yuta had taken their spot.
Yuta glanced their way and saw them pouting as they clutched the shoulders of Islabith, who was paying them no mind.
However, her expression shifted completely the moment she sensed the presence of a maid; she effortlessly lifted Yuta's head and body away.
Yuta straightened himself up and looked toward the approaching figure—it was Amitalamira, the maid who had attempted to poison him. At the sight of her, the expressions of Islabith, Chloe, and Madeline underwent a drastic 180-degree turn.
This confirmed Yuta's suspicions regarding that day, though the reactions of Chloe and Madeline only deepened his doubts. Ultimately, they would not deign to interact unless there was something significant at play—something not immediately apparent that they would otherwise have ignored entirely. Yuta was the prime example: had he not been the Master of the Ruler's Path, they would never have bothered speaking to him in the first place. The same applied to the Imperial Family of the Ruler's Path.
Athena turned toward her with an inscrutable gaze, leaving the maid bewildered and frightened; after all, she had just witnessed the Exalted Heaven's Blessing, Islabith, effortlessly kill Aster Guilford—and right in front of the very person she had intended to assassinate! What further heightened Yuta's unease was the fact that the one who had bestowed the "Wings" upon the great duchies, sects, and clans...
Yet, the Exalted Heaven's Blessing, Islabith, did the exact opposite; she gently patted the maid's hair, leaving the girl utterly bewildered.
"Wonderful! The holder of the Story-Merchant's Wing—we have found someone to take the place of the Great Story-Merchant, Stefan Telmore. The scent of colorless mist—or rather, a mist that *does* have a color—wafts powerfully from her body, especially now that he is dead." The Exalted Heaven's Blessing, Islabith, spoke these thoughts inwardly, her tone filled with satisfaction.
She then turned her gaze toward Yuta. He was aware that there was a connection to Amitalamira, yet he remained uncertain as to what it actually was. One thing, however, he knew for certain: he would learn nothing from the Exalted Heaven's Blessing, Islabith. The Imperial Family Law governing the Ruler's path dictates that "one must discover the truth for oneself." This left the Venerable Lotus Jiehao Yuxuan and the Venerable Patch Pingtao Xin in the dark regarding how to attain the Absolute Realm—unlike Yuta, whose fifty-million-year past life had given him firsthand insight into the process of evolution.
He decided to appear indifferent on the surface, yet resolved to keep a closer watch on her in the days to come—provided, of course, that the Venerable Sky-Pool Islabeth didn't decide to oversee her training herself.