It was no wonder Snowfall Sovereign was so excited.
After just a single read-through of the violet crystal containing the profundities of World Freezing, he felt his understanding of the Water Laws deepen significantly.
With this crystal, he even believed it was possible for him to break through further—perhaps becoming the second Water-style Paragon-level Lesser Sovereign after Locke.
"Is that so?"
Locke let out a faint chuckle.
"Yes," Snowfall said eagerly. "All the mysteries of the technique are sealed within. I only looked once, and I've already gained tremendous insight."
"At most a thousand years—I'll master it."
"And perhaps… my understanding of the Water Laws will improve even further."
"Mm. As long as you're happy."
Locke nodded casually, then turned to look at the Destruction Sovereign.
"Lord Wordred, you heard him. Snowfall Sovereign claims he can master World Freezing within a thousand years."
"In that case, why not settle it now? Let's confirm his promotion to Intermediate-level Sovereign in advance."
"After all, we won't hold another Sovereign assembly just for his promotion in a thousand years, will we?"
A collective gasp rippled through the Sovereigns.
They now fully understood.
Locke had clearly stated earlier—only Paragons had even a chance to learn this technique.
And yet now, Snowfall was convinced he could master it within a millennium.
This meant only one thing—
Locke had deliberately led him into this illusion.
According to the Sovereign Accords, rank wasn't determined by Sovereign sparks—but by actual power.
If Snowfall truly mastered a technique that amplified him a hundredfold, then yes—he would qualify as an Intermediate Sovereign.
But…
everyone present knew the truth.
He would never learn it.
Wordred glanced at Locke, then turned to Snowfall.
"Snowfall Sovereign, what do you think?"
"Shall we declare your promotion to Intermediate Sovereign in advance?"
Snowfall didn't hesitate.
"Lord Wordred, I may not even need a thousand years."
"But rest assured—even if I master it early, I will not act against other Lesser Sovereigns before the time is up."
The other Sovereigns exchanged looks.
This fool…
He still didn't realize what awaited him.
Once officially classified as a Intermediate Sovereign—
he would be fair game.
Even if others refrained out of respect for Locke…
he would live in constant fear.
That, in itself, was punishment.
And none of them were about to warn him.
"Very well."
Wordred raised his voice.
"In my name as Destruction Sovereign, I declare—"
"In one thousand years, Snowfall Sovereign shall be ranked among Intermediate Sovereigns, with all corresponding status and privileges."
"Thank you, Lord Wordred!"
Snowfall returned to the ranks, brimming with satisfaction.
The pitying looks around him—
he mistook for envy.
Once that matter was settled, Wordred turned to Locke's water divine clone.
"Locke Sovereign."
"Lord Wordred."
Locke paused briefly, then realized—this was directed at his water clone.
He stepped forward and bowed.
"Based on your earlier demonstration, I judge that this clone of yours already possesses Intermediate Sovereign-level strength."
"Thus, unlike Snowfall, who must wait, I hereby elevate you immediately to Intermediate Sovereign rank."
"Do you object?"
"I have no objections."
Locke smiled lightly.
To him, rank meant little.
Just as the assembly seemed ready to conclude—
Destiny Sovereign Orloff suddenly spoke.
"Locke Sovereign, if your destiny clone uses World Freezing, can it also achieve a hundredfold amplification?"
"If so… its rank should also be reassessed."
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
They had nearly forgotten—
Locke was a mutated soul Sovereign.
Both clones could use fused laws.
If his destiny clone could also gain that boost…
then Locke himself might already rival the Chief Sovereigns.
Locke laughed.
"Lord Orloff, you jest."
"My destiny clone is merely a Paragon Lesser Sovereign—at best comparable to an Intermediate."
"It only reaches Sovereign-tier strength through fusion of Water and Destiny laws."
"As for World Freezing—it's fundamentally a Water Laws technique."
"Even if my destiny clone uses it, it would only barely reach the threshold of a Law Sovereign."
"It cannot compare to the thousandfold amplification from law fusion."
"My true strength still lies in fusion."
"I see. My mistake."
Orloff nodded.
But Locke remained inwardly alert.
That question had been… probing.
The truth?
World Freezing wasn't purely Water-based.
It incorporated elements of space laws—a "Water-Space" fusion.
That was why it could freeze even space itself.
But Locke's mutation was only Water + Destiny.
Not Water + Space + Destiny.
His destiny clone couldn't fully utilize it.
Not yet.
A faint sigh spread among the Sovereigns.
Some were relieved.
Others disappointed.
"Very well," Wordred declared.
"This assembly is concluded."
As the Sovereigns dispersed, Locke handed Celes to his water clone to return to the Netherworld.
His destiny clone remained behind.
Soon—
Death Sovereign and Life Sovereign approached.
"Tsk tsk…"
Death Sovereign clicked her tongue.
"Didn't expect you to be this ruthless, Locke."
"Snowfall's going to be a laughingstock forever."
"And when the thousand years pass? He won't even dare leave the Water Divine Plane."
"I like it."
"He deserved it."
Life Sovereign Wawaya, however, sighed softly.
"Locke… he was in the wrong, yes."
"But perhaps… there should be a limit to the punishment."
"When you've calmed down, maybe consider demoting him back to a Lesser Sovereign."
She wasn't naïve.
She didn't oppose punishment—
only excess.
"You're too kind, Wawaya," Death Sovereign scoffed.
"That guy was insufferable."
"Honestly, I think Locke's being too gentle."
"Waiting a thousand years? That's slow."
Then she turned to Locke, curious.
"But how did you do it?"
"You clearly said even Paragons have only a ten percent chance."
"So why does he believe he can master it in a thousand years?"
Locke smiled faintly.
"It's not difficult."
He took out another violet crystal and handed it over.
"Try it."
Death Sovereign infused her soul power.
In an instant—
she felt as though she had become Locke himself.
Every detail of World Freezing unfolded perfectly.
She withdrew her soul power, eyes wide.
"…I see."
"Forget Snowfall—even I would believe I could master it within a thousand years with this."
And that—
was the trap.
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