I am the Clone of a Death Row Inmate

”I know it’s hard. At least, I couldn’t do it. I’m not big-picture enough; I always prefer to take care of the friends around me. You see, isn’t that why I sought you out? That’s why I don’t hold any positions of real power.

”But if you’re sitting in that position and can’t prioritize the collective good, it’s better to step down early to avoid making a catastrophic mistake in the future. Don’t you think?”

Atago nodded, a bit dazed. On one hand, he felt what Su Ze said made sense. On the other, he didn’t know what his father had actually done to make Su Ze say such things.

Given his status, he didn’t have access to certain classified information and was unaware of the Nian Race’s existence.

He only knew that a certain chieftain in the country had been forming factions recently, gaining a lot of power and giving his father a major headache, but he had assumed this was just a normal political struggle.

However, for the Great Desert Kingdom to fall into chaos under the rule of the Sovereign Country, Atago knew there must be tacit approval from the Sovereign Country. He suspected that the Sovereign Country might be dissatisfied with his father.

But in his mind, the worst-case scenario was that even if the Great Desert Kingdom really split into two countries, his father, Jasim, would surely be the king of one of them.

But from what Su Ze was implying, he wanted his father to step down completely.

Atago was self-aware. He knew he didn’t possess any outstanding, irreplaceable qualities. Su Ze had said his father should abdicate and pass the throne to him, but the main point was for his father to abdicate. As for the vacant throne, if he didn’t take it, there were plenty of others eager to, including his twenty-some older brothers.

This was an opportunity not to be missed. He agreed immediately. ”If I am fortunate enough to become the King of the Great Desert Kingdom, I will certainly do my utmost to ensure my actions are worthy of the throne.

”However... I still have two concerns. I hope you can clear them up for me.”

Su Ze said coolly, ”Go on.”

”First, I want to know what mistake my father actually made, so I can take it as a warning and never repeat it.

”Second, I know it isn’t easy to become the ruler of a country. First, one must possess corresponding strength. Second, one needs the support of the Sovereign Country. Otherwise, even if I take the throne, it will be difficult to hold it.”

Su Ze pondered for a moment, then said, ”Let’s answer your first question... Do you believe in aliens?”

Before Atago could answer, Su Ze gave him a general overview of the Nian Race’s invasion and the conflict between the two parties in the Lin Hua Country’s upper echelons.

Atago was instantly stunned. Su Ze knew he would need some time to digest this information, so he didn’t rush him. Instead, he and Mr. Ya started eating snacks and chatting via voice transmission.

A full fifteen minutes passed before Atago came back to his senses, having barely managed to accept the explosive information.

He said, ”So the division of the Great Desert Kingdom was caused by the conflict between the two parties in Lin Hua Country? And because my father doesn’t want the Great Desert Kingdom to split, he intends to side with the aliens? Is that also why you want him to abdicate?”

Su Ze nodded slightly. ”Siding with the Nian Race might prevent the Great Desert Kingdom from splitting and allow your father to gain the support of the Alien Party, stabilizing his rule. But it’s an irresponsible act toward the people of the Great Desert Kingdom and would even affect the situation on the entire Lin Hua Continent.”

Atago finally understood the reasons behind everything.

Although he didn’t agree with his father’s decision, he could understand it. Siding with aliens who treated humans like livestock was certainly not a wise move in the long run, but it could yield short-term benefits.

After all, the Nian Race held an absolute advantage over the Human Race. Even if every Nian Race member on Blue Star was wiped out, their Mother Star could simply send a single powerhouse over, and it would be enough to suppress all of Blue Star.

There’s nothing wrong with choosing the stronger side when picking a faction.

But their identity as humans made them natural enemies of the Nian Race. Even if they defected, the Nian Race would only see them as dogs.

Moreover, it would restrict their family’s long-term development. By betraying their own kind, they would never be accepted by the Human Race again. And under the control of the Nian Race, their family’s potential for growth would be capped, forced to be the Nian Race’s dogs forever.

And an unvalued dog at that.

Once the Nian Race completely controlled the humans of Blue Star, they would no longer have any value to be exploited.

Of course, Jasim, the King of the Great Desert Kingdom, wasn’t blind to this. But sometimes, people only care about immediate benefits. After all, life is short. Even a Saint-level powerhouse only lives for a mere two or three hundred years. Once you’re dead, who cares if the world floods?

Atago said solemnly, ”I understand. I will always remember that I am a person from Blue Star.”

Su Ze nodded in appreciation. ”As for your second point, your strength is indeed a bit weak right now—only at the Cocoon Stage. But you should be close to the Butterfly Stage, right? Push yourself. Complete your third evolution in the next two days.”

”Okay!” Atago said. ”But even the Butterfly Stage isn’t enough, is it? Past kings of the Great Desert Kingdom have almost all been Overlord-level. That’s why our family has so many children each generation—to select the most outstanding among them to be trained into Overlords to inherit the throne.”

”As a friend, I can personally sponsor you with some high-level resources to help you become an Overlord as quickly as possible. Besides, your father is only stepping down; he can still protect you with his martial might. The family behind you can also remain your pillar of support. I will also secure additional backing for you—for instance, I’ll have Mr. Ke arrange for a Venerable Powerhouse to replace the Great Desert Kingdom’s previous Saint Emissary and fully assist you.”

Atago quickly thanked him, his heart now free of doubt.