Raising Villains the Right Way

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Emperor Nataman of the Western Empire.

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Alon ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍did not know much about him.

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NovelFire reader preview #0a54dc575747 (issued 2026-07-17).

As for Contanias of the Northern Empire, he had been talked about even in the community of the previous world, but everything Alon knew about Nataman was what he had heard from Evan.

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That his territory had been torn to shreds by the divine-blood and that it had perished.

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Other than that, there was no proper information about Nataman.

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Of course, it was only natural that he did not know Alon either.

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Alon had lived in the Allied Kingdom Alliance until now, so he had never once met the Emperor of the Empire.

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Yes, that was certainly how it should have been.

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It should have been.

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“Nataman~!! What do you think you’re doing!!”

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Why was such a situation unfolding?

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Alon looked ahead.

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There stood Nataman, smiling as he had just driven his fist straight into the face of his own brother, Contanias.

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“What do you mean what am I doing? I merely corrected my elder brother’s manners.”

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“Ha-”

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A hollow laugh burst from Contanias’ mouth.

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But soon, his face twisted like that of a vengeful spirit in rage.

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“A fool who couldn’t even protect a scrap of the territory we divided dares to spew such nonsense at me!?”

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“As I said yesterday, it was a strategic retreat. I ‘deliberately’ reduced it, you know?”

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He tried to lunge forward at once, but—

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Snap-!

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Unfortunately, it did not continue, stopped by the masked figure who flicked his finger.

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“I have told you several times, but Seeker does not wish for the defeated to stir up pointless disputes.”

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The mask warned politely.

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At that, Nataman, who had been staring at the place where Contanias had disappeared, once again curved his lips into a genial smile and replied.

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“My apologies. Seeing my ill-mannered elder brother, my hand moved before I realized it.”

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Haha— as if to say, Oh dear, what a mistake I made, Nataman scratched the back of his head with feigned innocence.

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The expressions of those watching him grew strange.

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“Allow me to apologize on my brother’s behalf.”

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Even bowing his head as if that were not enough, Nataman prompted Alon to respond.

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“……No, that won’t be necessary.”

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“How magnanimous!”

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Rather than magnanimous, Nataman had already sent Contanias flying before Alon could even react.

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For now, Alon simply nodded.

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Nataman nodded back, then turned and disappeared beyond the door.

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Alon stared blankly at his retreating figure for a moment.

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“Hm, I wondered who it might be, and it seems you are the very protagonist of those rumors.”

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At the voice, he turned his gaze.

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There stood two women who had been seated with Nataman and Contanias just moments ago.

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One wore a subtle smile.

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The other observed Alon expressionlessly, as if examining him.

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Looking at the two figures who ruled the Eastern and Southern Empires respectively, Alon instinctively drew up the information in his mind.

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‘The shorter one is Serdea Polantisia, Princess of the Eastern Empire, and the taller one is Irenna Polantisia, Princess of the Southern Empire.’

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Both possessed resplendent golden hair, yet the atmosphere they exuded was quite different.

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While Alon was thinking this—

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“Mm—however, now does not seem the right time for conversation.”

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Saying so, Serdea Polantisia promptly turned and headed toward the direction where Nataman had exited.

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“Brother.”

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“Yes.”

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“Were you acquainted with the Prince of the Empire?”

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Receiving a question that might have made Yuman respond, Pardon? Me?, Alon also left his seat.

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Naturally, Yutia moved to Alon’s side as they exited the conference room and glanced back.

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Toward the place where Nataman and the imperial princesses had just left.

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And—

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“……Why did it not take effect?”

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The skull mask was also staring quietly at the place where Nataman had been, muttering.

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Alternately looking at his fingers as he spoke.

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***

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The next day.

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When Alon attended the meeting again, unlike yesterday, many gazes were directed at him.

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The most prevalent were curious looks.

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Next were gazes dripping with hatred, even though Alon had done nothing.

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However, perhaps because they had received some kind of warning yesterday, they only glared and made no particular move.

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Alon sighed inwardly and turned to his side.

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Siyan was there.

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She was smiling at him with a meaning he could not decipher.

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In truth, after what could hardly be called a meeting—more of an opening ceremony—had ended yesterday, he had intended to speak with her, but she had disappeared immediately.

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‘I should speak with her today.’

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Just as he was thinking that—

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Woooong—

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With a small ripple of mana, a black shadow appeared in the seat of honor at the very front and soon began to take shape.

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A situation clearly different from yesterday.

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The gazes of the kings of each nation gathered.

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After a short while, a man appeared in the seat of honor.

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It was strange to call the man alive.

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His skin was ashen gray, as if he were practically a corpse, and in his eyes were drawn bizarre markings instead of human pupils.

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And—

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“……”

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Alon swallowed unconsciously as he beheld that figure.

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Those present each perceived Seeker differently.

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Some with curiosity. Some with interest.

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Some with suspicion.

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Countless emotions passed in disarray.

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But Alon felt something else as he looked at Seeker.

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Oppression.

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Though the kings here did not seem to feel it, Alon sensed pressure merely from Seeker’s appearance.

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That thing before his eyes was dangerous.

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Sin?

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No.

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Divine-blood?

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No.

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What sat there now—

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It seemed more dangerous than any being he had personally encountered thus far.

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Thus, as Alon momentarily held his breath—

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The man, as if fully regaining his senses, blinked once or twice and slowly swept his gaze across the conference room.

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Then, upon discovering Alon, a peculiar glint flashed in his eyes for an instant as he lightly tapped his finger.

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Swoosh—

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With that, the pressure Alon had felt began to gradually fade.

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Before Alon could even react to the sudden change—

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“Contractors who have not forgotten the oath of centuries and have come here, welcome. I am Seeker.”

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He began.

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At the concise introduction, murmurs rose around them.

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One of them, as if waiting for this moment, raised a hand and tried to speak—

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“I believe all gathered here have many questions, but I shall take them later. There is something more important at hand.”

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However, the one who introduced himself as Seeker continued speaking as if he had no intention of taking questions.

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“As you who have come here are aware, the continent is currently in grave danger due to the fallen ‘remnants of God’—in other words, the divine-blood. Some of you may already know—”

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Seeker glanced around.

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“If the divine-blood are not stopped, the continent will perish.”

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At those words, tension bloomed instantly in the once restless atmosphere.

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“I do not know how you each perceive this situation. Some may think it will simply pass. Others may even seek to profit by exploiting such divine-blood.”

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“But remember this—the divine-blood are beings that have come to destroy the continent. No matter what you think, that fact will not change.”

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With a dry voice, Seeker looked over the assembly.

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“It is not that a flourishing kingdom will fall. It is not that a flourishing empire will fall. This land where countless empires were born and vanished, where countless kingdoms were born and vanished—”

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He continued.

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“It is you who will disappear. Without history. Without a trace.”

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At that, the kings each wore different expressions.

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Some looked as though they could not believe it.

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Others appeared shocked.

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Some tried desperately to grasp the entirety of the situation.

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And Seeker, who calmly observed them all,

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“Therefore, in accordance with the Contract of Structure, I shall bestow power upon you. Power for you humans to fight against the divine-blood.”

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He said firmly, snapping his fingers.

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Wooooong~!

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Soon, with a tremendous resonant sound—

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In the center of the empty table, a massive sphere appeared.

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A sphere resembling the faith Alon had been frequently using of late.

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Before long, the great sphere fragmented in an instant—

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“!!!”

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“What—!”

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—and began to be absorbed into the bodies of the kings seated in their respective places.

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The kings looked startled for a moment.

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Without even time to resist, Seeker confirmed that the power had been absorbed in an instant and said,

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“In accordance with the contract, I have granted you ‘possibility.’ From now on, I shall inform each of you, one by one, of the location of the secret treasure that can handle that possibility.”

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He spoke calmly.

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Soon after, just as when he had appeared, Seeker vanished from his seat in an instant.

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Those gathered were flustered.

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However—

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“From here on, I shall guide you.”

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As if waiting for this, the skull mask stepped forward again and stood where Seeker had been.

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First, he left the room to escort the king seated in front somewhere.

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In the chaotic atmosphere left by the sudden disappearance of both Seeker and the mask—

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“Brother.”

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Yuman suddenly spoke.

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“What is it, Saint?”

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“……What entered our bodies just now—was it mana?”

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Alon hesitated.

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In truth, ever since the skull mask had left, he too had been thinking about the energy that had seeped into his body. But he could not easily answer Yuman’s question.

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That was because he himself had not properly grasped what had entered him.

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‘……It’s ambiguous.’

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Alon recalled the energy that had entered his body.

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It certainly had not been mana.

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Yet it was strange to call it divine power either.

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“I do not believe it was mana……”

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“I see.”

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After muttering, Yuman seemed to ponder something and then confessed,

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“To be honest, I am a little concerned.”

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“Are you?”

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“Yes. Rosario also preserved important records regarding the Contract of Structure, albeit only in old texts, which is why we came…… but a power that is neither faith nor mana.”

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Alon agreed that it was suspicious.

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He did not think the likelihood that Seeker was an enemy of those gathered here was very high.

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Neither from the settings he knew nor from the records left in each nation was he described as a dangerous figure.

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However, as Yuman said, it was undeniable that they had received a suspicious power.

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With that in mind, Alon glanced at Yutia just in case.

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“I’m sorry, My Lord. This…… I don’t really know either.”

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“……Is that so.”

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“I’m sorry.”

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“No, there’s no need to apologize.”

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Alon meant it.

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There was no way Yutia could know the truth of this sphere.

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Just like him, this was her first experience of it.

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Unless she was living her second cycle.

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For some reason, Alon felt a part of his heart ease slightly—

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“You there.”

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At the voice, he turned his head forward.

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There stood Serdea Polantisia, the Princess of the Eastern Empire who had worn a peculiar smile while looking at him yesterday.

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Gazing at Alon with a faintly playful expression, she pondered briefly and then—

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“Do you know much about me?”

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She asked.

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A question whose meaning Alon could not grasp.

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However, it was not difficult to answer.

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“I understand that you are Lady Serdea Polantisia, who leads the Eastern Empire.”

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Alon replied.

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“Mm—”

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Serdea nodded with a satisfied smile.

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“If you know of me, that makes things quicker.”

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“Pardon?”

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“I shall speak plainly.”

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She added.

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Before Alon could comprehend her intent—

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“You, will you become my consort?”