Hate me, Miss Witch!

Of course, such an infusion of the Power of Faith, drawing forth a faux Legend through unnatural growth, essentially amounted to a one-time use item that had overdrawn its potential.

But having already placed their faith in the Evil God, those Zealots naturally wouldn't care about potential or the future, or any of that sort.

However, within the side palace, Isadella did not pay too much attention to Dyres's report.

She simply placed her pale palm on her waist, right atop the ancient hilt of the Sacred Sword.

「The next moment.」

CLANG—

The clear ringing of the sword, accompanied by the radiant Red Gold light of the Sacred Sword, flashed into existence.

The majestic golden radiance, carrying with it tremendous mystery, pierced through the dome of the side palace.

And within the realm where that brilliant golden sword light passed, a dark beast, conjured from pitch-black shadows, found itself disintegrating into fragments amidst the torrential flood of light particles—its wings beating frantically as it emitted pitiful wails.

The sudden eruption of the pressure of the Throne made everyone in the vicinity feel as if they were facing a formidable enemy.

At the moment when that power exploded forth, everyone saw it clearly.

It was a Mythical Rank Beast King.

Previously lurking in the shadows of the night, it had suddenly struck during the most relaxed moment of Isadella's conversation with Dyres, attempting to achieve everything in one fell swoop.

But in the presence of the fully unleashed Sacred Sword, that Mythical Rank Beast King did not survive even for an instant before it was eradicated, reduced to the most basic Mana Factors.

"A Night Summoning Beast King of Mythical Rank," Isadella's voice echoed throughout the silent palace. "As far as I know, there's only one on the entire Western Continent. That is the Night Summoning Beast King from the Lost Realm, connected to the Ancient God of Twilight and the Twilight Cult. But the reason it was able to avoid my spiritual power and launch a surprise attack was precisely because that Night Summoning Beast King was hidden within your shadow, and out of respect for you, I did not extend my spiritual power to explore that area."

Then, she fixed her gaze on the old man with white hair in the side palace.

"Although I had my suspicions before, but—"

"Teacher Tarik, why?"

...

"It seems that the speculations of those people were mistaken," Tarik, with his head of white hair, spoke slowly in his aged voice. "Your Highness, no, Your Majesty, returning to the current historical node from the Imaginary Zone has not only not caused you any harm, nor has it destabilized your Throne Rank—even the Sacred Sword, which should be facing the pressure of Corrective Force, still maintains its peak condition."

He looked down at Isadella, his most prized disciple. Both the entire Royal Family and he had pinned high hopes on her for the Empire's revival. He shook his head slightly.

"As for the reason— If Your Majesty hadn't contracted the Sacred Sword, I would have had a glimmer of hope left—a chance to make the Sacred Sword recognize a new master and use its mystery to extend my life. If the Royal Family hadn't broken ties with the Borgia family, I could have relied on the life elixir condensed by Guderian's Mythical Rank Plant-based Pet Beast, the Rose Emperor. That nourishment could have slowed my body's decay. But, Your Majesty, you have personally eradicated all of my last hopes."

"In this world, everyone seeks to survive, everyone wishes to live. Even ants cling to life, let alone me. I do not possess the genius or the exceptional nature of you or Lord Shiayar... For me, the Throne realm boundary is a chasm—one I could not cross even if I exhausted my entire life, centuries of time. My life is but a mere two or three years left... Other than accepting the deal offered by the evil cult and getting a hold of that masterless Divinity, stepping onto the path of becoming a god, I had no other way."

"Is that so—"

Hearing such a reply from the protector of the Empire's Royal Family, Isadella couldn't help but close her eyes gently.

When she opened them again, the new Queen of the Empire no longer bore a fleeting trace of loss in her gaze.

There were still remnants of the Divine Shard that Shiayar had left after killing Crimson Moon... once he returned, I could have asked him to grant you some—

But Isadella left these words unspoken. Because she knew that everything was already beyond redemption.

The moment Tarik accepted the deal, he had no way left to turn back.

And as the new sovereign of the Empire, right here and now, she had no room for weakness, only to decisively cut through the chaos.

Isadella once again gripped the hilt of her sword tightly.

The splendid Sacred Sword once again shone brilliantly, its golden glow transforming into a torrent of light that shot straight to the sky.

But at the same time, Tarik suddenly picked up a wine glass from the dining table and fiercely smashed it.

The previous Night Summoning Beast King was merely a test, as per his agreement with the evil cults, to gauge how much strength Isadella retained after breaking back from the Imaginary Zone, and whether she still possessed her complete Throne Rank.

Although according to the original plan, the Mythical Rank Night Summoning Beast King was supposed to be able to retreat unharmed even if it could not win, it was now dead, without a place for its corpse.

Fortunately, the true trump card that Golden Dawn had been conspiring was never the Night Summoning Beast King.

It was the Godly Descent of the Lord of Ashes.

Smashing the wine glass was the sign he had agreed upon with the Sacred Relic of the skull, to break the seal and initiate the Godly Descent.

「The next moment.」

BOOM—

A mystery, no less than that of the Sacred Sword and capable of rivaling it, surged into the sky in an instant.

With it came the pitch-black sea of flames that seemed to devour all light.

The scorching black flames threatened to burn down the entire side palace, along with the Empire Capital itself.

And within that blazing inferno, the black flames twisted and spiraled.

Finally, they slowly merged into a hazy, colossal phantom.

Even before it was fully formed, the projection radiated an intimidating presence, causing everyone present to furrow their brows.

A Demigod— No, this has already surpassed the level of ordinary Demigods and Thrones, infinitely close to a True Deity. Could this be... the legendary Divine Realm?

Tarik felt the presence behind him completely overshadow the dazzling Golden Sword, a power that seemed poised to engulf the world. His aged heart couldn't help but surge with excitement, his emotions in turmoil.

Once this transaction is complete, I too can rely on the obtained Divine Shard to step onto the long staircase leading to godhood. Then, I can break free from mortal flesh and the limits of human lifespan. I can become like the Lord of Ashes, a great being, supreme and eternal, as long as faith exists.

Accompanied by the fluctuations of the Power of Faith, the colossal projection finally coalesced into solidity.

Tarik realized that within the entire side palace, everyone—from other members of the Royal Family and envoys from the oath-sworn families to the Great Nobles attending the ceremony, even Dyres standing behind Isadella—had their mouths agape in disbelief at the sight of the projection.

Is the Godly Descent's Body of the Lord of Ashes that terrifying? But then again, for most people present, it's not every day that one would see the Godly Descent Body of a True God, let alone Demigods and Thrones. For most, their only knowledge of Thrones came from a fleeting glimpse of Silvia, the Gray-Silver Witch, at the previous Borgia family banquet.

While his heart swelled with emotion, Tarik respectfully bowed, addressing the now solid projection behind him.

"Great Lord of Ashes—"

His withered arms spread wide over the beef dishes on the surrounding tables.

"As per the will of the Sacred Relic you bestowed, I have made all the preparations for the ritual, ready to welcome your descent."

However, in the next instant, the dark flames shot up towards the heavens.

A sensation of burning spread throughout his limbs.

Tarik turned around in shock.

He saw the solidified figure of a young man in the midst of the towering sea of black flames.

Black hair, black eyes.

Handsome, with sharp and distinct features.

Every person present recognized this projection.

Whether it was the banquet of the Borgia family that shook the entire Western Continent, or the subsequent public declaration by Isadella in the parliament of her Prince Consort...

They were all enough to etch this name into the memory of everyone in the Empire.

Shiayar Egutt.

Seeing Tarik turn his head, the figure formed of black flames glanced at the sumptuous beef dishes and shook its head in regret.

"The preparation is good, but..."

"I don't eat beef."