Hate me, Miss Witch!

What a grand scheme and stratagem it was, spanning a millennium, intricate as grass-entwined serpents. Using the countless souls of the Empire as chess pieces, using himself as bait to invite the world into the game. What majestic ambition. Compared to the imposing stature now revealed by the Lord of Ashes, all others—be they other evil cults, the Abyss, or even the ancient and secretive Golden Dawn—seemed somewhat diminutive.

Such conjecture, though born somewhat hollow, became more substantial as Tarik's guesses were filled out by details from his memories. In the midst of such mental turmoil, Tarik couldn't even register the burning sensation from the sea of black flames enveloping him. He abruptly retrieved his staff, his fervent gaze fixed on the figure bathed in black flames behind him.

"Respected Ashes Divine Progeny," he began, "by a stroke of fortune, I have glimpsed but the tip of the iceberg of your father's thousand-year plan.

"But I think, even if the great Lord of Ashes intends to subsume the entire Empire into his control from the shadows, he must surely need servants and subordinates. They would help manage the Empire and conceal his actions from the public eye.

"Otherwise, while your father, the Lord of Ashes, is certainly powerful, the Seven Gods worshipped by the Dawn Church are not weak either.

"And I, having served many years as a guardian of the Empire's Royal Family, possess ample management experience on this basis."

Tarik's aged and stooped figure gradually straightened, his hitherto clouded eyes now revealing a cunning like that of an old fox.

"Then, there can only be one answer!"

He laid his peachwood staff horizontally before him. This staff, carved with the coordinates to Golden Dawn's secret meeting place above the Black Mists, was also the symbol of his membership in the Golden Dawn.

But then, Tarik's hands suddenly exerted force.

CRACK—

The peachwood staff was smashed by his knee, breaking into two pieces.

Tarik had already thought it through clearly. To prolong his lifespan, he definitely couldn't remain with the Order Faction after the great upheaval in the Empire Capital. He would inevitably have to choose one of the clandestine powers to seek refuge with.

That being the case, compared to the other evil cults in the Lost Realm, or Golden Dawn with its leader who always muttered nonsense and spoke in riddles, the Ashes Cult, with its profoundly deep schemes, was undoubtedly the one with the most potential, the backer most worthy of his allegiance.

He smashed this staff precisely to sever himself from Golden Dawn and demonstrate his loyalty to Shiayar, this scion of the Ashes Evil God.

"I will swear allegiance to you!"

Meanwhile, witnessing Tarik's sudden pledge of loyalty, the nobles, who were enveloped by the overflowing sea of black flames and fleeing in panic, also came to their senses. As emissaries of Great Nobles and oath-sworn families, most of them were Transcendent, possessing far superior control over political situations and a keenness of perception far exceeding ordinary people.

Previously, they had not understood this bizarre scene. However, as Tarik spoke, many of them began to understand. This was especially true for members of the oath-sworn families, who had long coveted the Empire's Royal Family's ruling position and had secretly committed no shortage of sordid acts over the years. It was only because of the Borgia family's crushing defeat, Guderian's death in battle, and Isadella's breakthrough to the Throne that the circumstances had forced them to quiet down somewhat, maintaining a superficial respect and loyalty to the Royal Family.

But now, the situation had suddenly been turned upside down. Although they, unlike Tarik, hadn't guessed the full picture, as astute individuals, they could still vaguely discern the general outline. Thus, for a time, the minds of many nobles became active with schemes.

"Respected Son of God," one quickly stepped forward, addressing Shiayar in the black flames respectfully, "the Golden Tulip Family, which I represent, although we do not have a Legendary powerful pro like Lord Tarik, has nevertheless been engaged in fields such as slave trading for a long time and has considerable experience.

"Even if you seize the Empire, rashly conducting fire sacrifices among the commoners will likely cause public panic and resistance.

"Whereas those helpless, unknown slaves and missing persons are, in fact, the best choices for fire sacrifice offerings."

"Yes, our Eagle of May family is the same—"

"Me too!"

Amidst a chorus of snapping staffs and pledges of allegiance—even among those originally loyal to the Royal Family, some began to waver.

"Your Majesty," Dyres leaned close to Isadella's ear and whispered, "something seems... off about Shiayar?"

Naturally, she didn't believe the nobles' speculation that Shiayar was the scion of an Evil God. As the woman who had personally used Dreamscape Genesis on Shiayar, Dyres knew with utmost clarity what magnificent and pure dreams that young man held within his heart. The heart of this Succubus Queen had been touched by that 'ideal realm, independent of the world,' and had wavered. However, the current situation was indeed not right. Shiayar couldn't possibly be a Son of God... but the probability that he had been bewitched by the Lord of Ashes' contaminants, corrupted into one of his followers, was very real.

"No, I know that is him," Isadella stated.

"He is the real Shiayar, and also the one I have been waiting for."

Throughout the entire hall, only Isadella's figure remained motionless. She had planted the golden Sacred Sword in front of her, her beautiful crimson eyes gazing fixedly at the figure standing within the black flames, a hint of longing in them.