System's POV

"I will now discuss today's agenda," Thirteen said before shifting his attention to the representatives of the Artemian Forces, headed by their surviving minister, Lysander.

He paused for a bit to make sure that everyone's attention was on him.

"First, I plan to attack the world of Artem," Thirteen stated, stirring the only three Artemians in the room. "Of course, I will not force anyone to participate in this operation. Only those willing to join this endeavor would go.

"This is not compulsory, so if you are sick and tired of fighting, you can sit this one out. Make sure to inform everyone that there will be no punishments, or demerits for non-participation.

"However, to those who want a piece of the world of Artem and have their own territories in that world, you will need to prove your worth on the battlefield."

Thirteen knew that not many wished to continue fighting after the war in the Cygni Continent ended, so he gave them all a way out.

"Lysander, I will give you and the Artemian Survivors a choice," Thirteen smiled evilly. "The first choice is to become the slaves of the Jinns. The second choice is to teach the Wanderers about your technology and be treated better than slaves.

"Your third and final choice is to become my subordinate and help me conquer your homeworld. Since you know its topography, it will help me conquer it faster."

He deliberately didn't mention that Erasmus had now possessed the body of the King of Artem and would be taking over his identity.

This was a secret that he wanted to keep for as long as possible. If the reveal was timed perfectly, it would be to their benefit. The sight of their own King fighting on the side of their enemies was bound to drop the morale of the Artemians, easing the conquering process.

Thirteen originally planned to let Erasmus infiltrate the Royal Palace of the Artemian Kingdom and ask him to help him lay the foundations of their conquest, but he scratched this idea since it would take too long.

With Azrael and Erasmus working together, there was no need for tricks.

Using brute force would make the Artemian Kingdom fall faster, which was more appealing for Thirteen.

Conquering Artem was for strategic purposes, understanding that the final battle would take place in Solterra.

The System of Cannon Fodders could feel it in his bones, and since they could send the Azothralls directly to Solterra through special means, he would be able to launch an attack anywhere he wished.

But for that to happen, he must make them submit, which would not be an easy task.

The Artemians certainly wouldn't take it lying down. Even if they had been conquered, rebellion was to be expected.

However, Thirteen wasn't too worried about it.

Why?

Because he would seek the help of King Astrion's Queen, who was also the High Priestess of Chandrea.

Thirteen had met her once in the past as Zia.

Although she looked like a hostage within the Royal Palace, she was actually a very powerful person.

The only reason why King Astrion was able to subdue her was because he used her family and people as hostages against her.

If the two of them had fought seriously, there was a chance that the one who would have lost would be the King of Artem.

Also… Thirteen had a hidden motive for ordering Erasmus to take over King Astrion's body.

'Wouldn't it be nice if Erasmus and the Queen truly become husband and wife?' Thirteen smirked. 'Cassiel had died without even leaving his descendants behind. This time, it would be a shame if he didn't have any children to carry over his name.'

——

Somewhere inside the Domain of the Apocalypse…

Erasmus, who had taken over King Astrion's body, was still reading the latter's memories.

But he suddenly felt a chill run down his spine, which made him shudder.

"By the Gods, just what kind of diabolical plan is Thirteen planning this time?" Erasmus muttered. "Where are these chills coming from?"

"It's not a diabolical plan," Metatron suddenly appeared with a smile. "It's actually a good plan. A veeeeeeeeeeeery good plan!"

"Oh? What kind of plan?" Erasmus asked with great interest.

"I'll keep it a secret for now." Metatron smirked. "It will be a very happy surprise."

Erasmus pondered for a bit before asking a question.

"Just one question, Metatron."

"What is it?"

"This happy surprise, it's not meant for me, right?"

Metatron blinked once, then twice, before giving his answer.

"No. Of course not," Metatron answered without breaking the smile on his face.

Erasmus breathed a sigh of relief not knowing that the God of Apocalypse was chuckling internally.

"Good. For a moment, I thought Thirteen was plotting to marry me off to some woman for political gain." Erasmus sighed. "That would have been—"

Metatron chuckled. "—beneath you? Or perhaps… above you?"

Erasmus frowned. "I don't like the sound of that."

"You will."

"I will?"

Metatron patted Erasmus' shoulder before fading away, leaving the "King of Artem" wondering what the heck was the God of the Apocalypse hinting at.

In the end, he reluctantly returned to reading the memories of the King of Artem, which was almost finished.

Even now, Erasmus was confident that he could take a stroll in the Artemian Palace and act as King Astrion without being found out. Surely, no one would be able to distinguish that their King was no longer the King they once knew.

———

Within the Inner Palace of the Artemian Kingdom…

A beautiful woman looked in front of the mirror with a faint smile on her face.

She was none other than Queen Miriamele, the wife of King Astrion and the current regent of Artem.

Although she was called a regent while the King was away, she didn't have any power to command the army or any of the officials of the Artemian Council.

She was only allowed to join their meetings, so she could report everything to her husband once he had successfully returned from his conquest of Pangea.

None of them knew that their King had already been defeated and was about to return as a new man.

Except for Queen Miriamelle.

With her power of divination, she had used the Chandrean Royal Bloodline flowing inside Thirteen's body as a medium to spy on the war.

She had seen Cranky defeat her husband and turn into a Celestial—a feat her husband had chased and died for in failure.

Even she didn't expect this sudden turn of events.

At this very moment, she was watching how Thirteen was meeting with the leaders of the Jinns, Wanderers, and the Artemians, telling them about his plans for the conquest of Artem.

"Soon," Queen Miriamelle said softly. "I will be able to meet you soon, Endymion."

She had waited for this moment to come, and she would happily welcome the conquerors in the Artemian Lands.

Conquerors who would make the people of Artem understand that even they would not be spared from being invaded by the same world they had tried to conquer using every means in their arsenal.

She held a jewel in her hand, which still glowed in a faint green light.

This meant that the King of Artem was still alive.

She had watched the jewel day and night, hoping the light on it would be extinguished, which would prove that her husband had finally died.

Since the Domain of the Apocalypse was a special domain, she was unable to see anything inside of it when Thirteen went there.

However, she knew that wherever that portal led to, her husband would also be there.

'Maybe he's torturing him?' Queen Miriamelle thought. 'I wish I was there to see it.'

While she was the Queen of Artem, she never loved her husband even once.

King Astrion only used her to give birth to a daughter, so he could harness the power of her royal bloodline and become a Celestial.

Doing so allowed him to go in and out of Solterra, as well as Pangea, without any restrictions, bypassing the laws that the God of Wanderers had made to protect both worlds.

Unfortunately, Thirteen had ruined his plans, as well as his future.

King Astrion would indeed return to Artem, but not as a victorious king.

But a Lord of Death, who planned to live his second life to the fullest.