Chapter 332: line with translation of chapter title

"Crack—crack—crack—"

In footsteps with a slight echo, Brian followed behind the demoness Grace, walking down a secret passage leading deep underground.

"I don't understand, why do you believe in a god that appeared out of nowhere?"

Brian's mood was very bad.

He had just risked his life to escape from the Void God's grasp, wanting to join the Hare Society, only to discover that behind the Hare Society stood a god of unknown origin.

After observing him all along, he discovered that this mysterious god named Malkuen had enormous influence over the Hare Society, even more terrifying than De Rui Tan.

His method of controlling the Hare Society was terrifyingly skillful, not only making people unwilling to resist, but even filling them with reverence! Brian felt as if he were walking into a trap.

The demoness Grace explained solemnly: "Brian, don't worry, the Savior God Malkuen is not only a great god but also a merciful one, completely unlike De Rui Tan, or that newly arrived Void God."

Brian gave a cold snort: "The essence of gods is all the same; some are just better at disguising themselves, while others are more straightforward."

If it weren't for having no choice, he would rather die than meet the mortal incarnation of the Savior God.

But there's no way around it; the Savior God's influence over the Hare Society is simply enormous.

He either had to accept the summons, or he would have to return to the surface.

He thought sorrowfully: "Must mortals always submit to the rule of gods?"

Seeing Brian remain so obstinate, Grace could only sigh.

"Alright, alright, your soul is already filled with prejudice. No matter what I say, it's just wasting breath; let the Saint himself persuade you."

Along the way ahead, she indeed remained silent.

After walking like this for half an hour, reaching a place over a thousand meters deep underground, Grace finally spoke again: "Do you see that pale gold rune barrier ahead?"

"I'm not blind, of course I saw it."

"I'll send you this far. You go over, state your name, and once you have permission, you can pass through the barrier to meet the Saint."

Pausing, Grace whispered a reminder: "Brian, I know you have extraordinary talent, but no matter what, you are still a mortal. Facing great beings, maintaining humility is self-preservation."

Brian lightly nodded: "Thanks for the reminder, I'll remember it."

He still had to avenge the Sun God Ausra, and would not easily throw away his life, so he took a deep breath, suppressed his hatred for gods, and made himself as humble as possible.

Stepping up to the golden rune barrier, Brian respectfully said: "Great Savior, I am Brian Traumdolins, come in response to your summons."

After his words fell, the rune barrier glowed, and a young, gentle male voice came from within: "Come in, Brian."

Brian's heart twitched slightly: "This voice sounds somewhat familiar."

But he didn't think much of it, since he had met many people and often encountered similar voices.

He stepped forward into the rune barrier; as he passed through, he felt the barrier was very substantial, actually a full ten meters thick.

The aura emanating from the barrier was also extremely powerful, far surpassing his 8th-ring mana, giving him the illusion of facing a towering mountain.

This made his heart shudder slightly: "This Malkuen is strong, far stronger than De Rui Tan, and even stronger than that woman in armor!"

The Void God was certainly also very powerful, making him unwilling to entertain any thought of resistance, but this Savior God before him made him feel an urge to kneel and worship.

"No wonder he can easily control the Hare Society, but this means my elf clan probably has no hope of escaping his control."

The sorrow in his heart grew ever deeper.

Finally, after passing through the barrier, he felt his vision brighten slightly, and a bright, elegant, exquisite large study appeared before him.

One side of the study had a huge floor-to-ceiling glass window, outside of which lay a vast, shimmering azure lake.

He was momentarily stunned: "I wasn't in an underground cellar, so how did I end up by the lake?"

In the room stood a large desk, behind which sat a man with black hair and black eyes.

The man looked at him with a mocking gaze: "Brian, do you still remember me?"

Brian couldn't possibly forget; although he had only seen him for less than ten minutes that day, the impression left was deeply etched into his soul, unforgettable for a lifetime.

He exclaimed in shock: "Your Majesty Luosen?!"

He couldn't fathom why the emperor of the Natural Empire would appear in the underground of Altarasen, nor why he would be connected to the so-called Savior God.

Luosen pointed to the chair ahead.

"I know your mind must be full of confusion; don't rush, sit down first, and we'll have a good talk."

Brian felt his whole body go numb; he mechanically sat in the chair, mechanically took the wine offered by the other party via Mage Hand, mechanically took a sip, then asked: "Am I now in Swan Castle?"

"No, you're still in Altarasen, but I don't like the dark underground world; it feels too stifling, so I slightly remodeled the cellar with soul illusion."

"How is it? The remodeling isn't bad, right?"

Brian nodded: "Almost flawless."

At least he didn't sense any loopholes.

But he immediately had another thought.

"No, you're not His Majesty Luosen; he could never appear in Altarasen. You must be Malkuen disguising himself to deceive me."

As the emperor of a mortal great nation, Luosen, how could he possibly appear in the capital of an enemy state?

Furthermore, the emperor is merely a mortal; even if he were a legendary powerhouse, he'd still be mortal, yet the aura emanating from this person is as deep and unfathomable as the sea.

Although he currently only has eighth-ring power, he can faintly feel that this person is vastly stronger than Beilu Dandi, like the difference between a hunting dog and a tiger.

This is definitely not mortal power.

Luosen smiled slightly, picked up the bottle, and poured himself a cup of newly brewed Weilan northern maple dew wine.

"My empire has already entered the proper track of development; everything has its established order."

"My cabinet council also functions well, able to handle most affairs for me."

"So, my days are becoming increasingly idle."

"This is true; indeed, I am becoming increasingly idle."

But on many key matters, he always keeps a firm grip, never delegating authority, so there remains a large amount of business that he must personally handle.

Doing this is mainly to ensure his absolute control over the empire.

So, the reason he can come out and wander about is still mainly because of Laifu's assistance, but he naturally couldn't say this to anyone.

As they spoke, Luosen gently swirled his wine glass, watching the clear, transparent amber liquid inside.

I know you still don't believe me, so next I will let you personally experience this great power.

Brian was somewhat unable to understand.

In the next instant, Luosen suddenly raised his hand and grabbed; Brian instantly felt a giant hand seize him, and immediately afterward his body drifted forward.

No, his body didn't move; it was his soul that left his body.

And because of this action, the legendary power bestowed on him by Beilu Dandi lost its anchor within his body, beginning to rapidly vaporize and dissipate.

A few minutes later, Brian felt the grasping force disappear, and his soul returned to his body once again.

Before he could react, he saw the other produce a gemstone crown emanating a cerulean halo, toss it at him; the crown flew to his head and then gently settled on his forehead.

The moment the crown connected with his head, Brian felt his soul become unimaginably vast, giving rise to a wonderful sensation of soaring into the high heavens and grasping great power.

Looking again at the young man before him, he found that although the other's power remained extraordinarily vast, it was no longer as unfathomably deep as before.

He could barely make out the other's outline.

Hum~~

Then he heard another soft sound from his ear, the cerulean gemstone crown flew away from him and returned to the other's hand.

Brian's wonderful sensation came to an abrupt end; once again he fell from the high heavens back to the mortal realm, filling him with an overwhelming sense of loss.

The Cerulean Scholarly Law Crown is one of the highest magical creations of my Natural Empire.

Scholarly law artifacts are soul artifacts; their form can change freely, they can be a forehead ornament or a crown, entirely as Luosen wishes.

Elves like to wear gemstone crowns, so he adapted accordingly, shaping it into an exquisite gemstone crown. Brian's face showed a look of regretful loss; his doubtful expression faded considerably, but he grew increasingly wary in his heart.

If you truly are the emperor of the Natural Empire, why disguise yourself as the Savior God, and why also control the Hare Society?

Luosen smiled and said: 'The answer is obvious, isn't it?'

Brian took a deep breath: 'Do you intend to completely overturn the Holy Elven Empire?'

Luosen shook his head: 'You're half right.'

More accurately, I wish to conquer the Holy Elven Empire and make it part of my Natural Empire.

That's impossible!

Brian's heart filled with shock, and he involuntarily shouted a rebuttal.

You cannot possibly bypass the Radiant Empire and annex us; the Radiant Empire would not allow it.

Luosen gave a faint smile.

The Empress of the Radiant Empire, Zhuo Ya, is my wife; the Radiant Lord worshiped by the Radiant Empire's people is actually controlled by my Natural Empire, just like the Savior God Makuen.

Over these years, the Empress has been cooperating with me to merge the two nations into one; economy, politics, magic, livelihood, and even battlefield weapons have increasingly relied on my Natural Empire.

By today, although the Radiant Empire nominally retains an independent name, its essence is already part of my empire.

Thus, the Radiant Empire will not only not stop me, but will become my vanguard; in fact, they have already been doing this in the Dragon Archipelago.

Brian's face turned ashen: 'How could this be?!'

He dared not believe it, nor did he want to, but a voice in his heart told him that this might very well be true.

Thus a new doubt arose: 'Why are you telling me all this?'

Because I need you to help me complete this final step.

Without waiting for Brian to refuse, Luosen continued: 'You are a smart person; you have perceptive vision and considerable foresight; you should know what Beilu Dandi intends to do. And on this plane, the only force capable of stopping her is my Natural Empire.'

Once, I considered the Elves to be a race utterly different from mortals; one reason was my then-weak strength, another was my then-shallow experience.

Now, my view has changed.

In my eyes, regardless of what he looks like or what bloodline he possesses, he can become a member of my Natural Empire.

Brian listened, his emotions surging, and his inner resistance greatly weakened.

By now, if he had to choose between the Void God and the mortal empire, he would undoubtedly choose the latter without hesitation.

His sole concern was: 'Your Majesty, if we Elves become members of the Natural Empire, how do you intend to treat us?'

Naturally, they would be made imperial citizens, gradually integrated, with no distinction.

Brian had no objection to this, even considering it the trend of the world, but he felt it would likely be difficult to accomplish.

I fear many high-ranking Elves will oppose this.

Luosen waved his hand: 'Then let the opposing Elves follow the Void God and become consumables in his hands.'

I would be delighted to exterminate them on the battlefield; the warriors of my Natural Empire have always wanted to go to war and earn military merit.

Brian immediately thought of the terrifying power of the Radiant Legion on the Dragon Archipelago, and the Natural Empire hidden behind the Radiant Empire surely possessed strength far surpassing that of the Radiant Legion.

If the Natural Empire exerted its full strength, the lives of those Elves would certainly become even cheaper than weeds.

Deep down, Brian had already fully agreed with Luosen's approach, but he still had one thing he couldn't figure out.

Your Majesty, why are you determined to unify the entire plane?

Because I wish to integrate the power of the entire plane, fully develop magic, perfect this world's legal framework, and completely eliminate the threat the Void God poses to us mortals!

Now, the so-called Lord of Truth De Rui Tan, and the Scarlet Maiden Beilu Dandi, are my final obstacles.

Perfect the world's legal framework?!

Brian listened, bewildered, and couldn't help asking: 'Is this really something mortals can achieve, Your Majesty?'

Luosen gave a light smile.

The term 'mortal' is a contemptuous epithet used by the Void demons against my elemental life.

The demons fear most our perfecting the legal framework, so they desperately belittle us, making us feel inferior.

But I want to tell you, we are not mortals; we are nascent true gods.

Brian heard this for the first time, half-believing, half-doubting, yet it did not hinder his blood from boiling with fervor.

"Your Majesty, why did you choose me?"

"Luosen leaned back against the thick leather chair, his gaze fixed on Bùláiēn's azure-golden-patterned eyes."

"Most Elves are extremely weak and cannot bear the weight of the truth, so I appear in the guise of the Savior God."

"You are one of the few Elves who possess the courage to resist and independent thought; I admire you, so I tell you the truth."

"So, what do you say?"

"Bùláiēn actually already agreed in his heart, but he couldn't bring himself to show it on his face, after all, the two sides had once been mortal enemies."

"He retorted: 'What if I'm unwilling?'"

"Then I'll have to place you under house arrest until I unify the White Continent."

"Bùláiēn felt angry inside: 'Hehe, wouldn't killing me be simpler?'"

"Luosen chuckled, speaking in a calm tone of stating facts: 'Elves, don't think of yourselves as too special.'"

"I rule over more than 1.5 billion lives, having witnessed countless extraordinarily talented geniuses."

"Among the ranks of geniuses, you are actually not particularly outstanding."

"I don't kill you merely because I dislike pointless slaughter, not because you are truly indispensable."

"Bùláiēn's heart jolted violently, he became fully awake, and a thought arose in his mind."

"'This natural emperor is actually a great figure of the mortal realm; with a casual word he can decide the fate of countless mortals.'"

"'Rejecting his favor is my loss, not his.'"

"His mind was very sharp; upon realizing this, he immediately stepped forward and knelt on one knee with a 'plop'."

"'Your Majesty Luosen, I am willing to serve you.'"

"Luosen laughed heartily, placing the azure scholastic crown he held back onto Bùláiēn's head."

"Though young, you already possess the foundational magic of eight rings; your future accomplishments will surely be great, so this magical artifact belongs to you."

"Wear it, return to the surface, guide the Moon God Duola to find those Elven warriors who share your aspirations, and build an army to resist the tyranny of the Void God."

"Bùláiēn once again experienced the wonderful taste of wielding great power, which completely dispelled the last trace of his reluctance."

"And the name Moon God Duola also startled him: 'Does Your Majesty the Moon God also serve Your Majesty?'"

"'Duola has already been serving me for a long time.'"

"Bùláiēn's arrogance also completely vanished."

"He bowed his head humbly: 'As you wish, my Majesty.'"

"After a pause, he added: 'Your Majesty, I have some news to tell you.'"

"'Speak.'"

"'Beilu Dandi, this Void God, her true form seems hidden within the trunk of the Great Life Tree.'"

"Luosen's heart stirred: 'Are you sure?'"

"'I'm not certain; this news was told to me by Xīxī.'"

"Luosen listened, looking thoughtful: 'I understand; go take action.'"

"(End of chapter)"