Chapter 289

That proves there's definitely no problem!

Just then, flames suddenly shot up and engulfed Ryan in an instant!

Kachia's pupils contracted; she could no longer see Ryan's figure in the firelight!

"Divine punishment? He's lying???"

He's vanished. Ryan's presence has vanished. Was he killed by the power of the earth?

The next second, the Golden Tree suddenly rustled, its golden, hard branches swaying like a real tree, as if blown by wind and waves. The swaying golden leaves made a rustling sound, and a strong wind suddenly rose in the enclosed space. Then, the Golden Tree burst into dazzling light, and the radiance fell from the tree and descended upon the patterns of the ritual!

Kachia was so surprised she couldn't speak!

She recognized this scene; it was the blessing of the earth, the power of the gods!

The Earth Goddess truly answered Ryan's prayers, but not with punishment, but with... a blessing!!!

This is a blessing from the earth, the power she has craved in countless rituals. If she were to receive this blessing, she might break through the limits of mortal potential and join the ranks of the Chosen of the Gods!

However, this was just wishful thinking. After all, the blessing of this ceremony was something Ryan had begged for, and it had nothing to do with her, no matter how envious she was.

Moreover, this blessing cannot be taken away by others; it is a gift from the Earth Goddess, and who it is bestowed upon is the will of the gods. Anyone who dares to steal it will be punished.

More than that, she wronged Ryan. The scene before her proved everything. If not, then the Earth Goddess had misjudged... Could such a thing be possible? Absolutely not!

"I was wrong, Ryan did not betray the Empire..."

Kachia still didn't know the answers to her questions, but it didn't matter anymore. The Earth Goddess had already made her judgment: she had wronged Ryan.

"Call!"

However, Kachia felt relieved. At least she got the final answer, and she no longer needed to engage in a love-hate relationship with Kachina over Ryan's matter. She was just a little worried about how to explain that scene to Kachina... and how to get leverage over her.

How did I come across as such a tyrant?

Countless thoughts flashed through Kachia's mind, but in the end, all she could see was that scene shining with beautiful golden light. Ryan was still surrounded by the light of golden flames, and she couldn't see exactly what had happened.

Suddenly.

An arm reached out from the flames, grabbed her, and pulled her in before she could Kachia!

"Ah!"

With a scream, Kachia crashed into the flames. She instinctively tried to gather her Magic Power to protect herself from the fire, but miraculously, the terrifying Earth Power did not harm her in the slightest!

"How is this possible?! I intruded into the blessing of the ritual and I wasn't injured?!"

Kachia stared blankly.

When the light faded from her eyes, Ryan came into view—it was Ryan who had pulled her in. The two of them were standing within the ritual pattern, bathed in the sacred Earth Power, while the surrounding flames still hadn't subsided.

At this moment, Kachia could feel a power surging into her body—the power of grace.

"Rider, you..."

Kachia had no idea what Ryan was up to, pulling her in to share in the blessing? It was unbelievable! This was a gift from God, something countless Supernatural Being dreamed of, something even the Chosen of the Gods might not receive!

"Your Majesty, it's time for punishment," Ryan said with a smile.

"Punishment...?" Kachia was stunned, and subconsciously asked, "What punishment? You let me in to punish me?"

This isn't punishment, it's a blessing!!!

If possible, Kachia would be willing to stay here forever and never leave!

"Of course, it's the promise you made before, that you would let me do whatever I wanted. I've proven my innocence, so now it's time for Your Majesty to fulfill your promise, isn't it? We're currently under the blessing of the Earth Goddess; if Your Majesty goes back on your word, the Goddess will punish you in my place."

"Promise?"

Kachia stared blankly at Ryan.

Wait, what's going on here? I'm under the blessing of the Earth Goddess, Magic Power is Magic Power within me. If I stay here, I might really become someone with the potential to rival the Chosen One. But if I stay, is Rider going to do that to me? Why didn't I resist when he pulled me? Has my body already become accustomed to his touch? Strange, why do I actually have the urge to get closer to him? What should I do? Should I leave? But I'm so reluctant to leave; this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity...

Staying here is a tremendous opportunity; you might even have the chance to reach the Eighth Tier in the future.

Leaving would not only be a betrayal of faith, but would also incur punishment from the Earth Goddess.

No, I've already made a contract, and I'm still under the grace of grace. I can't go back on my word. Well, because I can't do that, I have to stay. It's definitely not because I want to get close to Rider on my own initiative...

At that moment, it was as if a mental storm was raging in Kachia's mind, with hundreds of thoughts fighting each other, until finally only one thought remained—she had to become stronger!

If there is any hope of breaking through to the Eighth Tier, then the Augustus Empire, the Northern Federation, and all those Empress will be trampled under her feet, and Arcadia's millennia-long hegemony will be completed!

"Well... since it's a promise, there's nothing we can do. With the contract in place, this is the only way. Rider, you can come now." Having mentally prepared herself, Kachia tried to suppress the urge to smile and said calmly.

As long as I can become stronger, nothing else matters. I've already experienced everything through empathy, so this is just another physical interaction.

Within the burning golden flames, Ryan and Kachia slowly drew closer until they were completely merged together, and the distance between them began to shift rapidly.

-5, -18, -5, -18, -5, -18...

Powerful! Powerful!

"Something's not right, this is completely different!!!"

"No, you can't lose yourself. This is not joyful at all... Kachia, pull yourself together! How are you any different from a lowly slave to lust? You are the Empress of the Arcadia Empire!"

"Ah!--"

Kachia pulled her hands back, her head involuntarily jerking upwards as she screamed, her eyes rolling back. Unlike her empathic state, the intense stimulation at this moment almost completely overwhelmed her reason!

Rustling~

The Golden Tree swayed, casting golden light, its swaying rhythm seemingly echoing within the silent hall.

Everything is wonderful.

Apart from Kachina had just arrived at the castle and had already pretended to be angry and left.

Yes, just as Ryan thought, Kachina saw with her own eyes that Kachia had caught Ryan red-handed, and she wasn't angry at all. On the contrary, she even wanted to laugh. If she had been even a step later, Kachina was worried that she would have burst out laughing.

Kachia, you've finally met your match!

"Ah, Your Majesty Kachina."

Inside the castle, the head maid, Noel, greeted Kachina respectfully upon seeing her.

"Hmm, Noel, I was just looking for you. Go and clean my room; I might need to use... Ah!"

Before she could finish speaking, Kachina's body suddenly convulsed violently, then went limp and she collapsed to the ground.

Noel exclaimed in shock, "Your Majesty, what's wrong?!"

"No, it's nothing, I'm fine..."

Not good!

It's going to leak!!!

Kachina paled, too shocked by Ryan's speed and ferocity to react. She felt something about to leak out uncontrollably from a certain place. To avoid losing face in front of Noel, Kachina uttered a few words and vanished from the spot in a flash.

"This... Her Your Majesty Kachina is acting strangely today too," the head maid thought to herself.

Strong teeth!!!

Chapter 176 Kachia: This place is so beautiful, I don't even want to go back to Shu.

"Your Majesty, we have received a magical letter from Saintess Lin Qi."

Inside the Palace of Augustus.

Ina entered the palace and addressed Vainay, who was discussing matters with her ministers.

"Oh? What did that Saintess say?" 'Vainay' asked calmly.

"Saintess Lin Qi proposes that we reconcile with the Arcadia Empire."

"Reconciliation?" 'Vainay' smiled faintly. "She makes it sound so easy. When the Arcadia Empire's army attempted to invade the Northern Continent, why didn't she offer reconciliation? Now, my divine general, Shally, has led the Holy Blood Army into Arcadia, and the Wildea Legion is closing in on the border. Arcadia is teetering on the brink of collapse, and now she's coming out to offer reconciliation?"

"At this moment, she's probably joking."

Inside the palace, the ministers exchanged glances and whispered among themselves.

"Your Majesty, I believe this is because the Arcadia Empire reached an agreement with the Gate of Janus beforehand," a young man in his thirties said in a low voice. "The Gate of Janus is using its influence to gain many benefits from Arcadia; this is their consistent practice."

'Vainay' raised an eyelid and said calmly, "Earl Horton, do you mean that this was not Saintess Lin Qi's suggestion, but rather the idea of Gate of Janus?"

"Exactly."

"So, in your opinion, how should we deal with this?"

The entire palace, including Horton, consisted of young people in their thirties and forties, who were the pillars of the newest Augustus Empire.

Unlike the previous Augustus Empire, 'Vainay' dismissed all the incompetent senior nobles and ministers, and even rejected the idea of recruiting members of the royal family. 'Ability' was the priority in the selection process, and talented people should be given important positions.

Of course, not all of them can be upright and virtuous officials. Some who are capable but have slight problems with their character will also be selected by the 'Vainay' (a euphemism for hiring officials).

After all, water that is too clear has no fish, and how to balance the aristocratic system is also a science, and in this respect, 'Vainay' has obviously done a good job.

"I believe this matter should be agreed to, but it is essential to secure sufficient benefits for the Empire in the process," said Earl Houghton.

"I don't think this is appropriate," another person said. "The Arcadia Empire invaded first. If we retreat because of a single word from the Gate of Janus, what will happen if the same thing happens again? One step back leads to another, and what will we do when we have nowhere left to retreat? Although the Gate of Janus is powerful, the Empire is currently allied with the Northern Federation, and they may not dare to forcibly intervene."

Horton nodded slightly. "That's true. But what if the Northern Federation wavers and is turned against us?"

"The Northern Federation? They're allied with us, how could they possibly be turned?"

"Then you should know that there was a war before they allied with us," Horton said in a deep voice. "The Northern Federation is close to Arcadia, and if the war continues, they will be the first to be affected. Although Arcadia has suffered repeated blows, its foundation is still intact, and the Empire is too far away from them. It is almost impossible to destroy Arcadia in a short time."

"More importantly, the Northern Federation has only recently been established and the situation is turbulent. They don't really want to continue fighting with Arcadia. Even if they win, they won't gain much benefit and will only be doing us a favor. So I guess that the Empress of the Northern Federation is already thinking about reconciliation."

"With four parties converging and three seeking reconciliation, there's no point in the Augustus Empire continuing the war. It would be better to seize this opportunity to join forces with the Northern Federation and gain more benefits. If my guess is correct, Empress Motis should contact His Your Majesty soon. In addition, the Western Territory Iron Blood Legion has decisively defeated the Western Barbarians, Magana's military might must not be underestimated by Your Majesty."

"This guy is not bad."

This way.

The Earth Temple, Golden Tree.

Ryan, with one hand behind his head and the other arm around the bald Kachia, lay down to check on Augustus's condition.

Nothing much to do today, so I'm checking my Alts.

The Augustus Empire is now thriving. With Ina leading the domestic affairs, all sorts of talents are emerging like mushrooms after rain. For example, this Horton, after a series of analyses, even took into account the threat from the Western Territory.

If 'Motis' wasn't Alts, and if the Grand Duke hadn't been seduced, then what Horton said might actually have happened. Unfortunately, that's the problem with information asymmetry.

Ryan switched to the other side and checked Motis's situation, which was similar. Since Lin Qi had contacted them at the same time, and they were all on the same side, a simple notification would suffice.

However, compared to Augustus, the Northern Federation is far more cunning.

Unfortunately, the Kingdom of Lotte was established too recently, and the Northern Federation didn't have many capable people. Originally, the Kingdom of Lot should have belonged to the Northern Federation, so Aisha could have legitimately helped them. But now it belongs to Augustus, and Amabena doesn't care about anything, so the Kingdom of Lotte is now in Aisha's hands.

Ryan plans to create some more management-type Alts. It's not a hidden class, so there's nothing he can do about it; the impact won't be too significant. Of course, having some would be even better.

After Augustus finishes his discussions with the Northern Federation, he'll pretend to have a meeting with the Gate of Janus. As for the benefits that both countries want, he'll figure out a way to extract them from within the Gate of Janus.

Pay whatever you can, and if it's not enough, take more from Arcadia.

This depends on how determined Gate of Janus is to win over the Chosen of the Gods. If it is strong enough, the Pope will naturally not care about such a small amount of compensation, since the Chosen of the Gods themselves are priceless compared to material things.

Damn, thinking about that Pope, Ryan was actually a little uneasy.

He had refused the invitation to Gate of Janus last time, but it would be troublesome if the Pope wanted to see him this time. If the Pope refused, he could simply accept the title of Honorary Bishop and not go to Gate of Janus, without worrying about revealing his identity.

If I go, exposing my identity is secondary; after all, there's plenty of treachery between nations and traitors everywhere. The real fear is getting in but not getting out, being trapped by the Pope and not being allowed to leave.

Well, let's just take it one step at a time. He's in charge; as long as he doesn't go to the Gate of Janus headquarters, it'll be fine, right?

Just then, the fair and delicate body in his arms stirred.

"Hmm... Noel, what time is it?"

Kachia murmured in a daze.

It's eleven o'clock.

"Only eleven o'clock? That's still early, keep sleeping..."

11:00 AM.

"Ah!!"