Multiverse: A Journey Beginning with the Supreme Sovereign

"During my investigations over this period, I learned from some elder-generation vampires in War King's Domain that the Fourth True Ancestor has been divided into twelve parts."

"...Only when all twelve fragments of the Fourth True Ancestor are gathered and a ritual called the 'Feast of Blazing Light' is held can the Fourth True Ancestor truly be resurrected."

"Our current goal is only one: find one fragment of the Fourth True Ancestor, gain the qualification to participate in the 'Feast of Blazing Light,' and thereby obtain the Fourth True Ancestor's power!"

Nangong Nayue laid out her plan.

Sendou Aya's delicate brows knitted together as she slowly asked, "...The biggest question is, how do we make the Fourth True Ancestor willing to obey our orders?"

After saying that, Sendou Aya already knew the answer. She and Nangong Nayue looked toward Saigō at the same time.

Saigō gave a gentlemanly bow and smiled. "...Leave that to me. I already have a way to control the Fourth True Ancestor's power!"

Nangong Nayue's Overwhelming Presence!

Everything was proceeding according to Saigō's plan.

His contract with Nangong Nayue had remained in place, and under his series of deceptions, Nangong Nayue had chosen a difficult path.

Yet at the end of that path, Saigō would obtain what he wanted, while Nangong Nayue could change her tragic, unfree life.

So, they had both won big. They both had bright futures ahead of them!

Kingdom of Aldegia, still in that luxurious hotel.

During the years Nangong Nayue had spent in Europe, she had stayed here most of the time, practically treating it as her own home.

Two more years had passed since Sendou Aya had been released from the Prison Barrier.

Nangong Nayue was now a twenty-one-year-old young woman and had graduated from university not long ago.

Over those two years, Nangong Nayue had investigated information on the Fourth True Ancestor's "Vessels" all over the world.

Meanwhile, Sendou Aya had been contacting Witches she knew across the globe. Whenever she had time, she also helped Nangong Nayue investigate.

"There's simply too little information on the Fourth True Ancestor. No wonder rumors have always claimed that the Fourth True Ancestor doesn't exist at all."

"...But according to my investigations, the Fourth True Ancestor really did 'awaken' at some point over the past several thousand years."

"However, the one who awakened should not have been the Fourth True Ancestor's true body, but one of her twelve Vessels."

"...It's as though someone doesn't want the world to completely forget the Fourth True Ancestor's existence, so every once in a while, they take the 'Fourth True Ancestor' out for a walk!"

"Are they treating the Fourth True Ancestor like a dog?"

Nangong Nayue sat beside a rose-white round table, holding a cup of warm black tea as she complained indignantly.

Yet even while complaining, Nangong Nayue's expression barely changed. She still retained that doll-like, cool, exquisite look.

"Don't be angry, little Nayue... Since it is one of this world's greatest secrets, how could you uncover the entire truth in such a short time?"

Saigō sat beside Nangong Nayue and spoke unhurriedly, his tone utterly composed.

"So you're just going to do nothing, slack off, and watch me run myself ragged?"

Nangong Nayue shot Saigō a "ferocious" glare.

"I'm only your 'stand-in.' Why should I help you work... Besides, even if things don't go well and the contract cannot be fulfilled, you'll be the one who fails, not me. Why should I be in a hurry?"

Saigō's tone remained elegant and casual, his face bearing a mocking expression that made Nangong Nayue want to stamp her feet in frustration.

Years of fighting demons and humans, along with five years spent wandering across the world, had given Nangong Nayue vast experience and understanding of life. She had long since shed her former immaturity.

Though she still looked young, Nangong Nayue had already become a mature and steady woman.

She was rarely stirred by other people's words anymore. Only Saigō, this demon, was an exception.

Nangong Nayue always felt that this demon had been born to oppose her. No matter what she did, he always had something sarcastic to say, and every time, he managed to leave her utterly helpless with anger.

Yet Nangong Nayue knew in her heart that in a life without family and with few friends, she had long regarded this demon as the most important person in her life.

Because only he had accompanied her for five years, never leaving her side for even a single moment.

The time they had spent together had long surpassed that of anyone else.

"Shut up, demon! Someone who does nothing has no right to speak here!"

Unable to win their verbal sparring match, Nangong Nayue could only treat him with this outwardly fierce but inwardly weak attitude.

Saigō did not mind.

The main reason he did nothing was simply because Saigō thought slacking off was the best.

His main quest was to seize nourishment for his own growth. As long as he remained by Nangong Nayue's side, that quest would complete itself.

As for things like the "Fourth True Ancestor" and "Holy Annihilation," they were merely side quests.

It would be best if he could complete them, but it did not matter if he could not.

In the past, Saigō had worked hard enough to climb to higher levels. Now that he finally had a chance to slack off, how could he possibly make himself work that hard again?

He could leave that sort of grind to young people like Nangong Nayue!

"Calm down, Nayue! Mr. Zarathustra must have his reasons for doing this."

Sendou Aya, seated opposite Nangong Nayue, was dignified and elegant. Wearing a Twelve Layered Robe, she sat formally on her knees and enjoyed afternoon tea with Nangong Nayue.

"Aya, why do you always speak up for this demon? Why are you always taking his side?"

Nangong Nayue complained to her ally.

Who exactly was her ally here?

"I am merely speaking the truth. I do not intend to take anyone's side or favor anyone."

The Scribe Witch looked at Nangong Nayue with her magnificent fiery eyes. Her broad sleeve covered her cherry lips, and the corners of her eyes curved as though she were smiling, revealing a hint of charm and seductiveness.

"Aya, how is your work going?"

Nangong Nayue did not continue on that subject and instead asked Sendou Aya about her work with the Witches.

"My work is proceeding smoothly, but what I am doing is not the most important matter. What matters most is information concerning the Fourth True Ancestor."

Sendou Aya spoke softly.

Her words made Nangong Nayue frown again. "...What we do know is that the Forgotten War King, the Eye of Annihilation, and the Chaos Princess certainly possess all the information concerning the Fourth True Ancestor's Vessels."

"...But we have no way to force those three True Vampires to reveal everything they know. In fact, there is a strong chance that most of the Fourth True Ancestor's Vessels are in their hands."

Sendou Aya's slender brows furrowed as well. "...In other words, even if we find one of the Fourth True Ancestor's Vessels, we will still have to become enemies with those three True Vampires?"

"Hmph. When I decided to carry out the plan this guy Zarathustra proposed, I had already made every preparation. Even if I have to become enemies with the three great True Vampires, I won't hesitate!"

Nangong Nayue closed her beautiful eyes, her expression cold and proud. Her imposing bearing already carried the air of a Queen.

"Well said!"

Saigō suddenly clapped. "...Little Nayue is really overflowing with dominance now!"

Saigō's exaggerated praise immediately deflated the momentum Nangong Nayue had painstakingly gathered.

She looked at Saigō with a sour face, opened her mouth, and ultimately said nothing.

Seeing Nangong Nayue's helpless expression, Sendou Aya covered her mouth and laughed.

The three of them together truly gave off the feeling of a family of three.

At that moment, there was a knock at the hotel room door. The three immediately restrained their emotions, and the atmosphere in the room turned serious once more.

"Come in!"

As Nangong Nayue's words fell, the door opened.

A young girl with long silver hair and beautiful sapphire-like eyes stood at the doorway.

She was tall and graceful, with a noble temperament and slight youthful immaturity on her face. She looked quite young.

The girl stepped lightly into the room and gave Saigō, Nangong Nayue, and Sendou Aya an impeccable royal salute.

"My apologies for disturbing the three of you during afternoon tea."

The girl spoke respectfully, a gentle smile on her face.

"You have not disturbed us at all. Please state your purpose directly, Princess La Folia Rihavein!"

Saigō said with a warm smile.

"Mr. Zarathustra, Miss Nangong Nayue, we have received sufficiently reliable intelligence regarding what you wished to investigate."

"...The location where Number Twelve, the Fourth True Ancestor's Vessel known as the Crimson Ice of the Demon Princess, is sleeping!"

The First Princess of the Kingdom of Aldegia spoke with a formal smile.

The Kingdom's First Princess

La Folia Rihavein, the fourteen-year-old First Princess of the Kingdom of Aldegia and the future heir to the throne.

The royal family of the Kingdom of Aldegia was born with powerful Spiritual Power. Every member of the royal family was a natural medium.

Much of the kingdom's war technology had been created using the royal family's Spiritual Power as a template. The royal family's Spiritual Power served as both the key and the source of energy.

Relying on the royal family's powerful Spiritual Power, along with the kingdom's magical scientific technology, the Kingdom of Aldegia had been able to fight War King's Domain to a standstill over the course of several centuries.

At the same time, because of the importance of the royal family's Spiritual Power, the Rihavein Family held a position of vital importance within the nation.

It could be said that as long as the Rihavein Family was not foolish, their family would endure alongside the kingdom itself. They were the very symbol of this nation.

As the kingdom's First Princess, and blessed with beauty far beyond ordinary people from birth, La Folia possessed tremendous renown within the kingdom.

People never tired of speaking about the Princess. La Folia herself could be called the most famous star in the nation.

Saigō sat in his chair, calmly watching the noble and elegant young girl before him, who wore an outfit resembling a military uniform.

The handsome clothing clung closely to her alluring figure, while smooth silver hair cascaded over her fragrant shoulders.

Her features were delicate and soft, with the classic oval face of a beautiful girl. Her azure eyes were as clear as lake water.

Her full, lovely legs beneath her skirt were clad in knee-high boots, and the sliver of pale skin in the absolute territory carried the unique vigor of youth.

Combined with her impeccably mannered, elegant smile, neither overly familiar nor overly distant, no one would have guessed that this girl was only fourteen years old.

This girl was far too mature for her age. Her exceptional talent was enough for her to serve as a diplomat dispatched abroad even now.

"You of the Kingdom of Aldegia have obtained intelligence regarding a Vessel of the Fourth True Ancestor?"

Saigō maintained the same elegant bearing. Dressed in a well-fitting black coat like formal wear, he looked at the kingdom's First Princess with dark eyes and asked with a smile.

At the same time, Saigō glanced at Nangong Nayue beside him.

Though the Witch showed no expression, Saigō, who had lived with Nangong Nayue for five years, knew that she must be in a very bad mood right now.

She had worked hard at something for two years without success, only for someone else to succeed instead.

For the proud Nangong Nayue, that was naturally quite unpleasant.

Still, Nangong Nayue understood the situation and would not throw a tantrum over something like this.

"Yes, Mr. Zarathustra. The Kingdom of Aldegia has stood for several centuries and has always been located on the European continent. Naturally, we possess certain special sources of intelligence."

La Folia once again performed a flawless royal salute, leaving no room to find fault with her manners.

After speaking, the Princess looked at Saigō with curiosity in her eyes.

She knew that Mr. Zarathustra was the demon contracted to the Witch of the Void before her.

Ordinarily, this should not have been a significant matter, but in this world, it truly was something incredible.

A demon possessing self-awareness and able to descend upon the world in such a form was extraordinary in itself.

Though this demon rarely acted according to the intelligence reports, the few times he had revealed his power had shown just how formidable he was.

The Witch of the Void's strange abilities all came from this demon. As the source of that bizarre aging ability, no one knew what sort of power this demon truly possessed.

La Folia was originally an exceptionally curious girl, especially at an age when curiosity was at its strongest.

Faced with someone like Saigō, whose very existence was a miracle, it was only natural that she would be intensely curious.

Seeing La Folia continuously staring at Saigō, Nangong Nayue inexplicably became a little unhappy. Her doll-like exquisite face turned cold as she spoke up to interrupt the Princess's probing gaze:

"...Since Your Highness has come to see us in person and informed us of this matter."