A certain world.
A bar.
A pane of light hovered in the void at the center of the bar, broadcasting the latest news from the Nine Hundred Million Layer World.
"Earth-shattering news!"
"After a long, jaw-dropping battle that destroyed the entire Fallen Zone, the monster from the Theology Academy has defeated the Demon King's Order."
"I have to say, the fight between the monster and the Demon King's Order was a dog-eat-dog battle. No matter which side got taken out, we'd all be cheering."
"But everyone, please note that the monster from the Theology Academy has left the Fallen Zone."
"It's heading for the Contention Zone!"
"I repeat, it's heading for the Contention Zone!"
"Although we don't know how it managed to find the hidden Contention Zone amid the Void Turbulence, now that it's on the move, it must have a way to get there."
"Friends in the Contention Zone, please take care of yourselves."
"But then again, the Eternal Abyss is flooding into the Nine Hundred Million Layer World—nowhere is safe anymore."
"Bzzzt—"
The screen changed.
"Whether worlds exist or perish, gossip is what we rely on to while away our dull lives."
"Up next, we have a bit of gossip for you."
"The Thorn Kingdom has dispatched a high-level delegation to welcome its foreign-born count, Ye Feili, a human man from the Ephemeral World."
"Look, they've already met Count Ye Feili."
"This is so enviable—astonishing, I mean. That damned little—no, this esteemed count will possess wealth and power beyond anything we could imagine in a lifetime."
On the screen, an image of Ye Feili appeared.
He stood beside the Thorn Kingdom general who was part of the delegation, looking completely bewildered and rather ill at ease.
Only after someone beside him prompted him did he manage a stiff