That Is To Swear Allegiance To The Beloved

This skull, both in size and shape, was in the style of an elf, but its material was a metal resembling mithril.

Despite the devastation of the great war, the mithril skull was completely unharmed.

Looking at the skull, Rhine smiled.

The owner of this skull was a very, very... interesting fellow.

"Look at you..."

Rhine said mockingly:

"The Supreme Being admired by thousands, yet you've ended up in the garbage heap of an ancient dragon's lair... Even your own kin ignore you as if you don't exist."

"How pathetic..."

There wasn't a trace of sympathy in Rhine's voice:

"Mercy."

This skull belonged to an elven deity.

In ancient times, after the elves and Order engaged in a decisive battle.

Almost all the elven deities were killed by Order in that battle and transformed into Demigods.

But one deity was an exception.

That was the sole Sovereign of the elves, the supreme guardian who had supported the elven race against the Demigod invasion and protected the Leta Empire for a thousand years.

Among the elves, Demigod elves with bloodlines of other powerful deities could become White Light Mentors in the White Light Courtyard, holding a status equivalent to Hain's Imperial Guard.

However, only elves with the Mercy bloodline...

When her bloodline grew powerful enough and she completed the sublimation ritual, she could become the "King of the Moon," leading and ruling Leta.

Mithril Moon, Mercy.

How revered this Moon Goddess was in the hearts of the elves; she was the only light that illuminated their despair amidst endless suffering and torment.

Yet, what no one knew was her other identity.

Among the elven deities, the most detestable, and the only one...

The traitor.

This skull, along with the Gold Sword, were the two most valuable items in the entire Obadiah's Lair.

They were also essential quest items for Rhine in the later stages.

Poor goddess...

Rhine picked up the silver-white skull, gazing into its empty eye sockets. He smiled and asked softly:

"Are you ready to reunite with the brothers and sisters you've screwed over?"

The silver-white skull remained silent, showing no reaction.

After Rhine chuckled and put away Mercy's skull, his trip to Leta was finally complete.

And next...

Rhine returned to Constance and Hela.

By this time, the ancient dragon's barrier had dissipated.

Hela packed up Obadiah's treasure and threw it into a rift in dimensional space. The massive corpse of the ancient dragon was also not spared.

Hela didn't leave a single drop of blood behind.

Although Rhine didn't care for Obadiah's inheritance, for Hela, it was an unimaginable fortune, the likes of which she had never seen in her life...

If it were Hela in the past, she would have already dived into the treasure pile and cried tears of joy.

But now...

Compared to the treasure...

Hela's gaze involuntarily fell upon someone.

She watched Prince Rhine in the distance, rummaging through a pile of carbonized bones, pulling out a skull, and then grinning foolishly and talking to himself.

Hela propped up her cheek, unable to resist a gentle smile.

...Look at this silly little thing.

...So cute.

Finally, Rhine finished his chat with the skull and walked towards Hela and Constance.

Hela asked with a smile, "Your Highness, did you get what you wanted?"

Rhine nodded. "Let's go back."

Hela agreed with a smile and opened a spatial rift.

After this battle, Hela had completely tied her fate to Rhine.

From now on, she was not only an Imperial Guard loyal to the Empress, but also a devoted supporter of Rhine Hain.

She actually started looking forward to her future life, thinking about working with this special mortal Prince from now on.

However, just then—

"Your Highness!"

Three automatons suddenly ran out.

They eagerly pounced on Rhine, Italien, and Lilia, each hugging Rhine's arm, while Histia, the fastest, burrowed into Rhine's embrace.

The automatons hugged Rhine affectionately, nuzzling against him as if spoiled. "Your Highness, we made a deal, right? After we defeat the ancient dragon, if we perform well, you'll give us a reward~"

The automatons looked at Rhine expectantly.

"Your Highness, do you think we performed well?"

Rhine certainly remembered his promise to the automatons.

He had to admit, the automatons' performance in this battle was excellent.

Histia took over from Hela during Obadiah's second phase, shouldering the main damage output.

And Lilia, who had been hidden in the shadows, helped Rhine obtain that crucial Golden Sword.

Although Constance was the one who ultimately killed Obadiah, the automatons could still be considered the primary contributors.

So, according to their prior agreement, Rhine would reward the automatons.

Seeing their impatient looks, Rhine smiled and asked, "The reward we agreed on was kisses, right? Do you want them now?"

"Now?"

Upon hearing this, the automatons each showed an expression that was both shy and expectant.

"Is it really okay to do something like that in front of so many people...?"

"If Your Highness thinks it's okay... it's not impossible."

Huh?

Rhine blinked.

Was a simple peck on the lips that big of a deal?

Italien shyly suggested, "Hela has a seaside villa in Auston County. The scenery is beautiful and it's very quiet... Can we go there to discuss the reward slowly?"

Emmmm... It seemed the automatons had already made arrangements for the reward.

The automatons had risked their lives to help him defeat the ancient dragon, so Rhine naturally couldn't be stingy when it came to fulfilling his promise.

"Of course."

Rhine gave a mysterious smile. "But next... don't regret it."

"Hooray~"

The automatons immediately tore open a new spatial rift, flanking Rhine as they led him into it.

"Hela! Miss Shia! We're taking Your Highness away! You two can head back to Hain first!"

Then, the rift closed.

Leaving two Demigods bewildered in the wind.

Seeing her own automatons abduct Rhine of Hain right before her eyes, Hela's pleasant mood vanished instantly.

Hela: "Can you stand this?"

Constance calmly replied, "I'm used to it..."

1. The Shy Grand Tutor

Late at night, the desolate wilderness was silent.

A Silver Dragon was curled up, sleeping soundly.

Alice leaned against the giant dragon, quietly tending the fire.

It was so cold...

Due to its proximity to the frozen wastelands, the temperature in the wilderness was exceptionally low.

Alice was currently traveling with the Grand Tutor Bai Guang.

But just a moment ago, the Grand Tutor suddenly sensed something, left behind the words "Stay put," and then transformed into a pool of flowing mithril, melting into the soil and disappearing without a trace.

Now, Alice was alone by the campfire, and the quiet atmosphere made her unable to help but fall into thought...

Not long ago, the Grand Tutor had already told Alice about her mission.

Alice couldn't believe it.

The Grand Tutor wanted to take her away, not for any other reason than to have her go to Leta and succeed as the new King of the Moon.

That was... the Emperor of Leta!

Once the ascension ceremony was complete, Alice would become Leta's supreme Ruler. She would lead Leta against the Demigods and other hostile civilizations. She would protect her people and revitalize the nation...

Regarding these matters, Alice was inwardly astonished, but she didn't resist.

After all...

Alice also knew very well that if the White Light Courtyard had any other choice, would they really let a mere woman become their Empress?

So, if she was truly the last qualified candidate left in all of Leta.

Then Alice would have to shoulder the responsibility.

It was just...

There was one thing that made Alice deeply worried.

If I become the Emperor of Leta... then the next time I meet Mr. Rhine...

...won't we have no choice but to draw swords against each other?

At this moment, clear liquid mithril surged from the earth.

The Grand Tutor's figure coalesced within the flowing mithril.

The Grand Tutor had returned.

She looked extremely exhausted. Her already gaunt face was now pale, as if she could die at any moment.

"Let me rest for a bit first... We can talk about anything else... later..."