Another Lottery Draw

Again Drawing the Lottery

Baleolue was no mediocre ruler; in his early years, he could even be called a man of towering talent and grand strategy.

Relying on his formidable strength and iron-fisted methods, he had once suppressed the many internal conflicts within The Empire.

Yet prolonged rule and limitless power gradually corroded this monarch's mind.

He slowly became arrogant, extravagant, debauched, suspicious, and paranoid—and developed an extreme terror of death.

Through the various rare magical medicines accumulated by The Empire over a thousand years, along with all manner of life-extending treasures, Baleolue forcibly extended his lifespan to an astonishing two hundred and eighty years, far exceeding the normal limit of a legendary powerhouse's lifespan.

But by then, all external aids had become ineffective. Both his body and soul stood on the brink of collapse.

And so, the shadow of death began tormenting this monarch, who called himself the king of all kings, day and night.

He was unwilling—and unable—to accept dying as pitifully as those lowborn commoners.

Thus, driven by an almost mad arrogance, Baleolue began placing his hopes on a forbidden object hidden away in The Empire's secret treasury.

It was the Book of the Abyss passed down by the founding ancestor of his dynasty, and it recorded an evil witchcraft ritual.

This ritual claimed that, with ten thousand people as sacrifices, it could forcibly tear apart the barrier of reality and open a gate leading to hell.

And after learning of this ritual, Baleolue conceived an utterly insane idea.

He wanted to personally lead The Empire's army into hell and seek a treasure that could grant immortality.

Or, more extremely still, find the God of the Underworld who ruled over death and force him to abdicate through martial might.

Yes, that was exactly what Baleolue thought.

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