Duke Ifrit's gaze lingered momentarily on his son, but the emotions that stirred within him were far from paternal. A sense of revulsion crept up his spine as he observed Ethan's actions."At least the boy knows his place," Ifrit muttered under his breath, watching as Ethan turned his attention away from the nobles and focused instead on the freshly served meal before him.Only a handful of aristocrats deigned to acknowledge Ethan's presence, and even then, their greetings were laced with unease. It was evident that Ethan's reputation among the noble class had suffered greatly, casting a shadow over his interactions with his peers.It was evident that the other nobles had little desire to mingle with Ethan. "They clearly wish to keep their distance," I observed, deciding it best to focus on the food and drink before me, content to simply observe the unfolding events of the gathering. I had seen enough of their wary expressions to understand the general sentiment.Despite taking over E
The silver-haired woman was as breathtakingly beautiful as I remembered, perhaps even more so with a hint of mature allure. Yet, to my surprise, she was glaring at me with an intensity that seemed out of place.'The dark blue robe signifies that Sia has already attained the rank of Elder within the Blue Magic Tower,' I mused, impressed by her rapid ascent through the ranks. 'To progress this quickly, even without the aid of a system or summons constantly farming experience for me in the dungeon – that is the true mark of a genius.'I had to admit, if not for the unfair advantages bestowed upon me by the system and my loyal summons, there was no way I could have levelled up at such a breakneck pace. Yet here was Sia, matching my speed without any such crutches.It seemed the gods had chosen their favourites, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy. Sia's accomplishments were all the more remarkable given the obstacles she had overcome through sheer talent and determination alone.
As I processed this information, my mind raced with the potential ramifications. What untold riches or powerful artefacts might lie within that alien realm? What dangers might also lurk there, waiting to spill forth into our world?And what exactly did it mean to be the West Front Commander in such a context? Was this newly discovered dimension divided into fronts, each requiring its own military leadership? The First List, too, took on a new significance – was it a roster of the most elite individuals tasked with exploring and securing this vast new frontier?"Other planets? Aliens?" The implications of Greenfield's words were staggering."And above all, the resources inside the Dimensional Dungeon are abundant. The Empire plans to launch an expedition to stake a claim on some of that territory. The First List is the roster of individuals who will be permitted to join that endeavour," he explained.I nodded grimly, finally understanding the significance of Gislain's accolades. Even a
"Two chests of gold coins, a Heroic Medal, and the position of..."“Advisor of Brightwing Academy.”Those who heard the final announcement were taken aback, their expressions shifting from shock to grim realization. The title of Advisor to the Brightwing Academy was not just any position; it was equivalent to that of a vice-principal—a rank held by a Saint-level powerhouse.Now, this young man, once viewed as a mere boy by many of the older nobles, was poised to become an advisor?They could hardly believe it.Such a position demanded vast experience, wisdom, and knowledge accumulated over decades, along with significant contributions to the Empire. The thought of someone so young stepping into this role was almost unfathomable.I turned my gaze to Princess Ladia, who regarded me with a knowing smile. “Do you accept?” she asked, her tone steady.The weight of her question hung in the air, and I could feel the eyes of the assembly upon me, each gaze filled with expectation and disbelie
By noon, everyone had arrived, and it seemed that all those invited were individuals of considerable importance, capable of significantly influencing the Empire. The Dukes, who typically preferred the comfort of their own territories, were present as well; this might have been the first time they had stayed in the capital for such an extended period.However, one notable absence lingered in the air—Duchess Isla. Her absence was hardly surprising, as she had a reputation for avoiding such gatherings. Instead of mingling with the nobility, she preferred to remain ensconced in her palace, immersed in her research on poisons and alchemy.As I surveyed the meeting hall, I took in the faces of those gathered. Most of the attendees were candidates for the throne, each one a potential leader of the Empire. I, too, found myself among them, invited to this assembly of power and influence.The atmosphere was thick with anticipation, each noble aware of the stakes involved in the discussions to c
“Is anyone willing to leave?” Adelaine repeated, her voice steady despite the strange sensation that had washed over her just moments ago. It felt as though someone had scrutinized her very being, peeling away the layers of her clothing and exposing her in all her glory. A wave of vulnerability swept through her, leaving her feeling both exposed and ashamed.Yet, she maintained her composure and scanned the entire meeting room, her gaze sweeping over the gathered nobles. Except for the Dukes, whose statuses remained locked from her view due to her lower level, everyone else appeared to be within her reach.However, there was one peculiar individual among them. Adelaine focused her attention on him, mentally reading the name displayed on her status screen.‘Ethan Ifrit… level 90? So weak?’She cast a quick glance in his direction, noting his unassuming demeanour before shifting her focus back to the rest of the assembly. The contrast between Ethan's apparent weakness and the power radi
“The map is a remarkable invention by one of the heroes; only our Empire boasts such a detailed representation,” Princess Ladia declared as she walked around the 3D map, showcasing its intricate features. “With this, our plans and strategies can be precise down to the last detail.”She paused, her finger hovering over a specific area of the map. “This is the Northern Dragon Mountain Range, which the Ifrit Family has been responsible for defending. It has served as a natural barrier between the Beast Kingdom and our Empire for centuries. However, it seems the Beast Kingdom has discovered a passage through this range.”I listened intently, the weight of her words sinking in. The implications of this revelation were significant, and I could feel the tension in the room as everyone absorbed the information. The Northern Dragon Mountain Range was not just a geographical feature; it was a critical line of defence, and the thought of a breach sent a ripple of concern through the assembly.I
When their supplies are cut off, those mighty beastmen will be like lambs on the chopping block—their fate will be sealed!” Gislain declared, his voice rising with fervor as he traced his finger across the 3D map, illustrating his vision of a pincer attack.He indicated the strategic points where his army and Martin’s forces would converge, their combined might poised to strike. “With their supplies severed, the Beast Kingdom’s soldiers will be starved and weakened, ripe for the taking. This will be an assault from two sides, executed by two of our strongest armies.”The intensity in Gislain’s eyes was infectious, and I could feel the energy in the room shift as everyone absorbed the implications of his plan. The idea of launching a coordinated attack from both flanks was not just a tactical maneuver; it was a declaration of our intent to reclaim control and assert our dominance over the battlefield.“Imagine it,” Gislain continued, his enthusiasm palpable. “As we close in on them fro