Chapter 149 Sorry, I'm Not An Honorable Man

Being lifted and carried, instead of using his bloodline Ryan tried to remember where he had heard that name.

[Yoko, do you remember hearing me talk about an Amanda?] Ryan asked, wanting to narrow it down.

[Nope. But don't expect me to be your memory folder,] Yoko said.

[What can I expect you to do then?] Ryan asked, thinking, 'After all, your just a shell for the next two months.'

Yoko huffed. [Be awesome. Attract lots of worshiping dragons. Rule the Multiverse!]

Ryan bit his tongue, holding back a smile. [And what rank will you be when you hatch again?]

Yoko gasped. [How could you, Master!] she said, putting her unborn claw to her chest. [You know that's a sore subject.]

[Isn't it F-Rank?] Ryan asked, hearing the dramatic tone in her voice.

Clutching her heart, Yoko sank to the bottom of her shell. [You didn't have to say it aloud.]

[I didn't. I said it in my head.]

[Youuuu] Yoko said, shaking her fist.

[Quiet, looks like I'm here... wherever here is.]

Hearing a door squeak open, Ryan felt the women place him on a chair and was about to activate his bloodline when sniffing salts were placed right below his nostrils causing him to jolt awake.

"Cocks on winter's eve!" Ryan shouted, causing the woman seated across the table from him to snort, trying to hold back her laughter.

"I'll say, I've never heard that one before," the examiner said.

Ryan shook his head, sniffing to try and get the smell out.

Either not noticing or most likely not caring about Ryan's condition, the examiner continued, "You've passed the first round of physical testing. You will now be injected with a vile of truth serum and asked questions to determine if you will pass the character traits section."

The examiner then clapped her hands, and one of the guards that had brought Ryan into the room removed a syringe from her pocket and swiftly stuck it into his arm.

'This is all just a show,' Ryan thought. 'They could have injected me when I was unconscious, but they wanted me to see who was in charge.'

Ryan didn't immediately feel anything. Then, a few seconds later, he sensed a weak energy source from the liquid that tried to work toward his brain but instantly disintegrated due to the energy inside his body.

'Guess it only works on non-cultivators.'

Ryan thought it made sense because if there were a truth serum that could work against cultivators, it would be expensive.

It wouldn't be something someone would use for the thousands of contestants Ryan had seen inside the gymnasium.

The examiner waited a moment before asking, "Our first question is, do you hate the Red Dragon Empire or the Dragon Empress?"

"No," Ryan said immediately.

"Are you here today for anything other than wanting to become the Dragon Empress's true lover?"

"No."

Hearing Ryan's answer, the examiner nodded to the guards behind Ryan.

The two guards nodded back and left the room, presumably to escort another contestant to a similar interrogation.

"Do you possess loyalty?"

"Yes," Ryan nodded enthusiastically. 'I am always loyal to my own family.'

"Are you kind?"

"Yes," Ryan said. 'To those that deserve my kindness.'

"Are you protective of your lovers?"

"Extremely."

"Would you say you are trustworthy?" the examiner asked, starting to lean forward.

"Yes," Ryan said. 'I will keep a secret even if you swear a heavenly oath not to tell.'

"Lastly, are you honorable?" the examiner asked, practically leaning off her chair.

Ryan paused, considering this question.

'Although I'm not dishonorable, I don't know if I'm honorable.'

As he was thinking, a sudden reflection came to mind. 'Does the Empress truly want someone honorable?'

From what Ryan had gathered, she wanted someone willing to fill a void in her heart.

'But why does that person have to be honorable? What did honorable mean?'

"Can you define honorable?" Ryan asked, willing to take the risk.

A slight smile played on the examiner's lips as she said, "Someone who believes in truth and doing the right thing."

"Then I'm sorry, examiner," Ryan said, smiling. "For I am not an honorable man."

The examiner raised her eyebrows as she scribbled something on her tablet and stood.

Reaching out a hand, she said, "Welcome to the competition, participant #42. You've passed."

Shaking the examiner's hand, Ryan said, "Thank you."

"You'll be staying here for the next few days until either you pass and move on to the final round or are sent packing," the examiner said while escorting Ryan outside.

After a few minutes, Ryan saw a dormitory similar to the academies.

"Is that a Nova Ball field?" Ryan asked, seeing a large field to the left of the dorm.

The examiner chuckled. "Oh yes. The Dragon Empress loves her Nova Ball."

"In fact, you'll be participating in a round tonight."

Arching his eyebrow, Ryan wanted to ask more questions, but the examiner gave him a wave saying, "I have to get back number #42. Good luck!"

Ryan nodded and headed inside his dorm.

===

After locating his dorm room, Ryan was told he had an hour of free time before the Nova Ball game would commence.

Not daring to activate a portal to his palace in an unknown environment, Ryan did what he had been postponing.

"I need to rank up."

Ryan had enough energy to rank up to C-Rank and about half the energy required for B-Rank but didn't upgrade for fear of further repercussions due to his racial disparity.

Ryan chuckled. "Desperate times call for desperate measures."

Although everything seemed to be going well, Ryan knew the truth.

He had 51 days until the wedding, and although he had powerful allies in the Duchess, Frost General, and Empress, he knew he needed more.

'I still have that meeting with Lizzy and Izzy's mother in less than three weeks. I hope to add the Zol'Gan Empress to that list.

Either way, if Ryan could secure the Dragon Empress, he would feel more confident opposing the Grand Empress at the wedding.

But he needed every bit of strength he could muster to do that.

Releasing the valve on his energy, Ryan directed it towards his cultivation as he closed his eyes, enjoying the sweet feeling of pure power.

[Congratulations on upgrading to C-Rank in Cultivation]

[Congratulations on upgrading the following ability: Overlord's Harem Conversion (New Ranks!)]

[Please note your Overlord's Constitution abilities are now inactive while your race rank is two ranks behind]

'Looks like I didn't get much this time,' Ryan thought but wasn't too surprised.

If he kept getting an ability every time he ranked up, Ryan would be nigh unstoppable by the time he reached SSS-Rank.

He didn't use his Overlord's constitution for much as he had only tested 'Overlord's Reign', which instantly drained all of his energy the one time he had used it.

Overall, he was pleased, as long as the ability upgrade to his primary ability was worth it.

[Overlord's Harem Conversion]

[New Ranks:]

[General (0/1)]

[Officers (0/10)]

[Servant Manager (0/1)]

[Servant Leaders (0/10]

[Note(1): Leadership positions can give buffs depending on the leader's rank and specialty]

[Note(2): Slots for Knights & Servants upgraded from 100 -> 200]