Chapter 30: Summoning (2)

Chapter 30: Summoning (2)

Zion looked around at the people in the simulated room.

Their expressions ranged from interest and shock to outright hatred.

'So, these are Zion Agnes's siblings.'

They were all strangers, except for Evelyn. But Zion knew exactly who they were.

Diana Agnes, the fifth princess, a half-fairy, held the backing of the fairy forest.

Similarly, Utekan Agnes, the fourth prince, carried giant's blood and commanded the support of a giant herd.

And then there was Enoch Agnes, the third prince.

Enoch didn't share the same ties with the outer world as the others, but he was a member of the 'Ozrima,' a prestigious magic family that had produced one of the 'Skies,' the world's peak powers. His magic skills were already unmatched, gaining the loyalty of all the wizards and magical towers.

Moreover, Enoch was the one standing against Zion.

“The royal court standards have dipped. I never thought I'd see you, Zion, here,” Enoch said, his face clouding over as he spotted Zion with Liushina trailing behind.

“Haha, brother, don't be so harsh. It's only natural for Zion to be here since he passed the succession ceremony, right?” Utekan laughed heartily and stepped in before Zion could respond.

"That's true, older brother. Perhaps it's your view that's narrow, not the standards?" Diana chimed in with Utekan, challenging Enoch while casting a sly glance at Zion.

'Hmm... He seems different.'

Zion, who previously couldn't even make eye contact, was now meeting their gaze head-on. The calm in Zion's eyes was new too.

Had repeated threats on his life changed him?

'Well, no matter how much he changes, he won't make a difference.'

Diana thought, her lips curling into a slow smile.

Even if he had grown stronger and his personality had changed, there was no way he could bridge the vast gap between them.

Especially not with his weak body that couldn't handle basic swordsmanship, let alone innate magic.

'That strange energy is a bit worrying, though...'

But even that wasn't enough to raise an alarm.

Her attention was already occupied by the other powerful Agnes siblings.

Compared to them, Zion was as insignificant as a bug crawling on the ground, as Enoch had so aptly put.

Zion, paying no mind to their scrutiny, sat down on one side of the simulated room.

"You're running late, Zion."

"I had some stuff to deal with."

Zion replied to Evelyn, who had walked over to him. His eyes moved to the vacant throne.

'Has the Emperor not shown up yet?'

He must be waiting for all his children to gather.

Zion suspected the reason for today's royal summoning was linked to the assistance he had previously hinted at.

Just then.

"Master."

Liushina, standing behind him, quietly addressed Zion.

Turning to face her, Zion saw her usually red eyes flickering with a savage hunger.

"Isn't it true that everyone here is your enemy? Wouldn't it be smart to kill them all while they're together like this?"

Liushina was born with a bloodlust.

She thrived on taking lives, the stronger the life force, the stronger her urge.

The people present were rare powerhouses of the world.

That's why her cravings were at their peak.

If it hadn't been for Zion's restraint, she would have initiated a massacre by now.

'I made a mistake bringing her here.'

Zion thought, quietly chiding himself.

“You know, it seems like our father will be a bit late. Isn't it too dull to just wait here?”

Utekan, the fourth prince, broke the silence.

At his words, all eyes turned towards him.

Grinning at their attention, Utekan continued.

"How about a friendly spar to pass the time? It can be between us or our companions."

Anyone else suggesting this would have been considered insane, but for Utekan, it made sense.

He was a natural-born warrior who reveled in the thrill of combat.

His lust for fighting didn't discriminate by location.

"Do you mean a spar between our respective followers?"

"That's a good suggestion, but..."

In response to Enoch's words, Utekan shot Zion a knowing look.

"How about Zion takes part this time? I'm curious to see how much strength he has to have passed the succession ceremony."

"I like the sound of that. I'm keen to see how much our little brother has grown."

Diana clapped her hands in agreement.

"Sounds fair? Given it would be too much for Zion to spar with us, let's pair him with one of our followers."

"That's not a bad idea. I'll offer up the opponent."

Enoch not only agreed with Utekan's idea but also proposed one of his own apprentices as a sparring partner.

Their decision completely ignored Zion's opinion, as if he was a non-entity in this meeting.

Enoch, the third prince, who had been staring blankly at Grit's decapitated form, began to contort his face in a mix of rage and confusion.

"Zion, you...!"

"I told you."

Zion interrupted Enoch's accusation, his lips curled into a smug smirk.

"I'm not sparring."

His ability to instantly dispatch a seasoned battle wizard was impressive in itself.

The shock that Zion, who previously couldn't harm a single ant, had beheaded a man, amplified their astonishment.

"You wretch...!"

His anger over being undermined by Zion, whom he viewed as no more significant than an insect, superseded his grief over losing his servant.

With that, the stars buried deep within Enoch's eyes began to glimmer faintly.

"His Majesty the Emperor has arrived!"

A boisterous proclamation resonated, and the doors to the virtual reality swung open once more.

Entering the virtual reality at a leisurely pace was an elderly man.

He was Emperor Urdios Agnes.

"Your Majesty."

"Your Majesty."

Everyone paused their actions and bowed in Urdios's direction.

Gradually, amongst the bowing individuals, the emperor began to saunter.

Although his face bore the pallor of death and he required the support of two individuals to walk,

The overpowering charisma that radiated from the elderly man naturally suppressed everyone in his vicinity.

"......What is this?"

The Emperor asked, his gaze coldly inspecting Grit's lifeless body sprawled on the floor.

"That, that is......."

"Clean it up."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Could it be that the ruler of the world, despite his old age and infirmity, was still unchanged?

As Urdios navigated the room towards the throne, not a single person, not even the arrogant royals, dared to lift their heads from the bow.

Except for Zion.

Now seated on his throne, the emperor silently surveyed his progeny.

In his eyes, the stars of the milky way began to shine with luminous intensity.

Then, as the spokesperson, Evelyn addressed the emperor.

"Have you been keeping well?"

"Do I appear in good health?"

Urdios chuckled at the question.

"Well, you wouldn't know since it's been a while since I last showed my face."

"......"

Realizing that his words were directed at everyone present and not just Evelyn, the individuals in the room tightly sealed their lips and bowed their heads even lower.

"Seeing me for extended periods isn't a pleasant sight, so let's cut to the chase."

At the emperor's declaration, the expressions of the princes and princesses registered confusion.

They were genuinely clueless as to why the emperor had summoned them.

"The purpose of this assembly today is to determine the successor. Actually, I've already made my decision."

"......!"

At this pronouncement, all the royals, Evelyn included, abruptly raised their heads in unison.

Such an unexpected statement.

Moreover, the first prince, Rubrios, wasn't even in attendance at this meeting.

Announce a successor?

A situation that none of them had anticipated.

However, the emperor's following words were so revolutionary that they entirely uprooted the assumptions they had been mulling over in their minds.

Urdios, his gaze unwaveringly fixed on Zion.

A playful twinkle danced in the emperor's eyes.

'Could it be that the assistance he referred to...'

The moment Zion began piecing together clues from Urdios's demeanor.

"The successor will be Zion Agnes."

A staggering proclamation dropped from the emperor's lips.

***

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