1407 In The Throne Hall

Divinity.

What did that even mean...?

The transcendence of a lifeform?

The elevation of a being from the puppet of the cosmos to its puppeteer?

The final step before a man became God, all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-present?

There were many definitions, many arguments, and many reasonings.

But the indisputable thing about divinity was its nature.

As the soft white light shimmered in the throne hall, the divine power was there for all to witness and revere.

"I-Indeed…it's her power. Her power indeed." King Ferdinand spoke, his voice, previously calm and powerful voice was now cracking and confused.

Even then, he was already miles ahead of people who were entranced by the miraculous power and couldn't take their eyes off it even if they tried. And they weren't even trying.

The Archdukes were the next to tear their gazes away from the sight. Noticing that, Varian snapped his fingers and the grain returned to his palm.

The people who were disturbed in the middle turned their gazes to him on instinct to condemn his behavior. But before a word rolled on their tongue, the realization of the man's identity kicked in and their bodies froze.

"If it's clear enough, then allow me to re-introduce myself." Varian gently pulled Enigma forward and spoke to the royal court.

"This is my wife, Enigma Konstant, the younger sister of Isadora. I'm her husband, Varian. In the records, I'm also the ruler of the new province you detected near Centaurus."

A few auras swept Enigma and stiffened up before dissipating. Since these people were all experts in the domain of life, they could tell it with a single check.

Enigma and Isadora were deeply, deeply related. It's a direct, one-on-one connection. Only relationships like sister or daughter or mother would make sense.

Which means it's really possible that this woman was the sister of the legendary princess.

"H-How is the Princess?" Archduke Micheal spoke up in a confused tone, unable to hide his disbelief.

"Very fine but she's in the middle of some breakthrough. I guess she isn't stopping even at divine ranks, eh?" Varian shrugged with a helpless gaze.

"…So she really reached divine rank, huh?" Archduke Kriad intervened.

Varian raised an eyebrow with a baffled expression as if he could not believe such a dumb question was even asked. "She was peak rank 9 five hundred years ago. Where do you think she'd be now?"

"B-But we heard she was ambushed on the way back and…"

Varian spun the grain on his index finger at the doubt raised.

Archduke Kriad checked once again. To his utter disbelief and unwillingness, the aura on the seed was fresh, planted less than a week ago. And it's the aura of that woman herself! He'd never mistake it!

"What actually happened?"

"Why did the Princess remain in hiding for so long?"

"What the hell is this all supposed to mean?"

The questions were raised one by one, by an increasingly charged crowd who wanted the answers right away.

The dignified throne hall that was glaring and looking down at Varian a few minutes ago turned into a lawless market, with each person ready to bend backward to get the answers.

It's a ridiculous act without any show of respect for the law, the king, and the kingdom.

"Silence."

A single word, one that bordered a growl of a wild beast rang in the hall and a tsunami of aura followed, sweeping the crowd and reminding them of exactly where they were standing.

In the presence of King Ferdinand.

The elite of the elites froze like school children before slumping into their seats like puppets whose strings were cut.

The king's eyes turned to Varian and the human emperor experienced a tremendous pressure, one that surpassed even that of the Great Harvestor.

It wasn't a guess but a certainty that if this man had even the slightest of intention, he could kill not just him but his entire group and even if everyone else in the hall tried to protect him—including those high rank 9s—they would not be able to stop the king.

The raw difference is power was so great that Varian had a hard time putting up the act.

"Explain yourself, Varian Konstant. From the beginning." 

It wasn't a request, but an order.

For the first time since his arrival in the capital, Varian took a moment to compose himself with a deep breath.

"Isadora was heavily injured after the attack in the last war. She was ambushed on the way back by unknown enemies.

After killing them all, she was on the verge of death and ended up fighting my star system.

It took her a while to heal back to health and then she broke through to the divine ranks.

After she secretly traveled through the Alliance, she ended up fighting her sister who she brought back. She wanted Enigma to have a proper life instead of the one she had. So, they stayed in the human domain.

All the incomprehensible things about my civilization are actually due to her help.

And I…"

Varian gently held Enigma's hand with a bright smile. "I fell in love with this amazing woman and am fortunate to share my life with her. We wanted nothing more than to live in peace, away from all trouble. We weren't too bothered when the census officers knocked on our doors."

"Along with her disciple," Pointing to Sarah, he continued. "She taught me about the kingdom and its customs. So, we welcomed the census officers. The problem, however, was the princes and their petty egos.

Rudolph insulted my wife and got the death he sought so much. Merov tried to kill me and lost his life in the process.

But killing them without taking responsibility is not cool, Isadora said. She wanted me to proclaim everything I'd done in the throne hall."

With a relaxed smile, Varian said. "So I have. I've killed the princes. I hope it ends here. I'm a very understanding person. But Isadora can get very cranky sometimes and she hates people who cross the red lines."

Those words were uttered with killing intent and making no disguise of the warning.

King Ferdinand tapped the armrest a few times and hummed. "Since the princes have offended Princess Isadora's sister, they got the punishment they deserved. But they had an important responsibility. You're their killer, it's right that you fulfill that duty by accompanying Sonya."

"B-But Your Majes—"

"L-Lor—"

"Th-That could le—"

With a bang, the voices were shut off and everyone was suddenly shifted into a large garden outside.

Only a strong voice lingered.

"The court is dismissed."