Three Years Later
"My Lord, the Shadow Knights and the Masked Assassins have returned. They are waiting in the Patriarch's chamber."
"Very well. Also, My Lady, visit my brother Deluc at his post and deliver this scroll to him."
"Yes, My Lord. The Lady of the Ravenscroft Duchy hears and obeys!" She exclaimed before vanishing.
"Now, let us hear the reports, starting with the twelve Masked Assassins." The twelve Masked Assassins had been tasked with tracking down the Emperor, while the Shadow Knights were ordered to locate the Ministers and the Empress.
"We have failed, My Lord," said Masked Fox. "We utilized all available resources, but we were unable to pinpoint the Emperor's exact location."
"Likewise, My Lord," reported the Shadow Knight. "The Ministers and the Empress seem to have vanished without a trace. We have examined all of the continent's forbidden places, and there are no signs of a struggle anywhere."
"Something is off here," I mused. "This leaves the Crown Prince and the Saintess as the remaining forces under the Imperial Family's Grand Table. I have taken over the High Council Table, so the only threats we need to watch now are the Heavenly Principle and the Royal Court. The Grand Table is not yet crippled, as we still have the Crown Prince and the Saintess. Continue your search! I know my father has a plan, and my mother is more cunning than most. I'm certain she anticipated this."
With that, they all disappeared.
The High Tower had remained silent for three years. What plan could they be concocting now? Disguised as the Patriarch of House Reynhiegh in the Western Seas—a house so low in rank that it's considered little more than high commoners in the capital—I have been quietly observing.
For three years, the Cathedral's relentless battle against the Voids at the borders has shown no end. Citizens in the border regions have now taken shelter in the midtowns. The arrival of the Messenger of the Goddess Luna, earlier than expected, greatly bolstered the Cathedral's standing. The borders have stabilized, with only minimal skirmishes occurring from time to time.
While the Forbidden Places remain untaken, the Voids forces have also shown no activity. The Crown Prince has reported tracking four Apprentices of the Evil Gods in the dark valley of the south. It seems I'll need to visit them one by one. However, Brother Deluc's post is in the farthest part of the southern region, while I'm stationed in the west.
"Summon the second brother!" I shouted.
"YES, MY LORD," a knight outside the door responded.
"Patriarch, you called for me?" Cromwell asked as he entered the room.
"Brother, you will now act as the Head of House Reynhiegh until I return from my mission. You must do whatever it takes to protect this family. In times of great need, you may burn this piece of paper, and help will arrive instantly. Use it only when the family is truly in danger!" I handed him a talisman—a summoning order for the Masked Assassins and the
Seven Shadow Knights.
"But brother, I don't think I can!" Cromwell exclaimed. This family is being pressured by the Western Seas Lord. Though the Reynhiegh family has long stood in the Western Seas, they were cast aside because of the former head's foolishness.
The Reynhiegh family possesses a unique cold mana and can store twice as much mana as a normal mage.
"What makes you think you can't?" I asked.
"I failed before; I might fail again. Besides, it's only been two years since you woke up from a long coma, and you haven't fully regained your strength. It might be dangerous for you!" he exclaimed.
"Don't worry about me, brother. I must complete this mission; it is a direct order from the Saintess of the Empire!" I replied. I saw his expression change to shock and noticed him sweating at the mention of the Saintess. As I showed him the holy scroll, he immediately prostrated himself before it.
"I BOW BEFORE THE SAINTESS!" he exclaimed. He believed this scroll belonged to the Saintess, but it was mine. I hold more divine mana than even our second mother. I withdrew the scroll, and Cromwell stood up.
"I can see your worries, especially with the noble banquet in the West happening soon. But fear not," I reassured him as the rest of the family entered the room.
"LISTEN! CROMWELL REYNHIEGH WILL REPRESENT THE REYNHIEGH FAMILY OF THE WESTERN SEAS DURING THE WESTERN FORT BANQUET, ALONG WITH MATRIARCH LAVEIGN, PRINCESS REYNA, AND PRINCE CORNEL! You will attend the banquet wearing the Reynhiegh sigils!" I declared.
You will receive a title during that time, as I plan for this family to join the High Table. You carry the bloodline of Khione, the Goddess of Ice, and a distant member of the High Heavens. Once you awaken the seal, you will be as powerful as the Apprentices.
I now declare you, Cromwell Reynhiegh, as the First Embodiment of God! As Prince Davey uttered these words in his mind, a golden light appeared in the area, visible only to Prince Davey. As a member of the High Heavens, Prince Davey possesses the power to grant blessings to his followers, whom he calls the Embodiments of God.
Now its time to visit the Dark Valley,
"By the threads of fate and time, Through the veil, where shadows climb, I call upon the ancient door, To realms unseen, forevermore. Light and dark, now intertwine, Let the passage be defined. Open wide, the path untold, To worlds beyond, both new and old. By my will, this gate unseal, Let the portal now reveal."
A chant is necessary for long distance travel! A dark with a galactic effect portal appeared before me!
Now let us see how strong is the apprentice of Klhaos!