CHAPTER 45: CHAPTER 45 - PROPOSAL ACCEPTED

Zion took her to the training hall which was fortunately vacant. Crystal wondered why he was bringing her here. Was he going to fight her? Force her to show him her strength? She didn’t know and she didn’t ask.

"You have the wind and water elements and can even combine them to create the ice element. That alone makes you special, at least in the eyes of everyone in the world. To me though, that isn’t impressive."

"Hmph, seeing how powerful you are, I’m not surprised that you don’t find elemental combinations special. You engraved runes on your body and survived without any drawbacks, I’m sure combining elements doesn’t seem interesting to you."

In this world, elements such as ice and lava were only able to be harnessed if a person had more than one element and the right elements to make it. Fire and Earth make lava while wind and water make ice. Such things can make someone be recognized for their abilities. After all, even having the right elements doesn’t mean you can combine them together since skill and talent are still required.

"No, that’s not what I’m saying." He stuck out his hand and ice formed around his palm.

"What?! H-How?!"

"Your understanding of how the elements work is not up to date. In my eyes, everything you can do isn’t special at all, average in fact. Look." Zion used every element there was. Wind, water, earth, fire, lightning, ice, metal, lava, wood, light, dark, and so on.

That wasn’t all. He showed her the Aura version of the elements, it being on his body, but after, he showed her the magical version of the elements, him bending nature to his will.

"How is this possible?! How can you do such things?! You aren’t using runes, are you? No, I can tell that you aren’t. This is insane!"

Her entire world just shattered. What she thought was normal and impressive looked like child’s play in front of Zion. She thought he was just a smart, powerful, rich kid who had good looks. Never did she think he would break the boundary between aura and magic, something only a dragon was capable of.

"There are a lot of things you don’t know about me and I’m willing to share them with you. There is, however, a catch."

Her shock vanished, replaced by seriousness. She knew this moment would determine her future. "What is it?"

"I’m not going to work for you. You’ll be working for me. You see, I have plans, plans that you wouldn’t even fathom and goals you wouldn’t eve dream of having. To achieve one of my goals, I need total control over the kingdom, not just the Astir kingdom, but the entirety of Midgard."

Crystal’s eyes widened with shock. She didn’t know what he was planning, but the scope of his goals was already insane to her.

"I’ll make you the queen, no, I’ll make you an empress, the empress of all of Midgard, but you have to swear loyalty to me and only me."

She thought about it for a second before responding. "Can I ask what will happen if I decline?"

"Sure. You’ll die."

She took a step back.

"Not by me, but by your siblings. And even then, I won’t let your siblings get in the way of my goals. If I need to, I’ll kill them myself, and if you get in the way of that, then I’ll kill you as well."

She gulped hard. She wasn’t used to this Zion, or at least him directing that side of him to her. She swallowed hard once more before asking another question.

"What will I gain if I agree, besides being an empress? I can understand this kingdom, but all of Midgard? That’s even crazier than my own goal of becoming the queen."

"Let me show you." He demonstrated his cultivation method and how it’s the reason behind his crazy strength, also emphasizing that it can still be improved. He then took her to his secret laboratory and factory.

In his lab, he showed her all sorts of experiments he was doing. Improving magic, improving aura, studying and directing each race, understanding and improving runes, making poisons that weren’t curable to the public, curing and treating sicknesses, diseases, poisons, and many more such as improving farming and agriculture.

In his factory, he showed her everything he had been working on. Buildings, infrastructure, technology, science, weapons, vehicles, robots, and many more.

She was awe-stricken, not only by the sheer scope of his projects but by the many races he had working there. Humans, Elves, Dwarves, and Beastmen were working together in this place. He even told her that he built information networks in every kingdom.

"When I say I can make you an Empress, I mean it."

Crystal was overwhelmed by everything she just learned, but overall, she was excited. She could face off against her siblings without having to scrape by. All the support she needed was in the form of one man and she was standing next to him.

She immediately opened her mouth to accept his offer but closed It just as quickly. She thought to herself for a bit then asked a question.

"You want me to be your puppet?"

"Heh, I knew you would ask that." He chuckled

"Nah, you won’t be my puppet and no I won’t be controlling what you say or do as Queen. Sure, I’ll ask you to implement some things, things that I’m positive you’ll agree to since they will better the kingdom."

"Better for you or for me?" She asked

"Do you even know the state of this territory? No homeless, no one in poverty, no one begging for food, and there are no slums. Everyone here makes an honest living and are able to take care of their families. They have education and can even learn mana. The taxes aren’t even high at all. Wouldn’t something like this best suit your reign?" He asked with a sly smile.

"We’ll work as partners?" She asked

"Friends." He corrected. "Or something more if you want. After all, a ruler needs successors." He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her in close.

"W-W-W-WHAT?!" She couldn’t stop herself from blushing like a girl looking at her childhood crush. She had to admit that she felt comfortable around him, safe, and appreciated.

She thought back to when he stood up for her in the carriage, or when she clung to him when that demon came to face them. Now, not only was he promising her assent to the throne, but even claimed to make her an Empress! Did she have feelings for him?

’No, no, no, no, no! I’m just very overwhelmed and really appreciate the things he’s doing for me. Calm down, girl.’ She relaxed her mind and calmed her thoughts.

Pulling away slightly, she smiled, "I accept your offer. I still feel weird about it but besides Zia, you and Lidia were my only friends and I trust you. So please take good care of me." She bowed, showing him respect.

"Great, I’ll tell my mother and aunt and prepare for an official declaration. You go and tell Zia and Lidia about what transpired here. I’ll catch you later."

He showed Crystal the way out then returned to researching Lordricks body.