CHAPTER 67: CH 67 A TALK AND A COVER

The Federation was not entirely led by short-sighted individuals obsessed with immediate gain. No—there were still people in power with vision. People who understood the long game.

And this—this was a quality he quite liked.

The Federation’s patience. Their ability to look beyond immediate gain.

It stood in stark contrast to certain others...

A flicker of memory stirred within him—of his past self, from the life before reincarnation. He had once placed his trust in the Emperor of the Terra Empire, a man he had believed to be a visionary, someone who saw the big picture. But he had been wrong—so terribly wrong.

That misplaced faith had cost him everything. He had fallen victim to their schemes—driven by their fear of his growing influence and the immense power he already wielded.

As the Supreme Marshal of the Terra Space Naval Forces, he stood equal to the Emperor himself. His lineage traced back to one of the oldest Archduke families, granting him not only noble blood but also legitimate political weight. His fame had spread across the Terra Empire, and this rise alarmed many—especially the royal family.

They feared he might one day claim the throne, not through rebellion, but by sheer presence and merit. Unwilling to even entertain that possibility, they devised a plan to erase him—no matter the cost. And the price would indeed be steep. They betrayed him, sending him on a mission of vital importance—one that impacted the stability and supremacy of the Terra Empire across the star sectors and beyond. But it was a trap, and it was there he met his end.

But it was a trap—and that’s where he met his end. And how that end came to be... well, he’d already told them about it, right?

—Signed, William

Just remembering that now as I mutter to myself with a sigh. How intense it was. How helpless I felt back then. It really made me feel, once again, how small I am without my power.

(Though it might sound like it was granted to me, you all know how hard I worked to gain it...)

And that brought back memories of past events...

That same helplessness that used to surround me back in those days.

The difference? He survived it—whether through luck or sheer plot armor, he survived. And then he rose. He became an almighty being, above everything. No one could compare. He was the one and only. Anyway what followed it had became history that he didn’t needed to tell again right...

Now, he was here once again—reborn through the sheer force of his will, an immortal being who could not be truly killed. Reincarnated in a new era, he chose not revenge, but a new journey. This time, it wasn’t about reclaiming his past glory through brute strength or divine might. No—he sought to rediscover what he had once lost to time: the struggle, the grind, the purpose that comes with starting from nothing.

Though he was a cultivator and his powers were slowly returning to him, he had no intention of relying on them. Not unless absolutely necessary. This time, he wished to ascend through technology—to build a new kind of supremacy, one grounded in science and innovation. A power forged not through mystical might but through invention, engineering, and vision.

That was the true purpose behind his journey. And that was why he refused to become a tyrant.

That was the true purpose behind his journey. And that’s why he refused to become a tyrant—or even try to take over by force.

Had he gone that route, everything he worked for would’ve gone down the drain. Sure, it might’ve been more efficient in the short term, but the consequences? They would’ve been brutal.

Many would’ve resisted—some out of pride, unwilling to work under anyone, especially not under force. Others would’ve seen it as an opportunity to break free from the Federation and form their own alliances. And those were just the major threats. There were countless other complications that would’ve unraveled if he’d tried to seize power by force.

To hold it all together, he’d have to spend years resolving endless conflicts—slaughtering thousands just to make an example, silencing any resistance. That might’ve brought a temporary calm, but in the long run, it would’ve sparked even bigger problems.

He had no interest in dealing with that.

That was one of the reasons he chose the diplomatic route. A slower path, yes—but cleaner, more stable. And it wasn’t like he was pressed for time. He had all the time in the galaxy—hell, maybe even the universe.

Still, to speed things up, he handed over two Tier-7 ships and the accompanying tech. It wasn’t necessary for him, but it nudged the process forward.

And in the end, it paid off—more than he’d even expected.

Through diplomacy, he didn’t just gain influence—he gained significance. His name carried weight now. And with it came territory—enough to finally begin laying the foundation for what he truly wanted to build.

He smiled to himself, thinking of it all.

Meanwhile, Elsa sat quietly within William’s inner world, beside the Heavenly Garden that lay beneath the canopy of the Tree of Beginning. Her eyes were closed, tuned in to his thoughts—feeling the weight of what was on his mind.

She understood his reasoning. His logic was sound.

But still... it felt like he was giving too much.

To her, it looked like he was presenting himself to the world as someone who was too easy to approach. Too willing to give.

Even though they shared a bond, that didn’t mean she could read his thoughts at will. Especially not now. He hadn’t fully regained his powers yet, and on top of that, the mental barrier he’d created made it even harder for her to clearly see what was going on in his head.

Still, she asked: "Will... are you really going through with this?"

William turned toward her, pretending not to understand.

"What is it, Elsa?" he asked, even though he knew perfectly well what was on her mind.

Elsa pouted, seeing right through him.

She clarified, her tone firmer now:"I’m asking if you’re really planning to go forward without using your martial powers at all—just relying on technology instead? Advancing solely through that? Did you really mean it?"

William smiled, then nodded slowly. Calmly.

"Yes, Elsa. That’s exactly what I’m thinking. And I’m willing to follow through with it."

Elsa frowned slightly, unconvinced. She pressed further.

"But if you do that... won’t you be giving up the biggest advantage you have? Your powers let you do so much more—faster, better. You worked so hard to get them. Why give that up now?"

William let out a soft "Ohh" as he realized where the misunderstanding was.

Elsa had taken his words the wrong way—assuming he meant abandoning his power entirely.

That wasn’t what he meant at all.

After all, just as Elsa had said—it was his power. His advantage. The very thing he had spent millions of years cultivating, and countless more perfecting.

So why would he ever give that up?

He wasn’t a fool.

Yes, this time he was choosing to ascend through technology—but that didn’t mean he was abandoning his power. Not at all. That wasn’t what he meant.

When he said he wouldn’t be using his powers, he meant in the trivial ways—like dealing with lesser enemies or doing things that were simply too boring, too far beneath everything he had envisioned. That would be a waste.

Instead, he would use his innate abilities in smarter ways.

Creation, for example—using it to generate rare resources that others could only dream of.

His knowledge—gained from studying countless realities and exploring the multiverse—was another weapon. A perfected one. That, he would use.

Along with many other advantages he had at his disposal.

And that’s exactly what he told Elsa: "You got it wrong, Elsa. I never meant I’d completely abandon my powers. Not even close. I just meant I won’t rely on them for everything. Not for the things that don’t need them.

Aside from certain abilities—and the knowledge I’ve gained—my power will remain dormant. But it will never be discarded. I couldn’t, even if I wanted to. It’s a part of me. And I’d never abandon something we earned through so much effort. So many journeys. So much struggle. Together."

Elsa, still seated inside William’s inner world, heard his words and quietly muttered to herself: "Oh... so that’s what you meant, huh..."

Then, with a soft smile, she added something only she could truly understand: "A part of you, huh... So you did remember everything after all. That’s good. That’s really good..."

Her voice trailed off in a quiet kind of happiness.

But as soon as she realized what she had just said, her face flushed bright red from embarrassment. She scrambled to cover it up. "U-Umm, I knew that, all right?! I just... I just wanted to hear it from your mouth! That’s all!"