CHAPTER 136: DESPERATE TIMES CALL FOR DESPERATE MEASURES

— Solinthar Empire, Royal Courtroom —

The moonlight pierced through the large windows, illuminating the dark hall. The scent of roasted chicken and spices filled the entire palace.

Their chatter and laughter echoed in my ears even though they were floors above this room.

"I have changed a lot," I mumbled, walking toward the throne.

As soon as I sat on it, the damp torches scattered across the room lit up with blood flames, and my eyes unleashed a fierce red light. I felt alive, yet the pain in my chest worsened—but I didn’t complain.

This was home.

One of many I would acquire over time.

"If managing one territory is this hard, how can I manage many more?" I muttered.

My eyebrows knitted at the thought of the man who had an answer to all my questions—Lee Bai. I’m certain that man has more than one territory.

If he moves from realm to realm constantly, which one would he call home?

[Fool. A Gatekeeper has no place in society. No home. You exist everywhere but belong nowhere.]

"Shut up," I snorted disdainfully and shut my eyes. "I don’t remember asking for your opinion."

Bam!

The throne room doors snapped open, and my frown deepened. The moment of peace I had wanted to enjoy was stripped away.

I’ve never enjoyed a moment of peace since coming to this world.

"GREAT ONE!"

"GREAT ONE!"

Voices rang like bells in my head, making my chest hurt. My body felt cold, and even their voices...

Sigh.

Letting out a heavy breath, I opened my eyes begrudgingly—only to see soldiers on their knees, crying passionately like they had just been spared from a death sentence.

I was confused. Wasn’t I hearing laughter and chatter just before?

At the front of the group stood Serena, breathing heavily, and Caelum, wearing a deep frown.

"Speak," I said coldly—but the sound of a walking stick drew my attention.

Thud! Thud!

The sound echoed louder with each passing moment. People quickly made way as Queen Althea emerged, with Selric aiding her. She looked like she had aged a decade since our last meeting, yet I had only been gone for a week.

"Great One... it’s really you," she gasped in surprise, her body trembling slightly.

The commotion must have drawn her here.

Rising to my feet, I walked down the stairs toward her. Selric bowed slightly, excitement burning in his eyes.

Gently, I placed my hand on Queen Althea’s shoulder, feeling how fragile she had become in just a week. Whatever happened must have worn her out deeply—dragging her a step closer to her grave.

That pissed me off.

She was one of the few people I needed to survive.

"Tell me what happened, my lady," I said in a soothing tone. Her trembling body slowly relaxed.

My firm grip became her source of strength. My confidence steadied her heart.

"The Kings of Lag’etha, Kael’Barad, and Orynthall formed a coalition force of sixty thousand soldiers as soon as they returned to their kingdoms," Althea explained, her gaze searching my face.

"They are leading the army themselves. They plan to take our heads and offer them to the orcs and elves to prove their loyalty. Only then can they truly safeguard their kingdoms."

Althea was watching me—trying to see if I would panic.

If I did, that would mark the end of Solinthar.

So I laughed.

Hahahahaha! Hahahahaha!

I let go of her and staggered back, laughing hysterically.

Deep down, I had considered this a possibility. I just thought the chances were slim. But now I realize how stupid I was.

Why would they join us to fight the combined forces of orcs and dwarves when they could just destroy what’s left of Solinthar’s sixteen thousand soldiers?

According to their reasoning, their chances of killing us were far greater than their chances of surviving against the orcs and elves.

Honor held no place in their decision.

Humanity’s survival held no weight in their hearts.

All they cared about was their own survival.

As long as they survived, nothing else mattered.

It didn’t matter if humans were enslaved.

"Interesting."

I chuckled and lowered my gaze, only to notice everyone was watching me—waiting.

Walking up to the Queen again, I placed my hand on her shoulders and gave her a sweet smile.

"What about the other three?" I asked.

There were six kings present that day.

Three turned against us. So it’s only natural I’m interested in the other three.

"They are silent, my Lord," Selric answered in her place. "We’ve written to them to bring their troops, but there’s been no response."

"They’re waiting to see which side wins," I chuckled, letting go of the Queen.

Ignoring their stares, I walked back to the throne and sat down with a mocking smile.

"What direction is the coalition army coming from?" I asked in a low, cold tone.

Selric shivered at my voice and pointed west. I nodded.

Leaning back, I shut my eyes and asked:

"When will they arrive?"

"In two days..." Selric replied quickly.

It all made sense now.

"Great One... what do you plan to do?" Queen Althea’s voice made me open my eyes.

"The Three Kings will die tonight. By morning, you will have their heads," I shrugged simply.

Buzz.

Everyone shivered at my words. Glances were exchanged.

"Should we rally the soldiers?" Selric asked.

I shook my head.

"I’m more than enough to deal with this situation," I said and waved them off.

"Leave... I need some time alone."

Silence.

The room went quiet. They stared at me like I was insane.

I wasn’t sure what bothered them more—my request to be left alone, or the fact that I planned to face an army of sixty thousand by myself.

Eventually, they left one by one.

Selric and the Queen were the last to go, closing the door behind them with a soft thud.

"This is bad," I muttered.

Sixty thousand is not ten thousand. And even among those ten thousand, I had only killed two thousand before running out of energy.

"What will happen if I get more corrupted?" I asked the system.

1... 2... 3... 4... 5...

[Do not use dark talents.]

The reply was straightforward—after wasting five seconds of my life.

"That’s not what I asked," I said. "What happens if my corruption worsens?"

[Hallucinations become a thing. You will hear the call of the abyss at odd times. On rare occasions, the abyss will attempt to take control of you, should it find an opportunity. The higher the corruption, the worse these effects become. Avoid dark talents.]

"Shut up." I rolled my eyes.

"If you cared about my well-being, you wouldn’t have made me suffer in the first place as a Gatekeeper. So don’t act righteous in front of me. You’re as nasty as the abyss."

[Adam...]

"That’s enough." I cut it off and shut my eyes where I couldn’t see the messages.

Desperate times call for desperate measures.