CHAPTER 148: IMMORTAL GATEKEEPERS

It took them a while, but they couldn’t say no.

No meant death.

Serena asked for more details, so I gave her a clearer explanation of the empire I planned to build. In it, she would remain Empress, and the royal crown would stay within their lineage. Meanwhile, the cabinet would be made up of representatives from each of the six kingdoms, with Caelum representing Solinthar.

Matters would be discussed in a civilized manner, and votes would be carried out. That’s how normal issues would be handled—but, of course, that only applied to issues I wasn’t involved in.

My word is law.

As long as she agreed, not only would I give her the throne, I would become the power behind it—and its protector.

As long as I live, no one would dare challenge her rule.

Anyone who tries would have to get through me first.

The security I offered for the royal lineage seemed to put the two of them at ease, and they quickly agreed.

Serena’s smile returned as if a heavy burden had just been lifted from her shoulders, and even Caelum couldn’t help but thank me.

No matter how much he hated me, he knew I was the only one who could protect his family.

He had no choice but to yield.

"Now it’s time I ask questions," I said while leaning back in the rocking chair.

The two were just about to rise to their feet, but they froze and exchanged confused glances.

"If I’m going to protect you," I explained, "I might as well know what I’m going against."

"Ooh..."

They nodded and returned to their knees—without me even needing to ask.

"Explain your aunt’s current position and how much of a threat she is."

My request was simple, but judging from their expressions, it seemed things were complicated.

I watched them exchange glances more times than I could count before either of them finally spoke.

"After becoming Queen, Mum pushed Aunt out of the capital because she kept challenging her rule. She was put in charge of the last ringed city fifty years ago. When the city was overrun by invaders, she somehow managed to secure a good number of the civilians and military within a fortress, one that was built to house tens of thousands during an invasion," Serena started.

"Because of this, the dwarf army has refused to go beyond the last ring until they conquer that fortress. However, even with their machinery and manpower, they’ve failed, which has slowly improved Aunt’s reputation in the Ashen Realms," Caelum continued. "They call her the Iron Lady. Because not even the dwarves could move her."

"It’s said she has over fifty thousand soldiers holed up with her in that fortress," Serena added. "But somehow, even a hundred-thousand-strong coalition force of dwarves, elves, and orcs failed to breach the walls. The last two gave up and began pushing toward the capital, but the dwarves remained—due to sentimental reasons. Their pride was hurt."

I pieced together their poorly narrated story and vaguely understood what was going on.

From their tone and reactions, Princess Alisha’s achievements shouldn’t be possible.

That’s where Seo-Yun comes in.

If my suspicion is right, only a Gatekeeper could keep them safe.

But that means Seo-Yun has been here for over fifty years.

Is that really possible? I couldn’t help but wonder.

Can Gatekeepers live that long without aging?

Or did Seo-Yun get some kind of immortality ability?

Ding!

Gatekeepers do not age. The task of uniting the realm cannot be accomplished in one lifetime. You are currently the youngest Gatekeeper in the universe.

The message made my frown deepen as my hand instinctively reached for my chest.

Why the hell does the system leave out such important information?

Doesn’t that mean I have to endure this pain for eternity?

The thought pissed me off.

"When we were in trouble, Mum requested troops from Aunt, but she refused," Caelum grumbled, like a child who’d just had his toy taken away. "She clearly wanted us to get conquered so she could swoop in, save the day, and become Empress."

I glanced at him once, then shifted my attention to the full moon outside the window.

The idea of going up against a fifty-year-old Gatekeeper was unsettling—especially since I’ve barely been one for a year.

"What type is she?" I muttered. "A leader or a warrior?"

If she was a leader, maybe I could win in a fight.

Beyond that, I wasn’t so sure.

"I need to see for myself."

I stood up abruptly, and the duo jerked back.

When Empress Althea was alive, they weren’t this timid.

I guess she had been their shield—and now that she was gone, their vulnerability made them shrink.

"Check what?" Serena blinked.

"Yeah, you can’t leave us here," Caelum said.

My knitted gaze shifted to the two of them, and they quickly lowered their heads and kept quiet.

"The girl who kissed me. She must be the power behind your Aunt," I explained. "I need to check out how strong she is."

I walked toward the window as a pair of black, angelic wings sprouted from my back.

"Do you plan to kill her?" Caelum asked as I reached the window.

I froze and looked over my shoulder before nodding slightly.

"If possible, I’ll kill her and the prince tonight."

The two exchanged shocked glances—mixed with excitement.

I grabbed the window frame, just seconds away from leaping off, when a soothing voice called out my name.

"My Lord," Reina’s voice made me freeze, and I turned to see her petite figure rising from the bed. "Are you leaving?" she asked.

"Yes." I smiled. "But it won’t take long..."

Saying this, I turned my attention to Serena, who was frowning again. But upon meeting my gaze, she looked away and hid her face.

"Get her something to eat. She hasn’t had a meal since yesterday," I said.

"I haven’t had a meal since yesterday," Serena grumbled in a hushed tone, and I rolled my eyes.

"Okay! I’ll make sure she gets something nice to eat!" Caelum answered with suspicious enthusiasm.

Reina walked past them, stepping up to me with a worried gaze.

"Will you be out all night?" she asked.

I shook my head.

"Hopefully, an hour will be more than enough. It may get a bit noisy and dangerous tonight, so stay in."

Reina nodded obediently.

SWOOSH!

Without hesitation, I shot out the window and soared into the night wind.

"Seo-Yun... show me what you’ve achieved in the past fifty years!" I snarled..