Chapter 314: Devilish Proposal

Michael rubbed his eyes, making sure that he wasn’t hallucinating. But when he opened them, the Lord was still there.

“Robert? Why are you here?”

Michael had bid the Lord farewell on Venus once the AI threat had been neutralized. The man had chosen to remain there because he wanted to protect Livia, the newly appointed Minister of Defense, who had been assigned to oversee Magmorious.

Yet Robert was now here? A few things didn’t add up.

The man chuckled seeing Michael’s bewildered expression.

“News of a faction war travels fast, you know. Is it so strange that I chose to arrive when my comrades are in need of aid? You helped me protect my city… you even saved my life. It’s only right that I repay that debt.”

Robert looked unmistakably pleased with himself for arriving unannounced.

“But what about Livia?” Michael asked.

Robert’s smile grew more forced.

“Honestly… She’s the reason I’m here. She saw through my intentions immediately, like I was an open book, and told me to leave for Earth as soon as possible. She wants to prove she can run the city’s operations without my help.”

He paused briefly.

“So um… Can I join your faction?”

Michael chuckled.

“Glad to have you on board.” His gaze shifted past Robert.

“Ah.” The Lord blinked, realizing Michael’s attention had moved to the people behind him.

Moving closer, the man whispered.

“I don’t actually know them. On my way here, I came across a group of wandering warriors near the blessed lands. They said they were looking for you, so I guided them here. Thank God I found your place of residence on the first try. Otherwise it would have been embarrassing…”

Michael’s eyes widened. Only now, standing this close to Robert, did he realize that the Lord had reached the second stage of the realm… he had become a Transcendent Lord.

He guessed the man’s ascent had been made possible by the numerous corpses left behind after the assault on the capital.

After gesturing for Robert to call the crew over. Michael approached the gathered crowd.

It was a shock that Robort, a Lord, had arrived at their doorstep. The surprise only deepened when Michael realized there were two more Lords.

The first was Transcendent Lord Cayson. They hadn’t started off on the right track, but after fighting through an endless swarm of aliens, they had parted ways on good terms. As for the second person, it was Radiant Lord Iris. They hadn’t interacted much, yet from the brief time they fought shoulder to shoulder, Michael knew she was more than capable of holding her own.

“Don’t tell me two more are here to join my faction. Cayson, weren’t you part of the Golden Vanguard? What can you possibly even gain from joining us?”

Cayson nodded solemnly. “Indeed, I was part of the strongest faction to exist… and that caused me to grow dull and complacent. It’s a realization I came to after we fought together. Why care for status and prestige when civilians are dying at the hands of aliens? Despite my aging years, I plan to change myself and reach new heights.”

Iris crossed her arms, glancing to the side. “It’s a woman’s intuition. Joining you will lead to the highest rewards in the future… Plus, Nicole’s scolding still echoes in my head. She’s right… I have to be among the first to stand and fight for the cause I believe is just.”

While Michael was still busy processing the information, Victoria came out of the base, her eyes instantly locking onto a familiar silhouette.

“E—Evelyn?!” Victoria was overjoyed. She recognized the woman from back when they had both been stationed on Triton before departing to liberate Neptune.

Surprisingly, she wasn’t alone. Grandmasters Noah, Stephen, and Alice were with her, along with Masters Karson, Natalia, and Roy.

Notably, Alice’s hair no longer had the signature painted red associated with the Bloody Rose faction. She had let it return to its natural brown color. This could only mean she had left her former faction to join the Indomitable Alliance.

“Long time no see!” Evelyn grinned.

“Jasmine and Ford send their regards. The Golden Goose is thriving on Neptune now, thanks to your efforts. After hearing about the upcoming faction wars, they suggested we join your ranks. Given everything we’ve endured together, it only made sense that we’d accept.”

Michael blinked slowly, his head aching from the strain. Was he dreaming? What were the chances that most of the noteworthy soldiers they had fought alongside until now would decide to join their ranks?

He inspected them carefully, wondering if anyone had ulterior motives. Yet, he found nothing of the sort. These warriors simply… wanted to help him and the faction he had created.

In the end, they accepted them into their ranks, massively boosting the power of the Indomitable Alliance. However, with night quickly descending and the crew exhausted from the tournament battle, while the others were weary from the long journey, they all settled down to sleep, leaving future discussions for the morning.

Fortunately, the Indomitable Alliance base was large enough to easily accommodate many more people in the future.

“So many people suddenly decided to help… this can’t just be a coincidence.” Michael muttered, lying on his bed. His mind wouldn’t let him rest.

“Is that so?” Devil mused, enjoying the tormented expression of his owner.

“Out of everyone, you must understand how they feel. If there was a warrior you respected, someone you’ve fought side by side with, and they found themselves in trouble, you’d help them no question asked, right? It’s the same thing. Honestly, this is one of the things I don’t get about humanity. Either they’re backstabbing bastards or hopelessly loyal to the core.”

Michael remained silent, reflecting on his past. He was used to being targeted or feared, but receiving such help was unprecedented… Perhaps it was the direct result of the different choices he had made in his second life.

A more empathic being would have let Michael ponder his own thoughts… But Devil had other plans.

“I wanted to ask you about your sister. I’m getting the impression that you’re purposely avoiding powering her up. I want to know why… and don’t you dare give me some idiotic excuse!”

Michael let out a sigh. “You’re not a teenage girl, so you might not get it, but she can be hotheaded. Powering her up too early increases the risk of her going behind my back to prove herself, only to end up facing something beyond her abilities. There’s a reason even the most powerful families are reluctant to give their heirs too much power before adulthood.”

Devil instantly erupted into laughter.

“Oh, I thought there was a deeper reason… Turns out, it’s just because you’re too overprotective of her.”

Michael frowned.

“You seem to be having a good time. Maybe it’s time you return to my soul.”

Devil stood up.

“No, I have other plans.”

Michael raised an eyebrow.

“You have plans?”

Devil nodded.

“Training is in order. Things can’t stay like this.”

Michael felt reluctant to let Devil go, but in the end, he complied, seeing him off with a warning to stay hidden from their new recruits.

Taking care not to be spotted, Devil paced through the hallways, a giant smile on his face.

Reaching a specific door, he knocked gently.

“Hmm… Michael—”

Scarlett expected to see her brother but was shocked when she found his soul weapon standing there instead.

“W—What are you doing in front of my room so late at night?” She asked, completely misunderstanding the situation.

In response, Devil wordlessly lifted one of his claws, as if making a proposal.

“Do you want me to make you so powerful that nothing will dare stand in your way?”

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