Kryz grabbed the unconscious woman and sighed as he understood the meaning of her spying on the trio.
The Magus with the demonic features showed some sadness when he stared at the injured woman, but the boy only displayed coldness and killing intent.
"We will let King Roku decide what to do with her." The bald elder spoke to the duo, and after seeing their approval, he secured the woman in his space ring.
With the spy problem handled, the trio stared at the portal made by Ezequiel for a moment before glancing at each other and going through it.
They would have preferred to have their meeting on neutral ground, but their mistake in allowing a spy to follow them and depending on Ezequiel to capture her already put them at a disadvantage for future negotiations.
The trio found themselves on the highest floor of the Daybreak Magic Tower after going through the portal, and immediately comfort appeared on their faces.
Above them was a giant sphere made of Quasi-Rebirth Force, and the radiation it generated was the highest on this floor.
Even someone without talent would find it easy to awaken their True Soul if they trained in this place, as the radiation would temper their souls and bodies over and over again.
The radiation wasn't of much help for Rank 5 and 6 life forms but still made them feel relaxed and in peace.
"What is King Roku's proposition that could benefit both parties?"
Ezequiel's voice drew the trio's focus, and they saw him sitting on a throne. However, the next second, their eyes widened with shock at what they saw on his left.
A little girl with black hair was eating fist-sized cubes packed with an immense amount of Origin Power.
The trio recognized the cubes as Origin Hearts. Rank 6 life forms used them to nurture their Inner Law Dimension. Each of them contained more Origin Power than one thousand high-quality origin stones, and it was extremely pure, making it easier for the dimension to use it.
Yami sneered when she saw the trio looking at her Origin Hearts and began to eat even faster.
"I am waiting."
"Oh, yes, sorry about that." Kriz apologized to Ezequiel and no longer bothered with the extremely bizarre girl.
"Before I start, may I know about Lord Invictus' knowledge about Gods' Tomb subsequent phases and their timeline?"
"Contrary to the first speculation, the next phase should start in twenty years instead of thirty, due to the butchering being much higher than initially expected."
Utter shock could be seen in the face of the trio when they heard Ezequiel's words. He spoke with such a carefree attitude about information that even some Kings of the Aeternum Empire were unaware of.
"Did Lord Daybreak figure out the changes inside Gods' Tomb despite not even bothering to inspect it?" The boy, Sebastian, spoke with awe on his face.
Every great organization had people in the Transitional Plane's portals using all kinds of supernatural power to decipher the changes inside this one, and even some Beings of Laws inspecting it from the void.
Zatiel deciphering the timelines of Gods' Tomb without even getting near the plane was unbelievable.
"I don't doubt Master could do it if he wanted, but he has more important things to do. I asked the timelines to Teacher, and he told me everything, including when he thinks Rank 7 life forms will be able to enter the Transitional Plane."
"What! The only person with that kind of information is..." Kriz did not finish his sentence as the name that came to his mind had too many implications.
If Ezequiel's words were true, then trying to use their knowledge about Gods' Tomb as a bargaining chip would be laughable.
In the end, Kriz only sighed and continued to the next topic. As for the relation between Ezequiel and the Aeternum Empire's Ancestor, he did not ask. Sometimes too much information could be dangerous, especially if you are weak.
"As you said, the next phase will start in approximately twenty years and will allow life forms up to Rank 6 to enter. King Roku ensured that one of his descendants obtained the Champion status for the First Phase, and now wants to get the position for himself and led the Aeternum Empire's army in the Second Phase."
Ezequiel started to understand the goal of the trio, and an idea appeared in his mind.
"So, do you want me to kill the other Kings? I could do it if I consider them to be unfit of Master's ultimate goal."
"No, no, no! That is not why King Roku sent me here." Kriz and the other two panicked when they heard Ezequiel's words, and they immediately corrected him.
They did not know what the Supreme Neo-Demon referred to as unfit of Zatiel Daybreak's ultimate goal.
Still, something was clear for them. The man in front of them had no problem in killing members of the Aeternum Empire's Imperial Family.
"To decide who will be the Aeternum Empire's Champion and lead us in the war against the Divinity World's forces, a contest will happen. Each King will choose a representative to fight in their name. Only Rank 5 life forms will participate in the tournament, as Rank 6 powerhouses are too crucial for the battle inside Gods' Tomb, and if they are severely injured, it could take centuries for them to heal."
Now, even a child could figure out what Roku wanted from Zatiel and Ezequiel.
"I see. Although our relationship with King Roku is a good one, it doesn't really matter to the Daybreak Clan who will lead the Aeternum Empire's army, as our people only respond to my Master and me. How does your side winning benefit us?"
Every other clan inside the Aeternum Empire already allied with one of the Kings, and depending on who would lead them in war, it could mean their rise to glory or eternal damnation.
However, the Daybreak Clan was different. They acted on their own and depended on no one. None of the other powers could give them orders, and the internal struggles of the Royals did not affect them whatsoever.
"We are aware of the Daybreak Clan independence, but the reason why King Roku wants to lead the Aeternum Empire's army is that it could help him secure the Emperor's position after the current one ascends."
For the trio, the position of the Aeternum Empire's Emperor was of great importance, and their King obtaining it would mean a transcendental change in their lives.
"If King Roku is fighting to become the leader of a great organization inside the Magi World, then I must say I am very disappointed."
Kriz, Jury, and Sebastian frowned when they heard Ezequiel's words. He was insulting someone they considered as their absolute leader.
"I can see my words enraged you. Allow me to elaborate, but first, answer this, why do you think that, unlike other Principal Worlds, the Magi World doesn't accept Beings of Laws inside it?"
The trio looked at each other, but although they had many hypotheses, none of them was sure about it.
"It is pretty simple. The Magi World's Leader changed the world's laws so Rank 7 life form and above it could not remain inside to avoid their struggles from endangering the weaklings' life. King Roku is someone at the Primary Sun Domain Stage. He should be exploring the universe in search of lucky changes and battles. The fact that he wants to remain inside this cradle disappoints me."
Kriz was surprised by the explanation, and he nodded as he found it feasible, but the next second, his eyes shone with pride.
"Lord Invictus is very wise, but you are mistaken about something. King Roku doesn't want to become the Emperor so he can remain inside the Magi World. He seeks the position to advance to Rank 7 sooner and more spectacularly."
"Oh, please, carry on."
"What I am about to say is secret information, but since it involves your reward, King Roku allowed me to share it. The Emperor's position has many privileges, but the most important one is the right to use the Astral Chaos Pagoda, a heavenly object that can temper an individual's entire existence." Kriz took a crystal from his ring and handed it over to Ezequiel.
The Supreme Neo-Demon inspected the crystal and found the basic information about the Astral Chaos Pagoda and everything about the Gods' Tomb Champion Contest.
The Astral Chaos Pagoda could be used four times before having to recharge for one hundred thousand years.
It would need to consume crazy quantities of Origin Power, Elemental Chaos, biological matter, and even heavenly bodies during that time to be ready again.
Immense interest could be seen in Ezequiel's eyes when he learned the effect of the Astral Chaos Pagoda, as it could be the thing he needed to prepare for his next jump in Star Tier.
