"If that is King Roku's goal, then my initial assessment was wrong, and I apologize. He is indeed wise and decisive, planning several steps ahead of his opponents. Someone willing to get into an uncertain and potentially fatal path just for the chance to solidify his foundation is worthy of respect."
The Supreme Neo-Demon stood up and made a slight bow to the trio before sitting back on the throne.
Invictus's pride was greater than the heavens, but he was not someone who refused to accept his mistakes. He had implied that Roku was a coward before, so it was right for him to apologize.
The trio immediately smiled after hearing Ezequiel's words, and their impression of the imposing genius improved significantly. Being humble despite having such talent and power was something rare.
"I am willing to fight in the name of King Roku, but I will need two slots for the Astral Chaos Pagoda."
"Lord Invictus, I am afraid that is not possible. King Roku can only offer one slot as the uses of the pagoda are too few, and the rest are already reserved."
A profound light appeared in Ezequiel's eyes when he heard that. He already decided he would use the Astral Pagoda Chaos and secure a place for Zatiel.
The best way would be to use the official path and get King Roku's help, but he will just find another way if he could not get it, even if it were bloodier.
"Before I say anything else, I assume you already have some information about the other Kings' representatives."
Kriz's eyes narrowed, and he nodded. King Roku had people infiltrated into the inner circle of the other Kings who were constantly feeding him information.
"There are geniuses like the Gabriel Rebellion who are still Rank 5 life forms and whom I could not defeat. If there is no one in that level among the contenders, I can ensure King Roku's victory with one hundred percent certainty. I think you can appreciate the value of a safe bet."
Enlightenment appeared in the face of the three Magi. The battle between the representatives was just the visible aspect of the Gods' Tomb Champion Contest.
In the dark, bets that could shift the control over the Aeternum Empire would arise and if you are one hundred percent certain of who the victor would be, then what you could obtain from them is unimaginable.
They knew that someone who could gain the favor and trust of an epic entity like Zatiel Daybreak was not a man who gave his word lightly.
If Ezequiel said he could guarantee victory, they believe him. As for geniuses of Gabriel Rebellion's level appearing in the contest, that would be impossible.
None of the Kings were able to mobilize individuals of that level.
"Your offer is very tempting, but I don't think King Roku will accept to hand over another slot." Kriz knew how great it would be to have Ezequiel on their side during the contest, but the pagoda's slots were just too valuable.
If King Roku gave another slot to the Daybreak Clan, he would have to take it from someone else, and that potential ally would become a powerful enemy.
The Supreme Neo-Demon rubbed his chin as a thoughtful expression appeared on his face.
"If he accepts to hand over the two slots, then I will continue helping him to secure the throne from the shadows after the contest is over. And we can even ask for Master's guidance in case we find ourselves in a tricky situation." Ezequiel waited for their answer, and if they refused again, he would not push anymore and search for another way.
Kriz, Jury, and Sebastian looked at each other with wide eyes, and slowly a smile began to form on their faces.
Having a master assassin like Invictus working in the shadows would allow them to take care of many bothersome people and having the chance to rely on the guidance of a mastermind that even Ivar the Flawless praised for his knowledge was beyond amazing.
"I can not make that decision on my own, Lord Invictus, but I will discuss it with King Roku and inform you of the answer as soon as possible. I hope you can accept that."
Ezequiel nodded and made a portal that teleported the trio close to the Aeternum Empire's capital.
"What are we going to do now? Return to the Atlanteans or go to Abyss and regain your domains?" Yami asked Ezequiel while she kept devouring the Origin Hearts.
"None. I need to improve my compression over the laws so my atomic matrix can withstand more of the Primordial Entropy Lightning's power and continue its evolution. We will go to the Garden of Creation, and I will use the Soul Throne to improve my speed."
Ezequiel picked up Yami, and the duo used the World Gate the next second.
...
After being unconscious for more than a day, Zatiel finally opened his eyes. He felt an immense amount of highly pure life force and soul force flooding his body and Inner Law Dimension.
He soon noticed the two branches piercing into his heart and brain. They originated from Ancestral Root's hand and were the conduits from where the healing power entered his body.
Zatiel fell unconscious a few seconds after using that monstrous hand to kill the Demon Lord.
While his wounds were challenging to heal, especially the ones in his soul, to someone like Ancestral Root, who had an immense amount of Origin Power at his disposal, it was pretty easy.
After the Artifact Spirit detected Zatiel's condition returned to its peak, he retracted the branches.
There was awe and admiration in Ancestral Root's eyes as he stared at the Neo-Demon, but there was also a profound sense of wonder and confusion.
"What are you? Since when did the Prima Universe's life forms possess three souls?" It was not his intention to investigate the Neo-Demon's secrets. But, he discovered three beings created from pure Primordial Essence in the Inner Law Dimension as he healed the soul.
Life forms training multiple techniques were not rare as the body cultivation of the True Soul's Path of Power was average. However, he had never seen something so miraculous as the True Doomsday Body or True Will.
Zatiel only smiled and did not answer Ancestral Root's question. Even if he knew the Artifact Spirit could not betray him, there was no need to tempt his luck.
Ancestral Root saw Zatiel did not want to speak about the subject, and he did not push it, but something else drew his curiosity.
"If I may know, did you already begin to develop the cosmic force that will one day be a symbol of your entire existence?"
Ancestral Root knew his question was laughable. After all, geniuses began to decipher the Omega Law when they entered Rank 7, and even monsters like the ones in the Prima Universe's Champion Ranking start in Rank 6.
An individual at the 1st Engraving Stage lacked the power and insights to establish the rudimentary form of an Omega Law. Nevertheless, when Zatiel unleashed that attack that sucked his life force and soul force, Ancestral Root felt a power that was beyond the limit of the Prima Universe's laws.
"You are right, but it is not as impressive as you think. I have decided the path I would take in this life a long time ago, with my unique bloodline being the prototype. I did not actually display a new Omega Law's power, but instead, I modified one already existing."
Even after hearing that explanation, Ancestral Root was still amazed by Zatiel's abilities. After a second, he regained his composure and made the wood plate with the Prima Universe' Champion Ranking appear.
Everything in the plate was the same, except that the first place was now empty.
"Please, write the title you think represents you the best." Ancestral Root made the wood plate appear in front of Zatiel and waited for him to write his title.
The Neo-Demon stared at the plate for a moment before a smile appeared on his face.
'Before I was the Incarnation of Death and Destruction, an entity whose existence represented the annihilation and unification of everything, but now I am much more than that. In this life, the multiverse will know me as..."
Number 1. Lord of Beginning and End. (97% completion)
