The second night turned to day marked the completion of Damien's routine checks through Theavel.
'It looks like the five continents have formed a relationship of nonaggression since the world leaders are a tight-knit group. When it comes to major conflict, Theavel will probably never experience it. Though, that's to be expected.'
As the first world in the Sanctuary's budding universe, Theavel was the most stable. It was formed from only people who had some sort of personal connection to Damien and those who served them.
However, as the universe grew, this kind of harmony naturally wouldn't last.
'Until then, this place will remain peaceful, which…isn't bad as long as the Sanctuary hasn't bloomed into a true universe.'
When that day finally came, it was still unknown whether the current atmosphere could prevail.
'Putting aside future prospects, I never expected Elitra to have such administrative potential.'
Damien had been visiting the Sanctuary far more frequently since he entered the Void Corridor, but he still never interfered with its politics. At the same time, he did everything in his power to avoid Elitra, who seemed to have an uncanny ability to sense his presence when he was near.
With the combination of these factors, Damien never got to see Elitra's talent firsthand. At least, not until last night.
'I'll have to ask Elvira to put her in a higher position so she can fully make use of her potential. When the Sanctuary grows in the future, she should be able to manage multiple worlds and keep them in order.'
Damien smiled wholeheartedly. Finally, he found a use for that useless maid. He almost wanted to cry imagining the scene of her being too busy to pay him any mind.
'After the army gets accustomed to the squad formations I learned from Heaven's Army and Tyler, I can start taking them out into Eien for training. This is the best way to rapidly raise their level.'
Unfortunately, the army he was raising was raised in an ivory tower. He absolutely needed them to experience the cruelty of reality before they became useful.
'Hm, maybe I've become a bit heartless, but it can't be helped. For their sakes and for the universe's sake, they must grow as fast as possible.'
Being a ruler was too troublesome. Damien wasn't used to worrying about other people's affairs to such an extent, and it was taking a slight toll on him.
He was lucky to have Elvira and the rest. Without their help, Theavel would've absolutely turned into a lawless land or a dictatorship by now.
'Nevertheless, now that morning's come, it's time to go.'
Damien flashed away, appearing near a meditating Xinyue and bringing her along with him.
After saying his final goodbyes to the Sanctuarians, he vanished from the realm, returning to the Sky Emperor's Palace.
"Haa, it's refreshing to leave without doing all the long goodbyes. I guess I should keep visiting frequently to avoid that." Damien sighed, stretching his body.
"Hm? Why are you so silent?" He asked when he noticed Xinyue's strange mood.
She'd been in the Sanctuary with him for the past few days, and while she got to see many endearing sides of his personality, she also slowly got to understand what kind of role he held in that strange world.
He was a ruler.
The world itself was a place that could easily be destroyed with the force of the Ancient God Clan, but it had a strange set of world laws that didn't conform to the universal standard that Xinyue knew, which endlessly confused her.
How could such a world exist?
And how did this man become its ruler?
The questions piling up in her head only became more extensive as she spent more time with him, but she knew that she couldn't let him go until she figured out the secret behind his eyes.
As such, she was forced into a passive position where she didn't quite know how to face the man in front of her.
She didn't want to be submissive, but she also knew that she couldn't keep her same prideful attitude.
Seeing her choose not to answer his question, Damien shrugged and turned his back.
"Old man, I'll be taking my spoils now! What are you planning to do?" He yelled into the air.
"I will stay." The ancient voice of the Sky Emperor's remnant soul rang out in response.
"Are you sure? It's going to be an especially bumpy ride for you if you decide to accompany me." Damien reiterated.
But the Sky Emperor didn't leave any room for doubt.
"I have thought over this decision for many months already. My true self died long ago, and my current existence is far too pitiful. If I have to be extinguished regardless, I'd rather witness a miracle before I go."
Damien grinned. "Whatever you say."
Bang!
He stomped his foot into the Sky Emperor Palace's floor. A web of hairline cracks spread from the point of impact, soon transforming into bright golden lines that crossed the floor and formed a strange pattern that encompassed the whole palace.
"All that's left to do is your part," Damien said.
"Mm." The Sky Emperor affirmed. His aura flared into the surroundings for a brief instant, and the golden formation was dyed red.
In that moment, the Sky Emperor officially relinquished his control over the palace.
Damien dripped his blood onto the red-lined floor, causing the formation to pulsate.
Voom!
A wave of mana spread through the air. It was vast and complete, a mana that resembled the sky.
Voom!
A second wave of mana spread. It was dark and untraceable, containing traces of countless different laws.
This was Damien's mana. Once it finished spreading through the palace…
'I finally gained my own God Rank artifact.'
Damien grinned. Ever since he saw Long Chen acquire the Empyrean Dragon Sword back when he was in the Cloud Plane, Damien had been desiring a God Rank treasure himself,
He didn't need a sword, he didn't need armor, he didn't need supportive treasures. Damien somewhat lamented his self-sustainability when he realized how useless most treasures were to him.
But this palace was different. It was both a residence and a fortress with heavy offensive and defensive power. Rather than a palace, it was better to call this structure a top-grade starship disguised as a palace.
To hold a vessel with the same power level as the Nox's star destroyer in his hands, how could Damien not be excited?
'And coincidentally enough, the perfect targets to test this thing's power on are readily available in this realm.'
"Well then, no need to hesitate."
Damien pushed his mana into the palace formation.
RUMBLE!
The earth rumbled. The palace's foundation began to lift off of the ground, tearing apart from the earth below.
It didn't feel like a clean process at all. The shaking was intense to the point where it felt like the whole palace would collapse, it was hard to imagine that these walls could handle such fierce shockwaves.
However, as expected of a God Rank artifact, there were no problems with its structural integrity.
The rumbling gradually calmed down as the palace further detached from the ground, and in a matter of minutes…
The ancient treasure that had been forced into stagnancy for so long finally moved once more.
A golden palace flew through the sky. It's destination…?
Naturally, it was anywhere the Nox were present.
