Chapter 1292

Chapter 1292

When Duke Ruffiso died, the empire, shaken by the loss of the duke, worried that it would be left in chaos. Nonetheless, the empire thrived even more after Duke Vakkaman was promoted to a duke to fill the vacancy that Duke Ruffiso had left behind.

Whether in politics, diplomacy, command, or even strength and force, Duke Vakkaman excelled in all of them. He was also one of the most powerful in the Luvien Empire. Because of that, the people of the Luvien Empire called him many names and titles, like Cold-blooded Vakkaman, the Empire’s Sword Master Vakkaman, Supreme Vakkaman, and even Second Emperor Vakkaman. If Duke Vakkaman were not loyal to the empire and the emperor, Cardin would have been removed long ago.

Duke Vakkaman excelled in all areas except one—he did not have any deep relationships with anyone. Yes, he served the people well, cared for the nobles, and always stood at the forefront to minimize damages to their forces during battles. However, he deliberately chose not to forge deep relationships with anyone.

People believed that Duke Vakkaman's aloof attitude toward relationships was why he became who he was. Because he was like that, countless people hoped to get to know him better and build deeper relationships with him. Alas, in the Luvien Empire, making friends with Duke Vakkaman was more difficult than making friends with the emperor of the empire, or so they believed.

Minhyuk’s honest evaluation of Duke Vakkaman was...

‘He’s terrifying as an enemy.’

If Minhyuk had been a member of the Luvien Empire, he would have evaluated Duke Vakkaman as someone close to being a hero. That was how much Duke Vakkaman lived for the sake of the empire.

This very same Duke Vakkaman was sobbing while prostrating before Minhyuk. It was not just him. Even Duke Laghman was doing the same thing.

[Duke Vakkaman’s favor has gone beyond the MAX level.]

[His emotions and feelings for you can no longer be expressed with favor.]

[Duke Laghman’s favor has gone beyond the MAX level.]

[His emotions and feelings for you can no longer be expressed with favor.]

The series of notifications that rang in Minhyuk’s ears was very unexpected. After all, he had a pretty bad relationship with Duke Vakkaman.

During the war of races, the Luvien Empire had tried to steal the credits and contributions of the Beyond the Heavens Empire. The one who stood at the forefront of that was none other than Duke Vakkaman. Because of that, Minhyuk declared war against them on the spot.

Nevertheless, it was true that Minhyuk had saved Duke Vakkaman and Duke Laghman. At the end of it all, he did not feel too much about it.

‘In the end, I’m still a player.’

Even if he died, Minhyuk would still come back to life. Duke Vakkaman, who had been left on the brink of death in the Gaia Continent, was different. For him, that would have been actual death. As mentioned before, all humans feared death. Minhyuk’s act of saving him could be an act that helped pull him out of that terrifying fear.

Of course, there was another reason.

Duke Vakkaman continued to bow as he sobbed, “I have never received help once from my childhood up to now. The title of the son of the Supreme’s Family had always followed me around.”

Duke Vakkaman’s ancestor was none other than Supreme Rundalk.

“You have to be strong. You have to stand on your own. Because no one will reach out to help you.”

These words had made Vakkaman who he was, but they had also left him alone and lonely.

“I worked so hard and did everything on my own, yet I ended up on the brink of death.”

Vakkaman was still filled with fear just by thinking of that time.

“Back then, it occurred to me that my life, which was devoid of friends, was coming to an end. I felt fear. I wanted to live. Yet, no matter how hard I struggled to open my mouth and scream, the abyss continued to drag me to its depths. At one point, I thought,

‘I’m going to die like this, huh?’

and finally let myself go.”

Thankfully, he was able to open his eyes once more.

“The one who saved me was the emperor of the enemy empire that I hated so much!”

He opened his hands, which were clenched into fists.

“If you were in my place, I would have already turned my back on you. I would even be laughing heartily at your plight. Yet, you, the emperor of an enemy empire, did not turn your back on us and even demanded that we get cured too.”

“Duke Vakkaman. No matter the situation, you’re still the face of the empire...”

“What the hell! I—! How am I supposed to face you from now on?!”

Duke Vakkaman was confused. His loyalty lay with the Luvien Empire, yet his heart was filled with thoughts of the emperor of another. Of course, if their emperor were Cardin and not Brod right now, then the story would be different.

Right now, in Duke Vakkaman’s eyes...

“There seems to be two suns in my sky.”

“...!”

“...!”

Everyone was left shocked. This was the best tribute and honor to the emperor of another empire that Duke Vakkaman could give. It was a potentially dangerous statement.

His statement was like cold water being poured onto everyone. It was proof that Duke Vakkaman thought dearly of the man before him and that these people had made horrible choices of words when they dealt with Minhyuk.

The representatives of the other nations involved in the diplomatic exchange all held their breaths.

Duke Fusimeon, who had tried to lecture and mock Minhyuk earlier, was shaking wildly from fear.

‘I tried to lecture the man Duke Vakkaman has acknowledged a sun?’

Duke Vakkaman asked Minhyuk again, “What should I do for you?”

Perhaps Duke Vakkaman’s reaction was natural. After all, this person had saved him and brought him back to life, which was the greatest and most amazing thing in the world.

Duke Vakkaman asked again, “What should I do—”

“Nothing. Don’t do anything,” Minhyuk replied, his voice cold.

The coldness in his voice immediately snapped Duke Vakkaman back to his senses.

“You are a part of the Luvien Empire. Live for the sake of your empire. Live for the sake of your people and citizens. And I...” Minhyuk paused. Then, he said, “I will treat it as if I heard nothing today.”

“...!”

Minhyuk’s gaze flitted over the walls of the empire. A considerable number of soldiers and the Swords of the Gods he had saved alongside the two dukes had appeared atop the walls and were watching the scene here. They all felt the same respect and adoration as Duke Vakkaman for Minhyuk.

The representatives of the nations participating in the diplomatic exchange looked at the Swords of the Gods, the Luvien Empire’s strongest, and the soldiers standing on the walls. Standing at the center of them all was Swords of the Gods Commander Anden.

Anden held the grip of his sword tightly with both hands. Then, he raised it to his chest and shouted, “Attention!”

The Swords of the Gods followed their commander and showed respect and courtesy. They did the same when Anden sheathed his sword back in its scabbard.

After receiving their show of respect, Minhyuk asked, “Did any of you hear what happened today?”

The soldiers shook their heads while Swords of the Gods Commander Anden said, “Your Majesty, you have only just arrived.”

At this moment, Duke Vakkaman realized that Minhyuk was being considerate of him. If what he said and did here were spread all over the Luvien Empire, he would be scorned and removed from his position. Of course, the same was true for Duke Laghman. After all, the duke of an empire bowing to the emperor of another nation was considered treason.

Minhyuk looked back at the representatives of the nations.

“...”

Each representative trembled, their breaths weak as if they were about to faint.

Reflecting on his haughty and arrogant behavior from before, Duke Fusimeon’s face turned red from shame. He hurriedly waved his hand and said, “We just arrived here, no? We haven’t seen or heard anything! Nothing at all!”

The representatives all shouted wildly.

“Me too!”

“What are you talking about?”

Finally grasping the situation, Duke Vakkaman and Duke Laghman stood up. They had just been forced to suppress their emotions and still felt distraught and confused.

They believed they needed to do something to escape this distress and confusion. Unfortunately, the Beyond the Heavens Emperor did not allow them to do so.

At that moment...

“If you’re really grateful, you should treat me to a meal.”

“...!”

“...!”

Duke Vakkaman and Duke Laghman finally realized how they could show their gratitude to the man. Minhyuk finally finished saying everything he wanted and stepped forward. Before he could pass through the wide open gate, he stopped and turned to look at the representatives of the nations.

“...”

“He... hehehe...”

“...”

“Ha... hahaha.”

“...”

He stared at them briefly with a very heavy gaze filled with contempt. After a few moments, he turned back and finally went inside.

Meanwhile, Duke Vakkaman and Duke Laghman approached the representatives of the nations participating in the diplomatic exchange with a glare in their eyes.

‘I think we’re f*cked...’

***

After he visited the Luvien Empire with their delegation, he returned to the Beyond the Heavens Empire.

[Just accept it, Minhyuk. This is fate.]

“...”

Minhyuk looked at all of the vassals standing in front of him with an incredulous look on his face. His gaze was mainly focused on Obren. Obren was smiling an “uncle’s smile” and looked very happy.

This meeting was called the moment he returned from the Luvien Empire. Minhyuk was now legally the guardian of Philos, the second patient suffering from eating addiction in the world. When he checked Philos’ status window after a long time, he was greeted with this...

(

Philos

)

Level

: 48

Class

: Food God, Gods’ Child

HP

: 6,449

MP

: 3,644

STR

: 351

AGI

: 487

STM

: 493

WIS

: 598

INT

: 2,087

Demonic Energy

: 4,250

Fullness

: 100%

Skills in Possession

:

•Active Skill: Kiddie Absolute Pinnacle Spear

•Active Skill: Kiddie Mercenary’s Pinnacle Swordsmanship.

•Active Skill: Kiddie Great Demon’s Swordsmanship

•Passive Skill: Food God’s Cooking Skill

•Passive Skill: Food God’s True Worth

•Active Skill: Ingredient Tracking

•Passive Skill: Gods’ Protection

•Active Skill: My Gods

•Passive Skill: Gods’ Talent

•Passive Skill: Heart Thief

•Passive Skill: Their Story

Special Effects in Possession

:

•Sword God’s Blessings

•Great Demon’s Praise

•Supreme Divine Beast’s Protection

•God of Snakes’ Absolute Blessings

•Guardian God’s Absolute Protection

•Guardian God’s I Will Protect You

“NOOOOO... What do you mean by ‘Just accept it’? You niece-cons! Can’t you see this? Right now, a Level 48 child can easily defeat a Level 150 adult in a fight!”

All of his vassals were smiling happily, pride evident on their faces. It was as if they had just received their daughter’s report card and were very proud of her.

“Hoho. Your Majesty. That’s enough already. You should just accept it.”

“You can’t avoid this forever.”

“Philos is loved by everyone. She can even turn everyone she meets into a pushover.”

Ben even added an even more ridiculous statement. He said, “Seeing our dear Philos become so outstanding, excellent, and amazing... this old man can now die with no regrets...”

Minhyuk was rendered speechless when he saw Ben’s eyes turn red. His delight was apparent, as if he had watched his own granddaughter grow.

Obren opened his mouth again and said...

[Minhyuk. Just accept it. There’s no other way.]

“...”

Minhyuk remained silent. He had thought that Athenae would restrict Philos and stop her growth. But Philos continued to grow, and at an even more ridiculous rate!

“Minhyuk. Our vassals have helped someone grow and develop. I don’t think that can be considered a bug, no?”

“Wait, Genie. Why are you smiling like a proud auntie, huh?”

Philos had also captured Genie’s heart and left her fascinated with her. Right now, all of the vassals present only wanted one thing.

“Your Majesty, just give up.”

“There’s nothing you can do, Minhyuk.”

“Your Majesty.”

Their eyes sparkled as they tried to explain things to him as logically as they could.

“Since Philos is already this strong, let’s raise her properly! Don’t you think so too, Your Majesty? Hoho!”

Elizabeth said, “I don’t want to see my younger sister get beaten up somewhere.”

Then, Genie added, “Athenae has not imposed any sanctions yet, no?”

Ben laughed, “Hoho. Your Majesty, the fact that you’re blocking the path for our dear granddaughter’s growth will have an adverse effect.”

Minhyuk had ordered his vassals not to contact Philos as much as possible. Honestly, it’s because he feared the girl would receive sanctions and restrictions from Athenae. Nonetheless, as Genie had said, there had been no movements whatsoever on Athenae’s side.

‘No. There’s no other way to do it.’

The vassals had raised and nurtured Philos themselves. She was also a talented genius who absorbed everything that she was taught. This could not be called a bug, so it could not be sanctioned. Minhyuk was worried about the weight that she had to bear at such a young age.

At that moment, Obren spoke up, his words stirring Minhyuk’s heart.

[Minhyuk. Philos has to become stronger so she can eat more delicious things.]

Minhyuk’s heart was greatly shaken. He allowed Philos to start playing the game so he could help her eat something delicious without the repercussions, just like him.

‘Perhaps I’m really holding her back.’

By fearing what Philos’ shocking growth would bring to her, Minhyuk was actually blocking her from being able to eat more delicious food.

Minhyuk stood under the scrutiny of Philos’ older sisters, uncles, and grandfathers. He closed his eyes and pondered deeply. After a moment, he opened his eyes and said, “Alright. Let’s give it a try.”

Minhyuk took out a family tree from his inventory and said, “Give this record of my family tree to Philos.”

This meant that Philos would travel to meet Minhyuk’s noona, Hegemon King Ellie, his uncle, Overlord Raldo, and the previous generation Battle God Belson, his grandfather, Supreme Rundalk, his grandmother, the God of Cooking, his great-grandfather, Philip the Creator, and many other people.

Everyone present trembled. The project “Our Philos: The Absolute Weapon” had begun.