Adam observed Philippe's memories play out.
Much to his surprise, the memories were largely intact, and not entirely fragmented like most others inside the Lotus's mysterious space.
After seemingly driving the indigenous people to extinction, he finally turned his attention toward properly establishing his kingdom.
Over the following decades, he introduced laws, established rules, strengthened his authority, and brought stability to the lands he had conquered. Settlements gradually grew into towns, and towns into prosperous cities.
Adam watched as the chaotic lands slowly transformed into a functioning kingdom. He had to admit that, despite Philippe's cruelty, the man possessed remarkable talent.
"He might not have been a particularly good Magus," he mumbled, "but he was definitely a good statesman."
Under Philippe's reign, the Valouis Kingdom flourished. Trade expanded, new settlements were established, and the people gradually enjoyed a level of stability they had never known before. The kingdom grew wealthier and stronger with every passing year.
And as Philippe's achievements accumulated, so did his reputation. Eventually, his people bestowed upon him a title.
Philippe the Conqueror.
Adam snorted in disdain as he recalled the so-called Conqueror's miserable death at his hands.
He continued watching the memories.
To the people of Valouis, Philippe was the founder of their kingdom and the man who had given them a new homeland.
But Adam had seen what came before it all.
The blood, the slaughter, the countless lives buried beneath the foundations of that prosperous kingdom. And he could not help but wonder whether any of Philippe's descendants had truly known what their kingdom had been built upon.
Philippe continued to grow older, and with time, his family expanded as well.
But Adam soon noticed another problem.
Philippe d'Aubigny had taken two wives.
At first, it did not seem particularly important. Yet as the years passed and the children of the two queens grew older, the tension within the royal family gradually became impossible to ignore.
The princes of the two queens openly competed with one another, despite a line of succession having already been established.
At first, it did not seem particularly important. Yet as the years passed and the children of the two queens grew older, the tension within the royal family gradually became impossible to ignore.
The princes of the two queens openly competed with one another, despite a line of succession having already been established.
There were arguments, subtle provocations, and barely concealed hostility. Even when they stood together as a family, Adam could sense the divide between them.
Adam's eyes narrowed as he murmured, "This has the sparks of a civil war written all over it."
Perhaps Philippe himself failed to notice it. Or perhaps he believed that his authority alone would be enough to keep his children in line. Either way, Adam could already see the seed of another disaster being planted.
The kingdom had been founded upon blood. And now, another conflict was quietly beginning to take shape within the royal family itself.
But what truly surprised Adam was something else.
As Philippe's memories continued, Adam gradually became aware of the man's true strength.
"Transcendent Magus!"
Adam stared in utter disbelief. "How is that possible?!"
His thoughts churned as he continued watching Philippe's memories unfold.
Until now, he had always believed that the Mana Seed Rank was the power ceiling of this secret plane.
After all, the strongest person in City Hall, Aramen, was only a Templar Paladin — the equivalent of a Mana Seed Magus. Even Jacob, the Vampire King, who ruled over an entire kingdom of vampires and was powerful enough to defeat Aramen with ease, stood only at the pinnacle of the Mana Seed Rank.
And yet, Philippe had somehow reached the Transcendent Rank.
How was that even possible?
Adam's eyes narrowed, and his brows furrowed. "This world shouldn't have allowed it."
No, perhaps that was the wrong question.
"To begin with, what exactly is the origin of this secret plane?"
The more Adam thought about it, the more perplexed he became.
From everything he had witnessed through Philippe's memories, this place did not seem to have any connection to Centerra. It was an entirely different world, with its own territory, its own people, and its own civilizations.
So how had this secret plane come to be?
It even possessed its own natural laws. There was a sun, a moon, vast stretches of land, changing seasons, and everything else one would expect from a complete world.
Adam's expression gradually turned solemn. The mysteries surrounding this place were far deeper than he had initially imagined.
"Just what kind of place have I entered?"
Adam did not dwell on those questions for long. His attention soon shifted back to Philippe's memories.
As the years passed, Philippe grew older. And with age came paranoia.
The once ambitious young Magus who had conquered the vast lands gradually became increasingly cynical. He had built the Valouis Kingdom with his own hands, crushed its enemies, and ruled over centuries of prosperity.
Yet none of it was enough.
His lifespan was nearing its end. Worse still, despite everything he had achieved, he had been unable to ascend to the next arcane rank.
Adam watched as Philippe became increasingly obsessed with the idea of immortality. The fear of death slowly consumed him. He refused to accept that, after everything he had accomplished, he would simply grow old and disappear.
And so, he began planning for the future.
A future that would require one of his own descendants to become his vessel.
"What a disgusting bastard!"
Adam's expression was filled with disdain.
To prolong his own life, Philippe was willing to sacrifice even his own blood. His descendants were nothing more than tools in his eyes. Potential vessels that he could one day use to continue living.
Adam watched as Philippe established his so-called inheritance and instructed his family about the strict requirements necessary to inherit his legacy. Everything had been carefully planned. All that remained was for the right descendant to appear.
Eventually, Philippe found himself lying on his deathbed.
His family gathered around him, watching as the great founder of their kingdom approached the end of his life.
But Philippe did not die feeling sorrow at leaving his family behind. Instead, Adam saw — no, he felt — anticipation in the old Magus's eyes.
Philippe was thinking about the future. He was wondering about whose body he would one day inhabit, for he was so sure of the arrangements he had secretly left behind for his eventual rebirth.
And with those thoughts in mind, Philippe d'Aubigny, the first king of the Valouis Kingdom, finally closed his eyes.
That was the end of his life.
No.
To be more accurate, the end of Philippe's life was just the previous day when Adam Constantine devoured his pathetic soul.
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter
