System S.E.X. (Seduction, Expansion, eXecution)

Chapter 754: Chapter 754: The King’s Recognition

Upon seeing Ethan collapse to the floor covered in blood, the King’s rage dissipated instantly. He dematerialized his silver spear with a fluid motion and walked slowly back toward what remained of his destroyed throne. Inspecting the deep gouge the sword strike had carved into the structure, he nodded, a clear gleam of interest showing in his eyes.

"So you awakened the Heart Sword Dao..." the King murmured in an imposing voice, looking down at Ethan. "There are very few people capable of achieving such a thing... The finest swordsman in the Golden Dragon Empire possesses it as well, and it is said that no one at his level can withstand two strikes against him. They know him as the One-Strike Swordsman."

Ethan coughed up a bit more blood, gritting his teeth as he attempted to channel his energy to stabilize his meridians.

"Thank you... Your Majesty..." Ethan said with difficulty, struggling to recover from the suicidal backlash of the technique.

"You are quite interesting," the King continued, crossing his arms as he evaluated him. "You left just a few years ago as a nobody and returned as a powerful warrior. I received the report that you found an undead inheritance. Can you show it so everyone here may see?"

Without hesitation, Ethan pulled the orb from his robes and channeled a strand of energy. In a split second, the room’s gloom condensed, and two imposing Death Knights materialized on the spot. They emanated a freezing, relentless aura, standing firmly at the Half-Step Dao Manifestation Realm.

"Do you wish for me to summon more, Your Majesty?" Ethan asked, holding the sovereign’s gaze. "There are too many... they would not fit in this hall."

The King contemplated the shadowy creatures for a few moments.

"I see... they are interesting," the King conceded coldly. "Dismiss them. I do not care for the undead."

Ethan obeyed the command immediately, recalling the knights back inside the orb.

"My daughter also found an inheritance a few years ago..." the King added, shifting the tone of the conversation drastically. "Everyone speculates what it is, but not even we know for certain. Since you have experience with ancient inheritances, how about you accompany me after this? I want you to look at it."

Ethan bowed his head with respect.

"It would be my honor, Your Majesty."

Upon hearing the ruler’s direct invitation, a murmur of discontent and disapproval rippled through the ranks of high commanders and generals present in the hall. The vast majority looked at Ethan with envy and contained hostility, clearly reflecting the sharp bias of each general toward the different princes competing for the throne.

Only the Southern General flashed a pleased smile and openly congratulated him with a nod of approval. He was the only one among the supreme commanders who stood steadfast and unwavering on Princess Isabella’s side.

The King cleared his throat slightly, and the low echo in his throat was enough to instantly silence the entire great hall.

"Any objections?" he asked in a deliberate, crushing voice.

No one dared to answer. Alaric Von Dragonia was no ordinary king, but a true warrior. For a long time, the realm’s powerful families had managed to keep him in check through a delicate balance of influence; however, after his recent ascension, no one in their right mind would dare show open discontent. Doing so would only mean inviting a blade straight to the heart.

"I have seen your achievements and your request," Alaric continued, locking his gaze on Ethan. "I have already sent the request to the Empire as a gift on my part. If your family is within the territory of the Golden Dragon Empire, they will undoubtedly be found."

Ethan bowed his head.

"If there is nothing else, you may take your leave," the King concluded. "You have fulfilled your task well. For now, we will wait for the other princes to finish their missions so we may hold the judgment of the heir. I have already dispatched the notice; if they do not return within fifteen days, there will be no need for them to fight for the throne."

"Your Majesty, that is not all," Ethan interrupted with composure, breaking the silence of the hall. "There is still one more gift to present. I saved it to deliver strictly in your presence."

Upon hearing his words, the nobles and generals aligned with the fourth prince grit their teeth in silence. Long ago, they had dispatched Gusher in secret to seize that very resource and subdue Ethan. For years, his whereabouts had been unknown, and no news had arrived from any of the spies in that entire region. One did not need to be a genius to connect the dots and understand who was behind it, or that the operative was likely long dead.

"Your Majesty, I present to you the Divine Elixir," Ethan declared, producing a small vial.

The vial held a pink liquid that glowed with a pulsating force. The King locked his gaze on it with genuine curiosity; with his elevated cultivation level, he could perceive details invisible to the rest, observing how the potion itself seemed to vibrate with a life of its own.

"Is this the mysterious health potion for superior warriors?" Alaric asked, evaluating the small container.

"Indeed, Your Majesty," Ethan replied. "Your servant is an alchemist—or used to be. I preserved the formula for the Divine Elixir as a family heirloom and, fortunately, found vast quantities of Water of Death to craft it."

"Can this be used by me?" the sovereign inquired.

"No, my lord. At your level it will not work; it can only be consumed by those below your realm," Ethan explained. "For your realm, the Celestial Elixir is required, but that formula was lost to history."

Internally, Ethan smirked as he recalled the vast trove of records stored within Crul’s mind. Perhaps one day, ’mysteriously’, we will discover it to gain even greater favors, he thought, preferring to keep a few hidden aces up his sleeve to secure his future.

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