“I’m actually stronger than all the Heroes combined.”
Adelia was beyond shocked, her eyes wide with disbelief and fear.
Khione had given me the ring precisely to avoid such reactions from others. In the days following my absorption of Khione’s divine energy, the side effects had become apparent. They intensified with each intimate encounter, synchronizing us further. The rapid growth of my power had quickly become dangerous, necessitating the concealment provided by the ring.
I was relieved that no Gods seemed to have noticed me yet, thanks to Khione’s swift interventions. As it stood, only Khione, Adelia, and to some extent, Helana, were aware of my true strength. Helana knew I was powerful, but she had never seen the full extent of my abilities until now.
I had to admit, it was irritating to have to hide my true appearance and strength. Being constantly in close proximity to Khione so she could shield us from divine detection was stifling. But it was the price I had to pay for safety. The castle felt increasingly confining, and I knew the time was approaching when I would need to leave.
Radakel already had suspicions about me, and I had no idea what the other Divine Knights thought. I could only hope they were too preoccupied with their endless battles against the Demons to notice me.
“Why are you hiding this much power? You are stronger than the Hero Jason, Aiden or Sienna…” Adelia’s voice trailed off as she looked at me, her eyes wide with awe before she averted her gaze. My appearance seemed overwhelming, much like the first time people saw Khione.
“There are reasons for that. I want his strength kept secret from everyone else, even from the Divine Knights. Do you understand?” Khione asserted sternly, playing her role perfectly.
“I swear on my honor, I won’t say a word about Hero Nathan,” Adelia promised without hesitation.
It was reassuring that Adelia trusted Khione so much, even more than she trusted the Divine Knights. Khione’s influence over the Empire was immense, and it was crucial to maintain her pristine image. Any action that could cast even the slightest doubt on her had to be avoided. She needed to have the complete trust of the Empire, including that of the Divine Knights.
That’s why I’m avoiding asking her to steal Skill Books from either the Gods or even this castle, I was extremely cautious about it. Not a single doubt should sprout about her.
Today, I took a significant risk by revealing my connection to Khione to Adelia. But there was a strategic reason behind it. I wanted to win Adelia’s loyalty and, eventually, her love, just as I aimed to do with the Empress and Cecilia. These three women were immensely influential in the Empire.
In the future, I planned to dismantle the Divine Knights, who ruled the Empire from the shadows and posed a serious threat to me and to those I cared about—Amelia, my step-sisters, Aisha, and Gwen. The Divine Knights needed to be eliminated. Moreover, I had lingering doubts about the deaths of previous Heroes that I would need to investigate.
The best way to get rid of the Divine Knights was through a rebellion. However, a rebellion led solely by Amelia and the Heroes wouldn’t gain the trust and support of the people. But what if Adelia, the Empress and Cecilia, someone raised by the Divine Knights themselves were to side with the rebellion? That would be a game-changer.
Securing Adelia’s loyalty and love was one of the first steps toward this goal. She was highly loved by her people, and her support would be invaluable in orchestrating a successful rebellion. With her and the Empress on our side, we could mobilize the masses and gain the momentum needed to overthrow the Divine Knights.
It was crucial to understand why I had to kill Oscar. His influence was immense, far surpassing even that of Cecilia. He would have been a significant obstacle to my plans. With him out of the picture, Cecilia would rise to take his place, which worked perfectly in my favor.
Of course, this rebellion was not an immediate plan. I still needed to convince Amelia, my step-sisters, and Gwen to even consider the idea. Aisha was the most likely to be persuaded, given her existing doubts about the Empire.
Convincing the others would be more challenging, especially the Empress, Adelia, and Cecilia, who had a deep-seated loyalty to the Empire and trusted the Divine Knights implicitly.
The most challenging part lay ahead.
Firstly, I needed to secure reinforcements from neighboring kingdoms, which meant forming alliances. To gain their trust, I had to offer them something valuable in return.
Secondly, I required the support of more gods. Khione alone wouldn’t be enough. I needed to identify and win over other gods who could aid in our cause. Deciding which gods to approach would require careful consideration and strategy.
Thirdly, I had to become exponentially stronger. To lead the rebellion from the shadows, my power had to surpass that of the Divine Knights. Khione had already warned me about their strength and their secretive plans, which even she was not fully privy to. They were unbelievably powerful, and I needed to be prepared for that.
As I pondered all these steps, I sighed deeply. The enormity of the task ahead was daunting. But rushing things would be a mistake.
“Let’s not rush things,” I reminded myself quietly.
The Empire of Light was extremely strong and that’s why I had no trust over them.
I knew I could never forgive myself if anything reckless I did led to harm coming to Amelia, Aisha, Gwen, or my step-sisters. They were the ones who mattered most to me. My other classmates? They were of no concern. Patience and careful planning were essential.
“Well, it seems you were warned just in time, Adelia,” I said, approaching her and gently touching her cheek.
“Ha!” Adelia shivered at my touch, her eyes seemingly glued to my face, losing herself in the depth of my eyes that so closely resembled Khione’s.
I quickly slipped my ring back on before she completely lost her composure.
“You were about to pay a little night visit to Jason, right? To give yourself to him as you were asked? That’s why you’re wearing that little negligee,” I chuckled softly.
Adelia’s eyes widened in surprise at how much I knew. She averted her gaze, her face blushing furiously.
I had anticipated this. I had intentionally left the door slightly open and timed everything perfectly. Poor Jason was likely waiting alone in his room, excited for nothing, just as he had been with Courtney before I intercepted her.
“Well, now you’re mine. Do you understand?” I whispered, my breath tickling her ear.
“Hnn~~ I… I know!” Adelia replied, embarrassed.
For her, the target had simply changed from Jason to me. Now, it was my responsibility to ensure she loved me and remained loyal.
“Good,” I said, “Take care of Helana. It’s been a while, and she’s still recovering. Also, change the bedsheets and spray the room to eliminate the lingering scent of sex before your father arrives.”
With those instructions, I left the room, feeling a sense of satisfaction.