?”That’s right.” Hearing Lathel’s question, Akna nodded and explained: “Class, talent, and youth…”
“For example, a person who has reached the required level but is very old and has normal talent cannot be called a genius.”
“Or… a young person, because of luck and encountering some opportunity, can reach a high level in a short time, but if he or she possesses poor talent, they are not a genius.”
“Or… a person who really possesses good talent at a young age but doesn’t work hard at cultivating it is not a genius.”
“That’s why only a person who satisfies all three of those conditions can be called a genius.”
“Of course, besides that, there are still many other conditions needed, but those other conditions are not worth worrying about.”
Hearing that, Lathel nodded. He felt that the conditions for selecting Geniuses for the ‘Genius Congress’ were really harsh and ruled out all lucky scenarios.
Akna continued: “Every 10 years, the ‘Genius Congress’ will be held once in major empires; this year it is the Karol Empire’s turn to host it.”
“The ‘Genius Congress’ was supposed to take place in one month; however, the Demon Lord’s appearance made everyone worry that the seal imprisoning the Demon Lord had become weaker.”
“That is why this ‘Genius Congress’ also has a special meaning, which is to reinforce the seal.”
“Heh?! Why?” Lathel asked in confusion: “If it’s such an important matter, it should be done by high-ranking people, right?”
Akna sighed: “To protect the seal, the heroes at that time created a special space.”
“That space only allows people with a level below 50 to enter.”
“But people of such a low level will not be able to open the seal and will not be able to overcome the seal’s protective barrier.”
“Why make things so complicated?” Lathel continued to ask: “In that case, why didn’t they just prevent people from entering that place.”
“Indeed, that method has been thought of.” Akna nodded and said: “However… The seal also requires energy to maintain. If we do that, no one will be able to enter the place where the seal is placed to replenish the energy.”
“In the end, everyone had to choose this method. Even though it’s a bit risky, at least it’s better than waiting for the seal inside to slowly dissipate without being able to do anything.”
Hearing that, Lathel nodded. He felt that the ‘Genius Congress’ was a competition to select the strongest geniuses to form a suicide army.
Suddenly, he felt a bit uneasy. For some reason, he felt… like during this ‘Genius Congress’ something very special or terrible would definitely happen.
However, Lathel shook his head and sighed. Even if there is danger, he must participate in this conference.
Catheryne threatened him and the people around him. What he needs to do now is become stronger.
Lathel suddenly hugged Akna tightly, startling her: “Young master… you… um…”
He immediately kissed her lips, then…
Outside, the maid driving the carriage heard the sounds coming from inside the carriage and immediately raised her hand. A protective dome appeared, blocking the sounds inside from echoing outside.
She sighed: “Ah! Do we have to walk around the city again?”
…
At noon, the carriage went to a quite remote place. This place has a house that resembles a church that was simply built.
It looked like a normal, fairly large wooden house in the middle of an empty lot.
Around this area, there were many homeless people; they built small huts and lived in a temporary way.
At this moment, they were lining up to receive hot soup that was being distributed by a small girl.
Even though sweat soaked the black dress she was wearing, she still smiled as she gently scooped bowls of soup for the homeless here.
Every time she ladled soup, she said, “God will protect you.”
When the luxury carriage appeared, it scared the homeless people.
They turned their attention towards the carriage. This was because nobles appearing here meant that torture and pain were about to fall on them.
Most of the people here were slaves who were lucky enough to escape, servants who were unlucky enough to do something that caused their master to send them away, or refugees from places where there was war.
Karol’s laws are very strict, not allowing them to operate or have jobs to be able to earn a living.
That’s why they wandered to the edge of the Empire and became homeless.
The car door opened, and Lathel and Akna got out of the car. At this moment, Akna felt extremely comfortable.
After a battle with Lathel, she received energy from him, so she felt much better.
The little bit of fatigue that she had after being pressured by Simon also disappeared; Akna even felt like she was getting very close to level 80 now.
It seemed that the boundary was as thin as a piece of paper, which made Akna feel strange.
It seemed that the energy Lathel provided to Akna increased more and more. Lathel also realised this, and he speculated that because his level was high, the energy he could provide to Akna was also higher than usual.
Returning to the present, when Lathel saw the homeless people around him looking at him with fear, he frowned.
The homeless people saw Lathel’s gaze and immediately bowed their heads and retreated, keeping a large distance from him.
Four maids immediately appeared to protect him.
Akna walked beside him; her right hands were placed in front of her stomach, but she was also ready to fight.
When the girl handing out soup to everyone saw Lathel, she was happy, but then she bowed her head in shame.
Lathel walked up to her, looked around, sighed, and said, “Claire, we haven’t seen you for a few days. You seem a little thinner.”
Hearing that, Claire pursed her lips tightly, unable to control her tears.
She was mentally prepared that when Lathel met her, he would scold her and even hit her.
But Claire never thought that when Lathel appeared, the first words he would say were words full of care and concern.
Claire felt both embarrassed and sweet in her heart as she cried.
“Okay, let’s go inside and continue talking.” Lathel shook her head and said.
…
“So… this is a proposal from a mysterious girl?” Lathel frowned and said.
Claire nodded slightly.
At this time, Lathel and Claire sat in the hall of the small wooden house that Claire had built.
Thanks to the few gold coins the Queen gave her, she was able to build this place and give out free soup to everyone every day.
However, inside this house, there were nothing but ten rows of chairs, a small wooden platform in front, and… nothing else.
She was so poor that she could not be any poorer.
Lathel looked around, sighed, and said: “Does that girl have blonde hair and two bat-like wings on her back?”
“Ah! You…” Claire was startled; she wanted to speak but quickly covered her mouth: “Sorry, I… I can’t say.”
Lathel saw Claire’s expression and held her forehead: “You don’t need to say it; I know who she is.”
“Heh?! That… I… sorry, Lathel. I…”
“Stop apologising to me; do you know how risky what you did was?”
Hearing Lathel’s question, Claire just nodded slightly, her hands acting as if they wanted to crumple the dress she was wearing.
Lathel frowned and continued: “I find it very difficult to understand; how am I better than others? Why are you determined to worship me?”
“You must know that… Thanks to your talent, the Royal Family and the Church will certainly open their doors to welcome you.”
“They will even give you the best resources and the best title, so you can serve them.”
“Why did you choose such a strange and difficult path?”
Claire bowed so much that she wanted to bury her head in the middle of her chest.
“Answer me; I will not allow you to be silent.” Lathel said a little angrily.
Claire was startled, trembling and stammering: “I… I… Lathel… do you trust me?”
“What do you mean?”
“Up until now, I have never lived a life according to my wishes.” Claire said softly: “When I was ten years old, my master, Malina, picked me up, and from then on, her will was my will.”
“Now it’s different; I’m free; I can live according to my will. Lathel… you are not like the others; you are so kind. You are so kind…”
“Ah! Is that why you want to kill me?” Lathel spoke up, interrupting Claire’s words.
“No! Lathel… I don’t want to choose the Royal Family or the Church because they are not like you; they just want to use me.”
“As for my wishes… I only want to serve you. Lathel, sorry… I was afraid that doing so would make you angry, however… I wanted to help you.”
“I want to turn you into a god; you deserve to become a god.”
Claire wanted to say something more, but her body trembled violently, and tears flowed out again, falling onto her dress and hands.
Lathel sighed, seeing that he really felt very tired. He accepted to come to this world as just a supporting character to have a peaceful life.
In the end, he did not see peace; instead, he faced countless troubles.
He really wanted to scream: ‘The male lead is on the other side; you guys should go to him. Why are you looking for a supporting character like me to cause trouble?’
“Claire… your apology is too late.” Lathel said wearily: “You have worshipped me. If I force you to give up now, not only you, but I will also die.”
Hearing that, Claire clutched her dress even tighter; she didn’t understand why she was doing this.
It was as if there was some kind of desire inside her that was always urging her to do this. And then, in the end… she pushed herself and Lathel to the brink of death.
“Sorry… Lathel… really sorry…” Claire cried as she spoke, she didn’t know what to say other than ‘sorry’.
Lathel closed his eyes, and after a moment, he suddenly spoke: “Do you have a plan?”