163 Mastering the first Layer (1/2)

The Holy Flame Church and house Metze had been waging a silent war since the latter's arrival in the Holy Flame Empire. That was no secret.

However, following the exposure of Else's cultivation talent, that war escalated. According to the head exarch's assessment, she had the makings to reach the Crossed Tribulation Saint Rank in a thousand years.

The church was determined to eliminate the source of future trouble, and not allow Else to grow into another Hubert Voight. Unfortunately for them, the Metze were no pushover.

As long as they didn't throw pretense into the gutter to break into all-out war, eliminating them was impossible.

And without a righteous cause, they could only result to silent assassinations and shadow warfare. After all, be it the von Jurgen, the Kvass or the Voight, none would look idle as the church destroyed one of the houses that helped balance the empire.

Else's brother was the first casualty of their strengthened assassination attempts. He was also Olrich's sworn brother.

On his deathbed, Olrich pledged to treat his sister as his own and protect her from harm till his dying breath.

Initially, as his longstanding sworn brother, he was Olrich's choice for ”Brotherly Love Extermination,” but following his loss, Else took his place.

For that reason, in agreement with her father the Metze sovereign prince, he took her into the palace, with the excuse of making her his Holy Consort and had been caring for her ever since.

She discovered that truth from her savior's lips. The dreadful woman to whom she owed her life.

Now all words of care grated her ears, making her feel like a pig being fattened for slaughter.

And thinking of that dreadful woman, she couldn't help but pity the boy that had to call her ”mother.”

…

The dark mist swirling around Konrad thickened, blowing into a pitch-black fog as he comprehended the first layer of the Infernal Soul Devouring Art.

Three hours of silent cultivation passed before his mind shone with enlightenment, and he mastered the first layer.

*Boom*

The pitch-black fog soared toward the middle of his forehead and vanished within, spreading through his mind to merge with his soul. As it spread, Konrad could feel the quality of his soul power rising at breakneck speed. In a flash, it became ten times more potent and ten times more resilient than it was beforehand. With Konrad already possessing an Imperial Avatar, his soul power was extraordinary.

Now, however, it was surpassing the mortal realm's Transcendent Rank limitations. And this was only the first layer. Konrad wondered what level of soul power he would reach by the time he comprehended the third.

Perhaps he could now disable the average first-step Semi-Holy Knight with a casual spiritual attack. Meanwhile, his fourth circle spells could most likely rival others' fifth circle spells.

Seeing such benefits, Konrad was eager to carry on with his comprehension of the art. However, he was stopped by the delivery of Olrich's gifts.

”Your grace, this is this week's quota. His majesty hopes you'll work assiduously.”

The leading eunuch said while his subordinates dropped the coffers.

”His majesty doesn't have to worry. I will put ten times the average man's efforts.”