Chapter 572: The Hollow Queen

Damn.

Rael whistled inwardly.

He really is the big bad boss around here, huh? He glanced around. Everyone’s turned quiet. Even the bastards who were running their mouths so proudly are now quivering in their boots.

It was definitely a nice welcome. Much nicer than a few seconds ago.

“Now then, if your bickering has ceased, I wish to introduce you to my new successor,” Kareth said, his expression softening as he flashed ahead.

Rael didn’t even realize when he was moved, but now, he stood atop a podium in the very center of the ballroom. Wearing sweatpants and a white shirt really made him seem like a bimbo here, but at least he stood proud.

“He is Rael Sutekh.” Kareth patted his shoulders. “A genius who managed to defeat six Supreme Monsters in fair battle, and someone with the capabilities to become a constellation before turning a century old.”

Despite how simple his words sounded, the people who had previously shown their discontent suddenly stepped back in shock.

“A-A constellation? Already!?”

“It took me five thousand years! How is that possible!”

“Now now, settle down,” Kareth said, flicking his fingers. Throughout the room, every single candle was lit, burning passionately.

“Whatever questions you may have, you already know you are free to ask,” he added. “The limit is your imagination, but also the decency to not ask something insensitive. Understood?”

Is this some kind of Q&A? Seriously? Rael’s brows twitched.

After so long had passed, he wasn’t that affected by crowds, but even so, public speaking had always been a bitch.

Still, he put on a smile and waited.

“You may answer truthfully, or lie. You are not directly required to tell the truth,” Kareth whispered. “Simply satisfy the curiosity of those who you think deserve it. Those who do not, well… You may reject them outright.”

With those words, Kareth’s figure flickered, and a moment later, he appeared in the back of the ballroom, a bottle of champagne in his hand. He toasted to Rael, and without hesitation, began drinking his heart out.

As for Rael, it didn’t take long for him to be swarmed by people. However, that swarm soon organized itself into several single file lines, with people acting more maturely than he expected.

When he scanned through them, he realized that every single one of them was staring at him expectantly, as if pleading for him to pick them first.

But instead of some stupid favoritism, Rael glanced to the left, at a being who appeared to be a Grade 5 and wore a chivalrous knight’s armor. His expression was calm, but the trembling of his hands didn’t go unnoticed by Rael.

And that’s why…

“You in armor. Ask your question.”

The being flinched, then spoke:

“Rael Sutekh… How many laws do you practice?”

Such a simple one right off the bat? Rael raised a brow. I practice five laws, but the Fate Affinity also kind of counts as a law… Well, I guess I might as well partially lie.

“Six.”

Everyone’s eyes widened once again. However, after getting his answer, the armored man bowed, and so, Rael picked the person beside him.

“You in the ponytail. Ask your question.”

“R-Right… Rael Sutekh, Lord Kareth mentioned that you managed to defeat six of the Supreme Monsters. Is that the truth?”

“…”

Is it? Rael’s smile cracked. In all honesty, I only beat Chronos and Vatyra.

Zarkul beat his ass. Minos killed him. Evelyn toyed around with him, and Kareth forfeited.

Could he really call that a win?

“I beat two,” Rael said after a long pause. “I lost against one, and the other three I won due to luck. I didn’t beat them in combat, nor did I outsmart them. I was simply lucky.”

At his words, silence once again befell the ballroom. However, unlike what he expected, the people looked at him with even more admiration than before. It was a little… concerning.

“A-Alright… You with the crooked moustache. Ask your question…”

.

.

.

Hours passed by in the blink of an eye, and although he didn’t anticipate it, he had managed to answer the questions of 165 people.

Now… Rael turned toward the woman in black, whose eyes resembled the stars.

He hadn’t spotted her before. If anything, he didn’t even feel her presence.

And when he inspected her, he was even more confused.

—Anastasia, the Hollow Queen [Grade 8 Calamity Class | Level 22] – Vitality: Tier 39 [100% / 100% HP]

“…”

That’s Kareth’s wife? Well… Shit.

Letting out a sigh, Rael bowed slightly.

“My lady, would you like to ask a question as well?”

Anastasia smiled. But despite her bright disposition, her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“Rael Sutekh, would it be possible for me to meet your wives?”

Rael raised his head again, his expression cold.

“No.” Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs NoveI~Fire.net

“Oh? Why not?” Anastasia asked innocently. “If you are to become the ruler of the Hollow Throne, shouldn’t you have a few pillars of support alongside you?”

She pulled a fan out of her inventory, and while fanning herself, she approached him, stepping onto the podium.

After that, she covered half of her face and looked down on him.

“Or is it just because you are afraid of what might happen once our paths cross?”

With that, silence once again returned. However, it didn’t last very long.

“Excuse my tardiness.” Rael cracked his neck. “But who do you think you are to me, exactly?”

She froze, but before she could speak up, he continued.

“You are neither my friend nor benefactor. I had never met you in my life before, and the person who had brought me to this ceremony has never mentioned you. Not even once.”

He snapped his fingers, deteriorating her fan in an instant and revealing her massive frown.

“Whether you like it or not, the only thing you have to your name is a title. Now I will also have that title.” Rael smiled, tilting his head slightly. “Won’t that make us equals, Anastasia?”

Right as he finished his words, a fierce pressure descended onto the entire ballroom, threatening to crush the spirits of everyone present, including Rael.

The pressure was more concentrated on him, and yet, he stood still, not even budging an inch despite the ground cracking underneath him.

But just as he was about to respond in kind, the previously closed ballroom door opened, and a man with messy red hair stepped inside.

Each of his steps carried an air of dignity, as well as the attention that came from his appearance.

The man smiled, and after grabbing a bottle of champagne, he sat down. Yet his calm gaze remained on Rael until he finally spoke.

“I believe I am also entitled to a question, am I not?”

“…”

Lucien…

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