Man... Animals... They are all the sa.
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Taming a man is no different from taming an animal. If you feed an animal, it loses fear of you and begins to demand food every day. It would even go as far as hurting you if it doesn’t get what it wants.
Why?
Because animals are just creatures with no moral compass.
However, if you feed an animal once and refuse to feed it a second ti, it is bound to show aggression. Once this happens, beat it down rcilessly and then feed it again.
Let it understand fear and love.
It needs to see both sides of you—one capable of killing it and the other capable of showing it affection. Instinctively, it will try its best to stay on your affectionate side.
The sa applies to humans.
Unrited love is frowned upon by the universe.
Be it man or beast, both must be tad for them to beco truly loyal.
Fear is necessary for respect to exist.
And n can only respect soone they fear.
For the kings, I broke down their pride, painted a nightmare that ended in their death and the death of their families, before offering them hope. I offered them a chance to stand on the right side of history and have their nas recorded as the n who fought alongside the Great One to save humanity from the evil alliance that threatened to wipe them out.
I gave them a reason to fear , but also gave them a way to nd their broken pride and earn more glory.
"Fear and respect... must be used together."
My eyes slowly opened.
The court session was over, the hall was empty, but I never left the throne. Standing not too far away was Selric, who seed to be observing my every move intently. Queen Althea was still seated beside , her curious gaze fixated on —just like that of the prince and crown princess.
Bam!
The door swung open and Lord Varic entered. He walked up to the throne and bowed before speaking.
"The kings have left for their kingdoms," he said, but before I could respond, a notification sound rang in my ears.
Ding!
[Rift Gate is closing. Leave the realm quickly: 4:59 remaining]
I wasn’t sure why, but this ssage brought a small smile to my face.
Maybe it’s because playing savior has worn out, and I just wanted to be another human in a human world. I needed to rest from all of this chaos—and it ca at the right ti.
"Are you sure they will join us?" Varic asked.
"Do you doubt the Great One?!" Selric snapped at him, and I gestured for everyone to keep quiet.
Silence.
The room fell silent as I rose to my feet.
"They will follow.
And even if they don’t... I can simply wipe out one empire to prove a point."
I said while walking down the stairs.
Selric and Varic watched as I approached them with expectant eyes—but then I simply walked past them.
Snap!
Buzz!
A spatial door tore open at the center of the room and I turned to the queen, who was still seated.
"The ti has co for to lead my people back to our world. I trust you will be able to hold things down until I return?"
Buzz!
Everyone shivered—even Serena nearly lost her footing and needed the throne for support. The worry and fear in their eyes were hard to hide. Only the queen maintained a dignified look.
"You are leaving?" Caleum blurted out. "After turning the six kingdoms into our enemies?"
"Your Highness, don’t utter such words to the Great One!" Selric snapped at him.
Varic looked at the queen with worry in his eyes, while Serena silently pleaded with to stay—with her eyes.
"Will you return?" Queen Althea asked in a calm tone.
The consistency in this queen’s character was the only breath of fresh air in this stuffy palace.
"This territory beca mine the mont you let sit on your throne. Should it fall, I’ll be hard as well."
I instinctively clutched my chest.
"So fear not. I will not abandon what is mine."
Silence...
The room fell silent, and the queen nodded slowly to my words with a small smile on her face.
"Then I wish you a safe journey back ho," she said with a kind tone.
"And I wish you good health, my Queen. Let’s share so tea the next ti I return."
I returned the smile before shifting my gaze to Selric.
"Look after my lady—and yourself. You two are my support pillars in this empire, so you must stay healthy for ."
Selric’s eyes glowed like soone who had just won a hundred-million-dollar lottery.
He fell on his knees and slamd his head on the ground with excitent.
"I’ll do as you say, Great One!"
With that, I turned around and took one step into my spatial gate.
"Adam!"
Serena’s voice rang from behind, but I ignored it.
Whatever she wants to say should have been said before now.
If she could wait till now, she can wait till I return.
Without hesitation, I stepped into the spatial gate and watched the door snap shut behind .
---
— North Eastern Valley —
Erging from my gate, the strong wind from the unstable rift swept past , causing my hair to whip violently against the wind.
My appearance attracted the gaze of everyone who was packing their things and preparing for departure. Their curious stares lingered longer than usual, forcing to notice the look of surprise in their eyes.
Did they notice the small change in my skin complexion?
Or were they just surprised I returned?
"Adam!" Kenza scread as she ran over. Her hand reached for my face—only for to step back.
She froze at my cold reaction, her eyes widening.
"I’m sorry," she muttered in a genuine tone, failing to understand that I wasn’t here for a genuine relationship.
To , everything is a power struggle. And now I have leverage—leverage that can be used to extract a favor from her when the ti cos. There’s no way I’m letting go of this until I take full advantage of it.
Noticing she still had my jacket on, I frowned slightly and then looked past her.
Righteous was packing his bag. His broken nose had about thirty stitches on it.
He glared at viciously for a mont—then looked away after two seconds.
"I didn’t an to hurt you... please," Kenza grabbed my hand gently, and I lowered my gaze to et hers.
Gently, I pulled her hand away from mine and inhaled deeply before speaking.
"Under no circumstances would I use my talent against you.
It’s unfortunate the sa didn’t apply to you."
With that, I walked away and headed toward the rift.
My ti here was the most fruitful ti of my life—but also the most exhausting, physically, spiritually, ntally, and emotionally.
I need a break.
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