Sage King: What If!

In the letter, Liam's handwriting was elegant and vigorous, with bold strokes that made it clear he had practiced his calligraphy in the Department of Policy Implementation. It was more than ten times better than Aaron's handwriting.

“Dear Leon,”

“How has everything been lately?”

“I have learned here in the imperial capital that the court of Burns V has resurfaced in the world.”

“Burns V is, after all, a legendary powerhouse from a thousand years ago. Even though his strength has waned, an aging giant whale can still swallow everything. You must prioritize your own safety and never take unnecessary risks.”

“Your talent in Divine Arts was praised even by Pope Maxwell. Therefore, do not fret over temporary gains, losses, honor, or disgrace. Just maintain your pace and steadily improve your strength...”

Seeing Liam's concern for him in the handwriting, a warmth rose in Leon's heart.

However, he probably couldn't heed Liam's advice now.

Now that he had advanced to the Gold rank, how could he remain cooped up in Eldenborg and Jellyfish Town, letting those undead freely occupy the region south of the Endless Bay?

In any case, the Endless Bay was extremely close to the empire's southern coastline.

Once the undead of the Burns Court occupied this sea territory, the empire would lose its strategic buffer zone, and any future actions would be forced into passivity.

Moreover, if the Endless Bay fell into the hands of the undead, countless coastal fishermen who relied on fishing for their livelihoods would face the threat of the undead every time they went out to sea, making it impossible to secure their livelihoods and safety.

When Leon previously subjugated the Mad Shark King and swept through the merman forces in the Endless Bay, one of his purposes had been to clear the waters and ensure the safety of the fishermen going out to sea.

Flipping the letter over, Leon continued reading:

“...The imperial capital recently dispatched a magic research team to Stormveil City to investigate the sudden mana surge from half a month ago, as well as the recent mana anomalies in the Dusk Sea.”

“If you run into any difficult problems regarding magic, you can seek out the scholars of the magic research team. I have already put in a good word for you...”

“In addition, there are two members of the Department of Policy Implementation in the team. Their trip is also to handle the giant affairs of the Hoki Archipelago.”

“With the expansion of the Gray Fog in the Hoki Archipelago, the giants' living space has been squeezed, forcing them to seek help from the empire. After comprehensive consideration, His Majesty has made the corresponding deployments...”

“If you have any doubts or troubles regarding policy implementation, you can also consult the two members of the Department of Policy Implementation. I have also spoken to them beforehand...”

“...Without realizing it, I have already written several pages. I do not wish to disturb you too much, so I will stop here.”

“I hope all is well with you.”

“—Your loving brother, Liam Douglas.”

Folding the letter, Leon fell into silent thought.

He picked up a pen and paper and wrote a reply to his brother Liam, explaining his current situation and thoughts, before sending it to the town's post office to be mailed.

Upon hearing that it was a letter from Leon to the Douglas family in the imperial capital, the post office immediately dispatched a special courier to deliver it posthaste.

“It's getting late. We'll rest in Eldenborg for the night and set off for Stormveil City tomorrow.”

Leon glanced at the sky and said to the people around him.

Viscount Finn had sent him a letter three days ago, saying that traces of the Black and White Hand had been spotted in the vicinity of Stormveil City.

Previously, Leon had needed to focus entirely on breaking through to the Gold rank, so he had ignored it.

Now that he had finally broken through, he was responding to Viscount Finn's request, heading to Stormveil City to discuss the activities of these cultists.

If nothing else, Leon had a massive score to settle with them.

Leon still vividly remembered the tragedy of Soleneum. He absolutely could not let things slide with these cultists!

Returning to the Rose Cathedral, Leon opened his Divine Art panel to take a look.

Half a month ago, the Divine Art Light Dust Flicker was already close to leveling up.

But because it was rarely used in combat, it had a very low presence, and since Leon had been focusing entirely on practicing Sacred Light Meditation to quickly advance to the Gold rank, he had forgotten about it later.

Now, looking at the panel again after advancing to the Gold rank, Leon felt it was time to level up Light Dust Flicker.

Leon thought regretfully.

However, Leon had a new place to harvest experience.

He looked toward the south, over the Dusk Sea.

There, a group of quite powerful undead was still waiting to deliver their heads to him!

...

Night fell.

In the royal palace of the imperial capital.

“Your Majesty, the latest intelligence regarding Leon has been presented.”

From the shadows came a cold voice, though there was a subtle, unusual tone to this coldness that wasn't there before.

This instantly piqued the Sage King's interest. He turned his gaze toward the shadows and asked with intrigue:

“What has that kid done now?”

The voice in the shadows replied, “For the past half-month, Leon has been staying in Jellyfish Town, meditating and cultivating, without making any major moves.”

“However... after half a month of meditation, he has advanced to the Gold rank.”

“An advancement is just an advancement, what's so—wait!” For a moment, the Sage King thought he was so exhausted from not sleeping for three consecutive years that his hearing was failing him.

His golden pupils suddenly reflected a glint of gold under the dim light of the magic torch as he stared at the figure in the shadows and asked:

“Are you saying that Leon Douglas has advanced to the Gold rank?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. That is how the reported intelligence describes it. I sent someone to investigate, and I have confirmed the report is true.”

The voice in the shadows said, “Leon Douglas has indeed advanced to the Gold rank.”

“When I first met him a few months ago, he was only at the Bronze rank... At our second meeting, he had reached the Silver rank... and now, in just four months, he has advanced to Gold...”

The Sage King fell into contemplation. Such a speed of advancement was rather exaggerated.

In his sixty years on the throne, the Sage King had never heard of, let alone witnessed, such a terrifying speed of advancement.

In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through the Sage King's mind—

A God-chosen walker of the God of Sacred Light descended upon the continent of Ommisiah?

The reincarnated soul of some powerhouse from the Second or Third Era?

Or perhaps some supreme powerhouse had taken up residence in Leon's body, sharing their transcendent origin and soul power with him?

“The probability of the last speculation is very low.”

The Sage King shook his head. He had met Leon twice and had not detected any abnormality in his soul.

Even if it were a supreme powerhouse or even a god, it would be impossible to hide from his perception of the soul.

Pulling back his thoughts, the Sage King remembered the confident words Leon had spoken during their conversation—

“Faced with an imperial talent destined to become a legendary priest sooner or later, is Your Majesty really unwilling to invest in me early?”

To the Sage King at the time, this promise of Leon's would take at least forty or fifty years to fulfill.

And that timeframe was even predicated on Leon stabilizing the situation at the southern end of the empire, returning to the imperial capital, and being nurtured with the full resources of the empire.

But... what if?