Chapter 423: Scarlet Legionnaire

“I believe if we want this partnership to work, I need to know some things,” Malinali said. “For starters, why me? There are plenty of capable people in these lands.”

Rael smiled. “This might seem stupid, but… I don’t like absolute obedience.”

It was definitely a stupid concept, but he had his reasons for it.

“I’m able to create a few constructs that could do my bidding, but I can’t make them anything but loyal. Sure, I can make them second-guess themselves, and I can make them have their own personalities, but in the end, they’re constructs that follow any order I give to a T.”

He had tested it plenty of times, and he couldn’t overcome it. Even an eccentric personality that tried to fight with Rael at every turn had become obedient the moment he uttered a command.

And… I don’t really want literal robots to rule in my stead, Rael thought. It wouldn’t feel genuine, and I want it to be.

So, until he figured out how to make his constructs more human, he would stick to actual humans for the time being.

“You don’t like obedience?” Malinali tilted her head. “So you like people backstabbing you?”

“I said I don’t like absolute obedience. That means I dislike it when people don’t question my authority. You, on the other hand, seem like the type of person I’m looking for.”

As she was about to speak, he continued.

“And yes, officials can manage stuff when I’m gone, but I want a ruler at the front of it all, and you’re someone I’m choosing personally.”

With those words, a moment of silence ensued as Malinali took a moment to process everything he had said.

His reasoning, although a bit stupid, did indeed make sense. She didn’t know what he was fully capable of, but if the words that had come out of his mouth since he got here were the truth, then that meant he really wasn’t joking.

A man who could freely enter and leave the Depths, and someone whose aspirations were money and world conquest.

While Malinali did hold back on her emotions, she did feel her heart flutter slightly, and because of that, she decided to take him more seriously.

“Can you tell me what really happened with Silas?” Malinali asked.

“I wasn’t lying when I said I granted him mortality,” Rael replied immediately. “That was his only wish, and after granting it, he freely gave the kingdom over to me without batting an eye.”

Malinali grumbled. “And what about your strength? You should know that if you wish to take over the Hollow Kingdom, you’re going to have to deal with a Grade 5 ruler. He’s already considered a Demi-God, and he’s way stronger than both of us combined.”

“I can deal with Grade 4 beings,” Rael said after a brief pause. “Grade 5… we might be able to get him if we make you evolve into a Grade 5.”

“But I’m still 19 levels away from ascension,” Malinali replied. “To get those levels… I would need to kill over 10,000 monsters, if not more. The Depths doesn’t even have that many monsters to begin with.”

Hearing that, Rael’s brows furrowed slightly, but just then, he remembered something.

One of the items he had stolen from Solenne’s Vault was a key, and coincidentally…

—Monastery Key (Legendary)

A special key to open the Legionnaire Monastery Dungeon [Grade 2 ~ 4]

Grade two to four. It’s almost perfect, Rael thought with a slight smile.

If the two went into a dungeon and cleared it swiftly, then they’d be able to contest the Hollow Kingdom’s ruler.

So with those thoughts in mind, Rael reached into his inventory and pulled out the crimson key, showcasing it to Malinali.

“This is a dungeon key. By using it, you can open a gateway from any location to a dungeon where there are powerful monsters. Of course, they give a lot of experience, and that’s exactly what you need right now,” Rael explained.

Malinali seemed skeptical as usual, since she wasn’t used to dealing with someone as bold as he was.

But even so, she extended her hand and grabbed the key. Then, with a single twist in the air, she made a glowing crimson archway appear.

“This is…” Malinali mumbled, her hands trembling.

Rael grinned and stepped forward, approaching the crimson portal, but right as he was about to enter, he halted, turning toward her.

“It’s up to you whether you want to take this opportunity, but personally, I’d take it in a heartbeat.”

With those words, Rael stepped into the portal and felt a surprisingly forceful pull. Obviously, because he was in the Depths, teleporting into dungeons wasn’t the most pleasant experience, and if anything, it shouldn’t even be possible.

However, when his body finally halted and his vision cleared up, he spotted a large cathedral in front of him, guarded by several dozen guards dressed in scarlet armor.

Each of them held large weapons: greatswords, greataxes, two-handed shields, and even longbows.

Some might think they weren’t very agile, but one inspection would prove otherwise.

—Scarlet Warrior [Grade 2 General Class | Level 1500] – Vitality: Tier 8 [100% / 100% HP]

—Scarlet Archer [Grade 3 General Class | Level 500] – Vitality: Tier 9 [100% / 100% HP]

—Scarlet Tank [Grade 2 General Class | Level 2500] – Vitality: Tier 8 [100% / 100% HP]

Grade 2 and Grade 3, huh? They’re General Class, so it’s not that bad, but still… Rael trailed off with a sigh.

He did a few stretches and got ready to attack, but that was when he felt a disruption beside him, and through a thin crack in the air, Malinali appeared, her curved sword already drawn.

She seemed startled at the sight around her, but despite that, she gathered her wits and met his gaze.

“What makes you so sure I won’t betray you after we conquer the Hollow Kingdom?” Malinali asked, narrowing her eyes. “If I really get to Grade 5, then how will you stop me?”

Rael stared at her for a moment, then sighed.

“I believe if we want this partnership to work, we ought to trust each other a little, don’t you think?”

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