Arriving at Ester's mansion, Ryan dismounted his flying sword and stepped toward the familiar guards.
"Hello again," Ryan said. "I think your master is expecting me."
Gritting her teeth, the soldier murmured, "Just you wait," as Ryan walked out of her sight and into the house.
Entering the familiar environment, Ryan stalked forward and was about to call out when he felt someone pounce at him from behind.
"I've missed you so much," Ester said, leaping on Ryan and caressing his cheek.
"You have no idea how hard it's been for me to stay away from you."
'This is the Frost General?!" Yoko shouted in Ryan's mind.
'She wasn't always like this,' Ryan responded, remembering Yoko was still watching.
Not minding having a voyeur, Ryan allowed Yoko to keep watching as he embraced Ester.
"What did you call me here for, my Frost Goddess?" Ryan asked, using her new nickname for added emphasis.
"Frost Goddess?" Ester exclaimed, her cheeks becoming flushed.
"Oh, right, I forgot!" Ester said, shaking her head. "It's about the Empress."
"She wants to meet."
"Which Empress are we talking about?" Ryan asked, arching his eyebrow.
Giggling like a little schoolgirl, the Frost General said, "The human one, silly."
'This is insane. You have no idea how much the Duchess fears this woman's temperament. You're amazing, Master,' Yoko said telepathically.
Ignoring Yoko's praise, Ryan asked, "Why would she want to meet? And are you sure it's a good idea? I mean, I do want to destroy her empire."
Frantically shaking her head, Ester said, "No. That's where you're wrong. The Grand Empress has deceived the Empress, and even though she holds the title of Empress, she has even less political power than Duchess Vanroth."
Frowning, Ryan asked, "Then what would be the point of meeting with her?"
"What does she bring to the table?"
Smirking, Ester said, "She's an Overlord."
The room fell silent as Ryan gawked at Ester.
'Ah, to be born on a young planet,' Yoko sighed.
'What do you mean?' Ryan asked telepathically.
'I mean that it is nearly impossible for one to become a heavenly chosen if they are born on a planet already connected to the Multiverse.'
'How rare is it exactly?'
'I can't quantify how rare they are until you experience just how vast the Multiverse is, but just know that even in a planet 100x the size of this one, it would be a rarity if there were two.'
Ryan's mind blanked as he took in that information.
Seeing the look on Ryan's face, Ester thought Ryan was overwhelmed by the fact that the Empress was an Overlord.
"Although she's only at S-Rank, she's as powerful as an SSS-Rank cultivator in battle," Ester said. "She can be a great asset to us."
Taking a deep breath, Ryan cleared his thoughts and asked, "I agree. But why now? Did you ask her to meet?"
"Actually, she's been looking into you, probably after being tipped off by Duchess Vanroth."
"By the way, did you go and see her?" Ester suddenly asked, remembering their previous conversation.
Ryan nodded solemnly. "I just came from there."
Hearing the sadness in Ryan's voice, Ester wanted to comfort him but knew time was critical.
"Well, she wants to meet right now."
"Now?" Ryan asked, looking Ester in the eye.
Gulping, Ester couldn't help but blush, seeing Ryan's emerald eyes and remembering their night together.
"Yes," she said, looking at the ground.
"Then let's go."
===
After they landed their flying swords, Ryan sat down and activated his bloodline while surveying his surroundings.
Even though it was pitch black outside, that didn't impede Ryan in the slightest.
"No traps nearby," Ryan said.
He had gotten good enough with his bloodline that he could talk while in a trance-like state.
Although he still couldn't move, this was a step in the right direction.
"She wouldn't set any traps," Ester said, trying to reassure Ryan.
"Although I can't exactly call us friends, she is the closest thing I've had to one since the Grand Empress took me."
"What do you mean took you?"
"Ah, never mind," Ester said hastily.
"Oh look, there she comes now," Ester said, pointing to a flying sword incoming at supersonic speed.
Slowing down, a gorgeous woman with soft black-brown hair, translucent skin, and deep blue eyes stepped off a jaded sword.
"Ester, it's good to see you," the woman said.
"This must be Ryan Emerald," the woman said, turning toward Ryan.
Surprised at hearing his real name, Ryan asked, "Do we know each other? I would remember meeting such a beautiful lady before."
Used to hearing such compliments, the Empress said, "Thank you, but I'm not here for such flattery. I'm here to get the truth."
"And what truth would that be, Empress?" Ester asked, frowning at the way the Empress brushed off Ryan's compliment.
"Ester?" Taking a step back, the Empress asked, "Why are you defending him?"
"That's not important," Ryan said, cutting in before Ester gave away too much information. "What is important is why we're meeting here and what we can do for each other."
"What could you possibly do for me?" the Empress asked, contempt filling her voice.
Seething, the Frost General released her Frost Aura, aiming it at the space around the Empress.
"Although I can't attack you directly without alerting your mother, don't think you can say such things about my Master in front of me," Ester said, her icy tone sending a shiver down the Empress's spine.
'Yoko, do you think my conversation changes how my harem members see me?' Ryan asked, puzzled at Ester's use of the word Master.
'Absolutely, Master,' Yoko said. 'Haven't you noticed me treating you with respect as well?'
'I just figured you were smarter.'
Inside Ryan's palace, Yoko muttered, "This Master of mine needs some lessons in common sense."
'Although it didn't improve their loyalty towards you, it changed how they see you. In their eyes and mine, we are not on equal footing.' Yoko explained, 'You are akin to a celebrity in our eyes, as you would say.'
Turning his attention back to the Empress, Ryan heard the Empress exclaim, "Master?!"
"Ester, calm down," Ryan ordered.
Massaging the bridge of his nose, Ryan said, "Empress, please forgive Ester."
Turning to Ester, Ryan said, "Apologize to the Empress."
Pouting, Ester's aura vanished, and she lowered her head. "Sorry."
Blinking, the Empress muttered, "Is that really you, Ester?"
Smiling at the Empress's reaction Ester said, "Yes! Master cured me and took away the frost in my soul."
Seeing Ester smile, the Empress's jaw dropped as she gawked at the miracle unfolding before her eyes.
"Empress," Ryan said, trying to get things back on track. "You invited me here. Would you mind telling us why?"
The Empress stared at Ryan for a second before sighing in defeat.
"I'm sorry," she said, her shoulders slumping. "I tried to act tough, but all I did was embarrass myself."
"Throughout my investigation into project 'subject one,' I realized just how naive I have been about my mother and her true nature."
The Empress continued, "I've found out that she's been tricking me for so many years, and when I found out what she did to you," she paused, gazing with regret and sadness into Ryan's eyes, "I couldn't bare it."
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