Zick's body shuddered remembering a certain gaze that he experienced more than a week ago.
Whenever Zick remembered it, cold sweat would form on his back without noticing. It was an instinctual reaction as if his most cherished secret was being explored.
'Her name was Philine if I am not wrong. Her gaze really makes my body twitch and palpitate like this....' Zick remembered this woman as she had left an impression on him.
Zick had treated Philine just as one of his passing good deeds, but he still had a sense of apprehension towards her gaze. He had even ordered Levienel to check whether Philine also had a blessing, however, that was not the case.
'A diviner, even in the novel, there were only two such people in the elf kingdom. For her to have such a talent...' With Levienel's and Zick's knowledge, her talent was identified by him quickly.
Nevertheless, Zick wanted to keep his distance from this girl named Philine. Her talent could be useful, but for the current him, it was quite dangerous.
Zick didn't hurriedly kill off Philine like he usually did, this pawn had chances of coming in use.
'If her talent was nurtured, I would benefit in the future. I already sent Levienel to keep an eye on her, if she were to try saying any information regarding me, that would be her end.'
'I just have to find a way to make her join my side.'
The dull sound of his shoes hitting the floor rang out.
Levienel had nothing to do so Zick just gave her a random task. Staying in one place was dangerous for her anyway.
'As for the church, I would have liked to destroy them along with the alchemist tower. But it is hard to accomplice as they are all over the place. The revelation would occur no matter what, and I might gather suspicion too if they are destroyed. If only they gathered in a single place....' Zick heaved a light sigh.
Zick had carefully and cautiously calculated the gains he would have sparing these three ruling forces.
Would turning them all into biological golems give him the most benefits, or nurturing the important characters from the novel would?
The answer was very clear.
And not to mention, Zick always had the last resort of just going on a huge massacre, killing everyone, and then creating the biological golems.
'I have to give my best in controlling and nurturing all these people, if I fail I still have plans. But that does not mean I should be negligent, I have to give my all to survive the danger waiting for me.' Zick looked at the sun that was setting at the end of the horizon, a dazzling orange hue covered the end of the sky.
Familiar ambition rose within Zick: 'I will one day become stronger than anyone, rising above everyone. Only then can I live my life to the fullest, Immortality and omnipotence might really be something that every being should pursue.'
Was there any point in things if it comes to an end at some point eventually?
Every being dies someday no matter what.
Humans name it as the beauty of nature and move on but, Zick was not willing in the slightest to do so.
Only by becoming a never-ending being could there even be the hope of attaining true happiness. That was what Zick came to a conclusion about it in the end.
'Though I might not have the determination to sacrifice everything like before, I will still do it if the need be.' Zick was firm with himself, there were moments when he couldn't let his emotions dictate everything.
As he knew that, it was just a momentary pleasure.
What was there that Zick couldn't sacrifice?
There might be some resistance, but he could still resolutely give up on things when necessary.
'Emotions...Sigh, It even makes me feel regretful and depressed many times. But I can go through such feelings with no problem.'
There was a saying back on Earth, As long as a person is willing to walk, the world would stay below his feet forever.
As long as you walk on the path that you have chosen, worldly desires would always be below you! — or so Zick thought.
'I will let emotions affect me for now, but when it has something to do with my goal of strength, I will never hesitate.' Zick firmly promised himself.
Zick did not push away the emotions, it was after all a part of himself.
Zick's eyes shone brilliantly: 'I have the right to enjoy myself even if it is just something temporary, one day I will make it everlasting no matter what!'
Zick knew that his personality was heading toward a very twisted side. But he didn't care.
A few maids and servants walked past Zick in the corridor. A few soldiers passed by too while giving him a salute in respect.
'My reputation is good at the moment. At least the Hevertec kingdom would stand by my side no matter what.' Zick felt that his first objective had been accomplished.
'Next is the Gorthect empire, I will take care of the church along with them. Then the elf kingdom, though I don't know if those prideful beings would ask for a human's help.' Zick's plan was connected to the elf asking for help to resolve the Revelner disease. If they refused to do it, he would have to think of another plan.
Levienel had spread it there too after Zick ordered her a month ago.
Zick arrived at the entrance of the main hall after a few minutes. The fountain before it shone beautifully from the golden light coming from the huge hall. There was a well-maintained garden before the hall entrance. Giving it a serene feeling on the outside.
As it was the specified time, many nobles with their family entered the hall with their back as straight as a spear.
Unlike the noble's party, a gathering announced by the kings is different. Everyone had to be present at the perfect time. If not that would be considered a disrespectful act and even subject to punishment.
The King has to be the last to enter the ceremony hall. It was a tradition that all the kings and emperors followed.
If someone enters after the king, it would appear as an arrogant act no matter how looked upon it.
Climbing up the steps, Zick suddenly felt a familiar gaze on himself. His mind froze at once and his head turned to the back with a calm look.
There, a woman the same age as him stood with her attendant behind her. It was Philine, she wore a dazzling black dress with a shiny green vine-like design on it. Her amber eyes turned crescent, as a smile bloomed on her face with hidden intentions.
"Ah, if it isn't Miss Philine, how is your recovery going?" Zick smiled as if having met an old acquaintance.
But internally, Zick rolled his eyes: 'She should have been in her stage of recovering, why did she come here? Is it because she is the only heir of her family?' Zick wasn't sure, he didn't know their meeting would be this fast.
Philine slightly bowed her waist, executing a perfect aristocrat greeting: "It's coming along just fine. As you can see I can walk around like this now."
There was a smile on Philine's face as she spoke with Zick. The attendant standing behind her had his eyes wide open seeing this.
Even in front of the royal family and dukes' heirs, Philine never smiled or showed any sign of cordiality like this.
"Let's enter the party hall, the time for his highness to enter is nearing." Zick proposed normally, wanting to get away from Philine for now.
"Please wait." But Philine seems to have something on her mind.
Having some doubt internally, Zick looked at Philine with faked confusion.
"Is there a problem, Miss Philine?"
A light flickered in Philine's eyes hearing this, it was as if she was waiting for Zick to say that.
With a troubled look, Philine continued: "Yes, truthfully, I am in quite a predicament right now."
Deep within Philine's amber eyes, a spark appeared: "My body is in a weak state thus I am worried that I would cause inconvenience to my dance partner. My father is also worried that I might hurt myself."
Philine smile deepened by a level: "So mister Zick, can you become my ball dancing partner? I am sure you are the best partner right at the moment."
Her speech was eloquent with no flaws at all.
Zick mind worked at lightning speed thinking of a way to reject her.
Even Zick had to admit it, Philine's reason for asking for his help was very practical and the best solution. After all, He knew her body's condition!
"I think you should ask for others, I am not that well versed at ball dancing..."
Zick's words were cut off by Philine instantly: "You are really humble mister Zick. I heard from the ball dance teacher that you were not bad at it. You should have more confidence in yourself."
Philine's attendant looked on blankly, this was the first time he saw her speaking for this long with someone in his life! She would always keep talking to only a few words usually.
After Zick had agreed to attend the celebration event, the royal family immediately sent a good dance teacher to help Zick.
Zick revealed a little of his dancing ability, saying he had attended some social gatherings in the past. At that time, he was not willing to waste his time on something useless, but never did he think that it would bite him back like this.
At this moment, Zick was sure of one thing.
Philine came prepared.
A situation where he had to quickly reply to her invitation. And with no practical reason for him to decline.
'Did she actually wait for me to come here the whole time?'
Still...
'I fell into her scheme....' Zick for the first time felt a feeling of loss in a long time.
The reason for Philine's plan succeeding was very simple.
While Zick was in the open, she worked from the shadows. He was in the dark the whole moment!
And right now, Zick had to go by the kind and humble attitude he was cultivating.
How would it appear if Zick rejected her even though she was in trouble?
It would appear extremely heartless.
Therefore,
Zick could only bitterly accept Philine's request.
In a bad mood, Zick offered his hand to Philine. To which, she too immediately put her hand covered in white gloves on his hand.
Philine smiled intently: "I didn't know mister Zick was aware of nobles' ethics and was so good at it."
Zick felt himself freeze at once, but he replied instantly: "Haha, even I know such basic ethics, miss Philine."
With a merry atmosphere around them, Zick and Philine entered the hall.
But internally, Zick was anything but cheerful.
'I need to calm down now, I can't show any more flaws.'
'Sigh...Why is she so keen on me? I don't even know her ability for sure as all Diviners have different abilities...things are getting out of my hands.'
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