Death… And Me

Chapter 4074: Using the Backing

Xixie looked radiant! "Y-Yes! Absolutely!"

Hoblio and Derfiu sighed in relief. Some crazy twists and turns were taken this time around, but their ultimate objective was achieved. Xixie wouldn’t need to go back to Riquicious anymore. Well, she could go. The point was that the Riquicious Empire wouldn’t be able to force her to follow the traditional path.

"Well then," Rean smiled. "This is where we part ways. We might meet again somewhere in the future."

Kentucky also got up. They intended to leave straight away.

Of course, it wasn’t that easy.

"Wait!"

Zanbril called them.

"Can we talk first?"

Zanbril’s brother, Zuey, didn’t join him, though. "The marriage issue is done with, so I’m going back. Sigh... I wonder what I’m telling father." Then, he disappeared.

Rean and Kentuck saw that before turning their attention to Zanbril. "Talk about what? We just came here to give Xixie a hand."

"Eh?" Xixie was taken aback. "But didn’t you wan-"

Rean put a finger on his lips, winking at her with a smile. He was obviously telling her not to discuss it.

Zanbril narrowed his eyes. "Would you go that far just to give a hand?"

"Of course not!" Kentucky stuffed his chest. "I also had fun!"

Zanbril couldn’t help but wonder if Kentucky’s idea of fun wasn’t messed up a little. "Ahem... still, can I get a little bit of your time?"

Rean and Kentucky looked at each other, nodding in the end. "Sure. As long as it doesn’t take too long."

At the same time, Rean was talking to Havira. ’So, what about you?’

’Lufua lost, so it was over after the second test. We stayed here just to watch the rest. I’m going back to our residence with her, then I’ll tell her I’ll be leaving. We can meet outside later,’ Havira explained.

’Very well.’ That was good enough for Rean.

Zanbril then brought Kentucky and Rean away, leaving all the remaining princesses, advisors, and spectators behind. Today’s show would definitely spread in the Werdlem Network, especially between the powers involved.

---

In a private room, Zanbril was left alone with Rean and Kentucky so they could talk.

"I believe you already know what I want to discuss, right?" Zanbril asked.

Rean nodded in response. "Two things. One, some offer to join Zentian, and two, how we got to this level."

Zanbril didn’t waste time. "Yes. After what you showed today, there will be plenty of powers on your tail, wishing to understand the secret behind that strength. My Zentian Empire will be no exception, and truth be told, even if I let you leave this room, the other members of the Empire will intercept you."

Kentucky didn’t like it. "We came here by your invitation, we won, and now we are being held? What kind of shit is that?"

"When it comes to an Empire’s Overall Strength, such things won’t even be considered. I told you, I’m a pretty low-ranked prince in the line to inherit the throne. Truth be told, I hate this as well," Zanbril said. "But that’s the truth, and I can guarantee you won’t even be able to use the teleport formations once you leave my residence."

They were still in the Zentian Imperial Palace, even if it was so big that it looked more like a city.

"So what are you saying? That we must join the Zentian Empire if we don’t want problems?" Rean asked.

"Yes!" Zanbril confirmed. "There will be those looking for the secret behind your power, so they will not care about which methods they will use. However, there is a way I can help. Even low-ranked princes like me have their own rights. If you join my side, no one else in the Empire will touch you for a while. You will be considered part of my faction."

"Faction?" Kentucky narrowed his eyes. "Are you trying to get the throne?"

"Ha!" Zanbril snorted. "I couldn’t care less about that piece of shit. Who would want to get all that trouble? I want to help the Zentian Empire grow in my own way, but that will be very, very far from the throne. The further the better."

Sure enough, the twins’ group always got involved with the oddest types. There were bound to be very few princes or princesses who hated the idea of becoming the next one to take the throne. Perhaps Zanbril was the only one with that thought in this place.

"I see," Rean nodded. "That means you are actually supporting someone else to the throne instead, right? Or maybe you will have to make that decision soon."

"Smart!" Zanbril was happy they understood. "Celestial Realm Princes and Princesses aren’t that easy to appear, you know? So there aren’t many you can side with, and they are the only ones who can vie for the throne. Being a Celestial is a must if you wish such a thing. However, if you show no interest in the throne or if you don’t have hope of reaching the Celestial Realm, you must ally with one of them. I will have to make my choice sooner or later, and with your sudden appearance, it will have to be in the next few decades at most."

"So, here’s my offer," Zanbril continued. "I will register you as my new subordinates, all four of you, including the other two in your Pocket Dimensional Realm. In exchange, you will not be targeted straight away."

"Straight away?" Kentucky thought about it. "Oh! If we are by your side, that also means we are on the side of the prince or princess you will support. You haven’t decided who you will support yet, so we wouldn’t be targeted straight away either. Everyone will be looking at you closely since they know you have me. If I’m already this strong while in the Divinity Realm, one can already imagine what I can do once I become a Celestial."

"Not only you," Rean added as he shrugged. "Anyone who investigates you will find out about me, Roan, and Celis. They will understand that we are likely similar in strength. Even if not, as you said, you are more than worth enough to pay attention."

Rean looked forward with a calm expression. "I’ll be honest. If we want to leave, not even the Zentian Empire can do anything about it. In our eyes, only idiots don’t have a proper escape route ready. But of course, we don’t want to antagonize the Zentian Empire either."

Zanbril wasn’t surprised. "After what I’ve seen, I don’t doubt your words at all."

"Good." Rean returned to his previous position. "So, you seem to want to help us not be targeted. Why?"

"Why not?" Zanbril asked in response. "I don’t see the problem in having someone like the two of you on my good side. If possible, I would love to learn how you got that strong, too."

Rean shook his head, though. "I’m sorry, but you can’t do what we did. That’s all I can say. That doesn’t mean we can’t help you improve more than Zentian Empire could, but not to the same extent as ourselves."

"So you can help!" Zanbril was satisfied as long as an improvement was possible. As a member of the Imperial Family of Zentian, one of the biggest powers of A1, he had no lack of resources and techniques. Yet, he knew that with what he had in his hands, he couldn’t emulate what Kentucky did at all. "Whatever way you have to help me, that will be enough. Also, it won’t be for nothing, mind you."

Zanbrilo smiled. "If you get to join my side, you will have access to just as many resources. Well, I don’t think you lack those, but if you do, that will be solved. Other benefits include something you probably require: a pass to the Werdlem Universe, free of contracts, to use BH1. That’s why you were helping Xixie, wasn’t it? You will get it with me, too. Not only that, but I can help you jump the queue."

Little did Zanbril expect that the twins’ group didn’t have much interest in that. Of course, they wouldn’t tell him. "Seems interesting. Very well. We will give you some help. Besides, the Zentian name will come in handy." Rean’s group had no use for BH1, but he already knew where that backing would be helpful.