Chapter 311: lein disguise : Rusty Hoe
"Darling, do you wish to grant another race?" A soft yet firm voice came from Lyra, Hanes's wife, who sat on the throne beside her husband. Her elegant gown, adorned with diamonds, radiated an aura of strength that rivaled her husband's. She gazed at Hanes with an understanding look, despite the fact they had discussed this matter before.
Hanes turned to her, and his stern expression softened immediately. "Yes, my love. I have already discussed this with the ancestors. They, too, agree with my plan," he replied gently, his tone warmer than when he spoke to others.
Lyra nodded, and no further questions escaped her lips. She glanced at the long scroll in her hand, reviewing the list of slave traders' identities along with detailed information about the slaves they offered. The scroll was filled with names, numbers, and races, reducing humans, dragons, and other beings to mere commodities.
"Enough." Hanes raised his hand, signaling Jamal to stop speaking. His voice did not rise, but the sudden silence that filled the hall made it clear that his command was absolute.
"Next, you," he said, pointing to the man beside Jamal.
The man who was pointed at swallowed hard. His face turned slightly pale as he stepped forward. His feet felt heavy, and his hands trembled as he tried to compose himself in the tense situation. Yet, he had no choice but to introduce himself as Jamal had.
"I... I am Lurion, a slave trader from the Talos Empire," he said, his voice trembling slightly. Lurion took a deep breath before beginning to explain the list of slaves he had to Hanes and Lyra. Like Jamal, he tried to sound confident and capable, but the aura of the two throne occupants rendered his words hollow.
Thus, Hanes and his wife spent their precious time selecting slaves as a gift for Lein. Not just a mere gift, they considered it a symbol of goodwill, intending to forge a friendship with Lein.
***
Divine Sky Realm - The Vast Void.
Lein stood tall atop the emptiness of the Divine Sky Realm. His eyes swept across the endless horizon, gazing at the vast land that had now become part of his dominion. In the distance, he could see the expanse of land he had constructed—vast, magnificent, and nearly unimaginable.
It all originated from Hanes: a hundred realms given to him as the foundation for the Divine Sky Realm. He gazed at it with awe, coupled with the weight of responsibility.
"So vast," he murmured softly, his eyes gleaming with amazement.
Never had it crossed his mind that one day he would become the ruler of a realm. Even now, his thoughts often drifted back to the past—to his life before everything had drastically changed.
From his vantage point, the islands of dominion on the land below were almost imperceptible, hidden amidst the vast expanse like tiny stars scattered across the universe.
Lein closed his eyes for a moment, trying to envision the order he would establish for this realm. He knew that without a clear structure, the vastness of the land could become a challenge rather than a blessing.
"I must start organizing this realm to make it more orderly," he declared firmly, a decision forming resolutely in his mind.
Then, he smiled faintly. The thought of building a world similar to his old Earth crossed his mind. With his current power, creating Earth-like details would not be difficult. "It's easy," he thought to himself.
However, he realized that many humans in the Divine Sky Realm did not utilize the systems within their bodies. Housewives, elderly people, and even most women never accessed their status panels after activating them for the first time.
"Thirty percent, quite a significant number," he murmured, recalling the human population statistics he had.
The idea of a centralized government system began to surface. To him, this was the best solution to ensure the smooth administration of the Divine Sky Realm.
"I need a centralized government," Lein said to himself, his eyes gleaming with determination. As a Guardian, he possessed both the power and resolve to make it happen.
Finishing his contemplation, Lein opened his eyes again. "Alright, for now, let's see what's happening on the mainland," he said with a curious tone.
He could sense that some people had already reached the new lands he had recently created. However, before heading there, Lein picked up a multicolored mask and put it on. As the mask melded with his face, Lein's body quivered like a living liquid, gradually transforming into an entirely different figure.
Where Lein once stood, now appeared a shirtless young man with a well-proportioned body. His taut muscles radiated an undeniable aura of strength. He wore nothing but plain black trousers, and his short hair swayed with the cosmic winds.
On his head, a batik-patterned headband stood out, adding a unique touch to his simple yet commanding appearance.
"Do I look like a real Indonesian now?" Lein joked, a small smile curling on his lips. He had almost forgotten that he was Indonesian. Since moving to the Divine Sky Realm, the concept of national boundaries had become irrelevant.
In his own alliance, most of its members came from different countries, races, and cultures. They had been rulers scattered across the world before the great event that transported them to this realm.
Lein fell silent for a moment, his thoughts drifting to the past. "It might be interesting to revive activities from Earth—like the Olympics, soccer, or something else," he murmured casually. His eyes gazed into the distance, as if imagining the bustling atmosphere of a stadium or the global celebration of sports once symbolizing human unity.
But he knew the time for that had not yet come. "Wait for the right moment," he said with a tone full of conviction.
With a casual wave of his hand, Lein summoned an object from thin air. A rusty hoe materialized and fell into his hand.
[Rusty Hoe]
- Attribute: STR 1
- Ability: (Break soil) With a sharp edge, capable of splitting soft ground to create trenches.
Lein raised an eyebrow, staring at the hoe with a mix of confusion and amusement. "Isn't this a bit much?" he said mockingly. He shook his head slightly, trying to hold back laughter.
Lein had intended to carry out this mission as inconspicuously as possible. But seeing the pitiful tool in his hand made him reconsider. "Never mind, the lower the profile, the better," he thought, exhaling deeply. "This way, there's no chance anyone will recognize me."
After that, Lein stretched out his hand into the empty air. A crack appeared before him, like a mirror shattering into tiny fragments. With a gentle motion, he widened the crack as if opening a door to another dimension.
Without hesitation, he stepped into it. His movements were relaxed, like someone casually strolling to enjoy an evening.