Yeon-woo nodded. I was the one to introduce him to By the Table.

Ah! So thats why! Ananke nodded as if she realized something.

Yeon-woo tilted his head at the nuance of her words. He asked, Is there something you know?

Unlike Freesia, who led from behind the scenes, the successor Yul often made some surprising decisions in many ways.

Anankes explanation was simple. She stated that Freesia enjoyed roaming between worlds and the Tower to search and develop talented people. Although Yul had become Freesias disciple relatively later, he displayed unequaled results.

He had great talent, and he would tenaciously see to the end of whatever he was assigned Freesia complimented him often. She said she could entrust many things to him when he grew up.

Many people were born with talent, but few worked hard to develop it. However, Yul was a part of this few.

There were many who bothered him out of envy, but he defeated them all He eventually surpassed the older disciples and became the successor. And after he was given authority, hes been leading the group since.

Unlike Freesia, who kept By the Table as a secret convention and rendezvous for the elite, Yul expanded the group and drove out any other factions to take central authority. The secretive atmosphere was no more, and By the Table became more publicized.

The foundations that Freesia had already laid were so sturdy that almost no one could stop them. If someone were to get in their way, Yul would just kick them aside. The moment one offended Yul, it would be impossible to step foot inside the industry.

Due to this, theres no merchant group that can ignore By the Tables influence. Even multiple societies within the heavenly world are wary of them. They say hes a tyrant.

Haha! So youre saying its due to my sons influence that child is acting like that?

Is it not?

No, it most definitely is.

Yeon-woo didnt partake in Ananke and Kronos pleasant conversation. However, he had mixed feelings as he recalled Yul. He was headstrong, but he was just a little kid who cried a lot back then. Hes changed that much? It appeared time flowed not just for Yeon-woo, but Yul as well. Yeon-woo wondered, What happened during that time?

Feeling like the questions surrounding By the Table wouldnt be solved so easily, Yeon-woo asked Ananke, Ananke. Could you help me?

Of course. Ill try contacting him. Ananke nodded solemnly. But I cant give you a definite answer. Although By the Table became more open after Lord Yul took authority, there are a lot of secrets. He might stay undercover if hes trying to hide something

By the Table always had the upper hand in any relationship. Their reputation was well-known throughout the entire universe. However

No. Theyll come out. Yeon-woo instantly refuted Anankes statement.

With widened eyes, Ananke asked, Why do you think that?

Please add this to the message you leave him. If he doesnt appearIll take it that hes joined sides with the societies that are probably burning to ashes right now, and Ill leave By the Table in the same state as them. Yeon-woos eyes flashed.

* * *

Is this supposed to be a declaration of war or a warning?

What are you thinking, sir?! This is a mockery of By the Table! The sender of this message must be looking down on us to send something this absurd!

Warm sunlight poured down on a round table surrounded by beings of unique appearances. However, they were all wearing the same wooden mask. The only thing different was the flower on each mask.

It was the Round Table Conference, a meeting held by the thirty-three leaders of By the Table to convene important topics. However, the seats that were usually always filled were nearly empty today.

At the highest seat sat a man who was representing Freesia, who hadnt shown herself for several months. Unlike the other leaders, he wasnt wearing a mask. He simply watched the discussion of the other leaders silently.

Then what do you suggest we do, Artichoke? Do you have an idea?

What!

Our opponent is the Death King! He not only toppled the Tower but became the Black Kings ego, and now, he set fire to the heavenly world! Are you saying we should just ignore his warning?

The nickname Death King was now a symbol of fear to transcendents and large organizations throughout the universe. At first, it was merely a title gained after succeeding the Throne of Death from Hades, but now, Yeon-woo had become Death itself.

[The godly society <Avesta> is burning!]

[The supreme god Ahura Mazda desperately pleads to stop it!]

[The godly society <Deva> focuses all forces on the intense battle. The gap between their strengths widens.]

[Death is commenced!]

[Death is commenced!]

The heavenly world was a mess, with messages like these popping up multiple times a day.

It was rare to focus all your forces into battle in wars within the heavenly world unless you were mortal enemies. In most cases, the power between both groups was similar, and even if one were to win, other surrounding groups would attack, so theyd be defeated like sitting ducks.

Regardless, Olympus didnt seem to care. They were fighting an all-out war as if to carry out Yeon-woos commands as soon as possible.

But they were just too strongespecially the leaders of each corps who were Apostles of Yeon-woo. They had received the power of the Black King, so obviously, it wouldnt be easy to defeat them. Fighting alongside them were the Ghost Giants and dragons of death. More than anything

The gods and demons of death are subservient to the Death King and creating chaos within their societies, I hear? Ill ask you again. If the Death King decides to attack By the Table, will we be able to stop him?!

With the gods and demons causing internal strife from their societies, there was no one to go against Yeon-woo.

Or would you like to lead your forces and fight him for us, Artichoke? I heard your group has been doing well in Baharata, was it? This is an opportunity for you to gain honor!

T-That isnt what I meant. Ahem!

Then shut up if youre going to say unrealistic things! This is why I said we shouldnt accept contracts from the heavenly world!

Artichoke, who had been arguing that By the Table needed to stand against Yeon-woos tyranny, realized that multiple people were glaring at him and lowered his gaze.

The magic regions to absorb Earths vitality had been set up by By the Table. It was the result of several societies who had sided with them putting pressure on By the Table. There had also been sympathizers within By the Table. Artichoke, who had been blabbering about fighting, was one of them.

At that moment, Rafflesia, who was sitting next to Artichoke, carefully spoke up. What if we hide? If we put our minds to it, even the Black Kings ego wont be able to recognize us completely.

True, thats a solution. Well get away with our lives. But when we come out in the future, everything will be destroyed but if that doesnt matter to you, I wont stop you.

And if youre caught in the future, you wont be able to die easily.

Sighs were let out from around the table. All of them were powerful beings from their worlds and planets, but in front of Yeon-woo, they were like candles fighting against the wind. And as if pushing them to come to a decision

[The demonic society <Jie Sect> requests relief supplies from <By the Table>!]

[The demonic society <Jie Sect> provides a higher price than what is offered!]

[The demonic society <Jie Sect> even suggests giving a majority of their territory to <By the Table>!]

[The demonic society <Jie Sect> presents a new offer to <By the Table>]

[Death is being commenced for <Jie Sect>!]

Ha! As you can see, this is the situation. How can we go against him?

Jie Sect was one of the most powerful demonic societies, right next to Niflheim. Once, they were so all-mighty that Vimalacitra had been with them for a while, but now, they were on the edge of falling.

Just then, the young man sitting at the highest seat spoke up for the first time. Then what do you suggest we do, Bush Lily?

All gazes shifted to the highest seat, then back to Bush Lily. The elderly man who had argued to collaborate with Yeon-woo spoke solemnly. First off, regardless of whether our relationship has been friendly or not, Ananke has contacted us. They said The war seems like itll last longer, so we wish to be supplied what we lack. That means they wont bring up the magic regions for the time being, doesnt it?

Or they might not have realized that it was us.

I dont think the Death King is that stupid! The elderly man snorted and spoke vehemently. So! I dont think it would be bad to discuss things with them in person.

That seems to be such a carefree idea.

The man seated at the highest seat narrowed his eyes at Bush Lily. His eyes didnt contain any emotion, but Bush Lily knew that whenever that young man had those eyes, many people disappeared without a trace.

What had happened to those who resisted him at the beginning of his authority when he said hed change By the Tables objective?

However, Bush Lily didnt seem to care. He went on, The Death King is someone our leader sponsored individually in the past, and shed had great success with that outcome. After lending the Ark to his people, they formed a close relationship. And this wasnt confirmed, but there are rumors that shes related to his hidden past somehow.

So lets meet them and discuss. Even though they came out harshly, they must mean theyll listen to what we have to say first since they dont have any bad feelings toward us.

The man at the highest seat continued to watch Bush Lily without any change in expression.

And were merchants who seek profits, are we not? In situations like this, the worse it becomes, the more we earn. If were going to take sides, shouldnt we side with the winning side? We need to change direction now that we have the chance!

You seem to think the Death King will win, Bush Lily.

Wouldnt he?

However, that doesnt mean we can just ignore the other societies of the heavenly world and not expect any retaliation.

But!

I understand. As you said, well attempt to set a meeting with them.

Bush Lily nodded heavily. Good.

The man at the highest seat shook his head. His eyes were still empty of emotion. But we wont completely side with the Death King. You said so yourself, Bush Lily, that merchants will seek profit. I will choose the side that will guarantee us that.