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I wrapped up the disaster on Mars and then heard the story from Vice President Marbas.

“Since you’ve saved Mars, I shall offer all the help I can provide within my authority. This is the Emblem of Governance, and showing it will guarantee assistance from any Martian!”

“Emblem of Governance?”

I looked at the palm-sized circular silver token Marbas handed me. Upon closer inspection, I noticed the symbol of Lemuria engraved on it, which led me to realize it was also an artifact of Lemuria. I examined the emblem and asked,

“This emblem also bears the symbol of the Twelve Zodiac, but does it not possess any special functions?”

“Unfortunately, that knowledge has been lost. It seems like it had some function, but it doesn’t activate. In fact, most artifacts on Mars have been like that.”

“Hmmm…”

With a glimmer of hope, I traced the Lemurian symbol on the emblem with my finger.

Whoosh!

In the next moment, a translucent spirit popped out of the emblem! It looked like a woman dressed in ancient Lemurian attire and spoke:

[Welcome to the access interface of the 19th Lemurian Emblem Integrated System. Admin access has been authenticated. I will now display the user interface.]

Woosh!

Translucent windows appeared like touchscreens. I examined the functions and murmured,

“You can even generate oxygen on the surface?”

[You need authorization from the Atlantean governor. Please hold on…]

Beep… beep… beep…

After a moment of rhythmic beeping, the spirit continued,

[The governor is absent, but authorization has been granted by the strong AI, Angolmois. I will proceed with the manipulation of microstructural particles required for oxygen generation on the surface.]

From this, it became clear that the Emblem of Governance was actually part of a system designed in conjunction with the Astral Sphere to enrich the lives of the Martian colonists. Ideally, this emblem should have been used together, but since its method of use was lost, they had only been using the Astral Sphere.

“So, if that happens, we can breathe freely on Mars?”

[Creating an environment similar to Earth’s will take a long time. Also, the chaos pollution on the surface is severe. After the foundational stage is completed, the ozone layer will form, and the estimated time required is 24 years, 7 months, and 6 days.]

Hiss…

With a sound that seemed to be emanating from the entire city, a gigantic machine began to operate from the sky. Vice President Marbas seemed to be in a trance, plopping down in shock.

“This… This is unbelievable! To activate the Emblem of Governance, an artifact from ancient Lemuria! And you’re generating oxygen?! Who on earth are you…”

“Hmmm, 24 years…”

I pondered Marbas’s reaction, trying to figure out if 24 years was a long or short time. Just then, Munryang, who was listening from the side, chimed in.

“The Lemurian refugees in the Lemuria Empire on Mars relied on the goodwill of the alliance with the Atlantean Empire, so it seems they could only act with the governor of Atlantis’s permission.”

“So, the Atlantean governor is absent? Does that mean the Atlantean civilization is no longer here on Mars?”

“That seems quite likely. We should investigate, but that ancient labyrinth is probably a remnant of Atlantean civilization.”

Continuing that line of thought, Munryang added,

“Let’s gather as many artifacts from Lemuria in the capital, Phobos, as possible. If we can use these artifacts, we can gain a significant advantage.”

“Understood.”

I gained Vice President Marbas’s approval and stuffed nearly all the discarded artifacts from Lemuria in the palace’s treasury into my wooden armor. Just as I was about to leave for Earth with Munryang again, Deimos suddenly piped up.

“Baek Woong, take me to Earth too!”

The guardian knight Deimos seemed to be shining with enthusiasm. I looked at him and said,

“Aren’t you responsible for protecting a village? I’ve heard there aren’t many guardians, can you really leave your post?”

“The Astral Sphere has been reactivated, so the village’s defense system will also activate again. My absence won’t cause any major losses. Besides, if I go with you, I can inform you about the authentication demon artifacts and their usages!”

“Hmmm, is that so… but what’s the reason you want to join us?”

“You are beings destined to change the world. Helping you would be much more beneficial than just protecting my village! I wouldn’t mind sacrificing this life for that!”

…

I felt touched by Deimos’s spirit and momentarily lost my words. I had thought him to be just an ordinary knight, but perhaps he had grand ambitions. Convinced, I nodded.

“Alright, let’s go together.”

Whoosh…

Using the symbol of the Lemurian White Palace, the three of us returned to Earth, and when we arrived at the entrance of the Shadowless Gate, Munryang chuckled with a pained smile.

“Looks like we have a ton of work to do from here on. Thanks for piling up the tasks!”

“Hmm… Speaking of which, doesn’t this fulfill Emperor Lemuria I’s wish to save the Lemurian refugees on Mars?”

“Is there a problem?”

I tilted my head and said,

“When a wish is granted, there’s usually this feeling of interconnectedness expansion, but… I don’t feel that at all right now.”

Upon hearing my words, Munryang thought deeply and replied.

“Then, the wish may not be fulfilled yet. It means the Martians haven’t escaped their fate of destruction.”

“What?! Really?!”

“That’s how it’s interpreted. Just restoring the social functions of Mars with the activation of the Astral Sphere doesn’t mean saving the Martians. There’s probably a deeper threat lurking, and only by resolving that can we consider the request of Emperor Lemuria I complete.”

“…This is tough.”

“Well, take your time to think about it. There’s no rush for you.”

Munryang continued,

“More importantly, please stay at the Shadowless Gate for a while.”

“Do I have something to do?”

“You’ve traveled enough through the West, Aztec, Lemuria, and Mars and gathered plenty of information, right? Now you should start helping us so our influence can grow rapidly. We need to solidify our foundation.”

That made sense. I nodded, thinking there weren’t many places left to explore.

“Hmmm… what should I do?”

“For starters, teach us how to read and use the symbols of Lemuria. Also, transfer the usage authority of the Astral Weed to us. Right now, there’s no easier way to enhance our power than that.”

“That’s easy.”

“Next, there’s a guest waiting for you at the Shadowless Gate.”

“A guest?”

“As I said, there’s no rush, so let’s tackle the immediate tasks first…”

“Alright, got it.”

I followed Munryang’s request and granted all my companions the usage rights to the symbols of Lemuria. Now, everyone could utilize those powers just by tracing the symbols in the air.

‘The twelve symbols of Lemuria aren’t techniques, but their versatility is limitless, and they don’t require training. Depending on usage, even a third-rate warrior can exhibit strength beyond an immortal…’

After all, these powers were originally meant for the Emperor of Lemuria or the highest-ranking nobles, so it’s only natural. The strength of these symbols would greatly aid my companions in battle and survival.

After finishing the transmission of the symbols, I began to draw out each authentication demon artifact one by one and freed them from restrictions by simply tracing the symbols engraved on their fronts. It wasn’t terribly hard, as their latent potentials were enhanced through that method.

Deimos, the guardian knight of Mars, spoke confidently as he listened alongside me.

“I know all the detailed usages of these weapons. I’ll teach your companions.”

“Please do.”

The whole process took less than a single moment, and once it finished, I followed Munryang to meet the ‘guest’ waiting at the Shadowless Gate.

Upon seeing the face of the guest, I was puzzled and exclaimed,

“Zhuge Yulong? What brings you here?”

It was Zhuge Yulong— the shadowy figure of the Imperial Palace, leader of the Zhuge clan, master of the Four Great Experts of the Imperial Palace, and the Old Sage of Mount Tai.

Sitting at a table sipping tea, Zhuge Yulong stood up, bowed slightly, and said with an awkward expression,

“There’s been a bit of a problem.”

“What kind of problem?”

“As you know, I don’t handle the palace events alone. The Alchemist you are aware of is acting separately from me.”

“…Ah!”

Only then did I realize what I had forgotten.

The Alchemist of the Imperial Palace!

That being was a homunculus created by Saint Germain but possessed an independent identity and knowledge, and he had fled eastward. He had been impersonating Saint Germain and was collaborating with the nefarious Imperial Palace in the east to conduct human sacrifices and biological experiments to complete the Philosopher’s Stone.

Zhuge Yulong gulped down his tea and continued,

“Due to our recent alliance, I’ve been acting cautiously with the Eight Parts of the Divine, so rather than pressuring me, they’ve started approaching that Alchemist. It seems they plan to use him to assassinate me.”

I mulled over Zhuge Yulong’s predicament in my mind and found it hard to believe, asking,

“…Is that even possible? They should know you’re blessed by the demon!”

“Disguising it as a quarrel between mere mortals should pose no problems. Besides, the Alchemist is also a being of the evil type, so he’d probably convince the demon to accept him as a substitute priest.”

…

“If things continue as they are, it won’t be long before… approximately within a year, the Alchemist will team up with the Eight Parts of the Divine and assassinate me. If they bring along a powerful combat portrait immortal, I won’t stand a chance.”

“If you died, you could transfer into a clone, couldn’t you?”

“Ha. You know even that, truly a reborn person… unfortunately, my Eight Trigrams technique will be sealed by Yacha. Yacha knows ancient techniques that block soul transference.”

“Hmmm!”

I didn’t think Zhuge Yulong was making up stories. This shadowy figure in front of me was not the type.

“So you’re really talking about your own death, and yet you’re rather composed about it.”

“It’s a failing world doomed to end anyway, so what difference does it make whether I die now or later? As long as I achieve my revenge, that’s all I need.”

“Hmmm… so you are here because you don’t want to die?”

“That’s right. If I die now, I won’t fulfill my wishes.”

Gazing at me, Zhuge Yulong then said,

“Still, from what I gather about your plans, you shouldn’t do this openly. It would be better to send your companions in your stead to save me.”

“…My companions? Sorry, but they aren’t strong enough yet. If they fight against the Eight Parts of the Divine, they’ll definitely perish.”

It was only natural since it hadn’t even been a year since my rebirth. No matter what, they’d need over three years to fully develop their talents. In fact, they might need even longer to face off against demons like the Eight Parts of the Divine individually.

“Heh. I’ve already calculated that.”

Zhuge Yulong smirked slightly and said,

“My proposal is this: turn the whole situation on its head.”

“Turn it upside down? You want me to go to Luoyang and defeat the Eight Parts of the Divine?”

“Hoo. You think of force first every time… I wonder if you’re intentionally trying to provoke me.”

…

“Turning it upside down is a metaphor. There’s a strategy to completely destabilize the current situation of the Great Ming Empire so that the Eight Parts of the Divine wouldn’t dare show their faces upfront. With this plan, you won’t need to expose yourself at all.”

“What is it?”

Instead of answering my question, Zhuge Yulong spoke to Munryang, who was listening nearby.

“Bring him in.”

“Understood.”

Munryang headed somewhere and shortly returned with someone.

As soon as I saw his face, I was taken aback.

“Huh? Jin So-cheong…?”

“Nice to meet you.”

Jin So-cheong greeted me with a formal bow, and I couldn’t grasp what on earth was happening.

“Why did you suddenly bring Jin So-cheong?”

“Actually, before you arrived, we discussed everything with them. Munryang and Jin So-cheong both agreed.”

“What did you discuss?”

Following Zhuge Yulong’s words, I was genuinely shocked.

“Let’s make Jin So-cheong the Emperor of the Great Ming Empire. He is deserving of it.”

 

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