Michael was invited as the guest of honour in the elven royal castle. He had no reason to refuse. Even ten immortals from the elves combined were not his match. Thus, he obliged. The entire day, Michael was given a tour of the palace and several beautiful elven maidens were constantly catering to his every need. Michael, even in his previous life was quite frivolous. He was also known for his womanizing tendencies. In this life, he had changed in many aspects but it was not like he had become a monk. Thus, he flirted with these fair maidens, enjoying being served by their soft and sonorous voices and lush figures.

Meanwhile, the elves were having an emergency meeting with all the immortals sitting around their usual gathering table. All of them were silent at the moment. After a while, Nicholas spoke:

Nicholas : I have never seen the kind of power that kid used. There was definitely powers of laws involved but only that does not explain his terrifying might. I have contacted Lord Igor and he said that he has begun investigating Michael's abilities. We should be able to find out more with time. But, we are sure of one thing - that kid alone is enough to uproot the entire palace. He has unrivalled powers and has become a strategic expert that can change the political situation in the entire plane.

Joseph Lislechis : I have a feeling that he was planning the entire event. Do you not see? He was quite famous as the king of geniuses. Following that, he made historic contributions in the hundred-year war. Even his death was so dramatic - defeating assassins and saving the princess. The elven race already had a good impression of him as did the werebeasts. Then, he resurrected and his influence boosted to the level that the different races in the light empire were already considering him as a potential future leader. There was already reports of several organizations that are enticing commoners to worhip and dietify him as child of plane. But now, after this display, he will ascend to heavens. He already had the reputation and backing. Now, he has the strength. I can feel that he might even unify the empire and be crowned as light emperor!

Nicholas : What Joseph has said is definitely correct. He already had a huge fan following with the entire human race behind him. Now with such tremendous power and backing, he is likely to rise to prominance very soon. I think that his calling for wedding challenge was a method to attract the attention of crowd. He is friends with the beast-prince and does not have many good feelings for the elves. We have landed ourselves in a very disadvantageous position. We need to find a way to better our relationships with him.

Ragnar : Nicholas, is there no way to kill him?

Nicholas : Don't even think in that direction. Did you not see that Bluewind's full powered blow did not cause a scratch. I don't know the extent of his powers and will not gamble the entire race's future on your impulse. Besides, who knows if the plane-will really is watching over him. Even if we somehow manage to kill him after paying a huge price, he might resurrect after becoming much more stronger.

Joseph : Nicholas is right. We have to find a way to truly understand what he wants and what he lacks. We have to fulfill his wishes. As for the princess, she has to definitely marry him. If the marriage goes through, he will have to worry about his public image before making a move. After all, we would be in-laws.

Ragnar : I have been spying on Ashley a long time and my reports indicate that they had a good friendship. He might even have feelings for her. We should try to persuade her to ensnare this boy. After all, he is still young. If we throw sufficient women at him to keep him occupied, he might not really take interest in power struggles. It will be better for us if he remains uninvolved.

Joseph : Ragnar, that is all well and good but what about you. We all know that your relationship with Ashley was not as superficial as you make it seem. You have perhaps already fucked her. If he knows, he might accuse us of betrayl. It will give him a valid reason to wipe us out.

Ragnar : I have not fucked her! I intended to but I have not yet. I also know that she is a virgin. I did implant a few seals in her body but that was to make her more open to suggestions, more sensitive and more orgasmic. It was all to make her completely spellbound for the person who takes her virginity. I was trying to make her into my plaything, yes. But I did not get the required time. And this might be a boon for us. He will definitely be satisfied by her. I have already made her to be the most ideal offering we can give him. So please, please, help me live. I don't want to die yet! Who would have known that he would suddenly become that powerful? Nicholas, Joseph and you two, please think of a solution.

Nicholas : Ragnar, your saving grace is that you held back. Had you already done the deed, I myself would have killed you by now. But you are definitely screwed. Ashley is our only link to Michael. Her importance is more than yours. And what you have done to her, she will definitely want to take revenge. And if Michael wants your head, no one can save you. I can only give you one suggestion - run. Run away. He may be invincible but he is not omnipresent. He can only kill what is near him. I suggest you seek refuge from your buddies or even life for some millenia as a mortal. Michael may not remember your crime by then. Even if he does, Ashley would definitely be dead by then. We all know the girl's talents. She has no chance to reach the immortal realm. Besides, we all have been hot-blooded youths and have had many marriages. His feelings will fade with time. Also, we will try to win his favours and that will be sufficient in the short run to prevent him from focussing over you. This is the only possible way.

Ragnar was very, very scared. He could feel the shadow of death around himself every moment since he saw Bluewind's fate. Thus, he confessed everything in front of Nicholas shamelessly. After hearing Nicholas' advice, he found it reasonable. Thus, he ran away that very moment leaving the city and flying in the direction of Neutral Empire. Due to his slave business, he knew many people. He was going to cash his favours by hiding in different immortal's territories.

After that, Nicholas and the rest decided it was apt to wait for Igor to send information about Michael's abilities. Only then would they be able to deal with the situation more properly. Similar meetings were being held in almost all the races.

But meanwhile, Nicholas needed someone skilled in diplomacy to keep Michael distracted. He could only think of one person - Amber. Thus, he immediately called for him and gave him the mission to take care of Michael and Ashley.

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Ashley was still in disbelief. She had not seen Michael for about 8 months before seeing him again a few days back. But today, he shocked the soul out of her. She was happy that she was freed from her ancestor's clutches but she was extremely worried as well. What will Michael think if he found out about the things Ragnar had done with her. She may have never had sex but it did not mean she was pristine. Someone with Michael's level of perception would find out after a single detection. What if he got angry? It will be the death of her and a calamity for the elves. She did not feel sympathy for Ragnar but she naturally felt love for her race. And she truly did love herself.

She was housing several doubts and worries when her gate was knocked. She was startled thinking habitually that it was Ragnar or his lackey but suddenly Amber came in. Amber was now an important member of the castle as his skills in management and bootlicking were not inferior to anyone. Almost all immortals wanted him as their personal secretary but Nicholas would not allow for that anymore. Amber had also helped Ashley a few times in the past and so she felt friendly towards him. Ashley got up and said:

Ashley : Lord Amber, why are you here? Is Emperor Nicholas asking for me?

Amber : No, My Lady. It is Lord Michael Rageberg who is looking for you. Please get yourself presentable.

Ashley : Lord Amber, you have to help me. You know the things Ragnar has done to me. What will Michael do to me if he finds out?

Amber : Lady Ashley, I can not do much in this case. Lord Michael is the overlord of the plane. I am but a servant of the elven castle. But from what I have gathered, the chances of him trying to kill you are low. I have gathered from my sources that he talked with Kandrif and said to treat him as he was treated before. It seems that Lord Michael puts his relationships on high priority. I know that he was interested in you. So he is unlikely to act voilently against you. What he will do to Ragnar, it is better not to think about it.

Amber's encouragement finally calmed her down. She hurriedly got ready and left along with Amber. Michael was staying in the best guest room in the palace. There were several elven guards standing in the passageway and near the gates guarding Michael - quite ironic. But it was a symbol of status. Even immortals usually had guards in front of their chambers - not because they needed it but because it showed their importance.

Ashley and Amber went inside only to find Michael playing a board game with several elven maidens while drinking wine. It was as if he was enjoying all the luxuries of the palace wholeheartedly. Never had Ashley seen Michael actually relaxing. The change in his image caused her to be dazed for a moment. Michael then said:

Ladies, I will finish the board game later. I will not cheat, you have my word! So, leave me with Ashley for a moment in private.

The maidens took their cue and departed gracefully. After that, Amber too was about to leave when Michael said:

You can stay Ambrose.

Ashley felt that Michael had got the name wrong so she corrected him:

Ashley : Michael. No, Lord Michael. This is a very competent manager of our palace. His name is Amber and not Ambrose.

Michael : Is that so? But I see Ambrose. What do you say Ambrose?

Amber then got his cue and went up and kneeled in front of Michael. He said:

Ambrose : My Lord, I am too happy that you are alive and well. Also, it seems that you have obtained great power! Our race will now rise to glory!

Michael : It will indeed. Ambrose, you have exceeded my expectations. That also by far too much. I have already taken care of your Mother's ailment. I also gave her too many resources that has pushed her to the peak-emperor realm cultivation. While she is in her declining years, having a stronger body will be beneficial. But it is nothing much for your work. You have managed to guide the politics of the court so that they would accept my wedding challenge. You have also managed to keep Ragnar off her. I can only say that I am thankful.

Ambrose : I agree My Lord. That Ragnar is a pervert. I had to keep him feeding ideas so that he would keep his patience. It was not an easy job at all. But you have helped from my lowest point. I can at least do this much. It is my duty as My Lord's subordinate.

Michael : It is indeed your duty to fulfill my wishes. It is similarly my duty to aptly reward you so that you are satisfied. Ask away Ambrose. I now hold the entire plane in my hands. What do you want? Money, Nobility, Cultivation Resources, everything can be made available for you.

Looking at this exchange, Ashley was rendered dumbfounded. It turned out that Amber was always working for Michael. Then she remembered how Amber had given Ragnar different ideas to enslave her. At the time, she had felt mixed feelings toward Amber. On one hand, he was pushing her further into the pit but on the other, he was constantly postponing her doomsday. Also looking at his hints, she was convinced that he was helping her but was not sure. But now, it all made sense! She looked back at Michael as if it was the first time she was looking at him. Was this the same kid who grew up in the tower with her? One who was so engrossed in his studies and cultivation that she thought that he was an idiot in handling worldly matters, schemes and plots? From the looks of it, Michael had been scheming in the background for a long while.

Amber seemed to be thinking hard. Even Ashley felt jealous of Michael's offer. Michael was now the strongest expert in Aterna. Amber could have whatever he wanted. After a while, Amber said:

Ambrose : My Lord, I don't want richess and influence. The only reason I wanted those was for my mother. What I want is to make a contribution. A contribution to my race's glory, to my plane's defence. I too want to be known to the world many years later as someone who stood beside you and protected the plane. I ask not for money or power. I ask for a chance to serve you as your knight, as a member of your cortege.

Michael seemed to consider for a while and then said:

Michael : Okay! Your cultivation is a bit on the low side but that can be improved. I will tell the elven emperor that I am taking you as I am impressed by your talents. You will also handle all diplomatic relationships with the elves. Meanwhile, I will boost your cultivation into the saint realm. What I want from my knights is just one thing - loyalty. As long as you vow your loyalty to me, I will take you in as my second knight.

Ambrose : Lord Michael, I Ambrose vow to remain loyal to you till my dying breath.

Michael : Okay. Then, I Michael Rageberg - son of Sitara and Collins Rageberg take you in as my second knight. You will be my sword in the shadows! My head of intelligence and my manager.

After that Michael motioned for Ambrose to stand up. He then turned to Ashley and said:

Michael : I know what you want deep down and what you suffered through as well. I can also tell you outright that I have feelings for you. But my feelings are neither too deep nor too important. From what I know, there is a seal inside your body that will make it so the person who takes your virginity would be able to control and influence you in many possible ways. I am not a saint but I am not a demon either. Therefore I am giving you a fair choice - either you can be free and leave. You can marry anyone you want. Though, removing the seal from your body is now too hard. You can try to make your independent identity and I will protect your freedom. The elven race will no longer dare to bother you. You can chose your future. OR.. you can follow me and be my wife. But there is a catch - I will not remain loyal to you. I feel that you are sexy and beautiful but I am not in love with you. Besides, I am pursuing immortal cultivation. I don't know if I will find love - whether with you or anyone else but if I do, I will not remain bounded by rules of monogamy. You should have a good grasp of my nature - I don't search for women and my standards are quite high as well so most likely you won't have to worry about competitors for a long time. But asa matter of principle, I will not be only your man. But, you will only be my woman. I am very, very possesive. If someone else dares to touch you, they shall die such a death that entire Aterna will hear their screams. And if you dare to cheat on me - I shall torture you through methods you have never seen. I shall show you a fate worse than death! Now choose.

Michael's aura by the end was so tremendous that Ashley felt hard to breathe. This was not because Michael was releasing his aura but due to his anger. His anger would give psychological pressure on all those who knew of his power! But this was the decision which decided her entire life. Thus, she calmed down

Ashley : I knew that you will not remain loyal and I was not expecting thatfrom you either. The powerful ones make the rules. I could have had a say if I was strong enough but I know that I am not that talented. In terms of personal power, I will never be able to surpass you. Adding the seal in my body, there is no way I can ever betray you. All I can do is to try to win your love. But it would be the same for any other immortals as well. But I am confident in myself and my charm. Michael Rageberg - you are indeed a man that stands above the world. But I have the confidence to conquer you! Even if you get other women, once you taste me, you will not like anyone else. Do you dare to take me as your woman? You should choose carefully!

Michael's face showed surprise at these words. Even Amber, standing in the corner, was looking at Ashley with wide eyes. Michael then said:

Very well, Ashley Lislechis. Pack you bags. You are now my woman. I shall marry you by my ancestor's name. Ambrose, get ready. We will leave after some time. We are going back home!

Ashley felt so relieved that she felt all the tension draining down her body. At that moment, she could no longer suppress her cultivation and she made a breakthrough - reaching the saint realm. But what was extraordinary was the power of vitality coming off her. Due to having suppressed her realm for a long time, her vital force was extremely strong. Initially, Ashley's body was not any special but now, this breakthrough changed her body fundamentally. Her body was now comparable to Michael's body which was blessed by divine essence and life force. But this was the strength flowing inside her. From the outside, her looks seemed to have become even more irresistible. Her face was practically glowing with the aura of beauty. She was now displaying a beauty that was worthy of being the overlord's woman!

Michael was quite stunned at the results of the breakthrough. Had he known that suppressing one's cultivation could help to metamorph one's body, he too would have tried it. But it seemed that it was a lost chance - so Michael did not dwell on it for too long.

After a few hours, Michael left with Ashley. As Ambrose was too weak to fly on the back of a bird, he was given the best royal carriage and an assortment of powerful guards to make the journey.