章 18: A Reward for a Life

[Congratulations, you have inherited the memories of the 'Demon Emperor']

Victor's lips curled into a satisfied smile as a holographic system display appeared before him. The message revealed that he had just gained the memories of a being known only as the 'Demon Emperor.' He wasn't sure who this figure was, but one thing was undeniable: such a being was undoubtedly powerful beyond measure.

"Is there no extraction process, System?" he inquired, his tone calm but filled with curiosity.

[The extraction will begin when you are ready. However, it may take a considerable amount of time]

Victor nodded in understanding. Whatever he had inherited, it was clear that it was something monumental.

As the hologram faded from view, Victor turned around, only to see Lionel and the other two men rushing toward Alber, who lay unconscious on the floor not far from him. Without a moment's hesitation, Victor approached them.

Lionel quickly dropped to his knees and checked on his son. The weight in his chest lifted slightly as he confirmed that Alber was still alive. Overcome with emotion, Lionel pulled Alber into a tight embrace, his voice thick with relief and affection.

"How is the young master?" Albert asked anxiously.

"He's okay," Lionel replied, his voice steady yet tinged with emotion.

Albert exhaled deeply, his expression softening with relief. Eirik, who had been listening from nearby, felt the same wave of comfort. Though not blood-related, he had long thought of Alber as a nephew.

"Thankfully, I wasn't too late," a voice suddenly echoed from behind them.

Lionel and the others turned around to see Victor approaching, and without a word, he tossed something toward them.

The object landed in front of the group with a sickening thud: Diablo's severed head, charred black and smoking faintly. Its once menacing features were now twisted and scorched beyond recognition.

A heavy silence fell over the group as they processed the grisly sight. Eirik, his extensive experience in the world of magic and combat, immediately recognized the face before him.

"This man's name is Diablo, if I'm not mistaken," Eirik said, his voice low with gravity as he studied the disfigured head. "A dark magic cultivator and a former elder of the Heavenly Demon Guild. He has been hunted across multiple empires. And you, Victor Archfindor, managed to kill him," he continued, his astonished gaze locked onto Victor.

Victor smiled faintly, his expression nonchalant. "I got lucky."

"Lucky?" Eirik scoffed, his disbelief evident. "After a battle like that, you call it luck? I'm left speechless. So, all this time, you've been pretending to be a spoiled second-generation heir, wasting money and acting the fool. But in truth, you're a Sage Realm magus. Diablo was right—you've been masquerading as a rabbit when you're really a lion."

"I suppose that secret is out now," Victor said with a shrug, the corner of his mouth curling upwards. "But I hope you'll keep it to yourselves."

"I doubt anyone would believe me even if I told them," Eirik muttered, shaking his head. He still couldn't wrap his mind around the fact that this young man, not yet 20 years old, had reached the Sage Realm—a feat that Eirik, at 53 years of age, had just barely managed to attain at the 7th level of the Origin Realm.

In that moment, Lionel stepped forward, placing a firm hand on Victor's shoulder. His tone was sincere, his gratitude overflowing.

"I don't care about the details of what happened or ask questions about it," Lionel said earnestly. "I just want to thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for saving my son. And for killing with this piece of shit," he added, gesturing toward Diablo's head with a look of rage.

"As for your secret, don't worry," Lionel continued. "It's safe with us."

Victor nodded in acknowledgement, appreciating Lionel's assurance. He had no intention of revealing his true strength so soon. Being underestimated by others was to his advantage. But for a select few, like Lionel and Eirik, he needed them to know his power. They were, after all, part of his larger plan.

"Anyway, Mr. Lionel," Victor began, a sly smile tugging at his lips. "Since I've saved your son, I'd like something in return."

Lionel sighed, but the corners of his mouth lifted into a smile. "What is it that you need, young master Victor?"

"I'd like access to the Nine Realms Guild's treasure vault," Victor said, his smile widening. "And the right to take one treasure. What do you think?"

Eirik was surprised upon hearing this. But Lionel, surprisingly, did not seem fazed by the request. In fact, he almost seemed to expect it—and perhaps even something greater.

"Very well," Lionel said, without hesitation. "I'll grant you access to the Nine Realms Guild's treasure vault, and you may take one item. But there is one condition: you must come with me."

"What? Lionel, you'll need the approval of the elders for that. Do you really think they'll agree to it so easily?" Eirik asked, his concern evident.

"I don't need the elders' approval, Eirik. Leave that to me," Lionel replied calmly.

Eirik said nothing more, but his gaze lingered on Lionel, his mind racing with thoughts of the man's unusual confidence.

Victor, for his part, couldn't help but smirk. He had already figured out Lionel's true position within the guild. To outsiders, Lionel appeared to hold a prestigious title, but not one of the elders. Few knew, however, that the Sky family, to which Lionel belonged, was the true bloodline with ultimate authority over the guild. In essence, Lionel was the hidden leader behind the scenes. It was no wonder that he could make such decisions without hesitation.

Victor's gaze shifted back to Alber, still cradled in Lionel's arms. "What if I told you I knew how to heal your son?" Victor said, his voice deep and filled with temptation.

"What?" Lionel froze at the unexpected words. "Young master Victor, please don't joke with me in this situation. I am already deeply grateful for your help. I could not ask for more."

Instead of responding directly, Victor turned to Herakles, who stood silently at his side. "What do you think?" he asked.

Herakles, towering and composed, met Lionel's gaze with quiet confidence. "Yes, it can be done. And I believe Victor capable of doing it."

Victor's faint smile returned, and he turned back to Lionel. "There's always more to every story, Mr. Lionel," he said cryptically.

At those words, Lionel's doubts seemed to dissipate. If someone who had reached the pinnacle of the Sage Realm spoke with such certainty, then perhaps Victor truly had the means to heal Alber.

Taking a step closer, Lionel locked eyes with Victor, his voice trembling with a mix of urgency and hope. "If you could heal my son, I would grant you anything you desired!"

Victor smirked inwardly, savoring Lionel's sincerity and desperation.

"Very well," Victor replied with calm confidence. "For now, let your son rest and leave the rest to me. As for my reward, first, I wanted the Sky Family's special token. And second…" He leaned closer to Lionel, whispering something in his ear.

At those words, Lionel's eyes widened slightly, a look of surprise crossing his face. "How did you know about that man?" he asked, his voice laced with disbelief.

Victor's expression remained unmoved. "I didn't need to answer that. The question was—could you do it or not?"

Lionel hesitated, visibly conflicted. What Victor had whispered involved a figure of great significance. Yet as he glanced between Victor and Herakles, both of whom were magus at the Sage Realm, a deep trust began to form.

After a few moments of contemplation, his gaze hardened with resolve. "I agree," he said firmly.

A satisfied smile spread across Victor's face. "I thought as much. In fact, my requests so far were far too modest considering your son's life was at stake. That's why I had one final condition—but we could discuss that after I successfully healed Alber. What did you say?"

Lionel exhaled slowly, nodding with determination. "As long as you could heal my son, all your demands would be fulfilled," he promised.

Victor gave a slight nod, though inside, he was reveling in triumph. His plan was falling into place perfectly. When he mentioned healing Alber, he wasn't lying. The root cause of Alber's illness—the dark energy within him—had already been removed. However, the forced extraction of that power had left Alber in a coma, one that could very well last forever.

In the original timeline, there had been a way to cure this condition, and Victor knew it well. After all, it had been Leon who had discovered the method in that version of events.

Eirik and Albert, who had been silently observing the exchange, were left speechless. Albert could sympathize with Lionel's predicament, but Eirik found it difficult to reconcile this soft, desperate version of Lionel with the resolute, unyielding man he had always known.

Still, a deep curiosity about Victor and his hidden depths lingered in Eirik's mind.

"By the way, young master Victor," he suddenly asked, gesturing toward Herakles, "who was this man accompanying you?"

Victor glanced at Herakles, who answered before he could. "I am his guardian."

"What?" Eirik's jaw dropped in shock. Even Lionel and Albert were taken aback. This immensely powerful figure was Victor's guardian? And he had confirmed it himself?

Victor chuckled softly. "Alright, I won't waste any more time here. We're leaving. And…" He picked up Diablo's severed head. "I'll be taking this."

No one objected, and with that, Victor and Herakles turned and left, leaving Lionel, Eirik, and Albert behind in the underground chamber, still processing the astonishing events they had just witnessed.

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