"Well... just how powerful is the island owner now? What tier has he reached?" he murmured softly, more to himself.
The soldiers behind the old man were also watching with faces full of respect and admiration. They all looked on with hearts brimming with pride, knowing they served someone so extraordinary.
The old man sharpened his gaze, his eyes narrowing as Lein's ship approached. Slowly, he bowed, bringing his hands together in front of his chest. His voice echoed deeply, full of reverence. "We give our respects to the island owner."
His salute was followed by the resounding unison of the soldiers behind him, "We give our respects to the island owner!"
Inside the ship, Lein, who was lounging comfortably while reading the news on his device, looked up for a moment, his gaze piercing through the empty space between them. The hundreds of kilometers of distance didn't hinder his eyes from meeting the old man's gaze, along with the guards around him. Lein nodded slightly, offering thanks in a calm but clearly audible voice.
"Thank you. Continue with your duties."
Lein's voice floated across the void, reaching the ears of the old man and the soldiers who were waiting with an attitude of deep respect. They all bowed once more, this time with a deeper sense of joy.
"Thank you, Sir. The main western fortress is ready to serve wholeheartedly!" they replied in unison, led by the old man.
The faces of the soldiers glowed, their eyes sharing a satisfied smile. Among them, whispers of admiration could be heard.
"Amazing... his voice is so calm, it makes my heart tremble."
"Indeed. May our Lord continue to grow stronger... and stronger."
They rejoiced at being part of Lein's force and felt honored to serve such a powerful island. It was as though having a leader that strong made them invincible.
"Everyone, return to your posts!" the old man shouted, ending their brief ceremony. "Resume routine patrols immediately."
With profound respect, the old man returned to the fortress island, followed by his soldiers who obediently resumed their duties, guarding the borders with renewed spirit and confidence.
Lein lounged comfortably on the ship, his eyes focused on the hologram screen projecting from his handheld device. Occasionally, he reached for fresh fruit on the table, savoring the sweet and refreshing taste that cooled him amidst the journey. Near him, Ana sat on guard, her full attention focused on Lein, ready to respond to any command or question he might give.
The hologram screen on Lein's device displayed news currently dominating the headlines. The main headline spoke of the World Market Trade Alliance, which was actively assisting islands in defending against external attackers. Images filled the screen, showing elite forces of the alliance arriving on various islands, providing food, protection, and other much-needed resources.
Lein smiled slightly as he read the news. A gleam of deep satisfaction showed in his eyes, knowing his plan was proceeding as expected. A faint shadow appeared in his mind—a thought of the weak, who now placed their hopes in a powerful alliance.
"If I were in their position, powerless against foreign forces, I, too, would wish for someone to help," he thought.
He took a deep breath, savoring the momentary feeling of relief flowing through him.
"Well..." he murmured softly, his voice warm but firm, "I will help as much as I can. The rest is up to you."
Lein realized he didn't want to become a god of mercy, protecting everyone without expecting anything in return. Helping as much as he could was the right step, a clear boundary to show his strength without having to sacrifice everything.
His gaze shifted to the next piece of news, reporting the disbandment of a major organization led by William Anderson. This alliance, comprised of powerful countries like China, Korea, and Russia, had crumbled under pressure. They had failed to unite against attacks from foreign realms, causing key members to withdraw one by one.
"An organization without power?" Lein smirked, his fingers brushing the hologram screen to scroll through the news. "That's just a useless illusion."
As Lein was about to read the next article, he suddenly felt his body moving at a much higher speed. The surroundings changed; the scenery that had been visible outside the ship's window was now replaced by a stretch of space that seemed to pass by more rapidly. Lein looked around, confirming that his feeling was indeed correct.
"The ship is accelerating, Sir. We'll arrive in a few minutes," Ana said beside him, noting the change in Lein's expression.
"How far are we from Jenu Island?" Lein asked, his voice sounding light yet authoritative.
"Approximately 15 million kilometers left, Sir," Ana replied promptly, her gaze filled with certainty.
Lein thought for a moment, then nodded in understanding. If the ship's speed reached one million kilometers per minute, the 15 million kilometers would be covered in around 15 minutes. He glanced at the hologram screen, intending to resume reading the news, when a faintly important memory crossed his mind.
"Ah... yes..." he muttered softly, moving his fingers over the spatial ring on his finger. Within the mysterious space of the ring, he found what he was looking for—a small bottle, simple in appearance yet full of meaning.
Before taking out the bottle, Lein quickly activated his protective skill, forming a transparent spatial seal that prevented anyone nearby from seeing or sensing what he was doing. He trusted Ana, as well as the soldiers controlling the ship—but not entirely. Even though they wouldn't be foolish enough to attack or seize his belongings, Lein was still unwilling to risk his secrets in front of others.
When the bottle appeared in his hand, Lein looked at it in awe. Before his eyes, the thick black liquid swayed gently within the bottle, seemingly alive, while tiny points of light sparkled within, gleaming like stars in the night sky.
[Divine Promotion Potion]
This potion is made from the blood of the gods. Anyone who drinks it will gain extraordinary power.
- (Ability): Consuming this potion will help anyone below the Emperor level to advance by one full level.