With more than a month to go before the emperor’s emissary arrived, Eirik had already begun his preparations.

First, traps and large-scale magic arrays were set around the Starlight Range. The clanspeople also trained in formation tactics to boost their combat abilities. It felt a bit like a tower defense game—one with high stakes.

Luckily, not long ago, Eirik and Pixie had ventured far and wide to explore ancient ruins. Their journey yielded a trove of ancient relics, including several magic tools and tomes related to defensive formations.

Thanks to these resources, the defenses and offensive capabilities of the Starlight Range saw a significant boost. Eirik even set up a massive magic array called the **“Aegis Sanctum”**.

The Aegis Sanctum allowed low-level practitioners—those at Level 1 or 2—to operate it efficiently enough to kill a Level 5 warrior and fend off even a Level 7 opponent. While it still couldn’t stop a Savant-level master on its own, the array could inflict real damage and distract such a powerhouse.

Of course, this formidable array consumed an insane amount of Elemental Stones. But with Eirik’s recent wealth, such resources were no longer an issue. For now, at least, he could afford to play this high-stakes game.

As training continued, time flew by, and finally, the day of the emissary’s arrival came.

**【A strong wind blew in from the southeast, rustling the grass and trees with a thunderous roar.】**

You and the clanspeople looked toward the horizon, where a brilliant streak of magic light shot across the sky.

Leading the group was a man dressed in black-and-gold robes, hands folded behind his back, exuding an air of supreme authority. It was none other than the emperor’s famed emissary, **Cassian Valtros**.

“So this is the emperor’s envoy?” someone murmured as they gazed at his striking figure.

In the world chat, players marveled at his character model, stirring a flurry of comments.

Valtros looked like a young man with black hair, yet an overwhelming sense of dignity radiated from him, enough to make anyone tremble. With nothing more than a glance, he summoned winds that set the flowers, grass, and trees of the Starlight Range swaying wildly.

**“A Savant-level master…”** Selene whispered with awe.

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“Our magic academy doesn’t even have someone at the Savant level. It’s said that only the founder ever reached that realm, and even that is just a legend. Seeing a Savant in action is a rare privilege.”

Liora’s voice was filled with envy. **“When will I ever reach such heights in magic?”**

In her previous two lifetimes within the simulation, she had died early, never coming close to the Savant level.

Among the top players, only Elvynna had made it the furthest, reaching the fabled Grandmaster level—a journey of legendary proportions.

Pixie scoffed, feeling indignant. **“So what if he’s a Savant? My husband—”**

But her words faltered as she stared at the game screen. Her heart sank, and her face darkened.

The emperor’s emissary wasn’t alone. Behind him stood the **Monkey King** and several high-ranking warriors from **Aelsryel City**.

These warriors were at least Level 5 or 6 practitioners, with some possibly even stronger. Individually, they might not be impressive, but gathered together, they posed a considerable threat.

At the range’s boundary, the group was halted by a dense, swirling mist. Cassian Valtros, however, stood high above the clouds, gazing down with an indifferent expression.

Before Valtros could say a word, the Monkey King stepped forward with a sneer. **“Eirik, Pixie, you criminals! Come out and kneel before the emperor’s emissary!”**

**“These shameless opportunists! They make me sick!”** Pixie clenched her teeth in fury.

In previous simulations, when chaos broke out with the demonic tree, none of these people had been so united. Now that the Becker family was down on its luck, they’d all shown up, eager to kick them while they were down.

**“Looks like Pip messed up this time.”** Selene shook her head quietly.

Even without the emissary, the warriors from Aelsryel City would have been enough to cause serious trouble.

**“Eirik is really getting ahead of himself,”** Liora thought with a smirk. Still, she couldn’t blame him. For a man who had once been an ordinary person, reaching this level of power was bound to make anyone a bit cocky.

**“I hope he survives this…”** Liora murmured as she tucked her hair behind her ear. Without Eirik, this simulation would lose much of its charm.

**“Keeping him alive won’t be easy,”** Elvynna muttered, furrowing her brows. Even for her, this situation was complicated.

The game continued.

Instead of hiding, Eirik boldly stepped out from behind the gates of the Starlight Range to confront the emperor’s emissary.

**“Kneel before the emperor’s emissary, you wretch!”** one of the warriors shouted angrily.

But Eirik stood tall, his white robes billowing in the wind, his posture upright and relaxed.

**“Kneel? Hah! The emperor’s emissary is nothing more than the emperor’s lapdog. And I, Eirik, am not afraid of a dog.”**

The crowd fell silent.

In the world chat, players were stunned.

Many had thought similar things before, but no one had dared to say them aloud—especially not directly to the emissary’s face.

Sure, Valtros might be a “dog,” but he was a **Savant-level** dog. Who in their right mind would insult him?

**“Eirik, you’ve got guts.”**

A system notification rang out.

**[Congratulations! You have earned the title: Fearless of Royalty!]**

**[Fearless of Royalty: When equipped, you are immune to intimidation effects and deal 20% extra damage to members of royalty.]**

Pixie’s eyes sparkled with delight. **“Another new title? My gold-card husband never fails to impress!”**

For a moment, she wanted to join the fight and stand by Eirik’s side. But to her surprise, Eirik rejected her request.

**“Pip, it’s just the emperor’s lapdog. I can handle this on my own. Just sit back and watch.”**

Pixie blinked, stunned. **“Wait… what?”**

Sure, Eirik was handsome, but was he crazy? Even with their combined strength, they might not stand a chance against the emissary. What was he thinking?

**“Is he planning to stall them so I can escape?”** she wondered. **“No, that can’t be it. If he wanted to run, we could have done that a month ago!”**

Her thoughts swirled in confusion.

**“Something must be wrong with this simulation!”**

The other players were equally baffled.

Meanwhile, Eirik remained calm, as if unaware of the chaos his actions were causing among the players.

With a sly grin, he reached into his inventory and pulled out a shimmering artifact—the **“Mirror of One Life.”**

This was the key to his plan. The reason he had been so confident from the start.