Adam watched Sol leave with a small smile, cracks branched along his skin, pouring out a dim glow.

“I don't have much time left.”

By all rights, he should have already vanished long ago. However, he was serious when he said he did not want any harm to befall Sol due to him.

With Sol’s strength and will, he could resist the overlapping effect to some extent. However, it was inevitable for him to be irreversibly changed.

Not time yet.

He clenched his fists and willed the cracks to stop spreading and branching out. Immediately, the cracks winked out of existence, leaving his skin and body pristine as though they had never existed in the first place.

I should be able to hold on for a few more years. At the rate he is growing, the time should be more than enough.

Of course, Adam had not been entirely selfless in his decision. He had his own goals and thoughts— one of them being able to see his beloved once more or rather beloved, now that he thought about it.

He sighed, remembering the innocent smile of the short and bubbly woman who stood by his side no matter how nonsensical the circumstances they were pitted against.

He knew that his death and the massacre he caused would have affected her negatively. However, he still hoped that her mental strength was enough for her to not fall apart.

Now though… He didn't know.

Would things have changed if I had been more forthcoming?

He closed his eyes. What was the use of thinking about it now? The events had taken place uncountable eons ago, leaving only pain and regret in its wake. Thinking about it wouldn’t change anything.

[...]

Suddenly, an ethereal voice imperceptibly murmured in his ears, making Adam laugh. He gazed fondly at the oversized grimoire placed in the Altar.

“Old friend. It seems your return is imminent. Though I guess you won't be the one I once knew by then.”

The true spirit that birthed alongside the creation of the weapon had already perished. However, Genesis was a Divine Weapon, of the highest magnitude too.

Now that Sol had awakened the book, it was only time for a new weapon spirit to form and the book to usher its divine knowledge once more.

“Speaking of… I wonder what happened to my second divine weapon.”

A puzzled look enveloped Adam’s face. The Book of Genesis and the Pen of Knowledge. One divine weapon was bestowed upon him while the other was created by a mortal and elevated to Divinity. The Pen of Knowledge wasn’t dissimilar to Sol’s Eye of Akasha in that regard.

His other Divine Weapon was both powerful and dangerous, no matter the hand it fell on.

He frowned for a moment but in the end, decided to stop thinking about it. The Pen and the Book were connected. Now that Genesis was about to awaken, the World Will of this universe would attract the Pen to Genesis one way or the other. The two divine weapons would surely reunite.

As for what would happen then, it would be up to Sol to figure out.

This was going to be very entertaining.

***

Leaving his inner world, Sol found himself back in Lustburg.

His conversation with Adam was both deeply enlightening and somber, highlighting the truths that constituted reality. All this talk about infinite verses and their intricacies was far too removed from his current circumstances.

At least I should be able to share some of that information with Anubis.

Sol distinctively remembered that one of Anubis’ ultimate goals was finding the way back to Earth, their home planet in the Prime Univers.

His desire was so deep and haunting that he embarked on a journey to explore the whole universe. In turn, a rift formed in his family and he had to sacrifice the time he could allot for his wife and daughter.

If I can make Anubis stop exploring the universe, I will have another powerful demigod close by when something happens.

Anubis was one of the strongest demigods alive. Having him close by would be extremely beneficial for Sol. Anubis was also a demigod born in the Mortal Realm, and using that identity he could enter the realm without facing any suppression and limitations.

Now I should focus on our growth.

Though relying on external powers was a valid option, the nature of his plans did not promote that. To speak facts, personal growth, namely the power of his Dimension, was at the core of all his future endeavors. No matter what he did, be it integrating the Mortal Realm or the whole Universe that Adam created, he would need to strengthen and nurture his dimension.

The good thing was, he already knew how to make the Inverse World stronger. He had all the pieces for that on hand.

Simply by allowing others to use his dimension as a place to create their territories, he would be able to increase the vitality of his universe and reinforce the laws that governed and shaped his verse.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

If I can make Ambrosia move her territory to my dimensions it would be even better. But I shouldn't be too greedy.

Ambrosia was the Thousand Spells Witch. Her book of Akasha held all the knowledge of all witches who had ever existed. Even if it wasn't quite at the level of Law, all this knowledge would change his dimension and accelerate the growth tremendously.

But even if he couldn't have Ambrosia, he had the other four witches.

The four of them were unable to become demigods in Adam’s universe. However, that was not a problem for his dimension.

All the laws were free for the taking.

In fact, “What if I make a False God enter my dimension?”

Tiamat’s path to power was blocked because the Concept of Pride had already been taken. Even after changing her road, it was hard to shake off Superbia, the goddess of Pride’s, influence on her.

But the Concept of Pride was ownerless in his dimension.

Theoretically speaking, it should be possible for Tiamat to become a goddess in his dimension.

Sol clenched his teeth.

“I can not just be satisfied with theories.”

How could he swallow Adam’s universe if his dimension couldn't even accommodate the birth of a god?

Sol focused as he made an important decision. The day he could create gods would be the day he would compete for the hegemony of Adam’s universe.

For now, however, the Mortal Realm would have to make do.

I think I can absorb a part of the Astral Realm now.

He was quite confident of his chances, however, he did not wish to hurry and fumble. He simply needed to conquer all the kingdoms. Since he had an excuse in Luxuria giving him such a trial, he would be able to act with a certain impunity without any of the goddesses noticing his true goal.

Speaking of the goddesses… Things have been rather calm. I thought Invidia would have done something by now.

A frown colored Sol’s face as he thought about the matter. Even though he only had a few dealings with the goddess of envy, they were enough for him to get a good grasp of the shrewd goddess’ personality.

Sol’s plans were not perfect by any means, and the suspicious movements they enacted during the final battle were enough for the extremely petty goddess to be spurred into action.

Something is fishy. Sol thought grimly. He wasn't naive enough to think that it was luck. This seemed more like the calm before the inevitable storm.

As if answering to his worries,

“My Lord. I bring an important message.”

A feminine voice echoed from beyond the door and Sol recognized Clara’s voice.

“Enter.”

The door opened, showing the fiercely loyal and beautiful elf, Clara.

For Sol, many people played an important role during this war. Clara was undoubtedly one of the MVPs for him. She lacked the power to affect the battle but her skills pre and post-war were invaluable.

Clara was usually the image of calmness and serenity, however, he was alarmed to see a worried expression marring her face.

“What is the matter? You seem worried.” Sol asked, causing Clara to react in surprise as she schooled her expression.

“Many news came one after another and I am…” She spoke but she shook her head. “I apologize.” As a servant, spewing excuses like this was quite unsavory.

She gave a slight bow before continuing, “Your Highness I am the bearer of both good and troublesome news.” She adjusted her glasses as she looked at her King.

“The first set of good news is that Southern Pride finally agreed to organize an official meeting with them on neutral ground. The Queen herself declared that she would be part of the meeting as a form of respect towards the Dragon Emperor.”

Sol chuckled, “I guess they don't want to look like they are bowing their heads to Wratharis. No matter. We can allow them to keep their pride.”

Sol couldn't help but think of his beloved Nefertiti. Another MVP of this war. He owed far too much to her with far too little to show for it.

Clara nodded at Sol’s words, knowing it was necessary to not meddle with the elves’ pride. The elves were extremely proud by nature and the Queen would lose all support if it looked like she was bowing down to a human prince.

The title of Dragon Emperor was a helpful tool to provide the illusion that she was keeping face.

“You said there was both good and bad news, right? What about the bad?”

“Well…” Clara hesitated slightly but continued, “There are two bad news but in a way they are linked.”

She cleared her throat, “We received two messages. The first one came directly from the flying city of angels and stipulated that Chloe Diligentia’s training was shortened and she needed to be back to the flying city in three months.”

Sol’s expression darkened ever so slightly but he waved his hand, “Continue.”

“As for the second news… The dwarves sent a notice of Impeachment to the International Court and the angels and accused Lustburg of propagating and promoting the usage of undead, thus mocking the sanctity of life.

“They also accused us of breaking the International convention and using Undead during the war.

“Finally, they accused us of breaking the tacit understanding that was reached regarding the occupation of foreign territories during the war and thus disturbing the peace that was so hard fought.”

Sol was speechless. Listening to this made him feel like Lustburg was some kind of evil organization that wanted to conquer the world.

The fact that they technically were not wrong was irrelevant, however.

“The Dwarves have quite the plan, huh.”

His next goal had been to silently develop and assimilate Wratharis before doing the same with Envilya. But now he was starting to wonder if he should just declare war and erase those greedy bastards from the map.

“Half of what they said is bullshit,” Sol intoned.

He massaged his forehead, his eyes gleaming with dark thoughts.

“The dwarves are cowards. There is no way they would openly try to impeach us based on those flimsy reasons. Unless of course, they already have someone to back them.”

Sol grinned. If he was right, it seemed like the angels had decided to send the first probing move and the dwarves were nothing but the cannon fodder they used.

“Well, since this is what you guys want to do. Don't mind me breaking your pawns.”

Sol stood up, his eyes gleaming.

“What is the date of the next international convention?”

Clara felt a chill go down her spine at the coldness dripping from his voice. However, she did not feel fear only joy and anticipation.

The darker Sol acted, the more excitement she received.

“Four months.”

“Four months, huh… I guess they are truly the nation of sloth.”

He laughed. It seemed like the angels were confident of their power.

But Sol would make them understand that the worst all his enemies did was give him time. For ageless creatures like angels, four months might be nothing but a blip in their lifespan.

But for Sol… four months was more than enough to change the world.