Faceless: I don't want to interrupt your enjoyment of the sky, but I guess we have to go.

Belias: Yes, it's good.

"Some time later, a bright purple light appeared in the sky."

Faceless: Belias, was I the only one who felt it, or was it real?

Belias: Ah! Aha! That's a lot of strength! Who did it!?

Faceless: Don't make me repeat the question, Belias...

Belias: Yes... I'm sorry, sir...

Faceless: Okay, I already realized that it was real. Since that's the case, tell me what you saw.

Belias: I saw a huge column of lightning that was directed at one point, with purple flashes. I can't even guess who did it, but I can say one thing. It was at the fortress we're heading to.

Faceless: Okay, then let's hurry up and talk and find out who did it.

Belias: Yes, but are you allowed to run? You are already moving very carefully, creating strong vibrations of the earth.

Faceless: And who said that I should hurry too. You have to run to the entrance and find out everything. And also to warn about my arrival.

Belias: Okay, I get you.

"Belias abruptly ran, thereby escaping from the pressure of the Faceless One's hand. Belias headed towards the gates of the fortress of Fedfrosa, and after 2 minutes he was there."

Faceless: * Compared to the last time, he has greatly increased his abilities. A good warrior, maybe... Although? Or still. Okay, for now, let everything stay the same.*

"Belias knocked on the gate."

???: Who's here?

Belias: The Faceless One's faithful servant has arrived. The gentleman ordered to be notified of his arrival within ten minutes. There are also questions about recent lightning strikes.

???: Okay, I'll pass it on now.

"??? He walked away from the door."

???: Mr. Lich, someone came there and says that he is a faithful servant of the Faceless One, and also warned of his imminent arrival. What to do?

Lich: I understand your curiosity. But if you had more intelligence and memory, you wouldn't ask such questions, ogre. Mr. Fedfrosl told us about the Calm Madman and that we should address him and his brother as well as Mr. Fedfrosl himself. So, his brother is Faceless.

Ogre: I see. And what to do with his servant and the Faceless One. The servant says he will be here soon.

Lich: Oh, how stupid you are. Can you please open the gate and don't close it until I tell you to.

Ogre: Good.

"The Ogre and the Lich have come to the gate."

Lich: I'm sorry for the delay, but my new student hasn't quite memorized everything yet and he had to talk to me.

"The ogre started to open the gate, pulling it with his whole body."

Belias: It's okay, it's a common thing when... Aaaaaah! It's a lich. No, Lich, don't steal my soul power!

Lich: Haha. No, your life is not in danger. As long as you are under the influence of the Faceless One, no one dares to touch you if you don't want to.

Belias: Phew, I already thought I was going to die.

Lich: Many of the monsters who don't find shelter in the world and come to us are always scared of me. To tell the truth, I don't even need it. And also, most likely, the Calm Madman did not tell me, but this is not my real body.

Belias: No, I didn't tell you. I only heard from him instructions on the arrangement of the military defense of the fortress.

Lich: That's great, you just passed the truth test of your statement that you are a servant of the Faceless One.

Belias: What does that mean? I didn't understand...

Lich: And so, the person who is lying would claim that he heard about my body from a Calm Madman, because if he did the opposite, then I would start talking about it and asking you about the connection with a Calm Madman even more. You replied that you had not heard, and also backed it up with a fact that confirms his identity. He never tells something to someone who he does not consider to be a reference point for the important advancement of the Faceless One as someone who will not destroy the universe.

Belias: I didn't really understand what exactly you wanted me to understand, but I realized that I was lucky to be under the influence of the command of a Calm Madman.

Leach: That's good. What is the reason you have arrived.

Belias: You've already been told, haven't you?

Lich: Yes, I was told that the Faceless One was coming.

Belias: Is that all you heard?

Lich: Yes, that's right.

Belias: Then, as a matter of urgency, prepare a report for the Faceless One, what kind of lightning column it was. In any form.

Lich: I see. It will be done. And the reason for the Faceless One's visit is that?

Belias: That he wants or needs to meet with Fedfrosl and Arfoliairfolia.

Leach: The consequence is clear to me, but the reason itself. That's all you know about the current visit.

Belias: Yes, that's it.

Leach: It's clear, but sad at the same time.

Belias: And what did you want to know by that?

Leach: It's not that important anymore. By the way, I have prepared the report you told me about.

Belias: Phew, that's good. Otherwise, I would have been scolded.

Lich: It is unfortunate to hear that your master beats his subordinates.

Belias: No way! But what he's doing is even worse!

Lich: What is he doing?

Belias: Shh! He's coming!

"A rumble was heard from afar, which made the earth tremble. And the same one. And again, and again, and again, and again. How could a dark silhouette be seen on the hill."

Lich: But what about him without an entourage, and he's walking so slowly?

Belias: What are you doing? Don't you feel the earth tremble with every step he takes?

Lich: No, I can't feel that way. I'm floating above the ground.

Belias: And he is without an entourage, because Fab and Kobsh, who were supposed to carry him in the air, were stupid and are now looking for sacred giants in the mountains to bring them to the fortress. Kradr was told to carry the master, but after the flight here, he was very tired and stayed waiting for me in the crater that Faceless left behind when he fell.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

Lich: The reason for the crater?

Belias: The unimaginable weight of his armor.

Lich: The reason for the reservation?

Belias: He seemed to mention that she absorbs other mana, but not divine.

Lich: I see. Well, we are waiting.

"The dark silhouette has been doing nothing but approaching the gate all this time and creating strong flashes of shaking of the earth, which was accompanied by a crash of impact on the ground."

Ogre: Sir, why is the earth shaking so much? I'm kind of scared. Should we all run away from here?

???: Yes, it's scary for me too. There is someone very huge and strong coming!

???: Mr. Lich, should we really leave?

Lich: A question! For all those present at the gate, ras! Did you listen to our conversation!?

Ogre: No, you can't listen to the master's conversations, otherwise it will be bad.

???: Yes, you told us not to eavesdrop.

???: And they also said that there would be punishment.

Lich: Idiots! All right, everyone stay at your jobs! Don't run away anywhere! Keep working! I declare it! A representative of our union agreement is coming here! Faceless!

Ogre: Huh?

Lich: Ogre, just stand there and hold the door like I told you.

Ogre: Aa... Fine.

"Everyone continued to work. At the same time, the rumble was at the very gate, everyone turned sharply to the gate to look at the Faceless One."

---Time: Late at night---

"An ordinary-sized creature, similar to a man in armor, came out of the gate, but at the same time it differed in its gait and armor. They didn't look human. The faceless one walked on his toes, bent knees and bent back, pulling his collarbones forward, he walked towards Belias with the Lich, and his head was directed at them. His headlong rush was like a vulture attacking a corpse. Or an eagle trying to keep an eye on the victim. Or a maniac who enjoys fresh meat and carefully examines the victim."

Lich: Dear Mr. Faceless. What finally brought you to Fedfrosl?

Belias: I advise you to report the lightning.

Lich: Got it. The lightning column was caused by our ruler, Fedfrosl. The reason for such a spell was his servants. Namely me and my soulless bodies. I want to remind you that I am not a real body, but only the bones of people who tried to become a lich, and I manage their remains to be in different places at once. I did something stupid and Mr. Fedfrosl punished me. I'm sorry to bother you.

"The Faceless One came close to the Lich and stared down at him intently."

Lich: Did I do something wrong?

"The Faceless One raised his hand and placed it on the Lich's head."

Faceless: I'm very unhappy. I heard your conversation with Belias. First, I'm not interested in cause and effect. Second, give me the data on the sacred giants.

Lich: Okay, I'll do everything, but what were you interested in about the lightning incident?

Faceless: I repeat, not the cause and not the effect. Since you're being so arrogant with my direct servant, then try to guess for yourself.

Lich: I see. May I assume that you were interested in the consequences?

Faceless: Wrong.

"The Faceless One pressed down on the skull of the hooded Lich and broke the bones that got in the way of his hand under the weight."

Belias: Sir, what have you done?

"The Faceless One approached the same way as the Lich, but already to Belias and put his hand on his shoulder. Belias immediately felt a lot of pressure. He understood that they were not looking at him, but he felt a very angry and displeased look at himself, which pressed on him more than the hand of the Faceless One himself."

Faceless: The reason for what he did is his arrogance and incorrect answers to what he wanted.

Belias: But you didn't give him a chance to get the right answer.

Faceless: I advise you to think now before you speak.

Belias: Understood.

Faceless: Because of his behavior, I wanted to break him anyway, but as soon as I found out that this was not his body, I made it clear to him that I was not the way he remembered the Calm Madman.

Belias: Understood. You gave him not only to understand, but also to remember.

Faceless: That's right, if he had just died, he would not have remembered, but he understood.

Ogre: Sorry, Mr. Lich told me to hold the gate until he told me to close it, but he just died. What should I do?

Faceless: Let him close it, they were waiting for me.

Belias: Mr. Faceless says that it is already possible to close.

Ogre: Good.

"The ogre has closed the gate."

Ogre: And who is Faceless?

"The Faceless one slowly turned to the ogre."

Belias: Shhh, quiet!

Ogre: What is it?

"The Faceless one abruptly pushed off the ground and slammed into the ogre's head so that all the insides flew out."

Belias: I told you so...

"The faceless One pointed his index finger at the Supreme Lich, who was standing at the entrance to the throne room of Fedfros."

The Supreme Lich: Yes, Mr. Faceless. It's me, and you need to go that way. I apologize for earlier, but the previous conversation with me. This is a misunderstanding. Yes, I said that, but only half of it.

"The Faceless One headed towards the Supreme Lich, followed by Belias."

Supreme Lich: Every body has its own personality traits. This one must have had an arrogance. I'm actually very much indifferent to everything except the things that interest me. For example, you. But don't be mad that I called you a thing. It's just a simple expression.

"The Faceless One nodded."

Supreme Lich: In that case, please. Fedfrosl is waiting for you.

"Belias followed the Faceless One in the direction indicated by the Supreme Lich. As soon as they reached the entrance to the throne room, Belias was amazed by the beauty of the throne room. It was in dark purple and emerald tints."

Fedfrosl: Greetings, Faceless One.

Faceless: * And this is Fedfrosl, who is the demon king? Where is his strength, since he is the king?*

Belias: Hello, I am a loyal subject of the Faceless One. My name is Belias.

Fedfrosl: Faceless, would you like to talk to me?

"The Faceless One nodded."

Fedfrosl: High Lich, take Belias away and you can talk to him. I think you've found a common language, right?

Supreme Lich: That's right.

"The Supreme Lich led Belias, who was looking at a strange picture. Fedfrosl was sitting on the throne and it seemed that he was looking down at the Faceless One. But at the same time, the Faceless One stood as if he was a hunter and Fedfrosl was prey."

Supreme Lich: I see that you are interested in this meeting. Yes, our rulers are very scrupulous about the place that the ruler occupies. And no one believes that they should be rulers.

Belias: But doesn't just because someone has become a ruler mean that they deserve this place?

The Supreme Lich: Yes, I know what you mean. I don't want to interfere with them, so I propose a compromise. We'll go to my office and activate the listening magic so you can listen to everything. Ok? So, this will give answers to many of your questions.

Belias: All right. Oh, what are you going to do?

Supreme Lich: I've been thinking about how to create a balance of cognitive and magical powers for the Faceless One.

Belias: And what did you come up with?

Supreme Lich: I'll tell you later.

Belias: But, but. Okay.

"At this time, Fedfrosl went down to the Faceless One and they stood point-blank at each other. Since the Faceless One was bent, their faces were at the same level."

Fedfrosl: You want to tell me something, right? Since that's the case, why are you silent?

The Faceless One put his hand on his right shoulder. At this time, Belias was already listening to the conversation."

Fedfrosl: Ahahah. Do you think that I am not worthy of the throne? That I'm not good at strength? Since that's the case, let me explain why I'm on the throne. It all happened at the death of my father. I was supposed to inherit the throne, but the demon emperor thought otherwise. He wanted to put his daughter in that position. Therefore, a battle was fought between the emperor's daughter and our demon king's son. I was preparing for this battle, but still. She still had a plan to win.

...

Fedfrosl: Yes, of course, you're interested. But will you listen to the end? The imperial bloodline at birth has the abilities of both father and mother. This is due to the fact that the father's ability is genetically passive in use, and the mother's ability is active. That is, the mother's ability is developed and taught from childhood, when the father's ability is already at the master level of learning.

...

Fedfrosl: In her case. The mother had the ability to control blood, the father controlled death and the soul. A kind of the very essence of death. The movement of a finger could cut off a limb and release the soul from the body through this wound.

...

Fedfrosl: Listen, don't interrupt. My victory plan was both complicated and simple. All I had to do was die. After all, I am, at least partially, a human being. She could cut off even a finger and control my blood-dry my body and absorb my soul. Therefore, I decided that I would die before the fight. Arfolia cut off my head and joined my soul to hers. Therefore, she could no longer take my soul, because she is with Arfolia. After that, I signed a contract with the Supreme Leader. He absorbs my blood every day and pours it back, but with restored mana.

...

Fedfrosl: My part of the deal with everyone was a simple condition. Arfolie, in defeat, I give my part of my father's treasures. If I win, I create an alliance. The Supreme Lich remains my loyal assistant, in hell and in the ordinary world.

...

Fedfrosl: Do you want to test my strength?

...

Fedfrosl: Well, come on.

The Supreme Lich: Let's go and see.

"At this time, in the throne room. Both rulers began to test each other. The first game, in turn, each punches the other in the stomach. Whoever doesn't take damage last wins. Fedfrosl stood up, arms outstretched, waiting for the blow. The Faceless one hit him with all his strength and pierced through his stomach. Also, everything behind him, due to the compressed air, also collapsed, but not much. A piece of the throne broke off and a dent appeared in the wall. Faceless refused to take off his armor and admitted defeat. The second game, arm wrestling. Both players hold each other's hands and whoever's hand touches the floor loses. Both rulers lay down on the floor, clasped their hands. Fedfrosl counted to 3 and as soon as the fight began, it immediately ended. Fedfros's hand touched the ground. At the point of contact, one could see the bloody and torn hand of Fedfros, which was in a small hole. The Fed has conceded defeat. The third game was decisive. Who will break through the greater distance with mana. Fedf was just starting out, so after releasing almost all of his mana, he created like a spear that lengthened. Having broken through the wall, Fedfrosl gave way to the method for the Faceless One. The Faceless one tried to release the same amount of mana, but all he could do was nothing. He couldn't even release a piece of mana. His entire armor absorbed all the mana. So, Fedfrosl won the strength test."

The Supreme Lich: Do you know what kind of game this is?

Belias: Of course not.

The Supreme Lich: This game was created to test the strength of the future ruler. Two applicants are taken and different factors are checked during the stages. The first game is a defense test. The second game is a test of strength and perseverance. The third game is a test of concentration, the quality of mana control.

Belias: It's clear now. That is, going through this game, you can identify a strong and seasoned ruler, which will be good to concentrate on problems and persistently solve them, either by force or protection.

Supreme Lich: That's right, well done.