Chapter 780: The Golden Legacy
The Realm Of The Emperor—also known as the Emperor's Domain.
Kuzon had learned all about it from his parents.
It was the plane made for the Emperor, meant to offer guidance and assistance to him in his time of need. By combining the joint powers of the Arcanas and the Royal Treasures, a true heir would be able to enter into this world and consult with past Emperors.
As for why the ordinary denizens were here, it had to do with their Soul Brands. Every denizen had a Soul Brand linked to the main Midas Central System—used for both research and the wellbeing of the people.
This was used to monitor the activities of the Midas people, to eliminate crimes or unjust punishments—in the very unlikely event of one.
This Central System could pinpoint the malicious minds in the Empire, and it could also apprehend culprits guilty of an offence. However, this wasn't simply used for security, but also for the progression of Magic Research.
The Midas Empire had prospered in Magic because they'd had the Fragments of their entire population to work with. Their goal had been to use these soul fragments to learn more about the world—especially about Aether.
They had made many advancements in this, and while they could have made more discoveries—like inventing immortality—the Midas Empire had been more focused on the nature of Aether, and on the flipside Nether, as well as the truth of existence.
Their primary objective had been knowledge—especially about the Root.
And with each generation, the advancement progressed.
The Soul Fragments harvested from the people had been taken to the Emperor's Domain at some point, and that had been the cycle.
Unfortunately, the executive officer in charge of this Soul Fragment Management had been Kido, which had allowed him to get away with his own crimes—as well as his plan of decimating the Midas Empire.
Still, all of that was in the past, and Kuzon was now being told about the future.
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"I see now..."
Kuzon was on his throne, his parents and all his subjects were standing in front of him, watching him expectantly.
Everything had just been revealed to him, and while it felt a bit overwhelming, Kuzon now had the resolve to accept it.
Apparently, all the Soul Fragments in the Emperor's Domain, alongside the very structure itself, now belonged to him.
With him being the last of the Midas, everything was going to be condensed into pure Aether and bestowed upon him—all for him to use as he pleased.
"You are now the one true Emperor. You are the hope of our race. Therefore, it is up to you to create a new Empire—a better one. Become the first progenitor once again, and shine the light of the Midas people on the new world."
Now burdened with a new purpose, one which he now had the power to achieve, Kuzon couldn't reject this destiny.
All the Aether he needed was right with him—and he was no longer alone in the world.
"Thank you all for guiding me." was all he could say.
His tears had long dried up, and a smile was the only thing left on his face.
As his golden hair danced, and his golden eyes glimmered, he made a firm resolve in his heart... to fulfil the promise he made to his people.
"I will create a new Empire—one that will last longer than the old, and one that will lead this new world into a new age of prosperity and order."
He had the knowledge of the Midas Race—the culmination of their millennia of research.
"The treasures and Arcanas were fused with you and this world the moment you amalgamated yourself with them using the Transfiguration effect." He was told.
And as such, not only did he have both [The Emperor] and [The Empress], but he still possessed his bracelet and necklace, while still resonating with his ring.
"All hail the Absolute Emperor, Kuzon!" His father gave a rousing shout, smiling at his son.
In that same moment, every single Midas before Kuzon bowed.
"Hail! Hail! Hail!"
Kuzon could feel something warm rise from within him, watching as his people crowned him the successor of the Midas throne.
"Long live the Absolute Emperor. Long live Kuzon Midas!"
The legacy of the entire Midas Race... was now his to bear.
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The integration process came after his coronation.
One after the other, the Soul Fragments of the people turned into golden lights—manifesting as pure Aether.
Even the millions he could not see before—representing the past Midas—came into view. Some fragments were much bigger than others, and others glowed brighter.
They all converged in a single location, forming a huge sphere that finally condensed in size until it became as large as a small ball. This small ball floated towards Kuzon, embedding itself into the boy's body.
>SHIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!<
That very instant, golden light radiated across the throneroom, with Kuzon at the very center of the attraction.
Suddenly, the entire Golden Palace began to get sucked into Kuzon as well. The golden light absorbed everything, and the entirety of the Realm went into the seated boy.
Finally, nothing was left except for the boy... and his throne.
And then—
"It's finally time..."
—Even his throne followed suit.
Now all alone in a blank void, Kuzon could feel himself brimming with the heritage he received from everyone—the joint power of the Midas.
In this empty space where time and space were irrelevant, he had to digest all the power he had just received. They were all a part of him now.
"When I'm done, I'll leave this plane through my ring, which is still resonating with me."
It was a good thing he gave Ana his ring. It served as a tether to reality, hence making everything much easier than it would have otherwise been.
Time and Space didn't matter here, but Kuzon knew reality went by those rules. Once he reached the entry point and sought to return, he would have to be guided by the will of the world—by Aether herself.
"When I'm ready, lead me to the path I must take..." He whispered, closing his eyes in the blank void.
"... I will not fail."