In the silent hall, heavy with the suffocating presence of royal authority, the messenger who brought the news stood before the king. The king's face was carved with anger, his cold eyes staring at the messenger with not a shred of mercy.
Slowly, the oppressive aura and the burning anger faded. The king spoke, his voice calm yet edged with a glacial sharpness that could kill:
"What did you just say?"
The messenger trembled, struggling to control his nerves as he answered:
"The prince… of the noblest bloodline – the Earth Bloodline – has fallen. This prince is considered your brother by blood, Your Majesty."
The king closed his eyes and let out a long, heavy sigh, his voice carrying deep sorrow:
"No… he is not merely a brother by bloodline. He is my brother."
His gaze rose toward the ceiling, as if reaching into old memories.
"The days and hardships tore us apart, and in the end… we never met again, my brother. I do not know if I too will fall to the same race that killed you… or if fate has something different prepared for me."
Then the king turned back to the messenger, his tone now calm but unyielding:
"What is the situation in the lower regions?"
The messenger answered with firm sorrow:
*"The situation grows dire for the lower bloodlines and races, my King. Since the reconnection between Cerys and Earth, and the contact between their humans, the balance of power has shifted.
The lower bloodlines once oppressed humanity. But now—with the alliance between Cerys-humans and Earth-humans, and the emergence of new, powerful technologies apparently developed by mankind—they have become stronger. They have launched a counter-offensive, and now they are subjugating the lower bloodlines. Soon, they will dominate the lower regions, and then their advance will reach the middle regions."
The Yeti King let out a long breath.
"So… the time has come. Things will only grow harder from this point on."
The messenger, who was now clearly revealed to be the king's advisor, spoke with resolute seriousness:
"Indeed, my King. This is the new era—the Era of Ascension—where bloodlines and races must fight and evolve to become the one supreme bloodline: the strongest, most advanced, the singular bloodline that stands above all others in the universe.
Whoever reaches the deepest core of Cerys, the place overflowing with secrets, will unite all bloodlines under their banner and lead them against the multiversal empires that covet our world."
The Yeti King allowed himself a faint, bitter smile.
"I still do not know whether I should thank the Egyptians for protecting this world in the past, giving us the chance to defend ourselves… or hate them for erecting the barriers that prevented us from killing humans or returning to our birthplace—Earth."
Longing glimmered in his eyes as he added:
"And now, my brother is dead at the hands of humans… This vengeance will be… interesting."
He turned to his advisor.
"Now that the Era of Ascension and Evolution has begun… all bloodlines must be placed on high alert. Prepare for war."
The king asked further:
"What of the other races and bloodlines? What are their plans for the lower regions?"
The advisor answered in careful detail, leaving nothing unsaid:
"The middle bloodlines have ceased caring about the lower ones. They are preparing for the moment humanity reaches their lands, readying themselves for war.
Because of this, the lower bloodlines sent cries for aid to the higher bloodlines. The higher bloodlines were enraged and sent us direct orders to assist the lower bloodlines."
The Yeti King let out a low, mocking laugh.
"Do the higher bloodlines think us fools? They want us to drain our strength fighting alongside the lower bloodlines, wasting our power on humans, while they sit back, unchallenged, and focus on fighting the superior bloodlines.
Even the superior bloodlines are fighting amongst themselves, each trying to claim the single step they need to evolve into the one, the singular and unmatched bloodline.
The higher bloodlines are simply using this chaos to keep us busy, so they can launch a surprise attack against the superior bloodlines and secure their own ascension.
But we are not so easily manipulated. The middle bloodlines will not dance to their tune."*
The advisor hesitated, then said:
"Perhaps… but the temptation of becoming the singular bloodline is enough to stir the hearts of many. This is not only about leading all bloodlines—lower, middle, higher, and even superior—but about gaining the very blessing and fortune of Cerys itself."
The Yeti King's voice turned firm, confident:
"I understand that well. Cerys itself decides which bloodline becomes singular and unmatched. It is not merely strength or intelligence that determines ascension—there are deeper trials, hidden conditions, that choose who is worthy to evolve."
The advisor then asked:
"Then what do we do with the higher bloodlines' orders? Shall we obey, or ignore them?"
The Yeti King's answer was cold and absolute:
*"Ignore them? Impossible. We are far weaker than the higher bloodlines—the difference between us is like the difference between earth and sky.
And the barriers that divide our regions are not nearly as strong as the barrier of the lower regions, the one the Egyptians themselves empowered to protect mankind.
So we shall aid the lower bloodlines—but only with resources and technology."*
The advisor bowed slightly.
"As you command, my King."
The king nodded with finality.
"See it done. Now… what was the second piece of news you carry?"
The advisor straightened.
"My King, the second news is that the middle bloodlines have convened a council and summoned us to attend—under the leadership of the Dragon Bloodline."
The king's expression turned thoughtful.
"So the council is finally convened… The last time was a hundred years ago. I wonder what schemes the Dragons are planning this time."
The advisor replied cautiously:
"I do not think this is merely about the higher bloodlines' orders or the dawn of the Era of Ascension. It seems another nearby ice-bloodline seeks to target us—and claim the relic we recently discovered."
The Yeti King's eyes gleamed with arrogance and fury.
"Is that so? Then it seems the Dragons have forgotten who we are. We are the Yeti Bloodline. I will enjoy seeing how they plan to deal with us."
He rose from his throne slowly, each step echoing with quiet menace.
"Come then… let us attend this most entertaining gathering."
His advisor bowed deeply and hurried to prepare the royal procession for the journey to the council.
---
In a grand, magnificent hall, the rulers and chieftains of all middle bloodlines gathered for this event that had not taken place in a full century. They came from every corner of the middle regions, their eyes fixed on the fate that would soon be decided—
Who would ascend, and who would fall… banished to the ranks of the lower bloodlines.
Next Stop: The Council of Middle Bloodlines – and the Coming Conflicts.
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"If you liked the chapter, please let me know, and don't forget to support the novel because I truly work hard on it. What do you think about the world of Series? How are the fights and battles? What were your expectations for this world? Also, the artificial intelligence writes the name of the world 'Series' differently every time. So, which version of the name do you prefer, and which one should we use from now on?"