The Throne That Watches Back
The laughter didn't last long.
It lingered on Victor's lips for a moment—sharp, almost disbelieving—before fading into something quieter. Something heavier.
Power coursed through his body, yes.
But power didn't erase reality.
He exhaled slowly, flexing his fingers as if testing the strength that now lived inside them.
"…Alright," he murmured, voice low and steady. "Let's see what kind of world I've actually landed in."
His gaze sharpened.
The system hadn't finished.
Not even close.
This world classifies cultivation levels into 4 major realms and 10 grades.
Victor leaned back slightly, letting the information settle into his mind. It didn't feel like learning—it felt like remembering something he had always known.
Strange.
Familiar.
Dangerous.
Mortal Awakening Realm: Low Mana Initiate, Mid Mana Initiate, High Mana Initiate
Origin Mana Realm: True Mana, Astral Mana, Sovereign Mana
Ascendant Mana Realm: Master Level, Grandmaster Level, Mana Lord
Skybreaker Realm: Low Immortal
Victor clicked his tongue softly.
"…Straightforward," he muttered. "Simple ladder. Climb it… or die trying."
Among them, martial artists of the Mortal Awakening Realm are the mainstream in this world, making up 99%.
He nodded faintly.
"Cannon fodder," he said bluntly. "Most people live here… and most people die here."
Martial artists of the Origin Mana Realm can already be considered powerful and capable of dominating a region. They are generally the sect leaders or elder-level figures of various factions.
Victor's eyes flickered.
"…So I just skipped the entire crowd and jumped straight into the 'don't mess with him' category."
If placed within the imperial court, they would be generals capable of leading tens of thousands of soldiers.
"…That's useful."
A faint smirk touched his lips.
Martial artists of the Ascendant Mana Realm are the top powerhouses of this world. A single individual can take on an army of thousands, even an entire enemy nation.
Victor let out a quiet whistle.
"…Yeah. That's the kind of nonsense power scaling I expected."
As for the powerhouses of the Skybreaker Realm, they are legends that are admired from afar but remain unattainable.
"…Living myths," he murmured. "The kind you don't fight… unless you're suicidal."
So it can be said that Victor Salvatore is now considered a strong figure.
He didn't deny it.
Didn't downplay it.
But he also didn't get carried away.
Because strength… without control… was just another way to die.
Although he doesn't possess any legendary martial arts skills and seems a bit inferior compared to other Origin Mana Realm powerhouses, he can easily take down martial artists of the Mortal Awakening Realm in a matter of seconds.
Victor rolled his shoulder slightly, feeling the subtle flow of energy beneath his skin.
"…Raw power," he said quietly. "No technique… no refinement."
He clenched his fist again.
"…But it's enough for now."
He is not without the means to fight back when faced with danger.
And in this world—
That alone meant survival.
(Ding! The player's strength has now synchronized with national power! Even if the national power declines, the player's strength will never regress. Please continue to work hard!)
Victor blinked once.
Then let out a slow breath.
"…That," he said softly, "is exactly what I needed to hear."
This is very good! Victor nodded in satisfaction.
Victor's shoulders relaxed slightly.
"What I feared most…" he murmured, eyes lowering for a brief second, "was losing everything just as quickly as I gained it."
But now—
There was no leash tied to his throat.
No ticking clock dragging him backward.
No invisible hand threatening to strip his strength away.
"…Good," he said, a faint edge entering his voice. "Now I can play this game properly."
Then—
Something shifted.
A massive 3D model materialized in Victor's mind.
Not vaguely.
Not abstractly.
It was clear.
Terrifyingly clear.
It was the 3D model of the country he resided in, where everything from the heavens and the earth to the human world was visible in crystal clear detail.
Victor's pupils contracted slightly.
"…Whoa…"
Mountains stretched like ancient spines across the land.
Rivers coiled like silver serpents.
Cities flickered with life—tiny, detailed, alive.
Smoke curled from rooftops.
People moved.
Lived.
Struggled.
If necessary, he could zoom in for a closer look, with every facial feature of individuals rendered in exquisite detail.
Victor focused.
The world responded.
The image expanded.
A street.
A child running.
A merchant arguing.
A guard yawning lazily at a gate.
"…This is insane," he whispered.
Below the sandbox, there was a section of detailed information.
His eyes shifted downward instinctively.
Dynasty Builder System (Beginner Level)
Territorial Area: 320,000 square miles (Arable land: 80,000 square miles)
Domestic Resources: 30.5 million taels (1 iron mine, 1 coal mine, 1 copper mine)
Population: 3.22 million (Wealthy people 1%, Common people 18%, Poor people 71%)
Military Strength: 300,000 (2 Origin Mana-level experts, 200 martial artists)
Comprehensive National Power: 345 (small kingdom level)
(Note: Since the player's country is at the small kingdom level, the Dynasty Builder System is in Beginner Level form, and the player can only mobilize underground resources! As the country level increases, the capabilities of the system will gradually be unlocked!)
Victor stared at the numbers in silence.
Long enough for the excitement to fade.
Long enough for reality to settle in.
"…Seventy-one percent poor," he said quietly.
His expression dimmed.
"…That's not a kingdom."
"That's a ticking bomb."
Victor exclaimed in amazement, This feature is amazing, it allows me to monitor the entire nation! Without leaving the imperial palace, I can know everything that's happening in the world!
Victor let out a soft breath.
"…Yeah," he murmured. "Omniscience-lite."
But even as he said it—
His eyes narrowed.
"…Which also means…"
"…There's nowhere to hide."
Not for enemies.
Not for allies.
Not even for himself.
Lost in thought, he pondered how to utilize this cheat to rapidly increase his own power.
Gold.
Resources.
Population.
Military.
Every number was a lever.
Every lever could shift fate.
But pull the wrong one—
And everything collapses.
"…First," he muttered, gaze sharpening, "stability."
"Then growth."
"Then domination."
Simple.
Clean.
Deadly.
At that moment—
Soft footsteps approached.
Light.
Measured.
Graceful.
The air itself seemed to change with their presence.
Then—
The doors opened.
A woman stepped inside.
And for a brief second—
Even Victor's thoughts paused.
She was… striking.
Long, wavy purple hair flowed down her back like silk touched by moonlight. Her deep purple eyes held a quiet intensity, sharp yet gentle, watching everything without missing a single detail.
Her figure—
Mature.
Balanced.
Every curve carried with effortless confidence. A narrow waist, full chest, smooth lines leading into long, toned legs. Strength hidden beneath elegance.
And the outfit—
A refined yet undeniably alluring French maid uniform, tailored perfectly to her body, accentuating rather than hiding.
But what truly stood out—
Was not her beauty.
It was her presence.
Steady.
Loyal.
Dangerous.
She stepped closer, lowering her gaze slightly.
"Your Majesty," Aria said softly, her voice smooth like velvet, yet carrying discipline beneath it, "it's time to prepare for the morning court session."
Victor looked at her for a moment.
Longer than necessary.
"…Right," he said quietly.
Then, almost unconsciously—
"…You stayed."
Aria blinked once.
Then her lips curved ever so slightly.
"I always will," she replied.
No hesitation.
No performance.
Just truth.
This woman—
Aria—
Was no ordinary maid.
She was an Origin Mana Realm True Mana-level expert.
A blade hidden in silk.
A guardian left behind by his so-called father.
And perhaps—
The only one in this palace who would truly stand between him and death.
"Very well," Victor said, rising to his feet.
The movement was smooth.
Controlled.
Different from before.
"…Let's see how bad this situation really is."
Aria stepped forward, assisting him with quiet precision.
Robes draped over his body—layer by layer—each thread woven with authority.
Black and gold.
Elegant.
Dominant.
His black hair fell naturally around his face, framing sharp features that carried both youth and command. And those unusual purple eyes—
They didn't belong to a weak ruler.
They belonged to someone who would either reshape the world—
Or burn with it.
Moments later—
The palace gates opened.
The court hall stretched wide and grand, pillars rising like ancient guardians, silence hanging heavy in the air.
Rows of officials stood in formation.
Waiting.
Watching.
Calculating.
Victor walked forward.
Each step echoed.
Measured.
Unhurried.
He ascended the throne.
Turned.
Sat.
And in that moment—
The room shifted.
"Greetings to Your Majesty, long live the Emperor, long live, long live forever and ever!"
The voices rang out in unison.
Loud.
Respectful.
Empty.
"My loyal subjects," Victor said calmly, his voice steady, carrying across the hall without effort, "raise your heads."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
They obeyed.
But their eyes—
Their eyes told a different story.
Victor saw it clearly.
Ambition.
Disdain.
Calculation.
"…Yeah," he thought quietly, watching them, "this place is full of wolves."
But not all.
Two figures stood out.
At the front—
Alina.
Long wavy black hair cascading over her shoulders, deep purple-red eyes calm yet piercing. Her presence was composed, dignified—yet beneath it, strength coiled like a sleeping storm.
And beside her—
Vidona.
Brown hair flowing freely, sharp green eyes scanning everything like a battlefield. Her posture was firm, unyielding, carrying the aura of a general who had seen blood and didn't flinch from more.
Both women—
Mature.
Refined.
Powerful.
And unlike the others—
Their gazes held no deceit.
Only relief.
Only loyalty.
"If there are matters to report, speak now; if not, the court is dismissed!" Aria announced.
Silence lasted—
A heartbeat.
Then—
"Your Majesty," the Minister of Rites stepped forward, bowing slightly, "this minister has a report. Envoys from the Walker Kingdom have come to seek an audience!"
The air changed instantly.
Tension tightened.
Eyes flickered.
Breaths slowed.
Victor didn't move immediately.
He just sat there.
Watching.
Thinking.
Walker Kingdom…
Stronger.
Closer.
Hungry.
"…Of course they came now," he thought.
"Right when I'm weakest."
Then—
He smiled.
Not warmly.
Not coldly.
Just enough.
"Announce his entry!"