The events that occurred inside the Secret Realm spread far and wide in just a few days. The heavy shaking and the destruction of that treasure trove. Many blamed Arthur, who stopped them from entering the main room and get their hands on the best treasures.

Although they didn't know his name, it wasn't that easy to refer to him by a title. His brutality and Dark Magic are unique thus he was named 'The Dark Butcher'.

The Holy Academy was furious upon hearing the news regarding their top disciple. The death of the Sacred Priest would greatly hinder their progress in Green-Leaf and drop their status. They won't be able to complete with the other powers in the future.

The Holy Dominion lost an Overgod, a half-Overgod, and more than ten God Monarchs. It's the one that suffered the most from this, the loss of a Cardinal is no small matter.

Hence, a bounty was put up on Arthur's head. The Holy Echelon was the one who publicized it to increase the range of their hunting area. They don't have enough manpower to search every nook and cranny but if every cultivator is helping them, it'll be much easier, or so they thought.

Whoever captures Arthur alive or brings his head, they'll get 300,000 Top quality Red Spirit Stones. It's a humongous sum which will allow any person to live lavishly and buy whatever he or she wants.

***

Inside the office of the Crown Prince, Wrath, who just barged in, was momentarily surprised by the presence of a guest. He glanced at calm blond youth then at the 'visitor'. She wore a tight black robe and was busy reading some documents, forgetting to even greet him.

This person was none other than Taliya, the head maid of the Demon Royal Family of Astria. Many things happened behind the scene so they ended up cooperating together.

Despite the great difference between their status, Isadore insisted that she speaks casually as they're considered allies now. The dark-haired middle-aged man sat on his personal sofa while gazing at the silver-haired woman.

She bore a striking resemblance to Lucy but this one didn't emit any specter scent which intrigued him.

"E-emm Your Highness… who's this?"

Only when Wrath talked did Taliya notice his presence. She hastily got up and performed a ninety-degree bow toward one of the seven sins while saying

"I am Taliya, a demon."

She gave a rather short and unsatisfying introduction but since she was the prince's guest, he could only nod his head. She was weak so he wasn't afraid that she'll try anything.

Just as Isadore was about to talk, someone hastily knocked on the door a few times before barging in. This person was like a ball of fat, his running made him look like a rolling ball.

This man had a flushed face and was sweating profusely from the excessive running. He took deep breaths before saying

"Prime Minister! His Majesty has welcomed an envoy from the Holy Dominion. They're about to meet in a few minutes."

This fat man was the Minister of Finance and Isadore's most trusted friend and subordinate.

The Crown Prince unconsciously tapped his index on the table while deeply pondering about what to do. He looked at the Prime Minister, who was named Christopher, and said

"What of Dan? Did he return?"

Christopher shook his head while displaying a worried expression:

"Not yet."

The King of Green-Leaf wasn't a man that easily accepts defeat. Isadore never expected his father to let the Holy Dominion enter the capital so easily.

'Is the Holy Dominion truly so infuriated that it dares to pressure us?'

He couldn't help but try to think of a reason his father would raise his hand in defeat so soon.

Taliya, who just heard that, became slightly afraid, after all, she's a demon. Although she's a mortal Demon, it doesn't mean that she'll be spared if they find her.

"Who's leading the envoy?"

Christopher fidgeted for a few seconds before answering

"I-it's Bishop Karth."

"What? That necrophilia-loving fogey?"

It was Wrath who talked, from the ugly expression on his face, it was apparent that he didn't have a favorable opinion of Bishop Karth.

****

Ten minutes later, Isadore, Wrath, Christopher were seated around a table in the Royal Hall. A few more individuals were also present, such as the King, his adviser, and two white-robbed men.

One of them had a bald head and a somewhat long white and unkempt beard. The other seemed to be in his fifties with a large build and a bronze skin.

This was supposed to be a private meeting between the King and the Envoy yet Isadore barged in uninvited.

"Your Majesty, we've come here seeking help from your great kingdom."

The old man, Karth, talked with a respectful tone but Isadore didn't miss his confident tone as if the former knew his request would be accepted.

Only after a minute did the Crown Prince get the answer for his questions and confusion.

'Your Highness, that's not the King!'

Shaken by the revelation, Isadore glanced at the King but could see no visible difference. He was but a mortal so he didn't have the Godly Sense or special eyes. However, if Wrath said it then it must be the truth.

'To be more precise, it's the body of the King but his soul is gone. Basically, he's just a puppet.'

Isadore tightly clenched his hidden fists, barely able to contain his anger. After taking deep breaths, his gaze returned to normal. Not once did he talk or voice out his opinion, he let things proceed as planned by the Bishop.

'It's not the time to act rashly. Yes, slowly, I'll get rid of them all in one swoop.'

********

One of the Overgods guarding the Royal Family was now roaming Astria's skies. He appeared to be a youngster wearing an old straw hat. At some point, Dan even forgot to chew on the piece of dried meat that he was holding. In fact, he didn't even notice that it fell from his hand.

His gaze was fixated on a motionless army of undead. Whether it was their uncountable number or the death energy accumulated in the air, it truly frightened him.

They covered the land, the sea, and the sky. Dan only glanced one or two times yet he spotted thousands of Bone Dragons and that's while excluding all the other formidable undead.

Furthermore, he could feel even more undead East of Astria, they seemed to have spread to all corners of this world. He appeared above the destroyed Itas Continent only to witness an immense tree that was being burned by a malicious fire.

He waved his hand, causing the ominous fire to stop spreading to the top of the tree. His cultivation was more than enough to completely stop it but he was surprisingly unable to extinguish it.

'World Tree? But it's too small to be one… I should investigate more.'

*************

Half a day after Arthur 'left' Lucy's side, the butler and the two sisters finally left Green-Leaf. They took a Spatial Portal which took them to a High Realm called 'Bard Realm'. Directly traveling to the Divine Planet isn't possible. Any person needs to travel to a world close to the planet then continue their journey by 'foot'.

Meaning, they'll leave the Bard Realm and fly toward the Divine Planet. They need to cross a slightly dangerous area that envelops the Divine Planet but it's purposely put there so that not anyone can enter this place.

Of course, many sects and clans may have set-up secret Spatial Tunnels and portals but they're usually instable and can malfunction thus leading every person who takes it to a random place.

The butler glanced at Lucy's waist then said

"Did he gift it to you? I don't think you two are compatible."

The old man was referring to an ominous black sheath that was hanging on Lucy's waist. It made both the butler and Angelina comfortable, it's as if the blade will act on its own and suddenly attack them.

Lucy chose to ignore the old man, her hand was resting on the dark blade, which showed no signs of resistance. Lucy was connected to Arthur through a Soul Bond and the dark blade was sentient enough to know that Lucy is close to Arthur and that she should be protected no matter the cost.

The 65th Ranked High Realm, the Bard Realm was a peaceful world ruled by an Intellectual race called the Vrath. As the name of the realm suggests, the Vrath are Bards hence their love for poems, music, and songs. They aren't as powerful as other races but they're always united and very rarely fight among themselves.

They aren't hostile toward visitors hence their popularity in the Cloud Sea Universe. If one had enough Spirit Stones, they could live a fulfilling and comfortable life in the Bard Realm.

There's also another reason that this world is rather popular and it's because of the small distance separating it from the Divine Planet…