Earth's Greatest Magus
chapter-1984

With Emery's current spirit-reading ability, he possessed the capability to take control of each of the magus one by one, akin to how he influenced Hecate. The main pillars of the six kingdoms wouldn't even realize that they were under Emery's control, and they would unwittingly agree to unite the entire seven kingdoms under Alvanic rule. However, Emery foresaw that in a scenario where he left and never returned, such influence would only last a few hundred years before a new magus assumed leadership.

To address this, Emery invested time in engaging with these opposing forces, illustrating the benefits of unity and cooperation. He aimed to foster a sense of common purpose among the magus, showing them the potential rewards of a united front.

Having delved into the 2000-year history of each kingdom, Emery discerned that the roots of their problems were surprisingly straightforward – food scarcity. The limited quantity and variety of satisfying sustenance led to social inequality, creating disparities in status and sparking conflicts and wars between the kingdoms. Armed with this understanding, Emery sought to address the fundamental issue at the heart of their divisions and offer a path toward a more harmonious future for the subterranean realms.

Emery forcefully summoned all the authoritative figures from the seven kingdoms and orchestrated a grand feast, presenting an array of delicacies – meats, fruits, vegetables, and even spices that were entirely novel to them. These simple yet luxurious ingredients proved more effective in swaying their hearts than intimidation or fear. Emery addressed them with a promise that resonated deeply:

"There is much more available, and I plan to make it accessible in great abundance for all."

Recognizing that giving these resources away for free could lead to new social problems, Emery devised a straightforward agreement. Alvanic kingdom would lead as the main producers of these delicacies, and the other six kingdoms could trade these newfound products with the specialties of their respective regions.

Emery carefully selected the natural resources he found to be valuable in the magus universe and proposed a reasonable trade ratio, ensuring that the people of each kingdom could enjoy the benefits of this newfound cooperation.

To foster ongoing collaboration, a consul system was established, with Alvanic taking the lead. This diplomatic approach aimed not only to address the root cause of their divisions but also to build a foundation for sustained unity among the subterranean realms.

With these carefully orchestrated arrangements, the Alvanic kingdom was poised to take responsibility for the well-being of all six realms, positioning itself as the de facto leader. Emery had essentially handed them the key to a prolonged and prosperous rule, absolving himself of any guilt should they falter in their newfound responsibilities.

The entire preparation process spanned over two weeks, during which Emery had spent a total of a month in this subterranean world. The dark orb, a crucial item for his objectives, was now ready to be claimed. Additionally, Emery had managed to amass a substantial amount of resources from the six kingdoms, ensuring a significant profit of tens of millions of spirit stones.

However, the more time Emery spent with these people, the more he felt a growing sense of responsibility for their fate. Despite all he could provide for them, it became apparent that he hailed from the outside world. As a result, an increasing number of individuals began to inquire and, in some cases, express a fervent desire to leave the subterranean realms and explore the world beyond.

Witnessing Emery's internal struggle, Morgana voiced her concerns, "Why do you even care? We have so many things going on with our own sets of problems"

Emery replied casually, "Morgana, don't you think their situation is similar to the fey? Being secluded from the outside world..."

The comparison drew a parallel between the subterranean people and the fey, both isolated from the wider world. The unspoken implication lingered, reminding them of the past when Emery had extended his help to the fey. If he hadn't cared enough, Morgana and the fey might still be confined within the forest or facing worse circumstances. The unspoken example was more than enough for Morgana to ask any more questions.

With this commitment, Emery invested additional weeks in his quest to find a solution for the people of the subterranean realm. During this time, he made a groundbreaking discovery related to their genetic makeup.

Having spent a thousand years in this subterranean realm, a subtle transformation had occurred in their genes, endowing them with heightened senses and enhanced power within the encompassing darkness. Delving deeper into his observations, Emery discerned a fascinating correlation: nearly all individuals displaying talent in manipulating spirit energy exhibited a notable proficiency in harnessing the power of darkness.

This revelation sparked an idea in Emery's mind. Not only could these people serve to strengthen his own power, but he believed that with enough research, their unique genetic makeup could hold the key to unlocking proficiency in darkness. Armed with this newfound understanding, Emery devoted time to nurturing them, enhancing their power through apothecary practices, and imparting techniques tailored to their unique abilities.

After another month immersed in his efforts, Morgana approached him once more, this time bearing a message from Klea. "Does she find the way to solve the formation?" Emery inquired, hopeful for progress.

Morgana shook her head, signaling a lack of breakthrough. However, her message took an unexpected turn. "She was asking why you have not returned yet," Morgana conveyed, introducing an element of curiosity and concern into the conversation.

Emery fell into a reflective silence, acknowledging that he had indeed spent an extended period in this subterranean realm. In the midst of his contemplation, Morgana delivered the second part of the message from Klea, "She said you are being stupid. Her exact words were, if you don't want to give up on them yet, you could just leave one of the guardians behind."

"...."

Emery's laughter reverberated through the cavern, a blend of amusement and acknowledgment of the seemingly straightforward solution.

The simplicity of Klea's suggestion didn't negate the fact that creating the required formation still demanded a substantial investment of spirit stones, akin to the intricate structure he had forged in Terra Castle four years prior. However, the potential benefits and justifiability of such expenditure were apparent.

The prospect of leaving one of the guardians behind offered a practical compromise, enabling Emery or Morgana to personally traverse the spatial gate, ensuring the continuation of exchange and interaction with the subterranean people.

Relieved by this solution, Emery turned to Morgana and said, "Alright, let's prepare to go home."