Chapter 1365 What's Next

Meanwhile, on the distant rooftop, Michael's consciousness had returned beside Jester. Although his condition was still terrible, he was no longer in immediate danger of dissipating. He glanced toward Lily and Timi in the distance before turning his attention back to Jester.

"So, what next?"

Jester smiled.

"Naturally, Master, you must begin strengthening your influence over this world."

Michael nodded. He had already expected that answer.

Jester looked toward the sky.

"Although the situation appears to be a four-way struggle, the balance of power hasn't changed as much as it seems."

"Yū Meng might have lost half of her influence, but the foundation she established remains intact. Compared to her, Master has only just obtained a connection to this realm."

Michael considered his words. In other words, although he technically possessed fifteen percent of the influence over Earth, his position wasn't nearly as secure as that number suggested. The other three had already spent considerable time corrupting the realm's will and reinforcing their connections to it.

Michael had done neither.

"So it's still practically a three-way balance."

"That's correct."

"…"

Michael fell into thought. A moment later, he asked another question.

"Is there a way to increase my influence without destroying the world or spreading faith?"

He continued.

"From what I understand, the Demon Sin of Pride is using Hell's invasion to corrupt Earth's realm will. The other two have been establishing their influence through faith."

"Obviously, I'm not interested in destroying Earth."

That would be ridiculous. Even putting aside the fact that Earth was his former home, he had no reason to destroy a world whose Origin Energy he hoped to obtain in the future.

As for spreading faith…

Michael wasn't particularly enthusiastic about that either. It wasn't that he couldn't do it. With the resources at his disposal, establishing a faith wouldn't necessarily be difficult.

However, it seemed like too much work, and more importantly, it wasn't quite sincere to him.

If people eventually worshiped him as a legend, Michael certainly wouldn't complain. In fact, he'd love that. But deliberately manufacturing such worship was another matter.

In that regard, he had to admit that he still had much to learn from those old geezers who sought nothing but power.

"Isn't there another way?"

Jester chuckled at the question. He understood his master's personality well enough that Michael didn't need to explain further.

"Fortunately, Master, we already possess a rather strong foundation elsewhere."

Michael raised an eyebrow.

"Your empire."

The undead smiled.

"Master, weren't you recently concerned about the increasing number of Awakeners within your empire?"

Michael nodded slowly.

That was indeed something he had been considering. Although the Origin Battlefield provided opportunities for migration and development, managing the growing number of Awakeners remained troublesome.

All were still teenagers who needed time to adapt to their new reality while gaining the experience necessary for faster advancement.

Jester went on.

"Why not use them here?"

He gestured toward the ruined city below.

"Your Awakeners already have obligations within the Origin Battlefield. However, fulfilling those obligations doesn't require all their time."

"After completing their required quotas, they could spend at least half of their remaining available time operating within this world."

"They could gradually remove the influence established by the other three."

"The people of this world are currently struggling to survive. What they need most isn't another 'demon.' Neither the Demon Sin of Pride nor the angel has good intentions toward this world."

"They need someone capable of actually helping them."

"If the empire continuously assists Earth's inhabitants, they'll naturally begin regarding it as their savior."

"And who rules that empire?"

Jester chuckled.

"You, Master."

He continued.

"The Awakeners might be the ones personally fighting the demons and protecting the settlements, but the organization supporting them would be your empire."

"As the emperor, the gratitude and recognition directed toward your empire would also strengthen your own influence."

Michael fell silent and considered the proposal.

This was indeed a possibility.

Unlike spreading a faith, he only needed to provide genuine assistance. As Earth's inhabitants gradually came to recognize the empire as their benefactor, their collective perception would begin affecting the realm's will.

After all, the fate of a world wasn't completely separate from the lives of its inhabitants.

And if those inhabitants increasingly associated their survival and development with Michael's empire, his connection to Earth's realm will would naturally deepen.

The arrangement also offered practical advantages. His Awakeners would gain more opportunities to develop their abilities, while the empire could establish a presence in another world.

Both sides stood to benefit.

"Interesting."

Jester acknowledged his reaction with a nod.

"Of course, Master, this doesn't mean you'll necessarily defeat the other three."

"Particularly the Demon Sin of Pride and the angel. Their foundations are already considerable, and removing their influence won't be easy."

"However, Yū Meng is different."

"Although she has established some influence, she doesn't possess the same resources available to you or the other two."

Jester's green eyes flickered.

"Furthermore, she's already lost half of her original influence."

Michael could see what the undead was suggesting. With sufficient effort, he might not be able to defeat all three opponents, but surpassing Yū Meng was another matter entirely.

A faint smile appeared on his face.

For a moment, Michael wondered whether Yū Meng had possessed Jester. The undead was speaking so positively that it almost seemed suspicious.

Not that Michael would mind such a change, but knowing Jester's calculating personality, he couldn't help feeling wary.

As expected, everything was part of the undead's calculations.

Michael shook his head with a wary smile.

"Still, wouldn't doing this drive Yū Meng mad?"

The woman had already lost half of her influence over Earth to him. If he went ahead with Jester's suggestion and began dismantling what remained of her foundation, Michael could only imagine how furious she would become.

How unfortunate.

Michael almost felt sorry for her.

Almost.

Jester merely smiled at the question, offering no further comment.

Michael dismissed the thought. There was no point dwelling on it.

Regardless of how Yū Meng felt, he had no intention of voluntarily surrendering the opportunity he had obtained.

Besides, she had targeted Earth long before he became involved.

If anything, she should have been prepared for the possibility of encountering competitors.