Chapter 256: Progenitor of Faction

[: 3rd POV :]

The moment the title descended upon Daniel, the Universe itself acknowledged that a new origin had been born.

Not merely the founder of a faction or its leader, but the first, the beginning, the irreplaceable source from which the entirety of Vahl’Zareth would forever originate.

Unlike every other faction throughout history that had been established by gathering followers, kingdoms, races, or civilizations, Vahl’Zareth possessed only one true origin.

Daniel Valenhardt.

There would never be a second Progenitor.

There would never be another first.

The position itself could never be inherited, stolen, copied, replaced, or recreated.

The moment another existence attempted to imitate the title, the Universe itself would reject them.

Because there was only one beginning.

And Daniel was that beginning.

[: Progenitor of Vahl’Zareth :]

- You are the sole Progenitor of Vahl’Zareth. There exists no predecessor before you, and there shall never exist a successor after you.

- You are not merely the founder of Vahl’Zareth. You are its Origin, Core and Beginning. The history, destiny, future, and existence of Vahl’Zareth all originate from your existence alone.

- Every being accepted into Vahl’Zareth shall, through your permission alone, receive a Fragment of the Progenitor’s Origin. However, they shall not simply inherit your bloodline. The moment they become part of Vahl’Zareth, their very existence shall undergo complete reconstruction. Everything shall be rewritten through the Origin of Vahl’Zareth.

- Rather than becoming copies of the Progenitor, every member shall awaken a unique Vahl’Zareth Evolution suited only to themselves. No two members shall ever possess identical powers.

- The greater one’s talent, loyalty, achievements, comprehension, and potential, the greater the Fragment they may inherit.

- Every existence that willingly joins Vahl’Zareth shall become permanently connected to the Progenitor’s Origin.

As long as this bond exists, betrayal shall become impossible.

- The members of Vahl’Zareth shall never possess a fixed limit. Everything shall continuously evolve throughout their lives.

All shall permanently strengthen their Origin.

- Every authority comprehended by the Progenitor may naturally resonate throughout the entirety of Vahl’Zareth.

Although members cannot directly wield Daniel’s authorities, they may gradually awaken lesser Authorities born from his Origin.

- As the Progenitor has been personally acknowledged and favored by the Will of the Universe, the name Vahl’Zareth has become an existence protected by the Universe itself.

- No being beneath the Progenitor’s Authority may observe, analyze, inspect, divine, predict, calculate, rewrite, or interfere with his Origin.

Daniel quietly stared at the series of announcements floating before his eyes.

One after another, the words slowly faded, yet the meaning behind them continued to linger within his mind.

A faint smile gradually appeared across his face.

"So... this is what it means to become the Progenitor."

His golden eyes reflected countless thoughts as he carefully analyzed every effect that had been bestowed upon him.

"This is quite amazing."

He slowly raised his hand before clenching it gently into a fist.

"The effects of the Progenitor alone are already enough to overturn everything."

His smile widened slightly.

"And if I combine it with Link Share..."

Daniel paused.

For the first time in a long while, even he found it difficult to imagine the final result.

"My people..."

His voice became softer.

"They’re going to become monsters."

Not monsters in appearance.

Nor monsters feared because of cruelty.

But monsters whose growth would completely shatter the common sense of the Universe.

Every member who entered Vahl’Zareth would have their Origin rewritten.

Every member would awaken their own unique evolution.

Every member would continuously grow without limits.

Then, on top of that...

Link Share would allow them to receive blessings and advantages from Daniel himself.

The more Daniel evolved...

The more everyone beneath him would evolve alongside him.

The stronger he became...

The stronger his entire faction became.

It was a cycle that fed itself endlessly.

A cycle with no ceiling.

"No..."

Daniel quietly corrected himself.

"They won’t merely become monsters."

"They’ll become existences that shouldn’t be possible."

His gaze became deeper.

"An army where every individual possesses limitless potential."

"An army where everyone can become a legend."

"An army where even the weakest member possesses the qualifications to shake the Universe."

The thought alone caused even Daniel to become excited.

Not because he desired domination.

But because this was precisely the future he wanted.

One where everyone could stand proudly without fearing stronger existences.

However...among every ability granted by the title...

There was one that attracted Daniel’s attention more than any other.

His eyes landed upon a single description once again.

’The name Vahl’Zareth shall not be uttered casually’

A small smile slowly formed across his face.

"Perfect..."

He quietly muttered.

"That is exactly what I was hoping for."

He slowly looked toward the endless sky above him.

"I don’t want Vahl’Zareth to become another ordinary faction."

"I don’t want it to become merely another name among countless powers."

His voice gradually became firmer.

"I want a name that commands respect before it is even spoken."

"A name that no one dares to utter lightly."

"A name that causes the entire Universe to instinctively become cautious."

"A name that makes enemies hesitate."

"A name that allies feel honored to serve."

"A name that transcends fear itself."

Daniel slowly closed his eyes.

"This..."

He smiled confidently.

"This shall be the first step."

"The first step toward building a faction where no one dares to provoke us."

"The first step toward creating a home where every member can walk freely."

"The first step toward absolute freedom."

After taking one final glance at the fading notifications, Daniel dismissed every window before him.

"It is time."

Several minutes later.

The magnificent Grand Hall of Terria had become more crowded than ever before.

The enormous hall, capable of accommodating hundreds of thousands of people, was filled with representatives from every race across the world.

Humans, Demons, Dragons, Elves, Dwarves, Spirits, Beastfolk, Phoenixes, Summoners, Holy Knights, Scholars, Generals, Royal Families and all kinds.

Every single person present had been personally chosen.

Not because they were the strongest.

Not because they possessed the highest cultivation.

Nor because they held the highest position.

Instead...they shared one quality.

Trust.

Every individual standing within the Grand Hall had earned the complete trust of one of the Fifteen Rulers.

That alone was enough.

Because from this day onward...

Strength would no longer determine one’s worth.

Daniel had long understood something.

Power could be obtained.

Talent could awaken.

Bloodlines could evolve.

Even one’s destiny could be rewritten.

The concepts of strength and weakness were no longer absolute before him.

But trust...

Trust could never be created through power alone.

It had to be earned.

And those gathered here had already proven themselves worthy.

Soft conversations echoed throughout the hall as countless curious gazes looked toward the enormous throne positioned at the very front.

"I wonder what His Majesty wishes to announce."

"The Fifteen Rulers themselves gathered everyone personally."

"It must be something unprecedented."

"I have never seen every race gathered together like this before."

"Even the Dragon Empress arrived early."

"The Human Empress looked unusually excited."

"The Demon King has been laughing ever since he entered."

"I have a feeling our world is about to change again."

Whispers spread from every corner of the hall.

No one knew the true reason behind this gathering.

But everyone shared the same feeling.

Something historic was about to happen.

Something that would completely change the future of their world.

The Fifteen Rulers had already gathered at the front of the Grand Hall.

Each of them stood proudly behind their respective thrones, their presence alone enough to overwhelm countless kingdoms.

The Demon King Xereth crossed his arms with a confident grin spread across his face.

The Beast King Kaelgor stood like an unshakable mountain, his golden eyes calmly observing the crowd.

The Dragon Empress Sylthara radiated an elegant dignity that made even dragons instinctively lower their heads.

The Spirit Empress Sylvene smiled gently while countless tiny spirits circled happily around her shoulders.

The Elf Queen Caelira stood with graceful composure, her emerald eyes filled with quiet anticipation.

King Thrain rested both hands upon his massive war hammer as though he could barely wait for the announcement.

One after another, every ruler released an overwhelming presence befitting the sovereigns of an entire world.

Yet...

Among them stood two figures who had never attended such a gathering before.

Mika.

And Erika.

Although they appeared as ordinary young girls in human form, every ruler treated them with the utmost respect.

After all...they were no ordinary beings.

One was the Will of Terria.

The other was the Will of the newly integrated world.

The two planetary wills quietly stood beside one another.

Erika looked around nervously while tightly holding Mika’s hand.

"There are... so many people..."

She whispered softly.

Mika giggled before gently patting her head.

"Don’t be nervous."

"They’re all family now."

Erika nodded repeatedly, though her small fingers continued gripping Mika’s sleeve tightly.

"...Okay."

Meanwhile, throughout the enormous Grand Hall, countless whispers quietly spread among the gathered representatives.

"I’ve never seen every ruler gather together at the same time."

"Even Lady Mika and Lady Erika are present."

"This has never happened before."

"What exactly is His Majesty planning?"

"I don’t know..."

"But I have a strange feeling."

The elderly Human Duke swallowed nervously.

"...Something enormous is about to happen."

A Dragon Elder slowly folded his arms.

"When His Majesty personally gathers everyone..."

"It has never been for something small."

A Beast General laughed excitedly.

"Do you remember the last announcement?"

"The entire world changed afterward."

Several people immediately nodded.

"I still remember."

An elderly Spirit Sage smiled bitterly.

"Every time His Majesty makes a move..."

"Our understanding of what is possible gets shattered."

Another representative lowered his voice.

"Do you think..."

"...the King is going to change the world again?"

The moment those words were spoken...

Silence gradually spread.

Everyone subconsciously looked toward the massive entrance.

Although nobody answered...

Every single person shared exactly the same thought.

’Is the King going to change the world again?’

It was no longer a ridiculous assumption.

Nor was it wishful thinking.

To them...

Daniel had long surpassed the title of King.

He had transformed barren lands into prosperous lands.

He had accomplished miracles that even legends never dared record.

He had healed a dying world.

He had conquered another planet.

He had accomplished one impossible feat after another as though impossibility itself did not exist before him.

To them...

He was no longer merely their ruler.

He was someone standing far beyond the limits of common understanding.

A being whom even miracles naturally followed.

An existence that no longer could be measured using ordinary standards.

Many secretly regarded him as a god walking among mortals.

Not because he declared himself one.

But because every action he performed resembled nothing less than divine authority.

Their admiration had gradually transformed into absolute respect.

Their respect had become loyalty.

Their loyalty had become unwavering faith.

No one questioned his decisions anymore.

Because every decision Daniel made ultimately benefited everyone.

Then...

The enormous doors of the Grand Hall slowly began to open.

*Thud.*

*Thud.*

*Thud.*

The sound of calm footsteps echoed throughout the silent hall.

Every conversation immediately stopped.

Every pair of eyes instinctively turned toward the entrance.

Even the Fifteen Rulers unconsciously straightened their posture.

The atmosphere became solemn.

Then...

A familiar figure slowly entered.

His movements were calm.

His expression remained composed.

Yet every single step he took naturally drew everyone’s attention.

His appearance had changed.

His features had become even more refined.

His golden eyes seemed deeper than before, resembling endless stars contained within a single gaze.

An indescribable aura naturally surrounded him.

It was not pressure.

Nor intimidation.

It was something far more difficult to describe.

An existence that simply made others acknowledge him.

Without realizing it, many representatives unconsciously stood from their seats.

Some lowered their heads respectfully.

Others placed a hand over their chest.

Even the proud dragons instinctively bowed slightly.

Nobody instructed them to do so.

Their bodies simply reacted naturally.

"...His Majesty..."

"He feels different..."

"No..."

"It’s not different..."

"It’s..."

One elderly sage searched desperately for the right words before finally shaking his head.

"I can’t describe it."

The Dragon Elder narrowed his eyes.

"It feels as though merely looking at him is enough to understand how insignificant I truly am."

The Beast General laughed awkwardly.

"I don’t even have the courage to compare myself anymore."

King Thrain crossed his arms before grinning proudly.

"Hahaha! That’s our King!"

Xereth smirked.

"I knew that brat became stronger again."

Sylthara smiled elegantly.

"As expected..."

"There truly is no limit to his growth."

Caelira looked toward Daniel with gentle eyes, almost like a mother watching her child accomplish another impossible feat.

"He has grown once again..."

Sylvene quietly smiled.

"It seems even the spirits are celebrating."

Tiny spirits danced joyfully around the hall as though welcoming Daniel’s arrival.

Meanwhile, Erika stared at Daniel with sparkling eyes full of admiration.

"Big Brother became even cooler..."

She whispered innocently.

Mika softly giggled.

"He certainly did."

Daniel finally reached the center of the Grand Hall before slowly turning toward the thousands gathered before him.

His gaze calmly swept across every face.

Humans.

Demons.

Dragons.

Elves.

Dwarves.

Spirits.

Beastfolk.

Phoenixes.

Every race stood united beneath one banner.

For a brief moment...

Daniel smiled.

Not as a conqueror.

Not as a supreme ruler.

But as someone looking upon the people he had sworn to protect.

Then, with a calm yet clear voice that echoed throughout the entire Grand Hall, he spoke.

"Thank you, everyone, for coming."

The hall became so silent that even a falling pin could have been heard.

Every person present knew...

The words spoken next would mark the beginning of another new era.