Summoning Millions of Gods Daily, My Strength Equals Theirs Combined Chapter 3 -3-Enemies All Around Us

William gradually raised his gaze, his aged eyes squinting as he examined the youthful emperor standing in front of him.

Even though Aurek’s frame remained slender and delicate, his stare carried no hint of weakness. His eyes sparkled with the keen intensity of a predator bird, sharp and unyielding.

And clutched firmly in his grasp—with unwavering assurance—was the scepter of the Crossbridge throne, the emblem of sovereign power. It emanated a presence of dominance that Aurek had lacked previously, a regal bearing that seemed to stir the atmosphere itself around him.

William’s heart skipped a beat unexpectedly.

He wasn’t just any commoner; as the Secretary-General of the empire, he had been tempered over years in the arts of influence and intrigue. Yet right then, before his emperor, he sensed an unfamiliar sensation—oppression.

A heavy, authoritative oppression.

What on earth had befallen His Majesty?

Suspicion stirred within William’s mind, but years of navigating political storms had sharpened his senses. He held back his inquiries. A monarch might harbor mysteries. A monarch might transform. And it wasn’t his role to probe.

Rather, he softened his tone and delivered his report gravely:

"Your Majesty, the empire’s condition... leaves much to be desired. Particularly in recent times. Within the capital, criminal groups hold sway unchecked. The citizens endure constant torment from their brutality.

"The Minister of Police has repeatedly requested funding, yet improvements have been minimal. Regarding the broader circumstances... they persist largely unchanged since your mishap."

Aurek nodded deliberately.

This aligned closely with his expectations.

Until Crossbridge was utterly depleted of its riches and essence, the Ordon Theocracy wouldn’t permit any rival power to claim it.

Nevertheless... Aurek’s gaze rested on William. He discerned another truth.

Over these recent years, for the empire to endure in any form, this elderly figure must have invested tremendous labor.

Relative to the recollections he had absorbed—of a towering, vigorous man—William appeared more gaunt now, slightly stooped, with hair far grayer than in those memories.

More revealing still was his aura. In the past, William had attained the Expert Rank. However, after prolonged disregard, his prowess had waned. Now, Aurek noted, William’s aura lacked the edge even of the Elite Rank killers he had recently called forth.

The meaning was evident.

This individual had forsaken his personal advancement, his own prospects, to bolster the faltering empire.

Aurek released a quiet breath inwardly.

Following an extended silence, he finally addressed him.

"William... these years must have weighed heavily on you."

He clenched the scepter tighter, his words carrying greater force.

"Inform me. Within the parliament, among the officials—who remains trustworthy?"

William’s face shifted immediately.

He stood upright, his expression grave.

"Your Majesty, the Winston family has steadfastly supported the royal lineage. You can rely on us without reservation."

"Ease your concerns, William," Aurek replied calmly. "I’ve never questioned your family’s devotion."

He pivoted, pointing toward the vast chamber wall where the expansive map of the Crossbridge Empire was displayed, its formerly mighty frontiers now marred by fissures.

"Observe our surroundings. Crossbridge diminishes daily. We can’t merely witness its decay. We must intervene. We must transform."

He inhaled deeply, his eyes as hard as forged metal.

"Thus, reveal to me, beyond your kin... who else holds my trust? I will not go down in history as the final ruler of the Crossbridge Empire."

William stiffened.

He gazed at Aurek, stunned.

So His Majesty... had perceived the empire’s plight from the beginning?

And beyond that—he genuinely sought to alter it?

A piercing pain surged in William’s heart, his eyes stinging with warmth.

For countless years, he had quietly yearned for the return of the empire’s former splendor. He had envisioned a moment when Crossbridge would blaze once more.

But the harshness of truth was unrelenting.

Merely maintaining the vessel’s buoyancy had sapped his every resource.

To aspire for resurgence? To dream of reform? Unthinkable.

The lost essence could not be reclaimed.

It was far too late.

The empire approached its dusk.

Within his core, William had long embraced this destiny.

He had decided to devote his final days to safeguarding the remnants of the empire’s honor, to guide the state’s vessel softly toward its end, and to perish with it at the close.

Even confronting the serpents in parliament had drained him completely. And outside those halls, gangs persisted, along with venal aristocrats dividing their domains and external realms eyeing borders with avarice.

As Secretary-General, William felt utterly impotent.

And he wasn’t isolated in this.

The whole Royalist Party, those who once matched his allegiance, had sunk into identical hopelessness. They no longer pursued triumph. They merely wished that upon the empire’s demise, they could depart honorably, their kin etched in memory as faithful to the end.

He longed to convey this reality to Aurek—to unveil the grim facts to the young ruler.

Yet ultimately, he restrained the impulse.

Instead, after prolonged doubt, he inquired softly:

"Your Majesty... what are your plans?"

Aurek wheeled around, his stare akin to a dagger.

"You shall witness it, William. Soon, you’ll behold it personally.

"At present, I seek only this from you: reveal who merits trust. Who still aligns with the Veynar dynasty?"

William grew quiet, pondering deeply. Then he started to recount.

"In addition to the Winston family, there’s House Smith, Senator Heimerdinger, and Commander Gaia of the Imperial Guard.

"A handful more exist, but they form the core supports."

He halted briefly, then proceeded, detailing the groups presently splitting the parliament:

The Royalist Party, guided by the Winston family and House Smith. The Judicial Faction, headed by the Minister of Police and the Chief Justice. The Military Authority Bloc, commanded by the Grand Marshal. And finally, the Clerical Order, controlled by the Ordon Theocracy’s priests.

Leading that last group was Cardinal Austin, the Theocracy’s top envoy in Crossbridge.

Once William concluded, Aurek lapsed into silence.

His mind raced, precise and calculated.

Eventually, he declared.

"William. I assign you a duty.

"First, soothe them. Ensure they stay composed and bide their time.

"Second, start grooming fresh officials in parliament. I desire their allegiance to the throne, and ideally from non-noble origins."

William’s eyes widened, his forehead creasing.

Why?

Why would His Majesty pursue such a course?

Merely to bolster the Royalist Party?

If only matters were that straightforward!

His gut warned of peril. He understood perfectly that these actions would swiftly provoke distrust from all other groups. The instant they detected it, they’d band together to dismantle the royalists. The outcome might prove ruinous, widening the empire’s rifts irreparably.

After a drawn-out interval, William responded warily.

"Your Majesty... do you aim to press them? To reassert the crown’s influence?

"If that’s the case, proceed with caution. Their power is substantial. Should they feel cornered, it might bring disaster upon the empire."

Aurek chuckled inwardly, a chill devoid of mirth.

History has etched this cycle into me a thousandfold. I grasp it more profoundly than any.

And now, the system stands with me.

Not even the mighty Cardinal Austin, boasting his alleged Master Rank might, daunted him.

In due course, Aurek would demonstrate to them all.

Master Rank? Mere trifles.

All he required was duration—time to advance.

And when that moment arrived, he would brush them away effortlessly.

"William," Aurek stated finally, his voice as unyielding as tempered steel, "don’t trouble yourself over these matters.

"Simply fulfill the assignments I provide. That suffices."

William’s brow knitted, the desire to contest surging to his tongue. But upon locking eyes with Aurek—eyes alight with sovereign command—he hesitated.

His retort faded unspoken. Contrary to his instincts, he inclined his head and withdrew.

What... what had overtaken me?

And as William departed, Aurek’s voice resounded anew, resolute and thunderous, reverberating through the hall like a solemn oath to the skies:

"William. Afford me time.

"For the mighty Crossbridge Empire will shine gloriously once again!"