Chapter 11: The Seven Singularities

Chapter 11 - The Seven SingularitiesThe continent where the Great Velmora Empire resides is called Tarnithar—a vast land spanning tens of millions of square kilometers. It is home to various races, including humans, elves, dwarves, beasthumans, and others. Among them, humans are the most dominant, controlling the majority of the continent. While many empires have risen across Tarnithar, none rival the might of the Great Velmora Empire. This empire commands the central region of the continent, an area rich in natural resources and immense wealth. One can easily imagine the prosperity that flourishes within. But as the old saying goes, "Prosperity always comes at a cost." To maintain control over such a vast domain, the Great Velmora Empire waged war against many kingdoms, forcing the defeated into submission. Naturally, this bred resentment and unrest, eventually leading to widespread rebellion. Yet in the face of overwhelming power, such resistance often seems insignificant—like ants beneath a boot. Despite the empire's dominance, there are those who dare to oppose it. These are individuals who have reached the pinnacle of strength—masters of swordsmanship, spearmanship, magic, and more. Seven of them stand above all others, known collectively as the Seven Singularities. They are the Singularity of Light, the Singularity of Star, the Singularity of Flame, the Singularity of Life, the Singularity of Death, the Singularity of Nature, and finally, the Singularity of Chaos. Each wields extraordinary power, nearly unmatched across the world. Among them, the most powerful—and most mysterious—is the Singularity of Chaos. He was known as the one who had once slain a catastrophic-level dragon—an enormous beast that had nearly destroyed the western region of the Great Velmora Empire, where the Duke of Valcrest ruled. Without his intervention, it was unimaginable how many lives would have been lost or how much the Duke and the empire itself would have suffered. "Huh... come to think of it, Brother Adalen turned out to be more troublesome than Brothers Aldric and Cedric," Elina sighed deeply. If Aldric and Cedric stood one level above her, then Adalen was a full level above both of them. That meant the gap between her and Adalen spanned two levels—a staggering difference. And there was a clear reason for such a gap—Adalen's grandfather was none other than the legendary sword god, the Singularity of Light. In this world, who doesn't fear or revere those who bear the title of Singularity? Even Emperor Ragan, their father, had to show respect and refrain from arrogance in their presence. The Singularities are not just powerful individuals—they are pillars of this world. Should one of them become angered or harbor a grudge, the consequences could be catastrophic. So, it was easy to imagine how powerful a backing Adalen possessed. While he might not be as influential in politics as Aldric or Cedric, that didn't make him any less formidable. Just by mentioning his grandfather's name, nobles of all ranks—Barons, Earls, and even Marquises—would rush to Adalen, eager to offer their unwavering support. Compared to her siblings, Elina's position in the struggle for the throne was clearly the least favored. Even before the war for the throne began, she had already realized that she stood no chance. Unlike Aldric and Cedric, she had no backing from her mother's side. Her mother was merely an ordinary concubine from a powerful kingdom on the eastern continent—the Eastern Kingdom of Izanagi. But she was neither a princess nor a noblewoman. Instead, she was a master of music, tea ceremonies, and various other traditional arts. She had worked in the most famous brothel in the Izanagi Kingdom. Her profession was known as a "Geisha." Although not a prostitute, it was still a role often looked down upon and regarded as dishonorable by many in the Great Velmora Empire. Elina couldn't understand how her father, the emperor, could fall in love with a woman so scorned by society—someone deemed unworthy of standing beside an emperor. Yet despite everything, she still felt a deep sense of gratitude for being born into this world and for having a brother she cherished dearly. Across from her, Nolan noticed his sister's sad and troubled expression. As her brother, how could he stand by without offering comfort? He leaned forward, gently reaching out to rub Elina's face with affection. "I know what you're worried about, but you don't need to be. I'll always be by your side, supporting you. Even if we have to face powerful people backing them, I'll protect you and make sure you win. So don't be sad, alright?" His gentle words and comforting touch gradually washed away the sadness in Elina's heart. Brother was right. I may not have a powerful backer like my other siblings, but I have him—my brother who always stands by me. I can't give up now! With her spirits lifted, Elina regained her usual cold and arrogant demeanor. She snorted softly. "Hmph! Who's worried? If I can't overcome something like this, how could I ever become Emperor?" Nolan let out a light laugh at her return to form. "Well, well, well... My sister is the greatest," he teased, pinching her cheek affectionately. Flustered, Elina's cheeks turned red, but she tried to maintain her composure so her brother wouldn't notice. Afterward, they resumed their discussion about the succession. Though the battle for the throne had yet to officially begin, they couldn't afford to be careless. One by one, they analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of each prince. Here, Nolan cast aside his usual lazy, indifferent demeanor. He revealed a sharp insight and strategic mind that left Elina quietly impressed. He had never taken the succession seriously before, preferring to stay uninvolved. But now that all the princes were required to participate, he had pleaded with their father to allow Elina to take his place. Fortunately, his request had been granted. Now, he couldn't afford to squander this opportunity. He had to ensure Elina's victory—no matter the cost. Only then could the peaceful, carefree life he longed for finally become reality. After half an hour of discussion, they decided to call it a day. Elina returned to her room to prepare for the looming battle for the throne. As her figure slowly disappeared beyond the door, Nolan let out a quiet sigh, a soft chuckle slipping past his lips. What a pity... She must be feeling overwhelmed by the powerful backers supporting those princes, he murmured, his voice tinged with helplessness. But in truth, there was no one to blame. It was the gods who had written her fate—born from the womb of a mere concubine. And it wasn't as if she could curse the gods for that, could she? "Well... they may have strong supporters," he added, a faint, knowing smile forming on his face. "But so does my sister—and that's me." His usual lazy, indifferent expression faded, replaced by a calm and piercing gaze. In that instant, it was as if an entirely different person had taken his place. "Arnold," he called softly. Whoosh! A black swirl appeared beside him, and from it stepped a young man dressed like a servant. He was tall and composed, with a handsome face framed by slightly tousled gray hair. Yet the disarray did nothing to lessen his charm. Still, before Nolan, he seemed like moonlight trying to rival the sun. As his eyes met Nolan's, a faint smile curved his lips. "Do you require something, my Lord?" he asked respectfully, kneeling on one knee. Nolan cast a quick glance his way and spoke firmly. "Arnold, keep an eye on the princes. Report anything suspicious. And more importantly, protect Elina from the shadows. Don't let her come to harm. Understood?" Arnold kept his calm smile and bowed his head. "As you command, my Lord." He rose smoothly, and his figure vanished like a wisp of shadow. Nolan stood and stretched his limbs with a lazy groan. "Well... well... I guess it's time to get serious," he muttered with a cold chuckle.