《The King’s Obsession》 The King鈥檚 Dream I have failed.¡± The words left his lips in a hushed whisper, as if they were a truth he needed to remind himself of every single day. He looked down at his hands¡ªscarred with old wounds, fingers that had gripped thousands of swords, a fist that had long since lost its feeling. His body, once an instrument of war, now stood at its limit. Power¡­ it had been everything to him. ¡°I have spent my life chasing absolute strength.¡± I lost. I humiliated myself. I shattered every bone in my body¡ª all for my insatiable thirst for power. ¡°Power¡­ it was, and still is, my only purpose in life.¡± Lifting his gaze, he stared up at the dark sky above his secluded garden. He stood amidst ancient trees and rare, withering roses. The air was still, but within him, a storm raged without end. ¡°Weakness is a curse. I do not, and will never, regret my pursuit. My only regret¡­ was believing that I had reached the peak.¡± His name had echoed across the world. Kingdoms feared him. Armies bent the knee before his might. His enemies whispered his name in terror. And yet¡­ He was not the strongest. There were still beings greater than him, those who could trample over his existence without even moving. And he hated it. He hated the mere thought that someone, somewhere, could look at him with pity. A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. He had lost his emotions¡ªhis humanity¡ªin his pursuit of strength. To prove himself. But life¡­ was never fair. ¡°My ambition drives me ever higher, but I regret never reaching my true goal. The wall separating me from my desire still stands¡­¡± Through blood, power, loss, and endless struggle, he had reached the throne of the Kingdom of Thrones. And yet, his body¡ªhis once-loyal vessel¡ªhad betrayed him. The body that had always responded to his will to evolve had ceased to grow. It could not endure any longer. His soul and body stood at odds. For the first time¡­ he pitied his own flesh for failing to keep up with his greed. ¡°I want another chance¡­¡± But before he could dwell further on his thoughts¡ªsomething changed. A presence¡ªvast and unfathomable¡ªdescended upon his world. A power unlike any he had ever faced. It wasn¡¯t just overwhelming¡ªit wasn¡¯t merely something that could crush him. It was something beyond comprehension. Something older than the world itself. He did not move. He did not raise his sword. He did nothing at all. Because against this force, he could not fight. Because he knew his limits. The ancient trees trembled in silence, the air froze, and the sky above split open. A void¡ªa chasm of endless night¡ªtore itself into existence, and from within, something emerged. Not a creature, not a man. A star¡ªno, an orb of brilliant, sapphire light¡ªhovered within the darkness, floating in the abyss like a celestial entity beyond mortal understanding. Then, a voice. Deep. Infinite. A voice that did not belong to this world. ¡°It is a pleasure to finally speak with you, human king.¡± Isaac¡¯s pupils contracted, yet no fear flickered across his face. He stared at the radiant blue light amidst the eternal darkness, his gaze reflecting both caution and intrigue. ¡°I have been watching you¡­ since your childhood.¡± For the first time, Isaac¡¯s breath caught in his throat. ¡°You have always been brave. Wise. Fearless in the face of death¡­ You have never cowered, always running toward the abyss rather than away from it. From the moment of your birth, you have fought for your life, even when you never met the family you lost. Your will alone kept you alive.¡± The voice echoed across the empty space, as if the entire world spoke in unison. ¡°Your sheer force of will reached beyond this world, great king. From the moment you first opened your eyes in this wretched life, I have watched you with interest.¡± Isaac¡­ smiled. Not in fear. Not in shock. But in excitement. ¡°I am honored to receive such praise from a being of your power.¡± He stood firm amidst the overwhelming aura suffocating his surroundings, as if he had stepped into a separate dimension. ¡°But forgive my bluntness¡ªwhy would a being like you watch me for so many years? What could you possibly gain from observing a mortal whose body barely listens to him anymore? Tell me, what use am I to you?¡± The entity¡¯s voice carried a rare amusement. ¡°That is the king I have long awaited to meet. Ninety years of watching¡­ and you do not disappoint.¡± For a moment, the oppressive aura ceased, as if the world itself bowed before the words to come. Then, the voice spoke once more¡ª ¡°Let us make a deal.¡± When a King Meets His Match Throughout his life, Isaac had sought power¡ªpower born from his own hands, earned through his own will. He had never bowed to anyone, not to gods, not to demons, nor to the so-called supreme beings. Submission was never an option. Yet, the words of this enigmatic entity were¡­ different. They carried no arrogance, no demand for servitude¡ªonly an overwhelming power wrapped in mutual respect. Isaac smirked, his sharp eyes gleaming with cunning. ¡°I am but a mere droplet in the boundless ocean that is your existence. So tell me¡­¡± He tilted his head slightly. ¡°What interest does a being like you have in someone like me?¡± The air around them grew thick. The entity¡¯s aura swirled and pulsed, growing denser as if it were alive, coiling around him like a sentient force. In the heart of the abyssal void, the figure bathed in azure radiance stared deep into Isaac¡¯s soul¡ªas though unraveling his very essence. Then, the voice spoke¡ªdeep, resonant, seeping into his bones, his mind, his very soul: ¡°Let us become one.¡± The words were not a mere suggestion. They carried weight¡ªa proclamation, an immutable truth being set into motion. ¡°One being¡­ one body¡­ one soul¡­ one mind¡­ one breath.¡± The blue light intensified, vibrating with something primal, something ancient. ¡°Life or death, we shall journey together into a world unlike any other¡­ A realm of greater chaos, where each step is a battlefield, where every moment is drenched in the thrill of the unknown. A world where power takes on a form beyond imagination. I simply wish to witness your performance in it.¡± The entity paused, savoring its next words before releasing them into the void: ¡°Because watching you¡­ is my greatest pleasure, O King of Mortals.¡± There was something in its tone¡ªsomething Isaac never imagined he would find familiar. A raw, insatiable hunger. A thirst for something beyond mere conquest. Then came the final declaration¡ªone that shook even the void itself. ¡°Let us seize the world together¡­ as one.¡± Isaac fell silent. Something within him stirred¡ªsomething he had not felt in years, or perhaps¡­ had never truly felt before. ¡°You¡­¡± He lifted his head, the sharpness in his gaze wavering, giving way to something else. Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. ¡°You make me feel something I had long forgotten.¡± A grin spread across his lips¡ªa grin of pure, unfiltered indulgence. His pupils dilated, an eerie hunger flashing within them, as if he had just been served the ultimate temptation. He was not hesitant. He was not doubtful. He simply asked, ¡°But tell me, why do you need my permission? You could do this on your own.¡± The entity laughed¡ªa chilling, otherworldly sound that rippled through the very fabric of space. ¡°No, King¡­ You will resist to the last fragment of your soul. And that¡­ I cannot do alone.¡± Isaac chuckled. ¡°Then state your name.¡± The entity¡¯s aura surged, the sky itself trembling beneath its might. Reality cracked at its edges, laws bending as though they were nothing more than fragile threads. A voice like thunder echoed through the abyss: ¡°The Azure Sovereign greets the King of Men.¡± Isaac¡¯s laughter followed¡ªnot out of fear, not out of defiance, but out of sheer amusement. ¡°What a twist of fate¡­ to meet my reflection in a world that is not my own. This should be interesting.¡± His smirk widened. ¡°Very well¡­ I accept, Azure Sovereign.¡± The entity wasted no time, its words laced with a rare sense of mirth. ¡°Welcome, my friend.¡± But before Isaac could respond, the Sovereign continued: ¡°You will die here.¡± Isaac did not flinch. Death was never a challenge for him. ¡°And I shall use my power to send your soul across the boundary¡­ into a new life.¡± The aura surrounding them paused, as if stabilizing the fabric of reality before the entity added: ¡°But I cannot determine where you will be reborn¡­ or into whose hands you will fall.¡± For the first time, a true complication arose. Isaac was never one to leave things to chance. ¡°I will fuse with you,¡± the Sovereign continued, ¡°becoming a part of your very existence. My power will remain sealed¡­ until you are worthy of wielding it.¡± ¡°I will be bound to you. Your pain will be my pain. Your triumphs, my triumphs.¡± Isaac was quiet for a moment. Then, his lips curled into a fox-like grin¡ªthe grin of a man who had never known surrender. ¡°It seems the real fun is about to begin.¡± His head lifted, his eyes burning with a deadly thrill. ¡°Shall we begin this new life?¡± But just as he was about to step forward, he halted. ¡°Wait.¡± He turned toward the Azure Sovereign, his expression unreadable. ¡°There is one last thing I must do.¡± Though he held no affection for this world, he was still its ruler. And a king¡­ must see his duty through to the end. The Sovereign did not object. It simply watched. A Week Later¡­ Isaac stood at the base of a desolate mountain. No armies. No servants. No throne. Only him, his sword, and the whispering cold wind. With bare hands, he dug. The grave was easy to carve, but time stretched endlessly as he worked. A silent farewell. A ritual for a life left behind. At last, he stood before the hollow ground, gazing at it with an unreadable expression before allowing a small smile to cross his lips. ¡°This chapter is over.¡± Without hesitation, he raised his sword. And drove it straight through his heart. Blood spilled, his throat dried, and pain¡ªfamiliar, almost comforting¡ªembraced him. With every drop, he saw his past: the humiliation of being weaker, the endless battles, the pitying gazes cast upon him. And as the final breath left his lungs, his gaze met the Azure Sovereign¡¯s once more. It watched him¡ªnot as an observer, but as a witness to both his end and his beginning. A grin tugged at Isaac¡¯s lips as he laughed in his final moment. ¡°Boredom is finally coming to an end.¡± And with that, he closed his eyes. In an instant, a blinding force erupted from the Sovereign, consuming his body. The world itself trembled as light shattered the darkness. A World Between Worlds¡­ Isaac awoke in an abyss devoid of light¡ªan endless, shoreless sea of blackness. He stared into the void and whispered, ¡°This place¡­ is exactly like the life I lived. An ocean of darkness, without a single ray of light.¡± Then, something stirred. A colossal eye, glowing blue like a frozen sun, emerged from the shadows, its gaze piercing through him. Isaac smirked. ¡°You¡­ You were the light I had been waiting for all my life, weren¡¯t you, Azure Sovereign?¡± A voice, deep as eternity, resonated in the abyss. ¡°My respect for you only grows, King. I never thought I would care for anything, yet here I am¡­ watching over you.¡± The eye narrowed, glowing ever brighter. ¡°Are you prepared?¡± Isaac chuckled. ¡°Pain is the foundation of progress.¡± The Sovereign¡¯s voice was final. ¡°Then let us bid farewell to the King who once was.¡± A beam of azure light struck Isaac¡¯s body, consuming him in an infernal blaze. His soul ignited. His very existence was unmade. Yet, even as he writhed in agony, his voice tore through the abyss. ¡°Darkness in the distance¡­ Forsaken Progeny As the pain subsided, Isaac opened his eyes and found himself staring at a vast, serene lake. Before him stood a figure unlike any he had ever seen¡ªwhite hair as pure as freshly fallen snow, eyes a brilliant shade of blue that shimmered like the ocean, and a body adorned with intricate tattoos pulsating with mystical energy. Hovering above him was a strange magical circle, rotating like a ship¡¯s wheel. A sudden wave of exhaustion crashed over Isaac. His body, still adjusting to the unfamiliar sensations, could not hold on any longer. He collapsed into the lake, sinking deeper as the icy water embraced him. Though he struggled against the pull, his limbs grew weaker. Just before his consciousness faded, a familiar voice echoed in his mind¡ªa whisper barely audible through the encroaching darkness. ¡°My king¡­ I hope you reclaim your legacy.¡± In the heart of the Bloodstained Palace, where the cries of life and death intertwined, a woman lay upon a grand bed, her body convulsing with agony. Sweat trickled down her forehead, her glowing eyes filled with both fury and fear, fixed on the ceiling above. Around her, a group of servants frantically tended to her, whispering words of reassurance she could not hear. Beside her, her most trusted handmaid clutched her trembling hand, voice quivering as she pleaded: ¡°Hold on, my lady¡­ The child for whom you sacrificed everything is about to enter this world.¡± But the woman did not respond. Her mind was trapped in a whirlwind of memories¡ªescape, love, betrayal, and now¡­ the birth that would determine not only her fate but also that of her child. Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. At the same moment, within the Great Assembly Hall, Reiner Noxfaire, head of the Noxfaire lineage, sat upon his polished black throne, surrounded by the elite swordmasters, his five sons, esteemed grandchildren, high-ranking knights, and trusted administrators. The Noxfaire family was one of the most formidable bloodlines of sword-wielding mages across the human continent, serving as the first line of defense against the monstrous entities emerging from the Abyssal Expanse in the north. At the center of the hall, an aged but dignified figure, Falco the Elder, who had served the family for decades, spoke in a calm yet weighty tone: ¡°My lord, reports indicate unusual disturbances among the creatures of the Abyssal Expanse¡­ There are suspicions that the Krismer Family may be involved, but we lack concrete evidence to present before the royal court.¡± Before anyone could respond, a commanding presence disrupted the discussion¡ªa dragon, the family¡¯s guardian, standing in her humanoid form. Her aura alone demanded reverence, her ancient, glowing eyes reflecting eons of wisdom and power. ¡°The fools of Krismer¡­ they never learn.¡± At her words, Kaldiras, the eldest son of Reiner, spoke with sharp authority: ¡°Standard-bearers, any suggestions?¡± The Standard-Bearers were the grandchildren of the Noxfaire bloodline, the most promising warriors set to inherit the family¡¯s power and responsibilities. Each carried a banner signifying their status within the family¡¯s hierarchy. At the forefront was Lina, the First Standard-Bearer, known as the strongest among them¡ªthough she had forsaken the right to lead the family. Following her was Joshua, the Second Standard-Bearer, whose disdain for his siblings was never concealed. The rest of the bearers stood with varied skills, excelling in assassination, sword combat, and battlefield strategy. Joshua, his eyes gleaming with excitement, took a step forward and declared: ¡°My lord, allow me to lead an expedition personally to investigate the matter.¡± Reiner gave a slight nod but warned in a low, firm voice: ¡°Go, but do not engage them directly.¡± Before another word could be exchanged, a hesitant voice interrupted the gathering. A servant, clearly uneasy, stepped forward and announced: ¡°My lord¡­ the young lady is on the verge of giving birth. Shall we prepare for the Naming Ceremony?¡± Silence fell upon the chamber. Reiner exhaled slowly as his sons exchanged scornful glances, irritation flashing in their eyes. Finally, the eldest among them scoffed in contempt: ¡°And this¡­ this is worth interrupting our discussion? Ridiculous. Get out of my sight!¡± Yet, Reiner Noxfaire did not so much as acknowledge his son¡¯s rudeness. Instead, he simply uttered in an unwavering tone: ¡°Prepare for the ceremony.¡± The Mark of Noxvir As per family tradition, Cray wasn¡¯t allowed to see her newborn child immediately after birth. Instead, he was handed straight to Lara, who wrapped him gently in a silk blanket, her hands trembling uncontrollably. Her face was pale, eyes troubled, as if burdened by a terrible secret. Noticing her fear, Cray anxiously asked, ¡°Lara, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Lara hesitated, barely whispering, ¡°Nothing¡­ nothing, my lady,¡± though her fearful eyes told a different story. In the Naming Square, masters of the family and elite swordsmen gathered solemnly for the ceremony that would determine if the child was worthy of bearing the Lucifer name. Cray, sitting alone, watched silently from the shadows. As the youngest daughter of the family head, she¡¯d long lost her standing. Branded a traitor for eloping with a commoner¡ªunworthy of their noble lineage¡ªshe had returned, after her husband¡¯s death, solely to protect her son. Lara entered the square, moving heavily as if stepping toward her doom, carrying the child gently yet fearfully. She placed the child carefully onto the ceremonial altar before stepping back cautiously. Father Kaldric, the family priest, began the sacred rites. The ground trembled gently as the sacred blood of the Lucifer family materialized, forming a spectral crimson aura above the child. Everyone held their breath, waiting for the blood to fuse with the newborn, proving his legitimate lineage. But it didn¡¯t touch him. Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. Instead, the blood lingered above him uncertainly, as if blocked by an invisible barrier. At that moment, the silk blanket slipped away, revealing the child¡¯s pure white hair. Murmurs erupted throughout the square: ¡°He hasn¡¯t inherited the blood!¡± ¡°He¡¯s not one of us!¡± Indeed, he was different. The Lucifer family was famed for their coal-black hair and blazing red eyes¡ªthis child was the complete opposite. Then, suddenly, as if time itself paused, silence fell upon the square. No one moved, and the world held its breath. Then¡ª A vibrant blue energy gathered around the child. It resembled mana, yet carried the distinct aura of swordsmanship¡ªit was something entirely new, unseen before. In a powerful surge, the blue energy shot out toward the hesitant sacred blood, instantly drawing it into the child¡¯s body. Gasps of shock echoed throughout the square as the sacred crest of Noxvir vividly appeared on the child¡¯s tiny hand, etched in glowing crimson¡ªa mark reserved exclusively for those of the purest bloodline. Stunned silence followed, as everyone wondered: ¡°What just happened?¡± Amidst the astonishment, Rainer Noxvir stepped forward, examining the child solemnly before finally breaking the silence with a resolute voice: ¡°This child¡­ resembles the former family patriarch.¡± He raised his head, gazing fiercely at his family before declaring firmly: ¡°This child shall bear the name of our founding ancestor!¡± His words struck the gathered audience like lightning. Anger erupted openly this time, as Joshua, bearer of the Second Banner, shouted furiously: ¡°This is unacceptable! How can he carry the forbidden name?! He is merely the son of a traitor!¡± Several family members supported Joshua¡¯s outrage, while others maintained cautious silence, awaiting their leader¡¯s reaction. But Rainer ignored their protests entirely, as if their words were mere whispers lost in the wind. After the ceremony, news spread rapidly throughout the palace. Yet Cray remained oblivious, returning swiftly to her chamber, clutching her child desperately. Silent tears streamed down her pale cheeks. The child was calm¡­ too calm. ¡°Why isn¡¯t he crying?¡± she wondered anxiously, staring at his peaceful face. ¡°Why does he look different? Why hasn¡¯t he opened his eyes yet?¡± She rocked him gently, softly singing ancient lullabies, her heart gnawed by worry. Then suddenly, as if sensing her anxiety, the child gently touched her chest with his tiny hand¡ªand smiled softly. Yet, he still didn¡¯t open his eyes. Inside the child¡¯s mind¡ª In a deep darkness, his soul slowly adjusted to the new body. A sarcastic voice echoed within: ¡°We¡¯ve reincarnated once again, Blue Sovereign¡­ though it seems I haven¡¯t quite gotten used to this infant body yet.¡± After a brief pause, he added dryly: ¡°Besides, I¡¯m a disgrace to royalty¡ªI just wet my pants.