17 Adrian's Plans And the first Task!

"So, what is your plan moving ahead?" Demios inquired.

"I had planned to earn some achievements on the battlefield for the empire and receive a barony title as a reward. Then, create my own territory while increasing my power and influence across the empire. After becoming powerful enough and establishing my army, I plan to overthrow the king and exact revenge on my friend from my past life," Adrian explained with a calm voice.

"Oh, that's quite a plan you have there. But do you think the king of this weak kingdom will let you grow your power to that extent without keeping you in check? And what about time? How much time will it take to accomplish all this? Don't forget the other empires on which you have to exact your revenge," Demios expressed his views, pointing out the flaws in the boy's plans.

**Sigh** "You are right, but that was a vivid plan to begin with. I planned to improve it with time, and to be honest with you, I am not powerful enough now, so I would need some time to recover my power," Adrian sighed. But as he was going to express his opinion, a screen appeared in front of him.

*ding*

**Main Quest - Sovereign of the Shadows**

[Create a secret organization that operates in all seven empires while hiding yourself behind the scenes. Do not reveal your identity to anyone until instructed. Become the dark sovereign who controls everything from the shadows. Do not attract attention to yourself by showing your full strength in public as Adrian, but you are free to use it as the Dark Sovereign.]

**Time limit - 3 years**

"W-what? What is this quest?" Adrian shouted in surprise. "Become the Dark Sovereign? Why would I do something like that?" Adrian frowned.

"Hey, that is the task that I was talking about, and you will have to complete it if you want to live, that is," Demios explained, approaching Adrian to calm him.

"All right, but how will I ensure their loyalty towards the organization, and what if someone reveals information about the organization after being tortured?" Adrian expressed his cause for concern. But before he could frown more, another screen appeared.

*ding*

**Skill - Loyalty Seal**

[Ask the person to follow you and accept you as their lord. After he swears his loyalty to you, the skill will activate and ensure his loyalty towards you. If they think of betraying you, they will suffer an enormous amount of pain throughout their body until they become loyal to you again. They will only be able to die with your permission. If you approve of their death, they can die with just a thought.]

*Note - you can impart this skill to seven people other than you.*

"Oh, so that's how it is. I get this useful skill to control people to create that organization. Well, this is quite convenient," Adrian nodded, rubbing his chin in agreement.

While Adrian was appreciating this new skill, the space around him returned to normal as he found himself back in the mountains outside the ruins, the white stick held in his hand.

"Hey, Demios, what happened?" Adrian called out to the white stick.

"Well, I used up all of the recovered energy, and you wouldn't be able to use me for quite some time until I recover," Demios explained.

"So what am I supposed to do? Carry this dirty stick around with me all the time till you recover?" Adrian asked with a frown on his handsome face.

"That's not a problem," saying that, the stick became a wristband, attaching itself to Adrian's right wrist. "See, problem solved!"

"Yeah, great, but what am I supposed to use as my weapon now?" Adrian questioned.

"Why don't you use a sword since you didn't use it much in your past life? Yuriel would be quite upset after getting the memories of your past life," Demios suggested.

"All right, I will buy a sword in Antinia city. For now, let's proceed with the formation of this secret organization," Adrian said, creating a plan for about some minutes before speaking. "Firstly, we require members for the organization. I will go with seven heads as I can impart the skill to only seven people. They can recruit other people. Secondly, we would require capital to run the organization, but that can be solved by my knowledge of the future and some work. So mainly, we require the seven heads to create this organization."

"You can recruit them when you travel and find someone worthy. But you should focus on the most important thing first," Demios muttered in a serious tone.

"Most important? What is that?" Adrian inquired with a serious look on his face. He could not think of anything that important that he missed. He didn't know what Demios was talking about, so he tried to pay full attention to this god to grasp the wisdom that he was about to impart on him.

"The name of the organization! Decide on the name first; you can't always call it a secret organization, right?" Demios suggested.

"Oh, right," Adrian nodded in agreement before coming up with different names.

After contemplating for a while on the names, a small smile appeared on Adrian's face as he announced, "The name of the organization will be 'Shadow Palace.'"

"Hmm, Shadow Palace. An excellent name for an excellent organization," Demios expressed his appreciation.

"Now let's go back to Antinia. Two months should have passed now, right?" Adrian asked for confirmation as he started moving towards the direction of Antinia.

"Oh, so you remember. Time does flow faster in the ruins, and two months should have passed on the outside," Demios answered in agreement with Adrian.

After receiving confirmation from Demios, Adrian increased his speed to reach Antinia as fast as possible.

2 hours later...

Adrian found himself sitting in front of Captain Tauras, Count Nadino, and his son Valark Nadino in a large hall seemingly designed for guests of high importance.

"Sir Adrian, let me start by apologizing for my rude behavior towards you," Valark Nadino bowed sincerely as he continued, "I never respected you and looked down upon you even without knowing you. I sincerely ask for your forgiveness."

"Oh, that's alright. You never harmed me in any way, so there is no need to apologize. And if it makes you feel better, let's say I accept your apology," Adrian assured, placing his hand on Valark's shoulder.

"Now that's over, allow me to thank you for saving my life," Count Nadino chimed in, expressing gratitude with a slight bow.

"There's no need to thank me, sir. It was my duty as the vice-captain of the Nadino Knights," Adrian said, lifting the count's head.

"Well, even if you say so, I would have to reward you appropriately, right, Captain Tauras?" Count Nadino said, turning to Tauras.

"Of course, sir. You should reward him appropriately."

"So, Sir Adrian, what would you like as a reward? You can ask for anything within my power," Count Nadino asked, carrying a gentle smile on his face.