Is this really a Game?!

Reign accompanied the Irason Kingdom officials back to the city, where the prisoners were securely held. Those that Reign had defeated together with Athlaston and the rest of his group were also brought here. Most of them had died during the battle as Reign wasn't interested in simply knocking them out so that they would serve as prisoners at that time, he was fully focused on eliminating the threat they posed, and thus he had killed plenty of them, even the Tier Vs.

The traitors of the kingdom were subjected to rigorous interrogations, with magical and mundane means employed to extract information about their motives and any potential accomplices. After that, they were healed and brought outside to the city square, where their trial started.

The citizens gathered for the trial, witnessing the exposure of those who had betrayed their kingdom. The evidence presented was irrefutable, and the traitors faced the consequences of their actions.

The trial served not only as a means of justice but also as a deterrent to those who might consider betraying the kingdom. The citizens, though shaken by the revelation of internal threats, found solace in the swift and decisive actions taken by the Irason Kingdom authorities. The unity among the people strengthened as they collectively denounced treason and reaffirmed their loyalty to the kingdom.

Reign's involvement in thwarting the ambush and uncovering the traitors became the talk of the city. Rumors of his lightning-infused prowess and strategic brilliance spread like wildfire, capturing the imagination of the citizens. Some regarded him as a hero, while others saw him as a symbol of the kingdom's resilience.

Athlaston, recognizing Reign's pivotal role in preserving the kingdom's security, extended a formal invitation to him. The king himself wished to meet the enigmatic ally who had played a crucial part in defending the Irason Kingdom. Reign, though not accustomed to such attention, accepted the invitation, intrigued by the prospect of meeting the ruler of this land.

The journey to the capital was accompanied by Athlaston and a small entourage. The journey was not a short one as it took them about two days to reach the capital, and that was mostly thanks to the great transportation they had.

They were inside a large carriage that was being pulled by two Tier IV monsters. The strength of the monsters alone made it so that no bandit or monster dared come close, and in the rare occasions that one did, Athlaston or Reign simply had to release a bit of their auras to make them run away.

The kingdom also had flying monsters that they had tamed, but unfortunately, the south of the kingdom was the most peaceful, as well as the one region that was almost never under threat, so such beasts were not present there as they had all been moved to the north because of the war.

 As they approached the grand city, Reign couldn't help but marvel at the architectural marvels that adorned the capital. The towering structures, adorned with intricate designs, spoke of a kingdom rich in history and tradition.

Upon reaching the palace, Reign was ushered into an audience with the king. The throne room, adorned with regal splendor, exuded an air of authority. The king, a figure of both power and wisdom, welcomed Reign with a nod. "Reign, the defender of Irason, your deeds have reached my ears. I am grateful for your service to our kingdom."

The king looked like a middle-aged man, which slightly surprised Reign.

Both the kingdoms of Irason and Elais were kingdoms of elves. They all had long lifespans, and they were not as fertile as humans, thus having fewer kids, but when you can live for centuries even if you are not a Tier I combatant, that is not a big issue.

The king looking middle-aged meant that he was very old. He was probably a couple of centuries old, which made Reign a bit confused.

Even if the region where the two kingdoms were located didn't have plenty of Tier VI monsters, shouldn't there still be enough for some people to evolve to Tier VII after such a long time?

"I can see that you are surprised, let me guess, you are wondering why an old bastard like me is still a Tier VI, aren't you?" The king asked with a wide smile before erupting in laughter after seeing Reign's expression.

"Don't worry, every person that has come from a different world had the same expression and question for me, and the answer is simple."

"This world is one that belongs to the lower hierarchy, the most powerful person is a Tier VIII, and there had been two Transcendents in the past that came from this world, but both left to find more opportunities in the vast universe."

"You see, as king, I am very busy and unfortunately, I do not have the luxury to go to the more dangerous areas of the world to hunt, nor can I leave my kingdom and go to a different world to fight and level up there."

"You will see plenty of such situations in the vast universe, there are plenty of people who cannot do as they wish because of their obligations."

The king said with a gentle smile, to which Reign replied by nodding his head and thanking him for explaining things.

The king continued, "Your actions have proven invaluable, Reign, the traitors were a surprise considering the fact they are nobles that live in the south."

"The enemy could have dealt us quite a blow had it not been for you, the loss of Athlaston, as well as many more soldiers and officers in the south, would make the people panic, and the enemy would have definitely started destroying plenty of outposts, as well as farmlands and crops to make us suffer a food shortage."

"That would have placed us in a difficult situation, one that would have definitely made this war much worse, after all, the loyalty that people have for the crown is something that can change quickly when they are starving."

Reign nodded, fully agreeing with what the king had said.

The Elais kingdom had truly plotted a devious plan. The south of the kingdom had fertile lands, as well as plenty of forests where low-level monsters and other beasts lived.

It was a very important part of the kingdom that was in charge of producing food, without the south, the kingdom would surely suffer greatly and they would be forced to import food from other kingdoms just to make sure the people wouldn't starve.

"Now, I can sense that you are at the peak of your realm, and considering the fact we didn't call you here, I can only go out on a limb and guess that you are here for your evolution, am I correct?" The king asked with a smile, to which Reign replied with a smile of his own.

"Correct, the system sent me here for my evolution challenge."

"My challenge is quite a simple one." Reign said, to which everybody present paid attention.

"It's to help you guys win the war that you have been embroiled in the last two decades, that's all."

Silence was present in the royal hall before the king suddenly erupted in laughter.

The king's laughter echoed through the grand hall, a mixture of surprise and amusement etched on the faces of those present. Athlaston, who stood by Reign's side, couldn't help but share in the king's amusement at the simplicity of the evolution challenge.

"You truly have an evolution quest to aid us in the war?" the king asked between chuckles.

Reign nodded. "Yes, that's the essence of it. I must contribute to ensuring the victory of the Irason Kingdom in this war."

"I truly do not know what the system is thinking with giving you such a challenge, after all, this is a war that has been going on for two entire decades, and even after so long, after so many deaths and so much bloodshed, the end of the war is still not in sight."

"I do not mean to demean you, but you are a Tier V warrior, even though I have heard of your strength and it is definitely enough to place you at the very top of Tier V combatants, both the Elais kingdom and we have Tier VI combatants."

"I know, even if I use everything I have, I can only hope for a draw against a Tier VI, and that is when talking about a low-grade Tier VI combatant."

"I have no idea why such a task would be given to me, but the system wouldn't place me in an impossible situation, the challenge has been given to me, and that means it is possible, I only need to figure out just how my presence here can help you win the war."

The king nodded to him before he suddenly stopped and stared at Reign.

"Did you just say that if you go all out you can match a Tier VI?"

"Yes."

"Athlaston, you didn't mention his power is that great."

"I didn't truly go all out during that battle, I can't fight for long like that, and I need to wait a long time before using it again."

"Apologies, I could have saved more of your men, but that is something I am only willing to use if my life is threatened and there is no other solution."