Level 0 Master

Everything that once belonged to the Holy Pope Pedrian now belonged to Sungjin: the land, heroes, treasures, and people. It was a quick, clean defeat. Sungjin sat on his chair with satisfaction.

That went better than expected.

He had anticipated a long war fraught with many challenges, but with Rupellion's surrender, the victory was swift.

So they expect the new God to save them…

It seemed whichever God was ahead -be it good or evil- was the one they followed.

He laughed to himself.

I don't think this is what the goddess had intended.

Sometimes different worlds had to follow different rules. People saw the miracle through their own philosophical and religious lenses; that was good enough.

If he threw the freedom of religious faith to the people of Rupellion under the tyranny of faith, they wouldn't be able to handle it. He had seen situations like this on Earth. When the tyrant was kicked out, civil war and chaos took over.

But Rachel's love was great. She showed the good that was beyond forgiveness. She was a real saint. But the king needed to create a world where it was easy to choose good over evil. It was Sungjin's work to create a community where evil things need not be done to survive.

Using Rachel, the extreme religious point of view could be toned down.

Rachel was telling everyone that the new goddess doesn't like abusing people or hunting witches, and, so far, it was working well. Although some were confused that she was forgiving the unforgivable. The collection from the church was no longer obligatory, and the tax rate became as low as that of Sevrantina. This progress confused the people of Rupellion. They were happy but didn't understand how the system worked.

They were so oppressed.

Sungjin decided to take his time with this change. As the ruler, he didn't have to rush to implement anything.

Yes, I have my homework.

There was still Eldorado, the kingdom of the Golden Wise King, that took up half of the continent, the absolute power that was ruling the continent with the Holy Pope Pedrian. He had been the one who forced a fight, pitting Sungjin against Pedrian. This would be Sungjin's last task.

Looking at Sungjin in deep thought, Rachel asked him with a bright smile:

"Sungjin Oppa, we are lovers now, right?"

"Haw," Sungjin leaned against the wall for support.

He felt like there was another huge task in front of him.

"Why?"

He couldn't understand how she came to that conclusion. He was a smart man, but he had trouble understanding the thoughts of a child.

"Because we love each other."

"How is that?"

"The goddess said your love tried to save me without any reward, and my love tried to save you from pain. So it is clear that we love each other!"

It was then Sungjin was able to understand the logical flow in Rachel's head, and, with that, he developed a massive headache.

"Well, Rachel, about that. People don't become lovers based off just those actions."

"Why? We love each other."

"That is…different from the love you are talking about."

"But the goddess said we love each other."

"That's…hmm…I'm not saying it's not love…but it is more of a general kind of love rather than between lovers…something…like love for humanity, yes, humanity."

"Huh?" Rachel didn't understand, and Sungjin didn't know how to explain.

The gods are continuing to challenge me.

But he wouldn't give up; he was determined to make Rachel understand the difference between romantic love and platonic love.

I won't give up this easily…

"I don't think I get it, but let's do the love between lovers as well. That will make it work!" She ran into his arms to make him feel her soft and lovely skin.

He breathed in her sweet skin.

Ugh.

Sungjin didn't know what to do. She was lovely and innocent. Moreover, he saw how attractive she would be when she grew up, and that excited him.

Stop.

He must restrain himself; it was safer.

"R…Rachel. That's not the same. The love between lovers is not just being happy to see each other. Your heart pounds and you blush and feel shy…"

"That's how I feel when I look at you."

"Huh?" Sungjin looked at Rachel with blank eyes.

"When I look at you, my heart pounds; when I think of you my face becomes red; when I'm in your arms, I am so happy that I nearly pass out! That's love, right?"

"Hmm, Well…hmmm…that's…you're still young…now maybe…but it will be different later…"

"I will keep loving you! I will be your lover forever!"

"Thank you for saying that…but let's talk more about this later."

"Why?"

Rachel kept asking questions, and it was getting more difficult for Sungjin to answer.

What should I say?

It was nice to think this cute and lovely child adored him and later when she turns into a beauty, she would still want to marry him. He wanted to keep her and take her later but…

That's it.

Sungjin stopped the thought of a beast inside him. He had to keep his composure and get her young mind thinking in the right direction.

Let's admit it, Rachel's mind is also a great love.

She was still inexperienced, but she wanted to go to hell for him. That was love, the puppy love of a young child.

"Rachel."

"Yes, Sungjin Oppa."

"That is love."

"Right?" Rachel's eyes started to shine like stars.

"Yes, and thank you so much for loving me," Sungjin answered sincerely.

"Hehehe." Rachel blushed.

"But Rachel, the love between lovers is for when you are grown up both physically and mentally," Sungjin didn't avoid Rachel's eyes and told her firmly.

"Hmm…Not now? Do I have to learn more to be an adult?"

"Don't be sad. I'm not saying your love now is not as big or real as the love between lovers. It's just a love with different color. Your love has given me something very beautiful."

Passionate love between adults was a great thing, but the puppy love of this young child was also meaningful.

"So let's have our love that we can't have later." Sungjin smiled and softly stroked Rachel's head.

"When you grow up, let's talk about the love of adults. I want to cherish this moment."

"Cherish this moment."

"Yes. So now that we've finished our work, should we go to the beach?"

"Let's go to…Yeah!"

Rachel laughed. She had failed to become Sungjin's lover, but she was happy that Sungjin appreciated her heart. She was happy to go to the beach with everyone.

"Yeah…the beach!"

Sungjin was happy with the result. He was glad he hadn't avoided her questions.

This is the way to take the love from a child to an adult.

Next to them, Ereka sighed.

"Which room should I give to Rachel?"

"Don't worry about her room; focus on how to drag him into your room." With Eustasia's comment, Ereka smiled gently.

"What can I do? Should I wait for Sungjin to take me?"

"You are not a bottle of wine that gets better with time."

"He said he is busy with battles."

"He keeps pushing it back because of your behavior! That's why I can't have him as well! When the frontline hesitates, the troops behind also struggle, don't you know?"

"I said I'll wait, and should we build more rooms in the castle? It's okay for now, but we may need more rooms later."

"Work on securing your honeymoon before worrying about other people's rooms."

Jenna sighed next to them.

My queen has to rush a bit. Sniff. It is becoming more complicated because of her.

"Maybe it's better not to make him wait anymore," said Eustasia like a seductive snake.

"Why?"

"You heard the goddess, right?"

"Yeah. Huh? Oh…well…you mean…"

"Yes, that. Don't you think she meant that thing?"

"Do…do you think so?" Ereka's face became red.

"It's worth a try; it's a win-win for us."

"But…what if all six of us need to do it…"

"Maybe, but maybe we could do it one by one, right?"

"Perhaps," Ereka nodded.

If that's it, Sungjin would have his level and even if not…well…

It didn't matter if that's what the goddess meant or not; they would have done it with or without a grand reason.

Ereka became all red, but in her heart, she knew the goal she was now aiming for.

"I'm telling you all this because of our friendship. But I might be the one to do the testing. I won't wait for you. You should know that," clarified Eustasia.

"Okay, I got it."

Sungjin was around the corner and didn't hear the discussion among the girls. That was good. He had just solved a difficult task, and more were coming. It was better for now that he remain unaware.

******

As soon as he had cleared things up with Rachel, Sungjin tackled his next problem.

I'm facing my last fight.

He looked at the map of the continent; half was already his.

The other half belonged to Eldorado, the kingdom where gold rules everything, and there was the king Kapitle, ruler of the gold.

I wouldn't expect gods to get involved again.

It would be a human-on-human fight to find out who was the strongest of the continent. The first final of this game. If Kapitle wins, Sungjin would lose everything; if Sungjin wins, he could go forward as the conqueror of the continent.

Of course I will win, but it will be a great fight.

The Holy Pope Pedrian was a fanatic tyrant but on the battlefield, he was a truly strong adversary that had given Sungjin a thrill. He had no doubt that Kapitle would be an even better opponent.

What kind of a battle awaits me, and what kind of new members will join us?

His heart started to pound.

******

<Hidden Story - From the other side of the continent>

The Golden Wise King Kapitle laughed when he heard that everyone from Rupellion had surrendered to Sungjin. The black chess pieces in front of him all became white and rearranged themselves on the chessboard.

"Hahaha. That was unexpected."

A fight between a young lion and an old fanatic. He expected victory to take longer, but it turned out to be quite a simple fight.

"That's a good thing for me."

Pedrian was the difficult opponent, not Sungjin.

He didn't know how Pedrian could have lost using eight great Basilicas and his God. Sungjin's intelligence and fighting skills were not something he could ignore, but he still considered him weaker than Pedrian.

Sometimes, the weak will defeat the strong with luck. This would make it easier for other strong players in the game.

A child of god called on her god, a miracle I will only allow to happen once.

She was nothing more than just a high-level supporter.

But that much power is…

Kaboom.

The center of the chessboard collapsed, and the board fell down. All the white pieces bounced and scattered.

"Young lion, I praise your victory with your luck and miracles. As a reward…"

He stood up and sat down on his throne.

"I will deal with you."

When the hunt is over, the hunting dog had to be killed.