S.A. Group's headquarters. Lim Cheolho was focused on his work when he suddenly received a report from the supercomputer, Morpheus.
[A Duke title has been acquired.]
"What?"
Lim Cheolho was startled. A Duke title was a symbolic power that could only be granted to players who had either succeeded a legend or were on the path to becoming one. It was incredibly difficult to obtain due to its immense strength. A player had to accumulate countless achievements and gain full recognition from the residents of Satisfy to earn it.
"Morpheus? Didn't you predict that these titles wouldn't appear for another three years and eight months?"
[It is due to one of the miracle players. Michael has once again defied my predictions.]
"Michael...! Haha! He did it again?"
Lim Cheolho had a great appreciation for Michael. A naturally talented player who had initially been lazy, but after seeing the depth of Satisfy's world, he started enjoying it and pushing himself to his full potential.
"What did he do to break your prediction this time?"
[It was his overwhelming display of power during the Eternal Invasion event. The way he single-handedly dominated the raid—drawing the attention of not only most nobles but even the golems—led to him receiving the title.]
"Then what title did he obtain?"
[Eternal Duke of Pressure.]
"Eternal Duke of Pressure?"
The word Eternal before the title indicated that Michael hadn't yet fully mastered its potential. That wasn't surprising—it was still too early for a perfect Duke title to appear.
Lim Cheolho wondered when Michael might complete the title and evolve it into its perfected form: Duke of Pressure.
"Duke of Pressure is one of the most powerful offensive titles," he mused, analyzing its effects. The Execution Strike skill was a perfect example of its overwhelming power.
"Though he obtained the wrong title..." Lim Cheolho couldn't help but think. The Duke title related to his class, Thananos' Descendant, was supposed to be Duke of Death, while the one associated with his second class, Demon Slayer, was Duke of Harmony—yet he had obtained neither.
"That's why it's fun to watch miracle players. They always do something unexpected," he mused as he glanced at the other miracle players.
"Though it's a pity… in this event, the Pagma Successor, Grid, was the one who was supposed to gain more achievements and should have manages to obtain Reidan City."
Reidan was a crucial location, being close to the Mysterious Forest, where one of the lost techniques of Pagma's Sword Dance was hidden.
"I guess Grid will have to wait before obtaining it," Lim Cheolho thought as he shook his head.
****
The reward ceremony was completed, and now it was time for the grand celebration. Everyone was partying—except for Michael, who was sitting across from the king, watching him with a curious expression.
"Your Majesty, why did you call me here?" Michael asked as he looked at the king.
King Wiesbaden smiled, his gaze sharp yet filled with respect. "Archduke Michael, I have a proposition for you," he said, his tone serious.
Michael raised an eyebrow. "A proposition?"
The king gestured towards the only other person in the room—a maid standing quietly at the side. "You may have met her before," he said.
Michael glanced at the maid and immediately recognized her. "Yes, she was there when I woke up," he nodded, his curiosity growing. "So, what does she have to do with your proposition?"
The king smiled as he turned to the maid. "Violet, take off your mask."
The maid in question hesitated for a brief moment before making a gentle motion over her face. As she removed the mask, a wave of magic dispersed into the air. What had once appeared to be a simple, unremarkable servant now revealed itself to be an extraordinary beauty. She had long, bright silver hair that shimmered under the light and deep blue eyes that seemed to hold countless secrets.
Michael stared at her, momentarily captivated. As their eyes met, she gave him a soft smile.
"She is Violet Fianna Eternal, my niece, the daughter of my second brother," the king explained.
Michael's gaze shifted to the king, his expression thoughtful.
"My brother left the throne to me, even though he had every right to claim it for himself. Despite being stronger than me, he willingly stepped aside," Wiesbaden began, his voice tinged with nostalgia. "He left for adventure, choosing a different path, but my father, the previous king, was enraged by his decision. In his fury, he exiled my brother, considering his departure an act of betrayal."
Michael listened closely as the king continued.
"During his travels, my brother met a woman—Violet's mother. They fell in love, and from that love, Violet was born. However, he later discovered something unexpected. The woman he loved was not human but a high elf. When he learned the truth, he was furious and demanded to know why she had hidden it from him."
Michael raised an eyebrow at the revelation.
"She confessed that she had been cursed by a great demon, stripping her of her high elf abilities. In every way, she was no different from a normal human. But," the king paused, glancing at Violet, "she also revealed that their child—Violet—would be born with high elf lineage, untouched by the curse."
Michael turned his attention back to Violet, who stood quietly, her expression unreadable.
"My brother forgave her, but the price for their child's safety was steep. To ensure Violet was born without the curse, they themselves were afflicted instead. By the time my brother realized what had happened, it was too late. With little time left, he entrusted Violet to me before he and his wife disappeared."
Michael frowned slightly. "You mean... he never returned?"
"Yes," the king nodded. "Though, he wrote to me often, always asking about Violet. But then, one day, his letters stopped. He had told me that he only had a few months left, and when that time passed... I never heard from him again."
A heavy silence fell over the room before Wiesbaden sighed and continued.
"Since then, I have raised Violet as my own child. However, as you can see, she has been hidden from the world. Many nobles, including my own sons, would see her as a threat to the royal succession."
Michael nodded in understanding.