Chapter 251

Chapter 251
Chapter 251

—

The Divine Isle

London, England. Christ Church, Oxford.

Inside the grand college hall, a multitude of high-society figures were gathered for a lavish feast. These were the power brokers of British politics and finance, representing the core of the four major cliques currently wrestling for control over the Royal Family’s future.

“Could that be him…?”

“Oliver?”

“The Prince of Edinburgh?”

Despite the facade of laughter and lighthearted chatter, every eye in the room was surreptitiously locked onto a single individual. Their collective attention was centered on Oliver, who sat at the fringes of the celebration, sipping his drink in silence.

Following the Queen’s passing, England had been locked in a tense stalemate between three rival factions. The arrival of Oliver, however, had completely disrupted the status quo. Initially, he had been overlooked; his place in the line of succession was negligible, and he lacked any notable reputation. Yet, with startling speed, he had evolved into a political powerhouse that now threatened the dominance of the established giants.

“The man who never smiles… the stories were true.”

“He looks as though he wouldn’t bleed if you cut him.”

“Wasn’t there a rumor about him having a fragile, ‘glass’ heart? That must have been a lie.”

Though handsome, his face was a mask of cold indifference. He appeared somewhat frail at a distance, yet he was widely known throughout the country as the “Iron-Blooded Prince.” This reputation was earned through his absolute governance of Edinburgh. Unlike the rest of the nation, Edinburgh had remained virtually untouched by the monster outbreaks—a miracle that coincided exactly with Oliver taking the reins.

In Edinburgh, Oliver’s word was law. He was viewed as a leader of peerless charisma, possessing a clinical decisiveness and a spirit of tempered steel.

“Prince Oliver. Is the gala not to your liking?”

“…It is quite amusing, Melson. Watching them grin while clutching daggers behind their backs.”

Oliver’s retort to his butler, Melson, was icy. Despite his detached tone, he was being honest. He had never felt at home in such circles. In his former life, his physical heart was so diseased that he lived on the brink of death. Had he remained that man—the one who hid from the world by living as Hudson in Pangaea—standing among these British lions would have been a fever dream.

Everything had shifted the moment he crossed paths with Randolph.

“He reunited me with Serengeti, mended my broken heart, and forced me to look at the real world.”

In the digital realm of Pangaea, he was the merchant Hudson, but in the physical world, he was Oliver, a claimant to the British throne. Randolph had provided the strength necessary to reclaim the life he had once abandoned. Since then, his progress had accelerated; his levels rose, and he found the inner resolve to live authentically. A new, unshakable purpose had taken root in his soul.

“Actually… it’s becoming a bit stifling. Could you give me some space?”

Oliver sighed. It wasn’t just Melson crowding him.

“That is out of the question.”

“The Queen gave us strict orders to ensure your safety.”

The towering men standing guard were Oliver’s protectors. They appeared human, but their true natures were far from it. They were the elite subordinates of the Dragon God Hana and members of the Blood-Demon Race, who worshipped Randolph as their sole deity. While they were instrumental in securing Edinburgh, their protective instincts were becoming a burden.

“They have no idea I am Hudson.”

One reason for their fanatical protection was the need to shield his identity. If the world discovered that Prince Oliver was actually Hudson from Pangaea, the fallout would be catastrophic. A human overseeing the Labyrinth City of the Five Perils—monstrous entities—would be a prime target for political rivals to tear apart. Because their mission was to prevent any threat that might force Oliver to expose his Hudson persona, their overzealousness was logical, if annoying.

“Oliver. It has been quite some time.”

A woman dressed in an exquisite gown approached him.

“…Princess Mary. It is an honor to see you again.”

Oliver dropped to one knee, lightly kissing the back of her hand. She was the young princess who possessed the strongest claim to the late Queen’s lineage. She looked down at him with an expression of intense curiosity.

“I don’t think we’ve spoken since we were children.”

“Indeed. Nearly thirteen years have passed.”

As Oliver stood and gave a curt reply, Mary looked perplexed. His stoicism was a sharp contrast to the way other suitors fawned over her. Given her renowned beauty, men rarely looked past her so easily. She decided to be direct.

“Do you find me unattractive?”

“You are quite beautiful.”

“Those are just empty pleasantries.”

“…I assure you, they are not.”

“Then why did you ignore my correspondence?”

The letter. He remembered it well—specifically, he remembered tossing it into the bin the moment he read it. He knew exactly why he hadn’t replied.

“I am already betrothed to another.”

The letter had proposed a political union, a one-sided arrangement made without any regard for Oliver’s personal feelings.

“Is this woman more beautiful than I am?”

“……”

“Are you so stunned that you can’t even manage a polite lie now?”

She glared at him, her pride wounded. Oliver’s behavior was certainly a breach of courtly etiquette, yet he found himself unable to lie.

“She is far plainer than Serengeti.”

That was the simple truth in his heart. Even if Princess Mary was the most stunning woman on Earth, everyone appeared dull to Oliver when compared to Serengeti. Tears began to well in the Princess’s eyes.

“You would wound a young lady’s heart so cruelly?”

“My apologies.”

“I demand a duel, Oliver.”

He blinked, caught off guard.

“…With me, Princess?”

“We shall use champions if necessary. However, the defeated party must fulfill one request for the victor, no matter what.”

“If that request involves a wedding, I must refuse.”

“No. What I want is the truth about who you really are, Oliver. I want to know your identity in ‘Pangaea’.”

So that was it. This had been the plan all along.

Everyone was desperate to unmask Oliver. Whispers were everywhere, suggesting that his sudden recovery and personality shift were the result of him being an Awakened. They were hunting for Hudson to use him as a political weapon.

Oliver maintained his composure.

“I am not an Awakened.”

Princess Mary shook her head immediately.

“Don’t lie, Oliver. You are one of them. I am aware that beneath your private residence, you have installed a ‘Life Support System’ for extended sessions in the other realm.”

Such systems were mandatory for serious players—devices designed to sustain the body while the mind remained logged in for long periods. There was no reason for a non-player to own one. While he had originally installed it due to his failing health, explaining that now would be useless; to everyone else, he was a man in perfect health.

Princess Mary leaned in closer.

“There are even rumors suggesting you might actually be ‘Randolph.’ It’s a compelling theory, and I intend to uncover the reality.”

“……”

The suggestion was so absurd it left him speechless.

“Oliver is… Randolph?”

“The legendary Randolph from the game?”

“That’s insane!”

The room erupted into a flurry of whispers. Every person in the hall knew that name. Global powers were scouring the world for ‘Randolph,’ believing that whoever secured his allegiance would effectively rule the world. Yet, Randolph remained a ghost; no one had ever seen his real face or found his physical location.

“This is getting out of hand.”

To be mistaken for Randolph was a dangerous complication. He wondered how much she truly knew. If she had discovered the life support system, she likely had informants deep within his inner circle.

“If Mary is targeting me, she might eventually stumble upon the real Randolph.”

Oliver grew incredibly wary. If he continued to simply deny everything, the focus might shift toward ‘Park Hyunmyeong.’

“Will you cower from this challenge even after insulting me, Oliver?”

“…Very well, Princess. I accept.”

He had no valid reason to decline without looking guilty. As he agreed, a triumphant smile crossed Mary’s face.

“He’s taken the bait.”

She believed she had him trapped. Unless he revealed a hidden power level equivalent to Randolph’s, there was no way he could win this engagement.

“Excellent. Allow me to present my champion. Sir Aylon!”

“Aylon?”

“The Transcender Aylon…!”

The hall buzzed with excitement again. Aylon was a legendary Awakened, the paramount knight credited with defending London from countless monster sieges. He was a top-tier ranker known across the globe.

“She is truly desperate to expose me.”

Oliver mentally clicked his tongue. By bringing out Aylon, Mary was showing her hand. Aylon was a genuine Transcender; even if Oliver used his Hudson persona, he wouldn’t stand a chance.

“I will handle this.”

“No, let me take him.”

At his side, his two guards began arguing over who would fight. To an outsider, it looked like a petty squabble, but Oliver knew the truth. These were two of the strongest beings in existence, ranked among the elite of the Blood-Demon Race.

“The Ten Legions. These are the Commanders who lead them.”

They were the generals of the Blood-Demon Race, each commanding tens of thousands of warriors.

“……”

“……”

“……”

The room fell into a deathly silence as the duel concluded. The outcome was inconceivable.

“Sir… Sir Aylon…!”

Princess Mary gasped in sheer terror. Aylon lay defeated on the floor. Standing over him, Oliver’s guard didn’t have a scratch on him. No one had even seen the killing blow; all they knew was that the great Aylon had been systematically dismantled by a superior force. Oliver simply looked on, as if this were the only possible outcome.

“This can’t be!”

“A strength that dwarfs a Transcender…!”

The sight of such a powerful subordinate changed everything. A single terrifying thought took hold of every witness in the room.

“Is he… actually Randolph?”

The theory that Oliver was the true Randolph suddenly felt very real.

—

I opened my eyes. The familiar surroundings of my own room greeted me—a place I hadn’t visited in quite some time. Despite my absence, the area was pristine, without a hint of dust.

“This lowly servant welcomes the Great God.”

The reason for the cleanliness was immediately apparent. There was someone else in the house. They looked human, but I sensed their true nature instantly. It was a Blood-Demon, though one I hadn’t met before.

“Why is there a Blood-Demon in my home?”

“The Queen assigned me here. Oh Great One, allow me to introduce myself. I am Alkar of the Black Stain, ranked 3rd.”

It appeared Hana, the Blade Dragon God, had sent him to act as my personal guard. Since Isera and Lucaria held the first two ranks, Alkar was essentially the most powerful Blood-Demon in existence, surpassed only by them and Hana herself.

“You are here guarding me instead of Prince Oliver?”

Alkar’s face drained of color instantly.

“Ah…! The idea of someone as insignificant as me ‘guarding’ the Great God is blasphemy. I am merely your servant; if my presence offends you, please, strike me down as an offering!”

He was practically begging for death as a sacrifice. I shook my head, dismissing the thought.

“That isn’t what I meant. Shouldn’t the elite be protecting Oliver?”

“The 9th and 10th Legion Commanders are currently assigned to him. The Queen determined that their strength would be more than sufficient for his needs.”

I shrugged at his answer. If that was Hana’s tactical assessment, I trusted it. It also served as a testament to how much the Blood-Demon Race had flourished and how much their power had grown in recent times.

“I won’t need to worry about my physical safety.”

Usually, protecting one’s body in reality was a major concern for players. But with Alkar of the Black Stain standing watch, I was probably safer than anywhere else on Earth. I could feel the immense, dark energy radiating from him.

However, I had more pressing concerns than my new bodyguard. There was a specific reason I had logged out so abruptly, a reason that made me barely notice Alkar’s presence.

“The Divine Isle… it has finally synced with Earth.”