In the end, all went according to Ater's grand scheme.

The Nobles, Deserters, and Dragons were all eliminated on the same day—each taken off the board in a rather spectacular, yet natural way. As long as the narrative that was spun remained effective, there would be no problem.

The Nobles were killed by the Deserters, hence getting rid of them and the annoying authority that they wielded in the Alliance. The economic and social impact their demise was going to cause made the Royal Council silently celebrate. The dissolution of their estate, the confiscation of their assets, as well as the massive creation of spaces in the South, would allow for a greater quality of life and less cost for those who lived there.

There would also be less resistance to the governance of the Royal Council.

As for the Deserters, since they were wild cards running around—with no allegiance to the betterment of humanity—they were more beneficial being dead. Since they were used as the scapegoats of the Nobles, it only made sense that their deaths would be seen as deserving.

Yes, the Otherworlders who were their classmates would feel uncomfortable if they were to be executed, but if they died as a natural consequence of their actions, then their demise would be more justified.

As for the Dragons, their elimination was inevitable, but Ater simply had to make the most of their involvement with the Capital.

After understanding the purpose of their arrival, and the rules that they had to abide with, it was easy to orchestrate a scenario where the loss suffered by the Dragons would be far greater than simply killing them.

It would also serve to help him better understand certain things he was lacking in.

Needless to say… it was a great success.

'And now…' Ater thought to himself as he remained in the darkness. '... To prepare for the epilogue to this game.'

The last thing he hoped to achieve with his involvement was underway.

'Ahh… I can't wait.'

*****************

Tremors.

Frey'ja, the White Dragon Lord Of The Forbidden Valley, was experiencing tremors throughout her body as she stood before a certain figure.

She was in her domain—possessing all the advantage that any Dragon would in their place of power—yet she felt helpless. The entity before her was a Dragon like herself, but the gap in abilities between them was enough to make her body shake.

She tried to speak, but words wouldn't come out.

Her lips shook as her eyes were fixed down, unable to look at the being's face.

"The Emperor is not pleased…" The voice of the aged man echoed into the air, causing her skin to nearly jump.

The Great Old Dragon Lord usually had a calm, collected voice, and that was still present in the way he spoke to Frey'ja. But, there was also something else attached to his tone.

It was silent rage.

"Your subordinates broke the rules of the Emperor, Frey'ja. It is to my understanding that they were in the Capital per your orders."

'I-I never told them to attack humans there! I warned them!' Frey'ja wanted to scream out, but she didn't dare speak now—interrupting the Great Old Dragon Lord.

"You also had co-conspirators: Tat'urious, Pro'theus, and Vul'khan. I already paid them a visit and exterminated them."

Frey'ja had to swallow her shriek the moment she heard that.

"That's right, Frey'ja. They are all dead… all thanks to your indiscretion." As he said this, the Great Old Dragon took a step closer to the shaking Lord.

She seemed to be nothing more than a frightened child in his presence.

Who could blame her? If the co-conspirators were killed without mercy, what was to befall the one who brought them all together? Frey'ja had a single thought etched in her mind as the Great Old Dragon drew even closer.

'What will my fate be?'

"The Emperor has no need for subordinates who can not follow simple orders. You are better off dead than alive—for the benefit of the Empire, of course."

At this point, Frey'ja fell to her knees and pressed her forehead against the ground, desperate to live. "H-have mercy! P-please… Please have mercy!"

She already knew that the Great Old Dragon Lord was not interested in any explanation or excuse. The others must have also tried to plead their case, but he eliminated them anyway. Even pleading for her life was useless at this point.

Yet… YET…!

"I will serve the Emperor even more diligently than I have in the past! I swear it! Please give me another chance!" Frey'ja already knew she couldn't win against the Dragon before her.

He was too ancient—almost as ancient as the Dragon Emperor himself.

"H-have mer—!" Before she realized it, her neck was being tightly held by the strong hand of the Great Old Dragon, and he effortlessly raised her into the air.

His grip was firm and inescapable, and his arm was steady and unmoving—almost like a statue.

"P-please… me-mercy…" Tears fell from Frey'ja's eyes as she was met with the unfeeling gaze of the Old One.

"Hm. You do not need to beg for your life, Frey'ja. I never had any intention of killing you."

"E-eh…?"

Both relief and shock instantly appeared on her face. It wasn't like she wasn't happy that she was being spared, but she was confused as to the reason.

"You still remain a valuable educator in the Academy, and the young ones have grown quite attached to you. They're at a pivotal moment in their education at the moment, as you are well aware, so taking you off the board right now would be unwise…" This could have been the sentiment of an old man speaking, but Frey'ja gladly took it regardless.

"Thank you so much! I won't let you down! I promi—!"

"Still, I have to take something from you… or it wouldn't be fair." The Great Old Dragon Lord stared deep into Frey'ja's moist blue eyes and smiled for the first time since he appeared before her.

"You have good eyes…"

It was slow and excruciating, the plucking out of just one of her crystal-like eyes. This was mercy, compared to what was meted out to her colleagues, but Frey'ja still felt every ounce of pain that it brought to her.

She could not stop screaming in horror and agony.

"ARRRGHHHHHHHHH!!!"