The Evolution Of A Goblin To The Peak Chapter 1250: Bodyguard

"In exactly one week, I will escort you into the Dream Realm, so ensure you and your elites are fully prepared," Souta declared with a grave expression.

Tasman gave a nod of acknowledgment.

The Blood Realm remained in a volatile state. As it continued its expansion, a full week was required for it to reach absolute stability. Once that moment arrived, the former Sovereigns and Rulers of Reem and the Land of Vanko would clash to claim their thrones.

"Do not delay in your preparations," Souta insisted.

"I hear and obey," Tasman replied with a respectful nod.

Souta and Tasman engaged in a lengthy discussion regarding the growth of the Everlasting Kingdom. Eventually, Souta dismissed Tasman and retreated to his vantage point hovering high above the domain.

He remained suspended in the air, casting his gaze downwards upon the Everlasting Kingdom.

"Saya truly left behind a marvelous gift."

Souta offered a brief smile before his features hardened once more. He directed his focus toward the distant region housing the Depth of Banquet.

"Next is the real challenge..."

The Depth of Banquet was teeming with formidable entities. The power of the Rulman Household alone was sufficient to raze the entire Everlasting Kingdom to the ground, necessitating a meticulous strategy from his end.

Attaining [Douion IV] had significantly improved his prospects in the impending battle for supremacy.

"I am certainly looking forward to this."

...

Depth of Banquet.

Inside the residential sector of the Rulman Household, situated within Wave Bond City.

Souta sat composed on a chair outside a building, observing the Rulman members as they busily reconstructed homes and various other edifices. Through the application of elemental manipulation, these trained laborers could erect multiple structures within a single day.

'Construction is simple enough, however...' Souta shifted his attention toward two figures cloaked in white robes.

These individuals were Rune Masters, tasked with engraving complex runes onto the dwellings and broader architecture to fortify them.

'The resources required for such a monumental task are truly astronomical,' Souta mused internally.

He caught sight of Wresho approaching from his peripheral vision. He rose to his feet and greeted, "Good day, sir."

Wresho simply offered a wave before taking a seat beside him.

"A good day to you as well. I appreciate you taking the initiative back then," the elder remarked.

Souta sent a contemplative glance toward the man. 'Hmm... I am certain he possessed the strength to neutralize those three intruders single-handedly.'

"As you can see, even though you are our honored guest, you were forced to intervene and found yourself drawn into our internal strife," Wresho explained.

"It was of no consequence. Those three were hardly worth mentioning. I exerted very little effort," Souta replied.

"You shall be rewarded, but you shall also receive an invitation," Wresho stated, revealing the true objective of his visit.

"An invitation?" Souta pivoted toward him, his eyebrows arching in surprise.

"Indeed. As you have witnessed, the Rulman Household sustained heavy casualties. Five elders have fallen, and the losses among those in lower ranks are even more severe. The Rulman are in desperate need of manpower, yet we failed to purge every traitor. Several escaped, and there is a high probability of a follow-up attack. This is why the Matriarch intends to hire you for a period of time."

"Hire me?"

"That is correct. The remaining higher-ups have already reached a consensus. Shortly, the Matriarch will summon you to bestow your rewards for saving our son. At that time, she will extend an invitation for you to serve as his personal bodyguard."

"A bodyguard. So you fear those traitors might return to target your son once more?"

"Precisely. I wish to watch over my son day and night, yet my duties as an elder keep me occupied. Wiptar was the one entrusted with my son’s safety before..." Wresho paused, his expression clouding as he remembered Wiptar’s face. "Regrettably, he perished due to my brother's treachery."

'Wiptar, was it? The man who died in the Twisted Forest and was also the Matriarch’s own brother,' Souta considered inwardly.

"So, I await your response. Should you choose to decline, the invitation will not be broached during the formal assembly. Should you accept, we shall begin preparations immediately."

"Hmm..." Souta stared into Wresho’s eyes, weighing his words deeply.

...

The central mansion of the Rulman Household.

The great hall spanned an enormous distance, its vaulted ceiling supported by massive pillars etched with intricate runes. Family banners hung from the rafters, and a long crimson carpet stretched from the grand entrance to an elevated dais in the distance, where a majestic throne awaited.

Members of the household lined the hall as a woman exuding a commanding presence sat upon the throne. Her expression remained icy, and a heavy, oppressive aura emanated from her presence.

It was the Matriarch, surrounded by the elders of the Rulman Household.

"Matriarch, Atos has arrived," a voice announced from beyond the heavy doors.

The doors groaned open, and Souta entered with deliberate, calm steps.

Souta felt the weight of many gazes as he crossed the floor. Upon reaching a respectful distance from the Matriarch, he paused, bowed his head, and declared, "I offer my greetings, Matriarch."

As he raised his head to face her, he surreptitiously scanned the remaining elders, noting several faces he did not recognize.

It was to be expected; various traveling elders would have returned in light of recent events.

Eleven elders were present. This likely accounted for their full remaining strength, as the traitors had been purged, leaving only these eleven.

Souta looked to his left, studying a man covered in shimmering scales, equipped with back fins, reptilian eyes, and a long, powerful tail.

'There is no doubt about it... he is the fifth-stage monster I felt during the fighting,' he thought to himself.

"In recognition of your contributions during the recent upheaval, I, the Matriarch of the Rulman Household, shall present you with a supplemental reward," Freida announced.

The elders remained silent, observing the proceedings. Clearly, as Wresho had hinted, they were already well aware of the decision.

Freida gestured with her finger, signaling two attendants to enter with metal containers.

"For your assistance in protecting my clan, these rewards are yours to command."

The attendants stepped forward; one opened a container to present the contents to Souta.

Inside, one hundred platinum coins glinted alongside a towel.

"Accept them," Freida ordered.

Souta flicked his finger, lifting the pouch of platinum coins to float alongside him. The towel, he noted, was a red-grade artifact.

Red-grade was acceptable. These people were mere mortals, unlike figures such as Goddess Athena who could simply hand out dark-grade artifacts. A dark-grade item would be prohibitively rare for them to ever surrender as a reward.

'I shall simply pass this onto others,' Souta concluded.

The attendant stepped back as the second one came forward, opening the box to reveal its contents.

It was a rectangular fruit with a blue exterior covered in numerous pores.

Souta raised his brows in genuine surprise.

Freida offered a smile and explained, "This is the Aqua World Fruit, a legendary-grade treasure that only develops in the depths of oceans where mana is exceptionally dense."

Souta was familiar with such a prize.

While it held no direct utility for himself, it was immensely powerful for someone with a water elemental affinity. It represented a peak legendary-grade item, rivaling even the Divine Phaseless Fruit.

The function of the Aqua World Fruit was straightforward: it bolstered one’s water elemental prowess. Yet, it was not merely a simple augmentation. For those who had not yet reached the Elemental Drive, consumption of this fruit could facilitate Stage 2 Integration—though it was not instantaneous, given the natural limitations of a mortal vessel.

However, Hero-rank experts who had attained Stage 3 Fusion of their water element coveted this fruit above all else. The Aqua World Fruit could propel them toward Stage 4, known as Ethereal Force in the God’s Continent.

'My [Douion IV] is arguably on par with it, but Douion offers greater versatility. The Blood Realm alone is evidence enough,' Souta mused.

"Now," Freida said, rising to her feet with a grave expression. "The Rulman Household recognizes your might. We formally propose to hire you as the personal guard to my son, Fadu Rulman."

Souta smiled and bowed low. "I accept this appointment."

Freida would not have extended the offer had she expected a refusal.

Though it was largely a formality, he was pleased with the outcome.

"As of this moment, Atos is the personal bodyguard of Fadu," Freida declared.

No one could issue commands to Souta; his duty was singular—to protect Fadu with his utmost strength. As he was an outsider, his residence here was not permanent, and he retained the freedom to depart at his leisure, though he had no intentions of leaving just yet.

He still had much to accomplish.

The assembly adjourned, and Souta exited the hall to assume his new duties.

...

Behind a modest house, in the backyard.

Souta sat in a chair, watching the legendary Aqua World Fruit levitate before him.

"Hmm... this would have been useful for Eilish, but she..." Souta grew quiet as Eilish’s memory surfaced, forcing a sigh. "I was powerless to intervene at that moment."