Prince Alvin’s chest burned with anger.

"I have already lowered myself as far as possible to appease Dorek," he said through clenched teeth. "Tell me, how much longer am I expected to flatter him? How many more humiliations must I endure before any of you admit that retreat has become surrender?"

The elders below remained silent.

None of them possessed an answer capable of changing the situation. Every political calculation they had once relied upon had been overturned by military force. Dorek’s legions were outside the capital. Treasure-Rich Starfield had been erased. Even factions that had supported Alvin for years were secretly contacting his rival.

After a long silence, Alvin released a weary sigh.

"Very well. Issue the proclamation exactly as you suggested."

Not long afterward, an official document spread throughout the universe.

The Holy See publicly declared that Treasure-Rich Starfield had harbored Tribulation-Ash corruption and concealed dangerous traces of a Tribulation Source. Its destruction by the imperial legion was defined as a lawful act performed for the safety of the Eternal Empire.

Anyone with even the slightest political awareness understood the true meaning.

Dorek’s momentum had become unstoppable.

Even Prince Alvin, who still nominally controlled the central institutions of the empire, had been forced to lower his head and publicly justify Dorek’s actions.

* * *

Within Dorek’s residence, a very different atmosphere prevailed.

"Teacher, all western starfield legions are now in position," Dorek reported. He released a long breath and looked visibly satisfied with the situation.

Hundreds of millions of powerful warriors were stationed outside the Imperial City. If he issued a single command, they could launch an attack capable of reducing the capital to ruins.

More importantly, the Imperial City Defense Department had already shifted toward Dorek’s faction. Its commanders, guards, formations, and intelligence officers were prepared to defect whenever he gave the signal.

Dorek now controlled nearly every security system inside and outside the capital.

Only the imperial palace and the Holy See remained under Alvin’s influence.

Daniel considered the situation for a moment before speaking.

"Order the Oric Legion, commanded by Divine Emperor Audric, to enter the city. Audric is your maternal grandfather. You can trust him completely. Once the Oric Legion is inside the capital, surround the residences of every expert belonging to the Holy See. Do not allow any of them to leave the sacred district."

Daniel’s voice remained calm, but his instructions were merciless.

"In addition, place Prince Alvin under confinement. Separate him from his supporters, his officials, and his remaining military assets. The best result is to turn him into a commander without soldiers and a prince without followers."

Dorek nodded.

"And after that?"

Daniel smiled faintly.

"After that, you will bring the Holy See experts under guard and travel to the imperial temple with the Oric Legion. If you arrive accompanied by an army loyal only to you, no one will dare move against you during the ceremony. Once the ancestral rites are completed, you can begin preparations for your enthronement. By then, even your father will have little ability to stop you."

The word enthronement caused Dorek’s heart to pound.

He had waited for this moment for far too long. For years, the throne had seemed like a distant dream, something reserved for brothers with stronger clans, richer supporters, and greater favor from the court. Now, for the first time, he could almost reach it.

* * *

Orders were issued one after another.

The Oric Legion entered the Imperial City without encountering meaningful resistance. The city gates opened, the defense formations recognized the legion’s authority, and the guards stationed along the main avenues quietly withdrew.

The moment the legion entered, it surrounded the residences of every major expert associated with the Holy See.

All Holy See experts were ordered to remain within their estates. Anyone attempting to leave without authorization would be killed immediately.

Those who happened to be outside when the operation began were gathered in guarded compounds. Their communication artifacts were sealed, their movements restricted, and their subordinates disarmed.

When the elders within the Holy See received the reports, their minds went blank.

Only then did they fully understand that the rhythm of the Imperial City had fallen entirely into Dorek’s hands. Every road, military formation, gate, and administrative channel was being controlled by his faction.

No matter what plan they created, they no longer possessed the force required to execute it.

Everything they had done from the beginning now resembled the performance of clowns before an audience that had already decided the outcome.

Several elders lowered their heads in despair. They had no idea what move remained available.

In truth, everyone understood the same thing.

Dorek was about to ascend the throne.

The day was very close.

When Prince Alvin learned that his supporters had been confined and the city had fallen under military control, he finally accepted that the broader situation was lost. He dismissed the experts still gathered around him and allowed them to leave freely.

From that moment onward, Alvin became truly isolated.

He still possessed the title of prince, but no one remained willing to gamble their life upon his victory.

* * *

Several days later, the date of the imperial ancestral ceremony arrived.

As Daniel had predicted, the Holy See sent Dorek a formal invitation.

Dorek made no attempt to conceal his strength. Following Daniel’s instructions, he traveled to the secret realm of the imperial temple accompanied by the entire Oric Legion and the Holy See experts who had been placed under guard.

Within the procession, Daniel saw Divine Emperor Audric for the second time.

Their first meeting had occurred inside a secret-realm instance. At that time, Audric had been dressed in rags and covered in severe wounds. He had crossed the Time River while gravely injured and arranged for countless members of the Fated Human Race to settle within the Myriad-Race Universe.

The man before Daniel now looked completely different.

Audric stood tall in an expensive set of imperial armor. His presence was majestic, his eyes sharp, and his aura vast enough to shake the surrounding space. There was not the slightest trace of his former wretched appearance.

According to the information Daniel had received, Audric had already reached half-step Eternal Grade. He had merely concealed his true cultivation for many years, showing the outside world only the aura of a peak T9 expert.

As Dorek’s maternal grandfather, Audric naturally supported him without reservation.

He also regarded Daniel with great approval. Audric understood better than most that Dorek could never have reached this point without Daniel’s guidance.

In the beginning, Dorek had been a neglected prince with almost no one beside him except an old servant. He had not even dared remain within the Imperial City. His greatest ambition had been to flee toward the Heavenly Fate Starfield and seek the protection of the Fated Human Race.

Now, he had surpassed every competing prince, taken command of the imperial legions, and defeated Prince Alvin.

All that remained was the throne.

Every expert within Dorek’s faction, whether they had supported him from the beginning or joined only after his rise, understood Daniel’s contribution.

No one could replace Daniel’s position in Dorek’s heart.

During the procession, Daniel stood only half a step behind Dorek. No one else was permitted to stand ahead of them.

The sight filled many realm-crossers with envy. They had all crossed time and arrived in this era under similar conditions, yet Daniel had surpassed them completely and now stood above countless imperial officials.

Inside the imperial temple, the complicated ancestral rites proceeded according to ancient tradition.

The Eternal Emperor was absent, still secluded somewhere while attempting to overcome his tribulation. His absence turned the ceremony into a formal sequence performed without its previous ruler.

Once the final rite ended, the civil and military officials assembled in ordered ranks.

Before all of them, Dorek changed into the robes of the emperor.

He stepped onto the imperial platform and issued a proclamation to the entire universe.

From that moment onward, he was the new ruler of the Eternal Empire.

* * *

Dorek entered the imperial palace and immediately assumed control of every central authority. Prince Alvin was stripped of all official power, military access, and administrative privileges.

The Eternal Empire had received its new sovereign.

Emperor Dorek had ascended the throne.