Primordial Chaos Dragon Tower: Harem System

Chapter 1666: Ascension of the Underworld Empress (2)

"Welcome, everyone," Indie said before clearing her throat.

"During the Primordial Era, I arrived in this place as a fugitive, unaware that a great destiny awaited me. Just like most of you, I fought my way upward, trying to survive each passing second.

"Of course, compared to the current state of the Underworld, it was far more chaotic and infinitely more dangerous back then. Even so, I endured and, alongside my trusted friends and allies, fought my way into prominence.

"When I reached a stage where I could be compared to the rulers of the thirteen layers, I saw a much greater purpose. You could call it a higher calling.

"I realized that simply becoming a Layer Queen was not enough to unite the entire Underworld and put an end to the war with the Abyssal Realm, so I did what many before me had attempted and failed to accomplish: I chose to become the first true Empress of the Underworld.

"It took millions of years, but I succeeded, and on the day I was crowned, the Underworld we all live in today was recognized as a true Realm of Existence, complete with its own laws and authority.

"Years later, when the universe was threatened, I, alongside my guards and warriors from all thirteen layers, answered the call of the Chaos Dragon and went to war.

"Because of our sacrifice and dedication, we emerged victorious, allowing all of us to stand here today. Unfortunately, I fell during that battle. However, I have returned, and I will once again take the helm as the one true Empress of the Underworld.

"I know most of you do not wish to follow me or bow before my authority. Honestly, I do not blame you. After all, you are the highest authorities within your respective layers.

"However, you are forgetting one thing."

Her voice suddenly grew colder.

"Here, I am the authority. I am the true power."

The atmosphere in the hall instantly became heavy.

"So I have called all of you here today to bend the knee, swear your allegience and witness my ascension. Those who refuse will be relieved of their duties as Kings and Queens and replaced by individuals who understand the meaning of authority."

Indie paused and sighed.

She understood the nature of the Underworld. She had no intention of luring them in with sweet promises and empty words. In the world out there, she would have done that.

However, in the Underworld, only absolute power was respected.

She had learned that lesson the hard way.

So she was making her intentions perfectly clear.

Of course, as time passed and with Kent’s help, she could eventually bring all of them to her side using sweet promises.

For today, however, she only needed the Thirteen Thrones to swear their allegiance to her. They already have the people’s respect, so while changing them would be simple, keeping them in place will maintain the peace.

That alone would significantly increase the authority and power she would receive during her crowning ceremony.

"If I am being honest with all of you, the original Thirteen Thrones I appointed were far stronger and far more promising than most of you."

A hint of nostalgia appeared in her eyes.

"I often wonder what became of them after I left."

She sighed once more, recalling the thirteen Celestials she had personally placed in charge before departing for war.

Aside from her thirteen personal guards, such as Yama and the others she would soon summon, she had also appointed thirteen rulers to govern the layers of the Underworld before she left for the Great War.

Suddenly, Indie asked,

"By the way, do any of you know what happened to the original Underworld Kings and Queens?"

Ronan immediately stood up.

"I once read an ancient record stating that a humanoid calling himself the Bone Lich Undead Emperor arrived here long ago, demanding the skeleton of an Abyssal Prince stored within the Underworld Vault."

"The Thirteen Kings and Queens attempted to stop him, but he left with the skeleton and their corpses."

Indie’s eyes narrowed.

A moment later, she subtly glanced toward Kent.

Kent had already suspected where this conversation was heading and immediately turned his head away before their eyes could meet.

Unfortunately for him, Indie was one of his wives.

’My love, does any of this sound familiar?’ her voice echoed in his mind.

’Nope,’ Kent replied without hesitation.

Deep down, however, he already knew he was responsible.

After all, Yama had already informed him that he was a wanted fugitive in the Underworld and three other realms.

’If you happen to be the one who killed my subordinates, I expect compensation, my love.’

’Only natural.’

’Tch.’

Indie turned back toward Ronan. Her expression remained calm, but the amusement in her eyes was impossible to hide.

"Thank you, Ronan," she said, deliberately mentioning his name so he would know she had not forgotten it.

As expected, Ronan smiled.

"You are the current rulers of the thirteen layers, so it would be best not to disrupt the hierarchy. That is why I am offering you an opportunity to rally under my rule."

"You do not have to trust me. You do not even have to like me. Simply remain symbols under my authority, and we will have no problems."

"Of course, those whose loyalty to me is below fifty-one percent will not be invited to the parties I intend to host."

A playful smile appeared on her face.

"And let me tell you, it has been years since I last opened my wine cellar. So imagine the potency of the Hell Wine and Underworld Mead I have stored away, waiting to be enjoyed during those gatherings."

Surprisingly, the expressions in many of their eyes changed.

Kent found the reaction amusing.

Yet again, he was left stunned by the type of ruler Indie was and the ruler she would soon become.

She knew exactly how to appeal to the people of the Underworld.

"Finally, to ensure that none of you has anyone else to call your leader besides me, let’s welcome the so-called Underworld God."

Yama appeared in the hall holding a handsome man with silver-black hair and a sharp jawline.

The man was bound in thick crimson chains.

Both his hands and legs were restrained, and his face was pale.

The moment the Underworld Kings and Queens saw him, gasps echoed throughout the hall.

Kent immediately noticed the shift.

Almost half of those who had supported him instantly switched their allegiance to Indie.

His [Omniscient Jade Eye] could perceive far more than he had initially expected.

Four of the nine supporters immediately moved to Indie’s side, while the remaining five looked deeply disappointed.

Nergal, the underworld god, had been their pillar of support.

He was supposed to be their strongest backer in the fight against the underworld empress. Yet now he was chained up, unable to free himself.

In fact, he looked utterly defeated.

"I see," Indie suddenly said. "You are the son of the Fourth Abyss King."

The chained man lifted his head and stared at her, while the underworld kings and queens gasped again.

"I always suspected that bastard had a son I was unaware of."

She leaned back against her throne.

"Well, I killed six of his sons, so I was a little arrogant back then and didn’t dig deep to kill the seventh. Seriously, how many sons does that bastard have?"

A smirk appeared on her face.

"Never mind, I will kill more later. But to think he actually planted you here so that one day you could break the seal and summon his army."

Her smile widened.

"I underestimated that bastard."

"Bitch, let me go!"

Nergal struggled violently against the chains.

"If you dare lay a finger on me, my father will reduce this weak realm to rubble!"

However, Indie merely smiled.

"Kill you? Why would I do that?"

The smile on her face became downright chilling.

"I plan to send you to the Abyss Prison, where your soul will be tortured for all eternity."

"Even if your father manages to destroy this place, unless he values your life more than his own ambitions, rescuing you will be impossible."

Nergal’s entire body trembled.

"Yama, take him to the dungeons."

Yama nodded.

The next moment, both he and the chained Abyss Prince vanished from the hall.

Indie then looked at the assembled rulers.

"Now, the person who wanted you to rebel has been captured."

She slowly swept her gaze across the room.

"So I believe all of you will make the correct choice."

Most of them nodded.

"Excluding Lonia, Ronan, Nyx, and Fenrik, who have already sworn their allegiance, the rest of you have five minutes to do the same."

Her eyes became cold.

"Otherwise, you will leave this place no longer Kings and Queens of the Underworld."

Her words carried the weight of law itself.

Kent could clearly see the effect they had on the rulers. Indie knew that none of the Kings and Queens wanted to lose their authority. So she used that fact to drive her narrative.

It was simple.

It was effective.

And it was exactly how the Underworld operated.

Now, as he watched them come forward one after another, bending the knee before the throne, a smile appeared on Kent’s face.