The Kingmaker System
Chapter 316 - 315. What The Future Holds For Us (1)

Chapter 316: 315. What The Future Holds For Us (1)

"Who is that brooch for?" Roan asked as he stepped out of the jewelry shop, his sharp gaze flickering toward the small velvet box in my hand.

I smirked, tucking it into my coat. "What’s the hurry? You’ll know soon enough."

Roan cocked an eyebrow but didn’t press further. Instead, he fell into step beside me, his presence a steady shadow against the dimming light of the evening. The streets hummed with the usual bustle—merchants closing their stalls, lanterns flickering to life, voices fading into murmurs against the cobblestone roads.

But amid the ordinary sounds, I could hear it. A presence. The faint, calculated rhythm of footsteps trailing us, keeping just enough distance to remain inconspicuous.

Roan, however, seemed unaware.

"Besides," he continued, his voice casual but probing, "why do you think that guy was there?"

"Asher?" I shrugged. "Don’t know, don’t care."

Roan sighed, shaking his head. "I don’t see him as just another person that you picked, Master. There’s something different about him. Like he holds a personal grudge against you."

I chuckled, glancing at him. "His grudge is justifiable, Roan. I did something bad to him."

Roan halted mid-step, turning to face me with a frown. "What?"

I stopped as well, the dim glow of a nearby lantern casting long shadows between us.

"You don’t want to know," I said lightly, before I gestured towards the alleyway and he followed along.

Once inside, I halted and then turned, reaching for him.

He cocked his brow, his fingers grasped my hand. "Are you serious? You did something so horrible you can’t even tell me?"

His grip tightened just slightly, his gray eyes studying me as if searching for an answer I refused to give.

I sighed, my gaze dropping for a moment before meeting his again. "I prioritized my plan over his feelings."

Roan’s frown deepened. He didn’t understand, not fully.

Before he could question me further, I teleported us back to Ryujin mansion, the shift in space seamless and familiar. The cool night air was replaced by the soft glow of the corridor lanterns, the scent of aged wood and incense settling around us.

Roan exhaled sharply, clearly waiting for an explanation. "You’re seriously not going to explain?"

"Good night, Roan." I turned, intending to leave the conversation behind.

"Wait—" he called after me, frustration lacing his voice. "You’re really not telling me?"

I glanced over my shoulder, offering a small, knowing smile. "If you’re that curious, why don’t you ask Asher?"

Roan narrowed his eyes, clearly dissatisfied with my response. But I didn’t stay to see if he would push further. I turned away, my footsteps echoing softly as I made my way toward Kai’s room.

By the time I arrived, Kai had already fallen asleep, his small form curled beneath the heavy blankets. The gentle rise and fall of his breathing filled the quiet room, a stark contrast to the thoughts still stirring in my mind.

Mrs. Jones, ever perceptive, bowed as I stepped inside.

"I’m late," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper.

She offered a soft smile. "He just fell asleep."

I exhaled slowly. "He was waiting."

"He was," she confirmed as she stepped forward, carefully helping me out of my coat.

"But a good story kept him entertained. I told him about how you found me."

A faint smile tugged at my lips. "Thank you, Enora."

She nodded, neatly folding the coat over her arm—until her fingers brushed against something hidden in the fabric. Her brows furrowed slightly as she reached into the inner vest pocket, her touch gentle yet questioning. When she pulled out the object, her gaze flickered to me, curiosity shining through her usual composure.

Wrapped securely in a thick handkerchief was a small, delicate egg.

"Master...?" She held it carefully, her tone tinged with surprise.

I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "I—I’m raising it as well."

Her lips curled into an amused smile.

"Should I put it somewhere warm?" she asked, easily slipping into my rhythm, as if indulging the idea without hesitation.

I quickly shook my head, reaching out. "I’ll have to keep it with me."

Enora placed the egg into my palm with a practiced gentleness, but I still felt an odd sense of embarrassment creep in.

[Goddess of Wisdom asks what’s there to be embarrassed about.]

[Defender of Divine Glory reminds you of the number of people you are already raising.]

I exhaled sharply, "I understand. Now stop the lecture, please."

Enora’s gaze lingered on the egg. "What kind of egg is it, Master? If you don’t mind me asking."

I studied the smooth, slightly cool surface resting in my palm. The shell had a faint, almost iridescent sheen under the lantern light.

"I wonder..." I murmured honestly, watching how it caught the light.

Enora’s curiosity remained, but she didn’t press further. Instead, she stepped back, hands clasped neatly in front of her. "Do you need anything, Master?"

I shook my head. "No, I’m good."

She smiled, then bowed. "I’ll take my leave, then. Have a good night’s sleep, Master."

"You too, Enora."

As the door shut softly behind her, I glanced down at the egg once more, feeling its faint warmth against my palm.

Just what are you going to hatch into...?

I turned my attention to Kai’s small figure curled in on itself, his breathing steady but uneven at times, as if his body still clung to the restlessness of waiting.

I placed the egg carefully on the bedside table, ensuring it wouldn’t roll, then climbed into bed beside him. The dim glow of the lantern flickered across his peaceful face, highlighting the way his brows were still slightly furrowed, even in sleep.

Gently, I reached out, brushing his unruly strands of hair away from his forehead. My fingers moved slowly, smoothing down the tension in his features, and, just as I hoped, his expression softened, his body relaxing into the warmth of the blankets.

"I’m sorry I’m late," I whispered.

He murmured something, too quiet and slurred for me to catch, and a small smile tugged at my lips.

I eased myself down beside him, and instinctively, his small frame inched closer, seeking warmth. Without hesitation, I wrapped an arm around him, feeling the steady thrum of his heartbeat and the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest.

For a long while, I simply lay there, staring at the ceiling. My mind refused to settle.

What did the future have in store for us?

I had survived, but only because of someone’s intervention. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t even be here.

And yet—I had no idea who they were. I hadn’t even caught a glimpse. Just a voice. A voice that sounded like a child’s.

But how could a child save me?

How could a child—

My breath hitched. My eyes widened.

Why couldn’t a child be involved?

A sudden thought seized me, one I hadn’t dared to consider before.

"Is there any other person like me in this world?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

[Giver of Gifts asks you to be precise with your question.]

[Goddess of Wisdom wonders if you mean that in terms of intelligence.]

I exhaled sharply. "You very well know what I mean."

[Defender of Divine Glory asks you not to judge children based on your bias.]

"What bias? I’m asking if you—or someone of your stature—brought another person from another world here for a mission similar to mine."

[Defender of Divine Glory clarifies that only one soul was allowed to transgress.]

[Giver of Gifts reminds you that you are their last soul.]

[Goddess of Wisdom assures you that you are the only savior of this world.]

I closed my eyes briefly, frustration creeping in. "I don’t want to be the one and only savior. If there were more of us, we could bind our resources and be more productive."

[Defender of Divine Glory reassures you that you are the only soul that has transgressed the laws of the universe through their power.]

[Goddess of Wisdom reassures you that you are the only one of your kind.]

[Giver of Gifts reassures you that no other soul has transgressed like you.]

A dull ache formed in my chest.

"What if they entered illegally?" I challenged. "You do realize that person purified the demon out of me."

[Goddess of Wisdom sighs.]

[Defender of Divine Glory firmly asserts that if such a soul had entered through unlawful means, they would be the first to know.]

"So you’re sure I haven’t come across another transmigrated person?"

[Goddess of Wisdom assures you.]

[Defender of Divine Glory assures you.]

[Giver of Gifts assures you.]

A beat of silence passed.

"And you know who that person was?"

They went quiet.

I exhaled through my nose. Of course, they knew.

Whoever had saved me wasn’t ordinary. They weren’t just some passing healer, mage, or warrior. It was impossible for a normal human or even a powerful magic user to expel a demon—let alone one inside my body.

There were only two kinds of beings who could do such a thing:

Dragons. Or Divine Beings.

But I hadn’t sensed either. No overwhelming presence, no celestial aura, no draconic energy.

So who were they?

The thought gnawed at me, coiling tight in my chest. My fingers twitched slightly against the sheets.

Then, a faint whimper broke the silence.

Kai.

His small hands clutched the fabric of my shirt, his breathing uneven, his body seeking reassurance.

I blinked, forcing my thoughts to quiet as I patted his back gently. He relaxed under my touch, his grip loosening slightly as he melted into my warmth.

I exhaled, steadying my own mind.

It’s useless to keep thinking about this now. The truth will come in time.

Whoever they were, whatever their intentions—sooner or later, they would reveal themselves.

And when they did, I would find out exactly what they wanted.

For now, I closed my eyes, listening to Kai’s soft, steady breaths as sleep finally pulled me under.