A beautiful Elf-like woman who I could tell was without a shadow of doubt Infernal now kneeled before me.

  “I humbly greet the Infernal Patriarch.”

  Her voice was humble but firm.

  “Stand.”

  She did so but not before bowing her head deeply in her kneel before doing it.

  “Lidaz has told me all that you’ve done for my clan, I will never forget that. If there is something I can do to repay that favor, please let me know. I never forget a debt.”

  It honestly looked like she was about to drop to her knees again right then and there but seemingly thought better of it. Who would’ve thought someone on the same level as Elder Zal could be flustered.

  “Forgive me Patriarch, but I would never dare to assume a debt is owed from one such as you to myself, and there is no reward needed for the actions I’ve taken. There isn’t an Infernal in existence who wouldn’t have done the same.”

  Hearing her words, I couldn’t help but think back to myself when I first exited the Tutorial. I knew I was an Infernal and then that book talked about being a Patriarch and all that, but then I exited and met with Elder Zal and the boys.

  Having the reality of the situation laid bare before me like that was kind of weird to get used to. And who wouldn’t take some time to suddenly get accustomed to having people kneel and give you all sorts of respect.

  But it’s been over a decade since then and times are different now. Not only have I given up trying to stop my clan members from doing what they what and giving in to the fact they genuinely like being told what to do, I’ve grown used to it.

  Anyway, what to do here. There was a good chance she wasn’t going to ask for a reward, and I didn’t necessarily want to ‘force’ her to do so anyway as that would kind of defeat the purpose.

  Well it wasn’t like there was much I could offer her to begin with. I didn’t have Immortal level rewards just sitting around waiting to be picked up. Hm. Of course I could invite her to the clan, but what type of precedent would that set? Every single ‘strong’ Infernal could just come on by, clean up whatever problem I or the clan was facing at the moment and just be invited in?

  Eh, who cares. Precedents only matter to those who give a damn and I certainly don’t. I want to reward her so I will, but I’ll at least do a little research.

  “I’ve been told you are without a clan. Why is that?”

  “It is a problem most Infernals face Patriarch. A new clan without any members is something that happens thousands upon thousands of years after the last one. For those who were fated to be born in the years following the rise of a new clan, they have a much higher chance of being invited in.

  “For those of us who were born thousands of years after the fact then what we are left with is a powerful Clan that has already cemented itself through blood and war, with their own storied histories and proven Conflagrations.

  “Those Clans rarely recruit at that point and if they do it is usually very few people or requirements so stringent only a few would qualify in the first place.”

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Huh. I suppose that makes sense. Now I wonder just how Lidaz and the others got the opportunity they did to come to Earth when I clearly needed help. Was it all just a case of who you know? Maybe, but that’s life though.

  “I see. Well I am a Patriarch of one of those new clans you mentioned. You have already helped immensely and I’m sure the members of the clan would welcome you with open arms. Consider this an invite, do you accept?”

  She did not answer immediately, but eventually she spoke once again with humility but a firm tone, bowing deeply as the words left her mouth.

  “Forgive me Patriarch while I am honored beyond measure to receive an invite into your clan, I do not consider myself worthy of such an honor. If you will still welcome me into your clan, then I will humbly ask for a test to prove my worth to you and your clan.”

  Well then.

  I wanted to say she already proved herself enough by helping Lidaz kill someone he probably wouldn’t have been able to kill on his own, but I have a feeling she would disagree with that choice. Once again, I’m sure I could force the matter if I so wished, but again…that would defeat the purpose.

  Hm…a test huh.

  If she wants a test, then I have just the thing. There’s been something on my mind ever since I learned about what it took to move through Universe. It’s been scratching at my mind, and this is as perfect chance as any to investigate.

  “If it’s a test you want then a test you will get. I will not provide any physical help for this test whatsoever and you will be solely responsible for every part of it. Upon succession you will be officially welcomed into my clan. I will not accept failure of any sort.

  “Now for the test. Some years ago on the planet of my birth we were attacked by a rat-like humanoid that was clearly in the Immortal Realm. Something about that didn’t add up to me, because my Universe was still relatively fresh from our Tutorial.

  “No one should have been able to reach the Immortal realm so quickly. I think there is foul play there and I would like for you to investigate. Whether it was the merchants who made a deal with the planet or one of the factions who played a part in the creation of the local System Cities.

  “Perhaps it was even the work of demons. I have no idea. You are not to kill the rat humanoid in question since I personally owe him a favor, but I think there are others I owe favors to as well. Find them and come back to me with a detailed report.

  “The Planet I am from is called Earth, and apart from the information given, you are free to use my name as an Infernal Patriarch and the Planetary Lord of Earth to get more information if needed.

  “That is all.”

  “By your will Patriarch it will be done.”

  Her voice was as firm as ever and I could tell she was extremely pleased to receive such a test. I don’t know if it would be hard or not, but I’m sure it will take some time from just traveling between universes alone.

  I nodded at her and she kneeled once more before vanishing.

  I’m curious to see how long she takes but no matter.

  “Lidaz.”

  Just like how Rellia vanished before my eyes, Lidaz appeared before my eyes in a similar fashion.

  “You said there was a letter?”

  He then quickly went over the letter form the High Flame Sect and I was kind of annoyed at the fact I couldn’t read it, but I got the gist of it. Unfortunately I will not be visiting them.

  “Send someone to their Sect that if they want to discuss business, they can visit us here and I’ll meet with them. There will only be one meeting so they are to come prepared. It will be three days from now, and don’t tell anyone till after the feast.”

  He vanished shortly thereafter and I was alone once again.

  I closed my eyes for moment as I let the activities that immediately followed my breakthrough wash over me. Apart from the news with Rellia and the kidnapping of my people, the clan has been busy.

  We’ve completed many requests for resources, whether it be beast parts or some other type of material, we’ve done guard duty, we’ve made deliveries, and many other things all to build up proper income.

  That’s been accomplished…I’m sure Lidaz told me the number at some point but I was kind of focusing on the kidnapping, anyway we did it.

  Yet it all could’ve ended badly once more, all because we were still too weak to fight our own battles.

  I’m angry.

  So fucking angry yet there is nothing I can do about it.

  It always comes down to time…there is still too much time from now and reaching the peak.

  Time huh.

  Let’s see if there isn’t something I can do about that.