MTL - The Supernatural Skill System of the Emperor Engine - Chapter 95

“The masterminds are cooler than heroes,” I mutter as I stare at the chess pieces before me. It is easier to be the one who sits in the shadows and moves the pieces, likewise deciding the flow of the game.Heroes will foolishly sacrifice their lives for the good cause and villains will sacrifice the world for their own gain, but masterminds will use both the heroes and villains to their own benefit.Why, you ask? Well, that's because I've lost my life once while trying to be a hero so, I don't want that anymore. I'd rather be a mastermind who molds the world as per my convenience and live peacefully. Because, why not?***[Defender of Divine Glory says you are the hope of this world.]What?[Goddess of Wisdom believes that you will be the one to save the world.]Wait, what?![Propose the Grand Duke the idea of a fake marriage.]And, why would I do that?![Stop the assassination of Prince Eric.]Why would I save him?![The candidates for the throne are:... Who will you choose?]Ah! I give up...It seems like a curse that anyone who wishes for a slacker life in Isekai will have to go through the most troublesome things.In my past life, I died because of one rookie mistake but after being transmigrated in the world of fantasy I've gotten an opportunity to start afresh, but unlike the protagonists who look for their love and glory, I'd rather make money and live a life of a slacker.I have magic, I have power and I have money, what else do I need?Well, that was the plan but this damn system is getting on my nerves. I mean who in their sane mind would want to mess with the complicated royal family and political affairs? But that's not all though.I've also become the saviour of this world. Things just can't be anymore worse!Besides, the penalty of failing this quest is...[Failure: Destruction of the World.]It seems like if I screw up in selecting the right person then the destruction that is going to befall the world won't be stopped.If I speak of my reward then it's this vague thing.[Reward: Fulfillment of any wish.]“If that's the case then, I'd rather choose the person who would be the best fit for the throne.”And that's how I decided that I would become the Kingmaker.

Guo Miao, the national treasure of the Empire, committed suicide after completing a certain grand project. Everyone had theories about her motives, but no one was aware that she was a reincarnation and had simply ended her own life because there was nothing left for her to do. She did not expect to reincarnate back to her past life when she discovered that she was the Guo family’s real rich daughter. In her last life, she did not turn down her parents who came for her, only to find that her decision left her in the abyss.

Not only did her parents play favorites, but their fake rich daughter was also ruthless, framing her for a murder and isolating her, then leaving her to rot in jail while her stepfather died from depression. Now that she had reincarnated, she no longer sought familial warmth—only survival for the sake of those who truly loved her and to live her life! She earned countless honors and innumerable scientific discoveries by turning over a new leaf.

Everyone who used to belittle her now regretted life, bawling as they begged for her patents. She coldly watched as they humiliated themselves and snapped at them icily: Dream on! In this secular world, she was the goddess to all and the most coveted person of every rich kid in the Imperial Capital. A certain man: The proudest thing I’ve done in my life is winning her love!

“Any who don the title of 'king' or anything of the sort in my presence is nothing more than an ignorant fool. This is my land and I shall be reclaiming it soon. I am Cacophony, the Vampire Empress!”As those words left her lips, every cell in my body reacted. It was unreal—no, it was otherworldly. Her beauty, her power, and her overwhelming arrogance. It might've been then that I realized that my normal life had ended.How did it come to this?Ah, it was curiosity. Yes, a deathly curiosity brought me to that graveyard that day.It was there that I stumbled upon her coffin. I had absolutely no clue what I was doing then, and even now I have no idea what possessed me to touch it—that single moment changed the course of history for the entire world. I found myself delving into a completely unknown world.Should I regret it? Maybe. But the truth is, I don't.Exploring the world’s hidden secrets, forging unexpected bonds, and living alongside the revived empress—it’s exciting.“Even if it's wrong, I think I'm going to enjoy every moment of it.”

On their first encounter, the 5-year-old Tang Junhe regarded the 6-year-old Yang Xuan as a hero and willingly followed his example.

Yang Xuan: “There are 12 ways to fold a paper airplane, don’t you know? I’ll teach you.”

Ten years later, the 17-year-old Tang Junhe is living in Yang Xuan’s home as his younger brother and the feud between the older generations has yet to subside, as the two teenagers engage in a skirmish.

“The one who falls first would always lose. I knew it but I was happy.”

After ten years, the 28-year-old Tang Junhe and 29-year-old Yang Xuan are unexpectedly reunited. Is it a matter of whether things are different or whether the circumstances stay the same? Two people in the same darkness, neither one can be the light of the other.

Then let’s go together and find light together.

“The prince rides a white horse
The moon is gone
And how silly cats were, always chasing after their tails
The childhood memories are priceless.”

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