Zorat turned to see the beautiful princess Elowen, in her flowing imperial gown, walking hastily down the south palace corridor until she was in front of Zorat, breathing a little heavily.

She then looked up at him with a crestfallen expression on her face, almost like she was dreading giving Zorat the terrible news she’d brought.

"Oh, hi Princess Elowen.... What’s the matter? You don’t seem okay!" Zorat mumbled in endearing concern as he assisted her to regain her balance.

"Caleb... I am so sorry..." Elowen began as her eyes began to water slowly.

This confirmed to Zorat that something serious might have happened, so it piqued his excitement seeking interest as he replied to her in question....

"Tell me what happened, princess ?" he muttered encouragingly.

Elowen was quiet for a while before responding dejectedly....

"My....my father....." she muttered, croaking a little as she avoided Zorat’s gaze.

"He said... he said... we are not to be wedded anymore..." she mumbled in a sorrowful tone, bringing her shimmering gaze to look at Zorat again, to see just how broken he would be at the devastating news she’s brought.

Wait...

....that’s it?....

Zorat had expected something quite interesting to have happened to warrant the princess’s current state..... Not being able to become king by marrying the princess did not meet that criterion.

Granted, he would have to move some plans around a little to better deal with the princess and the kingdom.....

But it wouldn’t be that much of a bother, what with him steadily improving the caliber of people he can handle, and also bringing some lucky or unlucky ones under him...

Zorat knew that, in a very short while, even without him putting in much effort, he would be able to snap the kingdom of Ursula out of existence.

"I know.... I know that this must be hurting you just as much as it hurts me ...." Elowen’s sudden words shook Zorat from his thoughts.

Hmm....?

"... Even though you are holding it in so well... I know you must be really sad and heartbroken..."

What is she talking about?

"Don’t worry, Caleb, I too..... I like you too...so..." Elowen declared shyly as she avoided Zorat, blushing.

"So.... I will never agree to my father!" she proclaimed defiantly as she ran elegantly back in the direction she came from.

Zorat stood there for a minute simply watching the hastily retreating backside of Princess Elowen as her rotund bottom swayed side to side in her flailing, elegant gown.

They had only talked a few times during her faction’s meetings, as well as during the banquet. They have only ever been alone on two occasions, and Zorat hadn’t actively done much to cause such strong feelings in her.

But it wasn’t too surprising that she would have gotten to this state, though a little drastic. But seeing her being so certain, he was also so very into her after just a few gestures...

Zorat could only attribute it to her narcissistic nature as a spoiled and pampered princess who thinks everything revolves around her.

Just wait, sweet princess....

As I’ll soon prove to you... just how much I like you. Hehehe

With a grin on his face, Zorat turned on his heel and started in the direction of his cabin.

He needed to get to refining what he had obtained, because although everything seemed quiet for the time being, Lumrheal might already be on the way here, and that would throw a dimension level wrench into his perfect plans.

Worse still, it would also alert the presence of the being he was currently robbing blind with every runic fragment he assimilates.

Zorat walked a couple of extra paces ahead before suddenly stopping, a wide smile drew across his face, and he proceeded on his way again.

A few moments later, with Zorat now in the far distance, a familiar young man with a long brown coat jacket and glasses stepped out from behind a pillar in one of the beautiful flower gardens.

"Caleb Cole!...." Joseph fixed a murderous glare on the back of the retreating Zorat.

His eyes behind his glasses were hollow and lifeless, but the powerful bloodlust leaking from him was almost made manifest.

Jacob’s hatred for Caleb did not begin today; it was a long time coming. Even before they arrived in this new world.

The day Jacob first set his eyes upon the gorgeous Ava in their freshman year of college, he knew he needed to have her.

Her beauty.... Her intelligence, the way her mind worked, even her sense of fashion, were just so in line with what he liked....

And true to his bloodline as a Heywood, he must get everything he desired.... No matter the cost.

Hence began an entire year of secret wooing, with Ava always giving him one response... that she belonged to another.

When he pried for more, she would say nothing else. Which was confusing because they were a group of friends who knew everything about one another, and he was almost certain Ava had no one like that in her life.

His pride wounded, but still not giving up.....

He did some digging into where Ava frequented during the times they were apart.

And that’s how he discovered the existence of Caleb Cole.

Her childhood friend from the orphanage, who coincidentally was also attending the same college..... and the same faculty as them..... and they were still so inseparably close.... all while she’s keeping the young man a secret from her group of trusted friends....

Jacob quickly put two and two together and arrived at the conclusion that Caleb Cole had to be removed from the picture so he could have the one he craved.

However, society had rules.

One can’t just simply get rid of someone without any form of consequence..... but it seemed the universe had heard his wish.... As he and his group of friends..... Including the one he was trying to get rid of, found themselves transmigrated into a world where power rules all.

It would have been best if Caleb had not been present at all, and it was only himself and Ava, but he was lucky enough that Caleb Cole also awakened as the weakest of all the heroes.

Now, he only needs to get his plans right, and he will be able to get rid of this hindrance for good.

Though he noticed there were some concerning changes in the person he had tailed, and the person now with them in this world....

But Jacob attributed it to the fact that none of them knew the young man well to begin with....

It still doesn’t change the fact that he had to be gotten rid of.

Violence was not permitted on the palace grounds, so he knew it had to be when they would be out in the wild.

Their journey to the catacombs of permafrost was the perfect opportunity, and he had the perfect tool to use for that.

But that first attempt failed spectacularly, and even caused a rift to form between him and Broddy since he blames him for what happened with his girlfriend, which made absolutely no sense to Jacob.

Still, Jacob wasn’t discouraged....

As a Heywood, you are taught earlier on to always get back up after you’re knocked down.

Now, Jacob plans to use the next opportunity to get rid of Caleb. Their escort mission.

But today, after receiving news from her roommates that his dear Ava was feeling under the weather and won’t be able to make it to training....

Jacob had planned to go visit after training to see how she was.

However, some time later, he was surprised to hear from Broddy, who hadn’t been talking to him since their falling out.

Broddy told him in a whisper that Ava had left instructions... for him, Jacob, to come be with her, in her ’vulnerable moment of need’. His exact words.

Jacob had taken off like the wind, in the direction of the main palace....

He didn’t even realise how weirdly Broddy was acting before he couldn’t tell a proper lie.

Joy was blooming within Jacob as his imagination ran wild and free .... Imagining what awaited him in the female heroes accommodations.

But on arrival..... Presented before Jacob was the woman he loved, reaching her own cathartic arrival below the person he loathed the most.

The scene was simply horrific.... And weirdly.... A great turn on, as he was almost instantly erect.

That part confused him a bit.... But still did not dull the ache in his heart and his shattered mental state.

And what made it worse..... Was the fact that this person, who had turned his Ava into that state.... then turned to him....

And he grinned.

Remembering that grin..... Jacob understood he had grossly underestimated the person, Caleb Cole.

"Not anymore..." Jacob uttered in a feral tone as sparks of lightning danced in his eye.

"For this humiliation..."

"I will make sure I destroy you in the most painful way..... Caleb Cole!."

"i swear it!"