Building My SSS-Rank Universal Empire: From Trash to Cosmic Overlord-Chapter 150: Seven days

"What?"

The two of them said at once. They turned to him, and at that moment, Vale knew they were going to oppose him, so he simply came up with a plan that would throw the two of them against each other.

"I won’t stay imprisoned," Vale said firmly and slowly. "How do you want me to prove anything when you keep me somewhere?"

Sevrix scowled. "I won’t allow you to run away. You are either Vale Athrimir or you are not. Prove that you are, but you must not leave the Borderland."

’Ah... well... at least I’ve bought a little more...’

"In seven days," Steelclaw added.

Vale whirled to him. "What are you saying?"

"In seven days. That’s the time you have to prove you are who you said you are," Steelclaw said. He smiled faintly. "This isn’t too much, right? Since you are the Young Master of the Athrimir Clan, then you must have ways to prove yourself. Even a day shouldn’t be too much."

Tiber and Slya were just as shocked as Vale when they heard that. They realized then that no one was actually on their side. Everyone was just out to see how they could use the situation to their benefit.

’Whatever is going on in this Borderland as related to the Athrimir is about to get worse and more dangerous... I might have just hastened some things... besides, I don’t know how Father will react to this... he won’t like this for sure... I’ll keep the image of his expression in my mind... that should be enough motivation...’

’What choice do I have here? Seven days to prove I am Vale Athrimir... I never thought a day like this would exist... what a setup...’

"Alright," Vale said. Then he nodded at Sevrix. "I won’t leave the Borderland, but I will take something from you for that seven days. Won’t you like to keep your eyes on me?"

Sevrix narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "What’s that?"

Vale pointed at Frexon. "Let him be my bodyguard," he smiled. "You don’t want anyone to harm your Young Master, right?"

Sevrix studied him, trying to figure out what he was up to. Finally, he nodded. "Very well. You hear him, Captain Frexon."

Frexon was trying his best not to be surprised by the rapid change of events. He simply bowed. "Yes, my lord."

Immediately, Steelclaw turned and began to walk out.

"Steelclaw, you have to pay for the shield you damaged!" Sevrix shouted, but the man didn’t look back as he walked out the door, conjured a cloud with lightning, and flew away.

Vale cleared his throat in the silence that followed. "Alright."

Sevrix ignored him and simply melted away into the darkness. Blazin shot him a complicated look, turned to Frexon, and then walked out as well without saying anything.

Leaving only the four of them remaining in the hall.

Frexon came to him immediately. "What the hell! You’re an Athrimir? Or not? How’s that even possible? And why do you rope me into this?"

Slya turned to glare at him. "Vale, isn’t this the guy who kidnapped you? Why do you want him to be your bodyguard? We are enough."

Just then, a growling sound filled the air. They all turned to look at Vale, who gave them a sheepish smile. "I’m hungry."

☆☆☆☆

"So... why, again are we in my room?" Frexon said. He had asked the question when Vale told him to teleport them, he asked again when he was asked to carry food, and then again while he brought additional chairs to his room.

Vale’s answers had been the same the whole time. "Because it’s the place I’m going to stay till I have a good sleep."

On the table in front of him were dirty plates that he and the others used. Tiber was sitting on a chair, while Slya was on Frexon’s bed, but Frexon himself was leaning against the wall.

While Vale was eating, his two companions filled him in on what happened.

Apparently, Dlodus had helped them to the forefront where they met Steelclaw. But it turned out that Dlodus is also Steelclaw because Steelclaw has the power to split his body—to make clones of himself that are independent.

Upon returning, though, Dlodus had fused with Steelclaw and learned all that happened and more as they told him Vale’s true identity.

And Steelclaw took action immediately.

Vale took a cup filled with sweet-sour tea and took a sip. "Do you think he believes you? Steelclaw, I mean, about who I am?"

Slya smiled wearily from her place. "No offense, Vale, but even we have a hard time believing it. The Athrimir Clan is what? One of the clans that was recognized as a small clan. That’s... big. I mean, your family owns the Borderland.

"That kind of thing. That level of power."

Vale sighed. He couldn’t deny that he understood what they were saying.

Frexon also added his own. "And then there’s the fact that you are not that known... you are not known. Of course, everyone knows the Athrimir Clan has two direct blood Young Masters.

"But the second-born. This Vale was said to be weak of body and spirit, so much so that he’s always staying in bed. There was even a rumor a while ago that he died."

Tiber cleared his throat. "There’s also a rumor that he turned into a monster and slaughtered a lot of people and was killed by the Golden Knight."

Vale raised his brows. ’... I wonder who spread all those things... is this how they want to erase me?’

"And who is the Golden Knight?" Vale asked, even though he had some idea who it might be.

Frexon locked eyes with him. "But the first Young Master was rather well known. He was known as a genius who is now even at the Errant Rank at the age of twenty-four. Thrain Athrimir—The Golden Knight."

Vale’s smile thinned. ’... I knew it was going to be him...’

"My stepbrother is now known as the Golden Knight? Impressive. Seems he’s made some names for himself."

Slya snorted a laugh. "Well. People are calling you the Crazy Knight as well."

Vale smiled. "I will take what I can get."