"Okay. Now tell me why you came here. It couldn't be because you want more power right? I mean, I'd admire that but I would think it's a dumb move at the same time. After all, the risk is way too much here. I know it's weird for me to say, but Monarchs aren't good beings. They are way too random. They could be in their realms at one moment then be killing randomly in the next. And there's nothing you can do against that. Even if they are ignored, there's still R8s, 9s, and so on. So it is a terrible idea to come here randomly" Althea asked another question.

"You're right. We also wouldn't have come here if we didn't have to. We learned that the moment an R7 appears in our world is the moment all hell will break loose. So we had to leave. At the same time, if we just waited for it to happen eventually, we wouldn't have enough strength to resist. So coming here was the only option. Now we're just looking for a spot to cultivate on" Muku replies truthfully.

"Ah. So that's how it is. I had forgotten about that. Now that I know, I guess you made the wisest and bravest decision. You'd make great allies... In fact, do you want to be my allies?" Althea suddenly asked something absurd.

"Huh? Allies? Us? Not to sound like I don't have confidence, but we're extremely weak compared to you. Probably worth less than ants. Frankly, we can't help you in any way anytime soon. So why would you want us as allies?" Muku asked confusedly.

The deal was definitely great for them and he wanted to agree instantly. But he had to understand why they were getting offered something that was clearly too good to be true.

"You're right. Right now, you can't help me in any way. However, I'm not looking for help right now. But that doesn't mean it will stay like that forever. While I'm currently the strongest Monarch. The others are slowly catching up and they are allied with each other. So at some point, I will be disadvantaged. Not all of them will try anything after that, but some definitely will. And I'm looking for backup they won't expect" Althea explained.

"Huh? You don't expect us to become as strong as Monarchs one day so you?" Muku asked in surprise.

"That's exactly what I expect. And I know for a fact that all of you will become just as strong as Monarchs eventually. Call it my Monarch's intuition. And even if you don't all reach that level and just half of you or fewer reach it, it's still worth it. And that's not the only reason..." Althea replied seriously.

Muku and the others looked at her quietly waiting for her to continue.

"You see, there's an individual who appeared briefly in your world a while back. We don't know the energy signature or appearance but they have to be human at l least. Anyway, this being managed to repel an R7 while being an R6 at most, probably weaker than that even. And they took out the portal. Something even I can't do. For that reason, they were deemed "The Variable" by all the Monarchs here. Some are gunning for their life the moment they find them, some want to first study them before killing them, and some want to avoid them altogether. I, on the other hand am different. I want to make them my ally. I have no issues with them after all. And something tells me that killing them off won't be as easy as those Monarchs think. After all, destroying a portal is not something any random beings can do. And avoiding them seems extremely careless as who knows if they will get manipulated into taking you out without your knowledge since you aren't involved with them in any way" Althea revealed her other reason.

"And you want us to be your link with that person should we meet them since we're human and connecting will be easier with other humans in between, right?" Muku asked with his heart beating a bit harder than before while trying to seem as unbothered as possible by what Althea said.

She was clearly speaking about him. But he was far from what she was painting him out to be. Sure, he did all those things but that almost killed him and he lost the power he used to do it, so it was debatable if he was worth it anymore.

"Yes, exactly! I like dealing with smart people. And I'll give you protection during your time here as well as a great spot to cultivate. The best spot in the whole Beast World in fact. So it's not a bad deal for you at all" Althea confirmed and told them what she offered in return.

"Well, if you put it like that, I guess we can't say no. But what makes you so sure that the person isn't one of us? I mean, you don't seem to suspect us at all" Muku asked curiously.

"Tsk. There you go asking questions again. But fine, I'll answer it. I don't suspect you because none of you give any threatening feeling to me, nor do you have an expert's air. While you're outstanding humans, the best I've ever seen or heard of, you just fall a bit short of what I'm expecting" Althea calmly called Muku's group B-tier at best without batting an eye.

"...oh" Muku replied simply.

He didn't know how else to react after being compared to himself then called trash.

Even worse was how he knew that despite being stronger now, he couldn't take on that version of himself at all.

Sure, he was more destructive and whatnot, but that version had like an enhanced erasing gaze. So just getting a glimpse of him was enough to end it.

Of course, as a divine being, he should be invisible to the other party, but would that make the gaze useless as long as the version knew that he was there? It was something to think about.

"Fufu. Don't feel discouraged. Like I said. You're already the pinnacle of humanity. Take pride in that. Though I have to ask, why did all your hearts skip a beat when I was talking about the variable? Do you know them or something?" Althea tried to cheer them up then asked a question that almost gave them heart attacks.

But this time they were prepared, so their hearts didn't change their rhythm at all.

"What? Wouldn't you be surprised if you were told about the existence of such a person? It sounds like a fairy tale don't you think?" Muku replied in a roundabout way that revealed nothing but wasn't a lie either.

"Ah. That makes sense. My heart also skipped a beat when it happened... As expected from my fated partner" Althea replied.

"When did they become your partner?" Emily suddenly asked with a voice full of jealousy while looking at Muku as if he were the one who said it.

"Well, they aren't my partner yet. But they definitely will be after we meet. Don't you think that it only makes sense for the best of both sides to get together? That would end the war. Isn't that great news for you? Why do you sound jealous? You already have a partner. It are you lecherous like your man here? Well, let me tell you this, my future partner will only have me. So you better settle where you are you understand?" Althea replied threateningly.

"What if they already have someone? What if they prefer humans? What do you think Muku? Do you think they prefer humans or copies of humans?" Emily didn't back down then asked a loaded question to Muku.

The others just looked in quietly while enjoying the show. They looked at Muku eagerly wanting to hear how he would get himself out of this situation.

"Cough. I don't think it's my place to say anything. We're different people after all. Who knows what they are into?" Muku replied while trying his best to avoid Emily's gaze.

"Oh... So you think Ms Althea is beautiful?" Emily asked a follow-up question as if she expected his response.

This one was even more loaded.

"Well, while I prefer you more and love you. If we look at her objectively, she's beautiful. I mean, denying her beauty is the same as denying Raya's don't you think?" Muku complimented her, expressed his love, replied to the question smartly then brought Raya in as a shield in his reply.

The girls were amazed. All of them commended him to their heads. The guy really knew how to deal with women.

And that was obvious in how Emily was instantly neutralised and wasn't able to say anything after that. She didn't know whether to blush or be angry.

And with Raya in the matter, she couldn't continue without saying something regrettable. So it was checkmate and the match was done.

"Oh. Okay," Emily replied in defeat.

"Why were you interrogating him? Aren't I the one you were speaking to? Anyway, the answer to your question is, I don't think he has anyone yet. After all, someone like that can't find someone easily. No one there is worthy of him" Althea who was oblivious to the matters of human relationships answered.

"Umm, what if they are a woman? Also, even if they are a man, wouldn't they be way too young for you?" Elsa who will always be behind her sister asked.

"If they are a woman, they will be my sworn sister. If they are a man, I'm still a young girl in Monarch years okay? Besides, age is just a number" Althea replied shamelessly...

(A/N: The next chapter is a duplicate of this one. Please skip it. There was a mistake in uploading it)