"You really want to go back?" I let out a sigh as I looked at Dylan and asked him the same question again.

"Yes. I appreciate everything you have done for me, but I can't keep going like this," he said. He was weak. Grinding was life, there was nothing else. We were flying back to Purgatory at the moment. I was curious to see how the city was doing. We had stocked up in New Delhi and New Kochi, but there were no new messages left for me even after all this time.

Clarissa was probably thinking things over and taking her time, which wasn't a problem. Michelle was off somewhere with my mother, so it wasn't a huge deal that there was no message. "So, you are going to just sit around all day?" I asked.

"Probably start up a small mercenary group that I can lead. Focus on high value shipping, transportation, and other tasks. Or something else. But grinding like this is exhausting Michael," Dylan replied.

"My last loyal soldier, finally abandoning me," I said with mock sadness. Dylan wasn't my slave. While I liked him, it was ultimately his choice if he wanted to get stronger or die. If he had stuck it out, he would get stronger far more quickly. He was giving up security in strength for friendships with other people that weren't me.

It was utter foolishness, but my grinding schedule was rough, grinding almost every day, day after day. He had to cook as well, but I considered that a small thing since I had to do all the fighting. He wanted a change. For a truck driver, I thought he would have been able to stick out the monotony much better. But it might have made it worse, without anything to listen to while grinding, like he had with truck driving.

300,000 (+0); Mind-90,000 (+10,000x3); Spirit-300,000 (+0); Perception-60,000 (+0); Aura-60,000 (0); Regeneration-60,000 (+0); Endurance-60,000 (+0); Absorption-60,000 (+0); Sense-60,000 (+0); Channel-60,000 (+0) for a total of 370,000 total stat upgrades, or 1,110,000 after my meta-point.

I was getting stronger, one batch of points at a time. Raising up my stats would take a long time, but I was content to grind away. That was why it was called grinding, and not vacation. One had to constantly work at it, to hone ones edge and remove weaknesses and faults.

"I am sure you will find another loyal minion without much problem," Dylan replied. That was true. But it was a matter of trust and understanding. Finding someone new was a headache I didn't want. I enjoyed Dylan. He was quiet, attentive, and asked decent questions. Change was never easy, but apparently it was easy to move on from me.

"Was it me?" I asked.

"No. I just am exhausted and don't want to slow you down. I can't keep up the pace you have set. I feel like my brain is melting," Dylan replied. It was me. One after another cart pullers and crystal picker upers had all left my side. Naran from so long ago came to mind.

Weakness. Why was everyone so weak? I guess no one with a strong personality would want to work as my cart or airship butler. "Still in the ground," I said as Purgatory came into view.

"To the plaza?" Dylan asked me.

"The plaza is fine. Not like anyone would be stupid enough to attack me. And if they are, they will die quickly." Flying over the city that was in a crater, it was easy to see several buildings that still remained destroyed. There was some trash littering the streets as well. The fact it hadn't been removed or disappeared was a bad sign. At least there were no corpses and people were walking about.

"Let's actually dock at the tower," I said and Dylan gave me a nod.

"The public one, or the governmental one?" he asked.

"The public one, since there is already an airship there. I have abdicated. It is no longer appropriate for me to arrive at the tower connected to the main administration building and palace," I replied. The soldiers were wearing red uniforms, and the flag of the Empire of Purgatory was still flying above the city.

A group of soldiers and several bureaucrats arrived at the base of the tower as Dylan and I exited after riding the elevator down. "Greetings Emperor Michael. I am temporary governor Baron." Baron along with the rest of the people bowed deeply.

"I have to inform you, that several cities have declared independence and are in open revolt. With your return, we can put things back in order." I shook my head.

"No," I replied. That seemed to shock all of them.

"No?" Baron asked while gaping at me.

"No. The Empire of Purgatory has officially dissolved." I noted Dylan leaving, which was smart of him. "Clarissa has resigned her post and I have abdicated my throne and title."

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

"But…how?! Why?" Baron asked.

"It is a matter of priorities. It is better for me to grind and build strength that way, than trying to reign in everyone and get the government working."

"But what about everyone?" one of the bureaucrats that had tagged along asked.

"Go out, fight some monsters, get some points. Legitimacy is the purview of the strong. You can pass that message to everyone in the Empire. I am not dead, but I will not be fighting other people any longer if I can help it. Better to focus on getting stronger and other, more important issues. Also the terrorist who crippled the Empire, is dead. It was Qi Ji Long, the son of the Divine Empress," I answered. There was a long period of silence.

"I only came back here to have a meal, before departing again." I also wanted to try and find a Dylan replacement.

"Emperor Michael. I speak for everyone when I say thank you. While you might not want to return, your actions are forever etched into our hearts. If you need anything let me know," Simon said.

"I will be trying to find a way to leave the Systemic Lands and answers. Those answers won't be found in this city. I guess I can give one final declaration to help stabilize things. You have my endorsement to be the new Governor of Purgatory and Supreme Governor if you can manage such a task Simon. I won't intervene, but hopefully you can stop things from spiraling into chaos," I said.

"Thank you, Emperor Michael," he said and bowed again. I turned and left them, making my way into the city. Most businesses had closed down and there was a sense of desperation about the place, but there was one restaurant that was open.

The Gray Duck had survived for this long. The first restaurant of the city and it still hung on. I entered the building. "Welcome honored guest, how many are in your party today?" the Matre'd asked.

"Just myself," I replied.

"Of course. We will have to ask for payment up front unfortunately, but it is standard policy to stop dining and dashing," he said. I pulled out a crystal and tossed it over.

"I apologize sir. But I am not familiar with this size. Is it a level 6?" he asked hesitantly and with a touch of fear.

"It is worth over three million points. That should be more than enough to cover a meal I hope."

"Three-three million!" his eyes went wide as he stammered out the amount. "A level 8, but only one person…my apologies. I will let the Head Chef know right away. Would you prefer a private room, booth, a balcony, or an entire floor?" the Matre'd asked.

"A public table is fine. No need to be tucked away somewhere or kick anyone else out," I replied.

"Of course, sir. Please, follow me," the Matre'd said and led me to a large table that could seat eight in the middle of the first-floor dining room. It was mostly empty, but other people were eating. "I will be arranging a full course. And would you prefer wine or juice?"

"Juice of course," I said.

"Orange, or something else?" he asked.

"Whatever is available as long as it is fresh. I am not picky," I replied.

"I will see to it personally," the Matre'd said as he rushed away with a server furiously giving him orders. A level 8 crystal was incredibly valuable and made for good spending money. Orange juice and cranberry juice were both brought out and poured in different glasses along with a range of finger food appetizers.

"Michael?" someone said and I looked up at two new people who had just entered the Gray Duck. It was Young Michael and the advisor that had been assigned to him, whose name I forgot.

"Michael, good to see you alive and well. Sit, please," I gestured at the empty seats at my table. Young Michael took a seat next to me and after I gave the older looking man a nod, who introduced himself as Hendricks, he took a seat on the other side of Young Michael.

"Did you just get back?" he asked me.

"I am just here to enjoy a meal. The Empire is done, I have abdicated, and Clarissa had retired," I replied.

"Why?" Young Michael asked me. I could hear the shock and plea in his voice. "My mother is missing since the chaos. We have been looking for her, and heard a rumor that you might be here."

"There is nothing I can do to help. Even my mother disappeared in the chaos, captured by the terrorist Qi Ji Long," I said.

"The Divine Empress's son?" he asked in surprised. I could tell the other diners were listening in. Soon the news would spread, unable to be contained.

"Indeed. He was the source of everything. From the terrorism to the attacks. I killed him, and hopefully he stays dead. But it is too much headache to try and put everything back togeather. What about you? Combat level 3, maybe low 4?" I asked.

"Hendricks here has been great, showing me the ropes. We are grinding level 4 monsters," Young Michael replied.

"He is quite capable and can easily go off on his own," Hendricks said.

"It warms my heart to see you survive everything that has happened. Please, enjoy. You are my guests," I said gesturing at the food that had been brought out.

"Thanks," Young Michael replied and dug in. Hendricks hesitated a bit, but didn't object. The Matre'd came over and I tossed him another level 8 crystal and told him I had two guests. Drinks were quickly brought out for them along with more food.

I listened as he talked about the monsters he had fought with a smile. It was nice to see something good happen after all the bad. I had killed countless people, but I had managed to save this one child. Allowing him to grow up and chart his own path.

There was something profound in that. I wasn't his father, but I had always taken an interest in him. It was nice to see he had grown into a fine young man that could figure things out on his own. Dinner was served as we enjoyed the buffet style meal brought out for all three of us.

"Much better than raw food in the wilderness," Young Michael said.

"We have a cook set," Hendricks challenged.

"Which we make stew on occasionally when we take a day off."

"Well the enchanting market is struggling. Everyone is struggling, no offense," Hendricks told me.

"No offense taken. I know what you mean. But if I took over once again, it would be a military dictatorship with very high taxes. I wouldn't have the patience for anything else. Better that I focus on grinding and getting stronger," I replied.

"Smart. Too many people want to go the flashy route, instead of slow and steady improvement," Hendricks said.

"While it sounds boring, you said the same thing, so I know it is right," Young Michael replied. It was humbling to get that kind of blind faith in someone so young.

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