Reborn as God: The strongest system

Esdras read on the elves as much as he could for the entire night and only had 3 hours of sleep. He was slightly annoyed but it didn't bother him much.

This is thanks to his enhanced body. In fact he was aware that he had a supernatural physical body at the moment, this wasn't just about strength or speed.

He could withstand cold and heat that mortals could not. He had a greater resistance to poison and could go on longer without food and water.

He was unsure exactly as to what extent.

What he learned about the elves… was not much. No, honestly it was nothing at all.

It was disappointing but not surprising. How could he find anything concrete about a civilization that existed four thousand years ago?

So what he found was just vague and speculation at most.

But he didn't complain. Although Elbrim was strong, in the end it was just a human kingdom that was a tribe of savages three hundred years ago.

But, the Octarine tower wasn't.

It was over a thousand years old, obviously they must have much more accurate information.

However, he still gained something, or at least it was an inkling of something.

It was said that the elves claimed to have descended from heaven and that they were all gods sent here to rule and govern all the mortal races and the world as a whole.

This was of course ridiculed by all historians and scholars, it was labeled as an arrogant lie used by the elves to justify their tyranny.

There was no way that claim was true.

Esdras didn't believe that claim of course, but he was struck with a speculation. What if the elves were actually, not natives to this world?

It would explain why the elves were so advanced as a civilization while the rest of the world was in its infancy. It would also explain why they used a different magic system.

If Esdras didn't know that the elves were going to show up later on, he wouldn't have thought of this possibility so easily.

Because it would explain how they escaped extermination and how they prospered enough to raise armies for revenge.

Despite that, he really didn't have any evidence. It was just hope…

That's right, hope. Because if the elves really came from another world then that means they had that technology!

A method that allowed them to travel between worlds, something he was in desperate need for.

This was not just a random thought, actually when he thought about it, the ancient elven civilization was the most likely to have what he wanted.

It means that he had a direction to look into.

It wasn't going to be easy at all even then, but, having a direction was better than wildly searching recklessly.

****

The next day, Esdras and the others had the prince along with his younger siblings show them around the royal castle.

The saw many royal treasures and beautiful artwork, paintings made by the greats of this field throughout history.

They went to the central gardens where they met with some of the royal harem and princesses. They even had a farm within the castle grounds that mainly produced grain.

After lunch the prince wanted to talk to him alone. They went to a room that had glass displays within there were many more treasures, these were of a more magical nature.

Titranium flowers were frozen solid. The scales of a Behir. The skull of Cave carver, which was said to bring good luck.

While Esdras was admiring these things, the prince coughed to get his attention.

"Esdras, do you know why we call our selves the kings of dragons?"

"…"

Esdras chose to remain silent because he didn't know the answer was. However, it looked like the prince wasn't looking for answers from him either.

"As everyone knows, dragons are not real, their fictional creatures imagined by the despicable elves in ages past. Not real. And yet their existence is so fascinating that it managed to persist within our world even after so long. What gives such a creature such staying power?"

Esdras had a slight awkward look on his face because he knew for a fact dragons do exist, just not in this world. Not yet anyway.

The prince who didn't know that continued talking.

"I think, it's because dragons symbolize the true spirit of a ruler, a lord that is both feared and respected, a majestic creature that we aspire to imitate. That is what makes this creature a force to be reckoned with. Even if it wasn't real. So, then who are we? The kings of dragons!"

Esdras nodded in understanding, he was able to infer what the prince didn't say. If the dragons were so great then what about them? They who claimed to rule over such great beings?

"I heard some ancestors of yours went looking for dragons everywhere. Some legends say they found one or two."

The prince shook his head disapprovingly, "they did search but they just found themselves in the belly of a wyvern or a drake. No one wishes that dragons are real more than us. If they were real and we were able to subjugate one then…"

"Well, let's move on, I wanted to give this to you."

It was a military badge with the rank of commander, it was golden and inscribed with the flag of Ebrim. There were more words inside the inner ring of the badge: commander of Keep Prios.

"What is this… you're making me a commander?" Esdras was confused.

"Hahaha, what's with that reaction? Yes, a commander. Keep Prios is a military base in Kazzat, as I recall you told me you're territory is quite close to the Keep."

Esdras's eyes flashed.

"It's not a big deal, those guys are lazy and didn't have a commander in a long time. Yesterday I thought about you and since it will be more convenient for you due to proximity, I hope you will put them to… good use."

Esdras told the prince about his problems back when they were on the road but he didn't expect that the prince would keep it in mind and reward him in such a way.

It was not as easy as one would think for Esdras to confront his uncle and get his land and title. In theory it was indeed easy, but in truth it was far from it.

His uncle had basically taken control of the territory for years at this point while Esdras was completely unknown to his subjects. He was just a child when they first knew him.

Even if he took everything by force he wouldn't be able to guarantee the loyalty of the soldiers and servants and slaves that take care of the day to day functions of the territory.

These people were absolutely vital to administer the territory. If he went on a violent rampage randomly, he would incurre their resentment.

They may not be able to hurt him physically, or attacked him, but they could easily mess up on purpose, cause reversible chaos within the territory.

This was not a some TV show where he could just come in randomly, and kick the old master and replace him easily. Reality does not work like that.

This is also why he sent the goblin Redthorn to spy on the territory, because he needed information before he could act.

Having a military base under his control, will mean that he will have his own men within the territory, which will make taking over much easier.

With the help of these soldiers, he could take his time in replacing the old administration, and install people loyal to him.

He could also use the fact that he had an alliance, with the crowned prince of a great kingdom to his advantage, very easily to gain support of the royal family in Kazzat and the surrounding nobles.

That way he could dispose of his uncle in the most clean manner without ruining his image, or disturbing the operations of the territory.

Of course, if push came to shove, he did not mind using force and violence to get what he wanted. At the cost of hurting the income from the territory for a few years but he was willing to put up with such a price.

"You are too generous your highness!" Esdras sincerely thanked the prince. This was a big help to him.

"What's this? I'm unhappy," the prince shook his head, "what is the need for thanks between friends? Hahhahaha!"

"Right, right, it's my bad!"

Esdras laughed along with the prince.

The prince was not stupid, he was able to see that Esdras was special, he was a dual elemental mage at such a young age!

As if that was not enough, he also displayed his competence by completing such a difficult mission when he was so young, he also had the qualities of a young leader.

He was both capable and talented.

There was no way the prince would throw away the chance to befriend such a person before he rose to prominence. Having more friends was always better than having less.

So what if it is three hundred men? This was to be just the beginning of the friendship. If Esdras proved himself more in the future giving him a thousand men wouldn't be enough.

"The king was very enthusiastic when I told him about our adventure, he told me to thank you all and provide you with any confort as long as you are staying here. Thank you again for retrieving that item."

"Speaking of which do you mind telling me what it was?"

"The Crown of The Ruler"