Dungeon of Knowledge - Chapter 26: Ancient Mistress

In the first reincarnation of Earth, the immortals vanished.In the second reincarnation of Earth, the dragon race disappeared.In the third reincarnation of Earth, mankind faced despair.Living in the third reincarnation of Earth, Ding Huan does not want to die.

“The masterminds are cooler than heroes,” I mutter as I stare at the chess pieces before me. It is easier to be the one who sits in the shadows and moves the pieces, likewise deciding the flow of the game.Heroes will foolishly sacrifice their lives for the good cause and villains will sacrifice the world for their own gain, but masterminds will use both the heroes and villains to their own benefit.Why, you ask? Well, that's because I've lost my life once while trying to be a hero so, I don't want that anymore. I'd rather be a mastermind who molds the world as per my convenience and live peacefully. Because, why not?***[Defender of Divine Glory says you are the hope of this world.]What?[Goddess of Wisdom believes that you will be the one to save the world.]Wait, what?![Propose the Grand Duke the idea of a fake marriage.]And, why would I do that?![Stop the assassination of Prince Eric.]Why would I save him?![The candidates for the throne are:... Who will you choose?]Ah! I give up...It seems like a curse that anyone who wishes for a slacker life in Isekai will have to go through the most troublesome things.In my past life, I died because of one rookie mistake but after being transmigrated in the world of fantasy I've gotten an opportunity to start afresh, but unlike the protagonists who look for their love and glory, I'd rather make money and live a life of a slacker.I have magic, I have power and I have money, what else do I need?Well, that was the plan but this damn system is getting on my nerves. I mean who in their sane mind would want to mess with the complicated royal family and political affairs? But that's not all though.I've also become the saviour of this world. Things just can't be anymore worse!Besides, the penalty of failing this quest is...[Failure: Destruction of the World.]It seems like if I screw up in selecting the right person then the destruction that is going to befall the world won't be stopped.If I speak of my reward then it's this vague thing.[Reward: Fulfillment of any wish.]“If that's the case then, I'd rather choose the person who would be the best fit for the throne.”And that's how I decided that I would become the Kingmaker.

On an ordinary day, Lucius stumbled upon a strange, run-down shop. At first, he assumed it was abandoned—until he stepped inside.[You have entered the Universal Alchemy Store.][Congratulations! You are now the store’s owner.][Please craft your first potion.]Lucius blinked. 'What kind of joke is this?' But as if guided by an unseen force, he followed the instructions. Minutes later, his first creation was complete.[Love Potion: The drinker will fall in love with the first person they lay eyes on.]Lucius swallowed hard. 'Wait… does this actually work?'Before he could process it, the shop’s door swung open.Standing in the entrance was no ordinary customer—she was an elf. Long, pointed ears, mesmerizing green eyes, and a body sculpted by the gods. A visitor from another world.A dangerous thought crept into his mind.'Should I test it on her?'

A young man was going about a normal day, and he went back home to his house being empty again, his parents had missed his birthday again.Just like all the other years before, there was nothing special about his 18th birthday it seemed.This however was far from the end, caught by something unexpected at his own house, he perished.It was supposed to be the end, however this only marked a new beginning.Faced with a great trial of will, and Karma, and passing with a score beyond anything else, he was given the Class Omni-Layer, and the Job Omni-Ruler along side a system to manage it all.All this to prepare him for a new world, a world of swords and magic, and classic isekai, but this world was anything except an easy trip.