SSS-Grade Acceleration Talent made me Fastest Lord of Apocalypse-Chapter 45: Ruthless

"This..."

Akira pretended to hesitate, her lips parting slightly as if uncertain. Inwardly, however, a sly smile curled at the corners of her mouth. Finally, she thought, this is the question I’ve been waiting for.

The time had come to reveal everything.

Damien listened in silence, his posture relaxed but his mind alert. He gave her space to speak without interruption, allowing each of her words to sink into the silence of the candlelit room.

Meanwhile, from the sidelines, Niomi observed Damien with a distant, dreamy look.

"So handsome..." she whispered softly to herself, her gaze fixed on the sharp lines of his profile.

She had seen that face countless times before—stern in battle, gentle in private—but there was something different now. When Damien focused like this, deep in thought, he radiated a magnetic charm that tugged at her heartstrings. The way his brow creased ever so slightly as he processed Akira’s words, the intensity in his narrowed eyes, the sharpness of his jawline lit by the flickering torches—it all made her heart thump wildly.

She didn’t even realize that she was staring, a dazed smile forming as she was swept away by the silent poetry of his presence.

Damien, for his part, felt the warmth of her gaze on his back, but his attention was fully locked onto Akira’s words.

A storm of thoughts churned in his mind. He had just glimpsed something beyond a mere alchemical marvel—he saw the potential for empire-changing power.

If his deductions were correct... he might’ve just stumbled upon a goldmine.

But to turn potential into reality, he needed confirmation—one final piece of information that would determine whether this was truly the jackpot he believed it to be.

Empires weren’t built on luck.

Every dominant force in history had been propelled forward by a combination of leadership and innovation—especially in mobilizing resources. Damien knew this better than most. His mind flashed to examples from the past.

In the early sixteenth century, the British Empire had surpassed rivals like the Dutch by mastering the debt market—an economic revolution that fueled military and colonial expansion. It was a single innovation, yet its impact had reverberated across continents.

Money, Damien realized, is the skeleton of power. If I want to expand this kingdom... I must control the flow of wealth.

Like a thunderbolt, the vision struck him in full. His eyes gleamed with dangerous brilliance.

He raised his head, speaking with a calm that veiled the storm behind his gaze.

"Mrs. Akira, I’m very interested in your proposal. But before that, I’d like to ask you a question."

At that moment, the air grew tense.

Akira noticed the change instantly. The seriousness in his eyes forced her heart to beat faster. Her instincts sharpened—this was no casual curiosity. This was the kind of question that determined destinies.

She straightened, her breath caught slightly in anticipation.

And then, Damien’s voice dropped lower, deeper—brushing against her ears like a cold wind.

"This creature... the Thousand Miles Toad—can it be found anywhere else on the continent?"

Akira’s heart skipped a beat.

She immediately understood the gravity of his words. The implication was chilling.

Damien wasn’t just interested in helping her or even gaining profit—he was planning to monopolize the key ingredient for the most revolutionary artifact in modern history: the Storage Ring.

A ring that, if completed, could change the very infrastructure of kingdoms.

And he wants to own the supply chain.

Her eyes widened slightly. Just the thought made her blood run cold. And then—when she considered the possibility of Lady Selene truly completing the project—she realized that it wasn’t just a possibility. With that woman’s monstrous talent, it was inevitable.

The look in her eyes toward Damien changed.

If his strength on the battlefield had shocked her... then his visionary ambition now terrified her.

A cold sweat broke across her back, and before she realized it, she had subconsciously stepped backward—retreating from the pressure he exuded without even raising his voice.

Damien, noticing her pale expression, blinked and asked calmly, "Are you alright?"

His voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

Shaking off her nerves, she managed to steady her breath. After a moment of composure, she nodded lightly.

Seeing she had regained her composure, Damien continued, voice level.

"In case you didn’t hear me clearly, let me repeat myself..."

"Is the Thousand Beasts Forest the only place where this particular Thousand Miles Toad exists?"

This time, she didn’t delay.

"Of course not," she replied swiftly. "The continent is vast. How can this forest be the only place such a creature lives?"

Her answer was like a splash of cold water. The fire in Damien’s eyes dimmed slightly.

But just as quickly, her next words fanned the embers back into flames.

"But... their density is highest in this particular forest."

That was all he needed to hear.

His expression turned indifferent once more, lips curling into a cold but satisfied line.

"Then it’s a deal. I’ll escort you to the inner region. Let me know when you’re ready."

Akira nodded, a victorious smile blooming on her lips. Her footsteps were light as she left the room, exchanging polite farewells. From the urgency in her stride, it was clear she couldn’t wait to deliver this news to her lady.

Damien considered stopping her—asking where else the toad might be found—but decided against it. Patience was a more useful tool today.

Because once the ring was perfected, he thought darkly, there would be only one place in the world that monster could be found—the Thousand Beasts Forest.

A flash of ruthless ambition passed through his gaze.

And in that very moment, across the continent, every Thousand Miles Toad trembled without knowing why.

As if a devil had marked them for death.

A soft voice called from behind, disrupting the silence.

"Husband, what are you thinking? Let’s dance."

Niomi stood there in a soft, flowing gown, fingers curled around her dress hem. Her expectant gaze shimmered beneath the chandelier lights.

Damien’s first instinct was to decline—he had no love for dancing, never had. But then... he looked at her again.

She wasn’t just anyone. She was his wife.

If he couldn’t even step outside his comfort zone for her, then what was the point of anything?

He gave a gentle nod, his hand extending toward hers. Her face lit up as he led her into the open space.

Noticing the Crown Prince’s movement, the musicians subtly shifted the melody—romantic, elegant, and soft.

Damien’s hand settled gently on her waist as they began to move.

Their bodies aligned in a smooth rhythm, and Damien could feel the soft fluttering of her heartbeat against his chest.

He smiled, gazing deep into her eyes, and pressed a warm kiss on her forehead.

From the surrounding crowd, cheers erupted.

"They’re perfect together..."

"Oh, if only someone would look at me the way the Crown Prince looks at her..."

Farther back, Devrok stood with a glass of wine in his hand, smiling faintly at the sight. His gaze softened.

His younger brother... had truly grown.

What would Father and Mother think if they saw this? he wondered.

He took another sip.

"Mother should be returning soon," he muttered, his tone thoughtful.

The Queen of Valthorn had been away on a diplomatic mission for almost a year—scouring the neighboring kingdoms for allies. That mission was nearing its end.

As that realization dawned, Devrok’s smile faded.

His brow furrowed.

He only hoped their royal father’s condition would improve before she arrived...

Because if not, her return would not be filled with joy—but with grief.

...

Time passed.

The banquet began to fade as the last guests trickled out and the servants started clearing dishes and decorations.

Niomi leaned against Damien, her voice soft and tired.

"Ahh... I just want to sleep."

She blinked slowly, her exhaustion evident.

Damien chuckled, then bent down and lifted her into his arms without hesitation.

He carried her up to their chambers on the second floor like a princess from a fairy tale, careful not to disturb her drowsy state.

Once she was tucked in, her breathing slowed. Peaceful.

But for Damien, there would be no rest.

He changed into a simple black robe.

His expression hardened, shadows dancing across his face as he glanced at the moonlit window.

Everyone else could sleep.

But he couldn’t.

Because tonight, he had a score to settle.

So long as traitors like Felix breathed in his land, Damien knew peace would evade him.

His eyes burned with icy resolve as he stepped out into the cold night. The moon hung overhead like a silent witness, casting pale light onto his dark form.

Some would say he was mad.

"Why challenge someone a whole realm above you?" they might scoff.

"What’s he thinking? Has he gone insane?"

But Damien wasn’t mad.

He was focused.

Measured.

He knew his own limits—and he knew Felix’s.

With his dual SSS-Grade talents, if he couldn’t deal with a man like Felix...

Then perhaps he truly should give up everything.

And start farming.