Chapter 1: The Queen Plots Rebellion
Yao Dingyue opened his eyes to find himself lying on a large, boat-shaped solid wood bed intricately carved, resting his head on a soft velvet cushion. Everywhere he looked was adorned with luxurious and exquisite decorations—pale yellow bed curtains and drapes, seamlessly blending with the daylight, exuding a gentle and harmonious atmosphere.
A bedroom of a wealthy noble family?
Staring at the unfamiliar surroundings, Yao Dingyue felt a mixture of doubt and surprise. He tried to rise and investigate, but suddenly a sharp pain struck the back of his head, and a flood of memories surged forth.
The Continent of Magic Tide, the Duchy of Effine, King Corin Corion?
His heart leapt—had he traveled through time? No... it seemed he had regained memories from a past life.
In this life, he was King Corin Corion of the Duchy of Effine!
As the memories swirled, he noticed how this life so closely mirrored a game he had played in his previous life, "War of the Gods."
Could it be that this life was a reincarnation into the very game he had once played?
Reviewing his memories, Corin gradually confirmed without a doubt that everything was identical to the game. If it weren’t for the incredibly real tactile sensations, he might have thought he was still inside the game.
According to his memory, the current year was 326 of the Continental Calendar, precisely when the first game expansion, "Ascension of the Extraordinary," was released.
Suddenly, Corin’s mind surged with excitement as recollections from his previous life’s game flooded in:
The golden-winged noblewoman of the continent’s most affluent family was about to face a life-or-death crisis!
The ancient hidden treasures of the millennia-old Arcane Empire remained deeply buried underground!
The peerless Silver Dragon Countess was now but a fallen attendant knight!
The cunning war god Arnold was still an insignificant adventurer!
Everything was just beginning. With his past life’s memories, he could seize the advantage before the gods' chaotic conflict erupted!
Lost in thought, footsteps suddenly echoed outside the door. Corin’s eyes flickered; he closed them and lay still.
Soon, several people entered the room, one of them touching Corin’s arm.
A cold, solemn female voice spoke:
"How is His Majesty?"
An aged voice responded:
"Your Majesty, the King’s health is stable... but... he has indeed been struck by a spell... his memories are frozen."
The authoritative female voice asked:
"Memory frozen? A forbidden-level spell capable of sealing memories and consciousness?"
The old voice replied:
"Yes."
"For how long has it been sealed?"
"Ten years..."
---
The solemn female voice sounded clearly shocked:
"So... His Majesty’s memories have been stuck since he was six years old?"
"If there’s no mistake, yes."
The woman was silent for a long moment before saying:
"Leave it at that for now. You all stand guard outside. Call me when His Majesty awakes."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Upon hearing "memory frozen," Corin suddenly understood—the spell had malfunctioned. Instead of sealing his memories, it had triggered his past life’s memories.
He quickly composed himself and recalled the storyline from the previous game.
The Duchy of Effine was renowned in the last life’s game because, in the late stage, when the final expansion "Twilight of the Gods" was released, a god had emerged from this small duchy!
The Queen of Effine, a mortal woman who ignited divine fire and raised the powerful deity of the divine realm, the Ice and Snow Goddess Aedelle Angrien.
That solemn female voice just now was his queen—his wife in this life—destined to be deified in the future?
Would it be more advantageous to cling to his wife’s influence and play the role of a pampered consort?
Certainly not!
Corin clearly remembered that, according to the game’s plot, he, as king of Effine, was doomed to be eliminated soon!
Though he did not know the assassin’s identity, the biggest beneficiary was the queen—his wife!
In other words, this woman would betray him, overturn the established order, and seize power for herself!
After everyone left, Corin lay on the bed, his face clouded with uncertainty, deep in thought.
...
Corin’s first encounter with Aedelle was when he was five years old. At that time, Aedelle, a celebrated fifteen-year-old prodigy mage, was sent to the palace to be the prince’s magical tutor.
Seven years later, the former king passed away, and the twelve-year-old prince ascended the throne. Aedelle’s father, Angus Angrien, the Lord Chancellor, eagerly married off his daughter—ten years older than Corin—to the new king.
Using his position as the queen’s father, Angus swiftly took control of the court, stabilizing the situation. Corin himself was satisfied to become the imperial prime minister.
Until Corin was about to begin ruling at sixteen, when the forbidden spell of memory freezing was cast upon him.
Sure enough, the queen’s family was highly suspect!
According to the game’s storyline, a nationwide upheaval would occur a year later in Effine. Corin could not recall the details clearly, only that after this turmoil, the Corion royal bloodline and their loyal retainers were all wiped out.
One year—time was tight. He had to secretly build his own power.
Corin suddenly thought that this memory freezing spell gave him a perfect cover. After all, who would take a king with the mental age of six seriously?
But inside the deep palace and forbidden chambers, he first had to find a way to sneak out.
As he hesitated, a familiar and welcome "ding" sound rang out.
A golden opportunity arrived!
---
Immediately, a familiar game interface appeared before him, accompanied by mechanical voices:
"Please select your initial rune and equipment."
Corin’s heart brightened—it was just like the game in his previous life.
In that game, players had a chance to select runes and equipment upon entering, known as the starting set.
The choice of starting set also determined the extraordinary class the player would take.
For example, if one rolled strength-based runes and equipment, classes like Paladin or Shield Warrior were excellent choices.
Three cards suddenly appeared before Corin—two silver and one gold.
Focusing, Corin saw the three runes:
[Great Strength (Silver): Gain 10% strength boost] (One strength shatters all!)
[Shadow Sprint (Silver): After using a movement skill or leaving stealth, gain 50% movement speed for 2 seconds] (Run, young man!)
[Fade into Shadow (Gold): Gain the talent to enter stealth] (Who can resist an invisibility skill?)
Corin hesitated not at all. To sneak out of the palace undetected, [Fade into Shadow] was the perfect talent.
After the runes came equipment—three floating items appeared before him.
[Guardian’s Dagger: 30 attack power, 10 armor penetration, 10 attack speed. Passive: Effects increase by 50% against non-human targets. After attacking a non-human, gain 50% movement speed for 3 seconds.] (Starting item for junglers)
[Power Potion: Grants 20% spell power and attack power for 5 minutes. Has 3 charges, each recharge takes 24 hours.] (Drink this and feel the surge!)
[Ghost Crab: 50% movement speed bonus. Active – Wall Walk: Gain the ability to walk through walls for 6 seconds and 100% movement speed inside walls.] (Stole Kayn’s skill kit)
Ghost Crab paired well with Fade into Shadow, so Corin chose it without hesitation.
Upon completion, Corin felt a comforting warmth through his body as a voice whispered in his ear:
"Talent acquired: Fade into Shadow (Level 1, consumes 10% mana per minute)."
Corin’s heart stirred as a pair of dark green boots appeared beside him—the Ghost Crab.
He breathed a sigh of relief. With Fade into Shadow and Ghost Crab, he finally had some means of self-defense.
However, to cultivate power in secret, he would need financial support.
Though his mind was full of treasure maps, they were all too distant. Distant water would not quench immediate thirst; he needed startup capital now.
Though king in title, he had little real power, and his daily expenses were paid by the royal court’s public funds. He had almost no private fortune.
Where could he get money...?
Corin pondered for a moment, his gaze growing cold. Perhaps it was time to pay a visit to that queen of his—yes... six years old, what was she like at six years old?