Many experts became speechless.

The bluntness of his words made them uncomfortable, and it did not help that nobody could find a flaw in his logic.

Michael was not even pretending. He simply said exactly what he was thinking.

"I don't want to rule the empire. But I am certainly not abandoning it either."

The experts exchanged bitter looks. As expected. Things could never be that simple.

Michael tapped the armrest of his chair. "It is almost dawn. Before the day ends, every family represented here will submit a complete inventory of their resources."

The atmosphere immediately became heavy.

"Additionally, every family will surrender fifty percent of its current assets."

Many expressions changed. Half? That was painful. Very painful. Yet nobody dared object.

"And one more thing." Michael's eyes narrowed. "No one is allowed to touch the properties, territories, vaults, inheritances, or assets belonging to your deceased colleagues."

Several experts immediately became nervous. Clearly some had already begun considering exactly that.

Michael's voice became colder. "If I discover anyone attempting it, I will personally visit your family."

Nobody doubted the threat. The hall became deathly silent.

Then Michael's expression eased slightly. "Of course, there is good news."

The experts blinked. Good news? From him?

"I only want everything documented. After I finish reviewing the assets and taking my share from the deceased families, anyone interested in acquiring those assets may come negotiate with me. I will offer fair prices. After all, I cannot be expected to manage so much myself."

Realization slowly spread through the room.

Ignoring the reactions of those before him, Michael pondered whether there was anything he had missed or forgotten to say.

What he wanted right now was complete information on the empire's wealth, territories, resources, industries, and everything else. After all, he was now at a stage where resources mattered more than ever.

Though he had no intention of claiming the emperor's throne, he had equally no intention of leaving such a rich opportunity to someone else.

This was an established empire. Michael did not believe an entity like this could not provide him with at least a few hundred thousand Evolution Points a year.

He had not forgotten that he had a target of fifty million Evolution Points to evolve all his undead to Rank 4.

Michael did not yet know how he would achieve it, but he still wanted to continue his old habits of building a stronger undead force before advancing.

As for whether he would trigger a limit break or even a unique rank advancement quest in the process, he was not certain.

However, if he succeeded, the rewards that came with it would surely be massive. Perhaps he might even reach Level 100 on the spot.

Of course, if Michael truly managed to achieve something like that, the Origin Will might actually ensure he never advanced again in his life.

He dismissed the thought almost immediately. It was fantasy. He did not genuinely believe he would achieve it. After all, he still lacked confidence in completing his current quest, let alone surpassing it.

Thanks to Michael's words, a bittersweet feeling spread through the hall. At least he was staying. That was a very important point. Without his presence, a power vacuum would have destroyed them far faster than Michael ever could.

Outside, the first rays of dawn slowly began appearing beyond the damaged capital.

After giving a few more commands, Michael sent them all on their way. Soon the hall was empty. After resting briefly, he left to inspect the ruined palace.

Not only were the empire's people going to be very busy in the days ahead. Michael was in the same position.

In the blink of an eye, three days passed.

In those three days, quite a few things happened.

For one, Arianne's resurrection was successful, though only partially. She appeared to be in a very deep sleep. Thanks to the strain of the ritual, Michael himself was very weak and needed rest.

In that state, let alone reviving the new Rank 4 corpses he had acquired, he could not even approach his oldest Rank 4 corpse without risking serious harm to himself.

Though weakened, Michael still paid attention to the Federation's attack on the demonic faction.

Since it had been planned as a swift strike, it was always going to end quickly one way or another.

Michael did not know the full details of how the battle unfolded, but based on his communications with his contacts at the academy, he was able to conclude that the Federation had come out victorious.

As for whether this would provide the realm with a few years of peace, only time would tell. In any case, the academy had requested his presence within a week.

At the same time, the Supernaturals Association tallied Michael's earnings from selling the corpses of the monsters that had attacked Brightgate City.

Though not entirely surprising, Michael had not genuinely expected the Federation to gift him a reward for his role in defending the city. Based on his current relationship with the Federation, he had half-expected to simply be ignored.

In any case, thanks to the Federation's gesture of appreciation combined with the corpse sales, Michael was now four hundred million dollars richer.

This was well past his previous estimate.

According to Jester, the figure should have been even higher, but understanding that the Federation had already shown him considerable face and also needed to turn a profit themselves, neither of them pursued the matter further.

Interesting things had also happened back in the Land of Origin.

Michael made a brief trip back to Thornvale to ease the anxiety of Arianne's father. Thanks to Michael's earlier arrangements and the supervision of Ace and Lia, the old man looked considerably healthier than before.

He became even more so after seeing his daughter's living body. Though she remained unconscious, Duke Evermoon was deeply grateful for Michael's efforts and visibly shaken by what Michael had managed to accomplish.

Before returning to the empire, Michael left behind a strong defensive arrangement to protect both father and daughter.

As for the Lionheart Kingdom, Michael had no business with them and left them alone.

If Michael's greatest gain in the real world was a profit approaching half a billion dollars, it could not compare to what he gained in the Land of Origin.

It truly could not compare.

[Evolution Points: 9,823,643]