Infinite Returns : The More I Give, The Stronger I Become

Ethan looked at the bowing Airi with a small, soft smile… then he shook his head.

"I don't need you to bow to me. I also don't need you to act serious or fanatical around me."

He paused, letting her see the truth in his gaze before continuing.

"Just be normal with me. I prefer it that way. Leave the bowing and worship to others… to the believers we'll eventually have."

Airi blinked in surprise.

She hadn't expected that. After all, Ethan had every right to demand her loyalty, her worship—even her devotion. He was the one who had freed her, the one who gave her purpose again.

But instead, he said that.

She smiled—a warm smile, before it shifted into a teasing one.

"What believers, I wonder, Ethan? Who in their right mind would put their faith in a D-rank mortal?" she asked with a playful glint in her eyes.

Ethan's lips twitched, but he didn't back down.

"What do you know? I might already be worshipped somewhere. A hidden village. A mysterious tribe maybe? I'm very popular, you know."

Airi laughed openly. "Yes, of course."

Clearly, she didn't believe him.

And honestly, neither did Ethan. He knew damn well no one was worshipping him yet. And if they were, it would probably be in the name of The Merchant Beneath the World, not The Allholder.

But still…

'That's me too,' Ethan thought, nodding in satisfaction.

Just as he was about to speak again—

DING!

The Tower, ever watching ever waiting, chimed.

[You now have a Saintess under your name—a privilege only granted to gods, not worthless D-rank mortals.]

[You have done the impossible once again, O Allholder.]

[New Title Received: The One Who Imitated the Gods.]

[Your soul has been greatly enhanced.]

Ethan read the words with calm eyes.

No surprise. No wide grin. No shock.

He had expected this. After all, making a Saintess without being a god? Of course the Tower would acknowledge it.

He dismissed the panel, then looked back at Airi.

"You've received a Trait from me… and a Title too, consider as a little bonus for accepting. But not a Blessing—yet."

He smirked.

"I'm not a god, so I can't grant you one. Not yet."

"But just wait. Once I ascend—I'll give you a blessing so powerful that no divine being will dare to lock you or even curse you again."

Sure, he could've bought a blessing from his system… but the price would've been insane. And more than that, Ethan wanted to give his Saintess his blessing.

Something born from him. Not the system.

Something earned while climbing the Tower with ease thanks to his system.

Yes with ease. What blood? What wit? Why madness ?

Ethan was not planning to go through any of that. He will shatter anything like that with his class and his system.

At this thought, Ethan grinned.

'I wonder how much I gained for saving my dear Saintess, System?'

'But first, remind me what I had in reserve.'

[25 trillion points.]

[You have gained 30 quadrillion points for saving a former Stage-2 Goddess—a Fallen Saintess—an innocent soul betrayed by all.]

'Oh… my first quadrillions. How nice,' Ethan thought with satisfaction, but then something in those words caught his attention.

Former?

He turned toward Airi.

"What's your rank now?"

Airi gave a wry smile. "SSS-rank. I lost my divinity due to the curse and the chains eating away at me for so long."

"My rank regressed… a step away from godhood."

"But don't worry!" she added quickly, her smile a little nervous. "I've been a goddess once, I can do it again. Faster this time."

Ethan didn't even blink.

"Take your time. I don't need gods right now."

He leaned back slightly, his expression relaxed but his words—his words—were heavy, borderline obscene in their implications.

"In the meantime, think about the kind of attributes you want to have as a goddess."

"I'll make sure to give you titles in that direction."

Airi's breath caught.

"Give me… titles?" she repeated, eyes wide in disbelief.

Ethan laughed, melodic and rich, seeing her stunned expression.

"You'll get used to it," he said casually.

"They always do."

…

Earth – Yagami Household

Back in the Yagami estate, Iris was buried under a mountain of documents, all related to estate management. Her eyes burned, her fingers ached, and her patience had evaporated hours ago.

She cursed.

"Where is Lionnel when I need him, huh?" she snapped at the maid behind her.

"My lady… the master said he went to train Chloe in swordsmanship," the maid replied, cautiously.

Iris's temperature spiked—literally. The room grew hotter by several degrees.

"This is the fourth—no, the fifth damn time he's used Chloe as an excuse to run away from paperwork!" she growled, teeth clenched.

Sure, she was irritated—but she couldn't complain too much. Admin work was her domain. Lionnel took care of the battles, the enemies, the bloodshed.

All the things he loved.

Still, would it kill him to be a little considerate?

She sighed, long and deep.

"If only my Ethan were here… he would've helped his dear mother before I even asked," she said with a soft, nostalgic smile.

'He always came to keep me company when he saw me drowning on work…'

She missed him. Deeply.

And not just her—the maid behind her wore the same wistful expression.

Ethan had always been the one. The Yagami who mingled with the staff. The one who played with them, joked with them, asked dumb questions about everything and anything. He was lazy and soft.

Always wanted to be spoiled.

And they had spoiled him gladly.

Maybe that's why they worried about him so much. Especially with the changes they'd seen in him before he left. That distant look in his eyes. That pressure that made you think of something far too big for one boy to carry.

"I hope he's eating well and sleeping well," the maid murmured softly.

"Hah! Knowing my son, he's probably lying around somewhere, letting others do all the work," Iris said with a chuckle. "But yes… I'm sure he's eating good."

Her anger melted as she thought about him. Just like that, her heart lightened, and she returned to her paperwork with a small smile.

But then—

"YO!! Miss me!?"

A voice suddenly echoed through the office.

A presence appeared.

White hair. Red eyes. Mischief leaking from every pore.

Lucas Yagami had returned.

He stood in the doorway like a performer, arms raised in triumph, grin wide.

"Mother! Look at me! I'm S-rank now! Where's Father? Eva? Chloe? Let them come see the genius of this house!"

He was loud. He was enthusiastic. He was Lucas, the heir of Yagami.

A complete contrast to how he had been against Ignis. But now…he was in full performance mode.

Iris, watching her son's little show, smiled wide.

"What a good son! You came at the perfect time."

"Come here, come help your mother finish this. With your brilliant S-rank mind, it'll be done in no time, right? Come, come—hurry."

Lucas stood frozen.

"…What the?"

Inside his mind, Veldra was howling.

'HAAHAHAHAA! Look at you now!'

Lucas's lips twitched.

'Laugh one more time… and see what happens to you, you damn useless true dragon.'

Veldra shut up immediately.

'No one can laugh anymore…?' the true dragon whispered in disbelief.

Such was the fate of the proud True Dragon… now bullied by an S-rank boy.

—End of Chapter 72—