"Drug syndicate busted near the border? That line of work does have a lot of money involved. It's no wonder that even after all these years, there's no control over the illegal drugs that are harmful for people. It does nothing good in the bigger scene. It doesn't look like this problem will ever be solved completely. Only small victories are possible," Ryder let out as he sighed. His mood was down after reading the news.
He hated the people that were involved in drugs, especially the ones that spread it all around the country since he saw many lives being destroyed because of drugs. This hate was born with experience and what he saw in the world.
In school, Ryder had a friend whose father was a middle-class worker. That mad somehow found his way to the drugs and got addicted. Ryder saw how his friend was affected because of that. Ultimately, his friend was forced to drop out of the school. He didn't know where that guy was now.
Ryder swiped down to read another news article on the sight.
"India?" Ryder muttered as he saw something new in the article that was related to the person he killed last.
" CEO and the Majority Shareholder of Stanner construction, Pasher Stan, go missing right before the multimillion-dollar investment in India," Ryder read the headline.
"Of Course, he would go missing. He's in the world of the dead now. There is no way he can appear again," Ryder muttered as he shook his head.
"I'm curious, though. What was it he was investing in? I remember he sounded really eager to stay back and finish the deal when I made Jameson call him here. The deal must be really important," Ryder let out with a thoughtful look on his face.
He went through the article to read the details. The article mostly talked about how Pasher was missing after entering the United States, but in the end, it mentioned about the deal his company was working on.
" He was trying to buy the rights of Riali Mines? I think I heard that name before," Ryder muttered as he fell in deep thought. He tried to go through his memories to remember where he heard of this name before, but he couldn't remember it. It was probably something he heard in passing, and he didn't consider it important at that time.
Ryder put this name to the back of his mind and started reading the next news.
"Diamond price increased again. I should probably buy a few diamonds as an investment."
" The Tension between the European Union and the Russian Federation is on the rise again after Russia shot down a plane of an EU country? I hope this problem will be solved. I don't want world war 4. The third one was already bad enough," Ryder muttered as he sighed.
"Fortunately, World War three was over in a month as the peace treaty was signed between the countries. The fourth one will be more challenging if the bigger players start it. Can't these guys live in peace? Why do they wage war all around?" Ryder let out in an annoyed tone as he read the news, which spoiled his mood.
He put the phone down as he stood up and went to the dining room.
"Alice? Is the dinner ready?" He asked as he entered the dining room.
"Huh, do you have a Seventh sense or something when it comes to food? You're always on time," Alice laughed as she picked up the plates and placed them before Ryder.
"My body has adjusted to your timing since you're always so punctual on dinner," Ryder let out as he smiled.
He started eating dinner.
"So, how was your day? Did something happen?" Alice asked Ryder.
"My day was good. Nothing big has happened since I stayed at home all day. How was your day?" Ryder inquired.
"My day was great. It was pretty fun," Alice let out as she smiled excitedly.
"You sound excited. What happened?" Ryder asked with an interested look on his face.
Alice never looked as excited when talking about classes as she was today, which intrigued Ryder. He knew that something of great significance must have happened.
' Could it be that she got some scholarship for her higher studies?' Ryder wondered.
"You know my favorite singer?" Alice asked Ryder with a big grin on her face.
"I think I know. That Korean Idol Aera if I'm not wrong. You keep listening to K-Pop, and you talked a lot about that girl," Ryder replied.
"Yeah! She's the greatest singer. Her voice is so amazing. Her last two albums topped the charts as well, and she's only 19 years old," Alice excitedly explained to Ryder.
"Yeah, I get it. She's good and talented. So what? Did you manage to buy her autograph online or something?" Ryder let out as he smiled wryly.
" No! She just joined our University! She's in my class!" Alice told Ryder with a big smile on her face.
"Aera joined your University? Why would she come here to study? Korea has many great universities. Even in America, she has enough wealth to study in the new capital. Why would she come to this small place? I agree that the University of Dreamers is a high ranking University in the world. Still, it's not on the same level as the top university of America or even Korea for that matter," Ryder let out in confusion.
"I don't know the reason. I only heard the announcement from our teacher. She has registered for the classes, and she will soon come to the University, and I will be able to meet him," Alice said smilingly.
Ryder smiled as he shook her head.
"So that's what it was. I guess it's good for you. You can make a friend with her and get her autograph for free," Ryder chuckled as he joked around.
"Yeah, maybe I can bring her home too. Would you like to meet her?" Alice asked Ryder.
"Nah, keep me out of this. I'm not into music like that. I don't even recognize her other than what you told me. Keep her to yourself," Ryder replied as he finished the dinner.
"Thanks for the food. It was amazing," Ryder praised Alice before he stood up and went back to his room.
Ryder did some exercise and stretching in his room before he laid on the bed.
He laid on the bed and wore the Divinity Glasses as he got ready to enter the world of Divinity.
"Take me to the world of Divinity," Ryder muttered as he activated the world of Divinity.
He woke up in the Royal room in the world of Divinity.
Ryder got off the bed and walked towards the wardrobe as he wore the new clothes of the Prince for his journey to the places of Dukes.
He also wore his crown and other artifacts that were given to him by the Dukes.
He also changed the form of his Moon Scythe into a knife, which was small enough to carry easily and left the room.
****
The Vampire King has spent all his time trying to find his General, but even after searching all around the Demon Realm, the Vampire King wasn't able to find anything related to Vampire General Viden. He searched the Royal City of the Demon Realm using his Special senses, and he searched the other cities, but he didn't find anything suspicious.
The Fourth High Duke followed the Vampire King like a shadow. He didn't leave the Vampire King alone for even a second and didn't let his attention wander off.
"I told you. You aren't going to find anything here. Our new Prince is not free enough to enter the land of the dead," The Fourth High Duke smiled as he shook his head
"If he had any bad intentions or if he was guilty, he wouldn't even allow you the free access into the Demon Realm. Don't be stupid. It's clear that the Death Domain was trying to use you against us to harm us," The Fourth High Duke added.
"That's for me to decide," The Vampire King let out in a grim tone.
****
Ryder left the Royal Palace with Rale, Miku, and the other Royal Guards.
Ryder traveled using the Royal Flying Beast that was used to carry the Royals. It had a small throne on top of it where Ryder could sit comfortably.
Rale and the others followed Ryder's beast and kept it surrounded while keeping their safe distance to protect Ryder.
They could have taken the Royal Carriage, but Ryder preferred the flying since it was faster, and he wanted to finish this faster so that he could relax and go to the quest with Shu.
Ryder and his entourage reached the first destination, which was the duchy of Duke Devilia. It was the first place Ryder had stayed in when he was sucked into the Demon Realm for the first time.
