Chapter 51: A New Variable
They weren't looking for the Emperor.
Not anymore.
They were looking for power. Especially African power since every power thought the candidate was from Africa. The supernatural rulers of so many countries had been suppressed and some have been killed as an example to put other in line.
The moment Philip's aura pulsed in Ebonyi, the Legendary-level trackers didn't scramble out of fear—they moved with hope. Hope that this demigod wasn't an invader from another world, but an African. More specifically, Nigerian.
Nigeria had once stood proud, balanced by the strength of a single Mythical-level being. That titan's mere existence had stabilized the economy, kept foreign interests at bay, and preserved spiritual sovereignty. But after his mysterious death, the balance shattered.
European and Asian interests swept in like vultures—corporations and governments alike. With no Mythical to challenge them, even Nigeria's many Legendary-level figures couldn't mount a defense. A single display of mythical aura from a foreign visitor was often enough to bend ministers, derail policy, or bury protests.
Mining companies operated freely, their machines gouging the Earth for gold, rare earths, and ancient artifacts long protected by hidden spiritual clans. Corruption surged. The economy suffered. Society fragmented.
And then—a demigod emerged.
It changed everything.
Foreigners in Nigeria began to panic. They had received information from their own sources . If Nigeria had birthed a demigod, that meant the era of unchecked exploitation was over. Their blessings—luck, spiritual immunity, and smooth extraction—could all vanish overnight.
Pessimists in their homelands began demanding reparations, fearing retaliation from a spiritually reborn Nigeria. Many predicted a mass spiritual lockdown on Africa's wealth. For the first time in decades, international pressure was reversed.
Back on the bus, Philip remained silent, though his thoughts raced.
Unbeknownst to him, a global call had been made.
Meetings had been summoned.
Descriptions of his face had been sent to satellites, mana-detection squads, and arcane eyes embedded in checkpoints across the southern corridor. They hadn't tried to stop him. Not yet. They wanted to know what kind of demigod he was. Was he from off-world? Or had he ascended quietly within the continent?
If the latter… Nigeria had just been reborn.
And more disturbing still—he hadn't gone to the Moon.
Every demigod-class entity had to pass through the Lunar Gate to reach Earth legally. It filtered the weak and warned the world. But Philip? He'd descended—or risen—without crossing the Moon. That alone placed him above the Vampire Ancestor and the Werewolf Ancestor, both official demigods and feared across the globe.
But those two were not mere criminals.
The Vampire Ancestor ran the global pharmaceutical networks, using hospitals and blood banks to siphon endless rivers of blood to feed his kind discreetly. The Werewolf Ancestor had influence across black markets, wilderness sanctuaries, and mercenary groups. Together, they formed a shadow government of power, manipulating modern systems to serve ancient needs.
And yet… this new being?
He had walked right past them.
Unbothered. Undetected.
Unknown.
The Legendarys on the bus continued watching him, feeding subtle information, and pretending not to notice that he noticed. They didn't want a confrontation. Not until they understood his nature.
Was he friend or foe?
Was he the start of a new African awakening?
Or a ticking time bomb that could plunge the world into spiritual chaos?