Versatile Mage: Summoning Black Dragon, the pinnacle of divine power

……

The air at the temple in winter is crisp but not bitterly cold.

The sacred mountain seems to be a world unto itself, shrouded in a faint warmth. Even the occasional snowflakes that fall seem exceptionally gentle, melting into glistening water vapor before they even touch the glazed tiles.

The clamor of the World University Competition had long since subsided. Those grand narratives about the spread of divine power and the construction of a new order, under Caesar's intentional or unintentional avoidance, had gradually become the background noise of the thick files on Yi Zhisha's desk and the endless negotiations between Xin Yuekui and representatives of various forces.

In Caesar's own words, "I am just a pillar, standing there; how the spiders weave their webs is their business."

He definitely preferred to stay in the temple.

This is where he grew up; every stone slab is familiar, and every fragrance of flowers feels dear.

The once stern palace maid now looked at him with a complex gaze, but also with a touch of genuine kindness.

The members of the Knights' Hall met him with a mixture of awe and pride.

Those childhood friends and his few companions, though still sighing at his unreliability, are also glad that Caesar, who has reached the pinnacle of the world, seems to still be that boy who would chuckle when his pranks succeed.

After helping him deal with the troubles in Antarctica and the Sahara, his elderly father and mother returned to their own world. In Bailong's words, "The children have grown up and have their own lives. They would be disliked if they disturbed their son's love life."

Tian remained silent, but before leaving, he patted Caesar on the shoulder, everything understood without words.

Now, Caesar can finally live his "quiet life" in peace.

Of course, he couldn't live a life of just the two of them; he had a sizable harem.

With the New Year approaching, the temple has been decorated anew.

On a whim, Caesar decided to hold a grand New Year's banquet.

He shamelessly went to invite, or rather, he coaxed and begged, all the "girlfriends" scattered in different places to come over.

Asha'ruya was dragged out of her intelligence network center, complaining that she was "interfering with my money-making," but there was a hint of relief in her eyes.

Ye Xinxia temporarily put aside her busy duties as a saintess and was forcibly pressed down in front of the dressing table by Caesar.

Mochizuki Chika arrived from the Twin Guardian Pavilion, her face still bearing the dust of her long journey, yet she was also infected by the festive atmosphere of the temple.

Eileen represented the Victoria family at the event, behaving elegantly, but secretly pinched Caesar when no one was looking.

Even Shaka temporarily shed her identity as Archangel Gabriel and appeared at the banquet in a private capacity. Her expression was somewhat subtly unnatural, but she did not refuse.

And then there's Mu Ningxue, Mu Nujiao, and the others—those who should have come, and those who shouldn't have, were all kidnapped by Caesar.

As Yi Zhisha watched this scene of "beautiful women," she instinctively wanted to make a sarcastic remark, but seeing Caesar's smug smile that said, "I knew you would come," she ultimately just snorted and picked up her wine glass.

As the high priestess presiding over the banquet, Xin Yuekui watched the lively and even somewhat chaotic scene with a mysterious smile on her lips. Perhaps this kind of "human" hustle and bustle was exactly what she hoped to see, a scene different from the cold divine authority.

The atmosphere at the banquet was somewhat delicate at first, with the ladies maintaining a polite but distant distance from each other.

But Caesar had his ways. He moved among them, cracking jokes, deliberately saying silly things to provoke eye-rolls, or shamelessly asking everyone to raise a glass together.

The delicious food, fine wine, and music, along with Caesar's almost rogue-like affability, gradually melted away the awkwardness. Asha Ruya began discussing the latest financial trends with Eileen, Ye Xinxia chatted gently with Mochizuki Chika about Eastern herbs, and even Yi Zhisha, unusually, clinked glasses with Shaka, although the topic was probably about how to "discipline" a certain troublesome fellow.

Caesar watched this scene, leaned back in his chair with satisfaction, feeling that this was the life he wanted.

Supreme power, supreme authority, world order... those things are important, they are the foundation, they are the guarantee, but none of them can compare to the vibrant, warm, and even a little chaotic atmosphere of everyday life right before our eyes.

The banquet lasted until late at night, and as the starlight dimmed, the guests gradually dispersed, slightly tipsy and with complex and indescribable feelings.

Caesar stopped Asha's attempt to escape.

"Come with me somewhere."

"What? It's the middle of the night." Asha'ruya said with disdain, but followed after him.

They arrived at the highest astrological platform in the temple.

The view here is expansive, overlooking the sleeping temple and the distant, faintly visible sea.

The night breeze was cool. Caesar took off his coat and draped it over Asha's shoulders, then pulled her to sit down and naturally embraced her, just like when they used to sneak off here to look at the stars when they were kids.

“Remember? We used to hide here like this all the time. You would point to the stars in the sky and tell me all sorts of random constellation stories, though I later found out that most of them were made up on the spot.” Caesar’s chin rested gently on Asha’s head.

"Hmph, you were so easy to fool back then, believing everything I said." Asha'ruya leaned against him relaxedly, gazing at the deep starry sky. "Now you're not so easy to fool anymore. You've become a big shot who can scare away the Dark King, order the Ocean Gods to retreat with a single word, and make even the Archangel of the Holy City bow down."

“No matter how important a person is, isn’t he still Caesar, the one you scold and who wouldn’t dare to talk back?” Caesar laughed, tightening his grip on his arm.

Asha'sia didn't refute, but simply sighed softly: "Sometimes it really feels like a dream. From an insignificant little fellow in the temple to now... all of this."

"No matter what happens, this will always be home, and you will always be my Asha'ruya." Caesar's voice was deep and earnest.

The two fell silent, nestled together, waiting. The horizon gradually turned white, the inky blue night sky faded, and was tinged with an orange-red halo.

The darkness before dawn is receding, and the sun is about to break free from the horizon.

As the first ray of pure and intense golden sunlight pierced through the thick clouds like a sharp sword, showering the astrological table without reservation, it instantly dispelled all the gloom and cold, illuminating their intertwined figures and casting a warm halo over Asha's delicate profile. Caesar lowered his head and placed a kiss on her smooth forehead, as soft as a feather yet as solemn as a vow.

Happy New Year, Asha'ruya.

Happy New Year, Caesar.

The sun rises in the east, its rays shining brightly.

The rules of the world have changed, and the road ahead is long and unknown, but at this moment, with his home and loved ones by his side, Caesar has found the peace he sought.

His story is far from over, but the legend of the "new god" Caesar has already turned a warm and down-to-earth first page.

……

This book is finished. (End of this chapter)