Chapter 19: The Weight of a Ruler

  Scene 1: Juan's uncertainty

  Juan was sitting at the entrance of the mansion, thoughtful. The weight of the decision he had to make kept him restless. Being a ruler of the Biuniverse was not just a title... it meant carrying on his shoulders the destiny of countless worlds.

  Juan: (Thinking) Can I really protect them all? Would he be able to guide an entire universe?

  Valtherion, always attentive, noticed the gloomy face of his master.

  Valtherion: "I love Juan, do you want me to accompany him?"

  Juan: (Shooking his head) "No... This is something I need to think about on my own."

  Valtherion, although worried, respected his leader's decision. Juan activated his superhuman speed and shot out, traveling through various planets of the Biuniverse.

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  Scene 2: Reflections between light and darkness

  Juan advanced quickly, leaving behind worlds full of happiness. Families smiling, children running and people helping each other. Everything seemed so... peaceful.

  Juan (thinking): Maybe... maybe they don't need a ruler...

  But later, Juan saw the other side of the coin: criminals attacking families, people stealing and others being seriously injured. He tried to intervene in some cases, but he understood that there was something deeper than just evil.

  Juan (thinking): Not everyone is born like this... the system corrupts them. What would happen if I were that system? Could I save them?

  That idea was engraved in his mind. However, just as he was about to return, a desperate scream caught his attention.

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  Scene 3: Scarlett, the wandering alchemist

  Juan approached and saw a young woman with black hair with green flashes. Her outfit was reminiscent of a nurse from the 70s, and in front of her was an overturned potion cart, with broken jars scattered on the floor.

  Scarlett (angrily): "Are you coming to make fun of yourself too? Are you coming to tell me that I will fail like everyone else?"

  Juan (confused): "Huh? No, no... I just..."

  Scarlett turned her back on him, unable to trust anyone. But Juan stood firm.

  Juan: "Where are they?"

  Scarlett (looking at him without understanding): "Where are they what?"

  Juan (with a firm voice): "Those who did this to you."

  Scarlett, still annoyed, pointed to a nearby alley. Juan advanced without hesitation.

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  Scene 4: Justice in the shadows

  Juan met a group of thugs, who mocked while drinking. Juan approached slowly.

  Juan (in a cold tone): "I know what they did."

  Thoel (laughing): "And what will you do about it?"

  The next moment was a flash. Juan disappeared from his sight and in less than a second the leader was on the ground, with Juan pressing his chest.

  Juan (in a low and threatening voice): "If you touch someone else again... I will be the one who comes for you."

  Without waiting for an answer, he left them lying around and returned with Scarlett.

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  Scene 5: Philosophy of a future ruler

  Juan helped Scarlett lift her cart and arrange the intact potions. She, grateful but still hurt, explained to him that she came from the planet Trulby, where she managed to save her people with her potions. Now he was looking to help others, even if life was difficult.

  The talk became philosophical.

  Scarlett: "What's the point of helping if in the end people always want more?"

  Juan: "Because someone has to try... Someone has to make the difference, even if not everyone understands it."

  Scarlett (smiling slightly): "Maybe you're right..."

  For a moment, Juan felt that maybe... just maybe... being a ruler wasn't so bad. Not for power, but because he could be that "someone" who tried to make a difference.

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  Scene 6: A new ally

  With the cart repaired, Scarlett got ready to continue on her way.

  Juan (with a sincere smile): "Why don't you come with me?"

  Scarlett (surprised): "What...?"

  Juan (extending his hand): "You could help more people by my side."

  Scarlett, although doubted, accepted the offer.

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  Scene 7: The Secret of J?rmungandr

  While Juan returned with Scarlett by his side, J?rmungandr, the end of the world snake, shrank in size until it became a small snake that hid in Juan's pocket.

  Back at the mansion, Valtherion greeted them with his stoic calm. Juan told him what happened and the gentleman nodded slowly.

  Valtherion (in a firm tone): "That's interesting..."

  Juan (curious): "What's interesting?"

  Valtherion (staring at Juan): "The aura you gave off when you went after those men... It was terrifying."

  Juan (surprised): "Was it really so much?"

  Valtherion (serious): "The question is not whether it was a lot or a little... The question is what will happen if one day that aura is completely unleashed."

  The chapter ends with Juan looking at the horizon, knowing that the real battle was about to begin.