The thirteenth dawn erupted over Kael El's domain, a fierce violet-gold sky bathing his three territories in a victorious glow. The manor anchored the central settlement, now linked by fortified paths to the western camp and eastern hill, with the northern stronghold's stone keep rising under Mara's hands. Eighty thousand subjects thrummed—warriors patrolling, mages weaving, and crafters stockpiling. Kael stood atop the northern keep's ramparts, the Stormforged Blade in hand, Stormhide Armor crackling faintly, his flirty smirk as unshaken as ever.
Day 13. Three in the bag, time to level up. His dark eyes gleamed with unwavering confidence, a cool dominance radiating from his relaxed stance. Eighty thousand souls, three territories, and a dead lord's talent—most would've rested. Kael? He thrived, his resilience a blazing core. Lv. 3's mine. Then we hunt bigger prey.
A sharp ding sounded, the system panel flaring up.
"Day 13: Post-Peace Period. Territory Level: 2. Population: 80,011 Subjects. Food Stock: 1 Day Remaining. Resource Yield: +10% (Lv. 2 Bonus). Territory Upgrade Available: 3/3 Territories Conquered, 10,000 Resources Required (Current: 8,927)."
Kael's smirk widened, a playful edge slicing through the morning air. "One day of food? Guess we're eating victory tonight." His calm under pressure held firm—resources were short, but he'd fill the gap. He glanced at Gavrin, who hustled over with his ledger.
"Lord Kael," Gavrin said, "we've got 8,927 resources—wood, stone, ore, vines. North's loot added spears and iron, but we're 1,073 shy."
Kael clapped his shoulder, winking. "Gavrin, you're my vault. Send Veyna's hunters for game—food and hides. I'll hit the quarry." Gavrin nodded, scribbling, and Kael grabbed the Mastercraft Chisel, striding out.
Stone splintered under his swings, the system chiming.
"Resource Gained: 17 Stone (+10% Lv. 2 Bonus). SSS Talent: 100% Drop Rate. Loot: 1 Granite Chunk. EX Talent: 10,000x Multiplier Applied. Quantity Enhanced: 10,000 Granite Chunks."
A mountain of granite crashed down, enough to pave a kingdom. Kael laughed, hauling back 51 Stone. Overkill's my style.
By midday, Veyna's hunters returned with three boars—food for days—and Gavrin tallied the haul. "Lord, we're at 10,078 resources. Plus meat for five days."
Kael grinned, pressing the Summoning Altar. "Upgrade it."
The ground rumbled, the manor expanding into a citadel—towers spiking, walls thickening. The three territories merged, paths widening into roads, the keep and camps syncing into a unified sprawl. The system confirmed it.
"Territory Level: 3. Rewards: Max Summons 15/day, +20% Resource Yield, Level Cap Raised to 30 (Mighty Lord). Lord Map Unlocked."
A new panel flickered—Lord Map—showing rival domains: Veyra's mana lake southwest, Draxis's dragon nests east. Kael smirked. Targets acquired.
He pressed the altar again, voice teasing. "Alright, gorgeous, let's celebrate."
The altar flared, and a twelfth figure emerged—a lithe woman with silver eyes and a glowing orb in hand. She knelt, voice soft. "Lord Kael, I am Lysa. Perk: Aura Seer – +50% magic detection, enemy weak points."
Kael's grin turned protective yet playful. "Lysa, huh? A seer's gold. Scout with Zorin—find me weak spots." She rose with a nod, her orb pulsing, and the system blared.
"SSS Talent Triggered: 100% Drop Rate. Additional Summon: 1 Subject. EX Talent: 10,000x Multiplier Applied. Quantity Enhanced: 10,000 Subjects."
The domain shook as 10,000 more figures materialized—mages, scouts, warriors—swelling his ranks to 90,000. Kael laughed, his cool dominance cutting through. "Warriors, patrol. Mages, with Lysa. Move!"
He rallied his crew—Lira, Sylvi, Veyna, Mara, Elys, Zorin, Gavrin, Nyra, Jace, Tora, Lysa—by the citadel. "Lv. 3's ours. Food's back, army's up. Next, we hit a big fish—Veyra or Draxis. Thoughts?"
Veyna spoke, her Hawk Eye sharp. "Veyra's closer—mana lake's a resource hub. Draxis has dragons—tougher, farther."
Kael twirled his blade, smirking. "Mana's tempting. Lysa, Zorin—scout it tomorrow. Rest up, crew. We're Mighty soon."
The violet sky darkened, stars winking. Kael stood tall, unflappable. Day 13 down. Time to fish.
POV Shift: Lysa
She clutched her orb, its glow mapping the camp's mana veins, her Aura Seer humming. Her lord stood there, smirking like the world was his toy. Ninety thousand, and he's plotting more? She'd scouted for petty mystics before, but Kael's cool confidence, that protective steel, hooked her. I'll spot his path. He's worth it.