The fifteenth dawn broke over Kael El's domain, a searing violet-gold sky igniting the citadel and its sprawling territories with a restless gleam. Ninety thousand subjects pulsed with purpose—warriors sharpening spears, mages charging mana, and trappers rigging snares along the roads. Kael stood at the citadel's southern gate, the Stormforged Blade in one hand, Iron Lance in the other, his Stormhide Armor crackling with faint lightning. His flirty smirk danced on his lips, a cool dominance radiating from his relaxed stance as he eyed the southwest horizon where Veyra's mana lake shimmered like a sapphire prize.
Day 15. Time to crash her party. His dark eyes burned with unwavering confidence, a quiet pride simmering beneath his chill exterior. Ninety thousand souls, a Lv. 3 stronghold, and a crew of juggernauts—most lords would've hesitated. Kael? He thrived, his resilience a blazing core. Mana lake's a fat haul. Veyra's about to learn who owns this game.
A sharp ding pierced the morning clamor, the system panel flaring up.
"Day 15: Post-Peace Period. Territory Level: 3. Population: 90,013 Subjects. Food Stock: 5 Days Remaining. Resource Yield: +20% (Lv. 3 Bonus)."
Kael's smirk widened, a playful edge cutting through the tension. "Five days of rations? Plenty for a victory feast." His calm under pressure was unshakable—war was his grind, and he'd mastered it. The Lord Map glowed in his vision, Veyra's lake ten miles out: five towers, mana barriers, two hundred guards, eastern shore weak. Lysa nailed it. Let's hit it.
He rallied his core crew—Lira, Sylvi, Veyna, Mara, Elys, Zorin, Gavrin, Nyra, Jace, Tora, Lysa, Seryn—by the gate. "Veyra's got mana and towers, but we've got numbers and me. Plan's simple: Elys overloads the barriers, Tora smashes the shore, Jace traps the flanks, Seryn ambushes, Nyra cuts deep. I'm upfront—Veyra's mine. Questions?"
Elys stepped forward, her staff sparking. "Barriers are mana-heavy—my storms can fry 'em, but it'll take a big hit."
Kael winked. "Hit hard, Elys. You're my thunder." He turned to the Summoning Altar, its Mana Crystal pulsing. Thirteen summons left. Let's add muscle.
He pressed a hand to the crystal, voice smooth and teasing. "Alright, gorgeous, give me a tank."
The altar flared, and a fourteenth figure emerged—a towering man with scarred arms and a massive shield strapped to his back. He knelt, voice a low rumble. "Lord Kael, I am Borv. Perk: Iron Bastion – +50% defense, taunt enemies."
Kael's grin turned protective yet playful. "Borv, huh? A wall's perfect. March with Tora—hold the line." Borv rose with a nod, his shield thudding, and the system blared.
"SSS Talent Triggered: 100% Drop Rate. Additional Summon: 1 Subject. EX Talent Triggered: 10,000x Multiplier Applied. Quantity Enhanced: 10,000 Subjects."
The ground quaked as 10,000 more figures materialized—warriors, shields, mages—swelling his ranks to 100,000. A woman with "Mana Shield" glowed faintly, a man with "Spear Wall" gripped a lance, and thousands roared allegiance. Kael laughed, a deep, carefree sound. One hundred thousand? This is my flood.
"Warriors, south!" he barked, his cool dominance slicing through the chaos. "Shields, with Borv. Mages, with Elys. Move!"
By noon, 30,000 warriors marched southwest, Kael at the fore, his crew fanned out. The mana lake gleamed—towers loomed, barriers shimmered blue, and Veyra, a sharp-eyed woman in silver robes, stood atop the eastern tower, staff glowing. Kael smirked, raising his blade. "Elys, now!"
Elys's staff flared, a colossal lightning bolt slamming the eastern barrier. It crackled, overloaded, and burst, sparks raining. Tora charged, her hammer smashing the shore's stone wall into rubble. Jace's traps snapped shut on fleeing guards, Seryn's shadow-blade gutting others silently. Borv planted his shield, a taunting roar drawing arrow fire, his Iron Bastion shrugging it off.
Kael leapt into the fray, lance piercing a guard, blade slashing another, blood spraying as he grinned. Child's play. He locked eyes with Veyra, who hurled a mana bolt—bright, fast. He dodged, lightning crackling off his armor, and vaulted the rubble, closing in.
"Nice trick," he teased, thrusting the lance. She parried with her staff, mana flaring, but Nyra blurred in, her blade nicking Veyra's arm. Kael struck again, lance piercing her chest. She gasped, crumpling, her staff dimming.
"Ding! Lord Defeated. XP: +500 (25,500 with EX: EXP Nova). SSS Talent: 100% Drop Rate. Loot: S: Mana Well (+50% mana regen). EX Talent: 10,000x Multiplier Applied. Quality Enhanced: S: Mana Well upgraded to EX: Mana Ocean (+5,000% mana regen)."
A tidal rush of mana flooded Kael's veins, his Aura/Magic stat pulsing. He smirked, twirling his blade. Infinite juice? Yes, please.
The lake fell—hundred dead, hundred surrendered. Kael stood amidst the chaos, his posture relaxed yet commanding. "Mara, fortify. Gavrin, loot. This is ours."
A final ding rang out.
"Territory Conquered: 4/10 for Lv. 4. XP Gained: 25,500 (1,700 + 23,800 from EX: EXP Nova). Level Up! Level 12 to Level 15. Stats Increased: +12."
Kael laughed, the violet sky blazing. Veyra's down. Mana's mine.
POV Shift: Borv
He hefted his shield, arrows clattering off it, his Iron Bastion a fortress in flesh. His lord stood there, smirking, blood on his lance. One hundred thousand, and he's the spearhead? Borv had guarded petty chiefs before, but Kael's cool confidence, that protective steel, hooked him. I'll tank for him. He's worth it.