The eighteenth dawn roared over Kael El's domain, a fiery violet-gold sky blazing across the citadel and its four territories. The mana lake hummed southwest, its waters fueling his endless EX: Mana Ocean, while 120,000 subjects marched east, their boots kicking up dust along fortified roads. Kael strode at the fore, the Stormforged Blade in one hand, Iron Lance in the other, Stormhide Armor crackling with power. His flirty smirk gleamed, a cool dominance radiating from his relaxed stride as he eyed the jagged peaks of Draxis's eastern dragon nest, smoke curling like a challenge fifteen miles out.
Day 18. Time to clip some wings. His dark eyes burned with unwavering confidence, a quiet pride simmering beneath his chill exterior. One hundred twenty thousand souls, four territories, and a crew of titans—most lords would've balked at dragons. Kael? He thrived, his resilience a steel blaze. Draxis's pets are just loot with scales.
A sharp ding pierced the march's rhythm, the system panel flaring up.
"Day 18: Post-Peace Period. Territory Level: 3. Population: 120,016 Subjects. Food Stock: 6 Days Remaining. Resource Yield: +20% (Lv. 3 Bonus)."
Kael's smirk widened, a playful edge slicing through the tension. "Six days of rations? Plenty for a dragon roast." His calm under pressure was unshakable—war was his grind, and he'd stacked the deck. The Lord Map showed the eastern nest: ten dragons, rocky cover, two hundred troops. Lysa's intel's gold. Let's burn it down.
He rallied his crew—Lira, Sylvi, Veyna, Mara, Elys, Zorin, Gavrin, Nyra, Jace, Tora, Lysa, Seryn, Borv, Vira, Rhea—mid-march. "Eastern nest's ours—ten dragons, two hundred grunts. Elys and Rhea fry 'em, Tora smashes, Jace traps, Seryn ambushes, Borv tanks. I'm taking Draxis if he shows. Clear?"
Rhea cracked her whip, flames licking the air. "Dragons burn easy—Elys and I'll torch the skies."
Kael winked. "Rhea, you're my fire. Make it hot." He turned to the Summoning Altar, hauled along by builders, its Mana Crystal pulsing. Ten summons left. Let's add steel.
He pressed a hand to the crystal, voice smooth and teasing. "Alright, gorgeous, give me a spear."
The altar flared, and a seventeenth figure emerged—a lean man with a jagged spear and a predator's grin. He knelt, voice sharp. "Lord Kael, I am Korr. Perk: Dragon Piercer – +50% armor penetration, dragon-slaying."
Kael's grin turned protective yet playful. "Korr, huh? A hunter's perfect. March with Nyra—skewer 'em." Korr rose with a nod, his spear gleaming, 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, spearmen, mages—swelling his ranks to 130,000. A woman with "Dragon Shield" hefted a scale-plated barrier, a man with "Firebane" glowed with resistance, and thousands roared allegiance. Kael laughed, a deep, carefree sound. One-thirty? This is my avalanche.
"Spearmen, with Korr!" he barked, his cool dominance cutting through the din. "Shields, with Borv. Mages, with Vira. Move!"
By noon, 40,000 warriors reached the eastern nest—rocky peaks loomed, ten dragons circling, their roars shaking the air. Draxis wasn't there, but a captain in red armor bellowed orders. Kael smirked, raising his blade. "Elys, Rhea—now!"
Elys's staff flared, lightning splitting the sky, frying a dragon mid-flight—scales smoked as it crashed. Rhea's whip lashed out, flames coiling around another, burning its wings to ash. Tora charged, her hammer smashing a grounded beast's skull, bone splintering. Jace's traps snapped on troops, Seryn's shadow-blade gutting five in a blur. Borv planted his shield, taunting roars drawing dragonfire, his Iron Bastion holding firm.
Kael leapt in, lance piercing a dragon's flank, blade slashing its throat—blood sprayed as it roared its last. Too easy. He spun, facing the captain, who swung a flaming axe. Kael dodged, mana surging, and thrust—lance through chest, axe clattering.
"Ding! Elite Defeated. XP: +250 (12,750 with EX: EXP Nova). SSS Talent: 100% Drop Rate. Loot: A: Flame Axe (+25% fire damage). EX Talent: 10,000x Multiplier Applied. Quality Enhanced: A: Flame Axe upgraded to EX: Dragonflame Reaver (+2,500% fire damage)."
A blazing axe landed in his hand, its edge molten. Kael grinned, twirling it. Nice upgrade.
The nest fell—ten dragons dead, hundred troops down, hundred surrendered. Kael stood amidst the carnage, his posture relaxed yet commanding. "Mara, fortify. Gavrin, loot. This is ours."
A final ding rang out.
"Territory Conquered: 5/10 for Lv. 4. XP Gained: 63,750 (4,250 + 59,500 from EX: EXP Nova). Level Up! Level 15 to Level 19. Stats Increased: +16."
Kael smirked, the violet sky roaring. Dragons down. Draxis next.
POV Shift: Korr
He twirled his spear, dragon blood dripping, his Dragon Piercer humming. His lord stood there, smirking, an axe aflame in hand. One hundred thirty thousand, and he's slaying beasts? Korr had hunted for petty clans before, but Kael's cool confidence, that protective steel, hooked him. I'll pierce for him. He's worth it.