The nineteenth dawn blazed over Kael El's domain, a searing violet-gold sky igniting the citadel and its five territories with a victorious sheen. The eastern dragon nest smoldered, its rocky peaks now a fortified outpost under Mara's hands, while 130,000 subjects pulsed with energy—warriors hauling dragon bones, mages channeling mana, and crafters forging scales into gear. Kael stood atop the nest's highest ridge, the Stormforged Blade in one hand, EX: Dragonflame Reaver in the other, its molten edge glowing against his Stormhide Armor. His flirty smirk gleamed, a cool dominance radiating from his relaxed stance as he eyed the deeper eastern sprawl of Draxis's domain.
Day 19. One nest down, two to go. His dark eyes burned with unwavering confidence, a quiet pride simmering beneath his chill exterior. One hundred thirty thousand souls, five territories, and a dragon-slaying axe—most lords would've paused to gloat. Kael? He thrived, his resilience a fiery core. Draxis is sweating now. Let's turn up the heat.
A sharp ding cut through the smoky air, the system panel flaring up.
"Day 19: Post-Peace Period. Territory Level: 3. Population: 130,017 Subjects. Food Stock: 5 Days Remaining. Resource Yield: +20% (Lv. 3 Bonus)."
Kael's smirk widened, a playful edge slicing through the tension. "Five days left? Time to grill some more." His calm under pressure was unshakable—conquest was his game, and he'd stacked the odds. The Lord Map glowed: Draxis's central nest lay ten miles east—twenty dragons, three hundred troops, and Draxis himself, according to Lysa's recon. Big boy's home. Perfect.
Gavrin approached, his ledger stuffed with notes. "Lord Kael, nest's loot is in—ten dragon corpses, fifty scales, thirty claws, plus weapons. Resources at 15,920 now."
Kael clapped his shoulder, winking. "Gavrin, you're my goldmine. Forge the scales—armor up the frontliners." Gavrin nodded, scribbling, and Kael turned to the Summoning Altar, its Mana Crystal pulsing amid the nest's rubble. Nine summons left. Let's add grit.
He pressed a hand to the crystal, voice smooth and teasing. "Alright, gorgeous, give me a brawler."
The altar flared, and an eighteenth figure emerged—a stocky woman with scarred fists and a feral grin. She knelt, voice rough. "Lord Kael, I am Thryn. Perk: Iron Knuckle – +50% unarmed damage, stun strikes."
Kael's grin turned protective yet playful. "Thryn, huh? A fist's perfect. Train with Tora—punch 'em flat." She rose with a nod, cracking her knuckles, 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 ridge shook as 10,000 more figures materialized—warriors, brawlers, scouts—swelling his ranks to 140,000. A man with "Scale Breaker" flexed his fists, a woman with "Nest Scout" eyed the peaks, and thousands roared allegiance. Kael laughed, a deep, carefree sound. One-forty? This is my storm.
"Warriors, gear up!" he barked, his cool dominance cutting through the din. "Brawlers, with Thryn. Scouts, with Veyna. Move!"
By midday, Veyna returned with hunters, dragging two boars. "Lord, food's at six days. Central nest's active—dragon wings spotted."
Kael twirled his reaver, grinning. "Veyna, you're my hawk. Keep tabs—distance, moves." He rallied the crew—Lira, Sylvi, Veyna, Mara, Elys, Nyra, Tora, Lysa, Seryn, Borv, Vira, Rhea, Korr, Thryn—by the nest's edge. "Central nest's next—twenty dragons, three hundred troops, Draxis included. Same play: Elys and Rhea burn, Tora and Thryn smash, Jace traps, Seryn ambushes, Borv tanks, Korr spears. I'm on Draxis. Questions?"
Korr gripped his spear. "Dragons are bigger there—my Dragon Piercer'll gut 'em."
Kael winked. "Korr, you're my fang. Rip 'em open." Thirty thousand marched east, Kael at the fore. The central nest loomed—peaks sharper, dragons roaring, Draxis atop a cliff in black armor, a massive dragon at his side.
Kael smirked, raising his reaver. "Elys, Rhea—light it up!"
Elys's lightning crashed, frying two dragons. Rhea's whip torched another, flames spreading. Tora and Thryn charged, hammer and fists cracking scales. Jace's traps snared troops, Seryn's blade reaping silently. Borv taunted, soaking fire, while Korr's spear pierced a dragon's heart.
Kael faced Draxis, who roared, "You're dead, upstart!" His dragon lunged, fire blazing. Kael dodged, mana surging, and slashed—the reaver's molten edge cleaved its wing. Draxis swung a dragonbone sword, but Kael parried with his blade, then thrust the lance—chest pierced, blood gushing.
"Ding! Lord Defeated. XP: +500 (25,500 with EX: EXP Nova). SSS Talent: 100% Drop Rate. Loot: S: Dragon Command (+50% beast control). EX Talent: 10,000x Multiplier Applied. Quality Enhanced: S: Dragon Command upgraded to EX: Dragon Sovereign (+5,000% beast control)."
A primal roar filled Kael's mind, dragons bowing. He smirked. Mine now.
The nest fell—twenty dragons tamed, two hundred dead, hundred surrendered. Kael stood amidst the chaos, relaxed yet commanding. "Mara, fortify. Gavrin, loot."
A final ding rang out.
"Territory Conquered: 6/10 for Lv. 4. XP Gained: 76,500 (5,100 + 71,400 from EX: EXP Nova). Level Up! Level 19 to Level 20. Stats Increased: +4."
Kael grinned, the violet sky thundering. Draxis's done. Nests are mine.
POV Shift: Thryn
She flexed her fists, dragon blood staining them, her Iron Knuckle buzzing. Her lord stood there, smirking, dragons at his feet. One hundred forty thousand, and he's taming beasts? She'd brawled for petty thugs before, but Kael's cool confidence, that protective steel, hooked her. I'll break for him. He's worth it.