The twenty-fifth dawn erupted over Kael El's domain, a searing violet-gold sky igniting the citadel and its eight territories with a warlike sheen. Fifty-five dragons roared overhead, their wings casting shadows under EX: Dragon Sovereign, while 190,000 subjects marched southwest—warriors clad in scale armor, snipers nocking arrows, and runners stretching their legs. Kael strode at the vanguard, the Stormforged Blade in one hand, EX: Dragonflame Reaver blazing in the other, Stormhide Armor crackling with power. His flirty smirk gleamed, a cool dominance radiating from his relaxed stride as he eyed Vara's plains fortress, twelve miles out, its open fields ripe for conquest.
Day 25. Nine of ten—Vara's mine today. His dark eyes burned with unwavering confidence, a quiet pride simmering beneath his chill exterior. One hundred ninety thousand souls, eight territories, and a Rising Lord's peak might—most would've faltered at cavalry. Kael? He thrived, his resilience a fiery core. Horses run fast—dragons fly faster.
A sharp ding cut through the march's rhythm, the system panel flaring up.
"Day 25: Post-Peace Period. Territory Level: 3. Population: 190,023 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? Plenty for a plains barbecue." His calm under pressure was ironclad—war was his game, and he'd rigged the odds. The Lord Map glowed: Vara's fortress—Level 26, two hundred fifty troops, cavalry-heavy, A-tier talent. Mira's recon's gold. Let's stampede 'em.
He rallied his crew—Lira, Sylvi, Veyna, Mara, Elys, Nyra, Tora, Lysa, Seryn, Borv, Vira, Rhea, Korr, Thryn, Elyra, Mira, Gorv, Zyra, Ryn—mid-march. "Vara's plains are next—Level 26, two-fifty troops, cavalry. Elys and Rhea burn the flanks, Tora and Gorv smash the gates, Jace traps, Seryn ambushes, Borv tanks, Zyra and runners flank, Ryn snipes, dragons dive. I'm on Vara. Clear?"
Rhea cracked her whip, flames licking the air. "Cavalry's toast—Elys and I'll fry 'em."
Kael winked. "Rhea, you're my blaze. Light it up." He turned to the Summoning Altar, hauled by builders, its Mana Crystal pulsing. Three summons left. Let's add power.
He pressed a hand to the crystal, voice smooth and teasing. "Alright, gorgeous, give me a mage."
The altar flared, and a twenty-fourth figure emerged—a robed woman with a staff crackling with violet energy. She knelt, voice resonant. "Lord Kael, I am Lyra. Perk: Arcane Burst – +50% magic damage, area blasts."
Kael's grin turned protective yet playful. "Lyra, huh? A storm's perfect. Blast with Vira—level 'em." She rose with a nod, staff glowing, 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 plains trembled as 10,000 more figures materialized—mages, warriors, runners—swelling his ranks to 200,000. A man with "Thunder Call" sparked the sky, a woman with "Plains Ward" raised barriers, and thousands roared allegiance. Kael laughed, a deep, carefree sound. Two hundred thousand? This is my avalanche.
"Mages, with Lyra!" he barked, his cool dominance cutting through the din. "Runners, with Zyra. Dragons, with me. Move!"
By noon, 50,000 warriors reached the plains—grass stretched wide, Vara's fortress a squat stone keep with cavalry charging from the flanks. Vara stood atop the wall in silver armor, her A-tier A: Cavalry Command (+25% mounted speed) gleaming. Kael smirked, raising his reaver. "Elys, Rhea—now!"
Elys's lightning tore through the left flank, frying horses and riders—screams echoed as they fell. Rhea's whip lashed the right, flames engulfing cavalry in a fiery wave. Tora and Gorv charged the gate, hammer and mace shattering stone. Jace's traps snared horsemen, Seryn's blade reaped in shadow, Borv tanked lance strikes, Zyra's runners flanked fast, and Ryn's arrows pierced skulls from afar. Lyra's staff flared, violet blasts leveling dozens. Dragons dove, fire and talons ripping through.
Kael leapt at Vara, who spurred her steed forward, lance leveled. "You're dust, upstart!" she shouted. Kael dodged, mana surging, and slashed—the reaver's molten edge melted her lance. He thrust the blade—chest pierced, blood spraying as she fell.
"Ding! Lord Defeated – Vara, Level 26. XP: 781,619 × 0.1 = 78,162 (3,986,262 with EX: EXP Nova). SSS Talent: 100% Drop Rate. Loot: A: Cavalry Command (+25% mounted speed). EX Talent: 10,000x Multiplier Applied. Quality Enhanced: A: Cavalry Command upgraded to EX: Stormrider's Reign (+2,500% mounted speed)."
A rush of wind surged through Kael, his movements sharper. He smirked. Ride the storm now.
The fortress fell—hundred fifty dead, hundred surrendered. Kael stood amidst the wreckage, relaxed yet commanding. "Mara, fortify. Gavrin, loot."
A final ding rang out.
"Territory Conquered: 9/10 for Lv. 4. XP Gained: 3,986,262. Level Up! Level 28 to Level 30. Stats Increased: +130."
Kael grinned, the violet sky thundering. Vara's down. One more.
POV Shift: Lyra
She channeled her staff, her Arcane Burst crackling, the plains scarred by her power. Her lord stood there, smirking, a titan among men. Two hundred thousand, and he's a force of nature? She'd cast for petty mystics before, but Kael's cool confidence, that protective steel, hooked her. I'll blast for him. He's worth it.