> "The world bends not to power alone, but to those who know where to place it." —Strategist Eira of the Infinite Dominion
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[Location: Citadel of Windlight – Command Hall, Post-Victory Phase]
The banners fluttered across the stone towers of the captured citadel. Dozens of summoned constructs repaired walls and reinforced outer turrets with glowing mana conduits.
Aric sat before a shimmering command interface projected from a crystal orb on the war table. Next to him, Eira parsed data from the recent battle, her fingers ghosting over projections.
> "Enemy casualties: 74%. Ally losses: minimal." "Mana field distortion: 28% in recovery. Estimated full stability in 2 hours."
He nodded. "And the remaining guilds?"
> "Two have formed counter-coalitions. The Black Veil Syndicate is mobilizing. Also… the Terran Emissaries have entered the war zone."
Aric's eyes narrowed. The Terran Emissaries—the only other Earth-born group with a planetary-level rank from the start.
---
[Sub-System Expansion: Territory Management Unlocked]
With the Citadel captured, Infinite Dominion's system interface evolved:
> New Feature: Territory Panel
Buildings: 4 (Barracks, Market Node, Command Hall, Gate Altar)
Population: 198 (90% summoned, 10% refugees)
Authority Radius: Level 2 (Can influence surrounding ruins and minor guild zones)
> Upgrades Available:
Unlock Mana Beacon Relay: +10% summon recovery speed
Construct Dimensional Forge: Enables creation of World-Tier weapons
Found Diplomatic Pavilion: Can engage in trade, alliances, or sabotage via social systems
Eira flicked her gaze up. "We should establish a second rally point. The Forge will give us leverage."
Aric smirked. "Do both. And begin designing Unit Class Trees for next summon cycles."
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[Clone Dispatch – Global Intelligence System Activated]
> Clone 09 – Infiltration team to Black Veil Syndicate. Clone 12 – Covert market trade manipulation. Target: Radiant Vow's trade routes. Clone 18 – Guild recruitment drive in neutral zones.
Each clone wore a unique identity mask, developed from Aric's Infinite Creation skill. They spoke, fought, and thought independently—but reported back via encrypted thoughts.
> Bonus Unlock: Clone Merge Sync – temporarily fuse up to 3 clone minds into Aric's main consciousness for multi-perspective decision making.
---
[Meanwhile – Terran Emissaries' Forward Base]
Commander Lucien Waynford of the Emissaries stood atop a blacksteel tower, analyzing a floating battlefield map.
> "Aric Valen… the Infinite Freak. Rumors said he was cunning, not suicidal." "He just painted a target on himself."
Beside him, their summoned Champion Atlas Wyrmbreaker rumbled.
> "Permission to crush their gate when it reopens."
Lucien smiled. "Soon."
They weren't just aiming to win the war. They wanted the World Rescript Codex—a relic said to lie beneath Windlight Citadel, buried since the first convergence.
---
[Artifact Awakens – Windlight's Forgotten Core]
As Aric inspected the vault levels below the Citadel, a sealed gate pulsed. A system alert buzzed:
> "Unknown Object Detected: [Core Artifact – Windlight's Will]" Rarity: SSS-? Effect (Dormant): Unknown
> "To awaken this artifact, fulfill conditions:
Engage with a rival of matching or higher Authority.
Win a full Siege Cycle without teleportation escape.
Offer one willingly sacrificed summon with S-Tier Loyalty."
Aric's jaw clenched. Not because of the difficulty— but because the system already highlighted Kaelis as a valid sacrifice candidate.
> "So... to claim the core, I have to give up my sword."
He looked at the clone reflection in a nearby mirror.
> "Let's see how far loyalty really goes."
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End of Chapter 16