Battleforged
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Chapter 469 - Fresh Territory!
🕑 Added 2024-10-25 03:59:01 +0000 UTCCaliban rubbed his temples, leaning back in his seat with a sigh.
“What news?” asked the tense woman beside him, presently typing furiously away at a virtual keyboard as she gazed upon the monitor before her, one of a handful now being used by anxious-looking elves wearing Blue Corp uniforms in the Alutopaze reinforced bunker they were all busily working from.
Caliban’s eye caught sight of Nikita’s holographic display, the same display on all of their monitors, presently fixated upon the mile high titan that they had all been certain would doom them all. Thus Blue Corp Central had spared absolutely no expense for Silver-tier elites and all the resources they could bring to bear to record what everyone had thought would have been Earth’s unavoidable destruction and the emergence and ascension, no matter how terrible, of a newly forged Gold.
Privileges which would normally be denied to anyone upon a newly ascending world.
But not tonight.
Not when the world was itself in peril, and a new Gold was ascending upon the galactic stage.
Caliban didn’t bother answering for long seconds even as the display froze and rewound at ever slower speeds, until one could just make out the tiny figures flaring wings and coronas of such shockingly potent energy that their chief consult said was at absolute odds with what should have been possible, let alone permissible.
“There’s no way anyone below Deepest Silver should have access to anything like that,” one of the Silver specialists declared with a panicked lilt to her voice. “And it was echoed a million-fold. Such reality-warping potencies shouldn’t exist, unless the orchestrator is themselves a Gold!”
The words had made the entire chamber go deathly silent for just a heartbeat, all of them well aware of just how chaotic Gold ascensions could be. Destructive and rare, with only one clan of Imperial Golds permitted to persist in this sector at all. Golds who de facto ruled them all and, almost always, left the actual ruling, politicking, and consolidating to countless powerful Silver clans, the emperor and empress having far better things to do with their time.
But as depicted by the sight before them now… several million brightly flaring potencies all slamming into a mile-high towering titan with sufficient force to obliterate it with the shocking consequences that followed as the cameras immediately flared back, and they got a firsthand look at Earth’s destruction, as a shockwave rippled through Earth’s crust like a massive tidal wave, with horrific repercussions.
The very sight was enough to freeze Caliban where he sat, his heart pounding with genuine horror even as he kept his features tightly schooled, sensing the spikes of fear and adrenaline in every last technician and assistant present.
Then the destructive wave of obliterating force abruptly stopped… before flowing back on itself.
In perfect reverse.
It was such a shocking degree of orderly regression that there was no number to define the odds of such occurring naturally.
A Gold might have that kind of power… but not even the emperor had that kind of precision.
The millions who had already died should have stayed dead.
Including all of them viewing the devastation at that very moment.
All of them had been in that cone of destruction which meant, for at least a split second, each of them had experienced instant oblivion… and none of them had any memory of doing so. As if, for them, it had never happened.
Even though they were all witnessing it.
An event that had happened just MINUTES ago.
No.
It was something else that had caused the absolutely perfect reversal of what should have been a world-ending event.
Nikita trembled. “Ever time I see it…” Her words died off. The technician to their left nodded sympathetically.
“I know,” he whispered. “That was us. We should all be dead. But we’re not. It gives me chills to think that there are actual divinities here on this planet. Earth truly is a wondrous place.”
“It was the System!” Snapped the Deep Silver consultant who had been teleported directly here along with the Seer who was nodding her head in agreement, one of the very few Blue Corp had access to, to counter the Redtear Syndicate’s machinations, as no expense was spared with what they had all thought was Earth’s final hour.
Everyone present paled and flinched in their seats, no matter that they were all classers and professionals. Even Caliban stiffened his countenance as the powerful Silver collected himself, before bowing his head in mute apology.
“A most fascinating and shocking display of power. I suspect the Emperor will be most interested in knowing the parties responsible.”
Caliban schooled his features even as another technician raised his hand like a child at class, though earning a nod from their de-facto head, regardless.
“The Terran Administrators report that they know who the culprits are, Lord Caerulus. The Fallen Gold went by the name of Malice Bane and appears to have been…” He paled, licking his lips.
Caliban’s relative glared. “Well, out with it, man!”
“He was the demonic ruler of one of our chief rival factions and was following an infernal path. It explains why goblin contractual law is so convoluted, devious, and potent.”
All of them shared knowing nods at those words.
“He wasn’t just claiming the potency of an ascending world… he was harvesting souls.”
This earned a surprised raised brow. “Souls. We had had suspicions, of course, but nothing we dared trouble the emperor with, directly. Has such truly been confirmed, boy?”
The youth paled. “I… yes, Lord Caerulus. It ties in with the goblin’s contractual foothold here on Earth. A preserved contract from one Eric Silver shows signs of having existed through multiple…” The youth paled. “Time streams. This document, serving as one of our most vital pieces of property that has facilitated the authorization and opening of our Terran Savings and Loan branch, the only financial institution permitted here on Earth save for the goblin’s own, showed signs of being affected by both higher order and infernal beings with the passage through overlapping… timelines. In addition to being signed by Eric Silver and Caliban Caerulus, it also has the signature of multiple prominent members of one Snicklit Tribe, including several individuals that we now have on good authority never existed… though our document still stands, legally speaking,” He hurriedly continued.
“Additionally and most damning of all, are the original codicils forged and signed between the Bloodtear Syndicate and the Administrating consortiums they financed to immediate prominence on the very first days of Earth’s reforging. It granted the administrators rights over both the bodies and souls of their subjects.”
“And now we know why,” Nikita said with a soft curse, shaking her head. “Truly, the goblins are a foul, twisted race that should be purged from all worlds!”
The Deep Silver flashed a hard smile. “We will keep this conversation professional, and keep our personal opinions to ourselves… no matter how accurate they might be regarding our opponents, or how unusual it is to find that all Blue Faction operations here on Earth are to be conducted through our increasingly vital chartered bank branch… of which one Eric Silver is now a full stakes shareholder, who will be earning as much from standard banking operations and property development as we ourselves will!”
Nikita flushed prettily, before bowing her head. “Of course, my lord.”
Caliban coolly held the Silver’s gaze. “You read my report.”
The elf glared for only a moment, before rubbing his forehead with a sigh. “Damn it, I did. And I can’t even argue with your logic, or just how vital his services have turned out to be. One of the Winter Queen’s direct descendants, of all things. Which means the boy has Gold-tier ancestry giving him any number of advantages. But damn if we aren’t paying for it!”
He forced a chuckle at that, before turning his focus back to the screen.
“And what do we know of our champion here? Whatever brave fool dared to take on an ascending Gold… and actually best it?”
Nikita flushed, stealing a glance Caliban’s way.
The Silver’s bemused smile hardened. “Say it. Global crisis supersedes all contractual strictures. You already know that, Nikita.”
The woman flushed, graceful enough to claim the blame and keep her eyes from Caliban’s own.
“I suspect that the hero in question is one Ernest Edgelord Slaughter.”
This earned a frown. “What clan does he hail from? Clearly, it must be significant. I see he’s the one responsible for clearing the monster surge origins that could have spelled an end to our own Freetown almost immediately after we secured it fully from the goblin’s clutches… after conceding a full 50% banking profit share with our effective Terran partner, Eric Silver. Hmm…”
Nimble hands danced across a spectral keyboard. Jaded eyes widened with surprise. “This Ernest is responsible for a Legendary-Tier arcane academy in a world successfully denied all higher forms of instruction? Fascinating. And the land itself, infused with what the wilder accounts assure are actual divine blessings in terms of bountiful crops, bardic resonances and mana levels so high it was off the charts, yet so attuned to life that it caused even mortals no harm at all. Blessed as well with seven million lost souls brought to fresh life in…” the man shook his head with bemusement.
“Regardless, it’s a territory unlike any other on this planet, save for Ashland and Hope province, two other gems that it’s a pity aren’t under our direct care. Not to mention Picksonville, which, according to these reports, boasts an entire grove of extremely potent spirit trees, even if currently without any harvest. Those treasures would be glorious finds, even upon the most valued of imperial worlds. Our agents report fairytale properties in all of them, so strong are the sympathetic magics involved.”
Lord Caerulus gave a rueful chuckle. “Only for him to surrender all those territories, save for Hope province, with the legendary Towers of Zor, to one of the last full-blooded heirs of the Sylvan Alliance. Truly, someone of powerful stock is eager to make alliances. Perhaps an unclaimed imperial offshoot? Certainly, no one will blame our fellows from placing a Silver-tier ringer on a newly ascending world, his actions earning him all the clemency he could hope for. Nevertheless, we’d best have a full accounting ready for imperial inquisition.”
Nikita’s eyes widened. “You would suggest we would have to face an inquisition, after what we recorded?”
The Silver’s only response was a hard smile. “I filed my report. A report that will be the farthest thing from ignored with so much light now shining so brightly upon Terra. So many questions that need to be answered. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if those two agents that had dared to interrogate you in the way they had, agents which we have now recorded engaging in unsanctioned interrogations that could rightly be called torture, will soon be facing an inquisition of their very own in the near future. And we will never say another word on the matter that would ever cast shade on those who watch over us all. Preferably from very far away, in as scant detail as possible. Is that understood?”
Nikita flinched, crimson dots forming on pale cheeks. “Yes, my lord.”
“Good. I see that the honorable Caliban,” he flashed a cool smile his cousin’s way. “Has already prepared an open ended offer for any territories this Ernest chooses to send our way in return for a modest 10% profit share and complete indemnity from any sort of persecution or lawfare while on Blue Corp lands. Acceptable, though it is shocking to think that we are now surrendering over half of our profits between this Ernest and Eric, and we must clarify that any legal clemency granted does not extend to imperial inquiries.”
“Understood, Lord Caerulus,” Caliban calmly assured with the tiniest of nods.
“Good. Good! And do see if we can get an interview with this most fascinating player. We can promise him indemnity if he will reveal his origins to us. As he is already a client, this will help us smooth the way in terms of acting as an imperial intermediary. Perhaps we can get him a long term extension of exile, considering the tremendous boon he has already granted Terra, no matter how deep a Silver he might be.”
Caliban sighed. “That won’t be necessary, cousin.”
“And why is that, cousin?”
“He’s a native-born Contender with all the rights and privileges therein.”
The entire chamber froze in odd silence as the united charge from the upper atmosphere crashing down upon the ascending demon played over and over again.
“Forgive me, cousin. But the power-levels displayed… fielding Bronze-tier troops in battle in numbers that exceed any individual Dread Lord I’ve ever heard of... you’re claiming he’s a native-born Contender?”
Caliban dipped his head. “Correct. One who’s just reaffirmed our Contractual offer and has made it clear that in very short order he…” Caliban’s eyes blinked as a fresh display came to life upon the ceiling display, a cool feminine voice filling the chamber.
“One New York State territory has been seized from wild-Orange status and offered by one Ernest Edgelord Silver for 10% profit share and full legal immunity. System Boons include elevated Mana, Spiritual Energy, and Fertility. Territory contains a Triple Major Boon of Stability. Please note. Latter boon is currently Undefined.”
Caliban blinked at the interdepartment announcement, common practice always assuring that territory offers would always have their utmost attention. Surprisingly, the voice continued.
“Addendum placed by offering party: ‘Triple Major Stability boon means that no inter-dimensional rifts, anomalies, or singularities will be ‘messing with my shit.’ The soil’s dark and rich, multilayered and deep, with sand, silt, and clay below at the perfect ratios for propery drainage. We can make a fortune with farming communities and crops, but don’t bother with mines or stone quarries here. Nothing’s breaking through the actual bedrock, so don’t even try.’”
The Silver-tier powerhouse who was only permitted here on Earth by the thinnest of pretexts stared at the blinking monitor of upstate New York, his features taking on an odd pallor. “I almost want to take up that challenge, but I have the odd feeling that it won’t end in my favor, cousin.”
Caliban flashed a humorless smile. “That boy helped me secure the very city serving as the heart of our Terran operations while singlehandedly putting down a monster surge that could have wiped out our interests entirely. You won’t find me betting against him.”
“Especially since the last person who did is dead,” Nikita said, gazing very pointedly at the titanic explosion that should have shattered their planet… before it was all put together again, a snippet of causality played in perfect reverse by arts beyond all their ken.
“Challenging a Silver so deep, he was in the process of ascending to Gold upon the ashes of this world,” Lord Caerulus nodded, before barking a quiet chuckle. “It has been too long since I was permitted any time on an ascending world. Just to observe all the anomalies. To feel it inspire me so!” He gave a satisfied nod. “I am quite pleased in your choice of associates, Cousin.” He then raised a curious eyebrow.
“Well, aren’t you going to accept?”
Caliban took a deep, shuddering breath as he dipped his head. A single surge of his will, and the map of New York state manifested another bright blue tile, earning a pleased cheer from all the technicians grinning at the screen overhead.
Before their looks turned to awe when a second tile began flashing, the impersonal voice filling the air once more.
“Additional New York State territory has been seized from wild-Orange status and offered by one Ernest Edgelord Silver for 10% profit share and full legal immunity. System Boons include elevated Mana, Spiritual Energy and Fertility. Territory countains a Triple Major Boon of Stability. Please note. Latter boon has been previously defined. - Note. Addendum by offering party added. ‘Get ready, Calibro. The fun has just begun!’”
***
You have successfully weaved past Decapitating Blow!
You have successfully dodged Serrating Bite!
You have critically struck your foe!
Eric’s features were bright with fierce joy as he weaved and darted under the guard of the massive behemoth roaring and charging forward, a towering humanoid covered in scales with snapping teeth and pure madness in its gaze as it swung a pair of giant battle axes made of wood and bone. The boss-tier Bronze monster that had actually developed a core in the heart of the mist shrouded swamplands that comprised this territory.
It was the second territory Eric was blitzing through in record time. Shallow waters and mud fit to sink any hapless adventurer were no defense at all when Eric and 200,000 of his closest friends were spear fishing in the most literal sense with their 25 foot-long sarissa, much like ancient cavalry would plunge their lances into scurrying infantry before leaning over and extracting their spears from their prey as they raced away. Eric was now using his own version of that very weapon to brutal effect, weaving under his foe’s furious blow plunge his own essence-hardened spear deep under the arm pit of the towering sentinel.
Eyes lit with mad intelligence widened in pain and surprise as the creature snapped its serrated teeth and hissed, lurching back as the brackish swamp water was sprayed with blood pouring from a punctured artery as it spun about, howling and glaring at the distant phalanx that Eric kept well back, now that he had purged this primeval corner of upstate New York free of every other red, save for this one.
A creature who had earned its boss title for good reason, scales turning a brilliant red as it howled with a berserker’s rage and charged once more, its serrrated axe heads crashing into the swamp waters in titanic explosions of water, mud, and pulverized trees.
Only to glare with consternation at the sight of his foe, grinning so damned wide as it slid past the most furious of assaults, before lunging in turn.
Piercing Strike! You have critically struck your foe!
The roaring behemoth’s cry cut off with a surprised wheeze, gazing down at the spear that had just pierced its jugular before blasting through the base of its spine.
It opened it’s cavernous jaws one final time, spraying the air with a frothy pink mist as it collapsed into the swamp water with a titanic crash, the light gently fading from its confused eyes even as Eric clenched his fists and howled as one opponent died and the other tasted transcendence, literally glowing before the potential of an entire territory that was now his own.
You have successfully bested a Boss-Tier opponent of higher level than yourself in singular combat!
Spear is now Rank 29!
Congratulations, you are now a Level 56 Death’s Disciple!
Eric flashed a fiercely pleased smile. For all that he could now more clearly sense the very subtle buildup of plaque, it was minuscule and hadn’t hindered his ascension, even if he had limited his personal kills to the very end of tearing through the swamplands that had passed by at a supersonic blur that with Battletime, was no blur at all.
Part of it, he was no doubt thanks to the tactical decision he had made to raise no more revenants, at least for now. On the on hand it was a regrettable loss as thousands of powerful White-tier beasts were claimed as fertilizer by the swamp when they could have served him. Yet the fact remained that he now had in excess of 3 million elite Bronze-Tier troops, and was now measuring for himself what, if any plaque, he would develop when his only use of Necromancy was in directing the troops he already had, with no further troops brought to bear.
Much to his surprise, though he was still accruing plaque, it was actually quite minimal. And now he was sufficiently in tune with himself, and the pristine foundation he would have loved to have from the start, that he could actually sense both the flow of Spiritual Energy coursing through him with his level-up, and the less than ideal patina that naturally built up with any exercise of pretty much any of his skills that weren’t pure cultivation.
Yet even as he mourned the lost potential in terms of revenants and solo kills he dared waste no time hunting for, save for the most obvious of bosses, he also felt a sense of wonder as the potency of an entire realm ready to be reforged shuddered through his soul.
He shivered not just with anticipation, but fierce resolve even as he drunk deep of the world’s potency and shaped it to his will.
You have successfully claimed Geneseo Territory!
You have chosen to feast upon the spoils of your conquest! Strength and Vitality have each increased by 15 points and Soul Reserves have permanently increased by 5 points, in addition to all attribute modifiers!
You walk the Path of Endless Bounty, so have taken only the tiniest sip of your latest territory’s potential, pruning it to now blossom like NEVER before! You may grant your territory 4 Lesser Bounties!
NOTE! You have claimed a wild Orange-tier territory upon an ascending world. Bounties have been elevated in rank!
You have chosen the Territory Perk: Stability!
Eric grit his jaw, seizing the moment, just like he had with the territory so recently claimed, where he had first visualized pouring every last territory enhancement he could not in forging an incredible wonder to defy the ages, but in making it solid. Permanent. Nearly indestructible.
The soil was, of course, rich and loamy and open to the kiss of both magic and seed, but the bedrock below the silt and clay was so infused with the might of reality itself, thanks to his essence of Dominion, that there was no way that his hopefully deceased nemesis could claw through rifts between dimensions or physically warp the reality of this domain at all.
Eric flashed a fierce smile, sensing the final fading howls of a doomed soul as Eric slammed shut the final doors of folly and mischance that would have eventually warped the entire world as that absolute monster tried to slip free of even death’s hoary clutches.
But one could never be too careful, he thought, glaring at his sense of utter impermeability before layering it with a second Stability Perk, ignoring the interface message about anomalies.
Before layering a third.
Only then did he feel the desperate dread begin to finally abate, absolutely not caring that he had effectively slammed a bank vault shut sealing shut upon a manacled abomination already trapped in a steel cage.
Because he knew just how tricky that bastard truly was.
Only with three layers finally set, two of which his interface at least implied were probably unnecessary even if it was amusing to watch him squeeze reality to obey his will… only then was Eric willing to give an awkward chuckle to himself, to the air around him, to his own paranoia, as he used his final enhanced bounty in a way that would actually benefit the land.
Intently focused features eased in a warm smile as he felt the gentle, warm, life-giving sun caress him with so much nurturing spiritual energy, the air alive with the tingle of rich potent magics, as tamed and gentle as any aspiring practitioner could want. And Eric gave a knowing smile as swamps transformed to fruit groves and orderly crops, blessed by the rich, fecund soil the swamplands had gifted that would be absolutely perfect for bountiful harvests or raising the most vibrant orchards as one could find in what would be a far more temperate region off upstate New York, kissed by a constant warm southerly breeze, much like New Arcadia now was.
You have granted Geneseo Territory the Glorious Bounty boon! Your territory now enjoys unusually high levels of docile Mana, elementally neutral Spiritual Energy, and a degree of fertility (and temperate climate) that borders on the magical! A triple basic-tier boon you can now give to any and all Orange-Tier territories with but a single slot!
Congratulations! The Path of Endless Bounty is now Rank 17!
Warning! You must surrender this territory immediately, lest you would forgo the Path of Endless Bounty and walk the Path of Rulers instead!
“No way in hell that’s happening,” Eric chuckled to himself as he made his offer, smirking as he so easily imagined the awed look on his friend’s face when he found Eric throwing not one but two territories his way in such short order.
Not surprisingly, he sensed the pair of regions being snatched up within seconds of his offer. And with that offer accepted, he finally sensed the last lingering whispers of malice fade away to nothing, smiling with pure satisfaction.
In truth, he would have surrendered the territories to Caliban with no compensation at all. No matter how disappointed his sister would be.
For the chance of twisted fate cards slowly tainting that monster’s last-born offspring was a horror Eric refused to countenance.
Not when something so casual as a stroke of a greedy goblin’s pen upon a contract whose significance almost all seemed to have forgotten, absolutely forbade any goblin from further interfering in shared treaties between Blue Corp and Eric.
Just one of the casually overlooked addendums that the greedy Snicklit Tribe had let slide, so certain they had a fortune in the bag.
All that was needed for the final howling remnants of a pathetic wisp of a soul to fade away completely, its final hooks torn free by the most self-centered of concessions made by peons that at any other place and time would have been utterly beneath their shockingly selfish master’s notice. Which was so serendipitous that Eric couldn’t help but to laugh aloud.
He wiped his hands. “And that’s the end of it. This territory now slipped free of the tale of my life, and my sister as well.”
Eric then got to his feet, allowing himself a moment to savor the modest increase to his Soul Reserves, always a good thing, and the shockingly massive surge he had earned to both Strength and Vitality, both having increased over 80 points in just the handful of minutes it had taken to clear out those two territories with 175% bonus modifiers in play, even if the shockwave he had unleashed with his final territory charge had utterly obliterated everything, save for that final boss.
He gave the now lush croplands a final gentle pat, sensing the indestructible bedrock underneath the thick soil and clay, and savoring the feel of the warm early spring sun gently caress his back in parting as he stepped toward the shimmering barrier between wild and exceedingly tame regions once more.
“Two territories adjoining New Arcadia that are now as stable as can be. And just a few more to before I hit the city proper.” He cracked his neck with a smile as he gazed into the stormy Red Tier region just beyond the now lush croplands that had so recently been a swap. “If luck holds, I’ll find both that asshole Sing and both a patent office and a Federal Reserve branch in the city of my birth, and unlock opportunities that could transform this entire continent.”
He flashed a fierce, anticipatory grin as he stepped into a howling vortex of wild winds and massive brooding clouds pouring rain upon a wind-whipped forest. The air smelled of ozone, evergreens, and the wildest magic Eric had yet to encounter as he squinted up into the lightning filled clouds.
He felt a shiver of wonder when he spied great winged serpents crying out as they danced upon the howling currents underneath the brooding clouds, unleashing massive bolts of lightning arcing through the air before twisting down to hit the forest below.
Eric’s eye lit with savage pleasure. He tasted the tang of peril and sweet, sweet boons to come upon his tongue as a visceral excitement bubbling up within his chest as his resolve to summon no new revenants waned before the wonder of dozens of wyverns flittering through the air.
Magnificent winged serpents that quickly noted the intruder radiating so much spiritual pressure now rapidly heading their way.
Eric’s lips curved in a fierce grin as he boldly raced up towards the brooding clouds, just a heartbeat away from summoning a few hundred thousand of his closest friends.
He told himself it was curiosity that stayed his hand when a trio of magnificent wyrms gliding upon storm wind currents soared toward him.
He felt a shiver of exhilaration as the howling winds whipped around him, yet didn’t effect him, as he took a closer look at the thirty-foot long drakes. His hand caressing the hilt of his mithril blade, eager to hone his skills in the crucible of peril once more.
No matter how much a part of him screamed for the need to rest, after all he had endured.
Yet he couldn’t bear the thought of what awaited him in sleep.
So he’d hone every skill he could, and flood himself with so much power before claiming New York and achieving his long awaited GOAL! Such that he could only hope that the balm of sweet, sweet power would wash all the regret away.
A stray bolt of lightning crackled toward him… before arcing away. A bemused Eric wasn’t sure if it was a greeting, a warning, or an attack. Regardless, with an effective 630 in Elemental Resistance, it found absolutely no purchase at all.
Eric smiled, feeling nothing but the slightest of tingles as the three massive drakes closed the distance…
Before stopping with an abrupt flapping of their wings, bowing their long serpentine necks in unison, mother-of-pearl scales glittering in the flashing gloom, now just feet away from Eric’s killing blade.
“Greetings, brave adventurer,” said the first in perfect English.
“The air thrums with your presence!” declared the second.
“Our queen would hold counsel with one who radiates power beyond even the depths of Bronze.”
“Please come with us, brave adventure!” the first drake requested, his pale scales flashing shades of green entreaty.
Eric blinked, momentarily nonplussed. “Wait… what? Seriously?”
The second serpent solemnly nodded. “Of course. Please, come this way, brave adventurer. We would offer you a quest!”
Chapter 470 - Breaking Bread with Desperate Dragons
Comments
S_Winter
Well, this will be interesting.
KatC
Oooo nice twist... but will there be betrayal. Hmmmm
