Chapter 127: Three Peak Tier 5 Subordinates (part1)

The children exchange hesitant glances before one of them, a boy with a mop of unruly brown hair, nods cautiously. "You... you played marbles too?" The monster, a hulking troll with slate-gray skin and curved tusks, chuckles, his deep voice carrying no menace. "Of course. Though, I was not very good at it." The tension eases slightly. One of the girls, braver than the rest, nudges a marble toward him. "Wanna try?" The troll carefully picks up the marble between two thick fingers, rolling it experimentally before flicking it forward. It bounces off another marble and spins to a stop. The children erupt into laughter. "You really weren't very good at it!" the brown-haired boy exclaims. Across the marketplace, a different scene unfolds. A group of monsters—beasts, humanoids, and hybrids alike—stand near the main fountain, observing the humans with open curiosity. Most of them have never seen a human city before, having lived deep in the forests or the mountains, far from the reach of human civilization. A serpent-like woman with emerald scales, Veltha, coils idly on a low stone wall. She watches the humans bustle about, her golden eyes gleaming with interest. "So this is what a human city?" she muses aloud. "It's... underwhelming." Nyssara, a lithe arachne, perches on the edge of a merchant's awning, her sharp gaze scanning the streets. "Compared to the five cities of Erevaris, this is nothing," she agrees. Her tone is neutral, but there is an undeniable hint of superiority in it. ------ In the grand library of the Erevaris Palace, Alix sits at a polished oak desk, the soft glow of magical light illuminating the parchment in his hands. His eyes scan the report detailing the recent alliance between the Valgros and Ordeya kingdoms, their refusal to acknowledge Erevaris, and their condemnation of Raltheon for submitting to the monsters. Alix exhales slowly, placing the parchment on the desk. "So, they've finally broken their silence after a month." Across from him, General Varkas stands with arms crossed, his brow furrowed. "Their pride was wounded, your majesty. It's no surprise they've united in defiance." "Our next target is the Ordeya Kingdom," Alix declares, his voice resolute. "The recent battle decimated their ranks, claiming the lives of many adventurers, including their strongest. They're now as vulnerable as Raltheon." General Varkas, standing nearby in his dark armor, nods in agreement. "Your Majesty, shall I prepare the army? Our forces have swelled to seventy thousand. Even divided, they can effectively assault multiple cities." Alix raises a hand, signaling patience. "Not yet. Let's wait until the army masters the 'Finger Of The Death God' skill before initiating our assault." Varkas inclines his head. "As you command. Currently, they can manifest it to a limited extent." Alix's eyes narrow with determination. "Once they achieve full proficiency, we'll strike." ----- In the expansive training grounds of Erevaris, seventy thousand soldiers stand in disciplined formation under the midday sun. Their collective focus manifests as a colossal, ethereal finger hovering above them—a tangible embodiment of the "Finger of the Death God" skill. This formidable display signifies their readiness to confront even tier 5 beings, despite the majority being tier 2 or tier 3 warriors. grounds, King Alix observes the spectacle, his expression a mix of pride and determination. General Varkas stands beside him, clad in his customary dark armor, eyes fixed on the army below. Alix breaks the silence. "They've achieved full manifestation." Varkas nods, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Indeed, Your Majesty. Their dedication has borne fruit." Alix's gaze remains on the soldiers. "With this power, even our lower-tiered troops can challenge the thier 5 adversaries." Varkas turns to face the king. "Shall I issue the order to mobilize against the Ordeya Kingdom?" Alix pauses, considering. "Yes. Inform the commanders to prepare for departure. The time has come to act." Varkas bows slightly. "As you command, Your Majesty." Commander Nyssara, surveys the scene with a gleam in her multiple eyes. "Finally, we are going to war again," she hisses, her excitement palpable. Beside her, Veltha, coils gracefully. "Our patience has paid off," she murmurs, her eyes reflecting the towering manifestation above. Thurn lets out a low chuckle. "Two months of relentless training," he rumbles, "and now we stand on the precipice of battle." General Varkas approaches the group, his armor gleaming under the sun. "Commanders," he addresses them, "King Alix has given the order. We march on the Ordeya Kingdom and continue this war." ---- In the grand war room of the Erevaris palace, King Alix stands at the head of a massive, intricately carved table. Around him, the five monster commanders—Nyssara, Veltha, Thurn, Sorin, and Varkas—await his words. A messenger kneels before the king, having just delivered news. Alix's piercing gaze meets the messenger's. "So, Raltheon has send ten thousand human soldiers?" The messenger nods. "Yes, Your Majesty. They are prepared to march at your command." Alix's eyes narrow slightly as he processes the information. "Ten thousand soldiers from Raltheon," he muses. "That's more than I anticipated." He turns to Varkas. "General Varkas, I'll leave it to you to determine their placement within our forces." Varkas inclines his head. "As you command, Your Majesty." Alix scans the faces of his assembled commanders, his expression resolute. "That's all I needed to address. May fortune favor you all. Return victorious." The commanders, a diverse assembly of formidable beings, exchange determined glances. Nyssara's multiple eyes gleam with anticipation, Veltha's emerald scales shimmer as she nods, and Thurn's massive form radiates readiness. As usual, Sorin watches Alix's face intently. With a unified purpose, they bow to their king before departing to lead their forces into battle. Alix returns to his workspace, a spacious chamber lined with towering bookshelves and adorned with intricate tapestries depicting the history of Erevaris. The large oak desk at the center is barely visible beneath the mountain of parchments, scrolls, and documents awaiting his attention. With the kingdom's activities in full swing, administrative tasks have multiplied. Sighing, Alix sinks into the high-backed chair, rubbing his temples before reaching for the nearest document. As he begins to read, a soft knock echoes through the chamber. "Enter," Alix calls out, not looking up. The door opens quietly, and Draya steps in, her presence bringing a subtle calm to the room. She observes the weary expression on Alix's face and approaches with a gentle smile. "Your Majesty, what's with the long face?" she inquires softly. Alix looks up, surprised. "Oh, Draya. I thought you were busy today." She nods, her hands clasped neatly before her. "I was, but I finished my tasks early." Her eyes flicker to the cluttered desk. "Is there anything else I can assist you with, Your Majesty?" Alix leans back in his chair, rubbing his temples briefly before offering a faint smile. "Just the usual snack would be appreciated." Draya's smile warms. "Of course, Your Majesty. I'll have it brought to you shortly." She hesitates for a moment, then adds, "And perhaps some tea to help you relax?" Alix's smile grows slightly. "That sounds perfect. Thank you, Draya." She inclines her head gracefully. "It's my pleasure, Your Majesty." With that, she turns and exits the room, leaving Alix momentarily distracted from his burdens by her considerate presence. ---- Alix exhales deeply, leaning back in his chair as he surveys the now-organized desk. "Finally," he murmurs, "it's done." With a flick of his hand, a translucent status window materializes before him, displaying the latest figures of his kingdom. The population count reads 834,673. Though the growth appears rapid, he knows it's the result of integrating the monster populations from the Raltheon Kingdom, and it won't increase significantly unless he conquers the other two kingdoms. His gaze lingers on the number, a hint of frustration flickering across his features. "If only the system recognized the citizens of my subject kingdom as my own," he muses aloud. "That would push our numbers over two million and elevate me to tier six." Shaking off the thought, Alix shifts his focus to the kingdom's treasury. The status window updates to reveal: Gold Coins: 2,137,450 He nods appreciatively. "More than two million gold," he notes. "It's time to invest in strengthening our forces." His mind races through the possibilities, but one stands out. "Reviving a peak tier five subordinate would provide the high-end combat prowess we currently lack," he concludes. Alix navigates through the system's interface, searching for available peak tier 5 subordinates. Three options materialize before him, each accompanied by detailed information: [Zarvok the Infernal Juggernaut Revive cost: 2,000,000 Level: 599 Race: Demon Abilities: Mastery over hellfire, immense physical strength, and near-impervious armor. Background: Once a feared warlord in the Abyssal Plains, Zarvok's rampage was halted by a coalition of heroes who sealed him away.] [Sylara the Enchantress of Shadows Revive cost: 2,000,000 Level: 599 Race: Dark Elf Abilities: Expertise in dark magic, illusion crafting, and manipulation of shadows. Background: A former high priestess exiled for delving into forbidden arts, Sylara's name became synonymous with whispered fears in the night.] [Gorath the Earthshaker Revive cost: 2,000,000 Level: 599 Race: Giant Abilities: Control over seismic forces, unparalleled strength, and durability. Background: An exiled giant who once roamed the mountainous regions.] Alix leans back, contemplating the choices before him. Each of these beings possesses formidable power that could significantly bolster his kingdom's strength. Alix leans back in his chair, contemplating the options before him. He mutters to himself, "In terms of combat power, Gorath is the strongest, followed by Zarvok. Sylara, while not as physically dominant, offers the most versatility with her abilities." He taps his fingers on the desk, weighing the strengths and weaknesses of each potential subordinate. "Gorath's strength, capable of conjuring seismic phenomena, could devastate enemy fortifications," he muses. "Zarvok's mastery of hellfire would be invaluable in large-scale battles. But Sylara's expertise in dark magic and illusions could provide strategic advantages beyond brute strength."