Chapter 10 - The Founding of an Empire
When the 7th Reserve Division was given the order to return to the Capital City, Hollow Bastion, they were deployed there for quite some time until the Lord Emir ordered another round of deployment. During that time, Krist was going to grow at an explosive rate. He had planned meticulously for every occasion that was to arise, knowing that major changes might happen if he were to capitulate at that moment.
Two weeks had gone by with the hellish body conditioning that Krist and Lenneth had undergone, sometimes, Carbuncle had joined in the training as well now that the Demonic Direwolf had grown. The Trick Lord was observing their training this whole time, guiding them through with weighted squats after a long duration of sprinting, and weighted pull-ups. Although already well-trained, the difficulty could be felt without the use of chi. Still, Krist had prepared himself and had a substantially easier time in this life.
“Your physique was already developed before undergoing my training,” Triquell had made his observation after assessing Krist for several weeks. “Therefore, I will be increasing the difficulty of my training to the highest level.”
?!
I wasn’t expecting this. Even though Krist may be a Regressor and holds information about the future, he was not expecting the training to be at the max so early in the training program. Kuku! Well, this only means that I can reach an even higher level!
“Rest is also a part of training. You’ve done well so far so take a week off,” the Trick Lord had rewarded Krist for all his labor.
Each day after the grueling training, Krist would dip himself in the bath filled with the medicinal herb gathered at the 7th Reserve Encampment. Those bags of specified herbs are finally being put to use! All along, those bags of herbs collected prior were safely stored within Krist’s quarters in the barracks. For the first time, this would be Krist’s process of refining the body to perfectly be the container that holds Innate Essence Chi.
However, it didn’t even take two fortnights for Krist to recover due to his body's early cultivation of 2 Mana Breathing Methods. In other words, Krist’s recovery was near an Overhuman level. The Final Purification Method is an art that purifies all energy into Innate True Qi which is condensed and concentrated mana that forms a perfect Neidan, the inner core of the Dantian. Whereas, the Divine Art of the Lionturtle Breath was best for accumulating all mana in the surrounding area and forming the Dantian around the perineum. With these two working harmoniously, Krist could easily enter the Transcendence Realm with no burden.
Moving along, the next morning came and Krist showed up at Triquell’s training, “You’ve recovered in only a day?” The Trick Lord had not fully figured out Krist and all his capabilities as of yet, even with his perceptive eyes. “That’s quite the unique physique.”
“It’s thanks to my Alchemy. Medicinal herbs help a little bit,” Krist had yet to fully divulge his secret to Triquell. All in good time.
For the following week, Krist had shown great strides in training that not even a month had passed to have undergone the hellish training.
Huff. Puff.
“Am I slow?” Lenneth had noticed Krist’s freakish adaptability. Given that she also was improving rapidly, Krist had overshadowed Lenneth’s genes through dedication and hard work.
“Nay,” the Trick Lord replied. “He was already far ahead. Just that he was hiding it, that’s all.” Triquell had finally figured out exactly what type of character he would be serving.
By then, a month had passed by and Krist’s muscle mass had developed even more, so much so, that Loutch was taking notice, “Have you been secretly training?”
Very soon, you, Saix, Reddas, and Laciel will be training with me. After ranking up in status as a Knight, the official military rank for Krist is also bumped up to Second Lieutenant. In other words, all affiliations are nullified and must be created anew as entering the status of an Artistocrat is akin to having a new name or a new identity. Also, upon reaching an even higher status, the nobleman is given a surname by their King or Emperor.
“Anyways, these are books you requested,” Loutch handed the books that he was reading to Krist.
“I’m at a loss for words, Loutch,” Krist was not anticipating this at all.
?!
He was shocked that Loutch was studying how to create Arcane Circles around his heart. You were not a Mage in any sense, Loutch. To think that accepting your Elvhen blood would bloom to something like this?! In the past, Loutch did not delve into Magic, only, wielding Magical Artifacts (Weapons) due to the stunt in his Aura training, given that Archers usually take a longer development in that regard. Therefore, Loutch was given the Artifact, Blood Sword to compensate for that weakness, though, this was near the future that such things would occur. How will you turn out in this life being a Magick Archer?
Given that the Divine Art of the Lionturtle Breath has been practiced for some time, the vessel was ripe to absorb mana whether in the perineum or around the heart. The question is if Loutch will be a better fighter now that he would enter the ranks as a Mage. Of course, the answer was obvious. He would be exponentially more powerful.
“You’re surprised that I was able to get such books? I participated in the Military Council and requested to be a Mage. That’s how I got them,” Loutch was apt about his reply. “Instead of trying to meddle and make any type of suggestions, I decided to be of service instead.”
He’s far more observant and catches on to things quickly. Not just that… 3 Arcane Circles have barely formed?! Looking closely with the help of chi, Krist was able to see the mana swirling like a ring. I wonder what Magic you would employ? How exciting!
“Right now, there’s only so much that I can do as a Master Sergeant,” Loutch was thinking about how he would progress in the future with the current rank. Although quite high in the enlisted regiments, a Master Sergeant pales in comparison to the commissioned Officers.
You’re quite ambitious as well! I can only say good things about you now, my friend. “You know better than anyone that there’s no other choice but to climb even higher to make the changes that we want. Nay…” Krist rambled on. “I just want you to live and prosper on the battlefield. That’s all I can hope for you.”
Loutch stood up, “That’s why I’m working so hard right now. Hoo… By the way, First Sergeant Bolsir is requesting your presence.”
“You think you should’ve let me know that when I got here?” Krist said playfully.
Loutch was about to leave the room and parted with a few last words, “I let Bolsir know that you’ll be late. Let’s work until we die from now on!” His friend’s reply was that of a hilarious one.
Step. Step. Knock! Knock!
Krist had entered Bolsir’s office, “Sit down.” The First Sergeant did not waste any time. “We’re losing crucial ingredients amounting to half a year. This is getting close to our annual expenditure. I could lose my job because of this.”
I already have a solution to this problem, Bolsir. Don’t worry, your wife will never catch on, kuku! Krist knew of the problems that would occur by continually using the Drug Depot ingredients. Thankfully, he did not use that many herbs thanks to his prior herb gathering, only, that this would be the best time to gain more power.
“I’ll solve the herb shortage in two months. In exchange, allow me to be in charge of the Drug Depot and to take 4 Soldiers under my command,” Krist knew that this moment was when he would publicly recruit people.
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
Shortly thereafter, Sergeant Bolsir had accepted such a deal knowing that Krist was a good bet, and decided to take such a risk. When some time had passed Krist had brought his friends, Loutch, Saix, Reddas, and Laciel to the secret training grounds to learn under the Trick Lord.
“They have gone through the same training as I before meeting you but have yet to learn the value of experience. Please teach them as you have taught Lenneth and me,” Krist was trying his best to be charismatic. He needed to sell his friends to the Trick Lord, hoping that his offer would not be rejected.
“I’ll accept them as my pupils, that is if they can endure my training,” Triquell was amused to have numerous students under his wing. However, he found himself quite flattered to be training such jewels.
“I’ll leave them in your hands, Triquell,” Krist needed to head to the city to fix the Drug Depot’s problem.
Walking along the city in casual clothing, Krist had felt that it had been some time since he had the chance to frolic like a civilian. Excellent! My friends should be crossing into the Peak Realm before our next duty station! To think I would be entering war in leisure? Absurd. Krist was disgustingly satisfied with the developing events in his life, that even the idea that ending the war against Carceron would not be taken so gravely as it did in the past life. In fact, it may be even handled without much hardship for Krist and company.
The Drug Depot shortage won’t be solved by simply collecting herbs by me and my friends. No. The herbs are hard to scavenge which will make it hard for us to replenish the ingredients in two months. Not only that, the hellish training with Triquell is simply taking too much of our time. For such things, it’s way better to do things the unorthodox way.
Making his way into a shady alley, Krist was stopped by two thugs, “Who the hell are you?”
“I’ve come to see ol’ Delvin,” Krist had made known his affiliation.
“Wow! A Knight came to visit ol’ Delvin,” the one to reply had quite the sharp eyes to deduce Krist’s status.
These guys… still the same as ever. Krist was expecting fisticuffs and struck first. Punch! One of the thugs questioning Krist was knocked out in one punch.
“ARGH!”
I made sure not to cause a concussion. “You guys asked for this!”
“GHHH!”
From inside the hidden base, a commotion was stirring, “What’s with all the ruckus?”
“I’ll go check,” a lackey would check on what’s happening around their area.
Slam! Before the lackey would open the door, Krist had kicked the door open.
“You must be Delvin Mallory, ‘The Fixer’ who is known to handle Black Market deals?” Krist pointed at the young man who was older than him.
“State your name!” Delvin looked to be a harmless blonde with his welcoming face.
“My name is Krist Ceringer. I want to make a deal with ol’ Delvin.”
“I don’t have time for this! Guys, take care of him quickly.” Delvin had many men under his command for having operated shady business in the underworld for some time.
Krist was expecting this in the first place, “Come.” He was the image of confidence.
Charging at Krist with a sword, Delvin’s lackey performed a straight uppercut but was easily dodged and countered with a punch. Your face is wide open. Punch! Blood from the lackey’s nose was pouring out.
“ACK!”
Another lackey followed suit with a direct kick which was also easily dodged and was attacked with an axe kick.
“ARGH!” Another knockout.
“AAAH!” The rest were beginning to clamor around Krist and the thug had swung a wooden club.
CRACK!
Fortunately, Krist was still wearing the weighted bracers and broke the wooden club in half.
“I-Impossible!”
Punch! And just like that, the third lackey was knocked out in one hit.
Angered about his men falling to a teen, Delvin stepped forth, “Morons! How the hell are you guys getting beat by a kid?!”
Pulling his fist back for maximum potential, Krist saw the inexperienced power punch coming from a mile away. In exchange, Krist jumped and landed an overhead kick on Delvin’s face.
“Khok!”
It was at this time that the rest of the lackeys had backed off when Delvin had been knocked unconscious. After that, Krist made the immediate thugs surrender and heed the winner’s claim.
In this case, Krist had waited for a little while for Delvin to regain consciousness, “Wakey wakey.” It was a comedic remark from the victor of fisticuffs.
“ACK!”
The rest of the thugs were bowing in the background, “What kind of leader are you to not take the lead yourself?” Krist was teaching Delvin a lesson. “I have a job for someone like you. A bit of herb collecting.” A devilish grin appeared on Krist’s young face. “I’ll make it worth your while.” Kuku!
***
And that’s that. Krist was entering the secret training grounds after completing his shady deals with Delvin, The Fixer. I don’t remember him ever having that many members. He had at least twenty in that little gang of his. Anyways, the more, the merrier. Their labor will fuel my founding of an empire, creating the foundation with Alchemy!
“Krist, where’ve you been?” Loutch was seen exhausted, but held quite the stout expression, as if he had completed an arduous task.
“You’ve all done well. Recover and prepare for us to visit a place,” Krist was up to something, as always. Kuku.
“Quite the devil,” Loutch replied.
Krist leads his friends to the bathing reserved for Knights, “These herbs are very valuable. It's equal to two months of my salary, but, I’ve decided to invest it into you guys.” Although Krist’s inner circle was already loyal to him, this only serves to reinforce their loyalty, further increasing their personal development as men.
“Think of it as a reward for accepting the devilish training set by the Trick Lord himself!” Krist had left the bathing area and saw a worker who tends to such areas, a custodian.
“Thank you for bringing all that water to this place. I’m sure it was a lot,” Krist knew how to talk to women.
“I’d like to give you this for all that work. I’m sure you don’t get paid enough as it is,” Krist had handed a concoction that was a cosmetic product synthesized in lotion form. “This is a balm called “Siren’s Silk.” If you apply it on your skin before going to bed, your skin will look porcelain clean, and soft. Do it every day and expect gentle skin.”
“Goodness! Thank you so much, sir!” The woman was grateful and accepted the kind gesture naturally. Krist’s charismatic personality had led to such an easy trade-off.
“Consider that a gift. And, if you want any more then it’s going to cost 60 Silver Coins,” Krist had planted his devious scheme to moonlight his Alchemy skills to make money.
“A-Are you really gifting something so expensive,” the woman was graceful and considerate.
“Of course. So, please share your experiences with my product with the people you know and I’ll give you one Siren’s Silk every month at no cost,” at this point, Krist could sell a house with such charisma.
The income from selling “Siren’s Silk” will cover Delvin and his group whilst the herbs collected from them will be used to create a monopoly! A cycle of money flowing until the next battle.
“I’m expecting an ambush from the Kain Guild sometime soon,” Krist was lying on his bed relaxing until a certain assassin group eventually came looking for him.
Poison gas.
Krist had smelled the poison like it was his own and inhaled all the toxic fumes. Inhale! The inhalation was taken as if a Divine Lionturtle had taken the breath itself. Simultaneously inhaling the toxic fumes and purifying the poison smoke with the 2 Breathing Methods had made it a marvel to increase my mana! Kuku! Krist was borderline on the brink of crossing into the Transcendence Realm, becoming a Master Knight in combat prowess.
“Woof!” Carbuncle was concerned for his Master.
“Don’t worry! It was quite delicious, actually,” Krist assured his Demonic Direwolf.
The poison smells like “Mariana Blue,” a type of plant-colored blue, and contains the properties to make a target fall asleep in a few minutes when ingested. Quite a potent one at that. Your level is higher than in the past life, “Poison Demon,” Ragar J. Agravain.
“Woof woof!” Carbuncle had smelled more than four assassins that had made themselves known.
“Woah there boy, we’re not here for ya,” one of the assassins tried to coerce a Demonic Direwolf.
There they are, right on time. Krist was elated to finally acquire the Kain Guild, those who aspire to reach the realm of a Death God. Krist wasted no time and smoothly immobilized all four assassins through the skill, Mystic Taijutsu Arts.