Dragoon Ore Kingdom
A few days later, in the headquarters. At the Eternal Return Team's base. Inside Heian Ciemnosc's bedroom.
Heian Ciemnosc was seated with Ruo Wei on his bed. The beautiful tomboy simply leaned on his left shoulder, and although they weren’t in an ambiguous position, they sat silently thinking about nothing. Heian Ciemnosc's left hand was on her left arm, lightly hugging her as she evenly breathed. Finally, Ruo Wei spoke in a low voice, "I've given it a thought, and... I'll become a commander. But I still lack many things, especially when I know I must take the reins of a Cruiser and leave our precious Offensive Frigate behind."
“You want my help to learn better? My guidance?” Heian Ciemnosc asked. Ruo Wei slightly lifted her face, rubbing her right ear on his shoulder as she seemed girly and cute. Heian Ciemnosc grinned. He cupped the left side of her jaw and planted a kiss on her forehead. “We’ll begin tomorrow. I’ll just show you a few starting things in these 2 days, okay?”
“Mhm, thank you, boss,” Ruo Wei nodded, rubbing her face on his body. Then, she leaned on his shoulder again and sighed softly, as if countless tons of heavy weight left her body. She smiled thinly and commented, “Damn, that little rat is truly gaining her spot. Not only did she broke into the Second Step 16 goddamn years earlier than anyone else. She’s very close to the Third Step, too.”
“Aren’t you afraid such a monster will leave you behind and make you bite some dust?” Ruo Wei upturned her eyes towards him. Heian Ciemnosc slightly shook his chin before speaking. “Even if Little Anastasia wants to, she can’t catch up to me. I’m too fast. Trust me, okay?”
“Hehe, is that supposed to make me believe in you more? Anyway, the little princess is doing fine. I wonder how long until she learns your ways of commanding… Will you bring her with us?” Ruo Wei asked him. Heian Ciemnosc protruded his lips and looked up before responding with a nod, “Yeah. Sandra and Moy’s vacancy will be filled by her. She’ll learn under the ER Team. How about it?”
“Ahh~, you want us to take care of her like we did to you, huh? But now, she’s counting with direct aid. Before, your ‘wifeys’ wouldn’t help you. But with her father in the same Team, how can that be fair for anyone else, too?” Ruo Wei said, plastering a grin on her cute shin.
“Oh, we wouldn’t just talk if I was petty.” Heian Ciemnosc said as he teased the shit out of Ruo Wei. Ruo Wei rolled her eyes and shook her head, feeling safe in his arms. They stayed silent for another few minutes before Heian Ciemnosc ruffled through her hair and softly said, “I won’t go easy on Little Anastasia or you, got it?”
“Mn, I can’t expect less from my boss.” Ruo Wei nodded her head. She left after a few minutes of innocent cuddling. Heian Ciemnosc resumed his cultivation as he didn’t have time to waste. Fortunately, his efficiency hasn’t become too deplorable, and after gaining the vitality provided by attaining his dark Vigor Energy and the Life-Long realm, he was close to the 2nd stage after just slightly over a month!
. . .
2 months later.
On the 50th year, 4th month, 2nd week, and 1st day; the Crimsonbreaking Faction stopped moving its base after a few days of preparation. They stopped somewhere near the border with another Existence closer to the central Existence.
During these months, Heian Ciemnosc had set out with his Large Flotilla into space, taking missions of capturing, stealing, mass-murder, and even participating in some active space battles. While they also went through land battles, those didn’t happen as often as their other missions. Thus, while Anastasia learned a lot during this period, she also had a glimpse at the brutality of land forces.
Although they were Second or Third Step cultivators, their battling was simpler than thought possible. While more Spirit Aspects meant more extensive and considerable Arts, techniques, Elements, and weapons flying around, striking from one side to the other. Without military arsenal, the battles could last for tens of minutes to even a few hours.
The decisive actions any side took meant brutal death or relentless fighting. There was no lack of ingenious, deadly devices, tools, and even Artifacts showed up everywhere. Some used ropes to attack multiple cultivators at the same time, or even flying needles with thin treads attached to their bodies that cold move from their front to their rear as if they were made of jelly.
There were many things Anastasia didn’t know, and as her father, Heian Ciemnosc, was there to guide her. While Anastasia’s moms taught her many things, they mainly showed her how to deal with trouble in management and even… domestic affairs. Anastasia was slowly sharpened into a young, little princess, for as ironic as it sounds.
On the other hand, since Heian Ciemnosc walked out of the Carrier or Space Station the most, he would occasionally attend her practices after she entered the Crimsonbreaking Faction officially. Funny as it may be, Anastasia failed her first admission into the military because of injuring an Auxiliary Soldier out of rage.
However, because the Security Elder in charge was at fault, she was given another chance. Anastasia was still young then, and Heian Ciemnosc spanked that bum like an ape would its chest. 2 months later, Little Anastasia became an Auxiliary Soldier officially, and slowly used the years to become the little princess that learned, knew, and tried everything.
She was a young girl, so she went through many silly little things most people her age would, but she was able to go through them without suffering disadvantages. She was quite the unlucky baby in her parents’ eyes, but she matured out of any puppy love and admiration quickly. Heian Ciemnosc didn’t bother limiting her or accusing her to her mothers. He was quite the ‘free’ fellow back then, after all. He understood.
In the end, Anastasia remained a young, innocent girlie. And now that she experienced the worldly throes, her maturity increased, and her heart commenced to involuntarily steel itself up.
Now, 3 months later since she started accompanying daddy to learn about the things he’s done for more than a decade, Little Anastasia was slowly turning into the daughter her parents always hoped she’d become. Valiant but prudent; with heart but not soft.
Today, was the last day of ‘resting’ since the Space Station stopped moving. Its civilians returned to their homely residences, well-taken care of, clean, and just as they left it. Through the streets, a beautiful young girl in a formal, pale gray uniform, looking disciplined yet relaxed, walked through them.
In the air, with Alyona’s help so that their bodies wouldn’t be seen, Heian Ciemnosc, Calisneia, Milyy, and Hong Mei stood several kilometers above the ground level. They looked at Little Anastasia as she went on her walk and experienced a bit of the world she used to take for granted before.
Anastasia’s energy fluctuations surged, becoming a little hectic at times, revealing what her thoughts were about to her watching parents. Among them, Heian Ciemnosc was the calmest, with Calisneia second as she frowned while looking at Little Anastasia’s back. Nevertheless, they revealed satisfied expressions after reading her for a while longer.
“Alright, what’s the information, my wife?” Heian Ciemnosc looked to his left and extended his left palm to Alyona. She lifted her right hand and stared at him before calmly, lowly, saying, “It’s the Dragoon Ore Kingdom. There’s a force which recently showed their true colors, immediately taking over 2 halves of a 2* Region where some of the Heraxle Clan’s brand new, Third Step vassals had just risen.”
Heian Ciemnosc listened without saying anything as he felt his wives’ bodies relax, knowing where this would go. If a 2* Region was the focal point of this special operation, then it meant it was about an Upper Kingdom at most. And from how their co-wife described it, it was an issue from Third Step cultivators in the early realms. Now that Heian Ciemnosc had broken into the Life-Long realm, even if his absurd battle prowess were to disappear, they’d feel better knowing he’d be safe. Well, mostly…
Trouble seems to follow him in the worst ways sometimes, after all.
“It’s in the Histrionic Grand Universe’s Inco Falco Upper Galaxy. The 2* Region is the Calatida Region, and it is separated by a 4-way land territory surrounded by a cross river. It’s one of its kind, but the resources on all 4 sides are different, and depend on one another to survive. Be it between cultivators, Fauna, or for their flora to continue flourishing.
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Heian Ciemnosc looked at the map that just entered his Universal Conveyance. It was fine, and he could pass it onto his medallion without leaving traces behind, and it would be the same for anyone with a Soul formed. The map portrayed the 2* Region’s layout. Indeed, there was a cross-like river separating 4 land sections.
Alyona continued explaining as he looked at the data of some names and could even check the resources that grow in each land section. “The Aqualian Drake Sect and Forestalress Academy are the Heraxle Clan’s brand-new toys. They swore allegiance and gained resources immediately after. However, equally powerful organizations raised on the other side.”
“As you can see, the southern land sections belong to the Heraxle Clan’s vassals. The enemy had taken root in the northern land sections. Furthermore, the enemy isn’t simple. They possess array formations to keep Third Step Spirit Sense from peering into their side. The north successfully isolated themselves from the outside. Not only that, but they successfully countered the espionage into their territory… We only have information on the enemy’s army.”
“So far, it has been detected that the enemy has built an enormous strength. They’ve reunited all organizations of the north, conscripting them to their cause.” Alyona stopped here, letting Heian Ciemnosc’s doubts ask something.
“How long since they appeared and took control?” Heian Ciemnosc asked. Alyona didn’t waste half a second to respond in a cam tone, “10 years since unrest appeared on the north, the same time when the Heraxle Clan’s sent vassals there. There was no notice or public declaration, so information must’ve ‘leaked’ at the very least.”
“As for growing in power: 3 years. The unrest in the north lasted too much, but the target seems to have sufficient funding to do as they please,” Alyona finished saying. Heian Ciemnosc slightly nodded continuously. His darkest eyes narrowed. Placing his hands before his pelvis, he breathed in before saying, “Since they are also founded… will we have extra bonuses if we find out who did it?”
“... Yes.” Alyona looked at Heian Ciemnosc, gladly surprised, and answered Heian Ciemnosc. Afterwards, Alyona elaborated on the objective, “The target must be vanquished. No traces left behind, and conquer the entire Region before giving it to the Aqualian Drake Sect and the Forestalress Academy. If we can find clues on who is responsible for funding this… paramilitary rebellion, our rewards will be increased by half, and we’ll receive a few items of vital importance for the Crimsonbreaking Faction.
“Alright, tell me when everything’s ready to depart,” Heian Ciemnosc readily said. He kept looking at Anastasia’s back as she further disappeared in the distance, just like his wives were doing. Hong Mei looked particularly crestfallen, but she steeled up and didn’t let much of it show.
She had been teaching their daughter all this time. So, when she was leaving for at least a decade, she felt saddened that she couldn’t be her teacher anymore, but this was also part of the world and time… As soon as Anastasia became a Third Step cultivator, Hong Mei wouldn’t have much to teach her until she herself broke into the Fourth Step and became a Goddess.
Hong Mei didn’t know if Anastasia would want to spend time with her otherwise, but she could only plan for the near future in what to teach her before losing more time with her.
Heian Ciemnosc grinned, aware of her unnecessary thoughts, but didn’t say anything and let Hong Mei surfer. She’d be gladdened when they came back and her daughter spent more time with her after missing her. But those were things of the future, and Hong Mei wasn’t the only one. Calisneia and Milyy, for example, had a strange relationship with Anastasia, but the little rat was their family still, no matter what.
“You won’t have any spaceship support, and since it is an Upper Kingdom, you can only use Fighters, understood?” Alyona added, just as they felt like leaving, halting the party. They were momentarily gladdened, and continued watching over their little rat while Heian Ciemnosc faced Alyona.
“No military arsenal, too.” Alyona crossed her arms, “You’ll have to build everything on your own, but I won’t worry about it. Knowing you— if you can’t build the military arsenal yourself, you’ll just search a way to explode everything into the air, right?”
“...” Heian Ciemnosc didn’t say anything and grinned instead. After all, a wife knows her husband best. Or ones’ wives know their husband best!
“Pick 50,000 Third Step cultivators from the Mythical realm to the Central Formation realm. Don’t pick too many Officers. Additionally, Grietta and Tania will go with you.” Alyona said. Heian Ciemnosc raised his eyebrows and innocently asked, “For my protection?”
“Nah, the little princess’s. Do you need babysitters? I can send you a few of Elyor’s cousins, they’re getting tired of only bedding him and his close friends. Besides, since Grietta spoke about you to them while being shared, they’ve been curious.” Alyona’s words… truly left a strange taste in Heian Ciemnosc’s chest and groin.
“Ahem, that’s fine, too,” Heian Ciemnosc said with a bit of a nervous twitch on the corner of his mouth. Milyy shook her head with a smile. Her lips drawn into her mouth as her kittenish eyes flashed, imagining a flock of harlots thirsting after her man.
Alyona grinned. Only she knew what was in her mind. Her face relaxed, and she returned her gaze to her daughter, worry, and love remaining in her black-coffee eyes. Her voice was soft as she declared, “Prepare. We’re leaving in 3 days. I’ll leave Elyor in charge until I return with the Carrier. Some transporting ships will help you inbound flight to land.”
“Okay… Shall we leave?” Heian Ciemnosc said… then asked after forming a snarky grin on his overly pale red lips. Then, he looked at Calisneia, the only one not to blush at his connotation. “I have too little time to spend with you, after all~.”
“Mn, these past 3 months don’t count, even though your bed never stopped being warm,” Milyy confidently said as if her words ere filled with intelligence and the truth hidden from the world. Calisneia nearly facepalmed upon seeing her first adopted daughter behave this way. “Sigh, let’s go. I’ll spend more time with all of you from now on. It is the least I can do while Heian Ciemnosc is away.”
“...” Calisneia’s words made Heian Ciemnosc grin. He placed his hands behind Hong Mei and Alyona while Calisneia’s power source surged, and they suddenly disappeared from the air. When they reappeared and blinked their eyes, they were back at their garden, the main Crimson Carrier.
. . .
3 days later, a few hundred million kilometers from the Crimsonbreaking Faction Space Station.
The Crimsonbreaking Carrier traveled through space towards an enormous planet, the Dragoon Ore Upper Kingdom. The base set at a corner of the Histrionic Grand Universe. After confirming the state of the special operation, the Carrier set out to personally bring this small force to land.
In the Carrier’s central command, Little Anastasia glued her arms around Hong Mei’s waist. She buried her face on her mother’s left side while her mother gently caressed her back and head. A few milk aunties were around, and had already received their hugs and some sweet words from Little Anastasia. Only she and they knew how much the former spent time exhausting their bodies to her heart’s content.
More often than not, in her upbringing, Little Anastasia was reminded how much her aunties suffered to breastfeed her. How could she not feel thankful and bashful around them? They were her auxiliary mommies! Without them, and with her failure of a father to impregnate her mothers, how could she have been fed if not for these aunties? Even if Little Anastasia must know the real world, she couldn’t live without repayment.
“I’ll miss you all,” Anastasia sadly said. This was the first time she’ll ever walk far away from her family, excluding her father and his Eternal Return Team, which always showered her with care and gifts at times. She freed Hong Mei’s waist before tapping her face. Then, she stood beside her father and let go of her mother’s hand.
Hong Mei smiled, lifted her left hand to caress Anastasia’s head, and showered her with endless, sweet warmth. This was the moment Anastasia had to learn not just how to separate from her comfort zone and family warmth where she was safe, but where she also had to learn what the world was built on. Be it death, construction of cities, management, or the peoples’ hearts; it all has to reach her Soul and cultivation path.
Like her father said, while she had incredible potential, all is worthless if one ends up dead. It’s simple, but an undeniable truth. Power was necessary, but only power was too conservative and closed-minded. Conservatism might not be the worst, but closing the wide open gates to the reality of this world couldn’t be any more petty and wasteful.
“Huuuu~!” Anastasia valiantly breathed as she noticed the Carrier no longer moving. She looked at the Kingdom before her, it was as enormous as some of the biggest she’s seen. It didn’t have many ginormous water bodies, but it was as if a brush painted watery blue everywhere, separating lands in large and tiny chunks alike.
“Are you ready?” Heian Ciemnosc tightened the grip on Anastasia’s left hand and asked. She looked up at him and cutely nodded. Heian Ciemnosc nudged his head upwards to Alyona and Hong Mei before saying, “Bid them farewell. We’ll only see them if they make ripples through the Existence.”
“Like they do yearly?” Anastasia asked. Heian Ciemnosc silently nodded, giving her playful, darkest eyes. This made Anastasia contented, and she gleefully smiled and looked at her mothers. “Mother Alyona, Mother Hong Mei, I love you! Wait for me to become a strong cultivator worthy of your pride!”
“You better,” Alyona directly said, making Little Anastasia feel challenged and brimming with battle spirit. Hong Mei gently shook her head before sweetly saying, “You already are, silly. Make sure to follow your daddy’s steps and become a General in the future, alright?”
“Hehe,” Anastasia smiled. No more encouraging was needed, she was full of it, and with the gifts Mothers Milyy and Calisneia gave her, she felt like a little princess.
“Take care…” — “Don’t waste time down there. You aren’t allowed to choose playing around over us, alright?”
Alyona and Hong Mei said, making Heian Ciemnosc feel warm inside and roll his eyes with Hong Mei’s words as they held his hands and accommodated his dark coat’s already perfect collar. Hong Mei said another set of words before allowing him to depart under Alyona’s furtive, invigorating black-coffee’s eyes. “Enough with this style. I’ll prepare a set of clothes for you when you return, alright? You better wear it even in the shower, and when in bed, so…”
“Mn, I understand,” Heian Ciemnosc interrupted Hong Mei and grabbed her chin. Her widened, large green-brown eyes rapidly closed when she felt his lips on her mouth. Before long, Alyona did the same, immediately showing their affection in public in the most amorous, innocent, yet shocking way to the Crimsonbreaking Faction world!
…