Retaking... And Reforming

"... This... Black monster, right?" The Sect Master cautiously asked. Heian Ciemnosc looked at him with his arms relaxed behind his back. Then, a woman's voice sounded. Heian Ciemnosc turned his head to look at the Forestalress Academy's Headmaster. Heian Ciemnosc crossed his arms again and stared at the beauty, who wasn't shy to engage in a conversation with him right away. "I assume the Crimsonbreaking Faction sent you, believing in you and us to cooperate. It is the Heraxle Clan's benefit, after all."

“I thank you on our pact’s behalf for helping clean the land a little. Commander black monster, we’ve come to meet you. If we had known when you arrived, we would’ve come to receive you, but that’s in the past. May we… know what is happening here?” The Headmaster calmly spoke.

“...” Heian Ciemnosc looked at the Headmaster, silently praising her a little. He casually nodded and unfolded his arms before briefing them, “A Small City. These 2 ‘villages’ aren’t that necessary compared to what a City can bring here. The Southeastern land section might have the less land available, but it is the safest from ocean Fauna and has more neighboring Regions on their side than any other island section in the Calatida Region.”

“So that’s commander black monster’s intentions,” another young woman’s voice sounded. This time, it belonged to the blonde, standing slightly apart from the Sect Master and Vice sect master. She stepped up a few times and elaborated a little, “You intend to make the south more pleasing to the traders from afar? Then, what about the citizenship around this place?”

“Wait a minute, wait a minute!” Just then, the Sect Master interjected, interrupting the Grand Elder, and shook his head as he looked at Heian Ciemnosc. He tried to appear as calm and understanding like an expert before a junior, “Even then, that doesn’t explain why you’re suddenly moving tings in my Sect’s territory before even meeting with us!”

“Zelion…” The Vice sect master with similar facial features as Sect Master Zelion tried calming him down, but the Sect Master continued, somewhat accusing Heian Ciemnosc. He pointed at Heian Ciemnosc and slightly elevated his tone, “All these people have lost their village privilege. Now, they won’t receive any resources from the Aqualian Drake Sect.”

“And… before you say anything, since you got a face that says you are pondering on it. No. The Forestalress Academy doesn’t have jurisdiction in the Aqualian Drake Sect-” The Sect Master continued, not intending to stop. But then, as soldier units commenced feeling more displeased with the Sect Master, Heian Ciemnosc interrupted him with an ultimately cold yet casual voice.

“I don’t like to flaunt, but maybe your almighty Aqualian Drake Sect forgot what kind of ‘ally’ they are speaking to. Since that’s how it is, let me remind you,” Heian Ciemnosc said as his crossed arms became tense. Then, 2 auras spread from behind him, inside the Small City in construction. The people before Heian Ciemnosc changed their faces, and dreadful expressions covered their countenances as the Sect Master lifted his right index finger at him, trembling.

“Y-yo… you!” Zelion was sweating from his head downwards. His eyes widened at Heian Ciemnosc, showing some bloody veins about to pop off, but Heian Ciemnosc waved his left hand as if grabbing the Zelion’s wrist, and it forced down by an unknown force.

With a calm tone and a casual demeanor, Heian Ciemnosc spoke again, “No matter whether it’s the treaty where Regions of lower levels than others, even in the same Kingdom or not, and of a particular star classification, it doesn’t mean people of a higher cultivation base cannot pass through here or become a guest.”

“Besides, that’s only when it comes to organizations aided by their allies from outside the Region or Kingdom. One, we’re not allies. Two, those 2 behind me didn’t come to influence or interfere in the dispute. And three, the treaty only concerns when people of a higher level act against the organizations, in this case, you, and not for internal affairs.”

“Now, do you want to keep talking… or will you listen to me for once?” Heian Ciemnosc asked, relaxing his shoulders as he looked directly at the Sect Master’s glabella. If the Sect Master insisted, Heian Ciemnosc didn’t mind bleeding and becoming weak just to plant a seed of terror inside that moist, humid, and relaxed Soul. Maybe some drying-up wouldn’t be over the top for such a ‘flooding’ and relaxed Soul.

“Ah… I…” Sect Master Zelion wanted to say more, even after Heian Ciemnosc mangled any attempt to tone him down. And while he tried to ignore Heian Ciemnosc’s darkest eyes, that lifeless stare, he couldn’t help but feel a slight, impending doom the more he felt it.

“Let’s listen to what you must say, commander black monster.” The Vice sect master placed her left forearm on the Sect Master’s right shoulder and said, alleviating the situation. It wasn’t hostile yet, but it could. Heian Ciemnosc looked at the azure haired beauty and couldn’t help but have a bad impression of a sibling with azure-bluish hair. When he had children with Ishikyy and Shuna, he must ensure they’ll be well-disciplined since baby-stage!

“Enemies lurk in your territories,” Heian Ciemnosc began. He looked at the yellow-eyed, Gray Elf Headmaster, and continued as he stared at the people before him intermittently. “Not just the Southeast. The Southwest land section is also infested with a little plague. It is containable, and even sending a few small forces is enough. However, they aren’t just grabbing some resources and hiding within villages and some towns…”

“In the Southeast, I’ve confirmed, via my Spirit Sense and counterespionage, at least another few thousand enemy cultivators living within the other villages, even those near your individual territory. But they aren’t here just to place their ears against your doors. The villagers are starting to hate you more and more. It’s nothing complicated, as they can grant direct benefits, small ones, but immediately rewarding.”

“Meanwhile, your stuck-up behavior towards the inhabitants had caused them pain, discontent, and absurd reproach.” Heian Ciemnosc tilted his head to the left and disapprovingly frowned. “This could have all been avoided, but all you wanted to start ruling something over here, no?”

“It doesn’t matter,” Heian Ciemnosc gently shook his head. Then, he dropped a sudden bomb. His voice was bossy but still collected, “We need to cooperate. Work together. So, listen to me. Follow my lead, and instructions. The Calatida Region’s south isn’t richer nor poorer than the north, but its concentration of resources is better than theirs. That’s helpful, but not if your infrastructure is only made for a mediocre First Step, starting organization.”

“Since you decided to become ruling organizations, then you will rule!” Heian Ciemnosc suddenly became deadly serious. His darkest eyes landed on the Headmaster, Sect Master, Vice sect master, and Grand Elder. As for the Vice headmaster and the weaker Giant, one let the Headmaster do the talking, and the other knew he had no say in the matter.

“I won’t accept any unfounded action against the inhabitants, you have no right. This place was a desolate pigsty before you came, long ago. It still is despite decades of organizations taking root over here. Now, if you refuse to do so, I can just leave. My mission here is on behalf of our ruling Existential Sixth Step organization, not because any of my people give a fuck about you.”

Heian Ciemnosc pointed behind him with his right thumb arching on his right shoulder, “So, I will only ask this once. And I will only hear you once. Do you, or do you not, want my help?”

“...” - “... … …”

The Headmaster was clearly silenced. As for the trio, they were confounded. Then, out of nowhere, seeing the trio didn’t react, the Headmaster dropped the thoughts and reservations of the Aqualian Drake Sect. After all, the Crimsonbreaking Faction, the Heraxle Clan’s help towards them, landed on the Sect’s territory and not in their Academy’s.

“My Forestalress seeks your guidance, black monster,” the Headmaster slightly picked the lower sides of her gold and purple robes. She bowed and spoke without decor, shy, or nervousness. Heian Ciemnosc thus thought, ‘She is bold, alright.’

“!” The Aqualian Drake Sect’s trio immediately responded with disbelieving expressions. How dare she! This is their territory! Nevertheless, they weren’t dumb, and knew why the situation changed as Heian Ciemnosc looked at the Headmaster and seemed to no longer care about them.

“This… black monster… I wonder if… we accept-” The Sect Master attempted something. His eyes fidgeted between Heian Ciemnosc and the inhabitants far behind the latter. However, the Vice sect master with similar features moved him slightly aside, stepped one step forwarder than him, and lifted her chin to loudly declare, “The Aqualian Drake Sect is glad to cooperate with you, commander black monster!”

“...” The Sect Master looked at the Vice sect master, his face even more disbelieving than before. However, he didn’t grow angry, and accepted the situation as he bowed down to his waist, letting the Vice sect master’s decision not waste.

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“WOOOOOO!” - CHEERS~!!

The crowd of inhabitants behind Heian Ciemnosc and his troops suddenly erupted in euphory. Before, they only suffered under the Sect’s management, but they still cared for the settlement. Although even the townsfolk’s clothes were disgusting to look at, everyone was eating until their bellies were filled.

Now, after less than a month, they’ve seen the difference between being managed directly and not whatsoever. Although the Crimsonbreaking Faction practically made them work their backs off, with even children moving lighter materials, but backpacks filled with them. They received new clothing, medicine such as curative incenses for civilians, and those with at least 1 citizen in their household gained 2 invigorating pills per person.

And while the Small City was still in construction, far from being ⅕ completed, zones where people could go and study from all ages were already allocated and a map with their locations showed in the nearest ‘central zones’ between the future districts, areas, and even small communities.

Furthermore, some civilians already started attending programs where they were taught what to do, how to, and more or less when they’d start. Between the heavy load workouts in the morning and afternoon, and the ‘classes’ until nighttime, the Small City in construction was already bustling with only a few hundred thousand inhabitants.

With the Aqualian Drake Sect’s people, which were countless times more than just the 350,000 original troops the Crimsonbreaking Faction used to already change their whole lives to boundless degrees, everyone was excited about the ‘miracles’ that these godly-like organizations would bring to their lives. This would definitely hit the childbirth rate to newfound peaks.

Of course, whether the inhabitants knew that even the Aqualian Drake Sect had enough to build 5 Small Cities, they wouldn’t even bother with one, or if they’d be able to schedule a Small City in less than a decade, they were still glad to see their first benefactor and an actual benefactor cooperate.

Lastly, from the looks of it, the ‘black monster’ commander wasn’t planning to just help them!

“It’s… an honor,” The Vice sect master said before dropping her torso, bowing below her waist level. The Grand Elder placed her hand on her sternum and bowed at waist level. Then, from the side, the Headmaster blatantly said as she walked towards Heian Ciemnosc like they were best buddies. “Eh… Now that I think about it, we haven’t introduced ourselves, yet.”

“I know it’s silly. It’s impossible for each party to not recognize each other, but I’m counting on meeting each other more than ever before. Especially with the ‘hand behind the curtains’... wouldn’t that be so? Commander?” The Headmaster gave Heian Ciemnosc a side glance.

“I am Denisse, at your service, commander.” The Headmaster added with an assertive nod.

“...” Heian Ciemnosc noticed the weak fella in the Headmaster’s group looking at the Headmaster, but he maintained a well-kept attitude. Heian Ciemnosc unfolded his arms and nodded, “Crimsonbreaking Faction’s Officer, Heian Ciemnosc. This operation’s commander, and these behind me are my people.”

“Although I took them as my Crimsonbreaking Faction’s troops and inhabitants, they can choose otherwise when this is over. Of course, that would also mean they’re no longer considered by the Faction and will become deserters.” Heian Ciemnosc said and warned to both the people before him and behind his troops.

“We are aware that this is a repopulating Region. It's been only a few decades, and there are only a few tens of millions between the Southeastern and Southwestern land sections.” The Grand Elder interjected, walked forward, and courteously bowed towards Heian Ciemnosc like a dainty lady. Her voice deepened and softened, “When that time comes, we won’t be losing our people to you, but bidding them farewell.”

“Mn,” Heian Ciemnosc nodded at this understanding woman. She straightened her back and introduced herself. Her overly black eyes glowed radiantly. “Tulla, Grand Elder of the Aqualian Drake Sect.”

Tulla looked at the Headmaster before returning her eyes to Heian Ciemnosc, and added, “I will also expect to meet your demands in the foreseeable future. I don’t fear moments to impulse my organizations and myself to greater heights.”

Heian Ciemnosc nodded again, calmly looking at the Grand Elder, who had slightly more talent than even the Forestalress Academy’s Headmaster. Finally, the Aqualian Drake Sect’s Sect Master and Vice sect master walked slightly forth and bowed.

“I am the Sect Master of the Aqualian Drake Sect, Zelion. I look forward to working with the enigmatic Crimsonbreaking Faction’s black monster. Your ‘Officer’ status seems a little lower than you deserve.” The Sect Master was rapidly followed by a face-sweating Vice sect master, “My name is Floris, the Aqualian Drake Sect’s Vice sect master, at your service, commander.”

“Mn, good.” Heian Ciemnosc nodded again while looking at the Vice sect master. Then, he turned towards the Sect Master and unceremoniously barked each word, ultimately coldly. “My Faction’s matters aren’t something a Farsighted realm Sect Master can dwell on. Do not think I won’t meddle with your Sect’s affairs if I deem it necessary.”

“...!” The Sect Master’s face fell a little, but he kept bowing without straightening his back, looking like he was struggling and heavily debating deep inside. Heian Ciemnosc’s darkest eyes stayed on the Sect Master’s bowed back for a few more seconds before parting them away and looking at the remaining 2.

“This is my Vice headmaster, he wishes not to speak too much. I hope you don’t find it as a form of neglecting you,” the Headmaster said, introducing the Vice headmaster rather unprofessionally. Heian Ciemnosc swayed his right hand from the center before his chest to the right and shook his head slightly.

“No need to explain. I can see your Vice headmaster has an ample, determined cultivation heart. If you were to become sluggish instead, you might be replaced if he decides to lead the Academy.” Heian Ciemnosc’s words echoed, making Sect Master Zelion, now calm and collected, to lift his eyebrows.

“Commander, you shouldn’t jest,” the Headmaster lightly shook her head, while the Vice headmaster silently laughed with an amicable face. Headmaster Denisse added, “We are not a struggling organization with internal affairs flooding our capabilities from within. It’s since your Wrath Nihility Academy’s first war victory after half a million years that helped me and my upper echelons decide which path we should take.”

“The fact that you’ve become a full-fledged Third Step organization in a few decades shows how prepared and capable you and your people are, and that you’ve been following the right path. This, I understand.” Heian Ciemnosc nodded again before looking at the Giant, whose height was regular for a male Human, but had an incentive bum.

“My name is Dylan, I’m an Assistant Teacher at the Forestalress Academy. It’s an honor to meet you, black monster, commander.” The Giant spoke, bowing as he held his sternum, but with veneration, unlike Grand Elder Tulla who only showed an equal-to-equal appreciation.

“I’m also considered an Assistant Teacher,” Heian Ciemnosc crossed his arms passively and said with slightly narrowed, darkest eyes. “Although I couldn’t ‘enjoy’ those privileges and moved to another organization, I have made my fair share of activities within the Wrath Nihility Academy.”

Then, Heian Ciemnosc looked at the Headmaster again and spoke candidly. “Let’s just hope you don’t disappoint the Wrath Nihility Academy’s image, and your organization fulfills its purpose as an Academy. So far, you’ve failed. But there’s always opportunities.”

“Commander, what do you suggest? Please. Do tell,” the Headmaster immediately caught the hidden suggestion within Heian Ciemnosc’s words and hooked the bait. Heian Ciemnosc nudged his chin slightly upwards and began elaborating. His voice was calm and soft, “For starters, and I’m talking to both of you. You will allow First Step organizations to surface within your territories. Later on, this will be expanded to the north, but we’ll talk about it when the time comes.”

“...” - “...” Both groups became silent and listened attentively. Even Sect Master Zelion seemed well-behaved, standing a few steps behind his sister.

“These First Step organizations won’t have it easy because there’s still no foundation for materials, ingredients, and natural resources to be gathered efficiently. Your management regarding resources gathering locations is below mediocre so far. I believe even civilians would idealize better methods than yours. So stop lazying around.”

“You’ll grant loans to certain groups of cultivators whose criteria must meet ours; I’ll specify on that later. Those organizations must repay you in 50 years. 20 years is enough for them to find a foothold and commence all-out missions and development. For now, there can only be First Step organizations in these land sections, nothing higher besides your ruling organizations.”

“...” - “...” The 2 groups besides the Giant, Dylan, nodded. Heian Ciemnosc didn’t, but continued with the same tone, “The regulations for them will be heavy. No killing or crippling penalty unless an individual presents risky, self-destructive factors to the organization. From Servants to the leading figures themselves. No exceptions.”

The groups nodded. This wasn’t something difficult to do. Even if it was with brand-new Third Step organizations that didn’t have faculties like the Wrath Nihility Academy, they’d dare to exterminate everyone from such organizations if necessary.

“Each organization member will grant their family the opportunity to choose 2 suitors to breed with for the rest of their lives besides their current partner or partners. This will follow on until 10 generations of Third Step gray-clothed cultivators ahead.” Heian Ciemnosc’s words, this time, caused a bit of unrest in the groups’ heads.

“I know it must be a long time. After all, a thousand years isn’t strange for an ordinary cultivator to reach the Third Step without the resources of a peak Third Step organization, or those with qualifications to transition into a Fourth Step organization. However, you will do this.” Heian Ciemnosc gave no room for discussion and continued.

“But not only are you full-fledged Third Step organizations, you also have the Heraxle Clan’s resources, so you can’t complain about this Third Step-achieving rate. The First Step organizations must deliver their peak First Step cultivators in the younger generation into your hands. You may exchange them between yourselves if you see it fit.”

“If a Genius or Gifted appears, it is the First Step’s jurisdiction and obligation to form them into seedlings before handing them over to you. The limit must be the Spirit Rebirth realm, no lesser than that. As for other talented younger generation in the First Step organizations, they should reach the Ashes Apperception realm before 20 years old.” Heian Ciemnosc concluded this clause.

“Now, the settlements. If it wasn’t because I must cooperate with you, I would’ve berated you all by force. The situation with the inhabitants is deplorable. It doesn’t seem to come from Third Step organizations like yours!” Heian Ciemnosc heavily laid out his discontent.

“Leave it to me, but first,” Heian Ciemnosc looked at the Sect Master and Headmaster with severe, darkest eyes. “Your forces will become mine.”

“!!!!” The calmness Heian Ciemnosc used to speak those words didn’t dwindle the horrifyingly high weight they carried in the groups’ hearts, especially Headmaster Denisse and the Aqualian Drake Sect’s leading figure and upper echelons.

…