Lsefattern Upper Kingdom

Back at the Crimsonbreaking Faction, 3 days later.

“Huh? Who was that one? She smells so good,” Alyona asked after receiving Heian Ciemnosc in the Carrier, which rapidly moved towards the Space Station a few tens of millions of kilometers from here, where the Crimsonbreaking Space Station would anchor nearby. As soon as Heian Ciemnosc came close to her, her nostrils flared up, and Heian Ciemnosc knew he had to explain. Of course, she didn't seem to mind at all.

“Oh, she’s a special one,” Heian Ciemnosc said, walking through the hangar with Alyona on his right. Alyona’s eyebrows lifted, and she looked at his profile face before inquiring, “Bloodline? Another one?”

“Mn, it’s not that strange. The Heraxle Clan has no idea. Even their existences don’t know,” Heian Ciemnosc enjoyed their walk together as they chatted. Alyona nodded a few times, “But, why did you not bring her with you? She must really be something to give off this smell.”

“She needs time to find herself,” Heian Ciemnosc looked at Alyona and saw the look in her eye, curious yet slightly dumb, exponentially cute. He grinned slightly and added, “She has some similarities to me and my body… regarding union. No matter. She was a headless chicken before me, but she still needs to understand herself, and I cannot help her when her nature is different from what I want. She’s on her mission.”

Heian Ciemnosc used his dark Soul to transmit information into his wife’s head, and Alyona seemed to understand as she knitted her eyebrows. Then, she said, speeding up their pace. “Well, I can tell you like her. Don’t feel bad later after basically whoring her out.”

“Oh,” Heian Ciemnosc shook his head slightly, neither confirming nor denying, and grabbed her waist. Alyona blushed for a few seconds before it disappeared from her face. She could feel his strength and how much it had grown. If she didn’t use Vigor Energy, she’d be unable to escape his grasp, even if he didn’t use more bodily strength than she could employ.

Along their way to the central command, she was seen by many. The image of their goddess leader and their growing mighty black monster so intimate in public was a new, curious, intriguing sight. But one that made many hearts sigh.

. . .

There was no true formula for imminent success and progress towards one’s goals. If there’s any, it’s made to harm rather than help. After the first 3 years, advancing at a slightly slower pace as they went in a straight line, the Crimsonbreaking Faction remained in the Universitalities of Yore Universal Land before advancing to the next.

It wasn’t difficult to keep the same mission intake after slowing down. After all, the Supreme and Star Vigor Stones required to make a Space Station and hundreds of millions of spaceships move in a year weren’t small. Fortunately, their maintenance costs were vastly overwhelmed by the gains, allowing the Crimsonbreaking Faction to do as they pleased.

The newest recruits got used to it by year 5, allowing the smoothness of their mission intake to consider the 300%. After a few months, several months before the 6th year, the idea was contemplated and agreed by the Faction’s hierarchy. Thus, the mission intake increased.

The Crimsonbreaking Faction would basically take half the missions of a few Universes around them wherever they went. After doing half the Universes’ missions, they would take the other half and become quite imprudent and infamous over the weeks and months before passing on to the next batch of Universes.

At times, the Crimsonbreaking Faction acted first as guards for ‘side’ a, escorting or even defending them from attacks. But then, after finishing their first set of missions, the Crimsons would take side b’s missions and assassinate, assault, occupy, or rob side a’s targets which they defended before.

With the previous missions bringing them enough intel to attain success, the Crimsons had little to not trouble accomplishing side b’s missions before returning home with all the scraps they could find or make during those weeks or months.

Overtime, the Crimsonbreaking Faction brought thrill and fear to everyone as they still needed their help. The Crimsons could be seen through a couple of Existences more before they gradually became less and less active. For that matter, the 10 years since they first set off from the Quiongu Fanhui Existence soon arrived.

… Currently, at the Crimsonbreaking Faction’s Space Station. In the headquarters where the Eternal Return Team owned. In Heian Ciemnosc’s residence, which was as big as their base once was as a mansion. Everyone in the Team had such residences, but only Clanton made a better use of it with his harem.

Today was the 81st year, 10th month, 1st week, and 4th day of the Change. While everyone continued cultivating, Heian Ciemnosc was busy in his residence’s Craftsmaking basement. At this moment, it had been several decades since Heian Ciemnosc obtained the Array Snakes’ tool, and upgraded it to an Artifact.

… Pshiiifft…

“…!” Heian Ciemnosc’s eyebrows knitted as he worked in a complex, square-shaped array formation inscription. The air was his canvas, and the surrounding frame was only the limits where he had been inscribing for the past many days. It wasn’t that he’s been inscribing on this frame for that long, but rather…

Fuuh- pshift!

The inscription were finished. Heian Ciemnosc folded his Inscribing Pen into his palm and pushed the inscriptions with his index, middle, and ring finger. It floated backwards before adding itself into a smaller dark square-shaped frame on a vase-like dark object floating in the air.

Inside it, not only was Heian Ciemnosc’s Golden Array Snakes, but also the transparent, smallish cube he once received after the war in the Blackotia Kingdom. Heian Ciemnosc’s forehead has been sweating for weeks as he’s constantly worked to evolve his Artifact into a Relic.

Only after a handful of years during this trip, when the Crimsonbreaking Faction started becoming less active, did Heian Ciemnosc find the time to fully focus on this matter. However, he has been finishing preparations and forming some long, tedious processes that started since the 10-year trip began.

Heian Ciemnosc continued to make a couple of hundred more array formations’ inscriptions in differently shaped frames, sending them into the dark vase before finally stopping. He relaxed his shoulders and his lungs seemed to finally fill themselves with air. “Haaa! Fuuh…”

The dark vase floated as calmly and silent as before, without any changes yet. Heian Ciemnosc sat on his bum and recuperated his mental fortitude as he felt a breakthrough near him. He was already at the 6th stage, and this sensation of breaking into the next stage was the first he felt since achieving the 6th stage.

“It’s starting, get up!” Sara’s voice echoed in Heian Ciemnosc’s mind. He grimaced handsomely before bringing himself to his feet. Heian Ciemnosc felt the exhaustion wash over him as he stood several meters before the vase and felt his body cooling off to the previous sensations of being mentally taxed and physically wasted.

Pshiiiiiiiiiffffft~~~~~!

Heian Ciemnosc lifted his right palm and faced it towards the dark vase. A connection seemed to form between them as pure energy chains formed in between. They were as thin as skin and as long as necessary. Heian Ciemnosc felt his body trembling. Every drop of blood, pore, strand of hair, piece of bone and organ resonated with his actions as the dark vase gradually shone a goldish, platinum, and bluish luster from within.

Finally, as the sound of energy transmitted between both parties trembled and continued, akin to lightning cracking, array formations inscriptions were projected from the dark vase, surrounding it whole.

Heian Ciemnosc’s body surged with might and an aura that could only be described as darkness yet was invisible to the naked eye. The inscriptions twirled around the dark vase, flooding the room as it became darker. The dark vase emanated a dark light that took the actual light from its surroundings and consumed it. As it happened, the array formations became darker and darker before seemingly becoming stuck in the air, cocooning the dark vase while the rest continued to twirl before also solidifying in dark and becoming stagnant.

After several hours, Heian Ciemnosc made all array formations stop, encircling the dark vase as it no longer shone dark light, but became quiet and seemingly lifeless.

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“!!” Suddenly, Heian Ciemnosc felt every fiber of his being exalted. His darkest eyes’ contents shrunk to tiny dots as the dark vase cracked, but he wasn’t looking at the cracking in shock. It was its insides and the sensations it gave him what brought this much intensity to his self.

Crack… … … SPLASH- PSHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIFFTT~!!

The dark vase’s crack stopped abruptly. After numerous seconds, it suddenly broke apart to reveal a pristine, whitish, crystallized glow as the sides of a tiny cube were barely discernible within the bright colors. Heian Ciemnosc stepped forth as an ever so sharp energy sound echoed while the basement trembled as a whole.

Tuk, twiliing~. Heian Ciemnosc gently took it with both hands. It reacted to his touch, like a lovely cry from a newborn, not necessarily a Human, Elf, or any other Race. Simply a new life in the world. Heian Ciemnosc looked down at it as the lights subsided, revealing a pristine, diamond, transparent cube the size of his eye resting between his palms.

… roooar… A tiny, little and silly-cute serpent roamed the cube like a flying dragon without limbs or wings. When Heian Ciemnosc’s gaze intensified on the cube, the serpent seemed to notice him. The serpent within roared to the skies, but its roar wasn’t detrimental. It was like the previous cry from the cube itself, greeting the world and its creator, albeit with an innately rougher stance.

‘I didn’t remember all the creations I’ve previously made to be this difficult. Haah.’ Heian Ciemnosc thought s the tiniest serpent in the world returned to roam the cube after being ignored by Heian Ciemnosc. He grinned victoriously at it before falling into a trance. Sara waited for him until his darkest eyes reacted, and he looked at the cube again.

“Diamond Array Snakes, my pristine Relic… Sounds really good,” Heian Ciemnosc said before adding with a grin, “How is it? You like it?”

The cube didn’t respond, but Heian Ciemnosc didn’t feel discouraged and just grinned with more intensity. He stored the cube in his Covert Space bags before taking a deep breath with his arms to the sides and his lungs filling up with his chest up. Heian Ciemnosc let the breath out as he caressed Sara’s face, whose cheeks demanded to be squeezed after peeking his first Relic’s creation process.

… After exiting the Craftsmaking basement, Heian Ciemnosc immediately met with his Team. They were cultivating in their residences. Cara still had a bulging belly, albeit larger now. Even then, she would still come with them. Riquel had arrived not long ago after the Obscure Orb Sect expressed their good position towards the other Existences.

The rest were ‘normal’ so to speak. Only Moy and Sandra were still at the Farsighted realm godly stage, while the rest were at least at the Bright or Silhouette realm. The highest being Ruo Wei and Loma in the 2nd stage, and the rest in the 1st stage.

Moy and Sandra had had 2 pregnancies. 1 resulted in a boy, and the other in 2 twin girls. At this moment, those 3 already knew who their uncles and aunties were, and even treated Anastasia as a little auntie. They weren’t monstrous cultivators, but their prospect was enormous as the ‘children’ of the Eternal Return Team. More often than not, they visited Cara to rub her belly and greet their ‘half’ siblings more. It was a brother-sisterhood across parents.

Ruo Wei had taken more work to do as Cara became more pregnant. They used to do menial, mechanic work even after becoming Officers. Fortunately, Ruo Wei found solace in lonely mechanic time without Beto. Clanton spent his time with his family, already planning to get his lineage going after the operation.

“…” Looking at them, Heian Ciemnosc felt that strange sensation of progress and achievement before opening his mouth to deliver them the news. “Are you ready? I have checked everyone’s thoughts, and I’m glad that nobody gave recommendations or complained about the candidates. I know the situation, but with the new military reforms, we’ve long passed to be an incomplete Team. Thank you for making this happen, though.”

“Bah! You treat us as if we never shared beds once upon a time!” Cara interjected with those words. Riquel facepalmed, while the others were helplessly wordless before erupting in chuckles. Cara naughtily thinly smiled at Heian Ciemnosc, making him helpless before the crowd recomposed. It was good that Moy’s kids weren’t here and were focused on cultivating.

“Ahem,” Heian Ciemnosc cleared his throat and gestured to the outside. They were already in the garden between their residences, so he just faced the exit and said, “Let’s go meet the new Team member. It’s a she, so you don’t have to sweat it.”

With that, the Eternal Return Team walked across the headquarters of the incomplete Fleet and were met with several nods and a few praising, shameless individuals trying to kiss their boots. Heian Ciemnosc led them to a vessel before moving towards a district beside the main headquarters. There, they exited the transporting aircraft and entered an expansive precinct.

Heian Ciemnosc didn’t need to wait for his turn in the reception and directly walked past it while being nodded at by the receptionists. He led his Team members to a reserved, small meeting room. Before he opened the door with its doorknob, his Team members were slightly excited. When he was opening it, they were curious, and when he opened it, they started nodding.

“Sir?” A very tall young woman looked at the opened door. When she saw it was Heian Ciemnosc, trepidation filled her fair countenance as she asked. But Heian Ciemnosc grinned without explaining anything. Then, he stepped aside and let his Team members in. The young woman’s eyes went wide.

The young woman had pink hair and eyes, a rosy-ish skin, and her features were pretty unique. She was a rare Human, Elf, Fairy. As one of the new recruits to join the Crimsonbreaking Faction during its 10-year-long trip, she had to be really especial for the Faction to consider her. And indeed she was.

“Rosina, meet your new Teammates, and me, your Team Leader.” Heian Ciemnosc presented himself, not bothering to show humbleness or pride, simply laying it out. The Team members looked at their new addition and grinned, showing smug smiles. They could tell she was nervous and shocked at the same time.

They weren’t nice when they entered the room, letting Rosina feel like the world could crumble on her at any given moment. However, Heian Ciemnosc didn’t let them have enough fun. All they could do was introduce themselves and friendly smile at the young woman. She was pretty, alright. And had enough bodily charm, but her innate aura exuded an order none of them had. Only similar to Heian Ciemnosc.

“Hello… nice to meet you, ah, yes!… Mn, nice meeting you…” Rosina spent the next few minutes meeting the Team as they walked to her and chatted her up. Heian Ciemnosc looked from the side as he leaned on the table, scrutinizing their communication as he ate on some snacks.

“Well, now that you’ve met them, you’ll spend 4 days with each of their Large Flotillas. Learn and practice under them. I know you’ve been working hard in these past years and need no further training, but you will do it anyways,” Heian Ciemnosc said as everyone finished. Rosina had just rubbed Cara’s belly, which meant a lot to the Team. Not everyone can touch the Team’s pregnant bellies, after all.

“Yes, sir! I understand!” Rosina saluted Heian Ciemnosc with all seriousness. Heian Ciemnosc didn’t say anything, but Sandra berated her slightly. “What are you calling ‘blackie’ sir for? He’s your Team Leader now. You’ll be living in the base from now on… Well, not really. We have a couple months before the operation begins, but you understand.”

“Yes, I do!” Rosina saluted again, leaving Sandra helpless. She shook her head and rolled her eyes before desisting. Heian Ciemnosc lightly smiled and interjected, “Good. Just move your things to the base. Do it today. We won’t have more time to get used to one another, but that’ll suffice.”

“Ye-… Understood, Team Leader,” Rosina corrected herself this time, appearing quite cute in Heian Ciemnosc’s darkest eyes. He nodded before gesturing towards the door. Then, he walked towards it as Loma and Cara walked to the pretty, young woman who had lots of things to learn. Besides, nothing better than to tease a new member than Cara speaking of sizes…

. . .

2 months later. Crimsonbreaking Faction’s main headquarters.

“…” Heian Ciemnosc crossed his arms while he, Alyona, and nearly every other upper echelon and higher-up in the Faction was present stared at a screen showing their distance before arriving at the Lsefattern Kingdom. They had just entered the Collariverse Star Universe, and the time on the holographic screen indicated 1 week still.

It had been 5 years since the Crimsonbreaking Faction directly ordained the stop to all activities. All their troops remained in the Space Station, and the experience they’ve gained was enough. Within the main headquarters’ central command, everyone wore a stern, strict expression.

Even the personnel at work, citizens and cultivators, felt the pressure building for the incoming future. On the other hand, Heian Ciemnosc received constant glares. After all, he’d be going down there and do everything while the Crimsonbreaking Faction sits back and relaxes. Their eyes contained encouragement and the desire to see Heian Ciemnosc through this challenge.

“We’re arriving soon,” Alyona’s voice sounded behind them from above. They twisted their necks to look up at the Chairwoman who stood on the highest step in the room. Her serious countenance conveyed everyone’s sentiment, feeling somewhat found amidst the uncertainty.

“Security Elder Heian Ciemnosc, the Crimsonbreaking Faction will leave this important process to you. You’re free for the remaining time. Prepare your Team, your personnel, and army. Do not be shy and bring as many as you need with you.” Alyona looked at Heian Ciemnosc amidst everyone’s eyes, who then turned their heads to land on her husband.

“…” Heian Ciemnosc nodded. This one action felt satisfying in everyone’s chests, feeling like it was truly one of them going down and not an outcast or someone who overstepped their limits. Heian Ciemnosc bowed in Alyona’s direction.

She was her Faction’s representation. Bowing to her is bowing to everyone, thanking them for this opportunity and challenge. When the others accepted this bow, they felt compelled to offer a few words before he departed.

“This is the time when the Crimsonbreaking Faction reminds everyone that even Fourth Step organizations had no choice but to evacuate whenever they saw us in the new Change’s opening war.” - “We’ll raise sooner or later. Although you’re the reason we’re doing it so earlier, it’s not meaningless. We’re counting on you.” - “Don’t forget the Crimson emblem. Its image cannot be lacking in the point where our people start making history.”

“… Seniors and my peers,” Heian Ciemnosc heard their words and intents as he felt their hopes and bloodthirst rumble towards him. They became silent and gave Heian Ciemnosc enough room and noiselessness to express himself. Heian Ciemnosc spun on his spot, looking at everyone before facing Alyona once more, and said in a hushed tone, “I won’t disappoint you.”

“…” Alyona looked down at Heian Ciemnosc, her countenance wearing her ruling indifference. Her black-coffee eyes downturned, she nodded at him, and Heian Ciemnosc slightly nodded in return before walking outside.

…