Those With High Ambitions Either…

The northern territories used to have 4 forts in the west, and 5 in the east. Each belonging to a Third Step organization. They didn't have the numbers to rival an advanced level, but they were stronger than middle-level organizations, merely from the Empire and Dynasty's funding. The west was focused on cities and some towns, while the east had a plethora of towns, some Small Cities, and various cities.

Conversely, 20 years after the occupation of the entire Turtle Hiding Region under the Crimsonbreaking Faction’s, the Medium Cities and specific focus on different settlements were erased. The Mountain Pass meeting tower was destroyed, but it was replaced with 2 large watchtowers at the southern and northern entrance to the Mountain Pass.

The north had no more division between 2 parties. Thus, the northerners had more than enough time to get used to it and know other parts of the north they hadn’t been able to before. Many didn’t know if it had always been this flourishing and beautiful, but it was now, and it amazed them.

The other half of the Region now had many Small and Medium Cities. Their cliffed coasts were plagued with forts, watchtowers, and some Small Cities and supreme-sized towns to accompany and resupply them. After all, unlike what the Crimsonbreaking Faction had once shown, the citizens and cultivators were no longer separated. Be it as soldier or garrison units.

Although only Craftspeople with somewhat good but still limited talent in cultivation and Craftsmaking could make the auxiliary unit’s worth, there were some citizens who had a high potential but couldn’t even cultivate. It was nature, and it couldn’t be changed. Thus, they worked as advisors, logistics, and moving workloads.

Another 2 large watchtowers were built in the north, spreading from its central south to the northwestern and northeastern cliffed coasts’ corners. They somewhat formed an oval-shaped diameter of protection between the rest of the north with the mountain range, and in between each other.

Lastly, 2 ports were built in the north. It was also for each fort at the cliffed coasts’ upper corners of the Region’s north. Although the mountain range now had 2 forts at the north, with several watchtowers. It wouldn’t be crazy for any invading force to think of the mountain range’s enormous height into the sky to infiltrate it beforehand. Necessary precautions were needed. After all, the 10 year war wasn’t just a plethora of Fleets and Grand Fleets appearing everywhere.

The 2 ports already had their 3 Fleets completed, but that wasn’t all the north and 20 years of progress had brought. The land forces had increased tremendously. The soldier unit increased to 3 billion. It wasn’t just from cultivators who had been cultivating for several decades, centuries, and millennia. The cultivators from the north were eventually added into the military. Although there was some influx from outside the Region, it was a measly 17% of the 3 billion.

1.2 billion pertained to cultivator soldier units, and 1.8 billion to citizen soldier units. As land forces, they all had armored vehicles, each Team. And each Army Group was filled with rapid movement without wasting their energy. However, 20% of those soldier units were owners of a spaceship Frigate.

The navy now had 6 ports, and 18 Fleets. Each was a complete Fleet, with even a spare Carrier that only needed an order from a Fleet Admiral, and it would be readied with installed arsenal and ammunition to prepare it for the returning crew members or so.

The number of civilians had already gone to the prospect of 129 trillion. It was an enormous jump from the previous fewer numbers. The Turtle Hiding Region could already be considered one of the strongest 3* Regions within the Third Step. It usually didn’t require so much work, but with these improvements, everything changed.

In the south, there was the military’s command post, the Turtle Hiding Region. In the north, the Region’s most vital vein of vitality, the one and only Large City in the 3* Region. Not all Regions had Large Cities. One had to either be so capable, or in a higher Step to maintain and protect it. Thus, the representatives’ forces here had built 2 Medium Cities, nearly Large Cities.

… WHOOOOOOOOOSHHH…

… Currently, Heian Ciemnosc’s subordinates, daughter, and her maids, were flying through the north. When Xue Yoler saw the terrible changes between 2 decades ago and now, beside being used to the rapidness, she felt an innate difference within the Crimsonbreaking Faction. Or rather, in the black monster, which others ignore or don’t even think about.

Just as Xue Yoler was finished seeing the Large City, which would need more work, as 130-150 trillion were only the elementary levels one would need to operate it fully in the Region, she felt familiar auras rise from behind her. Xue Yoler had just gone past the Large City, when she sensed some people coming out from the City Governor’s office hurriedly.

She stopped and looked backwards, only to be met with her right-hand people’s worried faces as they looked and rushed at her. Xue Yoler felt a little warmth as a heavy weight was lifted from her shoulders and chest. She waited for them as they arrived before her and bowed deeply, not even offering words of worry or gratitude to the world for letting them see her alive, or the like.

“Please forgive us, Miss Xue!” Their deep-waist bow stunned Xue Yoler a little. Their unison shout turned her silly for a few seconds before she responded. She flung her right hand and spoke with a light frown, “What are you doing? Did something happen to the soldier units I left behind? The new citizens?”

“N- no, Miss Xue, it’s just…” An old man, from the Beat Race, but not a Snow Fox, sweated as he had problems just talking. Xue Yoler’s tone became a little indifferent as she questioned, “On with it. Or do you not dare speak to me what happened? Am I no longer that all high for you?”

“No! Please forgive me, Miss Xue!” The old man became more stressed after hearing her words. He remained bowing as he elaborated in a rough, shameful tone, “The soldier units were all taken away by the Crimsons. After several years… most of them joined the Crimsonbreaking Faction’s military force in the Lsefattern Kingdom.”

“…” Xue Yoler lifted her right eyebrow and looked down at the old man. The old man perceived this as her getting angry and quickly explained, “B- b- but don’t worry, miss Xue! They are only part of the operation’s force. They won’t join the Crimsonbreaking Faction. Furthermore, they even said that the chief has allowed for the Dynasty’s people to return to their home after he finished his business here. That by then… we wouldn’t be needed anymore!”

“They?” Xue Yoler delicately asked, but to her right-hand people, this was like half a punishment for their mistakes. Another right-hand person stepped up and elaborated in the old man’s stead, “The chief’s people. The black monster’s Captains usually preceded over the Large City until it was finished, while… while… the soldier units miss Xue brought and raised were assimilated into the Crimsons’ military.”

“Sigh…” Xue Yoler brought her right hand to her face and closed her eyes before letting out a heavy sigh. Just as her people thought she was about to burst, not even daring to ask how she was doing, Xue Yoler abruptly lifted her face and looked at them with a hardened stare.

“Listen to what I’m about to explain,” Xue Yoler’s hardened expression took everyone by surprise. They suddenly felt something, and saw the great state their miss was in. She even seemed to have achieved something, perhaps… her Soul was improved? There were rumors of the black monster’s lustful methods to increase cultivation…

“Yes, miss.” With that train of thought, they became slightly distracted, but they braced themselves for what their miss was about to tell them. Then, after Xue Yoler nodded, she began. As her right-hand people listened more and more to her, their eyes widened, and their hearts palpitated. No matter how many times their miss said this wasn’t treason, it at least bordered it multiple times!

“… Do you understand?” Xue Yoler asked after she finished giving her explanation and delegation of orders. Her right-hand people were too stunned to respond, still processing her words’ contents. Xue Yoler asked again with her hands above her hips, “If you understand, say it!”

“We understood, miss!” They replied after making their miss repeat herself. Then, she looked around before her gaze fell on Heian Ciemnosc’s other subordinates. They were waiting for her, patiently. Xue Yoler turned to her people and nodded, “Now, there are some things to take care of. What are you doing now? Sir black monster doesn’t tell me anything about the happenings here.”

Sir black monster? Xue Yoler’s right-hand people sneakily exchanged glances before responding to her. “Miss Xue, we usually observe our people’s soldier units training and practices. We weren’t instructed on how to do the same, and could only observe because the chief’s orders dictated us to know everything non-confidential that happened to them to ensure your wishes. They also don’t let our soldier units have any Frigates or join the navy… But we have learned a little of their methods!”

“That’s irrelevant, for now,” Xue Yoler indifferently said with a cold face. Her right-hand people seemed hesitant to leave the matter but seemed to think of something and willingly let it be. Then, they elaborated, “We often cultivate whenever there isn’t practice. All of us must be… with the soldier units when the… ah.”

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

“Mn, then,” Xue Yoler nodded at them once they seemed to realize something, as if her absence was all they needed to confirm numerous things all at once. She added, surprising them, “Come with me. There’s some work to be done. You need to give it your best, or you’ll first see things with me, and then the black monster. This is important. Follow me.”

“Yes, miss Xue,” her people responded before Xue Yoler flew away, following behind her.

. . .

3 years later.

The Turtle Hiding Region’s military forces have reached their peak. Any further increase was worthless, and might only potentially harm the stability within the military structure, weakening their capabilities. After Heian Ciemnosc exited seclusion, and spent quite a few months talking about life, his cultivation increased a little more as he dealt with these matters ‘personally’.

However, things were about to change in the whole world. Maybe not in the matter of an instant because of an action, or various, but elementary. For example, communications were the first to be flooded by whatever enormous situation was presented before the world’s people’s eyes.

Like an inchoate idea slowly turning into a terrifying, aberrant situation that couldn’t be avoided anymore.

“Did you read the news? There’s many people who went to the Turtle Hiding Region and heard some talking about a big celebration.” - “Really? What’s it about?” - “Nobody knows, but everyone in that Region has prepared for it in the last 3 years. Many civilians there have even built altars in the name of the black monster, haha!” - “Damn, I would like that for myself…”

“Keep dreaming. I heard that it represents the Crimsons’ victory after victory, but that there is another secret meaning for it.” - “Like what?” - “Well, we’ll know once it starts.” - “The Crimsonbreaking Faction wanted to keep a low profile, but the rumors traveled to a few universal net news anchors. It seems like it’s gonna get big, because the Crimsonbreaking Faction received sums of money from those groups. It’s all in the business rumors for the past 2 years…” - “Damn! What about the money? How much was it?”

“I heard the Crimsons barely took any coins or Stones, and that they demanded for resources more than anything. I wonder what for?” - “Ha! They’re trying to conquer the Lsefattern kingdom, perhaps?” - “Hahaha. Sure, sure.” - “…”

Amidst the conversations throughout the watching, excited, and expectant world, some remained silent or refused to comment in the Universal Conveyance forums, not knowing what their knowledge would bring. After all, some people investigated more, and they knew that those payments did exist as others claim them to be. However, their scope was quite… universal, so to speak.

Nevertheless, things were orderly, although not as quiet as it had been for the past 23 years, in the Turtle Hiding Region. During the last few weeks, with civilians taking trips of a few days at least and a couple of weeks at most to come to the Large City, the bustling Large City became crowded. Although not that much, every street only allowed for people to smoothly walk back and forth and in between.

On the other hand, the skies were filled with aircraft and vessels, bringing people faster, albeit too high in demand. Nevertheless, some civilians and even cultivators were fine with watching from far away, looking at the screens whose initial 10 minutes countdown was reduced to a few seconds left.

Every major holographic projection in every settlement in the Region was activated, with the perfect definition quality, and the countdown. Although not everyone could travel to the Large City, the chief of operations worked hard to bring the best experience to every part of the Region.

Of course, Xue Yoler and her right-hand people worked their brains off, moving countless people to make everything possible without limiting the military. On the other hand, Anastasia built an enterprise fleet that was first used to move certain essentials for civilians’ rapid moving before using them to move the civilians themselves.

Today was the 116th year, 2nd month, 2nd week, and 4th day of the Change. It was finally the time for the Turtle Hiding Region’s rumored big celebration to unfold. Who knew what it entailed? Everyone was curious, and the inhabitants of said Region were overly excited, contented.

“Look! It’s only 10 seconds left!” - “Yyyiiyyaaaa, mooom!” - “Shhh! It’s starting, hush!” Some people were too excited to see the countdown about to finish, while others, such as children, were silly and noisy, albeit cute. As the countdown went down, and a tidal wave of hushing noises spread out, those that weren’t around the City Governor office in the Large City’s center focused on a screen or a holographic projection.

The number 1 became a 0, and the screen’s darkness slowly revealed an image of 2 Disciplinary Elders with their hands behind their backs as they faced tens of billions. A mountable stadium was built around the City Governor office, allowing many people to sit around it in the bleachers to watch the show from up-close.

The stadium had the typical sight-enhancing features for civilians and citizens, or low Step cultivators. There were, however, not many citizens, and even only a few engineers were present. But that didn’t take away the sentiment of the big celebration as it humbly opened. The Universal Conveyance was also transmitting these images, albeit with a 20 second delay to the rest of the world.

“Wow! So many people!…” - “I wonder how costly this was? Haha, no wonder the Crimsonbreaking Faction accepted the payment.” - “Damn, I wonder if the Heraxle Clan gave them some? It’s not easy to build something like this.” - “If they did, they would have gone against their new agreement with the other Universal Lands. It’s impossible.” - “Yeah, remember what kind of Region is the Turtle Hiding Region.” - “Mmn, yeah. Right.”

“Eh?! Isn’t that goddess Tania and Ramirez?! They’re 2 notorious figures of the Crimsonbreaking Faction!” - “The rumors were true. They had been in the Lsefattern Kingdom all along. Tsk, no wonder the Crimsons won so easily.” - “A hater has been spotted…” - “What did you say?!” - “Hostile activity- hey?! Did you just kiss me?!” - “Shut up. Don’t be gay about!” - “…”

The Universal Conveyance went on about it, becoming a little crazy as time passed. Like this, with Tania and Ramirez showing on the screen, along the billions of spectators around the City Governor office, they finally took a step forth and opened their mouths. Tania commenced.

“The Turtle Hiding Region has been recognized as a border Kingdom since before the Great Sage’s fall. Due to the 10 year war’s results, it remained as such. However, its nature doesn’t change its origin. No matter the reason or objective, this… is… the Heraxle Clan’s territory. No other Universal Land has any claim to demand territory from any of these Kingdoms.”

“Many seemed to forget where they came from. But the Crimsonbreaking Faction isn’t afraid to remind you. And now, with the prowess of our forces, we’ve demonstrated that recuperating what’s ours is… accepted by nature.” Tania formed a low fist with her right arm, folded at her hip level, before continuing. “The Turtle Hiding Region has welcomed its new beginning… new life.”

“There is no more forceful distinction between the south and north. You are one, under us, under… the Crimsonbreaking Faction’s territory!” Tania lifted her fist. If the Xue Yoler hadn’t listened to Heian Ciemnosc’s advice, the entire City Governor office would’ve trembled, and the non-cultivators fainted or died on the spot from the tremendous cheers that erupted along.

CHEEEEEEEEEEEEERSSS- CLAAAAAMOOOOOORRR~~~~!!!!

“YEAAAAH!” - “Fuck those separatists, haha!!” - “Crimsons! Crimsons!! Crimsons!!”

“Today, the Turtle Hiding Region is welcoming its new beginning officially. The Crimsonbreaking Faction came here to not only cooperate with the Heraxle Clan, but to return things to how they are supposed to. No more bowing, or polite smiles to the foreigners who think they can own our land and do with it as they wish to help themselves. It’s time for a change!!” Ramirez spoke next, lifting his right fist with anticipation at the end of his words.

The crowd returned the gesture with more roars and spirit. Tania smirked from the right corner of her mouth in response, as the rest of the Large City became thunderous. The vibrations and sounds were transmitted outwards. On the other hand, other settlements, not Small or Medium Cities, calmly appreciated the festivities from far away.

“But today is not only the beginning of something, and the naming of that thing, our beginning. It is also the demonstration of new… life.” Ramirez stepped away as Tania did the same, showing an empty area behind them, enough for a thousand people to stand with their arms spread.

Bowwbooumb!!

A dark dome spread everywhere when they least expected it. It began from the center of the area the Disciplinary Elders showed, to the entire stadium. Many cameras lost their connection, but then, it spread even more. It was like its expansion was triggered after every blink. After a few seconds, shockingly, the entire Lsefattern Kingdom was shuddered in darkness as a dark dome covered it whole. Even its orbiting space stations.

“What’s going on?!” - “What is this?!” - “Hey, check the situation. Why are our cameras not working? Did something happen? Did someone destroy the Lsefattern Kingdom? What the fuck is this?!”

Both the spectators, viewers, and those in charge of transmitting these images to the rest of the world in the Universal Conveyance net were restless. Only the Turtle Hiding Region’s inhabitants were at ease, feeling like the darkness was a warm embrace from the deepest corners of their primitive instincts. They didn’t care about losing all their senses and thoughts.

“WUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!!” - “WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAH!!!!”

Suddenly, the impossibly loud roars echoed from everywhere, as the cameras were still showing nothing. They were no longer affected by the darkness, but the notion delayed their reconnection. When it finally happened, the viewers and news anchors were astounded, quieted down, and shuddered in excitement as they saw the people that appeared in the previously empty area.

Many heavily influential people were now on stage, before the world’s eyes. Despite the cameras just being cameras, and the veterans already used to it. The Crimsonbreaking Faction’s highest hierarchy felt the ‘eyes’ of many more through the lenses. They couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed… and it felt damn good!

There were many of those influential folk on stage, but those in front of everyone else by half a step, something easily distinguishable from the rest, were 3 people and a baby. Grietta and Elyor stood beside each other. Elyor held her gently with his arms behind her back as Grietta carried a baby girl with a pale yellow, extra long mantle only revealing her tiny face.

Beside them, on Grietta’s left, Heian Ciemnosc stood with his hands behind his back, lowering his body and turning his head to look at ‘Little Dina’. The image suddenly became bright and wonderful.

The others were the big bosses from the Crimsonbreaking Faction, standing half a step behind them. Chairwoman Alyona, of course, Disciplinary Elder Hong Mei, Fonso, Loon, and Oscilote. They were accompanied by Milyy, a few Fairies, mermaids, Anastasia, her maids, and Heian Ciemnosc’s subordinates, including Etherea and Xue Yoler.

“Today…” Heian Ciemnosc looked ahead and slightly opened his overly pale red lips. He seemed somewhat… more terrifying after 23 years hiding his visage.

…