Then, There Were 2

In the mansion. In a cozy living room where a 30 meters tall chimney decorated the black walls with a brick-like design with a bright yet dim illumination.

Heian Ciemnosc sat on a one-seater sofa with a tall backrest hovering above his head. He sat with his legs spread as Anastasia, Xue Yoler, and even Etherea sat before him from his left to his right in other one-seaters. They slightly leaned forth with a cup of a hot drink in their hands. Only Xue Yoler's was empty. With his palms before his knees, Heian Ciemnosc commenced, staring at Xue Yoler as the other girls looked at her with side eyes.

“Xue Yoler,” Heian Ciemnosc started. She looked up at him and waited for his words. She knew not to overly ask and was patient. Heian Ciemnosc’s head was tilted to the right. He moved it to the left and grinned from the left corner of his mouth before quietly saying, “I’m…”

A short yet world-shaking, heart-rending explanation later, Heian Ciemnosc had the desired outcome in Xue Yoler’s face. She looked at Heian Ciemnosc with trembling, overly widened eyes, and slightly shaking hands. Xue Yoler had placed her cup on her lap before feeling too shocked to even sit without moving. When she breathed, her lips were slightly opened, unable to move them to either close or speak with them.

“M-my liege…” Xue Yoler’s trembling lips finally spoke after 25 seconds of struggle. Heian Ciemnosc waited patiently as Anastasia had a proud, thin smile, and Etherea a professional, thin smile. Xue Yoler sat on the edge of her seat and asked Heian Ciemnosc, nearly holding his hands in her stupor. “That- this- then- what…”

“I have already told you everything. It is up to you if you decide to believe it now,” Heian Ciemnosc said, leaning over as well as their faces looked directly at each other. Xue Yoler’s eyes’ shone, clearly not wanting to discuss whether something was true.

“Then, my liege,” Xue Yoler gulped down and began asking Heian Ciemnosc. “How come it happened? When- since… how are- how is-… aaah!”

“How is any of this happening? If you’re really you, and now, more than ever, after the strangest new Change the world has witnessed… Why are you here in our lifetimes?” Xue Yoler’s sudden scream as she held her head was a little surprising, making the other girls think she went crazy. But in the next moment, her words were coherent as she spoke them. The word ‘lifetime’ and an ‘ours’ behind it was quite meaningful. Only the Est Soul Empire wouldn’t have used it here.

“Things are just coincidences. I cannot say there’s a meaning, but it has happened. Some other things, too. Of which, I cannot yet imagine. But none of it matters now,” Heian Ciemnosc said before smoothly standing up. Xue Yoler’s face became stern as she looked up at him. Heian Ciemnosc added, “You know your place now. Don’t you?”

Xue Yoler slowly stood up, becoming more stern as she looked directly at his face and said in a vow-like voice with her throat quivering. “I understand more now, although I need more… processing. I naturally won’t tell this to any of my people, or any other, for that matter.”

Xue Yoler looked up at Heian Ciemnosc after taking a step forward. Her hands delicately held his between his thumb and index finger. Her eyebrows were slightly knitted, and her voice became hushed, “But, I’d like to know, my liege. When… do you plan to reveal it?”

“…” Heian Ciemnosc only looked down at her and grinned when she finished her words. Anastasia and Etherea exchanged a ‘cool’ look with smug grins on their lips. Xue Yoler was in. Heian Ciemnosc’s overly pale hands gently held Xue Yoler’s delicate hands, who nearly became distracted because of his touch. It was warm yet fresh, calming and soothing yet cold.

“There’s a long time before that,” Heian Ciemnosc said. “Besides, this is just the backstage. Even if it is the stage, it’s not time to start flaunting around our colors… I don’t wish to be persecuted and chased to places the Existential Sixth Step organizations don’t dare to… in case they haven’t changed their minds.”

“Oop!” Hearing those words, and remembering the quick story resume Heian Ciemnosc told her. Xue Yoler remembered the time she questioned her liege’s actions when he planned to devour corpses’ bodies and returning pure energy to cultivate. She immediately covered her mouth and forgot about the sternness of the situation, like an excited young girl.

“My liege, forgive me for my earlier words-” Xue Yoler voiced, expressing embarrassment as the girls behind her patiently waited their turn. Heian Ciemnosc interrupted her, knocking her forehead twice before placing his left palm on her right shoulder. “It’s not necessary. Go and wait now. You’ll have plenty of meditation for a few years.”

“Yes. My liege,” Xue Yoler said, bowing cutely before returning to her seat. A short silence later, Heian Ciemnosc sat back down on his seat with his legs spread and stared at his daughter. The scene became warmer as some parts of their minds were still in the most recent part of the war.

“You’ve proven the special unit you proposed last time, Little Anastasia.” Heian Ciemnosc’s words made Anastasia look up with a smile on her eyes and lips. Heian Ciemnosc continued when he saw her waiting expression for his praise and rewards, “You can choose your other 10 direct subordinates. Do well to bring your force to the standards of a special military unit. From now on, you’ll have a unique chain of command that can only be directly overruled by me.”

“Father,” Anastasia wanted to say something as Etherea’s face slightly changed. But Heian Ciemnosc waved his hand and calmly continued, giving the two gals a serene glance. “Etherea did a splendid work on your special force, but that was only necessary to put you and your people to the test. If any temporary supreme commander has full control over such a decisive special force, that would be stupid. This is only self-preservation.”

“You managed to secure the lives of many of your troops during such a brutal situation. You can only expect the enemy to have enough defenses in their toughest, decided ‘last stand’ points. While it worked this time, you can’t just throw away the territory’s resources to achieve victory with the fewest casualties.” Heian Ciemnosc added, “You’ll get time to build your new spaceships, but don’t take long. You’re my daughter. If someone knows speed and efficiency, that’s you.”

“Yes, Father. I’ll do my best…” Anastasia stood up and bowed before sitting back down. Heian Ciemnosc nodded, showering her with a bit of fatherly love in his darkest eyes before turning to Etherea. She immediately called him in a light tone, “My liege.”

“You don’t have to say anything about never choosing such a stressful operation to quickly achieve victory. It worked perfectly, not just in that victory. It will be 5 years from now that I’ll breakthrough. Show me a difference. While my first special force repairs and builds their spaceships, work your way to bring the last 3 northern Regions into the territory. You will have 5 years to complete this. You can see this like a special training exercise. You’ll need it in the future.”

Heian Ciemnosc’s words were monumental in Etherea’s heart. But when he finished speaking, Etherea was surprised. Her eyebrows jumped, and her eyes widened. She asked with a light, delighted frown, “Sir?”

“Yes, you’ll continue leading the military. Unless Tania and Elyor have to act, you will be everyone’s supreme commander. So far, if you want to achieve the highest rank, just beneath me, you only need more time and experience. You don’t need any new method or training. Just get to know your troops better, alright?” Heian Ciemnosc said, pinching Etherea’s nose with a dark, shapeless limb.

“I understand, my liege!” After being startled by Heian Ciemnosc’s antics, Etherea stood up and bowed to her waist before sitting back down again. A silence ensued, covering everyone as they looked at each other. While Etherea and Xue Yoler had a little rivalry due to their ambition, the latter and Anastasia had a relaxing, synergized relationship.

“Well, it’s a good, rainy day. Want to stay in?” Heian Ciemnosc said, summoning dozens of hot drinks as a window opened with a flick of his hand. Xue Yoler’s eyes sparkled, while Anastasia felt like she was a punky 15 year old, doted by her father. As for Etherea, she craved this rest.

As such, the trio remained there, conversing and using Heian Ciemnosc to make themselves feel more at ease. Especially Xue Yoler and Anastasia, those two already looked at each other as equals. They weren’t wrong. On the other hand, Etherea was quite a bit soft when in her relaxing time. She was only like this when cultivating and meditating. Heian Ciemnosc sometimes wondered if she’d find a partner and stop feeling lonely.

A couple of hours later, Heian Ciemnosc’s subordinates, Tulla, Floris, and Molto, stepped into the living room. Without further ado, Heian Ciemnosc gave them a personal, private lesson. Their contributions were unquestionable, and considering their future prospects, they had to be prepared. Heian Ciemnosc didn’t achieve his knowledge from war just by warring. Without his mentors, he would’ve needed more. It wasn’t all just about having more troops, better prepared, more war instruments, and high morale.

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Time passed, and the time for the war to resume started ticking. Etherea returned to manage the military, placing her focus on it as she cultivated to her pace. With the riches the Crimsonbreaking Faction territory can monthly harvest, every person in Heian Ciemnosc’s circle received from thousands to tens of thousands of Inferior Vigor Stones to cultivate.

Even without Heian Ciemnosc’s group cultivation method, these vast amounts of cultivation resources were something only Fourth Step organizations could grant their obscure gray clothed members without batting an eye. At least from those advanced or peak organizations.

Although Heian Ciemnosc could only enjoy a day with his daughters and subordinates, it was enough to bring everyone into a peaceful state of mind. Afterwards, they went on their way, taking care of their own business before returning to their positions.

. . .

2 years later. Etherea finished preparing things with the military in order to conquer the last northern Regions.

The navy didn’t leave the blockade, but with the subsequent victories, less than half the Fleets continued to form the one around the Stormy Calm Sea, somewhat closer to the other 3* Region. Meanwhile, the inhabitants of the Protes, Inunda, and Tase Regions continuously prepared to defend against the Crimsonbreaking Faction territory.

During the following year, the Crimsons made enormous movements with their military. Their navy seemed strong again, more resilient than ever. As the middle of the Change’s 129th year arrived, the Fleets initiated a bombardment from afar. It started light, taking advantage of their gravity array formations’ bullets and shells to send a barrage and hurl of these to the enemy territories.

This time, the waiting enemies were on the lookout to see any Crimson movement. When it was detected, it was all around their 3 Regions. They had thought the Crimsons were going to employ intimidation tactics because of previous incidents. Thus, the Inunda and Tase Region were relieved to hear that they weren’t the ones attacked.

Meanwhile, the Protes Region felt the pressure fall on them as the Crimsons increased their firepower to a mid bombardment. The Protes Region proceeded to ignore the rest of the world as they focused on defending their home. Thus, they weren’t aware that the other Regions’ bombardment were also increased, leading to missiles flying everywhere as the enemy coastal defenses rapidly fell before the dozens of Fleets arrived at their destination to disembark their soldier units.

This time, they didn’t move backwards and stayed near the shores, proportioning supporting fire from up-close against the enemy cultivators and citizens. The enemy had gone all-out, placing their every war instrument, bullet, shell, missile, and interim pills when the time to give their lives out to give their people more chances arrived.

When the Inunda and Tase Regions received reports from the Protes Region being rapidly invaded, they let out a sigh of relief. The Protes Region was a 2* Region, but despite the Crimsons only targeting the 1* Regions so far, they had never forgotten who were their first victims.

And when they received reports from the different pace the Crimsons adopted in this war, much slower than ever before, even than in the occupation of the Turtle Hiding Region’s north, they fell pensive and frowned. However, they couldn’t do anything but defend against the approaching enemy, which didn’t stop bombarding them but moved slower.

On the 5th day since the Fleets sent to the Protes Region took its coasts and directly destroyed many settlements with their naval bombardment, the situation changed. It placed deep fear and trepidation into every moving living being in the 2 ‘remaining’ northern Regions. What happened wasn’t any simpler than the fact that the Fleets around the Inunda Region never stopped approaching their Region.

Despite the detouring and slow pace the Fleets around the Region employed, after several days, they suddenly rushed to the Inunda Region, the last 2* northern Region. From the Cas Ca Bel Regions, the Inunda Region’s southern territory was obliterated in a matter of hours, letting many Fighters in those 3 1* Regions to freely fly further into enemy territory and wreak havoc.

In the worst tragedies of the Stormy Calm Sea since the 10 year war. 2 Regions were engulfed in the flames of fire from every angle.

2 days later. When the Protest Region’s territory was suddenly 60% in the Crimsonbreaking Faction territory’s control, the Tase Region was placed in an even worse spot. The Tase Region had the Fanto Region to their south, which was always a monumental threat, and the Pory Region’s southern land section at their east. Now, they had the Protes Region, burning in the flames of war in their north… they were surrounded.

What’s more, to the west, they couldn’t even help the Inunda Region because they were already under the same fire. And then, just a couple of days after they became overly stressed with news of the Inunda Region being invaded, the Tase Region watched as a dozen Fleets navigated directly towards them.

Although the Tase Region was expecting something like this, they still lost all hope when it happened. Their spirits were low, but they still wouldn’t give themselves up. After confirming the silence from the south, the Tase Region also entered the war. Of the remaining 3 Regions, they were the bravest and most courageous enemies the Crimsons faced.

However, while the Protes Region suddenly suffered a lightning advancement by the Crimsons, which took 60% of their territory. After the Tase Region was invaded from the north, by the Protes Region’s war, the east, by the Pory Region, and south, by the Fanto Region, they gave up the territory they gained up north.

With this, the Protes Region saw a chance as they recuperated their lost territory. However, the crimsons had already burnt and destroyed everything to lifelessness. The civilians were also forced to become the Turtle Hiding Region’s refugees.

That’s right. The Fleets had focused on sending large vessels back and forth, protecting them from enemy fire, accident or not. Civilians were brought to the Turtle Hiding Region, whether they wanted or not. As the Protes Region’s north was recuperated, they only gained empty land, with not even a civilian in sight.

When the enemy learned what was happening, it was tool ate, and the Crimsons had already started boarding the civilians into large vessels to the Turtle Hiding Region. The Protes, Inunda, and Tase Regions couldn’t move their troops to secure the civilians weren’t forced away. When the Protes Region attempted it and failed, the northern territory they had just recuperated was lost again. And the war continued.

A few weeks later, the Protes Region’s forces were hunted by the Crimsons’ special force. Whenever they wanted to move farther outside their Medium City’s territory, they were trampled and left with only a few remains on a destroyed road a scouting team found. It didn’t take long for them to finally lose their heart. They surrendered while the war was still ongoing in the other Regions.

When the Tase Region believed they were next, and they would suffer the full brunt of the Crimsons’ strength, the Crimsonbreaking Faction territory’s special force was sighted in the Inunda Region a month later. Although the Tase Region was surprised and gladdened, they were already growing tired of defending and endlessly dying.

They were the remaining independent 1* Region in the Stormy Calm Sea. They didn’t have as many resources and people to respond as the 2* Regions. They had received benefits from the islands Regions back then, but much lesser than the 2* Regions. They couldn’t last forever.

The Inunda Region suffered the most from the 3 Regions’ wars after the special force appeared in their territory. Anastasia’s troops and Molto’s assassins flew left and right as the Inunda Region’s center, their perfectly defended Medium City, watched as their newly built forts to form a centralized defensive formation were destroyed one by one.

While the couple of billion soldier units’ slow advancement was something to fear, the enemy was more concerned in knowing where the special force went to next. Wherever they went, it meant losing whatever was there. Furthermore, the special force’s navy was even as blatant as to rush inland and dock in the ground. The gravity array formations kept them from landing flat on their sides.

The special force sent many spies to gather intel before attacking an enemy fort, settlement, and organization’s outpost. They only acted after completely preparing. The only way for the enemy to know the special force had acted was to see a hundred spaceship Frigates flying to any particular location. There, they’d pick up the special units below and drop their elite auxiliary units to work the place and move the civilians.

Meanwhile, the special units would be moved to a hidden base to prepare for their next target. A couple of hundred million troops was all Anastasia needed, which she commanded with Xue Yoler’s aid. Anastasia was too young and inexperienced managing such tremendous numbers. It wasn’t just cultivators, but citizens, too. Besides, even the citizens had a mount.

Thus, the Crimsons gradually took over the Inunda Region. The special force only acted when enough, a lot, intel was gathered. They also shared other information with the main forces, letting them have an easier, less risky yet efficient-still approach to continue conquering the Region.

A year and 2 months after the war’s 3rd part resumed, the Protes and Inunda Region were successfully occupied. In their last breaths of life, the old ‘regime’ of the Inunda Region offered the Crimsons a last battle where they amounted nearly a billion citizens.

In the end, the enemy Universe realm cultivators acted, but were stopped by 10 Universe realm cultivators from the Crimsonbreaking Faction. At last, their Medium City was half destroyed after the battle. After moving the civilians away, they finished destroying the Medium city, leaving a wide empty land in the middle of the Inunda Region.

The Tase Region half-surrendered at that moment. The rest of the Region, huddled in their Small City, waited for the Crimsons to arrive near their doors to show themselves. They didn’t offer a last standing battle, but a plethora of duels where the Planet Gate realm who finally returned, and few Universe realm cultivators challenged the Crimsonbreaking Faction territories’ equals.

Fight after fight, it wasn’t a surprise that the enemy was slaughtered in these duels. Although some gave a fight, and an interesting one at that, it didn’t come as a surprise. Elyor dealt with their strongest Universe realm 3rd and 5th stage cultivators, ending their lives in a move after allowing them a couple of moves.

The war had ended on their side, After the Inunda Region was conquered, 4 months passed before the Crimsons arrived at the Tase Region’s Small City’s territory, where they dueled and died with honor. Although their brains were still turned to mush, the rest of the Tase Region gained good points in Heian Ciemnosc’s mind.

It came just in time for Heian Ciemnosc’s breakthrough into the Universe realm 4th stage. With the ‘new’ corpses from the war’s 3rd part, Heian Ciemnosc secured 50 years of cultivation without interruption.

After the war’s 3rd part ended, and the world watched, becoming more heated in their debates and taking sides, which nobody asked them to. Heian Ciemnosc laid a simple yet new order to Etherea, who once again achieved his expectations greatly. His order surprised Etherea, but she also wanted to try it. Xue Yoler and Elyor were sent as her bodyguards to meet with the Ephemon Region’s leading figures for a surrendering negotiation in the 6th year after the war’s 3rd part once commenced.

…