Resilient For The Future

In the mansion. Heian Ciemnosc exited his cultivation bedroom with Dinayid walking beside him. Today was the 198th year, 3rd month, 1st week and 1st day of the Change.

They reunited with Heian Ciemnosc's core circle after exiting cultivation. Many seats were placed, with the others mingled in idle chatter as Heian Ciemnosc was noticed. They faced Heian Ciemnosc and waited for him to come down the stairs. Once before them, Heian Ciemnosc nodded at them before sitting on his chair. Little Dina walked to her parents, sitting beside Elyor like a docile, cute little girl. She was their pure lass still.

“Everyone, sit,” Heian Ciemnosc said before warming his seat before the chimney again. The others nodded and followed suit, with Anastasia and Xue Yoler sitting beside him, with his subordinates beside them.

“Begin,” Heian Ciemnosc looked at Etherea and Ramirez before voicing out. His body leaned slightly forwards, with his hands on his knees. They nodded before giving the start to the briefing. Heian Ciemnosc had entasked these two with dealing with the managing of the land forces and navy. Now that 50 years have passed, this meeting was the prelude to their following actions.

Heian Ciemnosc cultivated to the Universe realm early level in the following 30 years after the first 20, where the relations between the Turtle Hiding Region and the Asabas Region began healing. He had only been in the 10th stage for these 3 months.

Etherea was the first to stand up and begin the briefing. The state of everything in the military of the territory was laid in everyone’s ears. Heian Ciemnosc could already see gears working in those heads. He didn’t interrupt and let Etherea continue. At last, she began finishing after clarifying the state of the spaceships before starting with the forces in each Region.

“The forces in the Turtle Shell Region, Weeping Viper region, islands Regions, and Fanto Region have remained as strong and stable as in the past. Their population is now more stable. Although it is growing, the programs to send them to the other 2* Regions in the south and the Non-Presentable Calm Region for cultivation, citizen training, or a lifestyle with more ease have only shown improving results yearly.”

“Ahem,” Etherea cleared her throat. Her eyes sparkled a little before beginning. She had grown, no longer a young woman who had to learn and accumulate experience. Even Ramirez, Tania, Elyor, and Grietta were contented with her progress, let alone Heian Ciemnosc, her boss.

“The Dropping Tear Region’s forces are 1.3 billion soldier units, 600 million garrison units, 1.8 billion auxiliary units, and 2 ports in the north and south. These 6 Fleets are fully-and-extra operable.”

“The Pory Region’s forces amount to 1.4 billion soldier units, 700 million garrison units, 1.9 auxiliary units, and 2 ports in the northwest and southeast. All 6 Fleets are fully-and-extra operable.”

“The Protes Region’s forces are 2.3 billion soldier units, 1.1 garrison units, 3 billion auxiliary units, and 3 ports in the northwest, northeast, and east. All 9 Fleets are fully-and-extra operable.”

“The Tase Region’s forces are 1.5 billion soldier units, 900 million garrison units, 2 billion auxiliary units, and 1 port in the northeast. Their Fleets are fully-and-extra operable.”

“The Inunda Region’s forces amount to 2.5 billion soldier units, 1 billion garrison units, and 4 billion auxiliary units. They have only 1 port in their west, whose 3 Fleets are fully-and-extra operable.”

“The Ephemon Region’s forces are 700 million soldier units, 2 billion auxiliary units, and 600 million garrison units. They have 3 ports in the north, northwest, and southeast. All 9 Fleets are fully-and-extra operable.”

“The Asabas Region’s forces amount to 2 billion soldier units, 1.5 billion garrison units, 3 billion auxiliary units, and 3 ports in their northeast, southwest and easternmost territory. Their 9 Fleets have successfully become fully-and-extra operable.“

“The Non-Presentable Calm Region’s forces amount to 5 billion soldier units, 3 billion garrison units, 8 billion auxiliary units, and 2 ports in the northeast and southwest. Their 6 Fleets have long become fully-and-extra operable.”

“Lastly,” Etherea’s eyes sparkled. This time, they were more steely and venerating. The others around here, including those preceding the other Regions, listened with rapt attention. “The Turtle Hiding Region’s forces have reached their peak after conquering the Stormy Calm Sea, as Chief instructed.”

“The territory’s core’s forces are 8 billion soldier units, 4 billion garrison units, and 20 billion auxiliary units. The population has finally increased to 150 trillion inhabitants. The prospect is even more magnanimous,” Etherea smiled, quite proud. “Our total forces amount to 28.8 billion soldier units and 102 Fleets.”

“Were this to be in space, we would be scary, my liege. Anywhere we went,” Etherea said before bowing, waiting for Heian Ciemnosc’s instructions. Heian Ciemnosc nodded and said nothing, but Etherea could feel his contentment with her. It wasn’t an unfounded notion, their nature had already linked after working together for so many years.

“Good job. Give Ramirez the limelight,” Heian Ciemnosc said. Etherea smiled brightly for a second before walking to her seat. She professionally accommodated herself as Ramirez began explaining the happenings around the territory’s navy. They were all ready, with the Faunae below them having chosen to form a deal with them to defend the Stormy Calm Sea. After all, if the Regions above gained more riches and territory, it meant more for their Faunae to exchange.

In the end, Heian Ciemnosc nodded before delegating his orders and positions to his people. Besides that, some youngsters present were directly promoted. Then, he looked at Etherea and Ramirez, “My initial thoughts haven’t changed. Ramirez, you’ll become the navy’s supreme commander. Do well. Etherea, you will be supreme commander of the land forces. Don’t let your seniors intimidate you. You’ll have Elyor, Tania, and Grietta to assist you in any dangerous situation towards you. The rest will be handled by you alone.”

“I’ll make you proud, my liege!” Etherea stood up and declared, vowing with her right fist hitting her left chest softly yet determinedly. Ramirez stepped forth, half-bowed, and nodded before offering some words calmly. “I’m thankful. I’ll do what everyone else would. Make your forces worthy of your name, black monster.”

Heian Ciemnosc nodded. Ramirez stepped back and returned to the crowd. Heian Ciemnosc stood up and faced everyone. Grietta smiled at him, in a good mood. Heian Ciemnosc nodded at the parents whose child he was about to kidnap. They slightly nodded back. Then, Heian Ciemnosc declared as he gestured to Dinayid with his right hand, “From now on, Dinayid will become my subordinate. She has just broken into the Third Step, but she’ll join this war.”

“Before concluding this meeting, we’ll discuss who goes where and why. I’ll only meddle in if I want to correct. I’m not testing any of you, so just go ahead and debate before me.” With that, Heian Ciemnosc returned to his seat, with Dinayid walking to a new chair with his subordinates after receiving a nod from her parents.

Anastasia received Dinayid with a big sister’s smile… which rapidly turned into a slightly helpless one after realizing who her new mother could be. Someone younger than herself… Fortunately, she was used to his father’s other lovers, or she wouldn’t have accepted this change so easily.

Still, the girls treated each other cordially as the meeting became lively with the ongoing debating. Heian Ciemnosc had to step in a few times every fifteen minutes or so. On the other hand, Etherea was interrupted by him twice only. Each were to encourage her into using fewer forces to their particular operation.

With these 2 interruptions, Etherea understood what she lacked if she wanted to make her name as Heian Ciemnosc’s subordinate brighten, no matter the circumstances. And to improve herself beyond her limits.

She needed to trust her troops more.

Despite the harsh struggles during the 3rd and final part of the war to conquer the Stormy Calm Sea. The initial standing points against the Turtle Shell Region and the first northwestern Regions to go down clearly proved the Crimsons’ ability, and that they had the capability of more. After all, the Regions in the Stormy Calm Sea were more powerful than most other Regions.

Even other peak Regions used to be completely beneath them. If this Lsefattern Kingdom’s core was given a few hundred years, they’d become a force to reckon in the world throughout the Third Step. Not even the Stormy Calm Sea had as many battle array formations as they once did before the 10 year war. The Crimsons’ many battle array formations were a definitive, overwhelming advantage during these conquests.

If the Crimsons were to move elsewhere… outwards… what would the result be like?

While the debate continued, Heian Ciemnosc examined his family-like members. Anastasia had broken into the Farsighted realm supreme stage. With the Soul-exalting Old World parchment’s knowledge, it was simply easier to break through the realms, as if it was a cheating Armament.

Clanton and Moy reached the peak of the Bright realm, Cara’s cultivation base achieved the Planet Gate realm shallow stage, which would remain that way for the coming decades. However, she and a few others have at least achieved that much.

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Sandra was also at the peak of the Bight realm. Ruo Wei, Loma, and Rosina had broken into the Planet Gate realm and stabilized their cultivation base and consolidated their foundation at the shallow stage.

After several decades, Etherea also reached the Planet Gate realm. She had more time cultivating, and had a few stages above others from his Eternal Return Team since long ago. Thus, despite her not-so-commendable potential, she had reached this point.

Each of his subordinates except for Molto also broke into the Planet Gate realm shallow stage. Molto was at the peak of the Farsighted realm. She had spent these 50 years focusing on training herself and discovering herself more by training other assassins and from her master’s teachings than cultivating. Her meditation time was probably the highest compared to that of his other subordinates and Team members.

When the debate became heated but needed more data from their targets, Molto stepped up to reveal information about the shore Regions in the main land. The others were surprised to see Molto relay this information instead of Elyor. However, Molto proved her methods and efficiency as she informed everyone. She was indeed her master’s disciple. The debate continued.

… After things were over, Heian Ciemnosc released a sigh, closed his eyes, and basked in the emptied out living room. The chimney cracked with an orange, dark flame. As Sara comfortably relaxed in his inner universe, lying around his neck in a fetal position covered with colorful, vibrant colored sheets, Heian Ciemnosc looked back at the chimney.

His darkest eyes lazily landed on the flames, they reflected the dark, ordinary orange of his dark fire. After looking at this for a few minutes, Heian Ciemnosc stood up and decided to walk into his meditation bedroom to rest. He initially thought of his main bedroom, but there were no bodies to hold while trying to sleep.

No matter how advanced his cultivation was, Heian Ciemnosc still had an inexplicable insomnia.

***

After the meeting ended, the Crimsonbreaking Faction territory suddenly started moving. When everyone was curious, and only the military were aware of the veracity of the ‘sudden rumors’, a notice that thrilled everyone’s blood spread throughout the Stormy Calm Sea.

“The Chief is showing up?” - “Oh my god! I wonder what cultivation base he has now? I think it’s the Universe realm intermediate stages. If not, then at least the peak of the early stages!” - “Did you see that? Miss Dinayid has become the Chief’s subordinate!” - “Indeed. Only someone like them can catch the Chief’s eye.” - “What’s going on? Is there going to be a new hunt of Faunae plague? That view of cooperating with the underwater fellows 10 years ago was amazing!”

One way or another, the world wasn’t ready for a full-blown war. In the case of many civilians in the territory, they didn’t want to become the world’s enemy in the Lsefattern Kingdom. However, rumors were spread everywhere. The only thing they could do was deny them.

A couple of hours passed. Half the territory was busied, but the other half walked to the nearest screen or holographic projection device. A few minutes later, an image was shown, showcasing Heian Ciemnosc’s visage before slowly zooming out. He wore lavish, humble yet ravishing dark clothes.

“I have a project…” Heian Ciemnosc rubbed the tip of his nose before saying those words. He casually looked at the camera. He had grown. Although he was still a young man, nothing could obstruct the vicissitudes of life he has amassed after a journey more than 100 years old.

“We have to keep moving so we can remain at the peak. When we settle with what we have, we are doing the rest a favor to not place stress upon them, but we’ll draw unwanted attention to ourselves. I won’t wait. It has been 84 years since I came here, but the Lsefattern Kingdom has already changed because of it. Because I guided you. Now, I’ll make use of that value and bravery I’ve been shown by the Kingdom’s inhabitants.”

“The past wars are a demonstration of what you’re capable of. When you remember the past, you don’t see the same lives and thoughts you had then. You don’t need to have them anymore. All I need is your willingness. That’s why, no matter what happens in the future. If you believe you cannot do it, or hold it onto your heart. If your family isn’t your moral support, if your Region isn’t enough. If the Stormy Calm Sea isn’t all there is, and if you’re unwilling to die for the Crimsonbreaking Faction, then… Do it for yourselves.”

“Under my command, participate in the future, and follow the rest of your comrades to battle. Bring your family and loved ones to teach the rest of the world how to accept. Lead your people, knowing what you’re doing isn’t noble… but conquest!” Heian Ciemnosc’s darkest eyes lightly narrowed. He formed a fist with his right hand before stepping forth.

“I did not speak big words because I wanted acceptance… from anyone. Nor did I threaten the entire Lsefattern Kingdom to make a point… I did it because I could… and I intend to keep it that way.” Heian Ciemnosc’s quiet words were followed with a silent uproar. The civilians looked at each other, baffled yet… excited?

Fwoosh!

Heian Ciemnosc flung his sleeves, lifting his arms upwards and spreading them to the sides. A dark screen seemed to wash down behind him, reveling a crowd of people. However, it wasn’t Heian Ciemnosc who suddenly teleported there. Instead, Heian Ciemnosc’s surrounding scenery changed, revealing a warship’s interior.

Behind him were thousands of soldier units, some of them were elite soldier units. Then, the civilians suddenly felt a ‘click’ in their minds. Before they could become too shocked, Heian Ciemnosc’s voice rang again. He spoke with a revering charm nobody could deny.

“Once we occupy the Lsefattern Kingdom,” Heian Ciemnosc’s words were already forcing everyone’s eyes to expand. Yet, he continued, concluding with even more Kingdom-shaking sentences. “My forces will lead it. Their people will be mine… and their future secured. This will only be the start, as I previously mentioned. We struggled on our first few decades… but from now on, we will march, ride, navigate, and fly wherever we want with the intention to grab or exchange.”

“This Kingdom was always ours… This Universe will remains ours!”

“… … …” The crowds reacted in more silence. At least, they could look at each other to confirm they were dreaming. Then, they looked at their Chief. Was he crazy… or did he know the heart of the world too well to entice them like this after every single thing considered?

That was when Heian Ciemnosc raised his left hand. His overly pale wrist showed slightly before his dark Vigor Energy shakily formed more fabric to hide his skin. His calm expression was like a beacon of clarity as the civilians waited for his next words with batted breaths. Heian Ciemnosc didn’t make them wait for too long.

“But the fight is left to us… I commenced it. Now I ask of you, my people… will you continue it for me?”

… rumble… rumble, rumble… … rumble, rumble, rumble, rumble~…

A strange notion spread everywhere. From the Stormy Calm Sea Regions’ to the sea outside its perimeters. The civilians weren’t sure what it was, but it had to be something. Otherwise, they wouldn’t feel affected by it and like teenagers meeting their first love. When they felt it, it happened, the entire Stormy Calm Sea’s Regions roared in unison… It was the call for war.

“HUAAAAAAAAAAAGGRRRRRRRRRR!”

… WHOOOOOSH… … … … SPLASH! SWOOSH, SWOOSH, SWOOSH… … … …

In the air, Fighters flew in the tens of thousands as their warships traveled on the water. At this very moment, in the outer perimeters of the Crimsonbreaking Faction territory, 102 Fleets departed from their homes. Billions of soldier units, with a ratio of 40% cultivators and 60% citizens, set off for the mainland Regions.

If an invasion were to happen from the Stormy Calm Sea, it could be from water or air, as they had shown to have more than enough spaceship Frigates. However, the Crimsons opted for the water. It had always been there for them, and their greatest expertise after all these years.

RUMBLE… WHOOOOOOOOSH, SWISH, SWISH… PEW~~~~…!!

Just as the civilians observed several frames showcasing the Fleets and the Fighters overflying their Flotillas, while some Carriers employed reconnaissance practices for any possible detouring Fleet or Faunae outside the Stormy Calm Sea. Thousands of spaceship Frigates flew from the Turtle Hiding Region’s mountain ranges outwards.

They didn’t have a single direction to head into. It was as if countless stars spread everywhere from the Turtle Hiding Region. When the civilians looked up, the spaceships had already activated their small engines and shot into the distance.

In one of those Frigates, Tania stood in the central command of a spaceship whose side had a black and red badge at the side of the Crimsonbreaking Faction emblem. She didn’t have soldier units, citizens, or engineers with her. Everyone working in this central command were Universe realm and Planet Gate realm cultivators. The rest of the spaceship’s crew members were Bright/Silhouette realm and Farsighted realm cultivators. Meaning, Officers, Security Elders, and Disciplinary Elders were all under her in this spaceship.

In contrast, the entire ‘fleet’ of spaceship Frigates was hers to command and assess however she wished. There was no militarized chain of command, but there was one. Tania couldn’t be a supreme commander, but she technically was. Of course, the people piloting all these spaceships were more than glad to serve her. Who wouldn’t? She was the Tania!

When the rest of the Lsefattern Kingdom learned of the Crimsonbreaking Faction territory actually keeping their word, they sent countless scouting Fighter Teams and the like while calling upon their Fleets. The shore Regions suddenly became afraid, but they were prepared, and they showed it, as none of them displayed signs of surrendering.

It wasn’t like the Crimsons would accept it, from what they have shown so far. Thus, the shore Regions wanted to know everything about the trajectory the Crimson Fleets would move and were moving. However, before they could send their Fighters for even 100,000 kilometers, something happened that took that attention away from the sea.

Merely a few thousand kilometers away from the shore Regions, the hundreds of Fighters flying to the sea calmly started their journey. Knowing they were going to face the Crimsons, all they could do to improve their situation was to not succumb to their fear. Once they did, it didn’t matter even if they were actually capable of succeeding in a defense, they would all falter.

POH, POH, POH, POH… WHISTLE- PA- BAN- BAA- BOOOOM! BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM! WHIIIIISTLEEEEE~~- PUH PUH PUH… BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM…!!!

Suddenly, just as they felt an unknown glint occur at an unknown distance before them and higher up in the sky, they suddenly heard artillery guns firing away… Before long, as the Fighters’ pilots widened their eyes, be it looking towards the sun, in the opposite direction, or at a beautiful sea scenery, they wanted to contact their Region but couldn’t.

Because, in the next few seconds, hundreds of Fighters from each shore Region were bombarded from higher in the sky as hundreds of spaceship Frigates continued to fly to their homes. The Fighters were destroyed in less than half a second, followed by the spaceships overflying nearly 100,000 kilometers above the ground, arriving at those Regions before descending until 25,000 kilometers above the ground level approximately.

Then, it began. The war, the true war, the real, non-threatening-only objective of the Chief, black monster. His words… became true. Thousands of spaceship Frigates suddenly descended upon the shore Regions. Even those samaritans wanting to send help to them from afar… backed away due to uncertainty.

…