All We Want Is Power

The Lsefattern Kingdom’s could be seen transforming. From its centralized, most influential Regions, an unstoppable force rushed into the mainland from the sea. Then, as it continued to advance further inside, propagating its reach everywhere, it gradually slowed down. The expansion of the Crimsonbreaking Faction raged on for 7 years. The soldier units wearing a Crimsonbreaking Faction emblem spread from the Kingdom's center to the mainland, amassing an astounding territory that made any ambitious party jealous. Their presence was known everywhere.

After becoming 10 times their initial territory as the Stormy Calm Sea’s Regions, the Crimsonbreaking Faction’s advancement inland slowed down. After all, the more they advanced, the broader their borders became. Thus, in the 3rd year of the war, the Crimsonbreaking Faction territory contacted far away Regions to strike a deal.

The territory wouldn’t move towards these Regions, and they could even form an alliance with the purpose of… gaining ‘more’. The Crimsons made contact with Regions too far from their scope, somewhere still far where their goals were. Even if the Crimsons achieved their purpose, there would be 2 rows of Regions in between.

The Crimsonbreaking Faction territory signed a peaceful agreement with these Regions after a year of debating. In the end, the territory won’t make a move against them, and if there are Regions outside their agreement in between them, they could protect each other.

After the Lsefattern Kingdom realized the Crimsons weren’t stopping, some organizations from the Regions that were next in their eyes fled away, invading other Regions to resupply themselves before continuing fleeing. A lot of conflict broke out because of this. However, it did well for the Crimson land forces' goals, so it mattered little.

However, the enemy Regions became more casual because of this. When the Crimsons invaded a Region, those who weren’t in immediate danger of being invaded supported those Regions. They wouldn’t remain there, but their forces would make a front against the Crimsons. It wasn’t something that could be ignored or taken lightly, which the officials understood.

At the same time, the soldier units waiting in the other Regions, already conquered, would be counter-invaded by another Region, making things more difficult and wasting more time needed to advance. At the very least, other enemy Regions’ forces were weakened or straight up annihilated because of this. Yet, the Crimsons only continued to receive casualties. Thus, it wasn’t worth it.

With the agreement, the enemy Regions no longer easily made a move. When it happened again, the Regions in question were attacked by the Regions that the Crimsons struck a deal with. They were invaded from behind, instead of from where they expected the Crimsons to arrive. The notion was what the Lsefattern Kingdom needed to become disordered.

While the enemy Regions behaved, silently waiting for their turn to become the Crimsonbreaking Faction territory, the rest of the Lsefattern Kingdom started to see for themselves. The 2* Regions hungrily stared at the 1* Regions, and the 1* and 2* Regions fearfully glanced at their neighboring 3* Region if they had one.

After the allied Regions helped the Crimsons, the latter paid the former a moderate amount to let the Region become the Crimsonbreaking Faction territory. After all, they attacked and died to defend the territory. Besides, everyone knew how great the black monster’s business was.

Years passed, and the 7th year since the Crimsons advances into the mainland came. The Crimsonbreaking Faction territory stopped marching into other Regions, with a little more than 2 rows of Regions between them and their ally Regions, which had already started conquering some of the Regions in between. On the other hand, the Crimsons silently announced their halt.

As the 205th Change’s year arrived, the Lsefattern Kingdom was finally erupting in war. Every few tens of millions of kilometers, Regions fought each other. Some were equal opponents, but most abused others with their numbers and higher Step organization level. Besides, with the citizens’ new popularity, they used them to attack those 1 or 2 Steps below them. It was a win-win situation. Virtually every organization needed a formal citizen army, or they’d immediately lose to the passing times and improvement that the rest of the Kingdom was already developing.

The Crimsons set their border around their territory, of course. The garrison units from the Stormy Calm Sea were sent to the borders by a small amount. More were in the way, either by the dozens and dozens of 1* Regions, dozens of 2* Region, and a few 3* Regions whose reconstruction had already begun. Or the Stormy Calm Sea Regions.

Although only 1* and 2* Regions started producing cultivator and citizen soldier units from their respective inhabitants, with their reconstruction completed, and the civilians’ rehabilitation to civilization. The 3* Regions’ prisoners were sent to hard work as soon as they became part of the Crimsons and showed discipline in following the orders from a military system they barely knew.

No matter who it was, when the prisoners met Heian Ciemnosc, whose aura was at the Universe realm 10th stage, but his prowess lay far beyond it, they fell in awe. Their pride diminished to their knees, as they prostrated themselves before him, surrendering to this impossibly mighty person. He who killed a Godly cultivator in the Universe realm…

Afterwards, as the prisoners slowly and gradually joined the army, the Crimsonbreaking Faction territory welcomed a new phase to their war and military development. The numbers were finally enough to start the project, and its efficiency could reach Heian Ciemnosc’s needs.

Then, even more slowly, as the Lsefattern Kingdom realized the Crimsons were finally taking a breather, the wars across the Kingdom erupted at last. Every group of Regions, surrounding each other or encircling one of the richest Regions in their immediate ‘neighborhood’ either experienced internal war before striking the other Regions, or directly invaded other Regions, forcing them to unite or utterly fall.

Every little tale and story built itself as the Crimsons’ expansion came to a halt…

… In a 3* Region’s tattered central building, which the Crimsons conquered 3 months ago. Heian Ciemnosc stood on the uppermost floor, looking into the distance as if he could see everything happening in the Lsefattern Kingdom. The window had untouched blinds that Heian Ciemnosc separated with his fingers to see through.

Although the Lsefattern Kingdom was in this deplorable state, nobody came and put things in order. Why? Simple. It was a border Kingdom. Hardly any organization would care about it. To conquer it meant to have a target on their backs for any temptation, seduction, greed, and lust that other Existential Sixth Step organizations could offer.

The problem wasn’t their threats or refusing such organizations with the highest status in the world. The issue was to endure the temptation and desire of the things and people they could offer.

Nevertheless, this was but an abandoned Kingdom at best. Heian Ciemnosc understood more than anyone what was required for such a Kingdom to fall into the right person or people’s hands. Many others also did, and despite the dangers behind it, they were inspired by the black monster.

What Dynasty, Empire, or Nation? The Heraxle Clan ruled over them. This was their home, their land!

Either way, war engulfed every Region in the Lsefattern Kingdom. If it hadn’t yet, then it would, soon. It was a matter of time. Heian Ciemnosc… also knew this. The Regions would unite under a sole organization, or Region’s forces, mimicking them. But they didn’t know to gain the hearts of others like Heian Ciemnosc did. Besides, only Heian Ciemnosc was Heian Ciemnosc.

Tap, tap… step, step, step, step.

Heian Ciemnosc turned around as Anastasia and Molto walked towards him. Molto stopped a few meters before Heian Ciemnosc, but Anastasia continued walking. Her head was lowered, and her face scrunched up. Her two maids stood behind Molto, looking saddened.

Heian Ciemnosc walked forth and lifted his right hand to caress Anastasia’s left cheek. But after feeling his hand, she looked up with tears down her eyes before lunging at him. She sobbed, letting it out.

During the last period of expansion, the special force met an unordinary event. An enemy 2* Region hid the forces of other 3* Region, which sneakily moved through countless Regions. Their objective was the Crimsons’ lives. With the Crimsons’ undefeatable record, anyone who made them eat a loss would gain so much prestige they could unite Regions without warring them.

When it happened, the special force was on their own with a billion soldier units from the main forces. While her special units below were in brutal danger as more than 10 billion enemy troops stepped out of their hideouts and charged at her special units. Anastasia could only respond with as much quickness as she could muster, but even then, the situation only grew direr and direr as the special force became cornered in the enemy 2* Region.

The billion soldier units remained at the vanguard, proportioning the special force enough time to rest while other reinforcements from the Crimson armada arrived. Days passed, and the soldier units were virtually annihilated. Of course, the enemy had been downed to 3 billion troops, but that was more than enough to smash the special force, 600 million-strong, and in complete disadvantage.

Xue Yoler did everything in her power to keep attention to their Frigates, but the enemy’s preparations ran deeper than necessary. They had prepared long for this moment. The special force was in heavy danger of being erased, but with Molto and Anastasia’s leadership, the special units fought, never giving the enemy an extra inch to step towards them,

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In the end, the reinforcements arrived several days later, with Tania personally leading half the armada to bombard the hell out of the 2* Region. Besides the billion soldier units who perished to protect her and the special force, more than 100,000,000 special units were killed. In just a few days, the Crimsons suffered this crushing victory. They felt the weight of their scarce numbers.

What more of Anastasia, who watched so many comrades and her people die before her?

“…” Heian Ciemnosc offered Anastasia no words, simply letting her sob to her heart’s content. He caressed her head, her back, hushed her softly… As if she was his baby still. Anastasia gradually calmed down. Her eyes became determined, and although her heart bled from the loss, her resolve steeled. Anastasia wasn’t an inexperienced commander. This only served to hone her into greater heights. Even then, Heian Ciemnosc continued lovingly caressing her head as she nestled her head on his chest, too comfortable in his pampering.

… The matter wasn’t forgotten, but Anastasia had a lot to work with. For starters, she could now increase her special force’s numbers. With her cultivation base, it wasn’t difficult to command a billion-strong army in terms of the distance her Spirit Sense could guide her troops.

It was also a reminder to the Crimsons, though. Even when all of these Regions have proven to be less capable than the Stormy Calm Sea Regions, even when considering their arsenal and war instruments, the Crimsons could never give half a step. And if in doubt, give at least an extra step or two.

Years passed. The memory of the Crimsonbreaking Faction territory was gradually erased, replaced by ambition and lust as Region after Region submitted to one another. Although the 1* and 2* Regions could only force others to submit, those active 3* Regions began their expansion like the Crimsonbreaking Faction territory did.

However, barely any thought landed in the territory’s direction. They were too busy forming a united front and grouping between a few or several Regions, becoming more centered and developing their forces, inspired by the Crimsons.

3 years after the Crimsons halted, half their new territory, which was 30 times larger than it used to in the beginning, bloomed under the auxiliary units’ hands. There was still a whole lot to work with. The 7 years of warring against the Regions, occupying them and expanding the territory brought the greatest losses the Crimsons have faced so far. But at the very least, most of these didn’t come from the Crimsonbreaking Faction’s Soldier and Officers.

8 billion soldier units perished, of which most belonged to citizens. Despite the cultivators’ survival capabilities in these wars, they still numbered around 3 billion. However, even they were more aggrieving of the citizens’ deaths. The number of people back at the Stormy Calm Sea suffering because of this news was astronomical.

Furthermore, the engaging activities between cultivators and citizens in the Chief’s forces were overly smooth. It wasn’t a mistake to say that many lovely couples were separated throughout this war. Those that managed to reunite with their citizen darlings felt the most fortunate in the world. A sensation they couldn’t explain nor wanted to feel again.

This was a difficult beginning for the soldier units in the end. Their loss spread through the Crimsonbreaking Faction territory, but the atmosphere didn’t decrease or became heavier. While it was heavy, it wasn’t desolate. The Chief ordered 5 years of sorrow, in which the 12th year since their mainland invasion began, arrived.

Slowly, the military welcomed an increase in their numbers. The navy also developed around the shore Regions, especially that 3* Region, which had great potential for ring transportation. But the navy didn’t take most of the attention for the auxiliary units still busy back home at the Stormy Calm Sea.

Nonetheless, the Crimson news anchor was still watched by hundreds of trillions throughout a week, but the other news anchors covering the many wars in the Lsefattern Kingdom gained more attention. Especially since the Kingdom became popular among the universal netizens across the Universal Lands.

Nevertheless, time continued running. After the years of sorrow ended, 7 years of peace surrounding the Crimsonbreaking Faction continued… until they no longer wanted to sit and do nothing. They’ve learned, trained, adapted, and improved… Their dream wouldn’t be achieved by doing nothing.

The Lsefattern Kingdom had met with a war epidemic. The orbiting space stations became lonely, albeit many people still used them as stops and to refill their Energy Stone storage before continuing their journey. Many people made great business there, and they were now recognized as space stations for comfort and lodging.

Below, the Lsefattern Kingdom continued raging with their Regional wars. It suddenly became a rich place where itinerant cultivators could try their luck. Besides, such an old Kingdom had to hide many secret treasures everywhere. It was a land of cultivation, treasures, and money.

Nevertheless, one thing was clear. The Regions spent over a decade to decide the ‘winner’ from their group of Regions. Those that were too slow were overrun by 2* or even 3* Regions, who had a much easier start with much weaker Regions surrounding them. However, even the latter spent more time occupying Regions than one thought it could take. They were slower, less efficient, dorky, and even suffered consequential losses or failed to protect or achieve strategic points.

Something seemed to lightly echo through the Lsefattern Kingdom’s inhabitants’ minds, but they couldn’t quite remember what. The Crimsonbreaking Faction territory was about ⅛ of the entire Lsefattern Kingdom, especially because they occupied the largest ocean in the Kingdom. However, not even that was enough to keep the attention of other Regions onto them, unlike those neighbors around their border.

However, that was just fine. The Crimsons would remind them, the warring Regions, the world… how to do it.

In the 100th year since the Lsefattern Kingdom’s Kingdom-wide war started by the black monster’s declarations, 132 years since the Crimsons arrived at the Turtle Hiding Region’s south, the Crimsonbreaking Faction territory resumed their conquest. Albeit not as brutal and headstrong as before. It was monumental, and when they reappeared, it was like the strict uncle entering a mom and children’s household where the former needed a hard hand as a parent, which she didn’t have.

Suddenly, the Lsefattern Kingdom obtained transmissions from what seemed like important, influential sources, but they couldn’t distinguish them. With all these wars, it was difficult to find a group of Regions without war to contact the Universal Conveyance. The news anchors were the only way to get the earliest and most direct news from the Lsefattern Kingdom.

With the logo of the news anchor the Crimsons supports, the numerous available digital screens and holograms showed, in perfect resolution, the vast territory of several Regions. These flourished with peace and vibrant life. Not one of them was a little lacking, and their rural areas were worked and protected so well that they didn’t seem so rural anymore.

Then, the images revealed these to be near a shore, one shared by dozens of other Regions… and even what seemed like a 3* Region. The people didn’t need this to be explained with cows to understand this was the Crimsonbreaking Faction territory!

As soon as that realization hit them like lightning, the images showed the Stormy Calm Sea Regions. They could see the hundreds of warships moving about, calmly enjoying the waves in the water, although they remained still. The military and non-military ports in each island Region were packed with people moving, coming and going… these were civilians.

Their livelihoods had never been so close to the cultivators. They could just move light stuff and gain a ton of money every year. Or set a foot stall near the ports, the headquarters, and even live in the forts to feed the soldier and garrison units. As for the auxiliary units, those were like their very own people. The civilians didn’t even wish to charge them for any food or lodging. They were the civilians’ benefactors, one way or another.

Then, the images finally showed the Turtle Hiding Region. With its Large City and the notorious Turtle Hiding Fortress that the Lsefattern Kingdom had conveniently forgotten everything about. The image suddenly zoomed into the latter. A new frame appeared as a black room with seemingly dim yet bright lights, and gained a direct first pov, sitting before a table with many people. The person they were looking through was much taller than the angle, but they seemed to sit in a place where they could perfectly observe everyone.

There were a few dozen sitting around the table, with empty spots beside the person the camera took an angle from. Another 30 or so people stood on a higher step than those sitting at the table. This was the Turtle Hiding Region’s Central Building, where the most busy people in the territory worked for their lives’ future and to accomplish their goals.

“Today is the 214th year, 8th month, 1st week, and 7th day of the Change,” a beautiful, brown, professional young woman said as she moved a few documents before her. After speaking those words, she looked into the space before her. Immediately, the angle blinked. When the sudden black screen revealed colors and light again, it was right in front of another camera angle. Etherea’s voice echoed sternly, “Let’s initiate today’s meeting to decide the Lsefattern Kingdom.”

Etherea’s words were already bold enough to make the people watching them from afar fall silent and feel disdainful. Sure, the Crimsons were the big deal, but not that big of a deal. However, the Lsefattern Kingdom remained silent, and the ongoing wars’ battles seemed to gradually stop. They wanted to watch and listen with rapt attention.

Besides… those people standing above everyone else were none other than Universe realm cultivators! Most of which belonged to the Crimsonbreaking Faction. Their attention was grabbed, alright.

“The past circumstances the Chief’s forces found themselves in were precarious to a certain degree.” Etherea commenced, looking straight into the screen. “The reason we wouldn’t let our targets surrender at the beginning was because we were only a small force from a Third Step organization. We had things to prove, power to demonstrate, a heart to connect with the thumping of the 3* Region, and sought the Kingdom’s natural approval.”

“We have achieved all of these, and a little more,” Etherea said, lightly speaking the last 4 words. She momentarily paused before continuing calmly, “The Crimsonbreaking Faction territory now conveys to the Lsefattern Kingdom that we will no longer knock on your doors first before thinking about negotiations. From now on, anyone who wholeheartedly, completely surrenders and gives in to the Crimsonbreaking Faction territory will be spared for not surrendering 100 years ago.”

“You can join us, but you’ll still go through the same procedures many others before you have, albeit without the loss of so many of our people. The Lsefattern Kingdom has never been our enemy or our rival. You’ve only been tested by time. As for your results, you’ve been lacking a leader for more than 200 years.”

“We don’t need to prove a point anymore. Don’t need to show our strength and commitment. We’ve shown it all, we’ve earned everything we set our eyes on. It’s time… for the Lsefattern Kingdom to know their true rule, their purpose… This is not a Kingdom for guests. This isn’t a Galaxy made for others to use as their sports. This is no Universal hotel!”

Images appeared, showing the Flora-Sweet White-Heavens Dynasty, Est Soul Empire, and Bluenet Nation’s younger generation at the peak of the Third Step moving things from Kingdom to Kingdom in the Ossinox Galaxy, and between their every Regions.

As the frames around Etherea’s body and face appeared and disappeared, a fierce knit on her eyebrows was formed. All eyes on her.

…