8 Years

Time passed.

8 years had gone by with the Forbloffende Traes Sect spreading their territory between the inner territory and the southern territory, and between the southern territory with the eastern and western forest. Then, they further developed down the south, forming a 2-piked fork with an extremely short handle turned upside down, circling the other territories. In a sense, it could be taken as a tree's roots sparsely growing downwards.

The other territories laughed at the Sect’s overextended expansion, but the Sect didn’t feel the same way. In fact, they contentedly spread their reach to new places and occupied more terrain under an Inner Disciple. The Outer Disciples were now spread with Pvt. 1st Class to Staff Sergeants, leading from full Teams and Squads of 20 and 48 troops respectively, to Section units between 38 and their maximum 102 troops.

They either patrolled or were tasked with keeping the new roads and protected resources safe. Only when an Inner Disciple stepped in and a situation occurred, or a mission was taken, would they command from a few to quite some hundred Outer Disciples throughout the territory.

The Inner Disciples were still amidst growing, but they could command Platoons and Echelons now, with a rank from Warrant Officer to Staff Captain. The former were many, seconded only by the 1st or 2nd Lieutenants, the Master Warrant Officers and Captains. Only a few dozen had managed to attain the Captain rank.

On the other hand, Todoro and Pretieta had 2 and 3 chances each to take out the dogs and lead 3 Companies of 1,620 maximum to deal with towns who wanted to refuse the Sect’s expansion for ‘whatever’ reason. In the end, those situations ended with no casualties and every insurgent’s execution at the towns’ centers.

They were both Majors, and also the only Core Disciples of the Sect at the moment. After 8 years, the 1.2 million people the forest folk sent to the Forbloffende Traes sect in the first year, which attempted again during the subsequent 2 years; were an insurmountable help.

To the Vrida Region, who were well aware of the forest people’s standards with every passing year’s events and meetings, they were astounded to see such results in those first 3 years. Fortunately, the tense situation between the forest people and the other territories seemed to recess as the years passed. Not much hostility brewed between them, but it did.

Thus, from the 1.2 million the forest people sent to the Sect in just 3 years, with a minority repeating a couple of times at most, the Sect recruited 500 thousand Outer Disciples and 700 thousand Servants. Meanwhile, the Outer Disciple yearly influx of the Sect was 2,555 still, for 20,550 in 8 years. The Servants were 46,355, with 370,840 in 8 years.

In total, the Sect recruited 710,440 Outer Disciples, with the majority belonging to the forest people. On the other hand, 1,070,840 Servants were recruited, with the majority still being the forest people.

With the previous numbers, the Sect had 745,106 Outer Disciples, of which 222,657 Servants were promoted to become Outer Disciples, and formed 967,763 Outer Disciples, nearly a million. Of those Outer Disciples, 14,516 became Inner Disciples, finally filling the spots Todoro and Pretieta played around in the diners and training grounds when no one was watching them from the Outer Disciple section in the Disciple Quarters. For a total of 653,246.

Thus, the 1,484,383 Servants in the Sect became 1.251 million instead, of which 63,086 became gray capes engineers. After a few years, and with some understanding that they might get to 80 without constituting a strand of energy. They also employed tests to verify their affinity with the cultivation path until they became 200% sure. The Servants who were still civilians and didn’t have what it took to become citizens, after numerous failures, finally tried becoming engineers.

This happened in the 47th year, 3 years before the Sect’s expansion halted. This led to a piece of knowledge, a saying, that went ‘in the Forbloffende Traes Sect, everyone has a place to fill’. And it became true as the remaining 5 years passed until today.

Over 60 thousand civilians became engineers and started studying the war instruments, arsenal, and the logistics and miscellaneous Heian Ciemnosc allowed them to in college. After all, the military college was a place to learn, and he could give them pointers so as to which items to study and for how long.

At the 12th month, everyone would get an exam on everything that the Sect Master teaches them, but only those that they are capable of learning and studying counted. That was Heian Ciemnosc’s cruel way to put them under pressure and never let them feel secure with the vast knowledge he freely granted them.

It was also through those 5 years that the number of citizens increased, impulsed by the engineers, who were supposed to be like them, but not fit for direct combat, besides piloting instruments and managing defensive structures.

504,690 citizens were formed in those 5 years after the Servants came to their decision. However, because of the short manpower, still a recurrent issue in the Forbloffende Traes Sect’s enormous inner territory, the citizens had to remain as Servants and help clean everything up.

Thus, after 8 years, the Sect had 2 soldier units, 2.765 million auxiliary units, and a territory of tens of thousands of square kilometers. Although it wasn’t that wide, it did spread further down the south, where the people there loved them and only them the most.

However, the Sect was finally facing its deficiency. In just another short 2 years, it would find itself going bankrupt. Something had to be done, of which, it would involve the other territories no matter what. There’s simply no way they’d allow 1 organization outside their circle to have all the southern resources for themselves, even if it was 1 of them!

… At this time of the year, the 52nd year since the Forbloffende Traes Sect was established, the first month’s peacefulness was to become a drunkard from its environment. Heian Ciemnosc stood atop the still vacant and slightly desolate inner territory. But at least there was some liveliness here and there. It was the afternoon, so the disciples and Servants were relaxed, working and chatting.

“How do you see it?” After Sara spent tens of minutes watching her husband’s peaceful state of mind, watching everything in this organization breathe, filling her with pride, when she finally spoke.

“It’s bad. There won’t be any peaceful future if it goes wrong, but those two have spent enough time with the [Chronicles of Life and Death] Art.” Heian Ciemnosc calmly smirked from the right corner of his mouth before placing his left hand on his right shoulder.

“Hehe, I can feel it,” Sara giggled before blushing. Then, she energetically planted kisses all around her right hand, even outside its shape. Heian Ciemnosc felt her lips on his skin, tender, playful, and simply loving. He smirked before summoning a wide, white letter with Dark Energy in his right index and middle fingers.

Whoosh…

The letter flew in an arch towards the Servant Task Delegation. Soon after, a Servant randomly returned from the usual: sweeping the floor in the Throne Halls’ one of many sections. He was an 11 year old boy, wearing a bear-like, shoulders-wide mantle atop his black, ordinary clothes.

“!” His little face sunk its cheeks as his jaw opened wide. His eyes could nearly pop off at any moment. He had just retrieved another task from the mailbox, which was a huge 1 meter wide and an unknown number of meters deep. It would send a task in the form of a letter, notice, or even within an item, like jade or a gem; upwards every time someone took a task.

“Eh? A rare task?” - “There’s a new rare task? What is it this time?” - “My… Lords!” - “No way- hurry! Before somebody else takes it!”

Suddenly, people outside the Servant Task Delegation entrance clamored. The little boy took the letter into his pockets and went to the desk, rapidly presenting it before the Outer Disciple, who knowingly kept quiet and acted as if the little boy came to take a cleaning bathrooms’ task.

“Here you go. Good luck, young’un.”

The little Servant showed his medallion before calmly stepping out of the building, which others were rushing inside like crazed mobs. Soon, the little boy calmly walked to the flying tools’ renting services. He generously spent 10 Inferior Powerful Stones he was saving for 2 years amidst buying some expenses, before rushing out of the Sect in the fastest flying tool a Servant could ask for.

The sudden, rare task the Servant Task Delegation notified the Servants with was none other than Heian Ciemnosc’s white letter. As for its rewards, it was enough to make some Outer Disciples and even 2 Inner Disciples of the Supervisor Quarters to come out and bring peacefulness back to the Servant Quarters. Only after the notification of someone with the task leaving the Sect appeared did the Servants actually stop, though.

It wasn’t because of the 1 Supreme Powerful Stone, or the 100 merit points offered. No, it was the 10-days long guidance the Sect Master promised to anyone who accomplished the task. As for what the task was? It was simple, yet risky. Thus, Heian Ciemnosc had to really reward whoever took it and completed his task.

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They ought to travel to the largest territory, and personally speak to the first organization territory they come across that the Forbloffende Traes Sect’s Sect Master wishes to hold a meeting in the Gori mansion’s previous location in 3 weeks.

Everyone could imagine the fearful outcomes one would suffer if they were to go there. The worst would be being killed after being tortured and abused in ways no girl would feel like they had it worse than males. In the same manner, the Sect Master’s 10 days of guidance were enough to make anyone risk their lives.

Most Servants who were like this wanted to remain faithful in their cultivation path, with some even wanting to follow those oldies who formed their first strand of energy after a few years under the Sect’s guidance. The sight of their bodies growing youthful while they still failed to begin their cultivation path was one of the toughest hits they could take.

But others, like the little boy, weren’t aiming for cultivation. Yet, they still wanted that guidance to the fullest. As the Sect Master’s teachings went, one could not hope to attain their well own-earned goals if they don’t sweat until the last drop of blood and sanity.

A day later, in the dark of the night, the little boy arrived at the largest territory’s central organization. He was nearly apprehended for wearing the Forbloffende Traes Sect emblem and coming here without invitation or a senior. It was just a Servant showing at one’s door, after all.

However, the little boy stood before the gates and relayed his news. First, to the guards who nearly took him down and imprisoned him, calmly and with steel-like eyes, but a trembling body. Then, to a nearby obscure gray clothed, who notified the purple clothed.

Lastly, the little boy didn’t say anything else but what he came here to do in his task, repeating the same words he had shouted twice. Those very same words the others told the purple clothed, and then heard again by the little boy’s loud and stable shouts. Afterwards, like a proper messenger, the little boy turned around and marched back into the free western forest’s trees.

The whole thing was rather strange, but this organization couldn’t do anything other than to relay the information to the other territories. A few days passed before a lowest-status member from the organization the little boy contacted delivered a letter before swiftly leaving, not even offering a word.

While this happened, Heian Ciemnosc was teaching the boy, Tetor. When the little kid first appeared before him, Heian Ciemnosc slightly grinned. The boy had potential, alright. Of course, his name also reminded him of an old comrade, but Heian Ciemnosc didn’t want to talk about that with Tetor. After all, it’s not nice talking about how he fucked a comrade’s sister.

Surprisingly, the first thing the little boy asked to be taught was military strategies and tactics. Heian Ciemnosc’s first things he learned in the cultivation world besides the basics. Then, the kid wanted to know about nature in more detail. Although he couldn't read nature, his perception was pretty acute and could even connect with his emotions.

The 10 days quickly passed, followed by the remaining 11 as the girls who couldn’t get the task envied Tetor to death. Either way, the Sect knew something was brewing, with their Sect Master specifically requesting this meeting to be held.

Some thought back to how wise and knowledge-flooded he seems to be, but that he might be weak or not as ‘strong’ and unbreakable as they had thought. Others directly believed their Sect Master was planning something to outsmart the other territories and gain prestige. With that, they might form some connections among the 14 organizations.

After all, it isn’t like the Forbloffende Traes Sect knocked at each of their doors and beat them up for no reason. Not yet, at least…

Only Todoro and Pretieta were keen about the Sect Master’s ways. If he was making a move, it had to be necessary. As for the Sect Master’s strength and methods, if he could subdue 2 Second Step Fauna, he could do more. And better things yet.

When the day came, Heian Ciemnosc took off after placing the Sect in the Core Disciple’s hands. It was sad to see that the Forbloffende Traes Sect had become a full-fledged First Step organization with no higher-ups or upper echelons, only a Sect Master.

However, that was fine. Heian Ciemnosc first wanted those from the bottom to reach the peak of the First Step in Craftsmaking, becoming the Sect’s most solid, natural cornerstone, than to rely on unknown people with high cultivation base and ambition. The [Chronicles of Life and Death] Art wasn’t something he could allow to be misused. Meaning, against him, or trying to copy it.

Either way, he slapped the air with his 1 meter long dark tail and appeared a few hundred kilometers from the largest territory, which had now expanded to the town Saon Gori used to lead.

… On the accorded day, the Change’s 614th year, 1st month, 3rd week, and 7th day. The place was already cleaned up after the largest territory did a little expansion. Yet, they still hadn’t taken the last bits of the western forest’s easternmost extremes.

14 figures stood in the air, waiting for the hour to come, as they had arrived early to chat and exchange information from the latest news and happenings in the Region. At last, one of them jolted his head before staring in the east’s direction. “We’ve detected something. He must’ve used that incredible movement Art. It might even be a Supreme Art, for all we know.”

“Mn, that black monster wannabe seems to have been struck by luck before coming to our Vrida Region.” - “It’s still not known whether-” - “No. But it makes more sense the more you think about it.” - “Which peak First Step cultivator we don’t know? There’s only those forest people’s Ruptured, which only some of them keep talking about. Who knows what else they can invent?”

The chatter calmed down after a bit of tension. They returned to their previous chatter and exchange of news for about 10 minutes before Heian Ciemnosc appeared, carrying his dark coat in his right hand while flying towards them.

Some of them reacted peculiarly. Everyone knew Darkness owned a Peaksky Swan mount. Nevertheless, Heian Ciemnosc showed up alone and with his coat already off. His dark long-sleeved shirt defined his muscles. They weren’t ‘little’ so to speak.

When Heian Ciemnosc stopped before the 14, he slightly nodded before looking down. His neck nearly twisted. He descended and took 14 lavish, but humble, silver chairs and placed them around him, below and in front of their floating bodies, closer to each other.

“Come, sit down. I assure you, floating isn’t that amazing. Some of you are wearing robes, and some others have Wind affinity and a decent Spirit Sense.” Heian Ciemnosc took a dark chair for himself, smaller and thinner than the silver chairs, with regular, boring, clear spaces on its backrest.

The 14 figures looked at their chairs before giving Heian Ciemnosc a look. They sat on them after endlessly probing them with their Spirit Senses. As they descended, Heian Ciemnosc summoned large jugs and jade jars before sending them through the air, smoothly flowing to the others.

Drip, splash. Splash~. Splash~~.

As they regurgitated, the mere act of some liquor meeting the air outside the jars and jugs filled the atmosphere with different tastes and smells. Some were fruity, others were salty, some were spicy, and fewer detected a trace of elegance hidden in between.

“And please,” Heian Ciemnosc said, taking a sip of his jar. He ignored the cup floating before him, and stood up. He placed the jar on the ground as the others got comfortable in their chairs. Heian Ciemnosc was the host, so he must act decently. But he saw them hesitate on whether drinking his creations or not. Even though their Spirit Sense and whatever little nature reading they had told them yes, the scent it gave reminded them of a thorny dark rose.

“Drink. Trust me, I don’t even want to get rid of you. That’s my sincerity. Take a sip, then you can throw it away if you’d like,” Heian Ciemnosc shrugged and said before walking a few steps forward.

“My Sect doesn’t count with unlimited resources, nor is it good friends with all of you. However, my Sect is also not what anyone can simply take a look at and want to destroy it. Be it immediately…” Heian Ciemnosc’s darkest eyes casually looked at them, darting his eyes to an old man with short, white hair well-combed to the right. “Or over time.”

“I hold this meeting to seek a consensus. It’s simple, so let me start first,” Heian Ciemnosc looked at them and lowered his chin. His right fingertips on his sternum as he slightly lifted his eyebrows. His voice was calm, “As I traveled to the south, I found many resources grown there. From ordinary to those with energy oozing from them. I also discovered many Inferior Powerful Stone ores.”

The others finally started drinking for whatever reason, desire or… need. They heard Darkness’s words as they realized their drinks’ contents came from the Vrida Region itself. From the south to the north. Its forests and even the shores.

However, they also became felt a little cold. Each of them received a drink to their liking. Their preferences were triggered, and they felt satisfied to great degrees. That’s what scared them. They looked at Heian Ciemnosc with emphasis as he continued.

“It is not fair for it to become the treasure of others after I spent many years building my Sect. What’s more, I have never acted upon the resources in the north or even the center, where my Sect inner territory lies.” Heian Ciemnosc’s voice was actually soft, but it became strangely heavy to hear him. Their breath felt weighed down as he didn’t stop.

“So here’s that,” Heian Ciemnosc casually changed his attitude to a lackadaisical one. “My Sect will never contend for any resources in the north and center, much less accept them from any of you. We’ll remain ‘resource neutral’ for 5,000 years.”

“In exchange…” Heian Ciemnosc’s attitude returned to a calm one, but one with strange coldness which seeped into their mindsets. “The 14 organizations don’t contend for the southern resources. Don’t form a vassal or send any force to the south to contend for them, and will abide by these rules for 100 years.”

“You can’t really deny this deal, right?” Heian Ciemnosc continued showing calmness and even an expressionless pair of darkest eyes. The others felt an instant of trepidation for some reason. But before one of them could interject, Heian Ciemnosc barked out before smoothly continuing, “Besides! My Forbloffende Traes Sect won’t reach an advanced level before a few hundred years at most. Oh. You’ve made sure of that.”

“My Sect isn’t big enough to even take care of the resources in its territory, heh- hah hah.” Heian Ciemnosc offered a hearty, breathy chuckle. Then, he looked at everyone, slowly spreading his arms to his shoulders’ height.

Were this to be anyone else in Darkness’s shoes, they would feel embarrassed. But he wore a calm expression and relaxed body that made him seem exalted instead. The 14 figures looked at this bizarre scene and into each other’s eyes with hidden meanings before one of them, the old man with stylish, white hair, loudly asked in a daunting tone.

“Sect Master Darkness. May we know where your 2 little pets are? Why are they not here with you? I’m afraid I wanted to take a Soul image for my grandchildren. Can I not?”

“Ah, you see…” Heian Ciemnosc embarrassingly smiled and lowered his head, clearly feeling bashful, and even conflicted. He shrugged while lifting his chin, tilted his head to the left, leaving it hanging, and clearly said in yet a whisper.

“Those two are too troublesome. I can’t bring them with me every time. You know how Fauna is. They like to be free and unrestrained. I’m also afraid, haha. Ahem! Afraid that they’ll be late this time. In fact, they might not even show up in the end, hah~…”

…