The Harem King clapped her hands twice, a smile returning to her face. “I’m no fighter, and I don’t intend to fight. I believe we can reach a compromise. What do you say?”
Though her own demeanor remained calm, the ladies behind her watched Scott and Orion with cold, hawkish glares, their eyes daring the duo not to make a rash move. Ignoring the provocations, Scott and Orion kept their focus solely on the enchanting figure before them.
“I shouldn’t have threatened you. For that, I sincerely apologize.”
“You think—” Scott began, only for Orion’s hand to settle on his shoulder, halting him mid-sentence. Scott turned toward the mage.
“Let me handle this,” Orion said mentally, a playful wink accompanying his words as he stepped forward. The chains around Scott’s arm tightened momentarily, then relaxed as he took a step back, his gaze following Orion as he approached the Harem King.
“So, what sort of compromise are we talking about?” Orion asked, his voice carrying an almost unnatural cheer.
The Harem King didn’t match his pace, responding evenly, “What do you have in mind? If it’s within reason, I’ll see to it.”
Orion tilted his head as if pondering a proposal. “You mentioned a territorial war. Care to tell us more?”
Her expression sharpened, and her head flicked between the two of them. “If you’re not interested in fighting under my banner, why would you care?”
“Oh, we’re naturally inquisitive,” Orion replied with a smile. “And we’d prefer not to wander into a warzone by accident, especially with the bounties on our heads. I’m sure you understand, yes?”
Her skepticism was evident as her head swirled between them. “I’m not sure what exactly you’re after, but don’t go getting any grandiose ideas,” she warned after a pause. “There’s a campaign underway among the territorial lords across the Endless Bridge. Each lord aims to conquer as many territories as possible. The fighting is brutal; many lords have already met their end, which is why rankings have been changing so rapidly—”
Scott’s voice cut in from behind. “What’s the purpose of all this slaughter? Besides gaining territory, what’s the end game?”
While he understood the appeal of ruling a territory—a title that came with a fraction of the Administrator’s authority—he couldn’t fathom the willingness to wage war after securing such substantial power.
“Greed, my friend,” Orion’s voice echoed on a private channel.
“There’s a thin line between ambition and greed,” the Harem King responded, meeting Scott’s questioning gaze. “And that line has been blurred for ages. I can see the lack of emotion in you, so it’s understandable that you might struggle to comprehend why ordinary people crave power. The more territories you control, the greater your strength. Don’t forget—the Administrator once held complete authority over these lands. Can you imagine the power waiting for anyone who could claim even a portion of that legacy?”
A flicker of excitement passed over Viona’s face, adding to her already captivating allure, but it faded almost instantly.
“So, is there a designated battlefield for the territorial wars, or does a lord just invade another territory to kickstart the battle?” Orion inquired; his smile unwavering.
“It’s both,” she replied. “Some lords prefer a show of force, invading directly to instill despair in their enemies. Others, who value peace in their domains, engage in neutral zones free from any lord’s control.”
“Let me guess,” Orion continued, “you’re one of those who prefer maintaining peace within your own territory, right?”
Viona nodded, and he pressed on, “Makes sense. I can see why you’re recruiting people to fight under your banner. After all, you wouldn’t want a potential ally rising to become a rival territorial lord in your own backyard.”
“Precisely.” Viona drifted closer. “Now, what is it you want?”
Scott’s voice suddenly interjected from afar, “Then why not confront us directly? You don’t seem weak, and with an army of champions at your side, you could have chosen battle over negotiations. Why didn’t you?”
“Fighting the two of you would be exhausting,” she said evenly. “From the moment you entered, my instincts warned you were trouble. Maybe my greed got the better of me for a moment, but I’d rather avoid conflict. You both are... disruptive, and I have no wish to let that disturb my paradise.”
Orion chuckled softly. “So, what was your plan if we were intent on eliminating you and claiming your territory?”
As his question hung in the air, a surge of bloodlust erupted from the harem members behind Viona, their restraint barely holding as Orion’s words seemed to ignite their fury. Scott and Orion merely watched as Viona lifted a slender arm, instantly quelling the hostility. The harem returned to a composed state, but venom still simmered in their eyes.
Viona responded calmly, “An interesting question. Don’t misunderstand—I’d rather not fight you both. But don’t presume victory would be assured. The only reason you’re here speaking with me is that I allow it. I have the authority to banish you both from my domain, a mere sliver of a territorial lord’s power.”
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She then took a deep breath, redirecting the conversation. “Let’s get back to business. To avoid any lingering conflict, tell me what you want. If it’s within my abilities, it shall be done.”
Neither Scott nor Orion immediately responded. They shared a look, an understanding passing silently between them. Viona waited, unperturbed, for them to state their terms.
Eventually, Orion turned back to her, and she inclined her head slightly. “You’ve decided, then?”
“Yes,” Orion replied smoothly. “We won’t waste any more of your time. We’d appreciate it if you could send us to one of those battlefields you mentioned.”
Viona raised an eyebrow, a slight crease forming as she considered the unexpected request. “Do you have any specific requirements?”
“Yes,” Scott spoke up before Orion could. “Send us to the battlefield with the largest population.”
“Understood,” Viona said after a beat. “Good luck.” With a graceful sweep of her arm, Scott and Orion vanished from the pavilion.
Moments after their departure, Viona’s voice resonated across the pavilion. “Withdraw everyone of importance from the Plague Field. From now on, we won’t participate in the contest for territories in that area.”
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Scott and Orion materialized in a chaotic wasteland, the screams of creatures from various races blending into a deafening cacophony. Towering mountains of corpses surrounded them, and an acrid stench—thick with the nauseating smell of blood—hung in a smog that blanketed the area. Explosions and the relentless clash of metal echoed from all around, creating a nightmarish symphony of violence. Yet, neither Scott nor Orion seemed fazed by their new surroundings.
“I think I’ve finally figured it out,” Orion announced on a private channel, his excitement evident in his animated tone.
“And what’s that?” Scott asked, his gaze wandering through the mist.
“The reason you haven’t… no, that’s not right. The reason you can’t manifest your authority,” Orion replied, a note of triumph in his voice.
Scott’s gaze fixed on the mage, his eyes narrowing. “Go on.”
Orion’s grin widened. “I’m honestly ashamed it took me this long. Knowing you, you wouldn’t hesitate to test out a new ability, but there had to be a restrictive force at play—a force strong enough that you couldn’t ignore it. And not just any force, like some lesser god; it would have to be someone with considerable power—the administrator.”
“That’s all?” Scott asked, his face impassive.
“Far from it,” Orion continued, nearly bouncing with enthusiasm. “Remember the last time we ran into your classmate in the hidden path? The administrator enforced a no-descent rule, but that was only the restriction we were allowed to know. Kana didn’t use her authority either when she tried to sabotage your inheritance. So, if she didn’t—or couldn’t—use it, it suggests the administrator has placed broad restrictions on authority use across the lower floors.”
Scott’s brow furrowed. He hadn’t considered the possibility that this place might be another trial ground. But if it was, what could the objective be? Was it about becoming a territorial lord? Claiming as much territory as possible? Or was there some hidden purpose yet to reveal itself?
Orion’s voice broke his reverie. “So, was I right?”
Scott’s eyes met the mage’s curious gaze, then he slowly turned away. “Make the preparations we discussed. They’ve likely noticed us by now.”
Orion sighed softly; his voice nearly lost amid the relentless sounds of battle surrounding them. Amid the chaos, flashes of bluish panels lit up within the mist, a phenomenon Scott and Orion had chosen to ignore since their arrival.
“Alright, I’ll get to it. Enjoy yourself—I won’t be long,” Orion replied, his form fading from view.
Scott flexed his hand, and the Chains of the Abyss uncoiled, the war hammer shifted back to its true, menacing form.
A massive javelin appeared suddenly, hurtling toward him, yet Scott remained unmoved. A nihilistic portal manifested before him, devouring the projectile instantly. The smog-filled air around him began to sparkle, lights intensifying as they homed in on his position.
Scott took a step forward. “I suspend all laws in my domain!”
Darkness spread from his feet like a living plague, casting distortions around him. The shadows consumed the approaching lights, quenching them before they could reach him. From the dark portals, shrill, otherworldly screams rang out, and eldritch abominations began to pour forth.
“Destroy everything,” Scott commanded coldly, his voice ringing through the air. The summoned horrors flooded the battlefield, eager to enact his will.
Within moments, the intensity of the screams and explosions doubled as the abominations tore through everything in their path. Scott, war hammer in hand, watched as notification after notification displayed the chaos his summons unleashed.
Turning from the unending stream of alerts, Scott’s gaze settled on the mountains of corpses littering the field. With a wordless command, massive tendrils emerged from the shadows, dragging the bodies into the consuming darkness below.
The Nameless One is now watching you! You have absorbed the essence of several corpses deposited in the Nihilistic Zone! Physical Stats: Strength, Endurance, Toughness, and Dexterity have increased by 10!
You’re approaching the limits of Mortality! The Tower of Champions praises your growth and encourages you to shed your mortal roots!
The Nameless One warns you of the presence of your natural enemy!
Scott’s brows creased as he scanned the messages, his gaze fixed on the last notification. My natural enemy? What in the hell could that be?
The thought had barely crossed his mind when he caught a flicker at the edge of his vision. Such a phenomenon should’ve been impossible—the Nihilistic Zone, amplified by his domain, suppressed everything. And yet, the light—warm but crackling with raw power—intensified, slicing through the dark and flooding the space with radiant energy.
The Nameless One seethes with rage!
The remnants of the Nihilistic Zone began to bubble, twisted by a force that clashed with its very nature. But Scott’s focus remained on the looming figures emerging from the light, each a towering presence cloaked in brilliance.
“A remnant of the Nihilithian, huh. No wonder this place is tainted with nihility,” one figure intoned, its voice both fierce and resolute. “By the ancient decree of the Scion of Light, you will be purged!”