"Miranda. I want you to march your army to Armadon and engage the Demons and Devils in intense warfare. Make it clear that you're not there for revenge or justice but for greed and insidiousness. You recognize that Armadon is the biggest threat to your expansion, and so what to take them down."
Darius smiled softly and continued. "Also, send some troops to skirmish with those on the coasts and borders of Unyris, making it clear that they are your next target should everything work out against Armadon. Try your hardest to provoke them into working with Armadon to fight you."
Miranda appeared in his eyesight through the connection they shared, but had an expression of puzzlement.
"Okay Daddy, but you wanted me to settle down and develop for the next 5 years before. Did anything change?" The AI asked with confusion.
Darius affirmed the query with a nod. "That's right. I need to plunge Faust into chaos as quickly as possible so that I can later save it and usher in an era of peace and prosperity."
The Miranda AI seemed to find this strange but it was not in its programming to deter or question Darius, only comply. As such, she gave a cry of agreement and then logged off to achieve Darius' wish.
Meanwhile, Darius noted that the battle had likely come to an end and exited the tank to see that the army was clearing the remains of the capital city of this empire.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtLined before him were over 15 Grandmasters with fearful as well as furious expressions. They were severely injured and crippled, unable to fight back with their powers or magic.
Darius glanced at them with a smile and then took a single step. However, that step brought him from one end of the line to the other, and from his previously empty hands was now a magnificent lance that radiated pure draconic power.
And where the grandmasters stood, their variety of expressions all synchronized into one very clear visage, that of pain and suffering. They looked down and saw that their chests had been pierced at some point by the same kind of weapon, and their blood essence was leaking out of their new orifice rapidly.
They could only look up and see the offending weapon in Darius' hand as he no longer paid attention to them who were walking corpses and checked his lance to see how much it would grow.
After all, this was technically one of the biggest feasts he had given it ever since he had acquired it back then. A meal of over 15 potent grandmasters was more than enough to rise more than a little.
When the draining came to an end, the lance's dragonhead sigil roared as its red eyes glowed, and it became more powerful. Darius' eyes narrowed as he sensed that the will within had strengthened and became more intelligent, being able to form a rudimentary artifact spirit.
[Dragon Ancestor's Lance of Destruction - Unique Weapon (Lv. 30)
Durability: 4,450,000/4,450,000
Quality: Perfect
Damage: 47,000-51,000
Description: A one of its kind spear that has never existed in the history of Faust. It is made from the broken shaft of the Dragonlance, Holy Gold, and a little bit of Mithril, God's Steel, and Soul Essence. During its creation, it was mixed with Lunar Dew and the heart blood of the Ancestor Dragon, granting it Supreme might and a sentient spirit that can grow the weapon's power endlessly as long as it is wielded by someone worthy.]
Darius was pleased, It seemed that the spirit had upgraded because it reached the threshold of level 30. Darius wondered where the next threshold would be and what kind of delightful changes it would bring outside of its raw power growing.
For now, the Grandmasters he had killed so far brought him 98% experience, almost sending him to the next level. With such a slow experience gain rate, it was clear that the True Supreme System wanted him to grind it out through battle and gain the fighting experience to match.
A bit artificial, but no issue.
In order to curb this, Darius gave his lance to Achilles and granted him the temporary right to use it. He could then kill the Grandmasters during battle and absorb right away rather than capture and cripple them for slow absorption later.
He then left the warfront and traveled to Safemoon once more. Darius walked towards his private room and then picked up a few things he would need for what he was about to do next.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmHe then opened a secure drawer and took out something he had stored here a while back, not sure he would need to use it.
[Seed of Mortality - Unique
Durability: 30/30
Quality: Average
Uses: 1
Description: A strange seed with the ability to form a perfect physical clone of the person who waters it with their blood. It will possess 10% of the user's current power and will not be able to grow, but shares a soul connection with the main host, allowing the clone to act semi-autonomously.]
An item like this seemed like something Darius should have used long ago, but no, he kept it here. After all, Darius, more than anyone, knew that he could never really trust a clone of himself, because nothing possessing his mind or will would settle for being a disposable entity.
If given the chance, it would scheme to take over the main body and therefore become the main body, which was not conducive to his plans in any way possible.
But now, since things were being sped up a brought forward, he had to consider whether he would sue this item or not.
While there were other alternatives, they were far more limited than this seed, which was even why he gave it the time of day like this.
Eventually, Darius put the seed in his inventory and first decided to summon his Five Apprentices into the hall downstairs.
It was time to deal with their growth.