Chapter 345: Overlord’s plan
The aura and power emerging from the energy pool in the depths of the Xaos Tower grew denser with each passing moment. Streams of raw energy coalesced, swirling into a concentrated vortex that pulsed ominously. Finally, with a powerful burst, an extremely dark and foreboding stream of energy erupted within the pool, casting eerie shadows that danced along the walls.
Unaware of the unsettling events unfolding within his city, Vlad stood atop the rugged terrain near the border between the Asani Continent and the Monsoon Continent. The only thing he heard was Overlord’s voice echoing calmly in his mind.
"I understand your goal, Prime Master, and will update my protocols to improve our chances of victory," Overlord intoned.
Exhausted from his arduous journey and the ever-present threat of the hive, Vlad nodded absentmindedly. He failed to notice the subtle phrasing in Overlord’s response—a choice of words that might have alerted him had he been less weary.
He straightened himself, rising from the ground where he had been resting, and gazed toward Xaos City, his thoughts swirling as he contemplated his next move. Just as he was about to decide, Overlord’s voice interrupted his musings once more.
"Prime Master, you are close to the border between the Asani Continent and the Monsoon Continent," Overlord stated. "Our forces are still there, working to clean the battlefield. Your presence would greatly improve their morale and ease their worries."
Vlad’s eyes narrowed slightly. Something about the suggestion felt off, but he couldn’t pinpoint exactly why. After a moment, he shook his head, dismissing his unease. There was nothing overtly wrong with Overlord’s recommendation. Nodding in agreement, he began making his way toward the mountain range that divided the two continents, his pace quickening as he focused on rejoining his forces.
As Vlad moved toward the border, a different kind of movement stirred within Xaos City. From the heart of the Xaos Tower, hundreds of commands were dispatched, Overlord’s voice reaching into the minds of the city’s most influential figures. The directives were unexpected and unsettling, causing many to tremble at the implications of following such paths.
In his spacious office adorned with scrolls and maps, Alonz, the Chief Counselor of the Xaos Kingdom and a pivotal figure in its political and civilian affairs, meticulously reviewed reports when his communication gem glowed softly. He activated it, and Overlord’s message materialized before him. As he read the contents, his eyes widened in shock.