Chapter 491: Leaving the cradle
Book 6 - Leaving the cradle
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"The domination of the rest of the world."
Those simple words, carried by Overlord’s calm and measured voice, took Vlad and the others utterly by surprise. They had just finished the greatest and most grinding war of their lives, a conflict against the Leviathan Race that had consumed years, drained their bodies and weighed heavily on their minds.
The thought of yet more conflict—another campaign, this time not to save the world but to rule—felt unthinkable to many of them. And yet, as they looked at Overlord, they recognized that the A.I. Chip Clone did not experience human fatigue. He analyzed the problems ahead, the opportunities at hand, through a lens that transcended mortal exhaustion.
Overlord watched the complicated expressions crossing their faces. There was a trace of impatience beneath his collected demeanor, but as always, his tone remained steady. He had never been one to mince words. "I realize the continuous fighting across the Monsoon Continent has exacted a severe toll on your bodies," he said, "and more importantly, on your minds. Yet, we cannot overlook the critical importance of unifying Terra’s other four continents under a single banner before we reach the higher dimension."
A solemn light flickered in the eyes of Vlad and his companions as they heard him speak, and none of them could negate the logic behind those words. They had battled the Leviathans, but Overlord’s words implied that even greater dangers might wait in the hidden reaches of other planes—Abyssal realms, Celestial domains, or more alien marauders.
A hush settled over the group. Each recognized that their victory over the Leviathan Race, for all its grandeur, only ensured Terra’s survival. Long-term stability was anything but guaranteed. And so, compelled by Overlord’s logic, they listened carefully to what he would say next. It took Overlord only a small glance to confirm that he held their attention, and he continued, explaining his perspective.
"Right now," Overlord said, "there must be multiple factions and organizations scattered across Terra’s surface. Some are led by humans who might be persuaded to join us without the need for bloodshed. Yet others are likely controlled by angels or demons who are waiting to reach the higher dimension to call for their masters. At present, we’re isolated from the greater universe, meaning our adversaries cannot request reinforcements from their home planes. But that isolation won’t last forever."