Game World: I Can Share Talents

In the Borderland of the Southeast Imperial, a legion slowly advanced across the vast wilderness, entering an unfamiliar Pioneer Territory.

With armored vehicles and Floating Battleships for cover, tens of thousands of Warriors held high the Purity Moon banner, the symbol of Qinghui, and sang the ancient "Song of Purity."

This song, created by the ancestors of Purity Forest and passed down orally for over a thousand years, possessed an ethereal quality, as if from a bygone era. It told the story of their forebears who had braved all obstacles, bathed in the pure light of Qinghui, and built their home.

The melody was uplifting, beautiful, and moving.

It was hardly a military march, but for that very reason, the "Song of Purity" washed away the army’s natural killing intent. This allowed the Imperial citizens of the Pioneer Territory to dare to step out of their homes and line the streets, watching the legion that was about to dominate the Borderland.

"So this is the army from Qinghui Territory?"

"Truly a king’s army."

"They’re powerful yet civilized, with strict discipline. No wonder they could drive out Chaos and reclaim their homeland so quickly."

"I’ve heard about the Purity People. Say what you will, but they are certainly a beautiful sight."

"Does this mean we’ll all be taking orders from Qinghui Territory from now on?"

"Perhaps it’s an outright annexation... This Duke Qinghui is known to be quite ambitious."

"..."

The people murmured amongst themselves as they watched the legion enter the city.

Aside from the Floating Battleships, the most eye-catching part of the legion was the Qinghui Guard at the vanguard. Whether on foot or mounted on Owl Beasts, nearly every one of them was clad in expensive Mechanical Battle Armor.

This strategic weaponry was typically reserved for Elite Warriors. However, thanks to their backing from Yuanshi Territory and the Celestial Vault People, equipping the entire Qinghui Guard was no issue at all. They even had enough for each soldier to have a spare set.

The exquisite, form-fitting Mechanical Battle Armor glinted in the sunlight. Infused with the unique aura of the Knight Path, the wearers appeared stern and majestic.

Yet the man at the head of the Guard, mounted on a warhorse, drew more attention than any battleship or the legion itself.

Westheid wore a black military uniform trimmed with gold and silver thread, tailored to his well-proportioned, powerful physique.

Shadow-Born was holstered on his belt, and his long boots and trousers exuded a chilling aura.

A single-sided cape embroidered with the Purity Moon draped over his left arm, while his right hand held the reins. The man held his head high, chest out.

His deep violet eyes were lined with red eyeshadow, transforming their mesmerizing depth into a piercing intensity that made it impossible to meet his gaze.

As he needed to project the majesty of a leader before the populace, Westheid refrained from any seductive ploys, instead presenting his most serious demeanor.

As it turned out, even without his talent for "igniting a Star Universe within the opposite sex," Westheid’s personal Charm was exceptional on its own.

"That’s Duke Qinghui?"

"He’s even more handsome than I imagined."

"Then about those rumors..."

"Nonsense! One look at Duke Qinghui and you can tell he’s a man’s man, the pinnacle of masculinity. How could he possibly do something like that?"

"They must be distorted rumors. The Duke is probably just a simple philanderer. Given his looks, it’d be difficult for him *not* to attract admirers, don’t you think?"

"Exactly. I knew they sounded like rumors. It’s one thing to gossip in private, but don’t actually believe them."

"Compared to that, the stories of Duke Qinghui slaughtering a Desolate God are way more exciting. Now *that’s* what men should be talking about."

"Hah! A true man ought to be just like him!"

"..."

Westheid stared straight ahead, but his ears strained to catch the discussions among the Pioneer Territory’s citizens. He nodded to himself in satisfaction.

’That’s right, that’s right. Keep cleaning up my reputation,’ he thought. ’Build up more legends about my glorious, martial prowess.’

’Although I don’t really care about the sordid fanfiction about me, I still need a good public image if I want to harvest faith.’

As the Qinghui Guard escorted Westheid to the center of the Pioneer Territory, the local Lord and a group of officials immediately came forward, bowing cautiously.

"D-Duke Qinghui... We welcome Your Grace..."

"There’s no need to be nervous," Westheid’s tone was kind and friendly, but he did not dismount his warhorse, maintaining a condescending posture as he spoke, "The Qinghui Army is here under commission from the Imperial Capital to protect the Imperial’s citizens on the border."

"Hmm... Although a Pioneer Territory isn’t yet an Imperial Province, you are neighbors of the Qinghui Territory. As the Branch of Prosperity, it is only right that we offer our support. Therefore, to maintain stability and peace in the Borderland, we will need to place the city under military administration. Any objections?"

"Yes, yes... You are absolutely right, Your Grace. We will do just as you say, Duke Qinghui."

The local Lord forced a smile, nodding and bowing obsequiously as he agreed. He then led Westheid to his manor, and the process of transferring political authority began.

Westheid, meanwhile, walked alone into the manor’s garden. He sat down, resting his hands on the pommel of his upright sword, and closed his eyes to focus his mind.

This was the fourth Pioneer Territory the Qinghui Territory had brought under military control. The process had been much the same for each one: a simple advance notice, and the army would march in, station itself, and take over all military and political authority.

The reason for this was that Sylvia was exceptionally astute. Just a few days after Westheid had sent his letter, a reply arrived from the Imperial Capital.

His Royal Highness Regent King had highly praised Westheid’s integrity and ambition in sharing the nation’s burdens. With a wave of her hand, she had, in the name of the Imperial central government, directly appointed Duke Qinghui—the Branch of Prosperity—as the full-powered Governor of the Southeast Imperial border.

To put it simply, for any territory the Imperial central government couldn’t directly manage—be it a Pioneer Territory or a remote Imperial Province—Westheid could take control under the pretext of "investigating and protecting against the risk of subversion." His authority was practically limitless.

Aside from a letter of appointment and a few ceremonial gifts befitting a Governor, Sylvia offered no material support. However, the Regent King did pressure the nobles in the Imperial Capital, ordering that any who had sent their kin to pioneer the borderlands must obey Westheid’s commands.

And as for the Lords of Pioneer Territories who weren’t backed by nobles from the Imperial Capital?

It meant they had no powerful backers, making them even more insignificant. The Qinghui Legion would simply fly its Floating Battleships overhead, and any clear-headed Lord of a Pioneer Territory would know exactly what to do.

This wasn’t like the situation at White Rock City.

The Chaos Shock had occurred, contact with the Celestial Gods was lost, and the Order mortals once followed was collapsing. Now, there were only two kinds of people in power.

The first were weak and timid, longing only for a return to the old Order.

The second were ambitious, holding the Imperial’s authority in contempt.

The former naturally couldn’t resist the officially sanctioned Duke Qinghui. As for the latter, a "critique by force of arms" was sufficient.

In the Pioneer Territories of the Borderland, no force existed that could stand against the Qinghui Legion for even a single clash.

Expanding his influence so bloodlessly was certainly satisfying, but not completely.

’Because my goal is to accumulate achievements,’ Westheid mused. ’I’m just a hair’s breadth away from the Legendary Celestial Rank. Taking territory by proclamation is fast, but it doesn’t count as a Great Enterprise.’

"Sigh... Can’t anyone give me a real challenge?"

Westheid sighed, looking up at the sky.

As if his words were law, bad news arrived on the fourth day after Westheid entered the city.

A massive number of refugees poured in from the neighboring Imperial Province.

They brought shocking news.

"The Winter Fall Province... has been destroyed."