Transmigrated with my corruption system

"Of the fifteen Great Houses and Clans, only seven are willing to submit under your rule and swear their allegiance. The rest defy your orders."

Inside a grand chamber, Elder Rysten muttered, his figure locked in a bow. One knee bent as he relayed the news to the black-robed youth seated on the throne.

Pausing for a moment, his eyes darted slightly before he continued, his voice tinged with concern.

"News is spreading that those who have expressed their defiance are forming a coalition to kill you and end your rule."

As he finished, all the other elders shifted their attention to the seated figure. A heavy silence descended, lingering for a while.

Before the youth in question broke it.

"So that’s how it is, huh? Interesting," Ulric muttered.

Leaning against the armrest of the throne, a bored expression rested on his face as he idly played with a ball of green light in his palm, watching it with curiosity.

Amber’s Earth Elemental Heritage was remarkable. And now that he wielded it, he could only appreciate it even more.

But even with all that... he found it lacking.

Maybe if he had used the Seed of Chaos on her, it would have yielded far greater results. But there was no point dwelling on it.

He sighed faintly. He would proceed as planned. Corrupt it, accelerate its growth until its might became formidable in his hands... until his next special encounter with Amber.

The thought caused a faintly perverted smile to spread across his face as he glanced at her, now standing beside his throne.

Seeing his smile and that intrusive crimson gaze. A faint blush spread across Amber’s face, still reeling from shock.

She had seen him engulfed in a green cocoon. And a few hours later... when he emerged, he was different.

At least, to her. Lyra and the others couldn’t sense it, but she could. The power of life she drew from the earth... she could feel it within Ulric as well.

Which was strange. She hadn’t felt it in him when she first emerged from her cocoon.

Had he also awakened it?

She had entertained the thought before discarding it. Since he had been the one to grant her this power, it was only logical he possessed it too.

But even then... she couldn’t suppress the shock as she watched him play with it so casually.

Catching the exchange. Lyra, standing on the other side harrumphed.

Closing his palm, the green orb dissipated into mist, flowing back into his body as he rose to his feet.

Patting Lyra’s head gently, a thoughtful expression crossed his face before his voice echoed through the hall.

"Follow behind me."

His words drew dumbfounded expressions from the elders. Until one of them finally snapped.

"Do you understand the magnitude of what’s about to happen? Our clan is about to..."

He was silenced by Rysten, who raised a hand. Ulric glanced at him briefly before shaking his head.

He understood the man’s rage, it came from loyalty. Perhaps others shared the same concern. But they didn’t see the full picture. One he was about to show them.

What is he planning? Mistress Aria wondered, her brows knitting together as she observed the black-robed youth.

Since his arrival, even after hearing the news. His expression had remained indifferent, as if none of it mattered.

She knew he was strong. Strong enough to face a single clan. But this? This was multiple clans. And yet, the confidence in his eyes never wavered.

Where did it come from? Her curiosity burned as she followed behind him.

The other elders shared similar thoughts.

They had seen his feats. And now, as they followed him, they couldn’t help but anticipate uncovering yet another one of his endless mysteries.

As they moved through the residence, gazes turned toward them, while murmurs spread. But Ulric ignored it all.

He only stopped when they reached an open courtyard designated for training the younger generation.

An elder stood at the front, teaching.

"Today, we will be learning the history of Tempest City..."

His words faltered as he caught sight of Ulric. Following his gaze, the children turned.

Among them were familiar faces. Former members of the Red Streaks, already integrated.

Soon, excited murmurs broke out as some rushed forward.

"Look! It’s Lord Bloodvein!"

"Huh? It really is him!"

"Isn’t he handsome? When I grow up, I want to be as handsome as him!"

"Huh? Why?"

"So I can be surrounded by beautiful girls!"

"Hmm... when I grow up, I want to be a great warrior like the lord."

Hearing them, a faint smile appeared on Ulric’s face.

Crouching down, his gaze locked onto the boy who had spoken last.

Recognition flashed. The tear-streaked boy from before.

"Are your words true to your heart?" Ulric asked.

He didn’t know why, but the boy reminded him of himself when he was young and abandoned.

He could see a similar yearning for power burning within him, and it intrigued him.

Gulping audibly, the boy’s eyes fluttered rapidly. He hadn’t expected the lord to look at him, much less speak to him.

But a desire not to back down flared deep inside him. Clenching his little fingers, he summoned the last bit of courage he had.

Before nodding as he muttered,

"Y-yes."

Watching all this, the smile on Ulric’s face widened. Before he pried further.

"What is your name?"

"M-my name is Angus, lord!"

"A warrior’s name?" Ulric muttered. Before flicking his hand. Instantly after, the lord’s signet ring on his finger flickered faintly.

Before a pair of gauntlets appeared in his arms, the ones he had acquired in the system shop.

Pressing them into the boy’s arms, he muttered, "You’ve got great ambition. Take this... they’ll help you on this path you seek to walk."

"Really?" the boy muttered, his eyes fluttering repeatedly. Causing Ulric to smile faintly.

What he might have seen as low, others deemed it a heavenly treasure.

Rising to his feet, he stared at all the other little faces before muttering,

"As long as your hearts remain true to the Greyson lineage... this is only the beginning."

Watching their eyes light up in excitement, he waved his arm, dismissing them as they ran back as they were before.

Watching their retreating figures, Ulric sighed quietly before speaking.

"Do you think I made the wrong decision... sparing their lives?"

A moment of silence passed. His words trailing to all the elders behind him as they stared at his back. Before Rysten stepped forward.

"Your heart is kind, my lord. But what if they change? What if they harbor hatred in the future? Perhaps you’ll regret—"

Before he could finish, Ulric stopped him. His gaze falling into the horizon as he muttered the word repeatedly.

"Regret?" He couldn’t blame him for his ideals. In a world where strength ruled all, sparing one’s enemies was almost equal to being ruthless to oneself.

Perhaps at one time, he shared those ideals. Maybe he still did. But now he could see beyond that. His ideals rooted in absolute strength as he muttered,

"Regret only exists if one’s actions depend on outcomes. True strength lies in doing something, not because it benefits you, but because it aligns with your will."

He paused before finishing, then turned to stare at the elders.

"I am kind not because I expect anything in return, but because it is my will."

"This..." Rysten muttered. The other elders fell into thought. They had never considered it like this before, strength so absolute it allowed them to ignore anyone who dared oppose them.

Raising his head, his eyes lit up as he turned to praise Ulric.

"The wisdom of our ancestors now resides within you," he muttered, as the elders nodded in agreement.

"No." Ulric smiled. "It is just a passing insight."

The smile on his face faded as his expression grew cold while he shared part of his plans with them.

"Shortly after this, I will enter seclusion," he muttered, causing the elders’ faces to drop. Was he abandoning them in this time of need? But as they heard his next words, they froze in shock, chills spreading across their spines.

"When I emerge in the morning, my strength will have risen significantly. Then there will be no equal for me in Tempest City. For those who shall swear their allegiance, let it be tomorrow." He paused, exhaling a frosty breath, before he spat,

"After tomorrow, there will be no turning back. Those who stand against House Greyson shall all fall."

As the words dawned, multiple emotions filled their faces, followed by hundreds of questions. Was he finally pushing for D rank? It was the only feasible explanation.

But they didn’t get much time to dwell on their thoughts. Since he had taken over his position as lord, all his words had come true. Would this still be the case?

They weren’t sure. But excitement couldn’t help but flush their faces at the thought.

Dismissing them to execute their orders, he turned back into his quarters. Lyra and Amber following behind him under the pretense of protecting him.

But he could sense they just didn’t want to leave his presence. But it didn’t matter now.

Stepping inside his quarters, he dropped into a meditative posture as a faint smile spread across his face.

It was time for the true upgrades. As the thought formed, he issued the first command.

"Allocate 100,000 corruption points to Advanced Corrupted Mortal Physique!"