Chapter 22: The First Scouting
The twenty-second dawn blazed over Kael El's domain, a vivid violet-gold sky igniting the citadel and its seven territories with a restless sheen. The western dragon nest stood as a towering fortress, its peaks alive with fifty-five tamed dragons soaring under EX: Dragon Sovereign, while 160,000 subjects pulsed with purpose—warriors drilling with scale shields, mages channeling mana, and scouts sharpening their senses. Kael stood atop the citadel's northern rampart, the Stormforged Blade in hand, EX: Dragonflame Reaver glowing at his hip, Stormhide Armor humming with power. His flirty smirk gleamed, a cool dominance radiating from his relaxed stance as he eyed the northwest horizon where Syris's forest stronghold loomed, ten miles out.
Day 22. Seven down, three to go for Lv. 4. His dark eyes burned with unwavering confidence, a quiet pride simmering beneath his chill exterior. One hundred sixty thousand souls, seven territories, and a Rising Lord's might—most would've paused to gloat. Kael? He thrived, his resilience a blazing core. Syris's forest is next—wood burns easy.
A sharp ding cut through the morning hum, the system panel flaring up.
"Day 22: Post-Peace Period. Territory Level: 3. Population: 160,020 Subjects. Food Stock: 5 Days Remaining. Resource Yield: +20% (Lv. 3 Bonus)."
Kael's smirk widened, a playful edge slicing through the air. "Five days? Plenty to plan a bonfire." His calm under pressure was unshakable—conquest was his game, and he'd stacked the odds. The Lord Map glowed: Syris, a Level 24 lord, held a wooden fortress with two hundred troops and an unknown talent. Level 24? I've got dragons.
Mira approached, her map marked, staff in hand. "Lord Kael, Lysa and I can scout Syris today. Northern walls are weak—troops are thin there."
Kael clapped her shoulder, winking. "Mira, you're my brain. Take Lysa—find me cracks to smash. Stay sharp." She nodded, her Battle Mind humming, and Lysa joined her, orb pulsing with mana. Seryn melted from shadow beside them, volunteering with a whisper.
"Forest's dense—I'll cloak us," Seryn said, her Shadow Veil shimmering.
Kael grinned. "Seryn, you're my ghost. Go bag me intel." The trio vanished northwest, and he turned to the Summoning Altar, its Mana Crystal glowing with Lv. 3 power. Six summons left. Let's add muscle.
He pressed a hand to the crystal, voice smooth and teasing. "Alright, gorgeous, give me a bruiser."
The altar flared, and a twenty-first figure emerged—a hulking man with a spiked mace and a scarred chest. He knelt, voice a growl. "Lord Kael, I am Gorv. Perk: Brutal Swing – +50% impact damage, knockback."
Kael's grin turned protective yet playful. "Gorv, huh? A wrecker's perfect. Train with Tora—smash Syris's walls." Gorv rose with a nod, mace thudding, and the system blared.