Chapter 25: The First Charge
The twenty-fifth dawn erupted over Kael El's domain, a searing violet-gold sky igniting the citadel and its eight territories with a warlike sheen. Fifty-five dragons roared overhead, their wings casting shadows under EX: Dragon Sovereign, while 190,000 subjects marched southwest—warriors clad in scale armor, snipers nocking arrows, and runners stretching their legs. Kael strode at the vanguard, the Stormforged Blade in one hand, EX: Dragonflame Reaver blazing in the other, Stormhide Armor crackling with power. His flirty smirk gleamed, a cool dominance radiating from his relaxed stride as he eyed Vara's plains fortress, twelve miles out, its open fields ripe for conquest.
Day 25. Nine of ten—Vara's mine today. His dark eyes burned with unwavering confidence, a quiet pride simmering beneath his chill exterior. One hundred ninety thousand souls, eight territories, and a Rising Lord's peak might—most would've faltered at cavalry. Kael? He thrived, his resilience a fiery core. Horses run fast—dragons fly faster.
A sharp ding cut through the march's rhythm, the system panel flaring up.
"Day 25: Post-Peace Period. Territory Level: 3. Population: 190,023 Subjects. Food Stock: 5 Days Remaining. Resource Yield: +20% (Lv. 3 Bonus)."
Kael's smirk widened, a playful edge slicing through the tension. "Five days? Plenty for a plains barbecue." His calm under pressure was ironclad—war was his game, and he'd rigged the odds. The Lord Map glowed: Vara's fortress—Level 26, two hundred fifty troops, cavalry-heavy, A-tier talent. Mira's recon's gold. Let's stampede 'em.
He rallied his crew—Lira, Sylvi, Veyna, Mara, Elys, Nyra, Tora, Lysa, Seryn, Borv, Vira, Rhea, Korr, Thryn, Elyra, Mira, Gorv, Zyra, Ryn—mid-march. "Vara's plains are next—Level 26, two-fifty troops, cavalry. Elys and Rhea burn the flanks, Tora and Gorv smash the gates, Jace traps, Seryn ambushes, Borv tanks, Zyra and runners flank, Ryn snipes, dragons dive. I'm on Vara. Clear?"
Rhea cracked her whip, flames licking the air. "Cavalry's toast—Elys and I'll fry 'em."
Kael winked. "Rhea, you're my blaze. Light it up." He turned to the Summoning Altar, hauled by builders, its Mana Crystal pulsing. Three summons left. Let's add power.
He pressed a hand to the crystal, voice smooth and teasing. "Alright, gorgeous, give me a mage."
The altar flared, and a twenty-fourth figure emerged—a robed woman with a staff crackling with violet energy. She knelt, voice resonant. "Lord Kael, I am Lyra. Perk: Arcane Burst – +50% magic damage, area blasts."
Kael's grin turned protective yet playful. "Lyra, huh? A storm's perfect. Blast with Vira—level 'em." She rose with a nod, staff glowing, and the system blared.
"SSS Talent Triggered: 100% Drop Rate. Additional Summon: 1 Subject. EX Talent: 10,000x Multiplier Applied. Quantity Enhanced: 10,000 Subjects."