Chapter 26: The First Pinnacle
The twenty-sixth dawn blazed over Kael El's domain, a fierce violet-gold sky bathing the citadel and its nine territories in a victorious glow. Vara's plains fortress stood fortified southwest, its stone walls now a stronghold under Mara's hands, while 200,000 subjects surged—warriors sharpening blades, mages weaving mana, and dragons roaring under EX: Dragon Sovereign. Kael stood atop the citadel's highest tower, the Stormforged Blade in one 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 southeast horizon, where the last target loomed—a rocky mesa held by a Level 27 lord named Torv.
Day 26. Nine down—one seals Lv. 4. His dark eyes burned with unwavering confidence, a quiet pride simmering beneath his chill exterior. Two hundred thousand souls, nine territories, and a Mighty Lord's might—most would've stopped to revel. Kael? He thrived, his resilience a molten core. One more, and the game shifts.
A sharp ding cut through the morning roar, the system panel flaring up.
"Day 26: Post-Peace Period. Territory Level: 3. Population: 200,024 Subjects. Food Stock: 4 Days Remaining. Resource Yield: +20% (Lv. 3 Bonus)."
Kael's smirk widened, a playful edge slicing through the air. "Four days? Time to wrap this up." His calm under pressure was unshakable—conquest was his grind, and he'd stacked the odds. The Lord Map glowed: Torv's mesa—Level 27, three hundred troops, stone defenses, S-tier talent. Rock's tough—dragons are tougher.
Mira approached, her map marked, staff in hand. "Lord Kael, Lysa and I scouted the mesa—stone walls, three hundred grunts, Torv's got an S-tier talent, something big."
Kael clapped her shoulder, winking. "Mira, you're my brain. S-tier's spicy—let's crush it." He turned to the Summoning Altar, its Mana Crystal pulsing with Lv. 3 power. Two summons left. Let's add punch.
He pressed a hand to the crystal, voice smooth and teasing. "Alright, gorgeous, give me a tank."
The altar flared, and a twenty-fifth figure emerged—a towering man with a massive shield and a granite-like frame. He knelt, voice deep. "Lord Kael, I am Dorn. Perk: Iron Wall – +50% defense, taunt radius."