Defiance of the Fall

Chapter 1074 - Stars of Zecia

May 11

"What's the greatest source of Faction Merit?" Zac asked.

"Conquering worlds deep in the Kan'Tanu Territory," Vilari said without hesitation. "The neutral battlefronts span three to five worlds. One is in the middle, while the others likely are dead planets in either sector. You generally start in the middle world, and conquering the neutral battlefront is a successful campaign. Stopping at that point has no real downside, but the merit accrued is very limited."

"And continuing beyond that point is where the real merit is."

"Exactly," Vilari nodded. "If you step through the Battlefront Array at the final world, you'll find yourself on an inhabited planet in the Kan'Tanu Sector. It's no longer a manicured battlefield but rather a world-spanning war. We've entered fifteen such battlefronts and succeeded in seven conquests. For the others, the victory condition given was generally deemed too expensive or time-consuming. Three times we were forced to run for our lives. More than half of our merit comes from those seven victories, even if five campaigns were on Peak E-grade worlds."

"The retreats were all on D-grade worlds?"

"One was actually on an E-grade world," Vilari said with a shake of her head. "It was a training world swarming with new recruits, and there were hundreds of Hegemons overseeing things. The difference in strength between the worlds is significant. Some had enormous populations and powerful leaders. Others were almost free for the taking. We didn't dare continue from our first victory since the risks were too great. We simply harvested what resources we could for a week before resetting the battlefronts."

"How are they? The civilizations under the Kan'Tanu?" Zac asked.

"It's not abject misery all around, but conditions are deplorable compared to here," Vilari said. "It seems every citizen is tested for cultivation talent when young unless the planet is extremely remote. Those with high affinities are implanted with Heart Curses and begin their cruel training. Those with unimpressive affinity become skilled workers or the warslaves we've generally run into, depending on how unlucky or connected they are.

"What about mortals?"

"Generally indentured workers to their regional lord. They have no rights and work whatever task they're assigned until they die. It can be anything from manning the fields and tending beasts, to low-skilled work on production worlds. Not that many are implanted with heart curses. I don't think Mortals can motivate the cost of creating them. We have brought a few hundred of them back to better understand our enemy. You can talk to them if you wish."

"Perhaps another time," Zac muttered as he considered his options.

While it didn't sound like the Kan'Tanu civilians led a great life, it wasn't actually that different from the feeder worlds in the Zecia sector. He guessed not even an unorthodox cultivator would bother being cruel for cruelty's sake unless they'd succumbed to their Heart Demons, and the Kan'Tanu needed everything from cultivation resources to normal food just like everyone else.

"Are the citizens loyal?"

"I wouldn't say that the general population holds any great love for the Kan'Tanu, though they don't know any other life," Vilari said. "You're thinking of relocating planets?"

"It's way cheaper than upgrading," Zac said. "Wouldn't hurt to get a couple of extra worlds. We might even pick up a Middle D-grade world down the road."

Between the expenditures involved in upgrading Earth and the benefit of suddenly gaining a whole new planet, it might be better to aim at relocating a couple of promising worlds. With its Earth's small size, it would eventually require some subsidiary worlds that could provide the base resources that you wouldn't want to grow on such valuable land like Earth.

More importantly, it would provide a big population infusion, which was exactly something the Atwood Empire needed. It wasn't just to replace the warriors who fell on the battlefronts. Earth and Ensolus had lost a large chunk of their citizens to the Integration, and not even Earth could have been considered highly populated by Multiverse standards before.

For example, the capital of Salosar Seven covered a third of its planet. Certainly, some manors were the size of countries because high-grade cultivators needed more space for their gathering arrays and clans. However, there were still well over 30 billion people living on that planet permanently, which didn't count all the temporary residents. Meanwhile, Earth still hadn't recovered to the point there were one billion between the Underworld, Elysium, and Pangea.

"Relocating worlds is a double-edged sword," Vilari warned. "The top empires have arranged for a few E-grade factions to purchase worlds already as an experiment. It turns out new battlefronts open up as a result. With a Middle D-grade world with a high population, we might double our number of Battlefront Arrays. We'd either have to spread our forces further or somehow train the new population in record speed."

"A population where all the talents have already been turned into Heart Curse cultivators," Zac grimaced.

"Maybe if the war takes decades," Vilari said. "Raising a new batch of E-grade soldiers would take five years, three if we spend generously. Of course, we'd first have to wait a few years for the children to grow up, during which we'd have to cover their battlefronts. But the planet would catch up within a decade, and we'd suddenly have three worlds gathering merit."

Zac grimaced at Vilari's idea even though he knew it had merit. It just felt morbid, raising generations of soldiers like they were cattle. The picture of the young swordsman flashed before his eyes, and he felt his heart tremble. Then again, was it better to leave the worlds in the Kan'Tanu Sector?

"Let's put that matter aside for now. Maybe there are other ways to speed up our merit."

"Higher-grade worlds award drastically higher merit, especially if you kill their World Leaders," Vilari offered. "Now that you're back, we might be able to take down a few of those. There's also your fleet of Cosmic Vessels. They can let you earn a fortune, which is why we are drowning in new orders even after increasing our prices twice."

Zac had already realized their value after seeing the map in the command center. Most Cosmic Vessels in the Zecia Sector could not be stored in a spatial ring because their central arrays couldn't enter a subspace. Meanwhile, the Creator vessels could be turned into large cubes before being stowed. They took some time to unpack, but it also meant you could bring the ships anywhere.

For example, to planets neighboring conquered worlds. Others didn't have his unlimited access, but the Porter Guild and teleportation tokens still existed. His commercial Cosmic Vessels were only Early D-grade and unsuitable for long-range missions, but they were quick enough to move between planets in a local cluster. It would only take a few days to a month to strike at a neighboring planet, reaping a good chunk of merit.

"Our buyers right now don't care what model they get," Vilari said, confirming Zac's thoughts. " They're mostly after the portability after realizing the opportunity that presents. Whether it's reclaiming words on Zecia or striking at neighboring worlds in a Tan'Kanu cluster, there are massive profits to be had. It's probably the best way to transform Nexus Coins into merit."

Zac slowly nodded before looking at the time again. They still had over two hours.

"Call Emily and Joanna to meet us in my compound," Zac said. "I want to go over a few things."

Sharing his secret with Vilari had been a spur-of-the-moment thing, but he felt he could also tell those two. As for others, he would have to think it over first.

"Emily is currently in the Kan'Tanu sector," Vilari said. "We've sent word that you've returned, but I'm afraid calling her back—"

"Should I send over my other body?" Zac asked.

"It's incredibly expensive sending cultivators to active battlefronts in the Kan'Tanu Sector, especially high-grade ones. Those conquests are like trials. It's cheaper to give up on the battlefront and start fresh than sending reinforcement," Vilari said. "Also, Emily would get angry. She'd think you didn't trust her to do her job. You need trust in the abilities of the people you've nurtured."

The thought of Emily fighting on a distant planet filled Zac with anxiety, but he knew Vilari was right. Emily wasn't the unruly child he picked up decades ago. She was now one of the top commanders under his rule, and he had to believe in her ability to get things done. If nothing else, she had the wits and resources to retreat if things took a bad turn.

"Just Joanna then," Zac said. "I can catch up with Emily later. Right now, I need to go over a few things because I am heading to Kavista in two hours."

As he said that, his human body opened his eyes and moved toward the Battlefront Array leading back to Ensolus. Time was limited, and he had to ensure everything was in order.

"The Kavriel province?" Vilari said with shock, but her mouth soon cured upward. "In two hours? I see you already have a plan."

"Half of one, anyway," Zac laughed. "I just need you two to help me perfect it."

------------------------------------

"Damnit, what's going on?!" Reoluv Dravorak swore, and his bloodshot eyes opened inside the Healing Ward.

His whole body hurt and his pathways were so strained that it felt like they could collapse at any time. But he'd done it. Three successful conquests in two days, all to gather the necessary merit for his quest. It was supposed to only be two campaigns, but a nagging feeling had urged him on, forcing him to continue. He had even kept his personnel and resources to a minimum, ensuring he'd gain the maximum merit.

Yet he received no notification of his quest being complete when the ladder updated, and he urgently opened it to see what was going on.

[Stars of Zecia: Early D-grade]

1st – Kelvinios

2nd – Sacred Insight

3rd – Kerokas, Kavriel Province

4th – Ynar Solefair

5th – Zachary Atwood, Atwood Empire

6th – Arcaz Umbri'Zi, Atwood Empire

7th – Helian Ailo, Allbright Empire

8th – Fateblight, Hanor Clan

9th – Sossor

10th – Ardos Havarok, Dravorak Dynasty

[…]

100th – Uroso Kavriel, Undead Empire

Reoluv's mind ground to a halt as he saw the familiar name that had appeared out of nowhere and claimed the fifth spot. That guy was really an unlucky jinx. Reoluv was supposed to have taken the first step toward domination by leaving his mark on the Tower of Eternity. Yet, a short moment of carelessness had messed up his climb, only for his accomplishment to immediately be overshadowed by Zachary Atwood.

He did pass the seventh floor on his second attempt, but who cared about that when the Deviant Asura conquered the eighth the year before? Yet Reoluv hadn't let that cast a shadow on his heart. He'd worked tirelessly for decades while the Deviant Asura disappeared from the limelight. He'd even been given the opportunity to train in the Havarok Dynasty, further setting himself apart from the other Zecia chosen.

When senior Ykrodas told him great opportunities were waiting back in Zecia, Reoluv had first believed it a thoughtful way to send him back home. But it was all real, to the point even the Havarok Dynasty had been ordered to enter the fray by some mysterious faraway faction. Reoluv still didn't understand the details, but he knew the Havarok Dynasty had been enlisted because of their connection to his Dravorak Clan.

That connection acted as a ticket into their sealed sector, allowing them to squeeze some people through the barrier while the rest had to pass some sort of trial. Reoluv had initially feared his role would be nothing but a porter as he failed to get one of those seals Ykrodas talked about, even after searching the Million Gates Territory for over a year. Then came the quest.

Reoluv knew this was a life-altering opportunity for him, so he'd thrown himself into the gauntlet against the Kan'Tanu elites. Just remembering the blood-drenched aura of the madman he met on the last conquest was enough to leave his back slick with sweat. Reincarnators, they called themselves. Murderous experts who'd survived two baptisms of slaughter to be reborn. He knew he'd have fallen today if not for the one thousand elite guards laying down their lives to provide him an opening. He hadn't managed to kill his enemy, but at least wound him enough to back down.

Now, it felt like their valiant sacrifice was for nothing. The daily update had added two new names sector ladder, but neither of them was his. Instead, he found himself in the eleventh spot, just one step shy of his goal.

The quest that Senior Ykrodrodas believed was his ticket to the real opportunity needed him to reach the tenth, and he had hoped that the past three months would have let him climb the final step of the ladder. If only he had returned upon reading the reports of conflicts in the Million Gates Territory rather than wait for Ykrodas and his elder brother to take him there.

Reoluv's choice to strengthen himself as much as possible before the war began had completely backfired, leaving him with too little pre-war merit to make much of a difference.

"Don't beat yourself up," an ancient voice echoed through the chamber. "You should recognize those names."

Reoluv took a steadying breath before nodding. "I should have guessed the Deviant Asura would create a splash when he finally reemerged. I'm less clear how the Umbri'Zi scion managed to shoot to the top in one go or why he's listed as a member of the 'Atwood Empire.'"

"Perhaps he's the same as the alias Fateblight, using a random small faction to access Faction Merit. More likely, he's after those marvelous Cosmic Vessels," Hastos Dravorak said. "Either case, it is inevitable that more and more people will join the conflict. I spoke with Refus Havarok. It appears someone manages to gain the acceptance of the Zecia Seal daily."

"That's why I pushed myself half to death these past months," Reoluv sighed. "I know my limits; I won't be able to stay in the top ten with more and more outsiders joining the war. Their strength and resources will make it impossible to keep pace. Sooner or later, Mistress Tayn will return and likely bring terrifying allies. I just needed to finish the quest before the competition heats up."

"…I will see what I can do," the voice said after a brief pause.

"I can't ask ancestor to attack those scions!" Reoluv said with alarm. "I'd rather give up on the trial than bring harm on the Dynasty."

"Who said I'd attack them? I'm old, but I'm not suicidal," Hastos laughed. "Asking the young masters of the main branch to rest for a few days shouldn't be too much to ask, and I think I can call in a few favors to stall some of the people on your heels. After all, most of these outsiders are ultimately relying on natives to rack up their merit. You will still have to push yourself a bit longer."

Reoluv steeled his heart, knowing what he had to do. With so much at stake, it was obviously not a matter of just calling in a few favors. His ancestor would have to pay a huge prize to help him squeeze into the top ten. He needed to risk it all, ensuring his master's sacrifice wasn't for naught.

--------

"What in the Abyss," Laz Tem'Zul exclaimed, the shock and exaltation in his voice dragging Tavza out of her blank slate.

"What is it?" Tavza asked, though her idle curiosity was far from expelling the gloom in her heart.

She still found it hard to accept how spectacularly she'd failed her ancestor's task, failed her whole race. Bringing a lost bloodline back into the fold to claim his birthright sounded so simple. What Draugr would say no to coming home, to reconnect with the origin of their very being? Yet she'd spent the past years floundering about, utterly incapable of making Zachary Atwood take even one step toward his rightful destiny.

Enis still held onto a desperate hope that her ward had accomplished her task inside the Perennial Vastness. That Zachary Atwood had somehow defied all expectations and retained his impossible duality even in Hegemony. Tavza couldn't bring herself to believe in that false hope. She just needed to look inward at the monstrous power of the upper bloodlines to know the truth.

There was no fusing Life with their heritage.

"He's on the global ladder!" Laz said.

"We knew that would happen," Tavza said. "Kerokas should have roughly 135,000 merit right now, which placed him at the third spot. 125,000 should put Zachary Atwood in the top 5, or at least the top 10."

"No, he's on the ladder," Laz said with a shaky voice. "Arcaz Umbri'zi. Right next to Zachary Atwood."

"What?!" Tavza blurted. "How is that possible?"

"I—" Laz said, but his words caught in his throat as their heads suddenly turned in the same direction, toward one of the four long-distance hubs of the capital.

Valsa took a shuddering breath; the confusion swept away. She suddenly felt whole, even if she hadn't known something was missing. Laz Tem'Zul didn't seem to sense the same thing, but he was still visibly moved upon sensing the aura. From the depths of despair, salvation had emerged.

The Bloodline of Eoz had finally come home.