Leveling up the World

Chapter 930: Three Echoes

DRYAD RULER

(+2 Empathy)

You have fulfilled the promise made to the dryads generations ago. The question is, will you bring them to salvation or get them all killed?

The crown felt uncomfortable on Dallions head, though not nearly as uncomfortable as the realization that he had made the final step. The conquest was put in motion and now he couldnt turn back even if he wanted to.

A long time ago, he would have defined this whole thing as the final multiplayer battle, though that was back when he viewed things through the lens of video games. There was nothing fun about this. Any cheats and strategies were allowed and second place equaled death, or the last loser to die.

The dryad boost was going to increase his population, but in terms of warpower, there was a lot to be desired. Despite their native magic, less than ten percent were awakened. Even among them, the most skilled would need assistance passing the fourth awakening gate.

Because of that, the initial plan had to go through some changes. Too weak to settle the fallen south, or settle in the unoccupied barren lands of the west, the dryads would have to directly face the Orders war clerics in the eastern forests. From a purely strength perspective, the clerics had the upper hand, but hopefully the dryads numbers and environment were going to balance things out.

Worried? Euryale asked as she entered the dryads throne room. The sun gold armor had changed appearance, turning more regal than defensive.

A bit, he admitted.

I thought youd spend some time watching the procession. Its not every day that you get an entire world to follow you.

Dallion couldnt even force a smile.

I can sense them just fine from here. The emotions were so intense that when combined with his magic vision, they allowed him to get a near-perfect image through the walls that surrounded him. Ill try to unbanish the dryad guardians back home.

The items he had gotten from Canopa, among a few other places, were a lot more experienced. Although minuscule when compared to the millions in this world alone, theyd act as commanders and crack troops. In that aspect, it was fortunate that they stuck together. Back when Dallion had attempted to acquire the mage enclave, he had plans to use them as his special forces, just as the archbishop was doing with the copyettes. Now, theyd be given far more significant roles, which required Moon vows.

Hey. The gorgon placed her hand on Dallions shoulder. Ill be with you till the end. Theres no need to worry.

Sadly, that brought as much concern as it did relief. Eury was someone who could handle herself well in battle. Even after Dallions massive level increase, hed be hard pressed to win against her without the use of magic and companions. Reading her emotions, he knew that she would die for him and if he messed things up, that was how things were going to end up.

I know. He stood up. No weakness. He told himself, using music skills to shred the threads of doubt within him. Time to see the archduke.

Concentrating, Dallion linked the world to his personal domain, then to a spot in the real world.

DUZHD VI has been added to your domain.

The CITY is Level 11

ROSSA has been added to your domain.

The CITY is Level 12

ZDRAVETS has been added to your domain.

The CITY is Level 10

LOZE has been added to your domain.

The CITY is Level 10

VECHER has been added to your domain.

The CITY is Level 11

VJATUR has been added to your domain.

The CITY is Level 10

Rectangles emerged as one after the other Dallion moved the major cities into the real world. The moment they did, they too started moving, depriving anyone of the opportunity to strike them with magic rockets.

Small towns and villages remained in the aura sword, in case anyone wished to return at a later time. Until then, the world guardian would remain the only entity there.

And now, time for the push. Dallion moved the new set to the very border with the Orders domain.

You have broken through your one hundred and twenty-eighth barrier.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

You are level 128.

Choose the trait you value the most.

A green rectangle emerged. Increasing his reaction to ninety-five, Dallion kept pushing the cities further into enemy territory.

Facing anyone else, the action wouldnt have achieved anything. However, the archbishops strength was also his weakness. Unlike everyone else, he didnt have real settlements, only a massive war force that he had placed within monasteries and citadels throughout the world. For infiltration and intimidation, that approach was unparalleled. When it came to domain control, though, such meager settlements were bound to lose when compared to vastly larger cities. Having millions of dryads emerge in a scarcely populated area had quickly shifted the balance of power, taking out chunks of Order territory and adding it to his own. From this point on, the only way for the Order to reclaim it was to go on the offensive and attack the cities, which would be considerably more difficult. And just to make sure, Dallion went on to gin things up by playing one more trump card.

Using the link, Dallion moved to his personal realm. Night had fallen, but the glow of the remaining dragon heart still added an orange hue to the blackness.

Nice play, Gen said.

All three of Dallions echoes were waiting, standing a few feet from where he had appeared. While all shared his face, time and personal preference had made them very different. As Jeremy had said, each echo came with its own personality, which inevitably led to changes.

Are you sure about this? Gen, the veteran, asked. He was the first echo that Dallion had created. Constantly there to provide advice, he had maintained the realm since the early days, restructuring and repairing everything from individual plants to mountains and islands. Im not sure youll be able to keep this place clean without me.

Always a smartass. Dallion shook his head. He knew that the echo could see exactly what he was thinking, and knew perfectly well that the step wasnt going to be easy. Yet, it was necessary and not only because of the promise or the current war. If Dallion needed to grow, he had to let part of his past go.

Reaching in the air, Dallion summoned the dragon heart. As the orange crystal appeared in his hand, the hue in the sky vanished. In its place, an endless number of green stars emerged, along with all seven Moons.

Combining attack and carving, Dallion slashed the Moonstone with his finger. A small fragment chipped off. No larger than an adults thumb, it contained the power to grant divinity for a matter of minutes; or in this case, something a lot greater.

Dallion caught the fragment midair, then went to Gen and pushed the fragment into the echos chest.

ECHO TRANSFORMATION

GEN has been granted the spark of life!

Link with DALLION SEENE severed.

GEN had grown into his own entity.

All current skills retained.

GEN is Level 14.

A green rectangle appeared, as the former echo was covered in orange light.

Thanks for everything you did, Dallion said. Ill try to keep this place livable.

Gen laughed, then disappeared in a cloud of fading particles.

DIVINE CREATION - GEN

(+1 Reaction)

You used a fragment of Dararrs Garnet to bring an echo to life. Gen has been transported to Sandstorm.

A stab of sadness swept through Dallion as the echo was moved out of his personal realm. It felt like a thorn in his heart, but not for a single moment did he allow it to take control.

Taking a step to the side, Dallion stood in front of July. This echo had kept the most boyish appearance of the group. He had been born the same day Gleam had become Dallions familiar and retained a good relation with all creatures and guardians within the realm ever since. Even now, both Gleam and Ruby rested on his left shoulder.

Youll need to give him some space, you two, Dallion said as he sliced off another shard of Moonstone.

Reluctantly, Gleam fluttered off, followed shortly after by Ruby.

Dont worry, youll still get a chance to see each other. Ill make sure of that. Dallion pressed the gem into the echos chest.

ECHO TRANSFORMATION

JULY has been granted the spark of life!

Link with DALLION SEENE severed.

JULY had grown into his own entity.

All current skills retained.

JULY is Level 21.

July looked down as the orange glow surrounded him, trying to hide his tears. He was by far the most emotional of the bunch.

Take care out there, Dallion said. In the very last moment, his former echo looked up, just before disappearing like the first.

DIVINE CREATION - JULY

(+1 Reaction)

You used a fragment of Dararrs Garnet to bring an echo to life. July has been transported to Sandstorm.

Two echoes were gone. Only one remainedAriel. He had been by far the most powerful echo in the realm, taking on the role of realm protector and overall loner. Unlike the rest, he had kept his hair white, in a sign of uniqueness, very much as his character suggested. During Dallions development, he was the one most pushing him forward, often arguing or talking back.

Nothing to say? Dallion asked, slicing off the final piece. Thats very unlike you.

Ive plenty to say. I just dont want to see you crying.

Touche. Dallion thought.

Didnt think youd actually do it, Ariel added, despite himself.

You never thought highly of me.

No. I always did, even when you didnt. He looked at the orange piece of crystal. I just never dreamed youd be given a chance to do this.

With a forced laugh, Dallion pushed the Moonstone fragment into the echos chest.

ECHO TRANSFORMATION

ARIEL has been granted the spark of life!

Link with DALLION SEENE severed.

ARIEL had grown into his own entity.

All current skills retained.

ARIEL is Level 42.

You better help the others level up, Dallion said as orange covered Ariel. Thats your problem now.

Seeing the way you did it, I doubt I can do worse, the other replied. And dont even think of cheaping out on gear! I know exactly what you can do.

The glowing light quickly dissolved into particles, leaving Dallion alone.

DIVINE CREATION - ARIEL

(+1 Reaction)

You used a fragment of Dararrs Garnet to bring an echo to life. Ariel has been transported to Sandstorm.

Well, thats that, Dallion said, although he knew that the echoes could no longer hear him. They were no longer part of his realm nor were they echoes. From this moment on, there would be no thought sharing, no reminding him what he was supposed to do, and no jokes on his behalf.

The pain in his heart had increased threefold. Dallion had yet to have children, let alone have them leave the nest but he imagined the feeling would be the same. The trio had literally been part of him, born in awakening trials, through internal revelations. From things that had kept him back, they had become part of his realm that propelled him forward and now they were their own entities out there in the real world.

A hundred and twenty-eight levels and you remain a softy, Gleam said, fluttering around Dallion. I guess thats what makes you you.

Look whos talking. Dallion kept the smile on his face. He could easily use his music skills to get rid of the pain, but this time, he chose not to. It was good to experience some pain from time to time. With what was coming, it was certain thered be a lot more of it.

One by one, the Moons in the sky faded away, leaving only the Orange Moon. The hint was not at all subtle, but still, it was a good one.

Alright, Dallion thought, summoning his carving tools. Theres no point in keeping it any longer.

A new gemstone was diligently given shape and added to his Moon emblem.

MOON EMBLEM

5/7 Complete

A yellow rectangle emerged. No sooner had it done so than Dallion returned to the dryad throne room within his aura sword.

Get Dark, he said to Eury, making his way to the nearest window. Were heading to Lanitol.