Leveling up the World

Chapter 928: Plans and Allies

More blasts echoed, transforming an already devastated part of the world into something far worse. Each time a pulse of energy was let out, moving faster than sound, shoved Dallion further forward. He constantly maintained multiple aether barriers, yet had to be impressed both by the rockets destructive force and Euryales skill. Back in the Tamin capital, he had assumed that the entire plan was for the rockets to release their energy through the domes shell and let everyone inside cook like in a microwave. The demonstration just now only confirmed his suspicion that the archbishop had lost every ounce of imagination and was relying on brute strength and technological superiority.

Good thing you kept Alliance moving, Giaccia said.

I might have to do the same for all other settlements. Did anything of the sort happen during your time?

Yes, but not on that scale. We had lots of devices that were capable of mass destruction. Tiallia restored a lot of devastating spells and created new ones. I just fought.

Splitting again, Dallion used a few instances to glance over his shoulder. Most of the city size fireballs had faded away. The destruction was impressive, erasing a large part of a mountain chain, but hadnt created a crater or depression. Even after everything, this couldnt hold a flame to the destruction the fallen south had been through.

Thats the power Dallion had to contend with, and in order to succeed, he had to become more creative. Above all, his immediate problem was a lack of troops. Quality only trumped quantity in small amounts. There was no doubt that Dallion, or any of the four pretenders, could annihilate armies of low-level awakened, he couldnt be everywhere at once. Plus, inhabitants were the only way through which domain rulers leveled up. He could kill everyone else on the planet and hed still be unable to raise his level to more than it was now.

Veil, move all my settlements, Dallion ordered through his personal realm. Have them be in constant motion all the time. And dont tell me anything important! All awakened realms are being spied on.

Right, the overseer responded without adding anything else. He didnt have to.

Dallion could feel the unease emanating from all inhabitants of his personal realm, spreading to everything they were connected to. The archbishops attack, though Dallion, had brought alarm to millions of people, causing them to feel anxious without even knowing why.

As Adzorg used to say in the past, life was a series of realizations brought on by external events. In this case, Dallion realized that the paranoia he had developed as a noble and domain ruler was not enough to prepare him for the real picture. The only silver lining was that the revelation had been made at someone elses expense.

You really showed your fangs, Simon, Dallion thought.

Based on the number of rockets and the strength of the blast, it was safe to say that he had been aiming for both of them. No doubt he had used his prophecy skill to get the best outcome or had he? Jeremy claimed that the archbishop was addicted to Moonstones. Could those be the source of his visions? If so, no wonder that the emperor had spent decades systemically limiting his supply. Assuming it was mostly gone, the visions would no doubt lose their accuracy. And that gave Dallion an opportunity.

Increasing his speed to the point that spells allowed, Dallion split the sky, flying straight for the nearest settlement he was in control of. From there, it would be an instant to return to Alliance, where the real war would start.

Suddenly, a dot formed just above the horizon. From this distance, even Dallions perception made it impossible to reveal many details. The only certainty he had was that it was far too large for a human. Is that another trump card, Simon? Dallion slashed the air with his aura sword, casting a series of defensive and aggressive spells. A few moments later, though, he relaxed, causing them to vanish. The dot was someone he knew well. Rather, it was two entities he knew well.

The two points flew at each other at full speed. At the moment they were ten feet from each other, both stopped, the already built inertia continuing on like a gust of storm winds.

Dal! Eury said, anger and relief bleeding through, as they were too powerful for even blocker items to contain.

The gorgon had come in full battler armor riding Dark, not to mention the crossbows and rocket bold crates attacked via spell to the dragons body.

Im fine, he replied quickly. Im alive.

Youre an idiot! The snakes on the gorgons head couldnt stop twirling. Even the sun gold armor she was wearing seemed to have its surface bubbling. No one takes on the emperor on his own turf.

You can say that again. Dallion glanced behind. There were no visible signs that anything of significance had taken place in the west. It was safe to say that the inhabitants of the few settlements that witnessed the explosions had already been made to forget the entire thing. You got Dark to show up, he remarked.

It was funny how a stupid remark could convey so much. While the dragon was profoundly confused, nothing else needed to be said between Dallion and Euryale. All alliances between the four pretenders were a temporary illusion that shifted at the drop of a hat. In order to survive, Dallion had to win, and Euryale intended to be with him every step of the way.

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The immediate thing to happen was for Dallion to return to his capital. Several changes to the domain were made. In addition to the kaleidervistos and rocket crossbows that had become a permanent part of every settlement, he had summoned all his close friends in his first war council. Many of them had helped him out back when he was a no-name newbie, barely passed his first gate. Others had been taught and trained by him. No matter the case, he needed all their advice right now.

The empires the greatest force, Hannah said. But theyre also the most vulnerable. The Order and the nymphs have troops scattered throughout their domains.

Removing the Order from your territory is a must, Adzorg added, nodding as he spoke. While theyre still there, it doesnt matter how much you move your settlements, theyll always know.

We start a war against the Order? Diroh asked. Necessity had made her grow into the role of fury leader. If in the past, they revered her as the races legitimate princess. The last series of events had taught her how to be a ruler as wellthanks, in large, to Hannah and March.

Hell just move all of his domain, leaving their buildings behind, Euryale explained. It wont be a huge loss. Theyve already started destroying the awakening altars rather than lose them.

Dallion knew that wasnt the reason, though. The emperor had been right. The archbishops supply must have severely dwindled for him to resort to this. With luck, his prophecies wouldnt be an issue in the near future.

That leaves raw strength, Hannah continued. Lets face it. Right now, youre the weakest in terms of armies and level.

Ouch, Dallion thought. The former innkeepers attitude hadnt changed one bit. She was still blunt and direct as a brick to the teeth.

Youll need to act fast and make the fist more while you have the chance. If history is any reference, you wont get a chance to level up after that till the very end of the war.

Pan? Dallion turned to the copyette, who in typical fashion had created multiple of himself ranging from the war room to the kitchen.

Yes. Dont expect to gain any levels when the fighting starts, he agreed. Youll be lucky to catch up to your current level. And dont try to compensate by building cities. It has been tried and didnt work out well.

Then conquest it is. Dallion cast a spell, causing an aether globe of the world to appear above the table. Well start with Wetie Province and the south. Those should be easy targets. Not to mention that he already had made arrangements with Falkner. After that, I take the wilderness west that no one wants and the north.

Level boost. Hannah crossed her arms.

If were aiming for a level boost, we might as well focus on that.

Everyone was aware that Dallion wouldnt be able to keep on to the territory, but thanks to the initial gains, hed gain several levels, possibly putting him on par level-wise with the other pretenders. Also, it would break the current status quo, forcing them to move troops around, and since this was a free for all, the movements might well spart conflicts between his enemies in the process.

After that, we flush the Order out of the eastern forests, Dallion went on. If were lucky, that would make the empire do the same, leaving the archbishop alone on his island.

It will invite Tiallia to attack, Giaccia remarked. The nymph had joined the war council in her human form, as had many of Dallions guardians and companions. Some were by far more active than others, but all were listening intently. When she sees you fighting the Order, shell send her water islands and attempt to gain a foothold.

Do you think shell come in person?

All eyes fell on the nymph.

No. Tiallia never liked to fight in person. Shell send someone else, or use water golems. Now that she has seen both the emperor and the archbishop use rockets, shell remain beneath the ocean, directing things from there.

Then well take on a hit-and-run approach, Dallion suggested. Small strong teams that take out a monastery at a time. The archbishop doesnt leave his island, so he wont meddle. What do you think?

People started discussing the details. There were discussions whether to use magic troops, how to plan the initial conquest, then the battles with the Order of the Seven Moons. Key strategic locations were discussed along with numbers and the methods needed to maintain them should any of the enemies attack. The coasts were viewed as fairly safe, as opposed to the ones on the continent. While most of the empires attention was to the west, the local archdukes wouldnt appreciate anyone approaching their territory.

You dont have the armies, Vihrogon, who had been remaining quiet all this time, suddenly said.

The comment created an immediate silence. When it came to warfare and military strategy, no one was more skilled. Hannah and March had plenty of experience, but compared to him, were mere children. Pan and Giaccia were far more ancient, but they were conquerors, not strategists.

Even if you avoid conflict, you dont have the numbers to level up. Youll have to move half of the population here and that wont get you much. Your best bet is to stop after you take over Wetie province.

Thatll give me a level at most, Dallion protested.

Whats the use of having territory if you dont have the resources to take advantage of it? Its a matter of logistics. You can do every element of what you said, but not all of them at once, and no one will let you take it slow and steady. If you want my advice, flush out the Order, get Wetie, and hold back until someone else makes a move.

I cant do that. Dallion was the one catching up. Remaining as he was would keep him at the back of the pack, and an easy target to be taken out. The whole plan revolved round making the archbishop weak to the point it became in everyones interest to take him out and broaden the field.

What if we take the skies? Diroh asked. There are still a lot of furies out there. If we get them on our side, we

It wont be enough, kiddo, the dryad interrupted with a smile reserved for bright children. Even if half switch sides, Dal will only be able to get part of the south. What he needs is a new army. He looked at Dallion. You know what you need to do, dont you?

Dallion remained silent for several seconds. He knew exactly what the other was saying, but he was hoping to keep that as a trump card later on.

Youre talking about the dryads, Euryala joined in. You want him to summon a dryad army.

There should be enough in that sword for a good start. Vihrogon glanced at the aura sword leaning against the far wall of the room. But to really make a difference, hell need more. Thats why he needs Wetie, isnt it, Dal?

You sly old fox, Dallion thought. You probably knew it the moment I unbanished you.

Seems like Ill take the twi-crown after all, Dallion said.

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