Chapter 715 - 704: Seize
Chapter 715: Chapter 704: Seize
"Alas—!"
At the head seat, the second-in-command of the Empire and the most steadfast follower of Lord Demon King, Duke Rune sighed heavily.
His crimson eyes carried a trace of fatigue as he surveyed the blood race descendants kneeling below and said:
"Nowadays, the mist has completely blocked the trade routes across the continent. Lacking the high-quality demon crystals from Tabu Continent, most of the demon crystal application technologies that took a lot of manpower and resources to research will be scrapped. If this continues, I fear major problems will arise."
Below, the kneeling blood descendants exchanged glances, and one of them took the lead to ask, "Duke Rune, do you have any plans to counter this? Just give the order, and we’ll risk our lives to complete it!"
Rune nodded, "Lord Demon King has already begun organizing the research on demon crystal refining technology, but we can’t pin all our hopes on one direction. Regarding the trade routes, I hope someone can find a new route that hasn’t been blocked by the mist, or where the mist is relatively thin. Is there anyone among you willing to take on this task?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the blood descendants fell silent.
Even the blood descendant who had taken the lead previously bowed his head somewhat shamefully.
This task is not only extremely dangerous but also has a high chance of returning fruitless. Moreover, opening a new trade route will take several years, a task that is difficult and thankless, so naturally, no one wants to take it on.
Rune was well aware of this, but seeing the collective silence of the blood descendants, he was still somewhat disappointed.
Just as Rune was about to personally designate someone for the task, a blood descendant kneeling towards the back stood up.
"Duke Rune, I am willing to go!"
A trace of surprise flashed in Rune’s eyes, "I remember you are from Frost’s lineage, called...?"
"My name is Mortis, Mortis Delacour, Duke Rune. If I succeed in returning, I hope to be granted a promotion opportunity!" The relatively young blood descendant unabashedly expressed his own demands.
"Good! Good! The younger generation still has the drive! I can see the burning ambition and craving for power in your eyes; that’s good, much better than being lifeless!" Rune laughed heartily, "I promise you, even if you don’t succeed, I will personally promote you! Of course, if you succeed, I will prepare more rewards for you!"
Upon hearing this, the blood descendants glanced sideways.
Duke Rune personally receiving blood meant that Mortis would enter the most core circle of the blood race, which was akin to an overnight rise for a young blood race under two hundred years old.
For a moment, those blood descendants who initially held some derision towards Mortis showed regretful expressions.
After the internal council of the blood race concluded, Rune privately kept Mortis behind: "Your departure might take a long time. It’s a pity you might not make it back for the two hundredth anniversary celebration of the Empire next year."
Mortis expressed sincerity: "For the Empire!"
...
"For... the Empire, haha." Emperor Mortis slowly opened his eyes, ending his brief recollection during a nap.
Thinking back now, if he hadn’t taken the risk to accept that exploration route task to climb the ranks, he might have died in that celebration ambushed by the Hero.
Fate is such a marvelous thing.
He drifted on the sea for three years, ultimately returning fruitlessly, just as the blood descendants had expected.
However, at that time, the blood race was dwindling, and the remaining competitors were no match for Mortis, giving him the opportunity to become Rune’s confidant.
Giving him... the chance to seize the blood.
The only thing he couldn’t let go of was when he used [Envy] to seal off all of Rune’s skills and pinned him down during the blood-seizing ritual. What did that fleeting look of joy after confusion, sorrow, and anger in his eyes mean?
Sadly, past events are like smoke, impossible to explore now.
After successfully seizing the blood, with the assistance of his collaborator Visarius, he fought tough internal wars for several years, finally clearing out the Werewolf forces and firmly grasping the Empire.
Three hundred years have passed, and he never forgot the ceremony that helped him ascend the throne.
Visarius altered it beyond recognition, transforming it into a mechanism to absorb the life of one’s own blood descendants for their own use.
But Mortis is different; he focused on the "seizure" itself!
Three hundred years of improvement, now he can use the refined ceremony to seize any trait from the target, not limited to the blood lineage of the blood race.
However, the capacity of a single soul is limited; blind seizing only leads to self-destruction.
And Mortis has long known what he needs: the title that can overshadow the name of Emperor—Demon King, Hero!
The original target was humanity’s Hero; for this, he continuously harassed the borders, pressuring the United Kingdom step by step, forcing them to summon the Hero.
Unfortunately, humans aren’t complete idiots following his plans; they fooled the Empire with fake Hero summoning.
And now, due to various reasons, things have developed to this point, and the target of seizing has naturally been forced to become the Demon King.
At present, the Empire’s north has fallen, Levi is in danger, Chis is once again harassing the coast, the United Kingdom is eager to move, and the entire Empire is besieged from all sides, swaying in the storm.
But Mortis no longer cares about any of this.
Surpassing the mundane, wielding the power to fight against the entire world alone is what he pursues.
As long as he succeeds, he will break through the barrier named "limit" that stands before all strong beings, ascending to instant heights.
By then, even the not yet fully grown Hero on the human side would be no threat, and even if the Empire turned into ruins, he could still reign over the Continent!
Gathering his thoughts, Mortis stood up and walked out of the room.
Outside the entrance of Dragon Cliff Dungeon, it had been completely transformed into a fortress — a gigantic fortress accommodating over ten thousand elite Imperial guards.
The fields below the city walls were densely packed with formations.
Infantry, archery, mages, cavalry, trolls, along with his own elite Blood Guards, the flags fluttered in the evening wind.
Mortis stood on the highest platform of the fortress, overlooking the valley below filled with lights and flags.
Three hundred years have passed.
He spent a hundred years climbing to the throne, and another three hundred years guarding it.
Now, he wants to turn it into his most solid stepping stone.
Inside the entrance of Dragon Cliff Dungeon, as a certain change occurs within, roars of dragons emerge continuously, each more distinct and closer!
"Roar—!"
A silver-white giant dragon soared out from the depths, Dragon Mighty following closely!
It roared excitedly, carrying some brutality, and the cold dragon breath gathered in its mouth, seemingly ready to spew out at any moment.
However, when it noticed the enormous fortress below and the Imperial elites who, despite being affected by Dragon Mighty, remained unpanicked, it hesitated for a moment, ultimately did not release the dragon breath and flew directly towards the sky.
Immediately after, more giant dragons flew out.
Mortis watched this scene, revealing a smile: "Finally, it begins..."