Chapter 1355: Dreambone Kingdom and the Sleepless Kingdom
Chapter 1355: Dreambone Kingdom and the Sleepless Kingdom
Amanda sighed. "Thanks."
After receiving Gragas’ promise, Amanda left the Blood Realm.
She simply couldn’t bring herself to trust anyone else with the graves of her clansmen. She knew that other people would willingly take care of them if she asked, but something deep inside her refused to accept that.
Those graves were precious to her.
Even though she knew she was imposing on Gragas, she had still asked him to look after them. He was someone she could trust with something so important.
Amanda knew that despite having reached the Seventh Shackle Realm, there were still countless people stronger than her. The ones who had slaughtered her clansmen were vastly superior to her in strength.
She wanted revenge.
But now wasn’t the time.
Sometimes, she wondered if all of this was karma catching up to her. Perhaps she was finally paying the price for all the horrendous things she had done in the past.
Karma, fate, destiny...
Souta had once told her that the strong never concerned themselves with such things. After all, they possessed the power to shatter them.
Your loved ones are destined to die?
If you’re strong enough, you can shatter that destiny.
"Then I’ll become strong... Strong enough to shatter destiny itself."
Amanda made that vow to herself.
...
Middle Domain, Dreambone Kingdom
The Dreambone Kingdom was situated near Ironwood Ridge, bordering the Black Dream River and the Valley of Ohrn. It was considered the largest force in the surrounding region, with only the Sleepless Kingdom standing as its equal.
Of course, the Dreambone Kingdom wasn’t the strongest faction in the entire Middle Domain. Several other powers existed, including the Black Dream Council, the Nightime Sanctum, and the Omane Theoracy. These three were unanimously regarded as the strongest factions in the Middle Domain.
However, being the strongest didn’t mean they could easily defeat the Dreambone Kingdom. They might eventually emerge victorious, but bringing down a force of its size would come at a tremendous cost. Even the three strongest factions would suffer devastating casualties if they launched an all-out war against it.
This unspoken understanding was what kept the major powers from engaging in open warfare.
Inside an enormous castle suspended upside down among the clouds, a monstrous creature sat atop an elevated platform.
Its massive body rested on four thick, muscular legs, while a pair of enormous wings folded against its back. Black and green fur covered its entire body, each strand as hard as metal and glistening with a faint, sickly sheen. A long, muscular tail extended behind it, occasionally twitching against the stone floor. Three jagged horns protruded from its elongated head, their tips curving like wicked blades.
Four pairs of green eyes were embedded across its face. Each eye glowed with a cold, predatory light, and whenever its gaze shifted, all eight pupils moved in perfect unison. Its enormous jaws were lined with fangs sharper than swords, while its broad, elephant-like ears twitched at the slightest sound.
Even while sitting motionless, its presence weighed heavily upon the entire hall. The air seemed to grow denser around it, and the monsters standing below dared not raise their heads. A single breath from the creature carried enough pressure to make the weaker beings tremble, while the occasional movement of its claws left deep grooves in the stone beneath it.
This creature was the King of the Dreambone Kingdom.
A powerful monster who had reached the Fifth Evolution Stage, known as the Arrogant Dream March.
The Arrogant Dream March had ruled the Dreambone Kingdom ever since reaching the Fifth Evolution Stage. It possessed an insatiable appetite for the dreams of beings in reality. Invading their dreams and devouring them was more than just a hobby. It was one of its greatest pleasures.
"Your Majesty, we’ve been slowly pushing back those so-called people from the Blood Realm. I don’t know where they came from, but they’re quite strong," reported a monster whose body consisted of countless twisted and mangled tentacles.
"Kill them all..." The Arrogant Dream March’s eight green eyes narrowed. Its claws scraped against the stone platform, producing a grating sound that echoed throughout the hall. "I don’t want any of them trespassing on our territory. Let them fight those bastards in the Sleepless Kingdom instead."
It paused, lowering its massive head slightly.
"Still, where did those people come from? The Blood Realm? This is the first time I’ve heard of such a place."
Despite the report, the Arrogant Dream March remained confident in its forces. It was arrogant enough to believe that nothing could obstruct its path. In its eyes, the Blood Realm was hardly worth taking seriously.
Its true ambition was to destroy the Sleepless Kingdom and devour everything within its territory. Once it had absorbed all those resources, it would have the strength to challenge the so-called superior factions of the Middle Domain.
And when that day came, even the Black Dream Council, Nightime Sanctum, and Omane Theoracy would have to acknowledge its power.
...
In the Sleepless Kingdom, the King was a pale-skinned man standing seven meters tall. He wore a suit of gray armor, its surface adorned with intricate patterns, and a golden crown rested atop his head. His body was unnaturally slender, with long limbs and a narrow frame that made him look almost frail. Yet his blue eyes held an icy sharpness, and the aura radiating from him was so suffocating that even the strongest monsters in the hall dared not breathe too loudly.
No one would dare underestimate this man.
He was the King of the Sleepless Kingdom.
His name was Jeruola Ealrsh.
Jeruola sat upon his throne, listening to the report from his subordinates. Their discussion revolved around one particular force that had recently appeared in the Middle Domain.
The Blood Realm.
"Blood Realm... I don’t recall hearing about any force by that name in this region. And yet, they’re capable of sending numerous First, Second, and Third Shackle Realm experts, along with a few Fourth Shackle Realm experts."
Jeruola paused, resting his slender fingers against the armrest of his throne.
"Now they’re fighting on two fronts, against both the Sleepless Kingdom and the Dreambone Kingdom. How greedy. Interesting..."
A faint smile crept across his pale face.
"Send a Battalion Squad to drive them toward the Dreambone Kingdom. I want to see whether they can truly stir up that land. Also, instruct our people to continue spreading false information about the Blood Realm. You can even claim that they’re puppets of the Dreambone Kingdom."
According to the information gathered by his subordinates, the Blood Realm’s forces had practically taken control of three areas: Ironwood Ridge, the Black Dream River, and the Valley of Ohrn.
That meant they possessed some means of securing and maintaining control over all three territories. Their ambitions were clearly not limited to a small-scale invasion.
The Blood Realm wanted to recruit the inhabitants of these lands, and its people had been actively approaching and observing the local population.
The Sleepless Kingdom wouldn’t tolerate another force expanding its influence within its territory. Jeruola had therefore dispatched his troops to exterminate the Blood Realm’s forces.
That decision had ultimately led to the current conflict.
...
Meanwhile, in a bustling settlement not far from the border of the Sleepless Kingdom, an old man was traveling with his granddaughter.
The old man had long, silver-white hair that flowed down his back. His face was covered in wrinkles, and his body was slightly hunched, giving him the appearance of an ordinary elderly traveler. He wore a loose robe and carried a wooden walking stick in one hand.
Beside him was a young girl who looked to be around ten years old. She held the old man’s sleeve as they walked through the crowded streets, occasionally looking around with curiosity.
"Grandpa, where are we going next?" the girl asked.
"Let’s find somewhere to rest first. Your legs must be tired after walking for so long."
The old man smiled gently and patted her head.
They soon arrived at a small tavern. It was crowded with travelers, merchants, and local inhabitants. The smell of roasted meat and strong drinks filled the air, while the noisy conversations of the customers echoed throughout the establishment.
The old man ordered some food for his granddaughter before finding an empty table in the corner.
While the girl happily ate her meal, the old man quietly listened to the conversations around him.
"...Have you heard? Those people from the Blood Realm have started moving again!"
"Blood Realm? What’s that supposed to be?"
"How could you not know? They’re the ones who have been invading the territories around Ironwood Ridge!"
"Oh! You mean those mysterious people? I’ve heard that they’re recruiting locals and bringing them somewhere else."
"Recruiting? Hah! Don’t be fooled by their words. They’re nothing but a bunch of kidnappers! I heard they force people to join their ranks and turn them into slaves."
"That’s right! I also heard that they’re working for the Dreambone Kingdom. They’re probably trying to weaken the Sleepless Kingdom from within!"
The conversation quickly attracted the attention of several other customers.
"Wait a minute. Are they really working for the Dreambone Kingdom? Then why are they fighting against both kingdoms?"
"Who knows? Maybe it’s all an act. Those powerful factions are always scheming against each other."
"Whatever the case, I heard they’re quite strong. Even the soldiers sent to suppress them have suffered considerable losses."
The old man slowly raised his head.
"Blood Realm..."
He repeated the name softly, his long eyebrows drawing together.
He had traveled through countless regions and encountered many different factions, yet he couldn’t recall hearing about a force called the Blood Realm.
"Grandpa, what’s the Blood Realm?" the little girl asked, noticing his expression.
The old man shook his head.
"I’m not sure. It seems to be a new force that has appeared in this region."