Chapter 787: A world of soldiers
August and the Sages from the Imperial Magic Academy were nothing if not efficient. As soon as Vlad guided them to the designated area for the Interstellar Teleportation Formation, they immediately began their work. Vlad stood off to the side, observing silently, analyzing every part of the process.
An Interstellar Teleportation Formation was, in essence, the anchor point of a wormhole. A marvel of magic and science combined, it was a formation capable of warping space-time so profoundly that it would literally shrink the space between two distant points—point A and point B—allowing travel that would otherwise take hundreds or even thousands of years at the speed of light to occur in mere seconds.
As the Sages laid the groundwork and began inscribing the complex runic arrays, Vlad’s eyes began to glow. The power of his A.I. Chip surged into the surroundings, not just analyzing the structure itself, but also monitoring the flow of energy between the formation and the Sages. With this wealth of data, combined with his own deep understanding of the Law of Space, Vlad knew there was a real chance he might be able to construct one of these teleportation gateways on his own in the future.
Hours passed like minutes, and soon days blurred into a week. The Sages never faltered, their dedication relentless. They worked day and night, focused and methodical, until finally, the last rune of the Interstellar Teleportation Formation was etched into the earth. Vlad nodded in approval. Their skills were even more impressive than he had originally expected.
But just as he was about to inspect the final array more closely, his eyes narrowed. He had sensed something subtle—one of the Sages had briefly focused on him, sending a sharp, meaningful glance in his direction. It lasted no more than a moment, too fast for any of the others to notice.
The True Depravita of Wrath did not show alarm. Instead, a calm smile played on his lips as he stepped forward toward August.
"I am amazed by your efficiency and mastery," Vlad said warmly. "Your skill truly honors the reputation of the Imperial Magic Academy. Please, enjoy my city and its wonders. We have all kinds of drinks and delicious food for you—all free of charge, of course."
August beamed at the invitation. As a scholar, he relished the opportunity to experience other cultures and environments. You never knew when inspiration might strike, and this place—this entire world—was a treasure trove of novelty.
"Thank you very much, Xaos Duke. We will gladly accept your offer and take some time to rest before returning to Graecia."
The other Sages, clearly delighted, smiled as well. Life within the Academy was a routine of strict schedules and endless study, so the chance to relax and enjoy a foreign world was a welcome change. Vlad smiled back and began to guide them through the city, showing off its unique architecture, entertainment venues, and cultural landmarks.
One by one, the Sages began to peel away from the group, eager to explore on their own. Some wandered into bustling markets. Others engaged with curious locals. Even August eventually disappeared into a tavern, clinking mugs with Xaos soldiers and swapping stories. It wasn’t long before Vlad found himself completely alone.
But not for long.
As he turned a quiet corner near the inner city garden, a figure waited for him. She stepped forward, lowering the hood of her robe, showing what could only be described as a divine face. Her features were ethereal: white hair, pale luminous skin, and silver-white eyes that shimmered like moonlight. Though her mage robe covered her form, it could not hide her elegance, her curves, or the grace in her movements.
Men often fell into silence when they looked at her. Even the strongest would show a flicker of desire, one they quickly tried to hide. But when her eyes met Vlad’s, she saw none of that. Only cold focus and unwavering control. The lack of lust was so jarring that it left her momentarily speechless.
"You’re an Imperial Princess, aren’t you? One of Alexandro’s daughters?" Vlad asked calmly.
The woman hesitated for a moment before regaining her composure. She nodded softly. "I am Lucia. My father sent me here as part of the delegation to deliver something to you."
She held out a small space ring.
Vlad took it, glancing at her briefly before turning his focus to the object. Immediately, he sensed a web of seals woven tightly around it. But they weren’t defensive or meant to conceal it from him—they were tuned specifically to his unique energy frequency. Only he could break them.
With a single thought, he shattered the seals and accessed the contents. A tidal wave of information surged into his mind, decoded and analyzed at lightning speed by the A.I. Chip. Even so, it took him several seconds to process it all.
When the data was fully absorbed, Vlad’s expression turned grim. A shadow crossed his face, and for a brief moment, the immense pressure of his presence blanketed the space around him.
Lucia’s brow furrowed. She hadn’t been informed of the contents, only that it was a message for Vlad’s eyes alone. And now, seeing his expression, she couldn’t help but feel uneasy.
"What was—?"
But before she could finish her question, Vlad turned and vanished into the air with a flicker of space.
It wasn’t to be dramatic. He simply had no mood for words. What he had just learned chilled him to the core. The world they were going to invade was no ordinary dominion.
Lucia froze for a moment, uncertainty clouding her expression. She didn’t know what to do next. A brief flicker of annoyance passed over her face—more at the situation than at Vlad’s sudden disappearance—but she quickly collected herself. She took a deep breath, adjusted her robe, and turned to walk out of the alley.
She rejoined the rest of the Sages from the Imperial Magic Academy, slipping seamlessly back into the group. Her face was calm, her steps measured, and not a single sign betrayed the clandestine exchange that had just taken place. It was paramount that the secret meeting between the Imperial Family and the Xaos King remained hidden, even from her own peers. She resumed her role as just another scholar, as if nothing at all had happened.
It didn’t take long for Vlad to return to the Xaos Tower. His expression was solemn, a shadow of deep thought and heavy responsibility cast over his face. He moved calmly, each step echoing through the grand halls as he waited in silence.
Then, four figures appeared in the room.
A young woman adorned with majestic totems wrapped around her like spiritual armor. A small yellow cat whose presence was deceptively innocent. A towering white werewolf exuding silent strength. And a lithe, radiant dragon wreathed in flickers of light and fire.
The four Depravitas immediately sensed the gravity of Vlad’s mood. The air around him was charged, somber, and unmistakably serious. Given that envoys from the Empire had recently arrived, it wasn’t hard for them to guess that Vlad had just received the intel about their target—and from the look on his face, it wasn’t good news at all.
The Depravitas gathered before their king without a word. No questions, no interruptions. Just steady, respectful silence as they waited for Vlad to collect his thoughts and share the burden of knowledge he now carried.
After a long breath, Vlad looked at them. A faint, weary smile touched his lips—not of joy, but of camaraderie—and then he finally spoke.
"The world we are set to invade is called Exilon," he said, his voice steady but cold. "It is one of the most important worlds under the control of the Zanis Family."
The name alone caused the Depravitas to tense, but Vlad continued without pause.
"Like many other planets under Zanis control, Exilon has been entirely restructured—not for trade, or cultivation, or alchemy. Not for potions, artifacts, or industry. No. Exilon’s sole purpose is to produce one thing: soldiers."
At those words, every Depravita adopted a grim expression.
Now it made sense.
Invading a world always came with risk, but usually the threat came from military bases, not the entire population. In most wars, the military was the weapon. But in Exilon, the people themselves were the weapon.
Vlad’s voice remained calm, but every word hit with the weight of inevitability.
"These are not civilians we’ll be facing. Exilon raises its population from birth to serve as obedient killing machines. Their education, their culture, even their bodies—everything is designed for war. They don’t question orders. They don’t hesitate. And they don’t surrender."
The room fell silent again, this time heavier than before. A world where every man, woman, and child was born to fight was not a battlefield—it was a nightmare. The Depravitas knew that even with their might, this war could very well end in their defeat and the demise of the Xaos Kingdom.