Chapter 785: Evolve Beyond Humanity
The eyes of Grand Marshal Anglius and Chief Counselor Alonz sharpened as they heard their king’s words. Without hesitation, they offered deep, respectful nods.
The Xaos King had earned their loyalty—not through bloodlines or empty titles, but through countless acts of bravery, wisdom, and selflessness. He had always fought for the good of the people, placing their survival and progress above all else. For both men, any lingering doubts vanished. If the Xaos King said war was necessary to protect Terra, they would follow him without question.
"Our first step should be to rally our troops and gather the best of the best," said Grand Marshal Anglius, his voice steady and confident. "I believe we can achieve this through strategic war games. Each dukedom can field its finest warriors, and from the data we gather, we’ll select the elite soldiers and generals who will spearhead the invasion."
The idea immediately earned nods from both Vlad and Overlord.
It was a brilliant plan—not only would it ensure that only the most capable warriors were chosen, but it would also help maintain secrecy about the true purpose of their preparations. The war games would seem like standard military drills to the public, buying them time until the full operation could be revealed.
"Go ahead," Vlad said, turning toward Overlord and gesturing for the A.I. Chip Clone to begin implementing the Marshal’s strategy. With a few commands, the plan was already underway.
Then Vlad turned toward Alonz, his keen gaze searching for insight into how the Chief Counselor might support the coming war effort.
Alonz spoke without delay, his tone contemplative.
"I believe it is critical that we begin educating our people—on the universe, the different camps and alliances, and the dangers that exist beyond our borders. The many planes and dimensions are filled with beings that would see our world destroyed."
He paused, letting the words settle.
"I do not say this to sow fear," he added, "but to empower. Knowledge dispels fear. It allows space for strategic thinking, for measured responses. Our people must understand the nature of the cosmos. Only then will the necessity of strength—and of war—become clear to their hearts and minds."
Vlad’s smile returned.
Demons, devils, angels, alien creatures—these beings were terrifying only when shrouded in mystery. But once understood as simply different forms of life—dangerous, yes, but not invincible—the fear began to fade. Once the people understood that these enemies could be killed and that they bled like any other, fear could be replaced by logic, by courage, and by purpose.
If the people of Terra could grasp that truth, they would no longer flinch at the thought of interdimensional war. They might even accept it as a natural part of growth—a path by which their world could rise.
"Excellent," Vlad said. "Please proceed with implementing that educational initiative. With Overlord’s help, ensure that knowledge spreads, and that our people remain grounded and united. It is of paramount importance that Terra remains stable as we march toward war."
Both Anglius and Alonz gave formal bows, then turned and exited the chamber. The doors hadn’t even fully shut before five new figures entered.
They moved with an aura of immense power—commanding and silent.
The first was a breathtaking woman with platinum hair and eyes that radiated a dark, almost magnetic brilliance. Her very presence seemed to distort the electromagnetic field around her.
Beside her strode a towering young man with broad shoulders, blazing red hair, and eyes that shimmered like molten lava. It was as if a volcano burned in his chest, pulsing with heat and fury.
The third was a man of lean muscle and sharp focus, with short dark hair and a calm but forceful stride. Air itself parted around him as he moved, responding to his will.
Next came a massive, bald man. His hulking frame was nothing short of monstrous, and each of his steps triggered a small shockwave, the sheer weight of his body enough to cause sonic bursts.
Finally, a woman slipped in, quiet as a shadow. With hair as dark as the void and a presence so muted that even a Sage might overlook her. Each step made no sound, and her eyes held the calm of an assassin who had already measured your heartbeat and found it lacking.
Their names were Mirena, Frank, Roman, Clasius, and Amara and they were the Royal Guard of the Xaos King.
Vlad’s smile deepened as he looked at the five.
He could feel it—the immense growth they had achieved.
Each of them had reached the Sage Realm before Terra’s ascension, a feat almost unheard of considering the planet’s humble beginnings. Terra had once been a low-energy, unstable world with weak natural laws. Breaking through such limitations to achieve Sagehood was no small accomplishment.
And they had gone further still.
Following Vlad’s guidance, each member of the Royal Guard had used Terra’s Origin Power—not just to amplify their raw strength, but to refine their very essence. Where many cultivators would have used the Origin Power for instant power boosts, these five had instead chosen the harder path: cultivating their souls and sharpening their talent for long-term gain.
Vlad’s senses didn’t lie. He could feel it clearly—the gates to the Legendary Realm had already opened for them. One more step, one more refinement, and they would ascend.
Those were excellent news for the Xaos King. These five people had already earned Vlad’s complete trust, and if they were powerful enough, he could allow them to take on an important mission, making the burden of war much easier to handle.
In Vlad’s mind, the Royal Guard was worthy of leading legions, generals in the making, destined to carve their names into the fabric of history alongside him.
"My friends, it has been a long time," Vlad said with a warm smile.
The five members of the Royal Guard returned his gaze with matching smiles of their own. It had been a long time. Since Vlad’s return to Terra, everything had moved so quickly. There was no room for leisurely reunions since he had been forced to rush into Valhalla.
Even during the celebration they did not meet as during that time, the Royal Guard had been scattered across Terra, serving as the Xaos King’s official representatives in every major province.
"Xaos King!"
As one, the five warriors bowed their heads deeply and performed formal salutes. Though they shared a deep camaraderie with Vlad, this moment wasn’t about personal friendship. It was about respect—respect for the title, for the burden of leadership, and the Xaos Civilization.
They bowed not to the man alone, but to the symbol he had become for their civilization.
Vlad gestured for them to rise. "There will be time to catch up later," he said softly. "But right now, there is something important I must share. We are on the brink of war once again."
The room grew still.
"We will not be defending our world this time," Vlad continued. "We will be the ones invading. Our next battlefield lies in a foreign world—one ruled by Legends."
A flicker of shock passed across the Royal Guards’ faces. Not because they feared war, but because they understood what the term Legend meant.
Overlord had already shared the footage and records of the Legendary beings that had once descended on Terra. They had studied Vlad’s battles against those entities in awe. Though each member of the Royal Guard had grown immensely in power, they were not delusional. They understood clearly: facing a Legend head-on was another level entirely.
Still, despite the gravity of Vlad’s words, there was not even a shadow of fear in their eyes.
Roman clenched his fists, his aura flaring slightly as if the air around him responded instinctively. Frank’s volcanic energy pulsed in waves, a silent vow of destruction for any who would threaten their King. Mirena’s eyes darkened, as if already calculating which spells would pierce the armor of these so-called Legends. Clasius shifted his stance slightly, his weight making the floor tremble. Amara, silent as always, simply narrowed her gaze with quiet resolve.
They stood ready.
Their loyalty was absolute, but more than that, so was their conviction. They had not come this far just to shy away from an enemy—no matter how powerful.
Vlad’s smile widened as he observed their determination. They weren’t merely loyal subordinates. They were warriors forged by war, by sacrifice, by belief. He had guided them once, and now he would do so again—but this time, he would give them more than just purpose. He would give them the tools they needed not only to survive this coming invasion but to rise above it.
"To clash with Legends," Vlad said, "we must become legends ourselves. And I have just the weapons to help you do that."
At this point, Vlad turned toward Overlord, who softly nodded and stepped forward. "We have the meant to evolve you beyond humanity, to give you the power of the Depravita Race!"