Chapter 784: Strength and wisdom
What followed was a massive celebration that extended across the entire Xaos Kingdom—an event that reached every corner of Terra. Massive parades filled the cities and towns, each region showcasing its own cultural expression of joy and honor.
Nations held their own festivals, each honoring their ancestors, fallen heroes, and the mighty struggle that had shaped the modern era. From every capital to the smallest village, the air buzzed with pride and unity.
The celebration wasn’t just symbolic. It was a reminder of how far they had come.
Just a few years prior, Terra had been a fractured world cowering under the threat of demons, fleeing from monstrous abominations, and falling victim to the manipulations of deceptive angels. But those days were gone. Now, the people stood free—unchained, powerful, and self-determined. They had carved their path through sheer will and strength. That transformation was worth celebrating.
Next came the grand carnivals. Massive feasts were prepared using Monster meat and rare ingredients gathered from across the realm. These meals weren’t just delicious—they were infused with vitality and energy, bolstering the health and strength of the population.
Citizens of all ages found themselves rejuvenated, some even experiencing breakthroughs in their cultivation. What had once been luxury became a gift for all, offered as proof of the kingdom’s prosperity.
Then came the inauguration of new institutions—buildings that symbolized a shift from wartime desperation to cultural rebirth. Museums and national archives were opened, their walls lined with the ancient and recent history of Terra. These were places of memory, built so that no one would forget how far they had evolved. Knowledge became a cornerstone of their rise, and Terra’s people embraced it with pride.
As the week progressed, a series of global competitions were held. People from across Terra gathered to test their skills—not just in battle, but in areas of physical mastery, spellcraft, tactical thinking, and raw intellect. These events resembled the Olympics in structure, but their scale and diversity far surpassed it. From martial contests to alchemy duels and magical races, competitors pushed their limits for a chance at something more than fame.
The greatest honor? To meet the Xaos King himself.
Each champion was awarded a medal personally presented by Vlad. For many of the younger competitors, it was a dream fulfilled—to meet the man who had led Terra out of darkness and into this new age.
But perhaps the most impactful moment came from a documentary broadcasted across every floating screen in the skies above. It began with images of old Terra—before the apocalypse. Then came scenes of the world unraveling, as demonic invasions, angelic manipulations, and world-ending catastrophes plagued the land.
The narrative focused on the bravery of men and women from every walk of life—fighters, scholars, medics, cultivators—who had risked everything to protect their people. Their sacrifices were honored, their names etched in memory.
At the center of the documentary stood Vlad. Using the data stored in his A.I. Chip, Overlord had recreated his battles with haunting accuracy: his first clash with the angels, his leadership in the defense of Terra, his duel with an Abyssal creature.
The effect was profound.
Citizens across Terra watched with wide eyes and swelling hearts. For many, it ignited a sense of awe and determination. They saw that their king—now a man capable of leveling mountains and incinerating oceans—had once been one of them. He had risen through effort, sacrifice, and unrelenting will.
And if he could do it, so could they.
This was exactly the message Overlord wanted to convey.
The justification for the first war had been clear—it was a war of survival, of defending their world from annihilation. People had supported it without question. Losses were mourned, but they were accepted. The cause had been noble.
But now, Terra would be the aggressor. They would invade a foreign world—not out of conquest, but for the long-term safety of the Graecian Empire, which they were now a part of. Yet that rationale wasn’t as emotionally compelling. The benefits would be seen in the distant future, not the immediate present.
So Overlord gave them something they could hold on to: strength.
Through war, they would grow stronger—individually and as a people. They would gain knowledge, resources, and recognition. The idea of becoming more powerful now, through trials and conquest, made the idea easier to accept.
When the week-long celebration came to an end, people slowly returned to their lives. But the spirit of the festival had left a deep mark on their hearts. The drive to grow stronger—physically, spiritually, and culturally—burned brighter than ever. As individuals and as a civilization, they were moving forward.
Another unexpected benefit was the surge in the strength of the Xaos Faith. The Divine Power channeled into the Xaos Tower increased by nearly 50%, enhancing the tower’s capabilities. That would prove essential in the coming war, as it allowed for the improvement of soldiers, weapons, and infrastructure at unprecedented speeds.
Inside the command center of the Xaos Tower, Vlad stood beside Overlord, reviewing projections and intelligence. Before them stood two men: Grand Marshal Anglius and Chief Counselor Alonz.
Vlad smiled as he looked at the pair.
Anglius radiated strength. His power had clearly evolved—he was now at the Sage Level. Vlad’s senses told him that, upon unleashing his full might, Anglius’ body alone would be enough to flatten entire cities. His physical presence exuded dominance, but it was tempered by discipline.
Alonz, by contrast, was the picture of restraint. His spiritual energy placed him at the Guardian Level—nowhere near Anglius in raw power—but Vlad could sense something more. Though Alonz lacked battlefield prowess, his mental capacity was extraordinary. Vlad’s psychic sense detected intelligence and insight that rivaled even the most seasoned strategists.
The True Depravita of Wrath wasn’t smiling only because of their power. He respected what both men had accomplished.
Anglius had never slackened, pushing the army to new heights. Under his leadership, their forces had reached a point where they could tear through demon legions like paper. As for Alonz, while Overlord handled the core political and civil operations, he had delegated a significant portion of duties to Alonz. The man had proven not only competent but indispensable. His work had brought stability and progress not only to Xaos City but to the surrounding dukedoms.
Together, they embodied the future of Terra—strength and wisdom in perfect balance.
"You two have done an excellent job," Vlad said, his tone filled with genuine respect. "Your contributions to the growth of the Xaos Kingdom—both in terms of military might and civil advancement—are well-documented and worthy of the highest praise."
A wide smile appeared on the faces of both Grand Marshal Anglius and Chief Counselor Alonz. They had worked tirelessly, often pushing themselves to their limits for the good of the realm. To hear their efforts recognized by the King himself made every sleepless night and every sacrifice feel worthwhile.
Yet, despite the praise, neither of them lost focus.
They remained standing at attention, eyes locked on their sovereign. Vlad noticed their discipline and nodded in approval. With a subtle hand gesture, he motioned for them to rise more comfortably.
Then, his tone shifted.
"Soon," Vlad said, his voice steady, "the forces of Terra will embark on a new war."
Both Anglius and Alonz instinctively clenched their fists—not out of fear, but in anticipation. They were veterans of past battles, warriors and strategists who had seen the cost of war firsthand. Neither of them romanticized conflict. They understood it was never to be taken lightly. Even the most well-planned campaigns, even the strongest armies, still faced sacrifice and loss.
Vlad continued.
"We will soon march into a foreign world. Our objective will be complete control—total domination. Every threat will be eliminated."
A small frown creased Alonz’s forehead at those words.
Fighting to defend one’s homeland was simple to justify. It inspired righteousness, unity, and unquestioning resolve. But this was different. This time, they were the aggressors. They would be invading a world whose people had not yet harmed them directly. It wasn’t easy to inspire soldiers raised with a sense of justice to kill strangers who had done them no wrong.
The Xaos Kingdom had grown powerful, but it had also developed a deep sense of order, of purpose—something closer to honor than conquest. Its people were not mindless brutes but citizens of a rising civilization that valued structure, stability, and responsibility.
Vlad caught the shift in Alonz’s expression immediately. His gaze softened slightly, and he gave a brief nod before addressing the concern.
"I understand your reservations," Vlad said calmly. "And I don’t dismiss them. But you can trust that this war is not one of conquest for conquest’s sake. This mission is about the safety of Terra—and of the Graecian Empire, which we are now proudly part of."
He paused, allowing his words to settle before continuing.
"There is a cancer growing in that world. A force of evil that, if left unchecked, will spill beyond its borders. We are not acting without cause—we are uprooting a threat before it spreads. We do this not because we crave war, but because it is necessary to preserve everything we have built."