A Novel Concept - A death a day, MC will live anyway! Chapter 169: Eyes Are the Window of the Soul

Protheus halted his assault upon reading the announcent. Another Legendary Achievent... He stood still for a mont before sheathing his sword.

"Let's call it a day," he declared. Guandi nodded before following his king out of the training room. Two soldiers bowed as they passed, trailing behind. The rest of his close guard was on the field, defending humanity's territory on Proxima.

The group headed towards the eting room, traversing rough stone corridors. One of the military engineering specialists had developed a skill for manipulating stone. Thanks to his tireless work and supported by a full team of healers and buffers, he had managed to create a sturdy headquarters in less than a week.

After delving into the depths of the base, they arrived at a double door, modestly adorned with the symbol of the Divine Army. It was the sole decoration in the base, as Protheus believed his troops had more important tasks than carving bas-reliefs. The symbols lit up upon recognizing the king, and the door swung open.

Inside, a round table inspired by the legend of King Arthur stood. Six people were already seated, leaving four vacant spots. All rose to greet the king. The door closed behind Guandi, leaving the guards outside.

"Thank you for coming so promptly," Protheus began, settling into a wooden chair. His connection with his subordinates granted him various abilities, including communicating with them remotely. All the ministers who could attend were present.

"Our Champion has just defeated a Tier 2. Gloria, what reactions should we anticipate?"

A fiery-haired young woman stood. "Our troops are satisfied and reassured by Priam's strength. Most believe that their King and their Champion are close allies. Of course, those who don't appreciate Your Majesty will see him as a figurehead. This will help us identify the vermin. By the next Reunion, I'll have a list of opposition leaders. I suggest Your Majesty gives them the choice between conversion and death."

Protheus nodded. His Talent, [King by Divine Right], allowed him to retain eternal loyalty from his subjects. Moreover, he could borrow a portion of their power. Surrounded by his army, Protheus felt capable of facing a Tier 2. Killing it, however, was another matter. He's still ahead...

Yet, his power had limits. One of them was that, at Tier 0, his soul was too weak to accommodate more than six hundred loyalty oaths. Unlocking Concepts and Supremacies slightly increased the volu of his soul, but Protheus calculated that he wouldn't have more than a thousand connections available at Tier 0.

Most of his commanders were absolutely loyal, but the rest of his army consisted of volunteers whose allegiance was sotis questionable. However, that wasn't his primary concern. He signaled his master spy to continue.

"As for our enemies... Arkana will know before long, and the Empyrean Empire's diviners already know everything. I have reasons to believe that Arkana will continue its slow expansion. They don't see us as a threat and believe our Champion will burn his wings before becoming a nace."

"They are mistaken," comnted Protheus.

"I believe so too, but its our luck," smiled Guandi. "Arkana has Tier 3s, and even our atomic weapons are ineffective against them."

"The System keeps them in check. They can only defend while we can attack," Cecilia pointed out. The Mistress of the Arcane delved into the mysteries of magic and the System. "If we play our cards right, we will surpass them sooner or later."

"The System's leash will loosen with each Reunion." The entire assembly turned to Eloise. "Their attackers are Tier 0s for now, but by the end of the next Reunion, we will face Tier 1s."

Her face seed too perfect to be human. A halo above her head confird her alien origin. She was one of the Empyrean king's bastards. Protheus had no trouble converting her to his cause after Gloria kidnapped her.

"Arkana is not the issue; what worries is the Empyrean Empire," declared Protheus.

Their enemy had a mastery of aether built over generations. Moreover, devising strategies and ambushes against masters of divination was a dood venture. Humanity needed ti to adapt.

"They might launch a mass attack to weaken or even eliminate us before the next Reunion," sighed Gloria. "Their soldiers are better than ours, and rumors are circulating that their outpost in Elysium is on the verge of being wiped out."

A heavy silence hung over the eting room. Priam was flourishing in Elysium, but his success fueled the hatred of their enemy.

"We need to find a way to resist until the next Reunion," said Guandi. "Our racial Talent offers us a better progression curve, but they start from a higher point."

"We need allies," stated Eloise.

"Do you have sothing in mind?" asked Protheus.

"The odds are not in our favor: Proxima is a vast planet, created to fuel war between rival civilizations. We currently occupy a small continent, our two neighbors are belligerent, and escape is impossible. The internal situation is almost worse: locating humans scattered on this continent and welcoming them into our capital is a logistical nightmare."

Everyone nodded. Eden, humanity's capital, resembled a giant shantytown despite all of Protheus and his ministers' efforts. Housing millions of people in less than two weeks was simply impossible. Every day, thousands of migrants found their way through the forest and mountains to join them. More than battles, it was the organization that kept Protheus awake at night.

"But we are doing better than others. Without their electronic surveillance system, Arkana struggles to manage the influx of migrants. Their society is full of indebted people who lie about their identity. Traffickers thrive while the elites ignore the people. Betrayed by their leaders, how many would be willing to work for us?"

Gloria nodded. "I already employ many of them. They have no attachnt to their world."

Eloise continued, "The Empire is worse. Many won refuse to return because of misogyny. The System has allowed them to escape their torntors, and they intend to take advantage of it. Resistance pockets are popping up all over the continent. Separated, they are insignificant, but if we could federate and then absorb them..."

"If we must lose an open war, let's engage in guerrilla warfare," agreed Guandi.

Cecilia grimaced. "It's going to increase our logistical problems."

Eloise shook her head. "Not if we decentralize Eden. We go to them, not the other way around. Feeding a million people is a nightmare, but feeding a thousand groups of a thousand individuals is simpler."

"I'm not sure these rebels will accept our help."

"They are caught between a rock and a hard place. If we arrive with soldiers, builders, farrs, and artists, they will be welcod with open arms. It will relieve the pressure on Eden. Today, we forge connections; tomorrow, they will rally under our banner."

The conversation continued as Protheus listened. After more than half an hour of brainstorming, a plan erged.

"Contact the resistance pockets, send military support, and civilians to improve their living conditions. Each group will have at least one commander capable of communicating directly with the King to organize the resistance. We will focus our efforts on the Empyrean Empire to prevent them from launching a massive offensive," summarized Guandi.

Protheus stood up, and everyone else hurried to follow suit. "I approve. You know what needs to be done. However, do not forget the most important thing: real power is personal. Priam is the proof of that."

"Euw..."

Priam regained consciousness in a pool of his own bile. Before disgust could set in, imnse pain split his skull. He summoned Micro to stop it, to no avail. It wasn't physical pain; the Tier 4's soul tightly enveloped his. He was at its rcy.

A growl made him look up, and Priam paled as he raised his head.

"Sphinx!"

With a groan, he crawled to aid his friend, who collapsed halfway between him and the skeleton. She had returned to her normal size, bleeding from every orifice. Her breath was raspy, and her heartbeat erratic. She must have tried to defend him, paying the price.

Kneeling beside her, Priam felt a wave of helplessness wash over him. With a trembling hand, he began to gently stroke her head.

"Sphinx..." he whispered.

"I hope the lesson is clear."

Sumstreh's voice brought him back to reality. Furious, he turned to the skeleton, only to petrify.

A spear of light had just appeared above his friend, lazily levitating above her temple.

"I rarely grant a third chance. For the sake of your friend, don't forget it."

Priam boiled with rage. Despite all the hatred he felt for the specter, he rely gritted his teeth. For Sphinx.

"All right. First off, I want a detailed report of your status skills, Talents, Titles, rits, Achievents, Concepts, and Supremacies."

Priam paled. He had hoped to use his unique gifts to escape. Careful not to et Sumstreh's gaze, he thought quickly. Obviously, the specter wouldn't let him go easily. Should he try to escape now? Priam could teleport to his base with his new Title, but not Sphinx.

"Your Nobility Title won't allow her to flee with you."

The little color remaining on Priam's face vanished. Sumstreh could read his thoughts. [Focus].

"I'll tell you everything I know," he promised.

Sumstreh nodded.

"Of course."

Fake Status: (Average value for a Homo sapiens male before integration: PHY 10 / N 10 / TA 0)

PHYSICAL:

Strength 420

Constitution 794

[He Who Begs Death to Spare him.] charge: PRID.

[Tribulation]: Five Tribulations pending.

Future Tribulations delayed until:

Ti: 172 days 19 hours 50 minutes 12 seconds.