Varnyx gave a firm nod. "Then I will begin the selection process right away. We’ll prioritize those with combat experience, but even the weak can serve in other ways."
Damon smirked. "Good. Turn as many as you need.
Varnyx then opened up another system interface in front of Damon. "As for the second matter, my lord, this is..." The guy hesitated.
Damon could already guess what it was about. "Are you getting reports of the holy faction and divine faction preparing for another war?"
Varnyx’s expression darkened, the red in his eyes flaring faintly. "Yes. Our scouts intercepted communication between the Divine Church and the Radiant Hand. They’ve ford a temporary alliance. Their goal is to ’cleanse the dark tide before it spreads any further.’" He scoffed. "Typical zealots."
Damon stepped closer and stared at the interface, which now displayed several war reports and alliance updates. A new tir had appeared in bold gold script:
[Holy Crusade Countdown: 6 Days, 13 Hours]
Damon let out a low breath. Of course, he already knew sothing like this was going to happen. It was not going to be easy to maintain a vampire base on a continent surrounded by kingdoms and empires that absolutely loathed the race.
Especially not after the siege he just won almost single-handedly. The humans had been humiliated, and their pride was bleeding. A retaliation was inevitable. This "Holy Crusade" was just a fancy way of declaring another war.
This was simply a system-sanctioned event that was going to keep on coming back again and again. At least he had one week to prepare for the first war. It must be because of that mutated wyrm’s actions.
Damon’s gaze hardened as he stared at the tir. Six days. He wasn’t worried. Not really. But this ti, the scale was different. They weren’t sending a raid party or a few elite teams. This would be a full-blown assault.
It would be as if he were fighting against an entire kingdom. After all, what he was doing right now was nothing short of kingdom building. It was an impossible task for any player, and the quest was designed for failure. This was why even if he failed, there would be extrely generous rewards.
But Damon had no plans of failing. Ultimately, everything boiled down to resources, and he knew of many ways to quickly fill up those war coffers. "Tell , Varnyx. How much do you need to get help from the main clan? I need backup that ensures complete victory in this battle."
Varnyx paused for a mont, then his fingers danced across the interface, pulling up a new screen. Several lines of text, symbols, and currency requirents appeared before Damon’s eyes, each line representing a different tier of reinforcent from the main vampire clan.
"For basic support—reinforcent troops, so supplies, and low-tier mages—we’ll need around 500,000,000 Gold Coins," Varnyx said, his voice calm but precise.
"But if you want elites—high-ranking nobles, warlocks, flying units, siege beasts—that’ll cost you at least 2500,000,000. And that’s just the upfront fee. They’ll expect tribute after the war too. Blood, territory, or sothing of equal value."
Damon studied the screen, his expression unreadable. 2500,000,000 wasn’t a small number. Not in this ga. But it was still far less than what he’d imagined. If he pushed hard, he could definitely make it, especially if he cracked that territory.
"Fine," Damon said. "I’ll get it done. Prepare a contract with the main clan for the elite backup. I’ll transfer the funds once I hit the number."
"Are you sure, my Lord? Once the contract is signed... You will be accountable for that number."
Damon bitterly smiled. He knew that much already. If he was not careful, this single action could possibly end his life and future, but at the sa ti, if he did not take this risk and see how far he could go in this kingdom-building quest, then he would be missing a golden opportunity that had fallen right in his lap.
"The number is fine with . Don’t worry about that. Just get the contract done." Damon’s voice was firm, leaving no room for argunt.
Varnyx gave a slow nod, respect filling his crimson eyes. "As you command, my Lord. I will personally oversee the terms and ensure there are no hidden claws in the deal. The main clan doesn’t always play fair."
"I’m counting on you." Damon smiled. "I’ll do my part and get the gold. You handle the rest."
Varnyx bowed and was about to leave when the old vampire suddenly stopped on seeing three figures walk towards Damon. The man’s face imdiately changed. "My Lord, these three..."
Damon looked at the three from top to bottom and nodded in satisfaction. It looked like Ellora did not hold back and took out the best stuff for all three of them. "They are my new followers." Damon introduced them, which made Varnyx’s frown deepen.
The old vampire’s eyes narrowed as he took in the sight before him. A traitor, a seductress, and a fool?
"My lord..." He opened and closed his mouth many tis before shaking his head and dismissing himself. He did not say anything, but the look on his face said it all. The new lord was batshit crazy!
Damon just chuckled at Varnyx’s reaction. He could feel the old vampire’s doubt, practically hear the words the man didn’t dare speak aloud. But Damon wasn’t interested in approval, not from Varnyx, not from anyone.
Ellora ca to stand beside him, looking smug and satisfied, her new armor hugging her curves like a second skin. Kaelthorn was a walking wall of nace now, dressed in blood-forged plate that radiated killing intent with every step.
And Riven... well, Riven looked cleaner, sharper, slightly more awake. He still looked very out of his depth, but that was fine.
Ellora walked forward and hooked her arm into Damon’s with a lazy confidence, smirking up at him, and flashing her assets. "So, my Lord," she purred, "what is this I am hearing about elite backup? Do you really have two and a half billion gold coins with you?"
***
Mass Release sponsored by Syphatrol
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