Chapter 4: A New Beginning
As the Celestial Divine Core's energy coursed through his body, Elias felt a profound transformation taking place. His senses heightened, and his strength increased. He laughed out loud, a mixture of excitement and determination.
He thought back to his past, to the struggles he had faced. No talent, his mother taken from him too soon, imprisoned, and then banished. The memories still stung, but now, he felt a sense of purpose.
"I'll make them pay for what they've done to me," Elias said to himself, his voice cold and calculated.
With a thought, the system panel appeared before him. Elias's eyes locked onto the interface, and he navigated to the "Empire" section.
"Empire Information," he said, his voice firm.
The panel flickered, and a new screen appeared. Elias's eyes widened as he read the information.
"Empire Name: None
Territory: None
Resources: 0
Population: 0
[You have been banished from the empire and do not currently possess an empire. Begin building your empire by conquering territories, gathering resources, and recruiting subjects."]
His's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with possibilities. This was his chance to start anew, to build something greater than what he had lost. He would not be held back by his past; he would rise above it.
The system panel flickered, and a new quest appeared before Elias.
["Quest]: Conquer the Unknown Land
Objective: Claim the unknown land as your territory and establish a stronghold.
[Reward]: four Natural Spirit
[Description]: Natural Spirits are born from the essence of plants and trees. They possess the power to nurture and accelerate the growth of crops and spirit plants. With a Natural Spirit by your side, your agricultural development will flourish, and your resources will increase."
Elias's eyes lit up as he read the quest details. Conquering the unknown land would be a crucial step in building his empire, and the reward of a Natural Spirit was enticing.
He thought about the potential benefits of having a Natural Spirit.
"Accept the quest," Elias said, his voice firm.
The system panel flickered, and the quest was marked as accepted.
....
Elias stepped out of the large room, opening the door to reveal the dimly lit hallway. As he walked, he saw Gareth and several knights standing nearby. They turned to face him, and upon seeing their lord, they bowed in unison.
"My lord," they greeted, their voices respectful.
Elias nodded, acknowledging their greeting. "Gareth, have you completed the task I assigned to you?" he asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Gareth straightened, a look of professionalism on his face. "Yes, my lord. I've compiled the information on our knights and the people living on the island."
"Tell me," Elias said, his interest piqued.
"Our knights," Gareth gan, "are all at the knight disciple level with me as the only Iron level knight.As for the people living on the island, they're ordinary folk, my lord. No mages or knights among them. They're mostly farmers, fishermen, and craftsmen."
Elias turned to Gareth, the golden light of the Celestial Divine Core lending his gaze an unnerving intensity. "Gareth," he commanded, his voice resonating with newfound authority that silenced the low murmurs among the knights. "This exile ends not with scavenging, but with strength. I gift you and our knights not gold or land, but power. A knight cultivation technique – one that will forge you into blades worthy of the empire we *will* build."
Gareth's eyes widened, disbelief warring with burgeoning hope. Cultivation techniques were guarded secrets, treasures hoarded by noble houses and imperial legions. For a disowned prince to offer one... He dropped to one knee, fist over heart, his voice thick with emotion. "My lord... this generosity is beyond measure. We are unworthy."
"Rise, Gareth," Elias ordered, his tone brooking no false humility. "Your worth will be proven by what you make of it."
Elias began to perform the knight cultivation technique he had obtained from the system. The technique's essence flowed through him, and he shared it with Gareth and the knights.
As the knights received the technique, they were shocked to find its effects were remarkably good. Their faces lit up with joy, and they exchanged disbelieving glances. Many of them had never been given a chance to cultivate properly due to their humble backgrounds, and now, their lord was providing them with a valuable technique.
One Knight, face scarred from a dozen border skirmishes, stepped forward, his weathered eyes suspiciously bright. His voice, usually a gravelly bark, was thick with disbelief and reverence. "My lord... forgive my bluntness, but this... this technique feels Imperial. Cleaner. Stronger. Deeper than the bastardized scraps we were given as garrison troops. How...?" He trailed off, unable to articulate the sheer quality compared to the clunky, inefficient drills they'd known.
Elias offered a rare, genuine smile, sharp and satisfied. He saw the dawning realization on their faces – the understanding that their lord possessed resources far beyond his apparent exile. "Because you are no longer garrison troops," he stated, his voice carrying across the hall. "You are the foundation of something new. Cultivate this technique tonight. Absorb it. Let it harden your resolve as it strengthens your bodies. At dawn, we cease being castaways. At dawn, we begin claiming *our* territory. This archipelago will be the cradle of our empire."
A ripple of fierce determination replaced the awe. Shoulders straightened. Jaws set. The gift wasn't just power; it was purpose, and the promise of a future greater than any they'd dared imagine as low-born soldiers. As one, five hundred armored knees struck the ancient flagstones in a thunderous crash. The sound echoed through the decaying hall like the first drumbeat of war. Heads bowed, not in mere respect, but in absolute fealty. Their voices rose, a unified roar that shook dust from the rafters:
"OUR BLADES ARE YOURS, LORD ELIAS! OUR PATHS FOLLOW YOURS! COMMAND US, AND WE SHALL CONQUER THE VERY STARS!"
Elias surveyed his kneeling legion, the amber light of the technique's infusion still fading around them. Pride warred with the immense weight of responsibility. He had ignited their potential; now he must lead it. "Do not fail this gift," he commanded, his voice low but carrying the crackle of divine energy. "Do not fail yourselves. Cultivate. Tomorrow, we forge our destiny."
He turned, the heavy tread of his boots echoing in the sudden silence left by his departure. Behind him, the knights didn't rise immediately. They remained kneeling, eyes closed, already sinking into the first cycles of the Ascendant Iron Path, the air around them humming with focused spirit as their bodies began the arduous, exhilarating process of transformation.