Leveling up the World

Chapter 940: All the Archduchess' Soldiers

Chapter 940: All the Archduchess' Soldiers

The pain in what was left of Dallion’s legs had decreased to a dull ache. It was by no means pleasant, but not enough to distract him from the upcoming fight.

It was obvious that the archduchess was making a show of force. She didn’t bother using stealth or concealing the numbers of her army. Without any care whatsoever, she had ventured into the domain atop an awakened animal—a warhorse from what Dallion could make out.

Riding an awakened creature? he said to himself. Her new rank came with its privileges. He had to do his best not to disappoint.

Gleam, how are things on your end? he asked, summoning his Nox dagger.

She eats like a cow, the shardfly replied with mild irritation. Other than that, we seem fine. No one’s tried anything so far.

That’ll change soon. Priscord is here. She’s come for me.

I’ll be right there—

No! Dallion ordered. Stay with Aqui. Make sure she levels up as much as possible. I’ll deal with this.

Without bothering to cast an illusion in place of his missing feet, Dallion floated in the direction of Priscord’s army. With many of the buildings removed, the Academy seemed no different than a serene valley. That was just the calm before the storm. Although she hadn’t been present during the ceremony at the imperial city, she had probably heard about everything that had happened. The emperor had been careful to keep everything within the capital separate from everything outside. At the time, Dallion thought that was to guard himself. In fact, it was the opposite—the imperial city was nothing more than a target meant to attract everyone’s attention, while the emperor was elsewhere and his forces were scattered throughout the empire.

It didn’t take long for the countess to become visible in the distance. Wearing a highly expensive dress of diamond thread, she rode side-saddle on the back of a warhorse large enough to be a small building. A handful of domain rulers walked behind, all dressed in light armor of various designs and colors. Their levels were in the high eighties and low nineties—the equivalent of Hannah and Vihrogon. Further behind started a massive army made of fully armored soldiers who had passed the fourth awakening gate. Despite being made entirely of sky silver, the sets of armor were mostly for show. Everyone was aware that such armor would do little against an awakened of Dallion’s level.

The TOWN of ISAL is part of your domain.

A rectangle flashed in front of Dallion’s eyes. Euryale was doing quite well on the other front. Nearly all of Wetie province had been reclaimed with Dallion’s forces pushing in further north. It would have been nice if he were able to join in, directing his settlements personally. Sadly, facing the archduchess required all of his attention.

Both sides kept on moving towards one another. Once they got half a mile apart, the archduchess raised her hand, indicating her army to stop. Dallion, on his part, kept on floating forward for a few seconds more before doing the same.

“Lost your legs already?” the woman laughed. She was keeping a low voice, knowing that Dallion had the perception trait to hear her. “For someone claiming to be the emperor’s equal, that’s more than a bit disappointing.”

“So nice of you to come here personally to tell me that.” Dallion used his music skill to probe the woman’s defenses. He wasn’t just targeting her, but the horse, and every item guardian on her body.

Two of the domain rulers instantly reacted, taking out harpsiswords of their own. Their chords, although less sophisticated, were adequate enough to interfere with Dallion’s music attack. Preventing the music strands from attaching to their targets.

“So predictable.” The archduchess pretended to take it calmly, but Dallion could tell that she was tense. Likely, the attack had come closer than she felt comfortable. “What will it be next? Spells?”

“You’re in my domain now,” Dallion continued with his attack. Even if he had no chance of succeeding, it was keeping two of her nobles occupied. “What did you think would happen?”

“True, you appear to have the advantage. All the skills, all that raw power, and within your domain, no less.”

The war horse snorted. Dallion could feel its hostility. There was no way this was a natural creature. The magic threads within it were too many, clustered in an artificial order.

“You should have arrived earlier. That way, the mages would have—”

Before Dallion could finish, one of Priscord’s nobles darted forward. The person had changed considerably, but Dallion recognized him from Halburn. Back then, he was a small piece of crap with delusions of grandeur. After the arena fiasco, and the subsequent conquest of the small neighboring country, he had wormed his way into Countess Priscord’s court, remaining there as she rose to power. His skills were still crap, though.

The noble drew a sword and thrust it forward. The blade burst into millions of hair-length tendrils, all of which extended straight at Dallion.

Undoubtedly, it was a peculiar weapon. The magic within it was unlike most of the artifacts Dallion had seen. Among the properties was the ability to drain magic at contact. Clearly, the noble expected that to be enough in his fight against a “battle mage.”

Is it possible she doesn’t know about the emperor? Dallion asked within his realm.

Why would she? Adzorg replied. She’s an archduchess—someone who by definition is too ambitious for her own good. The emperor didn’t share that detail with anyone, myself included. As far as she’s concerned, the glowing puppet on the throne is the real deal. And, of course, it belongs to this world.

Three nobles charged at Dallion with the other two remaining near Priscord to protect her from any future music attacks. That wasn’t by any means all. The large mass that composed her army also charged forward—thousands of awakened, boosted in skill and level to the point that the emperor’s awakening altars would allow. There was no doubt that over three quarters of them would die, yet that didn’t matter. Like ants in a colony, one person was controlling them, the same person that possibly fancies herself a contender in the game of conquest.

As things stood now, she was fully aware she had no chance against the emperor, but once she took down Dallion, new opportunities might present themselves. It didn’t matter whether she lost her entire army, or even all her cities in this fight. As long as she was victorious, there would be at least one power to protect her until she regained the strength to take them on.

Spikes shot out from the ground, as Dallion resorted to domain ruler powers in his defense. Simultaneously, he made a series of line and spiral attacks indiscriminately at the approaching forces.

ATTACK NEGATED

Your attack has been sliced in two by IKSIAM.

Attack has no effect.

ATTACK NEGATED

Your attack has been sliced in two by VALORR.

Attack has no effect.

ATTACK NEGATED

Your attack has been sliced in two by VALORR.

Attack has no effect.

ATTACK NEGATED

Your attack has been sliced in two by VALORR.

Attack has no effect.

ATTACK NEGATED

Your attack has been sliced in two by HYNDA.

Attack has no effect.

Rectangles blinked in front of his eyes. Despite her terrible personality, the archduchess hadn’t risen to her level by accident. She had been taught how to manipulate, control, and be ready for everyone aiming for her spot. While Dallion hadn’t seen her lead armies personally, it was undeniable that she had emerged victorious against Archduke Lanitol, and held her own against the Azures up till now.

Still, she was just one person and, as she had said, part of this world.

Music spark attack, Dallion thought as he slashed the air with his harpsisword.

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