I awoke to the dream, in a terrible mood. If I ever find them again, reborn, I'll have to apologize.
But, in return for that moment, I had taken my first step towards the next evolution. I had reached the equivalent of the domain stage when I had evolved back then with Czar's soul, now I took my first step to the next 'stage' of beastly evolution. One large leap, or one small realm, as these cultivators would say.
First thing in the morning, the queen summoned me to her chambers. Every single woman, and the few men that served as procreation slaves, were now greeting me as if I were the clans young master. Speaking of young masters, this clan had none.
When I got into the main hall, I saw Cyrek and the rest of the harem giving her a massage. She really lived the good life. He almost looked happy to do it.
"Ah, you're here, the new clans hero." she said jokingly. "You should be compensated for the work you've done. Ask, and I will make the wish if I can.
"Free Cyrek!" I shouted overdramatically.
"Hmmph , done." to my complete shock she simply snapped her fingers, and his collar was off. He immediately ran to me.
"Star!" he yelped as he held onto my leg. "I thought this was going to be my life! A mere slave in a harem. I mean, it's not like it was that bad…" he trailed off there in the end.
"I never said you could leave my service." The queen stood up, and said menacingly. Cyrek shivered slightly against my leg.
"Look, I said 'free Cyrek', part of freedom means not being a slave." I had to explain basic human rights to her.
She looked annoyed, "I know what freedom is. There is more to this." she sighed and sat back down.
"Don't you think it strange that I'm the leader of the clan at such a young age, or that there are no other young masters?" she asked.
"Well, this whole clan is strange so, not really." I replied honestly.
"Well, it is strange." she retorted. "The previous clan leaders, my parents, were killed as an example for their 'territorial aggressions' against the other clans. It was those antler-headed righteous pretenders at the top." she could not contain the resentment in her voice.
"A Mere pretense. They began to establish their dominance over the mountain much more severely a few years ago. All the other clans bowed their heads. My parents would not submit to them."
She looked at Cyrek, speaking softly. "We are notoriously hard to impregnate, and it is imperative that I conceive a child as soon as possible. Cyrek, you are the most virile male I have met yet, I need you. I don't want you as a slave, I have seen your strength. Become my king." the last words spoken in a seductive whisper.
He looked at me, and I already knew. This was the way of the world. It was sad to see, but my friend was going to settle down with this giant queen. I could only shake my head sadly.
"Ning!" he shouted her name and leapt into her arms. She patted his head lightly as he was now crying all of the sudden. What a sorry sight. This man will never reach the apex, but, in many ways, he has. There was something in him that just couldn't leave, even when that collar fell off, he looked a little sad.
I wasn't sure what to say, I felt like I was done here. But the queen looked up, and gave yet another request.
"Warrior. You have my admiration. I ask you one more thing. I know this is a lot, but please," she was still petting Cyrek, which contrasted strangely with her ferocious expression.
"Help me conquer this mountain!" She stood up again, and Cyrek was tugged up with her.
I had an immediate instinct to do it. It seemed too interesting to ignore. But, why?
"Why?" I asked her the same thing that beast asked me.
"Too avenge my parents! To tame these wildlands, in which only those at the top can claim to have a good life. So that travelers may one day visit the north casually, and not need a caravan of mercenaries." she continued.
"I know you can easily kill the two clans above, those antlers may be tough. But still, with ¾'s of the mountain under our control, we can siege them if need be. We need your strength, as an anchor. I would normally do it, but I'm trying to further my bloodline."
I couldn't help but scoff, "So, you want me to fight your battles while you have strange orgy sex all day? No, I meant 'Why', as in 'Why would I do that?"
She looked at me, her eyes hardening a little. "Hmph, you'll get the lion's share of the resources found in their vaults. I know many of the items won't be useful to you, but beasts can still grow stronger through alchemic concoctions. Pills and Potions. They are exceptionally rare anywhere that isn't the central continent or the eastern alchemy clans. Still, you may find a few in the vaults. Or you may take the ingredients and find an alchemist."
"Huh, is this true?" I asked inside my head.
"I don't know, but it makes sense. Beasts and fauna are both born from nature. If these concoctions are made of nature's ingredients, it should have an effect on all creatures." Au-ha responded.
"Right, they just may have slightly different effects than what is intended for humans." Big Star almost sounded amused, which made me very concerned.
I finally spoke, "Well, you make a fine case. I'll do you a favor as my friend's new bride. Tell me which tribes there are, and who needs to be killed."
She then explained, a content expression on her face.
Chang clan: A clan of normal looking humanoids. Their skin was slightly on the blue side. Normal cultivators, who took in the power of ice. They had one clan leader, which was a high outer field Shi clan, he was known to hide himself to the world. He was called Azeu
Qin Clan: Large, strong, barbarians. They stood shorter than the giants, but were all muscular to boot. Strength cultivators. Two leaders, a man and wife, named Aval and Blanche. They were at the initial domain level, and it may be a tough fight.
Shi: The 'Antler horned people', their horns are said to absorb energy, and they use them to attack, sending out blasts of ice and snow in varying measures and degrees. The leader is said to have rained ice lances down upon the whole mountain once in a fit of fury. A high level domain. Has not been seen for years.
"Why does everyone here have some slight mutation, while the western people do not?" I asked.
"We were born here, and adapted to the magical snow in unique ways. The desert was uninhabited by nothing but beasts until cultivators colonized the place a long time ago."
I made an 'ah' sound and told her to consider the job done, attempting to leave in a stylish fashion. I don't know if it worked.
"[Mission accepted]" au-ha suddenly made fun of me by giving a system notification. I kind of enjoyed it.
That night, I did not dream. Au-ha and I did the same as always as Big Star hid in the depths.
I set out in the morning, I had morphed myself completely. My tail shrank, My body returned completely humanoid. All of this thanks to the Blood Hordes power. My skin turned a little blue. It was unfortunate I could not emulate cloth unless it was red lightning.
I was now a naked member of the Chang clan, I cut and bruised myself in places all around my body. At this level, with a little control, my regeneration would not stop.
I limped up to the main gates, naked and bruised. I was indistinguishable from a member of their tribe.
"Help, brothers, sisters!"