Alex finished his discussion with the Duke, and he gripped the man's shoulder, transferring some power to him before speaking.
"I have shared some of my energy with you. It will help you maintain control over your people. If you go against me, I can eliminate you."
After this, Alex left the office with his companion in tow, purchased high-class horses, and began their journey to any destination where Alex desired.
"So, what are your plans now?" Yarindus inquired, seeking to learn the location.
"Well, for now, tell me where the largest library in this kingdom is situated because I intend to acquire knowledge," Alex responded.
Yarindus pondered for a moment, recalling the location before saying, "I remember it being in the Po Valley. There's a group of individuals who preserve knowledge of this world, and there's a nomadic tribe that gathers information. Every 500 years, they relocate. The last time I encountered them was 200 years ago."
Alex nodded and said, "Excellent, let's make our way there then."
The journey to the Po Valley was relatively peaceful, despite occasional attacks from wild beasts. Alex used them as moving targets for his pistol.
One week later, they arrived in the valley and spotted a large camp with over 1,000 denizens. As they approached, the people did not raise their weapons in hostility, recognizing Yarindus. When the duo was brought to one of the tents, Alex inquired, "So, where is the library?"
"You must seek permission from the village chief to access it,"
Alex nodded in agreement, deciding to stay in their guest tent for the time being. Later that night, he planned to have a conversation with the village chief. In the meantime, he cleaned his sword, checked his equipment, and had some of his rations, ensuring the food wouldn't harm his body.
When night fell, Alex was led to a tent. As he looked around the tribe, he observed people engrossed in studying books and conducting lessons, though he couldn't understand what was being taught due to the distance. Upon reaching the tent, he found it guarded by two armed men with books slung at their waists.
"Wait here; I'll announce your arrival," the servant instructed. After a short wait, she returned and bowed to Alex. "He's waiting for you."
Alex nodded and entered the tent. Inside, he was greeted by a substantial pile of books and an unusual smoke. Sensing the smoke, he pressed a button on his mask, causing it to close off the oxygen path and activate the filters. With the mask safeguarding him, Alex moved forward until he reached a small desk in the center of the tent, where an elderly man with wrinkled skin was engrossed in a book.
Twenty minutes later, the old man spoke, "Ah, so you've arrived, the knowledge eater," after spending a considerable time flipping a page.
Alex felt perplexed by the term "knowledge eater" and found it somewhat insulting. However, he chose to nod in a show of respect. "Yes, I've arrived. Let's get straight to the point: I'd like to access your collection of stocked knowledge and books," he stated.
The old man just nodded and said, "Sure, you may read to your heart's content. Here is the bag that contains all kinds of knowledge. Be careful; if that bag breaks, the books inside will be destroyed." The old man smiled slightly and extended his hand, revealing a small pouch. Alex held it, opened it, and his eyes widened in shock as he saw its contents—an endless abyss of books.
Alex nodded and turned towards the exit. Just as he was about to leave, the old man asked, "Care to have a chat?" Alex turned his head and saw the old man with no more books, offering some refreshments. Alex couldn't decide if it was safe for his body, but seeing the hospitality, he nodded, sat down, and for a few hours, their conversation revolved around Alex's homeworld and the demon's tales of his travels in this endless world.
One month later, Alex finished reading some books, and they were preparing to leave the nomadic camp. Alex and the demon chief struck a deal—Alex would provide them with a piece of land to settle permanently, and in return, they would serve as teachers to spread knowledge. Alex specified that there was some knowledge that must not be taught, and the old man agreed to this request. Alex was finishing a letter, ordering the Duke to allocate land for them and be on standby for his return.
Outside the nomadic camp, Alex observed the camp being disassembled. When he checked his ration pack, it was almost empty. He sighed and spoke to Yarindus, saying, "We're going ahead of them. Let's head to the place where the portal opened. I'll come back with more men and supplies. Since the climate is different, my soldiers and people will need time to adapt."
Yarindus nodded and asked, "So, how long will I have to wait?"
George
George Erroba
"3 months, but you lead them and give the letter to him. Okay, I will go first instead," Alex responded.
Alex turned and leaped high into the sky, locating the portal. He kicked the air, creating several sonic booms, and the flight took less than an hour. When he arrived, he entered the portal and was greeted by his soldiers, who aimed their rifles at the portal and at Alex. Since he remembered that the protocol was to shoot anything that entered, Alex signaled them to stand down and begin the groundwork for his industrialization plan.
"My lord, do you want us to prepare 40,000 soldiers?" one of his ministers, who was organizing labor, asked.
"Like I said, not all are soldiers. I will need 27,000 armed infantrymen, 500 engineers, and the rest will be workers for these factories I planned to build," he replied, handing out documents to the ministers. As they read, they began to speculate.
"My lord, what if they betray us?"
"Don't worry; they follow the strong. Only that their rule, and that place, will be our money basket. Now, what are these stacks of papers next to me?"
Alex pointed to the stacks of paper next to him, and one of the ministers, who happened to be the Minister of Science and Development, replied, "My lord, that's the report of the scientists on the new inventions that they've tested. They are waiting for approval of a certain operation."
Everyone knew about that operation, even Alex, and when he gave the thumbs up, it would leave a mark in history. People didn't know the cause of the event, so in his final thought, Alex decided to proceed.
"Tell them to proceed," he instructed.
With that, the Minister of War signaled a guard in the room to order the Admiral of Operations to allow Operation Reaper to begin. This mark would stain the city-state of Draconia's reputation, but the nature of this stain would remain unknown.
Alex began reading the reports and, with a slight smile, he approved them. For now, they would be used in military applications and some minor tools.
"Alright, we need that manpower in 2 months. For now, I will take a break and head to Siegfried to check the status there. You're all dismissed."
After everyone left, Alex opened a letter, and a person entered and sat in one of the empty seats. Alex began speaking.
"So, tell me, how's the operation doing?" Alex inquired of one of the commanders of the Assassin X.
"My Lord, smuggling attempts have decreased over the last month after placing some warnings. Although the lords of the two Olympus states tried to bribe them with money, it never works. Right now, our members are increasing by the month, and the network will cover the entirety of Pangea. Perhaps within a decade, the entire world."
Alex scoffed at the idea of 'covering the entire world' because, for now, this continent was still in balance.
"I have a new assignment," Alex continued. Those words made the man stop, his smile turning sarcastic. Even though Alex couldn't see his face, he could see the anticipation in his eyes, waiting for new orders.
"My mission might be brutal, but I want you guys to find very talented people, not just any kind of talent, but those who are capable of fighting gods themselves. They must be young, almost the same age as me, and find them around the world, no matter what. If you're losing funds, ask the Minister of Finance and tell him it's an order from the Lord, and it will be done. Am I clear?"
The Assassin X bowed and left the room. When that was done, Alex opened the letter, and it was from one of the gods of Olympus, specifically the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aphrodite.
"Dear Future god of Balance Alex Draco
We need your assistance to deal and investigate on what happened to our neighbor the Elvish Empire was practically erased off the map in fortnight and right now some gids speculate that it was the hermit god the first born and right now he is living peaceful in the north of the continent and we call it the hightower valley and some surviving witness heard that he massacred the entire imperial line without mercy and right now the gods are concerned on what he's planning next we hope your assistance in this matter this might disrupt the civil war
From yours truly Minister of foreign affairs aphrodite"
After reading the letter he suddenly wrote another letter not to olympus but to the assassin x addressed to their HQ even Alex doesn't know their Location and when he finished his work for the afternoon he head to the dinning area were he cooked himself some dish and after eating he head to the bedroom were he slept
1 months later
Siegfried Imperial palace
Alex right now gazed at the map were he placed miniature Star fort figures across the map and Alex saw the figures placed and each soldier figure is over 30,000 soldiers and right now Alex controls the entire military force and the lords can only stay back and watch and when he check northern frontiers he was surprised that more enemy death incurred there and it was from the bandit kingdom a notorious kingdom with rampant banditry and they did multiple attacks but thanks to over 60,000 soldiers present they failed and the star fort prevented from entering
He check the south and nearly 30,000 death was incurred some were refugees that tried to enter the border and some are brigands thinking they can just enter and for east well it was a bit chaotic people form the east tried expanding their influence and Alex sent nearly 2 divisions from Draconia to support the defense and his warships blew the enemy warships and they didn't give a reason or justification they just invade and they call themselves the justice bringers yet they attack with no reason so Alex gave them a stern warning there most skilled master died and his body was shown and burned to show that anyone who tries to invade will face the wrath of the empire and the ones attacking are just two empire and that one empire has gunpowder which alex just sent the assassin X to prevent them from copying his design
"So how are the preparations for this war?"
"With your case scenario we have over 1,000,000 reserves ready to fight chronos and they can be mobilize if that operation begins" Duke dimitri did everything and right now he aged a bit due to that work and spoke the numbers that alex wanted to hear
"How bout the South case"
"Over 90,000 soldiers are prepared to join up and invade" Duke dimitri finished with a fulfilling smile and that smile twitched hearing the next words
"Well i have mission for you you will command the northern army and a brigade of Draconia Soldiers to capture a dozen titans and make sure thier alive because we will testing them and also create chaos as much as possible do you accept my order?"
The man sweated first but after hearing a brigade of his better trained force will assist he accepted and started formulating some plans on how to capture a dozen titans without killing them oh well let everything flow naturally.
A few months later
Alex stood infront of the portal heading to the realm he call the Demonic realm a fitting name and behind him are over 40,000 soldiers/workers and they are equip with heat insulating clothes and after a few months of testing they created a batch of clothes to survive the heat and also some food that can last over 1 year but theres an extra 10,000 soldiers since alex planned that when there over the portal he will establish a military camp/research facility to make an easy flow of supply and the laboratory was turned into a spacious room were a large anti matter dome
Cover the portal and machine guns lay near the portal ready to fire and a few artillery peices
'Perhaps i will create a group of people that will gather and research this kind of things and even contain and somewhat destroy if its a threat' Alex took a mental note of this to establish this group for the betterment of his curious mind and future of the empire
Soon he faced the people lined up near the portal behind were the 2 commanders he appointed and a engineer
"People and soldiers of Draconia this the time we expand to another world a place we can call our second home and we need to develop those help the people we must not be arrogant at them we will show them how powerful this might nation when its unified remember we shall develop and no enemies will go against us!"
After those words they roared and soon they begin moving Alex of course moved first and when the coast is clear he ordered the division to enter and after creating a perimeter he ordered the to create a fortress
And when they begin placing the foundation i ordered the rest to enter
Right now Alex's tent was placed in the middle and another 3 tents for the commander and team of scientist and when Alex left his tent he saw already 20 feet tall walls and when he float in the sky he saw the structure of stars and saw soldiers guarding the workers who help finishing the walls by creating small trenches pack with 4 soldiers and a machine gun
2 days later
The camp/ fortress was finished and Alex begin heading towards the duchy and he mapped the road were checkpoints and scouting spots to be placed and when they arrive he was greeted by the people of that book worm tribe and yarindus and the duke and he ordered his men to settle down and head to the castle were he explained that this people will be helping the duchy to be industrialized and with the army h brought they can begin to annex the territories nearby and put the workforce of unemployed people under him
"Are you sure you want me to govern this land?" the duke said with a concerned face"
"Don't worry i will stay here for a while" he planned to leave and buy a map in the capital when everything is beginning to take shape so for now
Alex opened a map and it showed the places were he would begin building his ambition
To be continued