In the dark forests and valleys of the Dukedom of Castille. As Jesus continued fighting the beastmen menace, far to the south great changes were taking place.
After taking over the town of Segres, Marino decided to accelerate his plans for world domination.
In the kingdom of France on the coast, hugging the western sea lay the Dukedom of Brittany. It is a land covered by hills and forests and midst of its rich fertile forest-covered valleys the people of the land had created many pastures and farms. On the cliffside coast, many fishing villages were also created.
Thanks to it's geographical location the land was also quite safe, being away from all the troubles of the known world. Thanks to all this the Dukedoms annual income was great and the nobility were able to live lavish lives.
But all was not good in the Dukedom. For as the nobility lived great lives in their beautiful castles. The lower classes were left in poverty.
For Brittany was also a land known for its harsh taxes and laws that kept the people in check. Though many of the peasantry had tried to rebel over the years. All attempts had been met with failure.
Mysteriously at night time, the perpetrators of such insurrections would vanish into think air never to be seen again.
For unknown to most. Brittany is also a land with a great dark evil secret that has haunted the people of the land for over a hundred years.
To this mysterious land, Marino had sent one of his chosen hands, codenamed Envy. Accompanying her was the rotting metallic corpse of gluttony. Also, his still living brother the massive Ogre named Sloth and a group of chosen cultists.
There Marino had sent them to build his influence and hopefully to usurp the throne of France from the inside. Normally such plans would be unrealistic and foolish but luckily for him, Envy was the daughter of the Duke of Brittany.
As for Envys sister codenamed Lust. She was sent to infiltrate and free the prince of Aragon.
After hearing of Antonio's sinful and cowardly deeds that had now landed him in prison to await his eventual execution. Marino had seen in this a great opportunity to get a new powerful ally on his side.
In the east above the great nation of Sparta laid an alliance of different nations and races. They called themselves the 7 Shield Alliance. There Marino had sent probably his most powerful of hands codenamed Pride.
Her mission If successful would see the 7 Shield Alliance broken and a new power risen in its stead. A powerful nation that would be under his control.
But in order to ensure that everything went smoothly and without any great setbacks they would need insurance. Insurance in the form of money and safety.
Listening to the news gathered by his cultist he had learned of the Arabic recolonization of Granada. This piece of news worried him greatly. So in response, he had sent Greed to manage the Colombo company in The Sultanate of Araby.
There Greed would be tasked with spreading the influence of the cult and eroding the Arabic Sultanate from the inside. Through the Arabic cultures moral degradation and corruption he would weaken the Sultanate.
Then once they were weakened all he was missing anymore was a unified army of Iberia, with enough power to drive the Arabs back into the sea.
Then when all his plans were completed he could attack Europe's heartland the Empire from all sides. With force, he would make Europe bend to his might and call him the new God of this world.
Sitting on his throne of power Marino was looking over the map of Europe with wide red eyes laughing crazily. All these thoughts of power and glory made him extremely excited and happy.
Right at this moment he felt as if he was at the top of the earth. He felt like a king, like a god. Like everything was right there in his grasp. All he needed to do was grab it and make it his.
Finally, his isekai protagonist dreams would become a reality and he would be able to secure a better and brighter future for himself. A bright future one like he had never seen before in his past life. Not only for himself but for his family and all the people of the world.
However, the process of creating his new empire that would last for an eternity would not be pretty or peaceful. But in the end, it would be good. He will bring peace, justice, security and freedom to the world and all it's inhabitants that live under his rule.
Now all he needed was for Tadeo, codenamed Wrath to secure his position in the dukedom of Faro. Then from there, he could legitimise Marino's room and together they would conquer Andalusia and then all of Aragon. Though he hoped that the soon-to-be king Antonio would simply just bend the knee to him.
Like so his plans for the future were set. Now all he needed to do was wait for the good news at home as he worked on himself.
Grabbing his now hard-as-stone crotch Marino felt a painful sting in his heart, like he had just lost something really precious to himself. Shaking his head in disappointment Marino dreaded his choices.
In thought, he brought his memories back to the new world and the battle at sea. At the time unknown to himself the fireball cast by that Elven mage had completely burned and scared his body.
Just like when he had lost his arm and had it replaced by a black stone arm. Now his entire body was made of hard black stone. Though he was grateful that now his body was harder, stronger and all over tougher than before. But the price to obtain such power had been quite high, so much so that now he had started to doubt himself.
Because now he had lost something precious to himself. His good looks were gone and most importantly his dick was gone also. All that remained was a hard flaccid junk of rock that he could still luckily use to do his basic needs.
Sighing he remembered hearing that during the battle after he passed out. It was only thanks to Prides magic and her quick thinking of using the Elven prisoners as hostages that they managed to survive.
The only solution to this that he could think of was to simply continue on the same path as he had. Taking the one horn on his head as an indicator he figured that the dream he had all those years ago must have been a sign of what he could become in the future.
In the dream, he could still remember the powerful red, muscular sexy body and a massive dick still clearly. And even some form of dark magic. If possible he was willing to do anything in order to obtain it.
Chained to the floor on the sides of his seat of power. For now, he could only watch the two beautiful elven women who carried his children.
Now angered and depressed by these negative thoughts. Marino clenched his fist and gritted his teeth. Then as he was about to walk off into the dungeon to beat off his anger on the loyal followers of the previous lord a knock came from the hall door.
Angered even more by this Marino roared out loud. " What is it? "
After a moment of silence, a hesitant voice could be heard. " It's your mother and wife, we brought them as you requested Master. "
Hearing this Marinos face softened as he said. " Let them in! "
With hands bound behind their backs by ropes Lara and Mary were brought in escorted by 2 cultists.
Watching his wife's and mother's fat belly holding the future generations of the Colombo family brought a smile to his face, as he said. " You may let them go. "
After unbinding the two women Marino said. " Leave us. "
Bowing respectfully the two cultists said. " Yes, Master. " And then they left.
Now only Marino, the two Elven women, Lara and Mary remained in the silent hall.
Sitting back in his seat of power Marino smiled proudly and said. " Welcome to the new lord's humble castle. I know all this must be quite shocking to you, but please make yourselves at home. For Eve-.... "
Before he could finish speaking Mary spoke up. " Who are you? Where is Marino? Where is my son? "
Each word coming out of his mother's mouth was like a needle piercing his heart. The words were laced with venom pointed towards him.
Unknown to Marino, him sitting with a big smile on his face, wearing his black attire and hood over his head had just made him look like some great big demon from the underworld. Lara and Mary after his change could not recognize him anymore, no one could. Now he just looked like a monster in their eyes.
Speechless Marino stared at his mother dumbfounded. The Lara spoke up. " Where is my Husband? Where is Marino? They said that he would be waiting here for us. "
Outraged by this Marino pulled his hood down and walked In front of them as he said. " Mother, Lara my love. Look at me. It's me. I know that I do not seem myself but surely you can tell that it's me. I am Marino. I am right here. Look at me! "
As he came closer the two women backed away in fear. As Marino was now he easily towered above both the women and looked like a massive beast with his wide frame.
Hiding Lara behind herself Mary said frightened and angered. " Liar! You are no son of mine! Marino would never do such things! He's a good boy! A boy who enjoys helping others! You are not him! You are nothing but a murderous monster who has brought death and suffering to our town! "
Shocked by these words Marino stopped and stood there baffled. Then in desperation, he turned to Lara and spoke. " Lara you recognise right? Remember how I taught you how to read and write? Remember us sailing across the sea to expand our business into Arabia? Remember all the good times shared together? "
Kneeling down to Lara's level, Marino looked into her light blue eyes pleadingly with his dark red eyes.
Surprised by his words Lara cautiously stepped out from behind Mary. Seeing this Mary tried to stop her but she insisted.
Then she started to cautiously walk towards him. Coming close she reached out her hands and took Marino's stony face into her hands. Holding his face she ran her fingers over it as if inspecting it curiously.
Somewhat recognizing the facial structure that she was so familiar with Lara said cautiously. " Marino? "
Smiling Marino said. " Yes, it's me. "
For a second Lara was relieved and then her face suddenly changed. Taking her hands away she did the sign of the hammer and said. " Oh holy Sighard please give me strength? "
Standing back up Marino said. " Don't worry my love. This is only temporary. I promise you. "
Frowning Lara pointed to the two simply dressed Elven women with somewhat noticeable pregnant bellies and said angrily. " Oh and what about them? What about me? Am I just a temporary thing since now you have them? "
Not understanding what they were saying the Elven women just shrugged their shoulders. Trying to explain Marino said. " I know what it looks like, but just trust me. Everything I have done is for us, It's for our future. "
Outraged by his words Laras eyes started to tear up as she said. " I can't believe what I'm hearing. The letter in your pillow. You wrote it, didn't you? You killed my family. Why? "
Shaking his head as if annoyed by the question Marino said. " I did it because they were standing in my way and besides what does it matter now? I would have thought you were already over that whole thing. Can't you see where we are now? We are nobility now. Just look at everything I have given you. Your family of peasants could never have given you the life that you now have. A life of peace and luxury. "
Speechless Lara started back away from Marino as he rambled on about his greatness. Standing at the back Mary stood in shock not believing his sons words as she mumbled out loud. " Who are you? "
Annoyed Marino said. " Enough talk. Just join me and together we will make the world know the name Colombo. "
Shaking her head Mary said. " No. We need to take you to the Pope. There is still hope. He can surely cleanse your soul of this evil. "
Amused Marino laughed and said. " Muhahaha! The Pope? You can't be serious mother? The Pope holds no true power. Only I and my patriot god hold real unworldly power here. "
Wide eyed and mouth a gape Mary said. " Heresy! Marino don't say such words! I thought you better than that! "
Sobbing Lara then said. " Please can't we just go back to the way things were? Please stop this Marino. "
Disappointed Marino walked back to his seat of power and as he sat down said. " Enough! Guards come and take these two to the dungeon! "
Pleading the tow said. " No Marino please don't do this! "
As the guards came and started to tie them both again Marino said. " I see now that it was foolish of me to think that your primitive minds could possibly understand the greatness of my plan. For you have not seen what I have seen. But for now, you may stay in the dungeon until you are ready to join me. "
As they were dragged out Marino sighed in disappointment. Everything had not gone as he planned. But he still hoped that in time his family would come to understand his point of view.
Though they were not from the future and they hadn't seen what state humanity had fallen to in his time. Most likely by now the people in his time were living in an apocalyptic hell hole created as a conclusion of World War 3.
If humanity were to survive and thrive then there had to be some singular unifying force that would do it. There needed to be unity under one flag, one religion, one currency and most importantly one strong leader.
Especially with the extraterrestrial beings that he now knew existed not only on Earth but out in space. Humanity needed to unite or die. For him, there was no going back anymore. The only way was forward at any price.