Ragon moved steadily through the orc camp, now which was extremely silent. The once-loud and aggressive inhabitants had met their unfortunate end. It was a fate they could never have imagined, even in their wildest nightmares.
A village barely equivalent to a one-star kingdom had risen against them and emerged victorious.
"Search everywhere," Ragon ordered, his voice steady but commanding. "Gather their weapons, and secure the captives. I'll personally decide what to do with them." His gaze fell on the chained orcs, and a sly smile crossed his face.
He had his plans to strengthen his kingdom adb he was ready to do anything to make that happen, he needed more than strategy—it was strength, real and undeniable, that would ensure survival. This victory, achieved through preparation, might not always be possible.
****************
Ragon rode through the village on his horse, dragging Grel'thak behind him. The once-proud orc leader, who was approximately seven feet tall, now appeared broken, reduced to nothing more than a defeated prisoner. Bound and humiliated, he trailed behind like Ragon's horse with chains on him like a dog.
The villagers hurled insults and filthy objects at Grel'thak, jeering at him as he trudged through their midst.
"Stupid orc leader!"
"In the face of our King Ragon, he's nothing but a fool!"
Despite his enormous size, Grel'thak could do nothing but endure. The core taken from him left him powerless, ensuring his obedience to Ragon.
Meanwhile, the crowd showered Ragon and his team with cheers, rice, flowers, and various tokens of gratitude. Their faces beamed with joy and admiration.
"To our King! Our Great King Ragon!" they shouted in unison, as they jumped up in jubilation, if to the extent that some where crying.
Ragon, seated high on his horse, scanned the sea of grateful faces. Among them, a familiar figure caught his eye—a red-haired girl, her beauty captivating even amidst the crowd. It was Thera, who blushed deeply as their eyes briefly met. She was extremely shy as she quickly averted her gaze, but she was the most happy person present that Ragon was alive.
*********
Later, in his chambers, Ragon sat on his bed, poring over a map handed to him by the orc leader. His brows furrowed as he studied the markings.
"I never imagined this small village could be hiding a ruin," he muttered.
The map's details hinted at something significant—something that could hold a five-star warrior training manual. For Ragon, this was a great fortune in a kingdom that wasn't even ranked yet. While he retained the innate memories of his divine self, he lacked the skills of the star stages, a critical gap in his power. A five-star manual, whether for warriors or mages, could change everything.
"This… this could be the key," he said softly, his gaze fixed on the map.
There were six realms mortals needed to ascend through before achieving godhood. The first realm which is the Star Stage; The most basic of all stages, divided into nine levels.
The second Commander Stage; The second realm, where combat abilities significantly enhance. The Golden Stage; At this stage, the individual's body endurance reaches an extraordinary level. The third realm Earth Stage; A phase where the individual gains understanding of their personal Dao (path).
The fifth realm, the Emperor Stage: A realm where the individual develops a domain, extending their influence over space, Immortal Stage; At this stage, aging halts, allowing the individual to remain eternally youthful. This is akin to becoming a demigod—the stage where Ragon had been before his death.
Finally, Godhood, a state of divinity that only a select few achieve in their lifetime.
Ragon had been born as an Emperor-level master, bypassing the earlier stages entirely which made him born at the golden stage, a trait of being the child of a god. However, this privilege came with its challenges. He was stuck at the peak of the Immortal Stage for over a thousand years, unable to break through to godhood.
To reach godhood, a being must master enlightenment across all prior stages. This paradox made it uniquely difficult for children of gods to ascend to true godhood. Their innate status granted them advancements on a "platter of gold." For instance, the divine aura of Olympia allowed them to bypass cultivation for the earlier stages like Golden and Commander.
This time, however, Ragon was given a chance to experience the lower stages, starting with the Star Stage. Determined to overcome his limitations, his goal this time was clear: ascend to godhood through his own merits.
Ragon examined the worn, brown map before him, its surface marked with crude "X" symbols. "Hmmm… I never knew there were underground spaces in this village," he mused, surprised by the discovery.
"If this map leads to a ruin, it could change everything," he murmured to himself,
"This will increase the battle strength of this kingdom."
Just as Ragon was mapping out his next move,
*Knock! Knock!*
Without hesitation, he smiled, already knowing who it might be. "Come in," he called out.
The door creaked open, revealing none other than Thera. She carried a bowl of water and a towel slung over her shoulder. Her cheeks flushed with color as she entered the room, her gaze shy but warm.
"Your Majesty, I'm happy that you're back," she said softly, in a light tone.
"Hahaha… Don't worry, Thera. I'm not planning on dying anytime soon," Ragon said with a chuckle, watching as she placed the bowl carefully on the table.
Thera hesitated, unsure of what to say next. Finally, she said, "I'll take my leave now, Your Majesty."
She turned to leave, remembering that Ragon had previously assured her he could take care of himself. However, just as she reached the door, his voice stopped her in her tracks.
"Thera! Wait!" Ragon called out, his tone softer.
Thera froze, turning to face him with his questioning eyes.
"I want you to stay," Ragon said, stepping closer. With a gentle yet firm motion, he reached out and pushed the door shut, his right arm bracing it closed while his left arm trapped her where she stood. His silver eyes locked onto hers, an intense gaze that seemed to pierce through her very being.
"Keep me company," he added, his voice quiet but commanding, a small smile playing on his lips.
Thera's heart raced as she found herself caught in his gaze, her mind spinning with unspoken thoughts.