Chapter 303: The Foundations of an Empire

  Top-tier magic and top-tier magic scrolls are two completely different concepts. To seal a high-level magic, with its complex gestures and incantations that also require a not-so-short preparation time, into a magical item that a novice magic apprentice can instantly cast— from a certain perspective, this method of casting fundamentally violates the laws of magic as a profound art. Therefore, the price for this kind of foul play is usually astonishing. The trouble of the creation process goes without saying; even to create a scroll like Blazing Might Shot would consume gems worth thousands of gold coins that could have been used for magic amplification.

  And for magic of the level of Spatial Lock and Gravity Field, let alone not being Forbidden Spells, their preciousness is about the same. But now, coming from Sedros's mouth, it sounded very casual, as if they were not much more valuable than ordinary magical items.

  Sedros sat in his chair. Before the massive body of the Minotaur priest, this white-haired and white-bearded old human appeared very thin and small. His expression and tone were not solemn either. But now, the way High Priest Tima looked at him was as if he were looking up at a great beast no less than the Black Dragon.

  The Sanderfirth mountain range.

  Several giant peaks piercing the clouds stood between heaven and earth. The clouds and mist that wreathed the mountainsides year-round completely covered the peaks above, making these peaks look like pillars supporting the sky, vast and immense. The strong winds in the mountain ravines, the frequent thunderstorms and blizzards that raged—even the massive Behemoths, Thunderbirds, and Great Eagles were but tiny insects struggling to survive in this majestic and extremely cold mountain range.

  At the foot of the mountain. In a clearing, Gru was leaning against a rock, his eyes closed, seemingly resting.

  In this mountain range, humans were incredibly insignificant. The wind in the ravines could tear a fragile human body to pieces. Even the lowest animals here were far taller and stronger than humans. But he just sat there, tired. Yet he seemed as large, as cold, as majestic, as imposing, and as inviolable as the towering mountain behind him.

  A few tall gray pouch-beasts peeked out from among the rocks in the distance, then immediately shrank back. Although these animals were the main prey for Behemoths, in reality, they were stronger and more ferocious than common Ogres. However, these simple-minded creatures could not perceive the aura around Gru. What made them retreat were other, more direct reasons.

  Around Gru, at his feet, and in the vicinity, were over a dozen mangled and incomplete corpses. Each corpse was dozens of times larger than his body, all of them apex predators of this mountain range: Behemoths, Thunderbirds, and Great Eagles. These ferocious animals were all kings of the Sanderfirth mountain range.

  This clearing was not natural. The broken, giant plants and rocks around it indicated it had been forcibly flattened during a fierce battle.

  Gru's entire body was reddish-brown, the color of dried blood. It was impossible to tell whether this blood was his own or from the corpses. He, the clearing, the blood, and the stench emanating from the corpses were all one, making all other animals dare not approach.

  From the high altitude in the clouds, a sound like the clashing of metal from swords being struck against each other was heard. It pierced through the sharp, strong winds and descended. Hearing the sound, Gru stood up. He opened his eyes, a pair of black and calm pupils gazing at the three blue dots that emerged from the clouds.

  The three blue dots quickly approached, growing larger. They were three Thunderbirds, their bodies wreathed in blue lightning.

  These should be the last batch of "challengers." As long as he repelled these three Thunderbirds, the animals here would instinctively acknowledge this territory as his.

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  This was just the outer edge of the mountain region. There were no more powerful Behemoth behemoths or ancient Thunderbirds yet. But to establish such a territory among animals so extremely sensitive to outsiders was still unimaginably difficult. However, once established, this would be the first step to building a base and stronghold here.

  Throughout history, even the strongest of experts had never conceived the idea of establishing a stronghold in the Sanderfirth mountain range. Although there had never been a lack of those who coveted the magic gems here, they all tried to find ways to gather enough ore and then leave hastily. The conditions here were too harsh, and it was far from any civilization. Supply and maintenance were unimaginable.

  But if it were a large force of strong, well-equipped beastmen, if there was logistical support from Oufu, which wasn't too far from here, establishing such a stronghold was indeed possible. The two Behemoth cubs captured earlier had grown much larger, their taming was also very successful, and with a little assistance from the beastmen, they could ensure the safety of this place and expand the territory. And after that, the efficiency of planned surveying, mining, and transportation would be far beyond what could be compared to the small-scale, life-risking thefts of adventurers over the years.

  After the mages of the Tower of Fangs saw the gems he sent back to Oufu, a group of originally aloof and arrogant old men immediately became red-eyed, like misers who had seen gold, and they hastily signed an alliance with Oufu. Countless high-level and even top-tier magic gems passing through their hands meant countless high-level scrolls, magic wands, and magical equipment. This was incomparably immense wealth, and also incomparably immense combat power.

  From now on, Oufu would no longer have the slightest scruple towards any power on the continent. In less than ten years, it would become the most developed, most prosperous, and greatest empire on the entire continent. That was the empire he had built from nothing, step by step.

  The three Thunderbirds were already upon him. Their bodies, as large as Wyverns, were covered in blue lightning. The air was filled with violently erupting lightning elements. The wind pressure from their huge wings even blew away smaller rocks. The cries from their beaks were sharp and clangorous, like dozens of swords clashing, striking, and breaking against each other. At the tips of the three Thunderbirds' beaks, condensed balls of lightning had already formed.

  With a low shout, both the cries of the Thunderbirds and the great wind were drowned out. Gru bent his knees, jumped, and the rocks at his feet flew apart. His whole body, trailing white Battle Qi light, charged towards the three Thunderbirds. His figure, beneath the three giant, electrically-charged bird bodies, seemed as insignificant as an insect.

  With a crack, the head of the lead Thunderbird, its beak that could tear through heavy steel armor, along with the lightning ball about to be fired, all turned into a sky full of colorful fragments.

  "I didn't expect Lancelot to pull a stunt like this. I didn't expect that a hero, a knight from the human world, would use such means. I even sent my two sons to Celeste. But I never thought that a premeditating Lancelot could still act so naturally, without letting me see the slightest clue..." The irrepressible anger made High Priest Tima's voice sound even more muffled, resonating within the room.

  As the most outstanding and intelligent Minotaur, High Priest Tima had a considerable understanding of human culture. Although in his own eyes, any means that achieves the goal is a good means, but according to his understanding of human culture and morality, the cunning and scheming Lancelot displayed indeed did not seem to match his "Paladin" title.

  "My friend, your fondness for understanding human culture and morality is where your brilliance lies, but you are clearly confused by those things. Those who can become heroes must all be cunning, scheming, and calculating. There have never been moral heroes, only heroes of ability. All creatures are actually more or less the same; the strong are respected. It's just that humans, because they are too weak and too selfish, need more morality and faith to console themselves, to unite. Only those who transcend morality and faith, fully unleashing their own humanity and ability, can become true heroes. So don't delude yourself into trying to shackle a true hero with the fetters of morality. My friend, this is your understanding of heroes that is not deep enough." Sedros looked at High Priest Tima, advising in the tone of a long-time friend.

  "But you are a true hero, Sedros. Knowing you as a friend is the most valuable thing in my several hundred years of life." The High Priest walked to the window, looking at the scene outside. In the plaza, a squad of werewolf soldiers was marching past. A few Half-Orcs were leading Kodo Beasts carrying goods. The surrounding tall buildings were like a strange, giant forest. Although all the stone buildings were monochromatic, with few decorations, the numerous beastmen interspersed within had already given the city too much vitality and life. "Helping the beastmen establish such a complete nation. Everything you have done is indeed considered treasonous and heretical in the eyes of ordinary humans. It goes against the basic morals of being a person, but from a broader perspective, what a magnificent feat this is. This will be a stroke that changes the course of the continent's history."

  "Thank you for the praise, my friend." A flush, the kind unique to a young person's excitement, appeared on Sedros's face. Whoever it is, is happy when their life's work is affirmed by others. "This foundation is also not something I can complete alone. I am waiting for you and your people to build it together."

  "I have already sent a letter to King Taze of Tatalia. He will dispatch troops to meet you near the border. Crossing through Tatalia, you can directly enter the Barbarian Highlands."

  "Regarding the living quarters for the Minotaurs and Harpies, I will immediately have people start construction. They will be built around Oufu, just like the settlements of other races. In your own settlements, you can completely have your own independent beliefs and ways of life. I dare say that, besides being able to bask in the sun, there is no different from living in Nighon."