Chapter 41 - A new beginning

A few hours passed ever since the city was cleared.

If before, Haize rejected the title given to him, now he wholeheartedly accepted it. He was honestly tired of people trying to betray him, only for them to end up dying. At least, they could be a bit stronger, 'Sigh. Traitors nowadays, not even having the strength to back up their confidence...'

Not to mention that having his own force built up as an Empire would make things much easier for him. Everyone would be under his command, and even if it meant being a tyrant, nobody would be allowed to oppose him. At least, while he doesn't obtain their loyalty, they would be forced to be under his command.

But truth to be told... He doesn't need their loyalty. As long as they just work as he orders them to work, Haize doesn't care. Except for those who didn't betray him originally like the thirty members of his Faction, Ziam, and the cheerful trio, they are all tools meant to be used.

'This will be my new beginning as the Emperor. ' Haize thought to himself before looking at the seven humans who once were the Faction Leaders of the Top 10 factions. They were kneeling in front of him, not daring to look up.

Tapping on the self-made throne made of his Flames after he literally solidified them, Haize looked towards them, ''I don't expect any of you to be loyal, nor do I expect you not to betray me. I'll just warn: If any of you even try to betray me, the result will be the same as those three. As long as you don't betray me, rewards will naturally come.''

Haize's voice was colder than ice, and his expression was indifferent to the extreme. His extremely handsome appearance, coupled with his sharp golden-colored eyes shining with a dangerous light made them unable to look towards him. It was as if he was a God that couldn't be tainted by mortal eyes.

Or an invincible Emperor who was above mere peasants.

Even the old man didn't look up, but that was because he now truly respected Haize as an Emperor. And Haize remembered that the old man did help him a lot, 'He is a kind old man, letting him be a General wouldn't work, but as a minister, it would work...'

However, a dark-skinned woman with fiery orange hair started to talk, despite not daring to look at his face, and her tone was respectful, ''Your Majesty... I have a bold request, may I talk?''

''Yes.'' Haize replied with slight curiosity, but his tone was still cold as ever. That woman was a surprise in his eyes, but that was it. He owed her a favor, and Haize was wondering if she wanted him to pay it now. It was truly bold, but he always paid anything he owed within certain limits.

Then, the woman continued with a slightly relieved tone, ''Your Majesty, is it possible for my alliance to become an army under your command, one made out of women only? All I wish is that you can make an exception, giving us more freedom.''

Pondering for a bit, Haize tapped his fingers on the self-made throne continuously, and these tapping sounds made the woman shudder. This was the first time she saw Haize so cold, she once helped him in a mission when he was surrounded, but he was two years younger. He changed a lot ever since they first met, but he still owed her.

''Dark Sun Army sounds good for you? I'll give you freedom enough to recruit females and only females, as you wish. You don't need to worry, because I will want to see who dares to break the laws I'll establish.'' Haize's voice was slightly playful, but the once Faction Leaders shivered. However, both the old man and the dark-skinned woman sighed in relief.

''Does anyone have any requests?'' Haize asked, but the room they were in fell in complete silence, ''Good. From now on, we have two armies: Dark Sun Army, a female-only army, and Covering Sun Army, which accepts both genders. Those who were Faction Leaders will have chances to apply as members of the Army, and become its strongest members.''

''Old man, I know that you don't enjoy fighting, so I'll name you the Minister of Light, you'll be responsible for sorting out those who don't want to be combatants, and distribute them as capable people that work for the Sol Empire. We will need those who can produce products for daily things. Especially, those who can produce clothing, help with the food producers, and also those that can create houses with their Wood and Stone-related abilities.'' Haize continued, as the old man nodded gratefully.

In the Infinite Sun City, from its original 1.4 million or so inhabitants, only a short few thousands survived. And these joined many factions, all Top 10 factions together had a total of around a thousand or so, with exception of the three hundred traitors killed by Haize's Faction. A variety of ability owners was naturally guaranteed.

Of course, the only reason Infinite Sun City suffered such losses was that it was unprepared, and the first to receive what was called 'Portal Catastrophe' by all native humans. Some luckier big cities even had a few hundred thousand inhabitants alive from their original one million or so.

The level of a disaster of Infinite Sun City was no less than the disasters that happened in unlucky cities where Lord-level monsters appeared!

In just a few short more hours, Haize had completely distributed the works of thousands of people. In the next few days, the situation would stabilize as the portal of Infinite Sun City disappeared after the Mist-level Lion went out of it. Only a few smaller portals remained, and their Mana fluctuations were only about low Mana Sea, which wasn't a threat at all.

Houses made out of strong wood and stone strengthened by Mana were made one after another in the next few hours. Starting from the city central point, in a radius of 50 kilometers, all buildings that disrupted his plans were collectively destroyed by Haize and the Faction Leaders. It completely became a planice, before countless houses were made.

In just a day, enough houses to accommodate all survivors were made by a few dozens of Wood and Stone ability users. In the very center, a huge palace made out of a more beautifully carved wood and stone was made, the so-called Royal Palace where Haize and what was collectively called the Royal Family were living. When Edward discovered that Haize actually nominated him as a Prince, he almost cried.

Because it meant that he was accepted in their family, for true! Haize had recognized him as a member of his family. Of course, what Edward didn't know was that the black-haired man had recognized him as a member of his family as long as a week ago.

Somewhere near Infinite Sun City, an old man sat in the clouds while leisurely eating cooked meat, ''That brat, it seems that he truly cleared the city, and even made an Empire? Hm... Since I'm his master, doesn't that make me awesome? Mm, mm, as expected of my disciple!''

''Hm, just barely to my standards, yes, yes?'' Xian Zi muttered shamelessly before suddenly appearing in front of Haize, who looked at him with some surprise.

Then, Haize said with a gentle smile, ''Welcome back, Master.''

Countless emotions suddenly flashed through Xian Zi's eyes, 'How long it had been since someone ever welcomed me back home...?'

Smiling warmly, and quietly teleporting the tears that were forming in his eyes towards outer space, Xian Zi muttered, ''I'm back.''