New empire

The war was over, but the battle for control of this world was far from over. The Dragon King, while happy with the victory over Malzareth, knew that the true conquest had only just begun.

Around him, subordinates and creatures he had tamed in the recesses of the valley gathered to await his next order.

Clang... Clang... The metallic sound of armor echoed as the remaining soldiers straightened up. The sound of the wings of a few massive beasts, fwoosh-fwoosh, added a great tension.

The battlefield was before him, composed of inanimate bodies. The sky, now clear, seemed calmer. But in the dragon king's heart, the atmosphere was as troubled as ever. The system's quests followed one another at a rapid pace, and each objective or task seemed to take him away from what he had originally envisioned for his empire.

Beep... beep... A notification suddenly rings in his mind, like an omnipresent reminder.

The system was infinite, and he seemed to have knowledge of every corner of this fantasy world, from the political intrigues to the occult forces that sought to rise again.

The Dragon King knew that each quest he completed brought him closer and closer to his ascension, but he also understood that he would not have the luxury of being distracted by unnecessary battles.

Ding!

[New quest generated: Build the foundation of your kingdom. Reward: Access to the Art of Divine Governance.]

The dragon king turned to his lieutenants with determination.

Tap.Tap.Tap. His heavy footsteps echoed across the ash-filled ground as he walked.

Dragon King: «It's time to create something lasting. This world is not just a series of battles. It is fertile ground for building an empire. »

Whoosh! A breath of the wind raised dust which marked his speech with an almost prophetic gravity.

The subordinates present had perfectly understood their master's intentions. They knew that under his leadership, their empire would not be based on mere brute force, but on an infrastructure of power.

Grmmm... A faint rumble from the tamed creatures punctuated the atmosphere, the dragon king did not only want to rule, but to establish eternal dominion, an unshakable empire where every domain, every province, would be under his direct control.

To do this, he needed more than just soldiers: he needed strategists, builders, more wizards, demons, vampires, elves, and loyal advisors.

Tap. Tap. The sound of his footsteps echoed in the vast room where his subordinates waited, they were silent and attentive.

The dragon king's kingdom had to have a solid foundation, much more than walls and armies. Governance would then be the key to its success.

A few days later, after gathering new forces, the Dragon King found himself faced with a gigantic dilemma. The path to a strong empire was through the founding of its cities and the control of the energy that flowed through the world.

Whoosh! A wind swept through the valley, lifting the dead leaves. The land, while fertile, was also unstable, and many hostile creatures prowled around.

Grrrrrr... In the distance, the roar of a wild beast could be heard, reminding us of the dangers that persisted.

The demons, certainly defeated for the moment, regrouped. They were waiting for a new opportunity to rise up and overthrow the victorious forces. It was therefore necessary to build an empire strong enough to prevent them from harming the future. The buildings were only a secondary aspect of this conquest of the Dragon King.

Ding! A new notification resonated in his mind, immediately capturing his full attention.

What really mattered was to control the world's resources and ensure lasting stability.

[New quest generated: Find a strategic site for the installation of the Imperial Castle.

Reward: Access to divine landscaping techniques that allow for rapid expansion.]

The Dragon King didn't hesitate for a second. He needed a place where he could not only assert his power, but also strengthen his connection with the elemental forces of the world.

Fwoosh! An invisible energy seemed to vibrate around him as he projected his aura.

The energy of dragons and the elemental magic of this world could create a fortress that is both unstoppable and beautiful.

He gathered a group of explorers and wizards from a faction of the elf Lyara to accompany him on his quest. They had to find the perfect place, a place where the magic of the world could be channeled to strengthen his empire.

Crunch, crunch. The group's footsteps echoed across the rocky ground as they advanced through the mountains.

As they progressed, the Dragon King felt the power of the elements concentrating around him. He was looking for a focal point, a place of convergence where he could establish his headquarters.

Whoosh! The wind whistled between the mountain ridges, carrying an ancient and vibrant energy.

After several days of travel, they reached a valley hidden in the heart of the mountains.

Crack! The sound of a branch breaking under their feet marked their arrival in this uncharted territory.

The surrounding mountains formed a kind of natural barrier that was difficult to access for anyone who did not know the secret paths.

However, what caught the dragon king's attention was a kind of magical vortex that floated above the valley, a luminous mist that seemed to contain an indomitable force.

Bzzz... The vortex made a strange noise, like an echo of pure magic suspended in the air.

Dragon King: «This place... it is perfect.»This site would become the basis of his empire.

In this valley, there were infinite resources. Mana crystals that shimmered in the rock walls, ting! emitting a glow with every light reflection. Ancient energy sources and unknown magical elements converged at a specific point.

Fwoom! An energetic pulse passed through the ground, as if to confirm the latent power of the place.

It was the ideal place for the installation of his imperial castle. The Dragon King ordered his architects and wizards to begin construction immediately.

[New quest generated: Start the construction of the Imperial Castle.

Reward: Construct elemental and magical buildings at supernatural speed.]

Clang! Clang! The first blows of the tools resounded in the valley, marking the beginning of this titanic undertaking.

The Dragon King's empire was beginning to take shape, and with each advance in construction, he felt a surge of power pouring throughout the kingdom.

Humph... The stones laid vibrated with elemental energy, the buildings were not only solid but infused with magic, and each stone laid was composed of elemental power.

Boom! A magic wave was traveling through the foundation when the first main stone was installed, further strengthening the structure.

His castle is said to be a fortress capable of withstanding all attacks, whether physical or magical.

Silarion, a dark elf under Lyara's command with a sharp intellect and a deep sense of strategy, did not hesitate to express some of his doubts.

Silarion: «Master, forgive my impertinence, but concentrating all our forces on building the castle could expose our borders. The southern tribes are watching our movements. »

Clink, clink. The tinkling of the magic tools handled by the workers echoed in the air.

Dragon King: (with an icy smile) «Do you doubt my vision, Silarion?»

Silarion: (calmly) «Never, Lord. But a vision, no matter how perfect, needs strong pillars to support it. Let me secure these borders while you forge the future. »

Swoosh! A magical current flowed through the half-built walls, briefly illuminating the runes carved into the stone.

Silarion: «Lord, your plans are brilliant, but..." Have you considered what will become of these lands after your conquest? Survivors must be integrated, not simply broken. »

Dragon King: (coldly) «This world belongs to those who can bend it to their will.»

Silarion: «Maybe. But a kingdom built on fear will not last. Let me work on a plan for their loyalty. »

Dragon King: «Good, then do as you please.»

Thud, thud, thud! The massive stones of the main walls were laid with magical precision, vibrating with elemental energy.

The constructions were advancing at an incredible speed. The magic used in the construction was extremely advanced, allowing for rapid elevation of infrastructure.

Crack! A runic slab was sealed to the ground, pulsating briefly before blending seamlessly with the rest of the foundation.

The quarters for his subordinates, clang, clang, areas for the training of soldiers and mages, as well as temples dedicated to the various elements were erected in a short time.

Humph... A faint buzz accompanied each new structure, a testament to the power contained in the spells woven by the mages.

The air was made up of magical energy, fizz! The creatures present felt the power grow as the Imperial Castle took shape.

Dragon King: «This world doesn't deserve my rule, but I'll take it anyway. For it is in the natural order that the weak bow to the will of the powerful. »

The Dragon King, while supervising the work, felt the magic gather around him. Swoosh! Every time he completed a task, every time he used his power, a part of this world seemed to belong more to him.

Dragon King: «This world is just a chessboard, and every conquered territory is a piece that strengthens my control. It is not domination that I seek, but the immortality of my work. »

Clang! A magic hammer struck a stone anchor.

Dragon King: «Dominating a world is easy. To mould him in my image, until he can no longer remember a time when he did not belong to me, that is the true ambition. »

During the construction of his kingdom, the Dragon King and his army settled on the fertile lands of a border kingdom. These lands were full of resources needed to expand his empire, but they were populated by peasants and craftsmen loyal to their former lord.

The king's subordinates quarrelled over how to treat this population. Wall-wall, voices were raised in the room, and a tension filled the air. Some called for peaceful assimilation to exploit their skills, while others advocated brutal repression to instill fear and prevent rebellion.

In a large hall with walls adorned with war trophies, ancient weapons, and hanging skulls, the Dragon King sat on his throne, listening to his subordinates debate:

Carlos: «These people don't deserve your mercy, Lord. Rrrrhh! If we spare them, they will plot against us as soon as they have the opportunity. I say that we should burn their villages and burn their land to ashes. Fear is a more powerful weapon than pity. »

Thud! A heavy table leg was banging against the marble floor in the hustle and bustle of the debates.

Lyara: «Destroying this land would be madness. They are rich in resources and skilled labour. Hmmm... If we integrate them into our empire, these peasants could prosper under our rule. Better loyalty acquired through stability than submission wrested by terror. »

A hissing sound passed through the air as a magic wave crackled around Lyara, attracting everyone's attention.

Darius: «Why don't we use them as guinea pigs for my vampire experiments? They could be of some use, at least. »

Rrumble ! A slight tremor ran through the room because of the intensity of his words.

Silarion: «I think my mistress Lyara is right, these lands are too strategic to be abandoned. We should identify their leaders, bribe them, or eliminate them. A subtle and calculated reign is far more effective than a bloodbath. »

The Dragon King remains silent, his eyes peering into his subordinates with great intensity. Fzzzzt! The atmosphere became heavy, as if each word had an infinite meaning.

To establish his authority and assess the loyalty of the inhabitants, the king organized a ritual of public judgment. He summons the leader of the peasants, an old man named Eldorin, respected for his wisdom.

Dragon King: «You claim to represent these lands, Eldorin. Show me your worth. »

It features a massive door, sealed by ancient magic, and issues a challenge:

Dragon King: «Open this door and prove that your people deserve to prosper under my rule. If you fail, your villages will be reduced to dust.»

Eldorin desperately tries to decipher the magical glyphs on the door, but his limited knowledge is not enough. Rrrrrggg! His fingers tremble as he touches the symbols, but the magic refuses to bend. After several hours of desperate attempts, he failed, kneeling before the king.

While the verdict seems sealed, Swish! Lyara, always on the lookout, discovers that an enemy spy sabotaged Eldorin's attempt. She intercepts the spy and drags him before the council.

Lyara: «This is the truth, Lord. This old man failed not because of lack of skill, but because a saboteur prevented him from succeeding. This spy belongs to a neighboring kingdom, which seeks to stir up rebellion against you. »

She throws the spy to the ground, Thud!

The council then entered into a new dispute:

Carlos: «It doesn't change anything. The people of Eldorin should have anticipated such a betrayal. They are weak and deserve their fate. »

Bam! A fist clenches, echoing in the heavy air of the room.

Trôk: «Punishing the innocent for the acts of a traitor would be a strategic mistake. Show that you are righteous, Lord, and these lands will be faithful to you. »

Darius: «You could also score them. A magic of servitude that would remind them of their place... and which would prevent any future rebellion. »

Fzzzzt! A brief burst of energy swirls around Darius, glowing dangerously.

After a long silence, the Dragon King rises, imposing and intimidating. Creeeak! His throne creaks, which amplified the aura of power he exudes.

Dragon King:«These lands are rich, but wealth alone is not enough. I don't want loyalty forged by fear, nor do I want a people too broken to work. Eldorin, your people will live... but on one condition. You will be my eyes and ears in this region. Betray me, and I will burn everything. »