Chapter 21: To the land of Mining
Chapter 21: To the land of Mining
POV: Prince Aung (Jason)
The rhythmic clatter of hooves against the dirt road, the rustling of banners in the cold wind, and the distant cries of birds overhead were the only sounds accompanying the vast army as it marched toward the final stop before the Khachin province's mountainous region.
Jason rode at the front, his golden eyes scanning the horizon. The landscape had begun to shift— rolling fields of green had given way to rugged hills and rocky terrain. The air was cooler, a sign that they were approaching the highlands of the north.
This was the longest leg of their journey, nearly a month and a half since departing from the Royal Capital.
With his newly formed elite force, the 500-man Personal Guard, integrated into his army, Jason's forces now moved with even greater efficiency.
But he knew numbers alone wouldn't determine victory in the battles to come.
There were greater games being played.
And he had no intention of sitting idly while others moved their pieces.
As the army marched through the open plains, Jason took the rare moment of peace to reflect on everything that had transpired.
With a simple thought, the glowing blue interface of his status window appeared before him.
[Status: Prince Aung – Jason]
- Level: 60
- Title: Second Prince of the Pagan Empire, Future Sovereign, Dragon's Successor, Supreme Being's Chosen
- HP: ∞ (Due to Divine Blessing)
- Anja: ∞ (Due to Divine Blessing)
- Strength: 130 (+200 from Divine Augmentation)
- Agility: 120 (+150 from Supreme Blessing)
- Intelligence: 200 (+100 from Supreme Knowledge)
- Charisma: 150 (+75 from King's Aura)
- Endurance: 140 (+100 from Supreme Regeneration)
Unique Abilities:
- [Divine Aura: Supreme Being's Blessing] – Grants absolute suppression over any entity below divine rank.
- [King's Authority] – Forces submission from anyone of weaker will.
- [Taming of the Divine] – Allows the formation of a contract with a Divine Beast.
- [Anja Manipulation: Limitless] – Able to command Anja beyond mortal comprehension.
- [Absolute Appraisal] – Instantly reveals all strengths, weaknesses, and hidden potential of any target.
- [Dragon's Might] – Infuses each action with the force of a Dragon King.
- [Fatebreaker] – Can defy predetermined fate and reshape destiny itself.
Jason smirked as he read his status.
It was overwhelmingly absurd for a mortal.
No human, no king, no empire could hope to stand against him in battle now.
But power alone is meaningless without purpose.
Jason closed the window, his golden gaze shifting to the distant mountains where his true test awaited— the Divine Ice Dragon of Khachin.
Could he tame a being of such magnitude?
Would the creature recognize his strength, or would it resist?
For now, he didn't have the answer.
But he would soon.
---
Jason turned his gaze to a group of shadowy figures standing by their horses just outside the marching formation.
His personal intelligence network had been fully mobilized.
If he wanted to seize the throne upon returning from his campaign, he needed to gather information—**every secret, every betrayal, every plot against him.**
He turned to one of his top operatives, Commander Wei Lan, the leader of his Shadow Division.
"Everything is prepared?" Jason asked.
The masked woman bowed slightly, her dark eyes sharp.
"Yes, Your Highness. Our operatives are already in place, awaiting final orders."
Jason gave a small nod.
"Then proceed. The Empire must be an open book to me before I return."
With that, the spies disappeared into the shadows, vanishing into the wilderness as they went to infiltrate their assigned locations.
Spy Deployment Targets:
1. Southern Rebellion: Monitoring movements of rebel leaders and potential instigators.
2. Magul Empire: Assessing the rival empire's plans and whether they will use his campaign as a chance to invade.
3. Khachin Province's Duke: Evaluating his true loyalty and whether he is conspiring with external forces.
4. Royal Court & High Ministers: Investigating their stances—who will support his claim, who will resist, and who must be eliminated.
5. Royal Palace – The Emperor, Crown Prince, and Queen: Assessing the health of the Emperor, the Crown Prince's moves, and the Queen's hidden agendas.
Jason smirked.
By the time he returned to the Royal Court, he would already know who his enemies were and who would stand by his side.
And then—
The game would begin in earnest.
Unlike the previous stops in Thazin and Myint Zine, Jason had made the decision to avoid resting in human settlements until they reached their final stop—the Capital of Khachin.
This was a strategic choice.
- He did not want to draw unnecessary attention from minor nobles or lords who could report to the Imperial Court.
- Avoiding human settlements meant avoiding spies of the Crown Prince and Imperial Ministers who may try to delay or sabotage his mission.
- It would harden his army further, making them more prepared for the challenges ahead.
Instead, his forces camped beneath the stars, setting up fortified encampments along the way.
Each night, the soldiers trained, prepared, and refined their strategies.
Each night, Jason studied maps, battle reports, and intelligence gathered from his spies.
Each night, he meditated, refining his control over Anja and his Divine Aura.
After nearly six weeks of travel, Jason and his army finally arrived at the last stronghold before the Ice Dragon's domain— the Capital of Khachin, Myint Kyi Naw.
This would be their final stop.
A fifteen-day preparation period before their confrontation with the Divine Beast.
Jason dismounted his horse, his golden eyes scanning the mighty fortress city before him.
A city known for its mining wealth, filled with warriors hardened by harsh winters, and ruled by a Duke whose loyalty was yet to be determined.
Jason took a slow breath.
"Now the real preparation begins."
And with that, he stepped forward—toward the final challenge before securing his legend.
(Continue…..)