Reaper of the Martial World

Chapter Book 9: 121: Choice (4)

Book 9: Chapter 121: Choice (4)

“Why don’t you use the 30 universes, Big Brother?” Zaire asked, munching away at a beast leg three times the size of his head.

Dyon hadn’t eaten in so long he practically lost himself in a sea of dishes. Watching him eat everything from whale to wyvern meat and eyeing his toned physique, many couldn’t help but wonder just where all the food went.

The worst part was that his actions were having a direct effect on the little princess who seemed to have a void in her stomach the same size as her father’s. Sitting on Dyon’s lap, Little Alauna alternated between eating spoonfuls of cherry ice cream and chicken wings. Her little belly hardly even bulged.

“The 30 universes haven’t gone through any catastrophic events, but remember that they were fused into one. Currently, Researcher Ton is working on a formula for them, but it might take a few years to complete. Still, a couple years is better than several millennia, so we can only be patient.”

“Oh!”

Zaire finally understood. He thought his elder brother was making a foolish mistake before. He remembered Dyon complaining about how he couldn’t gain Emperor Grade Faith before battling the Pakals and Ragnors. Back then, he had wondered if Dyon had just forgotten about the 30 universes he already had under his control from Water Mist Quadrant, but it seemed he had already thought of it.

“I was a bit too eager in trying to conquer both Celestial Quadrant and the 99 universes in just 100 years honestly. I was trying to overcompensate for with what I thought would be a lack of culture with numbers, but that ended up working itself out. For now, let’s focus on the 131 universes under our control.

“The 30 universes always provided us with more resources than we could ever use, but now we finally have a true population to filter those resources to. We should be able to grow rapidly as long as everything goes to plan.”

Because of Dyon’s performance against Oshire, a large majority of the Mortal Alliance revered him. In addition, thanks to his public execution of the Ragnor and Pakal nobles, not to mention ‘Project Goddess’ – a plan where he shamelessly used the beauty of his wives to have them confused with goddesses – public support for his rule was at a high among them as well.

The Uidah presented a bit of a unique problem, but with a bit of finesse, Dyon was able to handle it as well.

First, he used Kaeara and Alidor to set the record straight on those matters of 50 years ago, exposing the rotting underbelly of the Uidah elite. Then, he used the Uidah Sons and Daughters under his control to ease the acceptance of his rule.

Following this, it went quite well. The only resister was Nora, the former First Celestial Daughter. It seemed she wasn’t taking things very well at all. But, Dyon had his own plans for these matters.

Still, Dyon wasn’t content. Looking around at the large dinner table, filled with family and friends, he couldn’t help but feel comfortable.

**

“It’s good that you all have come.” Dyon spoke with a light smile.

Currently, he was within the world hidden below Soul Palace. It was the very same grey filled expanse he met the Researchers for the first time in. Except this time, he wasn’t meeting Researchers, he was meeting the young geniuses of the Five Beast, Ragnor, Pakal and Uidah Clans.

Not only were they here, but the Mortal Clan geniuses had come as well. For almost a year now, Dyon’s clone had been guiding them diligently through battle, helping them to grasp more confidence. Today, Dyon decided to bring them here for a first true test.

To now, he had been coddling them, but he couldn’t do so forever. Though he felt bad about neglecting them originally, now was the time for them to grasp their own path.

There was a mixture of reactions amidst the geniuses. Some showed reverence, others showed haughtiness, and yet others still showed hatred and rage.

This latter emotion made sense to Dyon. After all, he had uprooted all of their lives and destroyed the homes they grew up in. For many of them, he was the reason their parents died, whether that was in battle, or by execution after the war was already over. If they didn’t feel this way, it would only disappoint Dyon.

After taking special note of those among the several ten thousand that felt this way, Dyon began to speak once more.

“Though it wasn’t exactly your choice to be here, you all represent the peak talent your Clans once had to offer. But… I should tell you an infallible truth.”

Dyon’s smile disappeared, his gaze unwittingly placing an immovable mountain on the chests of the young ones before him.

“In as little as 10 years, you’ll be forgotten. You’ve lived long enough to become the geniuses of your Clans, but that’s not a good thing. This truth only means you’ve spent more time without my guidance and as such, your paths have already mostly been set.

“With my guidance, my resources, and my Mortal Alliance, those budding talents who are younger than you all will become the true geniuses in as little as a decade.”

Hearing these words, the number of those who felt rage multiplied several times over. The sound of gripping fists and grinding teeth couldn’t be ignored.

“But, I’ll give you all an opportunity. If you’re willing to die to grow stronger, step forward. If you’re willing to live a life of mediocrity, feel free to leave to now.”

Dyon’s eyes deeply scanned the crowd of young geniuses.

“The choice is yours.”