Chapter 43 - Empire

          

          What are your intentions then ? demon elder asked...

          

          First, put you..in a suitable.. mindset, number 4 said

          

          To what end..

          

          Join our wars, as a mercenary.. and gain rewards, for your life....

          

          Specifically ?

          

          We are having difficulty taking over a city, our army is stalled... you could say.. a person of

          your stature and experience would be able to do it.. 

          

          You don't have anybody else suitable ?

          

          Well, we have, you might actually know him.. the man called survivor ...

          

          Ah, i see.. i see, the expression of comprehension were settling on to face of elder

          

          Can i meet him ?

          

          Sure, he should be on the field right about now.. He gestured to some servants..  He left you this

          note.. in advance..

          

          Let me see it...  Elder's face have changed expressions. after reading the note.. the dare on

          this kid... Fine lets meet..

          

          Ah, the place seems to be hell hole.. no doubt work of the survivor...

          

          Elder.. welcome welcome, Larchen appeared in front of them... We are finalizing the final phase

          of our attack... 

          

          Ehm.. Larchen ?

          

          Don't be alarmed its a mechanical clone...

          

          You have many options here elder... if you join us...You can rise in the ranks, get many gifts...start

          a new chapter...

          

          Well, war is to my liking elder said.. your operation, i must say i'm impressed, good effort...

          His face looked somber, as others were waiting on his decision excitedly...

          

          I accept, elder blurted out....

          

          People relaxed..

          

          I pledge my loyalty.. to your faction...

          

          Ehm, you'll need to be soul branded... still but its not a regular one, non invasive..

          

          I see, i can understand that.. In fact, i'd probably betray you if not... 

          

          Alright elder, meet with the survivor who is now the leader of the army, and assume command..

          After we made the contract..

          

          Right on, elder said..

          

          ...

          

          The army had started its attack. The elder were in the front hitting the barriers with various magics..

          

          God damn, he cursed, its too strong. Lucky for you i just started yet...

          Be careful elder, Survivor said.. 

          

          The elder snorted and made some complicated seal moves.. the barried pulsed and bellowed for

          a minuted.. it wavered then it was away.. the army cheered..

          

          ..

          

          You've done great elder... the enemy is routed..  The sect officials were also presiding they were

          back at the fortress...

          

          Our three cities are re united again..

          

          So what's next.. it was almost too easy, elder asked..

          

          We'l give you command of the army, and let you chase them north... go as much as you need to...

          

          That could take.. months... 

          

          Indeed, do you not like the assignment ?

          

          Not at all, it really suits me..

          

          Destroy them in total, most of the force has run, they are bound to have valuables.. Catch their

          leaders alive, its very important you do.. if not corpses must be intact...

          

          I understand, leader nodded.

          

          You can stay with me meanwhile, survivor spoke. They gave me a big house... You can have a floor...

          for yourself for now..

          

          Fine, you brat, elder said.. You seem to like to wealth...

          

          Its really nice, survivor said, the furbishing alone... The design is awesome too.. i love my house..

          

          Ah, you are making me curious you brat, lets go.. 

          

          Elder bowed to the council, see you later... They cusped back

          

          ..

          

          So, what do you say Larchen, can trust him ? You'll be given full command of this region now..

          Entire cities and sect's branches in them...will be overseen by you.. So its ultimately your

          responsibility if something goes wrong.. There has been incidents in the past...

          

          Don't say that, we are members of the same sect now.. We'll weather what comes together.. And

          besides, these people know if they serve well, only then they get their freedom once again.. Larchen

          said..

          

          Well, you've a difficult job ahead regardless, we got the city but surrounding territory is full of hostiles..

          Moreover, we don't have any spies in the region, you'll be flying blind.

          

          ...

          

          So, we are by ourselves, survivor, you know, when i sent you to take the town, i didn't expect

          we'd end up as prisoners.. what happened...

          

          Larchen, happened.. unfortunately, and his strange artifact...

          

          Well at least we survived, its not too bad...

          

          The branch is probably taken over now.. and the larger sect will punish us..

          

          Well, we are at least on the winning side now, better set our minds well.. this task they

          set us on, seems very difficult... seems like a big toil..

          

          How did they capture you anyway, i'm one thing... That Fowliang, Larchen's wife... almost as

          strong as you.. but she couldn't capture you..

          

          Well, its the full formation array of the pagoda.... i jumped right into it..

          

          Survivor didn't inquire any further...

          

          ...

          

          How is the war effort going Larchen, Fowliang asked...

          

          Well, the fighting has picked up... without their elder, i bet anything would go well for them... it's

          likely to be chaos..

          

          And, you are joining it ?

          

          i'm beat, i'll join the second wave after them... 

          

          Try to find opportunities.. this a great wind falll for us..

          

          Ah my wife, always considers our finances...

          

          Get me something rare as a gift, perhaps some pet too... also some spell documents..

          

          Fine, fine..

          

          Collect their inventory rings, i need like 5 at least..~~

          

          Larchen blushed, she is so shameless... But its fine, it was her own self since back then, harmless

          inclination for wealth is no biggies... More over it gave Larchen opportunity to slip into her bed..to

          summarize... Larchen struggled with lack of a better romantic feels from her.. But it wasn't like

          she also didn't do that.. she just.. didn't stop herself when she was being vein.. yes that was it

          Larchen told himself.. He could manage this marriage still

          

          Their successful initiative have gained them this part of the land. it of course belonged to the town..

          But unofficially they could still claim some gains.. They have saved the population from death.. And

          they completed their mission in shocking time.. not months on the trench..

          

          They could now pack their bags and end their unofficial exile... but it'd beat the purpose.. If they go

          back so soon, that would anger elders.. they'd be reminded of the naughty scene.. and try to

          get them back in other ways..

          

          He could then, count his contributions, to make some other moves..  He could cleanse the regions further,

          making the town safer.. There were always raiding types around here, bandits, natives.. Larchen was

          planning his empiure..