After the event, Joshua retreated back to his chamber.
The 'Blood Wolf Knights' had proven themselves in combat, but he knew that the battles to come would only grow more fierce.
But his focus is elsewhere, such as making bases and forces in other worlds.
Joshua turned his attention to the map spread out before him, his eyes tracing the lines of rivers and valleys that made up the unexplored territories of Terra.
His mind raced with strategies, envisioning where the next 'Blood Knight' outposts could be established, and how to best utilize the landscape to their advantage.
In Immortal World, the 'Noble Knights' were tasked with seeking out uncharted lands, far from the prying eyes of the other people.
They would claim these lands in his name, building new bastions of power that would stand as beacons to those who sought refuge and strength.
Just like on Di, the plan is to take in orphans or even slum residents and offer them progress and protection for their loyalty, the same rule applied to the people of Terra and Immortal World.
The first step was to establish a steady supply of new recruits.
Joshua knew that the key to a strong force was not just in their power but in their numbers and their loyalty. He so turned his attention to Terra, as he would personally lead the making of the foundations on Terra, while on the Immortal World would be left to the 'Noble Knights'.
[New Base locations... Suggestions]
[Suggesting Koloha Island, 50 square kilometers, one of the small islands of the Southern Hemisphere and outside of air traffic, no residents and untouched land]
[Second Suggestion, Escalar Country, 61 square kilometers in the Northern Hemisphere, Currently ruled by a Warlord Gaze Kreame]
[Third Suggestion: Desert land south of West of Great Zhonqque Country, 60 square kilometers]
Joshua thought for long moments, weighing the strategic value of each location presented by Nexus.
Koloha Island, pristine and untouched land, offered the advantage of seclusion and natural resources, making it an ideal place to train new recruits and conduct experiments without interference.
Resources can be delivered through [PORTAL].
The problem is that he can't recruit people if there is nobody around. He needs to build a runway for planes or dock on the coast. If he did that, that would attract attention in the surrounding areas and that is not to speak about the planes and boats that go there. They would be quickly spotted by rarely coming of scientist landing on the island for scientific research and rarely cargo ships sailing there to deliver goods.
The second choice is Escalar Country, ruled by Warlord Gaze Kreame. You didn't need to even ask if this place was a good hiding spot.
The third suggestion was indeed a tempting option, but the constant buzz of aircraft and the prying eyes of Great Zhonqque's covert operations and experimentation made it less than ideal for the kind of secrecy he required. However, the strategic value of the desert land was undeniable. It was a vast area, surrounded by nothing but sand and scorching sun, making it the perfect place to build a hidden fortress.
So he could only choose the second suggestion. Taking the territory of a warlord and ruling his base would serve a dual purpose.
He would enslave Warlord Gaze Kreame with a new type of [Bio Chip] and, if that failed, he would just sacrifice one of his clones to look and act like him. This puppet would serve as the face of the operation while he pulled the strings from the shadows.
He would slowly transform the country into the shadows.
Joshua's gaze settled on the map of the Escalar Country. The land was ripe for the taking, a fertile ground for his vision to take root and flourish.
The current ruler, Warlord Gaze Kreame, has been a thorn in the side of the surrounding nations for years. His brutal tactics had kept the region in a state of constant fear and turmoil.
So they wouldn't mind him taking this land.
With the decision made, Joshua set Nexus to work gathering every piece of information available on Warlord Gaze Kreame and his regime.
The AI's digital tentacles reached into the darkest corners of the internet and beyond, piecing together a detailed profile of the man who ruled with an iron fist.
He studied the intel, learning the names of Gaze's closest associates, his family members, and his most loyal soldiers. He knew that to claim the Escalar Country, he would need to either bend these men to his will or remove them from the equation entirely.
As the plan had been set in motion, they had already ordered the 'Noble Knights' to make preparations. As each one carries necessities for the trip.
He had heard whispers of fear and chaos that surrounded Gaze's name were music to his ears, a testament to the warlord's strength and ruthlessness. Yet, he knew that even a man like Gaze had his weaknesses, and it was these weaknesses that he would exploit.
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He had already ordered a plane for him and his 'Noble Knights' to reach Escalar Country. They had to blend in, so he cast the 'Hidden' spell on them all, making sure they looked like any other group of visitors or laborers arriving after dark.
The 'Noble Knights' had their own instructions, and they disappeared into the night, each with a specific target to infiltrate and subdue.
Joshua, now disguised as a simple merchant, made his way through the dimly lit streets of Escalar's capital, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of trouble. The city was a cacophony of sounds, from the distant rumble of generators to the shouts of drunken soldiers stumbling out of taverns. The stench of burning rubbish and diesel hung heavy in the air, a stark contrast to the serene and clean environment of other countries and even the Hidden Village.
He made it through the streets and called out for a taxi. The driver looked at him through the rearview mirror with suspicious eyes, but the extra cash he flashed was more than enough to ease his concerns.
He asked the driver what new things were happening there. As the taxi bumped along the uneven streets, the driver spoke of the latest rumors and talks, unaware of the true purpose of his passenger's visit.
The journey was long, but the anticipation was palpable. As they approached the compound of Warlord Gaze Kreame, the driver's stories grew quieter, his eyes darting nervously to the road ahead.
Joshua paid him handsomely, slipping an additional cash into his palm with a knowing wink. The man took the hint, nodded curtly, and sped away without another word, leaving Joshua in the shadows of the night.
The compound loomed before him, a fortress of steel and concrete that was a stark contrast to the poor condition outside its walls. He surveyed the compound, the moon casting long shadows across the courtyard. The walls were high, topped with razor wire, and patrolled by heavily armed guards. Yet, to him, it was no more than a minor obstacle.
Joshua took a deep breath, focusing on his Qi. He felt it surge through his body, the power of the immortal arts.
With a silent leap, he flew over the wall. His newfound abilities in the foundation realm made it easy. The guards below patrolled oblivious to his presence, their eyes not yet trained to see the unseen.
Joshua's boots hit the ground with a soft thud, his enhanced body absorbing the impact as he rolled into the shadows of a nearby bush. His eyes, now accustomed to the darkness, scanned the compound.
The guards patrolled with a routine rhythm, their movements almost predictable. He waited, timing their passes with the precision of a master.
When the path was clear, he darted from shadow to shadow, his steps silent as a whisper.
He approached the residential wing, the walls adorned with the spoils of Gaze's conquests. The guards outside the target room were lounging, their attention diverted by the distant sound of a television. A sly smile curled on his lips as he observed their lax behavior.
Slowly, Joshua crept closer, his footsteps as light as a feather. He could hear the faint sounds of snoring from within the chamber, punctuated by the occasional giggle. As he reached the door, he pressed his ear against it, listening for any signs of consciousness from the other side.
The door was unlocked, a testament to the warlord's arrogance or perhaps the fear he instilled in his men. With a gentle push, it swung open, revealing a dimly lit room filled with opulence.
The walls were adorned with gold and velvet, a stark contrast to the bareness of the outside world. The smell of incense and sweat hung in the air, a cloying perfume of decadence.
Joshua's eyes fell on Gaze Kreame, sprawled across a king-sized bed, surrounded by a half-dozen naked women. They were bound to the bedposts with thick, iron chains, their eyes vacant and their bodies bruised.
The sight filled him with a quiet rage, a reminder of the darkness he sought to eliminate.
---
'Why am I here?' a chained girl silently thought.
She was supposed to be at school, making friends and learning. But that all changed after she was sold by her very own parents, the parents that should have protected her.
As she looked at the other girls bound.
They have a fate similar to hers, some sold, some kidnapped and some much worse. Now each of them has become a toy for the warlord.
She had times of ending herself many times, but every time she did it she would stop, afraid to continue.
She only stops because she believes there will be someone to save them, but in truth, she is just only lying to herself.
No one wanted to make a warlord an enemy.
She cried and tried to muffle her cries not to wake up the warlord.
Until a man entered the room and freed them as he punished the warlord.
Nowhere to go, she offered her loyalty to him.
---
He stepped into the room, the soft carpet muffling his steps. The women on the bed flinched, their eyes snapping open in terror. He held up a hand, silently reassuring them.
"I am here to help," he murmured, his voice low and soothing.
The woman looked into his eyes, looking for any sign of malice, but found none.
He approached the bed, his movements deliberate and non-threatening.
Gaze Kreame stirred, his hand reaching for a pistol on the bedside table. But before he could fully wake, a gloved hand clamped down on his neck, the grip like iron.
Joshua's eyes met Gaze's, and at that moment, the warlord knew fear. The grip tightened, and Gaze felt his strength slipping away, his eyes bulging as he tried to cry out.
"Do not struggle," Joshua whispered, his voice cold and commanding.
"You will only make this worse for yourself."
Gaze Kreame's eyes widened in panic, his body going limp under the unyielding grip of the stranger. The room was filled with the sound of his gasping breaths and the rapid beating of his heart.
"Release me," he croaked, his voice laced with desperation.
After seconds of choking him, Joshua lessened his grip and cast [Hypnosis]. Gaze's eyes glazed over, and he slumped into a daze, unable to resist as the intruder worked on him.
Joshua's hand moved with surgical precision, reaching into the warlord's nape to implant the new type of [Bio Chip].
Gaze Kreame's body lay limp under the spell's influence, his mind a haze of confusion and fear.
Joshua quickly worked on the warlord's nape, inserting the [Bio Chip] with the ease of a skilled surgeon. The chip would allow him to control the man's actions from afar, just like a puppet ruler controlled by a master puppeteer.
Gaze Kream's body was laid down on the bed as he spasmed, scaring the six women. They all watched with fear in their eyes, but joy and hope sparked in the depths of their souls.
Once the spasms ceased, and Gaze's eyes rolled back into his head, a sense of calm fell over the room. It was as if the very air had been washed clean of the malevolent presence that had filled it moments before.
Joshua stepped back, watching the warlord's body with the detached scrutiny of a sculptor admiring his work. The [Bio Chip] had embedded itself into Gaze's flesh, the tiny tendrils weaving through his nervous system, connecting him to the main body, Nexus.
"Wake up," he said, his voice a soft command that echoed through Gaze's mind.
The warlord's eyes snapped open, his body stiffening as he took in his surroundings. The room was the same, the smell of fear and lust lingering in the air, but something had changed.
Standing up on the bed, he faced Joshua with dull eyes. As if he didn't pose a soul.
Joshua knew this was the side effect of controlling others through the chip. He asked Nexus to make a file of human expressions to make it more believable and alive, then transferred it to this chip.
He needed a convincing puppet to perform for everyone.
