Chapter 129: Final Preparations
Zac sat in a secluded area of the academy with his eyes closed. They returned yesterday with the first batch of citizens, with them being given a brief introduction while they sailed. The demon's appearance once again caused quite a stir, but since they were stuck on a boat with open ocean all around they couldnt just run away. After so talking down they were somwhat okay since both Zac and the warriors who fought the rats were human after all.
Almost as soon as they arrived at Port Atwood the boats set out again for the next island. If they were going to rescue all groups before the third wave started they would have to essentially keep sailing around the clock. There was the option of buying a larger transport vessel from the Creators, but they cost over ten million nexus coins.
Zac could afford it, but he wanted to hold on to his money with both the auction and the third wave coming up. Zac didnt join the following expeditions, instead choosing to focus on his ditation. The new townspeople were mainly guided around by gan and her group.
gan and the others had quickly improved their attitude since Zac brought the won from Greenworth. Zac hadnt given any order to keep the state of the world secret, and soon everyone on the island knew about how much the world had actually fallen. Emily had already told them as much, but she was considered biased since she essentially lived a cushy life in Zacs mansion.
But hearing one horror story after another helped the forr refugees realize that being stuck on this island wasnt too bad. There was food, and there was safety. There even were a steady amount of Nexus Crystals available for purchase, so they could quickly advance in levels without risking their lives. Zac was even providing them with a modest salary as long as they completed their daily tasks.
Currently it ca out of Zacs own pocket, but as soon as he beca a Lord he could start taxing his citizens. At that point hed want as many citizens as possible to add value to the town.
Instead of helping out with the rescue efforts Zac went to the Gravity Array in the Academy. His original plan was to focus on the Dao of Sharpness, but his recent inspiration into Heaviness in Greenworth changed his mind. He chose to sit and ditate in the Gravity Array cranked to the max since he thought the feeling of heavy pressure all over might assist him in his venture.
Hed been sitting there for almost a full day by now, and finally got up to his feet and stretched. The improved array brought the pressure up to 25 tis the normal amount and could cover a large field rather than just the small camp. The trainees still normally trained in ten tis the gravity though, since they generally collapsed in a heap when they tried anything higher than that.
He nodded toward Alyn who was busy screaming at one of the girls as he walked away. During his day in the array he would sotis spectate the training while he was resting. What hed seen had been quite jarring. He could understand why the woman was fired from her teaching position since she truly held nothing back when she was instructing these people.
She normally was very calm and adorned a smiling face, just like when she was teaching him in the caves. But she could also explode into a furious tirade when soone didnt live up to her expectations. Her verbal assaults could even put most drill sergeants to sha. That wasnt all, she even had gotten a hold of a tool that could best be described as a grenade.
It was a small inscription powered by a single Nexus Crystal that exploded in a concussion wave when thrown. It would blast away any unaware person, though not dealing any real damage. She used it any ti she felt soone was lazing about. Worse yet, Zac learned that the cost of the bomb ca out of the pockets of the one she attacked. He considered stopping her then and there but judging by the reactions of the recruits they didnt mind, and it only spurred them on further.
He went to the Thayer Consortia next, and an excited Calrin moved to welco him.
Lord Zac, it is good to see you. I hope the pills I procured for you t your expectations, he said, his eyes shining with greed. Incidentally, I heard a custor ntion an auction taking place soon?
Zacs mouth couldnt help tugging upward as he looked down at the little Sky Gno that was almost bouncing around in excitent.
I thought you couldnt leave this compound, why is this of interest for you?
Were not so prisoners. We can leave the building any ti we want, but most of our family are quite weak. Once upon a ti we had mighty warriors to protect the Thayer Clan, but all of them defected, not wanting to impact their future cultivation. Shortsighted fools, he explained in a huff.
We can leave anyti, though we generally need to stay within your town. We have the sa restrictions as all other foreigners on this erging planet, and our special protections doesnt expand outside our buildings. We are also barred from various things such as most types of quests and procuring land, he explained.
However, I actually got a quest! A money-making quest! I can leave with you and go to the auction. Who knows what precious things that you idi- ehm, you newly integrated humans, will sell off to a fraction of their value, Calrin exclaid.
It looked like his reason for visiting the consortia had sorted itself out.
Very well, you can co with . I need soone who can spot the valuables after all. However, you are representing Port Atwood and the Thayer Consortia, not just yourself. You might also need to assist in negotiations, Zac said.
He wondered what reactions the little blue gno would elicit, but he didnt really mind exposing him since he was just a rcantile user whose origins were easily explainable. He was not only good at sniffing out treasures, but he was also quite a talker, and could maybe help smooth out Port Atwoods sowhat harsh first impression.
As he walked back toward the inner area he quickly heard the bustling noise of activity. Since only the inner wall was completed the real construction of the town couldnt start yet. Anything built in the future residential or crafting districts would likely be reduced to rubble as soon as the next wave arrived. All the new citizens would need a temporary place to stay though, and a large number of buildings were being added to the temporary town inside the walls.
As he walked the streets he saw many unfamiliar faces. It was the refugees that were continuously pouring in from the ships shuttling back and forth between islands. As more and more humans joined the town the shock the demons created was getting smaller. Still, many had just arrived and glanced curiously or fearfully at the demons who passed them by.
The infusion of people was quickly increasing the liveliness of the town, especially as he even heard so childrens laughter as he walked. He curiously looked over and saw a few children actually gather so distance away from the Zhix, with their parens fearfully keeping them from rushing up to it.
Zac was surprised to see the insectoid actually being able to wave his antennae, and he kept waving them at the children who excitedly waved back. It also held a large larva in a hand, but it was clear no one was interested in his greeting gift.
As soon as the Zhix spotted Zac it perked up and put the larva away as it walked over, the two demon guards following closely in tow, both balefully glaring at the insectoid. Zac briefly wondered if there would actually be people who would take the Zhixs offer of combat to the death.
Greetings. I have sothing to discuss with you if you have the ti? Ibtep said as it closed in on Zac.
Sure, lets head over there, Zac said as he pointed toward Adrans command tent that was just around the corner.
Soon they found themselves at a table in a partition of the large tent.
I have walked among your kind and the horned ones for two days, and I can almost certainly conclude that you truly are not part of the Dominators or the Fallen, the Zhix started.
Uh, thanks I guess? Zac said with so confusion.
I would like to report back to my island, detailing my findings. I understand your vessels are continuously moving between islands, and would like to ride along, he said.
Youre heading ho already? Zac asked.
No, I would still like to keep observing, so I would hope that you can pick
up again as well. More importantly, I wish to join your expedition through the magic transfer construction, he said.
The first part is no problem but the second part Uh Might be a problem. The last ti Zhix teleported to where we are going they went berserk and started killing everyone, Zac said hesitantly.
It sounds correct. Zealots passing through the array for a death assault against the Dominators. Their progeny will be well taken care of. Of course, a misguided action in this new world. However, I find it very troubling that there is a Zhix settlent that has so readily built a such a transfer device, Ibtep said.
Troubling why? Zac asked confused.
I explained what happened with our so-called Nexus Crystal. The Holiness sealed it away since it was overflowing with corruption. Most of the Anointed should have acted the sa, avoiding usage of such a device. That a hive already is using it to the degree of sending out death assaults is a problem.
Either they are even more open-minded than us. That is unlikely since what the holiness did by speaking to you was unprecedented. If our situation wasnt so dire you would have been assaulted to our last man. The other alternative is That the hive is not adverse to using corruption, Ibtep said with a frown.
Youre saying that they might be the so-called Dominators from your old world? Didnt you say they were eradicated in a great war?
Thats the official belief, but there should be traitors surviving. The power of corruption has always been alluring, Ibtep said.
I dont understand what this has to do with you coming with ? Zac questioned skeptically.
I wish to find out more about the other hives, and information here is limited. It seems I also need to warn you humans about the Dominators, for both our sakes, Ibtep said with so worry.
Why do you believe that they will be such a problem that humanity needs to be warned? They sound dangerous, but everyone is getting powerful, erasing their advantage, Zac asked, feeling a bit unconvinced. Besides, your kind already defeated them without any power.
Well, I will breach a precept since I think this is too important not to discuss. Discussing the powers of the Anointed is taboo, but you should know we have a ladder just like you. Most on the ladder are the Anointed, since between administering rites and their natural superior constitution they should be far more suited to this new world than you or .
However, there are a few who have not shown their true nas, using various pseudonyms. So thought before it was due to sha, not wanting to show how many of their hives had died under their watch since every death makes the Anointed stronger. In fact, all the top five nas on our Power Ladder use pseudonyms.
But there has always been another possibility. Those with the fake nas might be the Dominator traitors, who were afraid to be exposed. That would explain why their power is higher. They started already being full of corruption before the integration, Ibtep concluded.
I still dont see your point? Zac probed.
Those with pseudonyms are all around level 100.
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