Chapter 1249: Affinity
The channel went dead silent.
Across the entire Champions Alliance, Isabella was the outlier—the only one without a legacy, the only one without an heir.
"So," Kraken’s voice broke the static, hesitant but curious. "Is there so kind of... restriction involved?"
It took a long mont, but Kraken had finally asked the question that had been gnawing at the back of everyone’s mind.
"It’s not a restriction," Leonidas bood, his voice heavy with unearned authority. "It’s about affinity."
Affinity. That was a new angle. Leonidas hadn’t trotted this theory out before, and he successfully snagged the room’s attention.
"Ahem... look," Leonidas continued, adopting a professorial tone that didn’t suit him. "After years of... let’s call it ’collaborative research’ between myself, Arthas, and Alexander, we’ve crunched the numbers. Entities with a Life affinity, or any branch derivation of the Life attribute, have the highest conception rates. It’s just biology. Or magic. Whatever."
Leonidas had originally planned to cite his own conquests, but a spark of self-preservation made him credit Arthas and Alexander instead. It added weight to the claim.
"Take Hulk, for instance. His Moon Elf bride was born directly within a Moonwell. And what is a Moonwell? It’s basically liquid Life energy. Pure, concentrated vitality."
"Hulk, listen to ," Leonidas added, his tone shifting to a conspiratorial grin. "That woman you married? She’s a jackpot. A literal goldmine."
"I guarantee it," he laughed. "You guys are going to be popping out little ones non-stop."
Using Isilra as a biological case study made Orion cringe slightly, but he couldn’t deny the logic. It was awkward, sure, but educational. It explained why the Moon Elf Isilra had conceived with such surprising ease.
"We also found another variable," Leonidas went on. "Humans—across all realms—are incredibly genetically adaptable. They’re the universal donors of the breeding pool. High compatibility with almost any species."
"So," Leonidas chuckled, a wicked, teasing sound. "If any of you are shooting blanks, go find a human. Give it a shot."
"Hahaha..."
The laughter was dark, laced with the kind of ribbing only veterans could get away with.
"Hulk’s marriage to Isilra is, fundantally, a political union between the Champions Alliance and Staghelm City," Edward cut in, instantly grounding the conversation.
"Aside from Makareth, who is still pinned down in the Abyss, I expect everyone else to attend."
"Also," Edward added, "Hulk has sponsored a rookie nad Tangere. He’s still in the vetting phase. While you’re there, take a look at him. See if he’s got what it takes."
The Deputy Commander had spoken. The banter died down imdiately.
Edward’s tone carried a distinct respect when ntioning Staghelm City. It was warranted. The Demigod of the Moonwell wasn’t just a figurehead anymore; after the recent great war, that entity showed clear signs of ascending to the second-stage.
Before the war, Edward hadn’t noticed it. But since his own promotion to the second-stage, the signs were unmistakable. A second-stage Demigod was a strategic asset the Champions Alliance couldn’t afford to ignore. Vetting this new guy, Tangere, was just a side quest compared to centing that alliance.
"Deputy Commander," Leonidas piped up, shifting gears. "Since you’re awake, are we green-lit to raid the oceanic zones?"
"Are you sure you want to do that right now?" Edward asked dryly.
"Uh... actually, maybe we should wait for Arthas and Alexander," Leonidas backpedaled instantly.
He had wanted to say yes—he was itching for a fight—but his mana reserves were still drained from the last campaign. He couldn’t tank that kind of damage right now. Better to wait until the other heavy hitters woke up. With a full party, they could split the aggro and share the fatigue. It was just basic raid chanics.
"Since Hulk is representing the Champions Alliance in this union," Edward continued, ignoring Leonidas’s hesitation, "with the Commander’s authorization, he is granted one withdrawal from the Alliance Vault. Consider it a dowry."
The implication was clear: the item would pass through Orion’s hands, but it was a gift for the Moon Elf, Isilra.
"Hey... uh, Boss?" Leonidas interrupted again, shalessly. "Is it too late to swap specialized marriage partners?"
"How about ?"
"I’m not picky," Leonidas declared. "I’ll marry anyone. Literally anyone. Just point
to the altar."
The Alliance Vault. That was the endga loot. Most of it was gear the Commander had outgrown, but "outgrown" for the Commander ant "Legendary Tier" for everyone else. There were even rumors of Relics gathering dust in there.
"Keep dreaming," Edward said.
"Bro," Orion chid in, "you really have no sha, do you?"
Orion saw right through him. Leonidas was insinuating he’d happily marry The Demigod of the Moonwell just to get a key to the vault. He wanted to be Orion’s father-in-law.
"Heh," Leonidas laughed. "We can keep it professional. You call
brother, you call
Dad. It works."
Orion couldn’t help but shake his head. When it ca to being shaless, Leonidas was in a league of his own.
To be fair, Edward had briefly considered a union with the Moonwell entity himself. A second-stage powerhouse was a valuable asset. But he had dismissed the idea quickly. Beings of that power level didn’t submit to political marriages easily.
"Back to business," Edward commanded. "Arthas and Alexander are still dormant. In the anti, once Hulk’s wedding is concluded, we begin the purge. We need to clear the remaining hostile factions from the continent."
"The western and eastern territories are closed to outsiders. No foreign entities allowed."
"The entire Moonlight Continent is ours."
"This is our turf."
Orion could practically see Edward’s face as he spoke—stern, unyielding, the absolute authority.
"Leonidas," Edward assigned. "You take the West. It’s Kraken’s eventual territory, so prep the ground for him."
"Hulk, the East is yours. Lead the squad and clean it out."
It was a carving of the cake. With the Commander absent, the Deputy Commander held the knife. Kraken was the new arrival, but they couldn’t just toss him into the shallow end of the pool. A coastal territory on the mainland was the team’s compensation package for him. Of course, when they eventually pushed into the deep ocean, Kraken would be expected to do the heavy lifting.
As for Makareth and Isabella? They hadn’t reached Arch Lord status yet. They didn’t get a slice of the map.
"Understood, Deputy Commander. Consider it done," Leonidas said, saluting the empty air.
"Copy that," Hulk replied.
"Long live the Deputy Commander!" Kraken cheered.
The eting adjourned. The distribution of spoils was complete. The public channel faded into static.
Erald Dream Realm, Dusk Continent.
On the western coastline, near Leonidas’s palace, Isabella stood beneath the shade of a large parasol, her gaze fixed on the distant horizon where the sea t the sky.
"Stop staring. You’re going to give them a complex," a voice drawled from behind her. "You’ve beaten the dragons so bad they’re terrified to leave their caves."
"People are going to think we’re starting a Second War."
Orion’s final avatar lounged on a sun chair nearby. With Kraken reassigned, Orion was the sole Arch Lord holding the line at the Dragon Battlefield.
Just monts ago, Isabella had snapped. It was like a switch flipped. She had donned her full battle plate, summoned her colossal dragon, and dive-bombed the front lines. It wasn’t a skirmish; it was a massacre. She shattered the unspoken cease-fire agreent, traumatizing the dragon vanguard so thoroughly that the entire front line had collapsed.
"Sorry," Isabella murmured, turning her head slightly. "I... let my emotions get the better of ."
She glanced at Orion’s avatar for a second, then turned back to the endless, empty ocean, her silhouette lonely against the vastness of the world.
Reviews
All reviews (0)