Chapter 259: Plans for Vahl’Zareth

[: 3rd POV :]

The Grand Hall remained quiet for several long moments.

No one spoke and no one moved.

The transformation that every member had just undergone was simply too overwhelming to comprehend in such a short amount of time.

Daniel stood before everyone, calmly observing their expressions.

Some were staring at their own hands.

Some were testing the flow of mana within their bodies.

Others simply stood frozen, unable to believe the changes they had experienced.

Eventually...a young knight slowly knelt.

"My King..."

"I... no... Progenitor..."

"I do not know how to thank you."

His voice trembled.

Before Daniel could answer, another person dropped onto one knee.

Then another.

And another.

Within moments...

Thousands of individuals knelt simultaneously.

The synchronized movement echoed throughout the Grand Hall.

"We thank the Progenitor!"

Their voices shook the hall itself.

Daniel looked at them quietly before shaking his head with a faint smile.

"There is no need to thank me."

His words immediately caused everyone to look up.

"I did not give all of you power because I wanted your gratitude."

"I gave it because from this day onward..."

"You are my family."

Silence.

Those simple words struck far deeper than any grand speech.

Many of the older members lowered their heads.

Some smiled.

Others clenched their fists tightly.

For many of them...they had never belonged anywhere. Even though they were belonged to a race, they had their own situation as well.

Now...they finally had a place they could proudly call home.

Daniel slowly continued.

"The name Vahl’Zareth is not simply a faction."

"It is not merely an organization."

"It is not an empire."

"It is our home."

"A place where no race is superior."

"A place where strength exists to protect, not to oppress."

"A place where everyone walks forward together."

His eyes slowly swept across the hall.

"I have no intention of ruling over slaves."

"I seek companions."

"I seek brothers."

"I seek sisters."

"I seek people willing to stand beside one another until the very end."

"If one of us falls..."

"We lift them."

"If one of us grows stronger..."

"We celebrate together."

"If one of us suffers..."

"We all bear that burden."

"That..."

"...is what it means to become Vahl’Zareth."

Complete silence followed.

Then...

A tear rolled down an elderly woman’s face.

She wiped it away before laughing softly.

"I’ve lived for over three hundred years..."

"...and this is the first time someone has called me family."

Nearby...

A beastkin warrior slammed his fist against his chest.

"I swear my life to Vahl’Zareth!"

"I swear my sword!"

"I swear my soul!"

One after another...

The entire hall erupted.

"I swear my loyalty!"

"I swear my future!"

"I swear my life!"

"For Vahl’Zareth!"

"For Freedom!"

"For the Progenitor!"

The voices became louder and louder until they shook the palace.

Daniel simply smiled.

Behind him...

The fifteen rulers exchanged amused glances.

King Thrain laughed loudly.

"Hahaha!"

"They’re louder than dwarves after winning a drinking competition."

Dragon Empress Sylthara crossed her arms.

"It seems our people have found something worth protecting."

Spirit Empress Sylvene smiled gently.

"The spirits are singing..."

"They’re celebrating."

Mika looked around the hall before quietly whispering.

"This..."

"...is only the beginning."

Erika nodded excitedly.

"I can’t wait to see how many friends we’ll make!"

Daniel chuckled.

"I hope you won’t scare them."

Erika puffed her cheeks.

"Big Brother!"

Everyone nearby laughed.

The previously solemn atmosphere gradually became warm.

Even Melira smiled as she watched her son standing before everyone.

She could not help but think back to the young boy she had raised.

Who would have imagined...

That her son would one day unite 2 worlds beneath a single banner?

Several hours later...

The gathering finally came to an end.

People slowly returned to their homes.

However...

Nobody could sleep.

Across the entire planet...

The only topic being discussed was Vahl’Zareth.

"Did you hear?"

"My Genesis Manifestation awakened!"

"I did too!"

"What ability did you receive?"

"I can turn plants into Divine Spiritual Plants just by touching them."

"Mine allows me to forge weapons just by imagining!"

"My fire had turned into Netherflame!"

"I became Galactic Mage!"

Every city became lively.

Blacksmiths experimented with their newfound talents.

Scholars eagerly recorded every discovered change.

Knights sparred throughout the night.

Some farmers discovered that their crops grew noticeably faster simply because of the changes in the world’s mana.

Everywhere...hope flourished.

Inside the palace...

Daniel sat around a large circular table together with Mika, Erika, Melira, and the fifteen rulers.

Everyone’s expressions gradually became serious once more.

Daniel placed both hands on the table.

"Now that today’s matter has concluded..."

"It is finally time."

Kaelgor smiled knowingly.

"The real work begins."

Daniel nodded.

"Our goal hasn’t changed."

"We must continue increasing Mika’s planetary rank."

Everyone became focused.

Daniel continued.

"The higher Mika evolves..."

"The stronger everyone becomes."

"The safer our home becomes."

"And..."

"The closer we move toward true freedom."

Xereth leaned back with a grin.

"So..."

"Who are we conquering first?"

Several people laughed.

Daniel smiled.

"Patience."

"Now, it’s no longer simply about conquering planets, it’s also about raising the name of our faction"

"Every decision must benefit Vahl’Zareth."

"We’ll investigate every target first."

"There’a no need to consider a threat of what a planet has. That’s not what a Vahl’Zareth should have. If there’s enemies that we encounter their consequences would be nothing but death" Daniel said.

"If war becomes unavoidable..."

His crimson eyes sharpened.

"Then we’ll finish it quickly."

Nobody disagreed.

After all, that is what it meant to be Vahl’Zareth.

But Daniel never sought unnecessary slaughter.

But neither would he hesitate when protecting those under him and he has the right be this absolutely confidence in facing whatever enemies he has.

The only limitation was not his abilities, but rather his current rank.

Melira suddenly raised a question.

"What about expanding Vahl’Zareth itself?"

Daniel nodded.

"I’ve already thought about that."

Everyone became curious.

"The people gathered today..."

"...are only the beginning."

"The next several days will focus entirely on recruitment."

Erika tilted her head.

"Recruitment?"

Daniel smiled.

"Today’s event is just the beginning, to let them have a taste of what it meant to be Vahl’Zareth. Its not impossible to turn the entire Planet into Vahl’Zareth, but recently, our planet has fused, so it needs time for the races who have joined us to settle down"

Daniel explained and it made sense for them.

"However, moving forward, I need countless trustworthy individuals that belongs to Researchers, Healers, Teachers, Commanders, Craftsmen, Explorers and Builders."

"We need every single one of them."

Mika nodded thoughtfully.

"So you’re planning to strengthen our foundation before expanding outward."

"Exactly."

Daniel continued.

"Strength alone doesn’t build a civilization."

"We need people capable of leading."

"People capable of creating."

"People capable of preserving knowledge."

"People capable of inspiring others."

He looked toward every ruler.

"Soon, as more planets fused with our own, the population can increase and there’s only a few of what we could do. Thus, we need to expand our rankings, build academies and school for the generations to come to learn what it meant to uphold the Vahl’Zareth Faction"

"I know our time is limited and manpower is limited which is right now, we need to quickly strive to conquer for more planets and at the same time, I want each of you to recommend individuals whom you trust completely."

"They don’t have to be powerful."

"They only need one quality."

Daniel smiled.

"They must genuinely care about this world."

Every ruler nodded immediately.

"It shall be done."

"I’ll personally select them."

"I already have several names."

"I know the perfect candidates."

Daniel continued.

"Once those seven days conclude..."

He slowly stood.

"Our conquest of the Universe begins."

The room became silent.

Every heartbeat accelerated.

No one doubted those words anymore.

Because after witnessing everything Daniel had accomplished...

The impossible no longer seemed impossible.

Daniel walked toward the large window overlooking the capital.

The silver moon illuminated the countless lights shining throughout the cities below.

People laughed.

Families reunited.

Children played happily through the streets.

Peace.

This was the peace he wished to protect.

He slowly raised his gaze toward the endless night sky.

Beyond those stars...

Lay countless planets.

Countless civilizations.

Countless enemies.

And countless opportunities.

Daniel smiled.

"Wait for me."

"One world after another..."

"Vahl’Zareth will reach every corner of this Universe."

Far above the heavens...

The stars shimmered silently.

As though acknowledging the birth of a journey that would one day shake every realm, every Pantheon, every Sovereign, every Clan, every Sect, every Faction, and even the oldest beings who had watched the Universe since the beginning of time.

The era of merely surviving had ended.

The era of Vahl’Zareth had finally begun.