𝓞𝒱𝐞xt.𝔠𝒪𝚖
The Next Day,
After sending his children to school, he transferred his spiritual consciousness to his kingdom.
Coming out of his room, he hurried toward the podium in front of the castle.
“Is everything ready?” Maximus asked Doran, who was pacing back and forth.
“There you are, your majesty. Everything is in place.”
Yesterday, after the officiation of his territory.
He asked Doran to prepare for the announcement of this news to his people.
“Lead me to the podium.”
They walked toward the highest point of the castle, overlooking millions of people below.
“It’s your majesty!”
“His majesty is out!”
“Long live your majesty!”
A bunch of voices rang below as they saw Maximus appearing.
Today they were informed of the officiating of the kingdom’s transition into an empire.
Quickly, millions of people flocked toward Moonshadow City, hoping to witness this grand scene.
If it were not for the short notice, there would be many more people here.
Fortunately, this event will be broadcast in the Moonlight Forum.
Behind the screens all over the Moonlight Kingdom, people watched this event closely.
“His majesty is so handsome.”
“Shhh, what handsome? His majesty is a god.”
“Oh, slip of the tongue, his majesty is indeed a god.”
A pair of sisters bickered, but there was no disrespect in their voices.
Many people, especially commoners, were grateful towards Maximus.
Previously, they felt like they were living the life of puppets.
Always following orders, succumbing to the way of life.
Even then, their lives still did not have a guarantee.
Maybe today they would have enough food to eat, and then tomorrow a few bandits would ransack their place.
Even worse were the nobles with bottomless greed.
Always raising taxes, making them slaves who worked tirelessly for nothing.
After they had migrated to the Moonlight Kingdom, they were more free.
Free in a sense that they could do what they liked without much repercussion.
Previously, even wearing some flashy clothes was taboo, as some noble might think that they were disrespecting them.
Now all kinds of clothes in different style flourished, making it the fastest growing industry.
As for where the materials for the clothes came from, it was mainly from plant fiber.
But there were also higher-end materials like silk and cotton.
Now they only needed to be mindful not to do bad things like theft, or anything that would harm the other party.
Now, even if someone scolded them in the face, they could only scold back.
Now, they would not get hungry and be picky about food.
Now, the they can even train to be a knight or a mage.
Now…
Anyway, all of this was thanks to their wise and powerful ruler.
Seeing their majesty in the flesh, in moving pictures, they couldn’t help but praise.
“Hey, do you think I have a chance of becoming his majesty’s wife? Even a slave would do.”
“Come on, look at your face, like a painted pig. His majesty is something you can’t tarnish.”
“I know, I know… I’m just daydreaming.”
“Hmph, better restrain yourself. I heard his majesty’s wives look like fairies.”
“Ohh, how enviable.”
“Don’t worry, just practice and become a tier 1 mage or a knight. I heard that mana will bless your body, making it more attuned to the world.”
“Yes, I heard that the academy will open in a month. Unfortunately, I only have common talent.”
“It’s alright, once I succeed, I’ll take you to the skies.”
“I really envy your rare talent, sigh.”
Suddenly, Maximus, who was on the platform, began to speak.
“Look, his majesty is starting to speak.”
“Shh, don’t be too loud.”
…
On the podium, Maximus overlooked the people below.
“Good day, People of the Moonlight Kingdom,” Maximus said with a smile.
“This may be the last time I call it the Moonlight Kingdom…”
“Because today…”
“I, Maximus Shadowcrest, officially declare the establishment of the Moonlight Empire!!!”
This resounded throughout the plateau as if the heavens blessed Maximus’s voice.
…
In the center of the Curse continent, within a folded space.
“Oh, another one establishing a dynasty,” Valoros muttered.
Yes, Valoros, the battle sage of the previous Nexus continent, didn’t die.
He was tasked by Malgorn to protect the continent.
After all, who knows what the apex sovereign from another continent might do to the Nexus continent?
This is the place where they condense their battle will.
If it were destroyed, then they would die.
And, How can they really trust others with their lives?
“Interesting, maybe I should start with the plan,” Valoros thought.
During these countless epochs, he had been protecting the Nexus continent and had formulated a plan, or should I say a path.
Feeling the abyss getting closer and closer to their world, how can he not panic?
Although there is their leader who tirelessly fought for their safety, it’s not enough.
He conceived a method of becoming a god.
Not those shoddy products from the divine continent, but a god who is omnipotent and omnipresent.
The collection of pure will, a path that he didn’t even dare to think of previously, was conceived.
The process is easy: to have a dynasty, a rule of absolute will.
As long as there is enough population and strength, this ‘collective will’ will condense, becoming an omnipotent god.
Of course, the current Nexus Continent is not enough; it needs the whole Etherium Realm.
But how can that happen if even the strongest in the world, Malgron, didn’t achieve it?
Well, first, Malgron didn’t have any interest in anything except fighting.
Second, and most importantly, Malgorn is not strong enough.
Valoros thought of a solution to this, which is by becoming the ruler of the entire Curse Continent, it will give you strength comparable to a pseudo tier 10.
What Valoros didn’t know is that Malgron achieved this so-called pseudo tier 10 all on his own.
But anyway, the reason he noticed Maximus’ establishment of a dynasty is that the collection of will there is very pure.
This can only happen if the people in your rule wholeheartedly treat you as their ruler, a god who can dictate their lives.
Not the shoddy believers of the divine continent who were brainwashed, but a heartfelt feeling that will instead make their strength stronger.
“Now that we have this seedling, how can this continent continue its peaceful nature?”
“It should be back to the Nexus Continent, A glorious battle continent,” Valoros murmured as he manipulated something in the void.
This will begin a world-shaking war between empires in the Curse continent, vying for the position of the throne.
…
In the Moonlight Empire, after Maximus announced the officialization of the empire.
A huge boon seemed to bless all of its people, making them more spirited.
This is the blessing of the condensation of will; with enough time, the people born will have stronger comprehension and talent.
Maximus also felt this blessing, but he thought it was just his imagination.
Seeing the cheering below, the festive atmosphere of his empire made him dazed, as if he were dreaming.
He, an ordinary person, had come to this position that felt like a dream.
Seeing them suddenly gave him a goal, a thought that his weaker self had just dreamt about.
Although this is crazy, it seemed that something in the dark was pushing him toward this.
“I see that you’re excited…”
After saying that, the people suddenly became silent, waiting for their majesty to give his piece.
“But what does the establishment of an empire mean?”
“Is it merely a title to make you feel proud?”
“A status that will garner your wealth?”
“A status that will make you immortalize?”
“NO!”
The happy smiles of people suddenly became serious, as if waiting for the decree.
“It’s a new beginning.”
“A beginning of a treacherous path, a path where blood flows.”
“The establishment of an empire means that we welcome enemies from all over the Curse Continent.”
“This is a path of being a conqueror or being conquered.”
“You may feel indignant. Why should I do this?”
“Why don’t I just stay peacefully in this little acre of land called the Sunburnt Plateaus?”
“Yeah, why?” These were their countless thoughts.
“Because the Curse Continent is a battleground.”
“A continent where battles must ensue.”
“So why?”
“It’s because I’m not satisfied; I’m greedy.”
“What I want is not just this little land. I want the whole continent to bow down to me.”
“It’s grand. It’s crazy. You may even think I’m dreaming.”
“But this is what the Curse Continent should be: a battleground for the rise of the strong!”
“Now, people of the Moonlight Empire, give me your strength and will, and together we will conquer this endless land that we dwell upon!”
“WE WILL, YOUR MAJESTY!!!” As if infected, all the people in the entire Moonlight Empire shouted.
After saying his piece, Maximus suddenly felt weak, as if hollowed.
Maximus didn’t know what had happened to him today to make him say such things.
What Maximus didn’t know is that his speech had spread to all the people in the Curse Continent.
There is also a power in the dark that made emperors of various empires feel that, as long as they conquered an empire, they would become stronger.
“I hope nothing happens,” Maximus sighed one last time as he lost consciousness.
“Your majesty!!”