Chapter 193: A Stranger

"This…" Islinda was skeptical before adding, "we have the means to contact many merchants, but selling this huge territory like this in a short time will have bad effects on us."

"You mean lowering the price?" Rigo asked.

"Sure, and this is the least of our problems," she said before adding, "the new territories hadn't yet fully integrated under our system. Our fleet back there is still fighting a strong resistance that will take weeks to clear."

"Tsk," James was annoyed, "we need to find more resources then," he muttered before adding, "do you have the map of the surrounding territories?"

"One minute," Islinda then clicked on some buttons over her airborne screen before a new one appeared in front of everyone with a stap map showing the general view of the grand sector.

"We are here," she pointed to a place far east, "and the Terases empire is there," and she pointed to a place far west.

"We need to take all that's between the two of us," James said, before adding, "this war starts by who will gain more territory out of this," he had thought for a couple of minutes before saying his opinion.

"You mean we should aim for these places first?" Rigo said before adding, "I think many kingdoms and small empires lie in these places."

"Sure, their number is great and we will need another fleet at least to support this campaign."

"You two don't get it," James shook his head, "this isn't a war to fight and try out our luck, this war will determine our fate. We need to win this, we must win this no matter what."

He paused, before glancing at the hall he was in, "even if it reached to sell everything we have, we must do it."

"But the effects on our future path will be great!" Islinda was still bound to her economic vision.

"You don't get it, without winning this war, we won't be able to have anything to regret! Living and enjoying the victory with small benefits and some losses is much better than having nothing at all after a grand defeat!"

"Plus the Terases empire has many riches already like us," Rigo said before adding, "I always track their news, and the latest that came said they mimic our tactic in dealing with merchants."

"Do they have monsters too?" James and Islinda were speechless by Rigo words and the two asked in the same breath.

"No, but they started to support many trades making the place there not less than our capital."

"We need to move fast and annex these places," James said before adding, "we can first draw a line and defend it before attacking what lies within."

"Draw a line so early in the game?" Rigo was surprised, "shouldn't we move more cautiously?" he added.

"No, we need to be bold and courageous," James said before adding, "also we aren't alone, we have six organizations that are now linked to us."

"Why not try and annex them first?" Islinda suggested.

"No, this won't work," and James refused, "I don't want to grow big by eating what's already mine! I would lose in the end and gain nothing!"

His words made logic and the two in front of him couldn't refute what he just said. "So we need to prepare at least one grand fleet," James said before pausing for a moment here, "let Dora lead it!"

"Are you sure?" Islinda asked, "she is still new here."

"I'm sure the soldiers here knew her already after her strategy and lecture. As long as she is respected and we supported her, nothing bad will happen," James said, explaining his reasons.

He didn't choose her because she was his woman, he chose her as she deserved this title. Plus he trusted her.

"And I will send some of my trusted droids to guard her," Rigo said before pausing. "there is an issue I wanted to discuss with you before but didn't get the time."

"Speak," and James casually said.

"I want to start making droids again!"

And the words Rigo said made the eyes of James go wide! "Do you know how?" he hurried to ask, "can we start making them on a large scale?"

He suddenly realized he had such a gem and didn't think of finding more of it! The droids were really special in his empire and fleet; totally depending on them in big operations and dark times.

Yet their numbers were few, and that limited their use and benefits to him, in regard to the recent development and growth of his empire.

"I can, but this will need more expenses and at least two weeks of preparations."

"Done," James didn't even hesitate or even thought of asking about the budget or the plans Rigo had, "Make sure this goes as top priority," he turned to Islinda as he gave her a direct order.

"Also the secrecy… make sure not a single word will come out to anyone," he added, while thinking of making this as his hidden weapon.

"Sure," Islinda couldn't refuse as she sighed, "but this will put more pressure on our economy."

"No problem, this is a big war, the biggest war. If we don't make sacrifices now, we will regret everything later."

His words were straight and clear, so she couldn't argue anymore. "I just hope this is worth everything we will sacrifice for."

"It will," he said before adding, "let's start sending the fleet to annex the nearest kingdoms," he then pointed to the area next to his empire. The screen zoomed in and many stars appeared with names and boundaries drawn to determine the present kingdoms there.

"Over a hundred kingdoms? That's a nice number," Rigo said.

"Can you do it?" James asked, as he pointed to another place and that place lightened up.

"Another hundred?" Rigo asked in confusion, "I can handle a hundred alone, but with the help of the allied forces, we can fight hundreds."

"Speed is the main goal here," James stressed over this point as he added, "you need to make sure taking these kingdoms won't last more than a week."

"A… A week? That's too short!"

"So go now and start preparing," he said before adding, "but leave the instructions on how to make droids to Islinda."

Rigo glanced strangely at him before he sighed. "Alright, I will move out now," then he asked, "shall I take Dora with me?"

"No, leave her here," James said before laughing, "and wait until the meeting without allies ends. We might gain more troops and fleet from them."

"I will make sure they will participate," and Rigo promised before excusing himself.

And finally, James and Islinda were alone once more.

"T- Thanks," she embarrassedly said.

"For what?"

"For standing up for me. For killing every single one of those bastards, and leave none alive."

He didn't know if she really meant what she said or not; after all it wasn't his desire to be this bloody. It was Sirene who went berserk and screamed asking to kill everyone!

If it was up to him, he would have retreated after killing that elder!

"Don't mention it," he said before pointing to her to come and she sat on his lap. "You know," he said while playing in her hair, "you are a precious doll to me," and painted a soft smile over her lips, taking her breath away.

"I- I missed you," she finally had the courage to say it.

"Hehehe, me too," he laughed before saying, "let's go upstairs then."

"Yes, but…" she paused before adding, "Luna also missed you."

"Oh, you and Luna seemed to get much closer than before," he smiled before laughing, "don't worry, she will get her share of fun later."

And she just nodded and said nothing while her face showed a tinge of redness.

He carried her, and went upstairs to one of the big rooms in this palace, before making a sweet long and violent love with her for hours.

He didn't taste her for weeks now, and so when he touched her, she was so sensitive to everything he did.

Plus he gained more power than before, so his desire was much ignited and his lust was bottomless. Even after hours, he wasn't finished with her yet.

Yet she was almost fainting on the large bed in the room! "Sigh, it seems I will need to look for more dolls," he laughed before recalling Luna. "I should send a message for her to come."

He dressed up and went down to find someone and send him to fetch Luna.

"Let's wait for her to come then," he laughed, while amusingly recalling the happy and sweet moments he had with that sexy vulgar girl.

Yet as he was waiting in his throne room, a strange man came from the front.

He seemed not to be seen by any servant or anyone; as he entered through the main door under the vision of James without being asked or stopped.

And the next strange thing he did was to head for the stairs!

"Hey you, what are you doing here and who are you?" James shouted as he suddenly felt tense. He stood from his seat and moved fast, using his great strength and speed to reach in front of that person and cut the road on him.

"Speak or I will mercilessly kill you!" James threatened.

"Move or else I will mercilessly kill you!" and the man spoke, in a young tone yet it seemed domineering. He looked like someone used to order others, threat everyone; and not to be threatened.

"Tsk," and James sneered before a fight erupted between the two on the stairs.