Rumble!
Before the Dragonblood warriors could react, Aengus raised his hand, and the ground beneath them began to tremble violently. Shadowy tendrils emerged from the earth, weaving through the crowd with terrifying speed.
"W-What is this!?" one of the traitors screamed, panic overtaking their smug demeanor.
"You think your cursed seeds are the key to controlling the battlefield? Pathetic." Aengus' voice was calm, chillingly so. "I already analyzed your little curse the moment you triggered it. My Dominion has neutralized its effects."
The shadows reached every female warrior in the vicinity, wrapping around their bodies protectively. A surge of energy followed, severing the connection between the cursed seeds and the Dragonblood warriors who had planted them.
The traitors stared in disbelief.
"Impossible!" the leader shouted, his face pale.
"Oh, it's possible," Aengus said, stepping forward, his presence suffocating. "And now, you've lost your only leverage."
The female warriors, feeling the oppressive weight of the curse lift, stared at Aengus in awe and gratitude.
Chrystia gasped, her eyes widening in astonishment. "He...when did he neutralize it..."
Bella's smile widened, her voice brimming with pride. "I told you, Mother. He always protects those under his care."
The Dragonblood warriors, now stripped of their advantage, were paralyzed with fear, their earlier bravado replaced with pure terror.
Aengus' eyes grew cold and merciless, his voice reverberating like the judgment of a god.
"Now, it's my turn to show you why I am called the Ruination Emperor."
The millions of Dragonblood warriors froze, a collective chill running through their spines as though they had been plunged into an icy abyss.
"No! Please, forgive us! Without us, the women here will be widowed. You will be condemned for this throughout future generations!"
"Damnation will consume you!"
"Please, spare us!" Discover exclusive tales on empire
Their desperate cries fell on deaf ears as Aengus raised a hand, his expression unyielding.
"Kill!"
The single, merciless command echoed through the battlefield as the bloody red sky seemed to respond. The shadows moved with unnatural speed, descending upon the warriors like vengeful spirits.
"No! Don't—"
Her nonchalant tone sent a chill through those gathered.
Bella understood the importance of this moment. She knew Aengus needed to reach Level 1,000, a milestone that would grant him the power to change the world as they envisioned. She watched with bated breadth, silently supporting him.
However, among the crowd, a ripple of resistance began to form.
"No! Don't take my husband away!" one woman cried desperately.
"Yes, at least let us bury them!" another wailed.
"How can our Emperor be so heartless as to not leave the bodies of his enemies for proper burial?"
The emotional cries grew louder, threatening to disturb Aengus's peace.
"And why is that?"
Bella's sharp voice cut through the chaos. In an instant, she appeared before thousands of female warriors, her commanding presence silencing the dissenters.
Her purple eyes glowed with authority as she looked down at them. "You dare question the actions of the Ruination Emperor? Your husbands, your fathers, your sons, all chose betrayal and death. Now, they serve a greater purpose—to fuel his strength and protect this empire. Is your sentimentality worth risking all our futures?"
As the elderly citizen's voice echoed through the air, a stern reality settled upon the grieving women.
"Yes, yes! Don't forget, it was them who didn't hesitate to kill you. So why shed tears for those who betrayed and used you? That's just emotional stupidity!"
The crowd went silent, the words striking their hearts like a harsh wind.
The realization hit hard. Their loved ones had been willing to sacrifice them without hesitation. Many lowered their heads in quiet despair, their tears drying as anger and sorrow intertwined.
Meanwhile, above the gathering, Aengus continued absorbing the energy from the fallen bodies. His level surged like a rocket.
768... 790...830..868...870....890... 910...
The vortex of dark energy grew even more ferocious, devouring the last remnants of resentment from the dead.
As he consumed two-thirds of the corpses, Aengus felt a wave of intense exhaustion ripple through his body. His cells screamed from the overwhelming influx of energy, and his soul, though partially recovered, struggled to keep pace with the monumental strain.
And why would they not, he had reached level 930 in just dozens of minutes after all.
He stopped Omni-Devour at once.
[ Status ]
He commanded as he stored rest of the corpses in his Pocket space that formed moutains with corpses to be used later.