Rain had spent the entire day upgrading his troops and citizens, burning through nearly all of his two million evolution points, leaving him with just half a million remaining.
The sheer scale of the transformation was staggering—he must have evolved over five thousand warriors, artisans, and civilians.
Each upgrade wasn't just a step forward for his army but for the entire foundation of his empire.
The Dwarves, led by Druger and Drake, saw their construction prowess skyrocket. Their hands now worked faster, stronger, and with more precision.
Complex structures that once took months to build could now be completed in weeks or even days. They could create towering fortresses, impregnable walls, and intricate designs that would stand the test of time, all in record time.
The impact this had on his empire's infrastructure was profound—Rain could already envision a city that rivaled the greatest kingdoms in architecture.
At this rate, the pipelines and roads connecting every location in the wasteland would be completed ahead of schedule, giving water to everyone.
The farmlands would be completed as well, allowing them to begin planting crops that could sustain the entire wasteland. Hunger and the constant worry about the next water supply would become things of the past.
Golly's team of Gnomes, too, had taken a massive leap forward. Their evolution had sharpened their minds and hands, allowing them to create even more complex and innovative devices.
The inventions they crafted now brimmed with ingenuity—mechanisms that could revolutionize warfare, farming, and daily life.
What had once been simple tools were now marvels of engineering that would keep Rain's empire at the forefront of progress. Discover hidden content at empire
Then there were the alchemists, healers, and crafters. Each of them, through their evolution, had gained an enhanced mastery over their respective skills.
The alchemists could now brew potions that were more potent, the healers could mend injuries faster, and the crafters could create items of unparalleled quality.
It wasn't just an army that was being forged; Rain was elevating an entire society, and overall making the wasteland a mega empire in the future.
As Rain took a step back and surveyed the results of the day's work, he couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. His empire was growing stronger, not just through sheer military might, but by the talents and abilities of those within it.
With these three pillars in mind, he knew that building an empire was not just about power—it was about balance. It was about creating a future where his people could thrive, not just survive.
As he stretched one last time, he mentally prepared himself for the next phase. There was still much to be done.
Overall it was a good day.
And when his long-awaited [Apprentice Lord Title Challenge] finally arrived, Rain knew this would mark a significant turning point in his rule.
This wasn't just a test of his leadership but also an opportunity to strengthen his bond with the citizens and unlock even greater potential for his growing empire.
With the challenge in place, he would finally be able to receive direct feedback from his people. Their voices would matter now more than ever.
Rain would get to understand their needs, concerns, and desires on a deeper level, and this information would shape how he governed moving forward.
The title challenge would allow the citizens to offer insight on the policies they valued, the problems they wanted solved, and the directions they hoped the empire would go.
Their feedback could mean the difference between a thriving empire or one headed for collapse.
More importantly, the Apprentice Lord granted him the ability to receive citizen-generated quests. These wouldn't be simple tasks, but missions given by the very people he had sworn to protect.
These quests could range from personal matters, like resolving disputes or helping rebuild a family's farm, to larger, empire-wide issues, such as securing valuable trade deals or fortifying the borders.
And with each quest, there would be rewards—whether in the form of resources, rare materials, or new technology blueprint that could further enhance the empire's growth.
Sometimes, even invaluable knowledge and strategic advantages could come from these citizen quests, giving Rain an edge that brute force alone couldn't achieve.
With everything finally in place, Rain decided it was time to visit Eve.
She had helped him in more ways than he could count, and now it was his turn to repay that debt.
Tomorrow, he would begin to fulfill the promise he had made to her, a commitment that went beyond mere gratitude.