Apocalypse: Starting With Three Unique Blessings-Chapter 31: Conquering A Territory.

As the word left Magnus’s lips, the wholr space descended into an unnerving silence. The crowd of goblins stood frozen, a mixture of shock and indecision etched upon their faces. A heavy question hung in the air, a choice that could alter the course of their lives forever.

Should they surrender? Should they relinquish their peaceful existence to this human, potentially facing enslavement or something far more sinister? Or should they refuse, inviting the full force of his wrath, an annihilation that would leave none spared?

Magnus waited patiently, offering no pressure, simply observing as the silence stretched, each moment heavy with anticipation. The goblins exchanged anxious glances, their eyes darting back and forth, a silent conversation taking place amidst the tension. Finally, one goblin broke the impasse. A scrawny, elderly goblin, his pale face a canvas of fear, stepped forward.

"My life is of little consequence now," he croaked, his voice trembling. "But I cannot make a selfish choice that endangers my lineage." He let the crude wooden weapon slip from his grasp, clattering against the stone floor, and sank to his knees in submission.

This initial act of surrender triggered a chain reaction. A cacophony of clattering wood echoed through the cavern as goblin after goblin mirrored the old one’s actions, dropping their weapons and kneeling. The weight of the old goblin’s words had struck a chord, resonating with a chilling truth.

What purpose did patriotism serve in the face of such overwhelming power? It was a fool’s errand, a reckless act that would only condemn their loved ones alongside themselves. Such a gesture of defiance wouldn’t even achieve anything worthwhile; it would be utterly meaningless.

Deep down, they all knew the fragile nature of peace in Aetherium. Conflict, whether between territories or individuals, was a constant. The reasons varied, from complex political machinations to personal greed and petty squabbles, but the outcome always hinged on one factor: strength.

Strength always prevailed, not patriotism or any other idealistic notion. And at this moment, Magnus held all the strength. Compliance, however unpalatable, was their only viable option.

Besides, life offered a glimmer of hope. Perhaps Magnus’s intentions weren’t as malicious as they feared. Remaining alive, at the very least, preserved the possibility of a future, however uncertain.

Despite the overwhelming sentiment of surrender, a spark of defiance flickered in a few hearts. The goblin who had initially challenged Magnus, along with three others, stepped forward. Fear was evident in their trembling hands, but their grip on their swords remained firm, a testament to their resolve.

"Seriously? Do you truly wish to fight under these circumstances?" Magnus inquired, his brow furrowed in genuine curiosity.

"Yes," one of them declared, his voice strained but resolute. "We may die, but death is preferable to slavery."

"So be it," Magnus replied, his voice low and even.

In a blur of motion, Magnus surged forward, his speed superhuman. His attributes far surpassed those of ordinary individuals, rivaling even some awakened beings. Before the four goblins could react, he was upon them.

A powerful punch to the gut sent the first flying backward. The second swung his sword, a desperate attempt at defense, but Magnus effortlessly dodged the blow and countered with a swift kick, shattering the goblin’s leg. The third met a similar fate, both legs crumpling beneath the force of Magnus’s strike.

The last goblin, overcome by terror, turned and fled, instantly regretting his earlier bravado. But Magnus was relentless. He easily caught up to the fleeing goblin, seizing him by the shoulder with a grip that pulverized bone. He lifted the screaming goblin into the air before slamming him into the ground with bone-jarring force.

With all four goblins writhing in agony, Magnus surveyed them, his gaze cold and unwavering. "Witness the consequences of your actions," he declared, his voice echoing through the silent space.

He turned towards the crowd, quickly identifying the families of the four defiant goblins. There were few, which perhaps explained their reckless courage. One had no family at all, another a grandmother, the third one a brother, and the last a wife and young daughter.

Without hesitation, Magnus drew his sword. The swift, decisive strikes that followed left a gruesome tableau. Four heads rolled across the cobbled floor, spraying warm, green blood across the place. The horrified gasps of the assembled goblins filled the air, a stark reminder of the fate they had narrowly avoided. The chilling realization that this could have been their own families, had they chosen defiance, sent shivers down their spines.

Magnus stood over the corpses, a flicker of emotion stirring within him. The [Aegis of Mind] quickly quelled the rising negativity, leaving only a faint trace of guilt. He swiftly suppressed this lingering remorse. He was a conqueror, and fear was a more effective tool than compassion. Any display of weakness would be detrimental.

With renewed resolve, Magnus turned to address the crowd, his voice resonating with authority. "Let this be a lesson etched into your memories," he commanded, gesturing towards the fallen goblins. "Defiance against me forfeits not only your own life but also the lives of those you cherish. Remember this before making any rash decisions." His words hung heavy in the air, amplified by the groans of the four still-living goblins, their pain not merely physical but also the agonizing torment of witnessing the slaughter of their loved ones.

"As for you..." Magnus murmured, approaching the four with his blood-dripping sword. He saw a flicker of defiance still lingering in their eyes.

’Fools,’ he thought, and with swift, merciless strokes, he ended their suffering.

With a flick of his wrist, Magnus signaled to the kneeling goblins. Several hesitantly rose and began the grim task of removing the bodies.

Once the gruesome chore was completed, Magnus returned his attention to the crowd. "The mercy I extended to those who surrendered is a mercy you denied my people when you had the opportunity. Never forget that," he stated, his voice laced with a chilling reminder. "But understand this: my mercy is not infinite. Do not test its limits."

"Yes, Lord Magnus!" the crowd roared in unison, their voices thick with fear, acknowledging the human as their new ruler.

"Good," Magnus responded. "From now on, Kragnir will be your leader. He speaks for me, so disobedience to him is disobedience to me."

"Yes, Lord Magnus!" the chorus echoed once more.

"Rise, and let your fealty be known," Magnus commanded, his voice booming across the cavern.

As one, the goblins rose to their feet, their fate now irrevocably intertwined with the human standing before them. A notification screen materialized before Magnus, confirming his victory.

-[You have completed a hidden Quest: Conquer your first territory. Reward: +500 Exp points, +10,000 Evolution points]

-[10× Reward activated]

-[5,000 Exp points have been rewarded]

-[100,000 Evolution points have been rewarded] 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Magnus suppressed a smile as he dismissed the screen and addressed the crowd once more. His pronouncements were brief, concluding the formalities of their subjugation.

’That was surprisingly easier than expected, ’ Magnus mused to himself, relieved that he faced goblins rather than a more prideful race like elves. Their lack of strong patriotic fervor or stubborn loyalty had simplified his conquest considerably. Dealing with a race fiercely protective of their sovereignty would have presented a far greater challenge.

Magnus relayed a series of instructions to Kragnir, outlining the governance of the newly acquired territory. He couldn’t linger; pressing matters demanded his attention back home.

He left behind several of his summon to ensure the smooth transition of power and maintain order. Their presence also served as a direct line of communication, allowing Magnus to receive updates and issue commands instantaneously through their telepathic link.

As Magnus emerged from the territory, he was greeted by Kael, who had been waiting patiently just beyond the territory’s entrance.

"How did your task proceed?" Magnus inquired immediately. He had dispatched Kael to deal with the human slaves held here.

"Without incident," Kael reported. "As you predicted, most chose to join our territory without hesitation. They are already en route."

Magnus nodded, pleased with the outcome. Expanding his territory’s resources, landmass, and population was crucial for advancing to the next trial. Though the first trial loomed, Magnus was already strategizing for the trials that would follow. Time was a luxury he couldn’t afford to waste.

"Excellent work, Kael," Magnus praised, clapping him on the shoulder.

"I am always at your service, Lord Magnus," Kael replied with a respectful bow.

Magnus smiled faintly, then contacted one of his summons back in his own territory through their mental link. A broad grin spread across his face as he received the anticipated information.

Kael observed his master’s peculiar behavior but remained respectfully silent. He surmised that Magnus was communicating with his other summons through the same telepathic means he had witnessed earlier.

The grin lingered on Magnus’s face as he turned back to Kael. "It seems we must return quickly. There’s quite a show awaiting us back home."