Building An Empire Starting From The Labor Camp In Exile-Chapter 206: Wake up

Pomora created water while Takoda made a bathtub for him using stones. So Atrox followed Slya’s advice and threw himself into a soak.

As he checked himself, he noticed that his body was stronger than when he was a Knight, and he had some kind of glow, as if advancing had made his skin grow in quality. But the biggest change was that his core had evolved—it had grown twice as large as before.

Atrox used a rough stone to scrub himself as he thought about what had happened that day.

’...i’m not dead... because the old man decided not to kill me...

Everything almost seemed like a dream, but his advancement and near-death experience told him otherwise.

’.....the Arcane Wizards... I’m really carrying one of their inheritances... So the Arcane Wizards are just Knights, but they are very powerful because they have many abilities...?..’

Atrox’s heart skipped a beat. He didn’t know how much power the Arcane Wizards had, but he knew they had created the Rift before they vanished.

’...they left inheritances before they left... They must be more powerful than the old man... He’s the most powerful person I know...’

Atrox shuddered as he remembered the power the old man had displayed.

’...and I’m sure he didn’t even use half of his power...’

His mood darkened because he knew he would have to clash against the old man in the future. "He has something I want."

’...the artifact that ultimately killed Vorgaelor... I want it back... And I know that man manipulated me somehow... I will get him back for this... I just have to gain more power...’

Atrox continued bathing. The energy he would need to cover his external core had now increased, even more so for him since his core was much bigger than average.

"I should make use of this borderland and hunt as many monsters as I can. But this place is dead anyway. There won’t be many monsters outside of here either. I’ll think of something."

His thoughts went to his next techniques. He would either have to learn new ones or build on the existing ones. Atrox leaned back in the stone tub. "I’ll think of all that once we leave this place."

☆☆☆☆☆

"We didn’t find anything of worth," Pomora said.

It was evening, and they were sitting around a stone table to talk about what they were going to do next.

"Although we haven’t explored the whole Rift, I doubt we’ll find anything," she continued, her face hardening. "The monsters—Vorgaelor was using their resources himself. From what you told us, Steelclaw was using the resources to trade for gold to buy more for them."

Atrox nodded, but his eyes narrowed because they had seen no signs of Steelclaw, dead or alive.

"And the palace is gone with whatever valuables were inside," Takoda said.

The Master Knights were not happy about this, and rightfully so. They had lost far more than they had gained. They lost their men and enchanted towers.

The loss of the Errant Knights was even more painful, as they were one of their most powerful instruments. Most of them had been investments—the different Flags had spent vast resources nurturing Knights.

What made it worse was that they knew almost nothing apart from the fact that Steelclaw had betrayed them to Vorgaelor. They didn’t know why Atrox had been kidnapped instead of just being killed with the others.

Atrox had already made up a lie, so he told them that Vorgaelor was trying to break out of the Rift and needed someone with high potential but weak—someone at the rank of Knight.

And that Steelclaw had chosen him because of his hatred for his Clan. But somehow, things went wrong during the ritual, and something was summoned. He told them he had passed out during this period and only woke up when they saw him.

He doubted they believed him, but what else could they believe? That a Knight-rank had managed to defeat a Rift Lord and a Master Knight?

Of course, Tiber and Slya would still ask him for the real story later.

Atrox tapped the stone table. The ring on his finger flashed, and another ring appeared—this one green, specked with black. He smiled smugly as everyone turned to look at it. "This is from Vorgaelor. Found it on him when I regained consciousness."

Their eyes sharpened as they stared at the spatial ring that had belonged to a Rift Lord.

Atrox said solemnly, "It will be shared equally among everyone. And get me the agencies of those who died. We will give them their share as well."

Nobody disagreed with that, but that wasn’t why Atrox had called the meeting. He glanced at Tiber and Slya, then at the other two, and said, "The Soryu Clan will likely attack."

He let the silence sink in. Of course, the two Master Knights didn’t seem worried. They were powerful enough that they couldn’t be easily threatened.

"I want to fight the Soryu Clan, and I want your help," Atrox said, removing emotion from his tone. His green eyes went from one Master Knight to the other.

They stiffened, both of them. Not being easily threatened didn’t mean they wanted to turn their swords against a Clan. It wasn’t that simple. There was a reason the Soryu Clan had clawed its way into power and still held it. They were strong.

"This is not treason, and you won’t just be fighting the Clan," Atrox smiled wearily. "But give me your support because I’m returning to the Clan after a forced exile. They have no choice but to allow it. I will build a faction in court, and we will see how things go."

Then his voice hardened. "But make no mistake—if you support me, then you will fight. I intend to shed blood and guts."

The two Master Knights shared a look. Giving their support now wouldn’t be as simple as when he had asked them to clear the Rift. This was more dangerous. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Takoda cleared his throat. "Commander Atrox, this is a very tricky one for me because, even as Chief, I can’t just decide. Already, I have lost a lot—both Clan members and resources. I will give you my answer when we are outside."

Pomora shrugged. "I want to return to the Clan anyway, and I don’t imagine I will have much standing in court except by following you, who is even more of an outcast... I will do as Flagbearer Takoda. I will give you my answer outside."

Atrox nodded. "Very well. We will tour the Rift today and leave tomorrow."