Building My SSS-Rank Universal Empire: From Trash to Cosmic Overlord-Chapter 169: Quicksilver smile

When Vale finally reached the Forsaken Tribes’ territory, it was getting closer to night, and he met an advance party sent by the Chief. Tiber and Slya were with them, and they began fussing over him immediately after they saw him.

"What happened? Where are the others? What about Leojan and his team? Leojan’s tower? Why is he alone? What about the Commander’s Tower?"

Vale raised his hand to forestall all the questions thrown at him. The Knights from the Forsaken Tribes looked at him with heavy gazes and sensed what had happened. By this time, they were numb to losing people, but it still shocked them that a whole team had been wiped out.

Vale led them back in silence and immediately went to the throne room, where the chief and elders were waiting. He didn’t waste time as he explained everything that had happened.

Chief Takoda was silent for a long time before he said, "I should have followed you. Forgive me, Blessed Vale."

Vale waved it away and then bowed. "I am more sorry for the death of your men. Accept my apologies, Chief Takoda."

"They died for the honor of the Tribe. I will look for their remains tomorrow so they may return to the Crimson Lord in peace," Chief Takoda said from his place.

The elders murmured the same thing. Then, they began to talk about how the monster had known that Vale would be going there to retrieve the tower. Did they have some kind of spy monster?

But the atmosphere was heavy with resigned sadness, as if they expected death to come for them at any time and were only waiting for when.

Eventually, Slya, who had followed them into the throne room, asked with curiosity, "Where is this Commander’s Tower you talk about?"

Vale raised his hand, and dark light poured out, molding into the gleaming tower that now carried red, burning cracks like volcanic rock.

"So this is a Chained Artifact," Slya whispered as she watched the tower floating in front of Vale.

She wasn’t the only one marveling at the power of the Chained Artifact. They all felt it. And they knew what it meant. This young man was truly Vale Athrimir, the second Young Master of the Athrimir Clan!

Vale turned to Frexon then. "You are free to return to the Scuffed Bones," he paused. "You should be wary of those you serve."

Frexon smiled almost bitterly. "I should have, but that was a long time ago. Goodnight, Commander Vale." Then he bowed before he was swallowed by red light.

Commander Vale. He smiled. ’...I like the sound of that... Then shall I try it out, then? This Commander thing...’

"Tiber, Slya, and Manefor. I have a mission for you. Can you find me some paper and ink?"

It was given to him, and while others watched in curiosity, Vale wrote a letter addressed to one of his Flagbearers. It was Steelclaw, and the heading was, Why don’t we kill my father together?

Vale sealed it and handed it over to Tiber. "You will go immediately when the sun shines. Take a small team with you and make sure you wait for a reply. He will give you one."

He then smiled and clapped as everyone watched him. "Let’s celebrate my advancement to Commander! Who knows when we’ll have such a grand time again? Slya, remember not to drink too much."

Chief Takoda stared at Vale and then roared with laughter. He said they would mourn those who had just died by celebrating the life they had. Before long, long tables were arranged in the hall, and people began to arrive while food and drinks flowed together with the music that started.

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The next morning, a team of Knight ranks, led by Manefor, a blurry-eyed Slya, and Tiber, made their way east toward the Steelclaw Alliance.

At the same time, a gleaming dark red tower that made its surroundings shimmer with heat floated into the air and shot north toward the Exiled.

It took about an hour before he reached the Exiled fortress, but before arriving, he returned his tower to his body and walked the rest of the way on foot.

They led him in without trouble, and Pomora was waiting in her garden as before with some tea. This time, when she saw him, she stood and bowed. "Commander Vale."

Vale, in turn, nodded at her. "Flagbearer Pomora."

He sat down and went straight to the point. "Will you join me like Takoda?"

Instead of answering, she smiled and asked, "Are you not afraid of running into a trap here? I might have been secretly working with some people."

Vale shrugged. "Takoda vouched for you. Besides, you won’t see me easily trapped. Or killed."

Pomora smiled again. "Ah... the so-called Chained Artifact Tower. I’m a little curious about your relationship with that grumpy man. He doesn’t make friends easily, but with you..."

"Very well. If you promise me you will clear the Rift... no, if you promise me you will make the others join you in clearing the Rift, then I will join you."

Vale smiled, a quicksilver smile that flowed like the sharpness of a blade. "I promise, I will clear this Rift and will use all the resources that I have to do it."

"Then you already have my support, Commander Vale."

Vale stood and then nodded deeply at her. "Your first order is to prepare for battle."

Then he turned, already making his way back when Pomora called out to him, telling him he hadn’t touched his tea. He made sure his face remained impassive as he said, "Another time."

Vale had thought about it long and hard and realized that he couldn’t have all the Flagbearers under him not to mention those who might be secretly sponsored by different factions.

When he reached outside, far from the Exiled territory, he brought out his tower once again and took to the air. This time, he was heading south, where the Crimson Hood and the Scuffed Bones were located.

He needed to pay his enemies a visit.