They both accepted the gold coin from Shin. He then turned to Lady Elise and asked about Eldric's power and the strength of his six top knights.
"Eldric is at Level 3 Ascension, while all his knights are at Level 2 Ascension," she explained.
Heart, what's my level compared to them? Shin asked mentally.
Big Brother, you'd need to reach Level 5 to easily wipe out the knights, and Level 6 to be on par with Eldric. If you reach Level 7, you'll surpass him.
How long will it take to reach that level, Heart?
It depends on how many strong opponents you face. If you stay on pace, you might reach Level 4 or even Level 5 after your fight with the Goblin Emperor. You can also buy subjugation orders to speed things up for yourself and your army. The orders come in different ranks—white being the lowest and red the highest. Each order has ten waves of random monsters—skeletons, goblins, werebears, crimson gorillas, baby Kiju, and more. They vary in level and drop weapons, armor, and other valuable items.
Shin's eyes lit up. He planned to check the player market and the auction for subjugation orders.
"Give me at least two weeks before I challenge Eldric," he said confidently.
"Oh my, my big strong dragon husband~ fufu," Elise teased with a smile. "But based on what you told me, you still need one more person—and you need to get stronger, dear."
"While Robin and your other sisters help plan the wedding," he continued, "we can go summon the new general."
They left the Level 2 manor. Heart placed the city hall, planted cherry blossom seeds around the manor, and set down the two legendary blacksmith shops.
Then Shin activated the general/hero gacha.
Ding! Host has received: Flame Lord Benimaru (Tensura).
Benimaru bowed and pledged his loyalty to Shin and the territory. He asked about his sister, and Shin explained she was still with his former lord—but not to worry, a goddess had sent them a gift that would make them both happy. Benimaru looked confused until Shin whispered:
"He's been given your manhood back—with an extra blessing. Your sister can finally embrace her true love and be a mother."
Benimaru's eyes widened, then softened with emotion. He went on to explain the current capabilities of the Mountain Splitters and shared all relevant details to help train and lead them better.
Shin placed the meeting hall and teleportation portals, then summoned Iskaris Lunethorne (the space mage) and Hephaestus. He asked Iskaris to set up the portals, which would take time since he had to communicate with the Void—something Shin would eventually learn.
Then he turned to Hephaestus and said, "I'm here to keep my promise."
He used a designated gacha to summon Hestia (DanMachi).
Ding! Host has summoned: Hestia.
Hephaestus ran and scooped her aunt into a bear hug, tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Auntie Hestia! It's you—it's really you! I missed you! I'm so happy!"
Hestia gently patted her head. "There, there. I'm here, child."
"Thank you, Shin, for reuniting us," Hestia said, smiling warmly.
Ding! Goddess Hestia has used some of her divine power—before it was sealed—to bless your territory.
Hestia's Blessing: Reunion's Flame
Granted to Shin for reuniting the Hearth and the Forge.
Effects on the Territory:
• Eternal Hearths: Every home has an ever-burning, smokeless flame that provides warmth, comfort, and mild healing. These flames can't be extinguished by unnatural means.
• Flame of Unity: Conflicts among citizens are soothed. Arguments resolve faster, crime drops significantly, and cooperation flourishes.
• Blessing of Craft and Home (Hephaestus & Hestia Combined): All blacksmithing, crafting, and domestic productivity receive a +25% boost. Gear made in the territory has a chance to gain minor divine properties.
• Sacred Flame Ward: The borders are protected by invisible divine fire that repels low-level evil creatures and weakens stronger ones.
• Children of the Flame: Birthrates in the territory increase slightly. Children born here grow up healthier and stronger—some even with fire-touched blessings.
The effects were felt throughout the territory. Blacksmiths experienced a moment of enlightenment, while civilians felt warmth bloom in their homes.
Heart asked, "Big Brother, do you want to open the gift packages for starting the second generation?"
Shin, can you explain the gift packages?
"Yes, Big Brother. The gift packages are delivered in stages: one when a child is conceived, one when they are born, and another for every significant milestone that brings them—or the family—honor or prestige."
Yes, Heart. Open the gift packages, please.
Ding! Rewards:
• The Heart of a Fallen Star
• Ice Palace (can be fused with Dragon Mountain during upgrade)
• 50 tons of Legendary Essences
• A Purple Subjugation Order
• Spirit Field
• Special Building: Dimensional Travel Portal (can send anyone in the territory to different dimensions to recruit, gain knowledge, and collect resources)
• 2 Gacha Tokens of each category
Shin was excited. He placed his new brackets and had Heart inform all key personnel to meet in the meeting hall.
She complied and sent the message. Elise asked, "Dear, am I welcome to the meeting as well?"
"Yes, my dear. Follow me."
As everyone arrived, they each took their seats. Shin asked Heart to pull up a map of the currently explored area.
"Now, everyone," he began, "we have five territory expansion orders. We need to figure out where to set up our subsidiary territories."
Elise spoke first. "Dear, why not expand west—where the medium goblin territory used to be? It's fertile grassland with a good water source. It used to be a village before the goblins took over."
Shin considered it for a moment, then nodded in agreement. He turned to Wendy, John, and Mark.
"I have some summoning tokens. I need you to register them and prepare the personnel and civilians to move to the new territory."
Then he looked to Kay Ryo Ten.
"I need you to organize the military personnel for the new settlement."
"Yes, Lord!" they all replied before departing.
Shin took the territory token and placed it on the map where they had agreed. A white light flashed, and a new territory appeared with all the standard buildings Shin had at the beginning.
He had Heart place the two-story homes and apartments in Skyreach Village. He placed a villa there for the military commander, since the city lord's manor was smaller than his own. The remaining five villas were placed in his main territory as gifts for his top officials.
Finally, he asked Hephaestus to gather a team of fifteen blacksmiths and handed her the new blueprints.
She agreed and left to gather her team. Shin then used a large recruitment scroll as well as army recruitment scrolls. Portals opened, releasing a mix of 100 men and women around age 25. He called for Lara and Nina so they could meet their new troops.
He also summoned the earth mages to clear a path with the soldiers and lay down a road, then sent Iskaris—riding one of the drakes—to install the teleportation portal at the new village.
Ding! Host has established first village.
Rewards:
• 500 System Points
• 1 Gacha Token (Pets/Mounts)
• 1 Gacha Token (Hero/General)
• 1 Teal Subjugation Order
A/N
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