The two armies faced each other head-on.
If the two sides in battle were evenly matched, both would inevitably suffer devastating losses.
But once one side suddenly gained an overwhelming advantage, so-called conquest would face no resistance whatsoever.
Roy controlled the giant of white clouds and tore the roof off Kalia Island's temple in one sweep.
In truth, from that very moment—
The Four Island Alliance was destined to fall into Roy's hands.
A hundred-meter-tall giant of clouds, coupled with the intimidation of Reaper's Sound.
There were no surprises.
Roy effortlessly conquered Kalia Island, which Albert had failed to take even after mobilizing the strength of his entire island.
Seated upon the throne that belonged to a god, he looked down at the four Gods of Sky Island prostrating themselves below.
Clearly, those who could climb to high positions were not fools.
When faced with a situation they could not resist, they sincerely offered up their loyalty.
Torres was even more direct, presenting the sword that symbolized authority on Kalia Island.
Seeing this, the remaining three Gods of Sky Island hurriedly kowtowed to declare their loyalty.
The lords who had once stood high above all others now lay humbly at Roy's feet.
Before this man, whom they had virtually no way of resisting.
For the sake of their own lives and the lives of their people, so-called dignity was nothing more than the act of kneeling.
"Albert, go count everyone on this island. Remember, I want the results before nightfall."
Ignoring the four people kneeling below.
Roy directly ordered Albert to count the island's future slaves.
Because Roy had conquered Puka first, and Albert had been the first to offer his loyalty, Roy did not mind granting Albert a measure of authority.
Sometimes, oppression by one's own kind was the best means of rule.
Because no one understood you better than your own kind.
Roy's order for Albert to count the population represented his trust in Albert.
And no one present was a fool.
Albert lowered his head and bowed, then walked out of the roofless temple with a face full of excitement.
Seeing this, the four Gods of Sky Island kneeling on the ground wore bitter smiles.
Not long ago, they had personally defeated Albert's army and carried out a slaughtering pursuit against it.
Yet they had never expected the reversal to come so quickly.
They had been victors just moments ago, but now they had become prisoners in someone else's hands.
Faced with the deeper meaning behind Roy's words.
Torres and the others, kneeling on the ground, all knew that their future days would likely be difficult.
While the other three Gods of Sky Island worried about the future.
Torres was instead thinking about how he could gain status from the lord before him.
His eyes turned in their sockets as he pondered.
When he nervously raised his head slightly and saw Roy holding the map they had discussed during their earlier meeting.
A somewhat reckless idea took shape in Torres's heart.
This lord was studying the map from their meeting so intently.
Could it be that this lord was also interested in the surrounding sky islands?
Thinking of this, and then of his enmity with Albert.
Knowing that if he continued to sit and wait for death, he would not meet a good end, Torres gritted his teeth.
He raised his head and said to Roy, who was examining the map on the throne, "My lord, the map in your hand is the latest map of the sea of clouds that we drew. If there is anything you cannot make out, I would be more than willing to serve you."
As he spoke those words, Torres's heart was already in his throat.
But in the face of the blood feud between them and Puka.
For the sake of living better in the future, Torres was truly gambling everything.
Sweat had already soaked Torres's back, while the other three Gods of Sky Island lying prone on the ground also began trembling in cold sweat.
Before this man, who was almost comparable to a true god.
The earlier Reaper's Sound had already turned them into weak lambs.
How did Torres dare?
Was he not afraid of angering this lord?
While the other three Gods of Sky Island were each frantically turning things over in their minds.
"Oh? Then tell me about the sky islands on this map!"
Roy had always appreciated ambitious people.
In the future, Albert would become Roy's lackey among the sky islands.
But in Roy's mind, in order to balance Albert's authority, he needed to place another subordinate with comparable power beside him.
Originally, Roy had been considering whom he should place among these sky islands.
But Torres's sudden words gave Roy a different idea.
Looking at the man before him, who was clearly filled with fear yet still possessed ambition.
Roy did not mind giving him an opportunity.
After Roy accepted Torres's offer.
The hearts of the Gods of Sky Island present, which had risen to their throats, slowly settled.
At that moment, Torres knew he had won his gamble.
The enormous map was hung and spread out before Roy by Torres.
As Torres began explaining it bit by bit, Roy quickly absorbed the geographical information of the sky islands.
When Albert returned to the temple with his tally and saw Torres explaining the map to Roy.
A sense of crisis instinctively arose in Albert's heart.
Torres's gaze collided with Albert's by chance.
At that moment, Roy knew his goal had been achieved.
A competitive relationship had formed between Torres and Albert.
And that was merely one of Roy's little tricks.
In truth, to Roy, everyone on these sky islands would become nothing more than his slaves in the future. His willingness to distribute authority to Albert and Torres was only for the convenience of management.
Torres explained the geography on the map, and Roy rapidly absorbed it.
Only then did Roy understand why he had searched for so long without finding the sky islands.
It turned out that the sea of clouds above the sky was constantly moving, and the islands' positions shifted in a regular pattern as well.
After learning this.
Massive amounts of white mist began flowing continuously from beneath Roy's feet into the island's interior.
"Very good, Torres. I agree with your previous plan. This sea of clouds truly needs a master."
He rose from the god's throne.
Roy spread his arms as Albert, Torres, and the others stared in shock.
Enormous white clouds began rolling beneath their feet, and the entire temple rapidly rose upward before forming a mountain peak.
At the center of the peak, a throne formed of white clouds had appeared beneath Roy without anyone noticing.
"Let us conquer this sea of clouds, starting with the four islands today!
I will unite all the sky islands into one vast kingdom. The skies above will be my treasury."
As his words fell.
Before everyone's stunned eyes, all of Kalia Island slowly began to transform and move.
Albert, Torres, and the others stood there with their mouths agape.
Before power so great it was nearly miraculous.
Albert became even more convinced of Roy's greatness.
As for the Four Island gods led by Torres, while their eyes widened and their mouths hung open, the last traces of scheming in their hearts were extinguished.
Before you continue