The Otherworld Invader's aura, which had been shooting into the clouds like dark gray smoke, suddenly thickened. It tore straight through the heavens, revealing pinpricks of light, as though it had released a field of stars-only those stars were rather monotonous, and their light rather faint.
Those faint lights were all Emberfolk falling from the sky.
That aura of the Otherworld Invader probably contained special preparations as well. Like the "Child of the World invasion method" it had mentioned, this was likely a common way of conquering other worlds: a sequence of actions, one plan after another, tailored to different worlds and different circumstances. Whether conquering across World Domains or attacking other worlds within its own World Domain, it would have different strategies, effective plans tested through long campaigns of conquest.
Ruger felt as though little wizards like them had been mocked. He had actually heard a trace of disappointment in the Invader's voice.
It was truly absurd.
Every other word out of its mouth was about glorious conquerors or supreme conquerors. Now, it seemed to feel that wizards as a species had tarnished the supreme existence that was a conqueror, disgracing their ranks. Its disappointment was plain.
Vast numbers of Emberfolk were falling from the sky, unafraid of being smashed to pieces. The fierce winds of their descent made their flames burn a little brighter.
In fact, only now had things truly begun.
They had entered the actual opening stage.
Everything before this had merely been a few stray leaks, an informal little probe before the real probing and adaptation began.
Some wizards looked up at the beautiful sight of stars falling from the sky. Others still stood quietly, gazing levelly at the figure on the enormous chair, which radiated disappointment.
The Otherworld Invader's greatest mistake had been treating