In Steel Main City, Cheng Yu called to the system. Hey, system, let me see how many troops we have now.
Basic units: 800,000 Purger 0-1: 1,700,000 Purger 0-2: 900,000 Purger 0-3: 350,000 Purger 0-4: 100,000 Purger 0-5: 10,000
Cheng Yu could not help marveling. "How long has it even been since we took over the Northern Borderlands? And we already have over three million."
"If resources and energy could keep up, we could churn out over three million in an hour. No, it wouldn't even take an hour." →_→
Hey, you've got a rebellious streak, haven't you? You just have to contradict everything I say. (╬￣皿￣)
"Heh." 乁( ˙ ω˙乁)
Cheng Yu did not want to deal with this nuisance anymore. He was considering whether to march south and catch those countries off guard before they could react.
After thinking it over, however, he abandoned the idea. Better to churn out another wave of troops first. His ability to mass-produce troops was the greatest surprise he could spring on them.
The Deep Sea Empire.
Phil Raging Waves looked with satisfaction at the several thousand troops assembled before him. He believed that, with this elite Naga army behind him, the new master of the Monster Forest would be more than happy to sit down for a talk and do a few things for him.
There were one thousand female Naga mages and three thousand male Naga warriors. Females generally dominated Naga society because they possessed intelligence comparable to ordinary people. Most female Naga therefore became mages, and the stronger they were, the more arms they had. Legend had it that the Naga Queen had eight arms.
Most male Naga, on the other hand, were all brawn and no brains. They were usually hideously ugly and incredibly strong. A male Naga was more than three times the size of a female, so they usually served as melee units.
Phil was different, however. His father was the Merfolk King, and his mother was the Naga Queen, so he possessed both the intelligence of a female Naga and the physique of a male. He had also inherited the merfolk's ability to assume human form. He and his younger siblings could truly be called the sea's favored children.
Phil swept his trident forward. "Move out. We're heading to the Far North Coast in the Northern Borderlands."
When Cheng Yu had reached the Far North Coast during his conquest, not a single living creature remained there. According to those who knew the area, it had once been Kuo-toa territory, but they had all fled upon hearing that Cheng Yu's army was coming.
Cheng Yu did not care. There were hardly any resources here anyway, and the place meant little to him. He simply left a small detachment behind: two hundred 0-1s, one hundred 0-2s, and five 0-3s, with orders to open fire immediately on any suspicious individuals who displayed hostility.
Thus, when Phil came ashore, he was greeted by neatly arrayed troops of steel, with the 0-2s raising their arms and pointing them straight at him and his army.
Phil frowned and called out, "Tell Constantine to come see me."
Meanwhile, Cheng Yu, who was having tea with an important figure, was drawn to a notification. He opened the viewpoint of a Purger on the Far North Coast and looked at Phil and the Naga army behind him.
Cheng Yu rubbed his chin. So these are the Naga the system mentioned. Hmm, the females are pretty good-looking. Those hulking brutes beside them must be the males. Damn, they're ugly. Ugly enough to make you lose your appetite.
He took control of a 0-3 and spoke.
"Who are you, and what do you want with me?"
Phil was somewhat surprised to hear a scorpion-like monster speak, but his surprise swiftly turned to fury. He said angrily,
"I asked for Constantine! How dare you mock me!"
Cheng Yu was baffled. How am I mocking you? Is there something wrong with this guy? Still, he could only continue.
"I think you've misunderstood. I am Constantine. I'm a long way from here, so I'm borrowing a subordinate's body."
Phil was secretly startled. This is rather like the Divine Descent used by those lunatics in the Abyssal Cult. Could Constantine really be a pawn they planted in the Northern Borderlands? But anyone capable of Divine Descent would have to be at least a cardinal. Probably not, then. Still, I can probe a little further.
With that thought, he said,
"I heard that you have conquered the Monster Forest, so I came specifically to offer my congratulations."
Cheng Yu paused. Conquered the Monster Forest? That happened two or three months ago, and you're only coming to congratulate me now? The entire Northern Borderlands are mine already. Still, sticking to his cautious approach, he said,
"Then thank you for your congratulations. Now that you've delivered them, please be on your way. I'll take my leave."
Phil froze. Why isn't this fellow following the script? Aren't you supposed to exchange a few more pleasantries with me? He spoke up.
"Please wait, Lord Constantine. There is another matter I came to discuss."
The scorpion-like monster stopped and stared straight at him. For some reason, Phil swallowed, but he still spoke.
"I came to ask that you refrain from interfering with our Deep Sea Empire's activities in the Northern Borderlands."
Cheng Yu was taken aback. Refrain from interfering with your activities in the Northern Borderlands? As their current king, how come I don't know anything about these activities?
Seeing that the other party appeared confused, Phil continued.
"Do you know why the Kurland Kingdom built Twilight Fortress at the only exit from the Northern Borderlands?"
When he received no reply, Phil went on.
"One hundred and fifty years ago, we Naga took advantage of Humankind's sparse population and internal strife to attack them along two routes, from the north and the east. In the east, however, human resistance stopped us, and we failed.
"But in the north, we broke straight into Humankind's heartland. Although we ultimately failed there as well, that northern route remained very important to us.
"Over the next hundred and fifty years, all three of our invasions followed this route through the Northern Borderlands. We therefore hope you will grant us passage."
Cheng Yu remained silent for a while before speaking slowly.
"Sorry, but I can't agree to your request."
Phil paused, then said with some anger,
"We won't be passing through the Monster Forest. We informed you only because we hoped you wouldn't relay the news to the Kurland Kingdom to the south."
Cheng Yu sneered. Who knows whether you've wiped out other factions along your route just because it was convenient? Judging by how you Naga look, you probably have.
Besides, the entire Northern Borderlands are my territory now. With a whole damn army passing through my land, who knows what ideas you might get?
With that thought, Cheng Yu addressed Phil through the 0-3.
"I think you've misunderstood something. The entire Northern Borderlands are my territory now."
"What?!"
Phil was utterly shocked. Someone has taken over the entire Northern Borderlands? This was bad news for every faction, especially the Deep Sea Empire, regardless of how powerful this new faction was.
The emergence of another unified power was like adding a weight to a balanced scale. No matter where it was placed, it would upset the balance.
Besides, another reason the Naga attacked humans was to expend their excess population, whether human or Naga.
The more developed sea races, in particular, appeared to follow the lead of the Naga and merfolk, but given the chance, they would rebel without the slightest qualm. There were also other Naga factions.
Thus, although the Deep Sea Empire appeared vast and powerful, it was beset by troubles both within and without. Its many conflicts had even reached the point where external pressure was necessary to hold it together.
The Northern Borderlands were one of Humankind's crucial outlets for venting internal tensions, as well as a major artery for the Deep Sea Empire's trade in human slaves.
Otherwise, why would they keep sending armies to their deaths despite knowing how terrifying Twilight Fortress's defenses were? Thinning out the excess population was part of it, but this was also a deal between the Deep Sea Empire and the prince stationed at the Kurland Kingdom's Twilight Fortress.
At regular intervals, the Deep Sea Empire sent that prince a suitable batch of sea-race slaves to sustain his slave trade. In return, the prince was more than happy to exchange "human prisoners" and "human slaves" for them.
In Phil's eyes, all that talk of Twilight Fortress never falling thanks to the Unfallen Prince was nothing more than a business arrangement.
Now, however, someone had cut off that arrangement. No matter. He had originally hoped to settle things peacefully and acquire a pawn for himself in the process. It seemed force was necessary after all.
Phil sneered.
"Is that so? What a shame. Then perhaps we'll meet on the battlefield, Lord Constantine."
Cheng Yu was stunned. Seriously? Do you hate humans that much? I won't let you pass, so you want to fight me? Isn't that downright deranged? I'm not afraid of you in the slightest, but this is fucking disgusting.
Cheng Yu decided it was time to make his faction's name known. What should I call it? Right, the Scourge. The third scourge is still a scourge, after all.
Cheng Yu sneered.
"Then let's see what you Naga can do against our Scourge."
Phil paused. The Scourge? What an arrogant name. Then he sneered.
"You'll find out, Lord Constantine."
Inside Steel Main City, Cheng Yu called silently,
You heard that, right, system?
"Yes, I heard. It seems being the world's largest race has made them arrogant." One 一✧
Yeah. Start producing troops at full capacity. Since they're the largest race, let's see just how tough they really are.
"Okie-dokie."
After returning to the Deep Sea Empire, Phil embellished the incident before reporting it to his parents, the Merfolk King and the Naga Queen.
The Merfolk King remained calm, but the Naga Queen was rather furious. She slammed one of her eight hands onto the armrest of her throne and said coldly,
"Since when could some obscure little faction ignore the Deep Sea Empire's warnings? Has it been too long since we last bared our fangs?"
Phil asked,
"Then who should we send this time, Mother?"
The Naga Queen narrowed her eyes.
"The second elder. I hear she married one of her daughters to the son of the Sharkfolk commander. Isn't that inviting outsiders to meddle in our internal affairs? In that case, wouldn't putting her in command this time be a fine opportunity to give her more influence?"
"Also, triple the size of the army this time. Let that Unfallen Prince learn that the Deep Sea Empire isn't his to push around as he pleases."
Phil nodded, then addressed his parents.
"In that case, Father, Mother, I'll head back now. If I'm gone too long, they'll grow suspicious."
The Naga Queen and the Merfolk King nodded. Once Phil was far away, the Merfolk King spoke softly.
"You're too hot-tempered. Our son can already read your intentions."
The Naga Queen rolled her eyes at him.
"Doesn't that mean our son is already capable enough?"
The Merfolk King shook his head.
"That is true, but he shouldn't start coveting power while his parents are still in their prime."
The Naga Queen replied carelessly,
"It doesn't matter. If he has the ability, why shouldn't we hand the Deep Sea Empire over to him? Only the strongest deserve to rule the sea."
At this, the Naga Queen glanced at her husband.
"Only you merfolk bother with all these twists and turns. Among us Naga, the capable have always risen, and the weak have fallen."
The Merfolk King smiled wryly and said no more.
Before you continue