A wide smile appeared on Vlad’s face as he focused on the first list—the Imperial Treasures. Each item seemed more remarkable than the last, radiating a sense of ancient power and unparalleled craftsmanship.
Even though he had secured numerous cultivation resources using the massive amount of credits earned after the Voidheart Stronghold battle, he had yet to obtain a true weapon worthy of his stature.
Lately, his battle style had relied heavily on his raw physical prowess, which had worked out, but the fight against the Superior Angel had taught him a hard lesson. Physical power alone wasn’t enough. A proper weapon wasn’t just useful; it was essential.
With that in mind, Vlad scanned through the list, his eyes narrowing as he searched for the perfect choice. Then, one name caught his attention, rising above all the others.
Vlad’s gaze lingered on the description, and as he read, a sense of certainty bloomed in his chest.
The artifact was a Superior Legend-ranked sword, forged from the fang of a Voidstorm Whale—a creature born in the chaotic tides of the Void Between Worlds, feared even by Lords. The sword’s core pulsed with the fused Laws of Lightning and Space, making it an ideal match for Vlad, especially considering his synergy with the Depravita of Gluttony.
"I wish for this one," Vlad said calmly, marking the selection before turning to Councilor Merody.
The ogre glanced briefly at the chosen treasure. After a few seconds of silent evaluation, he gave a small nod. "It will arrive shortly."
Merody’s tone was clipped, and efficient. His attention shifted, silently signaling Vlad to continue with the process. The ogre clearly preferred to keep things moving and was ready to handle the next request.
Without delay, Vlad turned to the second list—techniques—and focused his attention there, particularly on the cultivation methods.
Although Vlad already possessed a powerful Legendary Cultivation Technique—the Voidborn Embodiment—he had to admit it was no longer viable. While its promises of invulnerability and supreme power had been tantalizing, even after evolving every aspect of himself to the Legendary Realm, Vlad had failed to grasp its core principles. It was time to let go.
This wasn’t a moment for regret. Even a genius had to acknowledge their limits, and wisdom lay in knowing when to move on.
As he browsed the list, one technique in particular seized his attention.
"Heaven-Cleaving Void Scripture."
It was a Peak Legendary Cultivation Technique of the Space Type, rooted in the Domains of Sundering, Teleportation, and Dimensional Manipulation. The scripture promised not only rapid cultivation speed—allowing the user to draw streams of chaotic primordial energy directly from the void—but also a suite of powerful offensive abilities, supreme defensive techniques, and unmatched movement arts.
Most importantly, it was laid out with meticulous detail, a clear and systematic roadmap that someone as ambitious as Vlad could follow with ease. Every step was illuminated, offering a ladder to the absolute peak, so long as the practitioner’s comprehension of the Law of Space was sufficient.
"This one," Vlad decided after a moment, marking the technique for the ogre.
Merody didn’t react, simply acknowledging the choice with a flick of his wrist. "It will arrive shortly."
His tone suggested they move on. "Now, select your territory."
At this, Vlad and Konstantine exchanged a glance. Upon receiving a subtle nod from the Kylon King, Vlad faced Merody and spoke with calm authority.
"I do not wish for land within the Graecia World. What I want is a Dominus Banner."
For the first time in the entire interaction, Merody’s eyes narrowed slightly. The normally stoic ogre regarded Vlad and Konstantine carefully, and a faint glimmer of recognition flashed across his gaze—an understanding of what this meant.
A Dominus Banner was no simple gift. It granted the bearer the right to conquer a world in the name of the Graecia Empire and retain control over it—scaled by their rank within the Empire. As a Duke, Vlad would be entitled to claim and rule any world he successfully annexed into the Empire.
Normally, such a request would trigger layers of red tape, bureaucracy, and questioning. But this was precisely why Konstantine had guided Vlad here, to this exact official.
Merody studied Vlad for a moment longer before speaking, his voice sharp, his tone absolute.
"Do you already have absolute control over a world?"
Vlad glanced at Konstantine. The Kylon King gave a small nod, his expression unwavering.
"Yes," Vlad replied confidently. "I have complete control over a world."
Merody then turned toward Konstantine. "Are you prepared to second and confirm his claim, accepting the penalty of perjury if proven false?"
Without hesitation, Konstantine answered. "Yes, I am."
The ogre gave a single, approving nod. With a wave of his hand, he produced a white stake infused with subtle energy patterns and handed it to Vlad.
"To claim a world as conquered," Merody explained, his voice cold and precise, "you must drive this stake into its soil, engrave its coordinates, and return it here."
The process was clear, simple in theory but monumental in consequence.
Vlad accepted the stake, his fingers tightening around it as he saw the ogre turn around. He reached into his spatial sense and inscribed Terra’s precise coordinates into its core. Once the process was complete, the stake glowed faintly, pulsing with a steady hum.
Merody turned back to them, his expression unreadable. "Good. You have returned."
He waved his hand once more, and the stake disappeared from Vlad’s grip, reappearing in Merody’s hand. The ogre glanced at the inscribed coordinates briefly, then nodded to both Vlad and Konstantine.
"An Imperial Censor will soon arrive at the designated world. As long as it is under your absolute control, and no resistance is encountered, it will be officially annexed into the Empire. Your dominion over the world will then be recognized, and Terra will be granted to you as your Dukedom."
A weight lifted from Vlad’s chest as the process neared completion. He had claimed Terra not merely as a sovereign ruler, but now as a legitimate Duke under the might of the Graecia Empire.