What unfolded next was pure domination. Those assumed children instantly became bloodthirsty warriors.
The inborn Water Swordsmen cut through enemies like butter, while the Diamond Fist Crabsmen grabbed flying beasts with brute force and hurled them away like ragdolls, riders included.
The Phoenix Sisters and the Dual-Headed Hydra did not even need to move, let alone Aegis.
Witnessing the overwhelming defeat of his army, Horas felt his face burn.
He had completely lost face, and it was all because of this one young man.
So, while Aegis was momentarily distracted, Horas swiftly drove his spear straight toward Aegis’ chest. He wanted to finish him with a single strike.
However—
"Glag!"
The impact was nothing like Horas expected.
The spear felt as though it had struck a block of dense wood. No matter how much strength he put into it, he couldn’t leave even a scratch, aside from tearing the fabric of Aegis’ garment.
Aegis turned around.
He swatted the spear aside as if it were nothing more than a fly.
His fingers brushed against the torn fabric of his clothes.
This was the same outfit Naida had sewn for him.
And now this insect had dared to damage it.
Aegis raised his trident in one swift motion.
Then he sliced it across the man’s throat.
"Slash!"
The head rolled onto the ground, eyes still wide with disbelief.
The battlefield fell into momentary silence.
No one had expected Aegis to kill Skylord Horas so suddenly.
Even Felix, who had arrived late, witnessed his distant uncle’s death.
But he simply shook his head in pity as if he was just seeing a passersby’s death.
The silence did not last long.
Felix went over and dropped to one knee without hesitation.
"Your Grace, Please... spare them." he said, lowering his head deeply.
He did not look at the corpses scattered across the battlefield. He did not look at Horas’ head.
He looked only at Aegis.
"They are not evil," Felix continued earnestly. "They followed Horas because they needed protection. Food. Water. A place to survive. If you kill them all now, you’ll only create more enemies in the future."
As if his words were a signal, the remaining humans reacted instantly.
They threw down their weapons. "Clan
Some knelt.
Some lay flat on the ground, foreheads pressed into the dirt.
"We’ll serve you!"
"We swear loyalty!"
"Please, Sea God, take us in!"
Their voices overlapped, desperate and fearful, yet filled with hope.
Aegis looked down at them.
His expression did not soften.
"No," he said coldly. "My domain is not for humans."
The humans froze.
Felix’s heart sank.
Aegis continued flatly,
"Humans bring greed, betrayal, and division. Aquabyss exists to protect the sea and its balance. I will not turn it into another human kingdom."
The kneeling survivors’ face lost their colours. Despair crept in.
Felix looked extremely contemplative with his head down.
After a brief hesitation, he lifted his head again.
"Then... allow me to propose an alternative."
Aegis’ eyes turned to Felix as he said,
"I will take them as my followers. And I will become your follower. In this way, I will act as the proxy so that they can serve you indirectly."
Aegis looked a little intrigued by the idea, so he kept listening.
Felix continued quickly, afraid of losing the chance.
"The humans won’t enter Aquabyss I swear. Instead, they will remain on my island under my command. I will act as the intermediary. Their loyalty, resources, and manpower will flow to you through me."
He swallowed.
"There is also a system function like that," Felix added. "Allied Island Integration. By merging allied islands under a dominant Island, you can expand territories without absorbing their Islands.
But of course, you will not gain Sky Crystals from the Integration."
Aegis considered it carefully.
Power without pollution.
Influence without chaos.
Expansion without compromise.
He found the idea.. Very efficient.
He looked at Felix for a long moment, the agreed.
"Ver well. But you will have to bind yourself to me. Your freedom. Your future. Your island."
Felix did not hesitate.
"Yes, Your grace."
After all, he had waited a lot to hear this from the man he admired.
Aegis mobed his attention back to the trembling humans.
"They will live. Not because of mercy. But because they will be useful."
Instead of fear, the survivors felt a wave of relieve.
[ Allied Island Integration Initiated... ]
[ Proxy Authority Established: Felix Maxwell (DesertFox)
Allied Island: Dune Dessert (C)
[ Do you wish to merge this allied territory with Aquabyss Domain? ]
Aegis gave his approval quickly.
"Proceed."
As soon as he did, a rumbling sound echoed from a far distance.
Then, a massive desert island appeared on the horizon.
The recently submitted followers watched with awe, marveling at the System’s mysterious capabilities.
The floating island called Dune Desert swiftly merged with the Aquabyss Domain.
It now looked like an ordinary island from Earth, but its barren desert and lifeless terrain stood as a stark contrast to Aquabyss.
Aegis also received 2 Sky Crystals for conquering Horas’ island. This increased his reserve to 12. He needed 13 more to upgrade his island to the next level. As for followers, they had already soared past 250.
Though they weren’t his direct followers, they were his followers nonetheless.
All he needed now were Sky Crystals.
So while Felix worked on settling the humans and land beasts, Aegis set his sights on his next target.
Using his keen eyesight, he could see several islands clashing with one another over scraps.
Hovering in the sky, he addressed the three Phoenixes.
"Eterna, Flama, Diva!"
"Yes, Papa!" they replied almost instantly in unison.
"Take Felix and attack those islands. I want them under control by evening." Aegis commanded calmly.
This time, he wouldn’t join them.
He wanted them to grow.
"It’ll be done, Papa," Eterna replied confidently. "We’ll make you proud."
Aegis nodded with a serene expression.
This just a beginning of the requiem that he would unleash at Red Emperor.
When that day arrive, he will devour every piece of bone that Lizard was so proud of.