Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 294: A business association

Chapter 294: A business association

All eyes turned to the figure falling from the sky, his momentum accelerating as he plummeted toward the ground.

"BOOOOMMMMM!"

The impact was thunderous, shaking the earth beneath the feet of both armies as dust billowed in all directions, momentarily obscuring everyone’s vision. When the dust finally settled, the sight before them sent waves of awe and silence through both forces.

A young man stood in the newly formed crater, his posture calm yet exuding an overwhelming sense of authority.

He wore a martial robe, his hair mostly dark except for a small patch of white, which seemed to catch the light in an almost otherworldly way. His eyes were utterly black, like an abyss, as if they could swallow all emotions and leave nothing behind. Most striking was the golden mark on his forehead, pulsing with a faint glow—a sign that carried the unmistakable scent of the Plane’s Will.

Immediately, Grand Marshal Anglius and every soldier of the Golden Wave Legion dropped to one knee in unison. Bowing their heads, they shouted in perfect harmony, "All hail King Vlad!"

Their voices echoed across the field, the combined shout like a booming thunderclap that seemed to shake the sky.

Meanwhile, the Turkin Kingdom’s soldiers were frozen in place, unable to hide the shock on their faces at the display of power. Even King Viserin adopted a solemn expression—not because of the figure’s commanding presence, but due to the way he had fallen from the sky unscathed.

Viserin’s sharp eyes had followed Vlad from the moment he appeared, analyzing every movement. He saw how the young man had fallen from a height of more than five hundred meters, crashed into the earth, and stood unharmed.

’This man’s body could likely endure even a Champion-tier spell at point-blank range and sustain minimal injury.’ That realization struck Viserin, giving him a sharp sense of unease. Such durability was a feat beyond his current capabilities.

Despite the clear display of power, Viserin knew he could not afford to show weakness. He had called for this meeting, and while the power of the other side was overwhelming, there was no turning back. He needed to handle this with tact and strength.

Taking a deep breath, Viserin rode his tiger forward until he reached the side of Mark and Zamas. He nodded to his generals before dismounting and walking toward the center of the battlefield, to the space between the two massive armies.

"I am King Viserin. I would like to speak," Viserin announced, his voice steady, carrying the weight of a ruler. The fact that he managed to remain composed under the intense pressure of the golden army was a testament to his willpower.

Vlad’s gaze sharpened as he looked at the man approaching. His black eyes briefly flickered with recognition as he noticed the mark on Viserin’s forehead—the unmistakable sign of a World King’s Candidate.

Although somewhat surprised, Vlad was not truly shocked. He knew Terra would produce multiple World King Candidates as new figures rose in prominence. But, of course, only one would remain when the New Plane finally ascended to the higher dimension.

Putting those thoughts aside, Vlad stepped forward, radiating calm yet immense power. He stopped directly before Viserin, and his A.I. Chip immediately activated.

[Beep! Scan target completed

...

Name: Viserin

Race: Human

Level (Energy): 11

Level (Body): 15

Class: Warrior

Lineage: None

...

Stats:

Strength: 75.4

Agility: 39.4

Vitality: 80.1

Energy Pool (Divine Power): 7.8]

Vlad silently nodded, somewhat impressed by the cultivation of the man before him. Viserin displayed the constitution and energy pool of someone with a Champion bloodline and had managed to become a High Champion without one, marking him as extraordinary.

"I am Vlad Xaos, King of the Xaos Kingdom. You requested this meeting. What is it that you seek?" Vlad asked, his voice calm. Although he had heard the old man’s earlier declarations of the Turkin Kingdom’s intentions, he wished to listen to it directly from Viserin.

This was more than just a power play; it was a tactical decision. Vlad’s A.I. Chip carefully monitored Viserin’s brainwaves, making it impossible for any lies to go unnoticed.

King Viserin held Vlad’s gaze, adopting a solemn expression. There was a strange feeling, as though nothing could be hidden from the young man before him. After a moment, he spoke, his voice sharp and decisive.

"We seek an association between our kingdoms. An exchange of goods and resources," Viserin began, his tone calm but firm. "The Turkin Kingdom possesses vast territories filled with wildlife, precious minerals, and unique metals—resources that could benefit our lands. Our people are also skilled in taming the wilderness, a skill useful in this new world where transportation has become more complicated."

Vlad had a clear understanding of the capabilities of the Xaos Kingdom. With overwhelming production abilities, thanks to Overlord’s guidance, the kingdom’s demand for prime materials was constant. After analyzing the offer for a moment, Vlad gave a slight nod.

"A business association would be a good first step," Vlad replied, his voice calm and measured. "Your prime materials would be of great use to us."

Although both sides were human forces and shared a common enemy, the aliens, Vlad knew that the enemy of one’s enemy was not always a friend. Trust had to be earned, and his cautious approach reflected that. Starting with a business relationship was a wise move that allowed both sides to benefit without exposing too much.

Viserin allowed a small smile, sensing the logical and calculated approach Vlad was taking. He spoke again, his tone betraying a hint of curiosity. "What does the Xaos Kingdom have to offer in return?"

Vlad’s smile widened slightly as he answered with three words that sent shockwaves through Viserin and his generals. "Weapons and armor."

The words hung in the air like a lightning strike, sending ripples of reaction through the higher-ups of the Turkin Kingdom. General Zamas, usually composed, blinked in surprise. Even Mark, calm and wise as always, couldn’t entirely hide the flicker of shock that crossed his face.

"Weapons and armor," Viserin repeated slowly as if making sure he had heard correctly. His gaze shifted briefly to the soldiers of the Golden Wave Legion standing behind Vlad.