Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 311: Back to Xaos City

Chapter 311: Back to Xaos City

After finishing with the assessments of the warriors that stood at the absolute peak of the Xaos Kingdom, Vlad turned his gaze toward the Royal Guards. While Mirena, Clasius, Roman, Amara, and Frank did not enjoy unique constitutions like the Depravitas or the favor of cosmic forces like the viking princess, they had worked very hard from the very beginning of the apocalypse, using every chance that Vlad presented them to grow stronger and that effort had paid off.

The information from the A.I. Chip echoed in Vlad’s mind, and a broad smile appeared on his face as he noted that all of the members of the Royal Guard had already pushed their bodies into the High Champion Tier. Their levels were rising rapidly, and their soul force was growing steadily, ensuring there would be no bottlenecks in their cultivation, allowing them a smooth path to the Guardian Tier.

"It’s time to go back," Vlad announced, rising from the ground and addressing the group.

"Oh, you want us to follow you back to Xaos City? I was thinking we should take this opportunity to explore deeper to the north," Freya responded, her voice firm. Ouroboros and the rest of the Royal Guards shared her sentiment.

"Exploring deeper into Amur Country is indeed a wise move," Vlad acknowledged, nodding to Freya’s words. Normally, he would have allowed it. However, these were not normal times.

"However, all of you will accompany me and Jormungandr on the expedition to the Monsoon Continent, so I need you close and ready to deploy at any second," Vlad declared, his eyes gleaming with solemnity. Though he couldn’t fully explain why, he had a strong feeling that the upcoming expedition would not be an easy one. Having the strongest at his side was essential in case things turned dangerous.

Freya, Ouroboros, and the Royal Guards immediately nodded. Vlad’s path was clear, and no one offered objections. The reasoning of the King might sometimes be questioned, but his orders were absolute.

"I have some experiments to take care of in the city, so we will get ahead. I’ll contact you when it’s time for our departure," Vlad informed the group, turning to Ouroboros, who handed him a small bag.

Vlad acknowledged the Depravita of Greed before turning to Jormungandr. The small yellow cat wasted no time. Fiery wings erupted from his back, and in a flash, he grabbed Vlad as they soared into the sky.

Jormungandr’s wings flapped with incredible speed. They were already close to the Constantine Country border, so they took less than seven hours to fly over Xaos City.

A sharp light appeared in Vlad’s eyes as he looked down at the city from above. He had been too occupied before to notice the changes, but now, with the A.I. Chip’s assistance, he could see how underground connections stretched from the Xaos Tower, linking to various key buildings.

It was as if the city had transformed into a vast, interconnected network, with the Xaos Tower as the central hub and the other structures acting as peripheral devices, enhancing its power.

From the sky, the city’s layout resembled a complex circuit board. The main roads acted as data conduits, carrying energy and information to different sectors. Hidden subterranean tunnels ensured seamless communication between the Tower and its extensions. The buildings connected to the Tower were not merely static—they were components of a more extensive system, each contributing to the overall efficiency and strength of the A.I. Chip Clone within the Tower.

Vlad realized that while the Xaos Tower hadn’t grown taller, the capabilities of the A.I. Chip Clone had significantly improved. And as Xaos City continued to expand, so would Overlord’s power.

Vlad had no desire to cause a commotion, so he and Jormungandr quietly descended to the Xaos Tower and headed to the underground level. Once inside, Vlad’s gaze lingered on the energy pool where the core code of Overlord resided.

"Overlord, how has the analysis of Dimitri and Jerome progressed?" Vlad inquired. He hadn’t forgotten the process through which Overlord assimilated the duo, including pieces of the God of Glory and Fame’s soul.

The ancient, wise voice of the A.I. Chip Clone echoed throughout the room. "Answering Prime Master. The analysis is progressing. I now have a clearer picture of the transmutation of Divine Force. However, there is still much work to be done before the information can be applied."

Vlad nodded. Complications were to be expected, given how gods operated under complex principles. Normally, he might have dismissed the task as a lost cause, but if anyone could decode it, it would be the A.I. Chip Clone.

"How is the expansion going?" Vlad asked, taking the opportunity to inquire about the kingdom’s growth. He was no longer involved in day-to-day operations and had stopped using his A.I. Chip to monitor them. However, that was why Overlord existed, and the A.I. Chip Clone immediately responded.

"We have conquered 83% of Constantine Country, establishing bases in all major cities. The presence of aliens has been completely eradicated. The remaining uncontrolled areas, now designated as Danger Zones, are occupied by Monsters. I have decided to let them remain for now. Monsters can be contained and controlled, and their extermination may create problems down the line," Overlord reported with measured efficiency.

Vlad nodded, satisfied with the progress. Although leaving 17% of Constantine Country in the hands of monsters might seem risky, if managed properly, it could benefit the kingdom. Danger Zones provided essential training grounds, helping soldiers grow stronger.

Overlord continued with the status of the western territories. "As for the Azarian Country, we have secured control of everything from Xaos City to the former capital of the empire. All cities in between are firmly under our control. The Bloodline Soldiers and the Shadow Strike Legion are advancing further, eliminating powerful hordes and packs before the infantry mobilization."

Vlad listened carefully, pleased with the methodical approach. The elite forces were neutralizing major threats ahead of time, ensuring the main army’s safe advance to occupy and stabilize newly acquired territories.