Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 469: Overlord’s gamble

Chapter 469: Overlord’s gamble

There was shock and confusion in the eyes of the entire army as they witnessed the God bowing deeply and addressing Vlad as "Master." The murmurs among the soldiers grew louder, disbelief rippling through the ranks like a wave. A being that had seemed invincible on the battlefield, capable of obliterating a Leviathan Lord with unparalleled grace and power, now displayed such humility before their commander. It was a sight that shattered preconceived notions of divinity and authority, leaving the soldiers grappling with their perceptions of strength and loyalty.

On the other hand, Vlad’s expression remained cold and analytical. His sharp gaze cut through the moment like a blade, his thoughts concealed. The Depravita of Wrath studied the God before him, his mind racing through calculations and questions. Finally, he raised a hand, signaling the being to rise. The God obeyed immediately, his movements fluid and precise, though the reverence in his demeanor did not waver.

A sharp light crossed Vlad’s eyes as he activated the A.I. Chip. Energy surged through his mind, and the familiar mechanical voice echoed in his thoughts.

[Beep! Target controls a magnetic force field similar to the one used to perform scans. Does the Host wish to attempt a forced bypass?]

Vlad said nothing, his silence a command in itself. His piercing gaze bore into the God, unyielding and expectant. For a moment, the magnetic force field resisted, a subtle tension radiating between the two. But then, as if acknowledging an inevitable outcome, the force field dissipated. The way cleared, and the A.I. Chip resumed its work with precise efficiency, analyzing every aspect of the target’s being.

[Beep! Scanning target.

Target scanned successfully.

Name: ???

Race: God?

Class: Divine

Level (Energy): 16

Level (Body): 17

Life Level: Sage Tier

Lineage: None

...

Stats:

Strength: 640.2

Agility: 378.2

Vitality: 902.5

Energy Pool (Divine Force): 990.5

Note: Target’s body is wounded. Most likely a result of overwhelming stress, causing ruptured blood vessels and significant strain across multiple systems. Yet to fully recover functionality.]

The data unfolded before Vlad’s eyes, line by line, painting a vivid and staggering picture. For a brief moment, his cold demeanor faltered. His eyes widened in surprise as he absorbed the information. The numbers were extraordinary, a testament to the God’s staggering capabilities.

While the being’s physical might fell short of Vlad’s own, his command of Divine Force was nothing short of extraordinary. Unlike the Divine Leviathan he had faced, this man seemed capable of replenishing the resource, which elevated him to a league of his own.

Vlad’s lips curled into a faint smile, one tinged with complexity. There was annoyance at the audacity of his creation to act independently, yet there was also admiration for the results. "So this is where the Divine Avatar we took from those angels ended up," he mused aloud. "Your ingenuity never ceases to amaze me, Overlord."

The last word struck like a thunderclap among the soldiers. Whispers spread rapidly, their incredulity mingling with awe. Eyes widened as the realization sank in: the God who had turned the tide of battle and defeated the Leviathan Lord was none other than Overlord, the legendary intelligence that guided the Xaos Civilization. This revelation deepened the soldiers’ respect and added a layer of mystique to the entity now standing among them.

Overlord, however, seemed unfazed by their reactions. His focus remained fixed on Vlad, his expression calm and composed. Straightening his posture, he nodded solemnly. "It took an immense amount of effort, Prime Master," he began, his tone steady. "I had to sacrifice a vast reservoir of Divine Force gathered through prayer to complete the evolution of the Divine Avatar. Fusing the core of my code into its consciousness proved to be an even greater challenge. However," he paused, "the gamble paid off."

Vlad’s gaze didn’t waver. Yet, a flicker of irritation passed through his mind, lingering just beneath the surface. The A.I. Chip Clone’s habit of acting autonomously, without consulting him, was a constant source of frustration. Still, Vlad could not deny the effectiveness of Overlord’s actions. Without his intervention, Freya’s life would have been forfeit, and the battle could have spiraled into a catastrophic defeat.

With a subtle shake of his head, Vlad pushed aside his irritation, turning his attention to a more pressing concern. "Since your core code now resides within the Divine Avatar’s consciousness," he began, his tone measured, "does that mean you are no longer in control of the Xaos Tower or guiding the military effort?"

Overlord shook his head, his response immediate and precise. "A large portion of my code remains integrated within the Xaos Tower. Thanks to the communication network, I can maintain simultaneous control of both the Tower and the Divine Avatar. You could say I exist in both places at once."

He paused for a moment, his expression growing solemn. "In the event that the connection was severed, the code within the Xaos Tower would lose sentience. It would continue to operate, but only within the parameters of its pre-programmed tasks."

Vlad’s expression darkened as the implications settled over him. "Are you absolutely certain there won’t be any problems if the connection fails?" he pressed, his voice edged with caution.

The Depravita of Wrath understood the dangers all too well. If the portion of Overlord’s code within the Xaos Tower were to gain independent sentience, it might come to view itself as the original Overlord. Such a divergence could lead to a catastrophic clash between the Overlord inhabiting the Divine Avatar and the one within the Tower. In the midst of their war against the Leviathans, such a conflict could spell disaster.

"I assure you, Prime Master," Overlord replied with absolute confidence. "I have accounted for every possible contingency. There will be no copies of myself gaining sentience. The risk has been thoroughly mitigated through extensive simulations and preventative measures."

Vlad studied Overlord for a long moment, his gaze sharp and probing. While his trust in Overlord remained incomplete, he knew the entity never lied in response to direct questioning. Satisfied for now, he allowed himself a faint nod.

It was only then that Vlad turned his attention back to the note from the A.I. Chip’s scan. The mention of Overlord’s injuries lingered in his mind, sparking curiosity and concern.