Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 517: New World King Candidate

Chapter 517: New World King Candidate

Every shore and wasteland once under the control of demons had been wiped clean; every forest and mountainous range formerly dominated by rabid Monster that butchers everything in their sight now lay silent. Even the majestic cities that the angels once governed were decimated. The demons’ souls had been harvested, monstrous beasts had been butchered for their meat, and the captured angels were unceremoniously shipped back to Xaos City, where the Xaos Tower awaited them. There, their souls would be dissected, and their bloodlines extracted to serve as tools for the ever-expanding might of the Xaos Kingdom.

Nothing seemed capable of halting the overwhelming power of the Xaos Forces. Their combat skills and tactical formations were refined to the point of supremacy after having battled the Leviathan Race. Of course, while the military challenges were becoming increasingly easy to address, matters took a slower pace in the realm of diplomacy—particularly among the scattered human forces spread across the vast continent of Oceanis.

Although Amara and her team of assassins had done an exceptional job of eliminating dissenters and obstacles within these human forces, there was still an enormous amount of work to be done afterward.

Establishing a solid link with the people proved quite difficult, especially in the absence of clear leadership. The Xaos Kingdom needed to alleviate the worries of these once-independent groups and show them that joining the Xaos Kingdom was not only beneficial but the best possible choice for their survival. Yet winning their trust was only the beginning.

Once these humans pledged their loyalty, the Xaos Kingdom had to deliver on its promises: healing the sick, feeding the hungry, providing the necessary technology and resources for self-sufficiency, and offering a condensed crash course in essential combat skills to any man or woman who wished to walk the soldier’s path.

Over the following weeks—and in some cases, months—efforts were made to help these human enclaves assimilate into the Xaos Kingdom’s fold, with multiple fronts working simultaneously to expedite the process. Nevertheless, despite the grand scale and synergy, it was, in the end, a slow endeavor.

...

High in the sky, Vlad stood silently, his piercing gaze fixed upon the massive landmass before him. A faint frown appeared on his face as he contemplated the scope of what the Xaos Kingdom had achieved. After nearly four months of persistent effort, the Kingdom’s forces had secured control over the outer ring of Oceanis, taking control over 40% of the entire continent.

It was a remarkable feat: millions of demon souls had been sealed away, countless packs of monstrous creatures were pacified, thousands of angels had been captured, and over thirty million humans had joined the Xaos Kingdom. This influx of humans was the most sentient achievement as it meant more soldiers, more workers, and more diversity, increasing the Kingdom’s chances of unearthing future prodigies who might further strengthen its burgeoning empire.

Vlad refused to belittle these accomplishments, for the results were indeed impressive. Still, he was painfully aware that much remained to be done. He trusted Overlord’s assessment, fully expecting to subjugate the entirety of Oceanis within the projected timeline. Doing so would leave them enough time to move on to the next continents before Terra reached a higher dimensional plane. However, a nagging concern tugged at his mind—something that transcended mere strategy and territory acquisition.

"I feel my strength beginning to stagnate," Vlad muttered under his breath, his frown deepening. He clenched his fists and felt the condition of his body and energy pool.

During the Leviathan War, he had experienced breakthrough after breakthrough: his energy surged, his body hardened, and his prowess blossomed at an unprecedented rate. Relentless battles and genuine dangers had repeatedly pushed him to his limit. Over the last few months, though, that sense of threat had vanished. No demon, angel, or Monster on Oceanis posed any real danger to him. In fact, his primary challenge lay in restraining his colossal power so as not to inadvertently slaughter the aliens.

This reality made it ever more apparent that Vlad could not spend the next couple of years merely conquering cities and rounding up inhabitants. While his kingdom would undoubtedly grow in power, he himself would benefit very little from such endeavors. He needed a path that would allow him to continue his personal evolution.

Determination flared in his eyes at that thought. Vlad would not allow his progress to slow down and would find a path to keep growing, rising to a much higher level before Terra finally reached the higher dimension.

Even immersed in this introspection, Vlad remained vigilant, scanning the horizon until his attention was captured by a single city in the distance. It was an impressive settlement, boasting tall, fortified walls that shimmered with metallic luster under the midday sun. These formidable barriers soared dozens of meters high, and within the stronghold, Vlad sensed the presence of millions of souls.

Unlike the resilient strongholds he had encountered thus far, all of them controlled by angels—this city was run entirely by humans. It was one of the few bastions of humankind that had not only survived the ongoing apocalypse but seemed to be thriving, against all odds.

Whoever managed this city was undeniably competent—possibly someone who had managed to inspire hope and ambition among their people rather than simple survival.

Unfortunately, such leadership could complicate the Xaos Kingdom’s plans. When dealing with groups like Rayland’s, where desperation ran rampant, assimilation into the Xaos Kingdom was straightforward. But these city folk? Self-reliant and strong, they would not be easily swayed by promises of protection or technology.

Of course, if the leadership had been corrupt, Amara and her assassins could have toppled them quickly, streamlining the assimilation process. Overlord’s reports, however, indicated quite the opposite. By all accounts, the city’s leaders were righteous, always working to ensure the common people had decent living conditions—a major accomplishment for a post-apocalyptic society. It wasn’t up to the standards of the Xaos Kingdom, but it was certainly better than what most groups had achieved amid the horrors that swept the continent.

"No use in wasting time," Vlad murmured, raising his hand. In the next instant, the earth itself rumbled as an army of thirty thousand Xaos soldiers marched forward. A massive golden giant was leading the formation, wielding a halberd that glimmered ominously under the bright sky. This was Grand Marshal Anglius, who had just completed his duties elsewhere and rejoined Vlad’s battalions.

With every synchronized step of the soldiers, the rumbling intensified. Their flawless coordination was a testament to their elite training—acquired through the harsh battles waged in the Leviathan War. Their polished armor caught the sunlight, reflecting off spear tips and sword edges as they approached. It didn’t take long for the city’s inhabitants to notice the approaching army. After all, it was nearly impossible to ignore a giant as large as a small building.

Alarms blared within the city. From his vantage point in the sky, Vlad could see civilians scrambling to descend into underground shelters. Hundreds of thousands of human soldiers mobilized, their armor glinting, their magic-infused weapons at the ready. Although their equipment was nowhere near the level of the current standard used by the Xaos Kingdom, Vlad recognized similarities to what his own forces had wielded before the Leviathan War.

"Interesting," Vlad commented under his breath, scanning the city’s defenders. "It seems like this place has a remarkably talented blacksmith—or maybe multiple blacksmiths—capable of training others to meet their needs."

His searching gaze soon landed on the individual leading the human forces. The man was shorter than the average soldier, with a massive, powerful build reminiscent of the dwarves from ancient legends. He had long hair, a thick beard, and arms as broad as tree trunks. In his right hand, he clutched a hammer crackling with electrical energy, and strapped to his left forearm was a large metallic shield inscribed with intricate magical matrices.

But the feature that really caught Vlad’s attention was the mark on the man’s forehead. It mirrored the very same mark Vlad bore on his own brow.

"A World King Candidate," Vlad whispered, narrowing his eyes at the revelation.

Now, his mind raced with questions. World King Candidates were few and far between, destined to serve as pillars in the new cosmic era that Terra was swiftly hurtling toward. Vlad himself was one such candidate. Each candidate had a unique potential, specific bloodline gifts, or some combination of talents that placed them above ordinary mortals. For a leader to not only survive an apocalypse but inspire hope and prosperity for such a significant population strongly hinted that he, too, possessed a remarkable destiny.

Despite the tension in the air, Vlad felt a spark of curiosity. If this man truly was a World King Candidate, the city’s rapid development and respectable living standards made sense. Leaders of that caliber could spur monumental growth in their people, forging a path of progress despite dire conditions. Yet that also meant winning this city over might not be so straightforward. A World King Candidate’s pride, sense of justice, and determination could clash with the Xaos Kingdom’s methods—especially if he considered them too ruthless or domineering. The potential for open conflict loomed large.