Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 519: If you do not join the Xaos Kingdom...

Chapter 519: If you do not join the Xaos Kingdom...

King Torin felt an overwhelming pressure emanating from the man before him. Vlad appeared so young—he couldn’t have been older than twenty-five years old—yet his presence was nothing short of divine.

This was a man capable of leveling mountains with a single beam of energy, defying gravity as if it were beneath him, and leading millions of elite soldiers who worshipped his very existence. If such power did not define a god, then what could?

Torin’s eyes were sharp, the weight of Vlad’s words pressing on his mind. It was clear that the Xaos King held the power to end the alien threat plaguing Ocenis. While the Strong Hammer Kingdom was formidable and had successfully repelled both demons and angels, expansion had proven exceedingly difficult.

The strength and numbers of their enemies were a constant reminder of the peril that lurked beyond their borders. If they joined the Xaos Kingdom, that danger could be eradicated, and peace might finally be within reach. What more could a leader wish for his people?

Yet, Torin was no fool. Peace and safety were goals he desired from the depths of his heart—something he would not hesitate to give his life to secure—but he would not trade his people’s freedom or morality to achieve them. A life as a slave was not worth even a single breath.

Questions swirled in the dwarf’s mind, but one rose above all others.

"What will you do if we refuse to join the Xaos Kingdom?" Torin asked, his voice steady despite the uncertainty in his heart.

The moment the words left his lips, Vlad’s eyes glowed with an intense, otherworldly light. A surge of overwhelming soul force erupted from him, washing over Torin and the assembled army of the Strong Hammer Kingdom.

Torin stood firm, his resilience unwavering, and those of the High Champion Tier managed to remain on their feet. But the rest of the soldiers faltered. For many, the world seemed to tilt and churn, nausea assaulting them as they struggled to withstand the crushing pressure.

It wasn’t a matter of bravery or willpower—their resolve was strong—but Vlad’s soul force belonged to a Sage Tier life form. The sheer weight of it was enough to overwhelm anyone below a certain threshold of power.

Ignoring the panicked soldiers, Vlad’s gaze remained fixed on Torin. His eyes blazed with an energy that radiated wrath and destruction. The soul force flooded the surrounding area, a suffocating tide that left no room for misunderstanding.

"I am not a tyrant or a despot," Vlad said, his voice harsh and cold, cutting through the tension like a blade. "I do not wish to sully my hands with human blood unless it is absolutely necessary. I will not force you to join my kingdom, but neither will I allow an unknown power to exist unchecked near my people."

His words carried the weight of finality, leaving no room for debate.

"I already dominate the surrounding lands, so I will enforce a border around your kingdom. The people of the Strong Hammer Kingdom will live their lives as they please, without interference from us. My people will never enter your domains. However, if your people choose to enter the Xaos Kingdom, they may do so freely—but once inside, they will not be allowed to return. I cannot permit any information about our technology or advancements to flow back to you."

Satisfied that his message had been understood, Vlad gradually withdrew his soul force. The oppressive atmosphere lifted, allowing the soldiers of the Strong Hammer Kingdom to relax.

Vlad’s gaze softened, though his tone remained firm as he delivered his final warning. "That is what will happen if you do not join us."

Torin clenched his fists as he processed Vlad’s words. Despite the harshness of Vlad’s tone and the commanding nature of his presence, the terms offered were surprisingly fair. The Xaos Kingdom promised to respect the Strong Hammer Kingdom’s sovereignty and maintain a hard border, which would act as a shield from external threats like aliens and monsters. It was an offer many rulers would have gladly accepted.

But Torin wasn’t blind to the future implications. A hard border would inevitably lead to stagnation. Over time, the young and ambitious would leave the Strong Hammer Kingdom to seek opportunities in the Xaos Kingdom, resulting in a slow but steady exodus. The kingdom would wither as its population dwindled, leaving it a shadow of its former self. Of course, Torin could attempt to break through the blockade with his army, but that would be akin to an egg smashing against a stone wall.

It was clear to him that refusal would guarantee safety—but at the cost of his kingdom’s long-term survival.

Torin’s mind raced as he weighed his options. Vlad made no move to pressure him, standing silently as the dwarf king deliberated. Finally, after several long moments, Torin raised his head, his gaze steady and filled with determination.

"Could I send some of my people to the human settlements in Oceanis that have joined the Xaos Kingdom?" Torin asked, his voice calm but resolute.

A small smile curved Vlad’s lips. The question revealed much about Torin’s intentions. It was clear that the dwarf king wished to see how the Xaos Kingdom treated the human forces that had aligned with them. This cautious but open approach indicated that Torin was at least willing to consider the possibility of joining.

Without hesitation, Vlad nodded. With a wave of his hand, several parchments appeared, drawn from his space ring.

"Have your men channel their energy into these parchments," Vlad instructed. "They will gain access to a sealed demon soul, which they can use to soar through the skies and expedite their journey."

Torin wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry. Had Vlad delayed his response or shown hesitation, it would have raised Torin’s suspicions about the state of the settlements. But Vlad’s immediate willingness to send emissaries, combined with the revelation of advanced technology capable of sealing and using demon souls as mounts, only reinforced the Xaos Kingdom’s overwhelming capabilities.