The Corruption Dragon God: Lust System Chapter 409 What difference does that make?
Previously on The Corruption Dragon God: Lust System...
"Where has Nirm gone? He marched off with my subordinates promising a triumph, yet I see no signs of conquest beneath my feet."
The voice of Lord Belgrath rumbled—low, gravelly, and laced with fury.
He was perched upon his throne within the far north's mightiest stronghold, a fortress protected by a garrison of over twenty thousand troops.
The citadel's alabaster walls spanned dozens of kilometers, guarding the sole valley that provided the Green Skins a clear path into the Kingdom of Valemont.
He refrained from launching an assault on the royal capital for now, unwilling to move without an absolute certainty of success.
Risking everything on the hope of a quick breach was not his style. He intended to be fully equipped for both a lightning strike and a grueling war of attrition.
"He has fallen, my lord. Nirm managed to penetrate the defenses, but at the final moment, a gifted youth emerged. This individual defeated him and utilized a mysterious energy to nearly wipe out his entire battalion..."
"Hmph..."
Belgrath’s fingers slammed against the throne’s armrest with a sharp crack, his features twisting into a dark scowl.
"And what else?" Belgrath demanded, his tone causing the messenger below to shudder.
"It appears David Valemont has awakened as well; his recovery is progressing at a terrifying pace. He is expected to regain his full Cultivation and strength within a few months.
The messenger trembled once more, bowing his head in anticipation of a violent outburst.
However, only a resentful grunt followed.
Standing up, Belgrath paced through the gloomy throne room, where every window had been obstructed with concrete.
He still possessed ancient scrolls and texts—records from an era when his lineage were the rightful sovereigns of this realm, and this very room served as the epicenter of regional power before it was sealed away.
Though he had smashed through the gates leading to this chamber, it was still a long way from being a fit setting for a king’s coronation.
"David is healing and has recruited a formidable specialist to wed that cursed brat... but what does it matter?"
Belgrath let out a laugh as he threw open the main gates. On the horizon, he watched an army approaching from a territory many considered forbidden.
A legion of over fifty thousand red-eyed, green-skinned monsters was on the march. Even the smallest among them stood over two meters tall, boasting jagged tusks and crude plating.
They marched toward him, guided by a figure whose power was so immense that even Belgrath could scarcely gauge its depth.
Gulping down his nerves, Belgrath leaped onto the fortress battlements with a fluid motion.
He settled his soldiers' nerves and cast a smile toward the commander of that horrific host.
With such devastating warriors under his command, what foe could possibly stand against him?
David’s entire military force would be nothing more than wheat waiting for the scythe of Belgrath’s new allies.
The Orc Lord halted before the massive gates. He gazed up at the human with a look of arrogant disdain before revealing a grin filled with decaying teeth.
The beast was equally thrilled by this pact.
***
While oblivious to the developments on the kingdom's borders, David began the work of reorganizing his lands.
He purged the ranks of treacherous nobles, penalized those who had deserted their posts, and provided a list of targets to his son-in-law, Qingyi.
Because the King’s own authority was not yet absolute, he had to rely on the young man to handle the more brutal tasks.
Fortunately, while Sofia frowned upon David’s methods, Qingyi remained indifferent.
To the young man, this was an opportunity to test the combat prowess of the western continent's warriors while simultaneously assisting his wife’s kin by culling corrupt filth.
"Y-Your Highness, I beg of you! Please listen! I didn't desert, I merely—"
The corrupt noble’s plea was cut short as his head was severed and sent tumbling through the air.
"How pathetic..." Qingyi muttered, watching as his soldiers began their raid on the estate.
In truth, these aristocrats were getting off easy.
Their kin were being spared, and while a portion of their riches was seized, any assets located outside the capital were left untouched.
He doubted that the rulers of the eastern continent would show such leniency.
"Your Highness."
A voice called out from behind him. Qingyi turned to see a figure walking toward him.
It was a woman of average features clad in steel plate, her expression betraying a hint of irritation as she dropped to one knee.
She was the knight tasked with Isabel’s protection. The princess’s flight with Qingyi had caused her endless stress and many nights without sleep.
Now that Qingyi held the title of prince, she couldn't even voice her annoyance. Not that she would have dared to anyway, given the boy’s overwhelming power.
She wasn't a fool; she had no desire to challenge such a high-level expert.
"Report," Qingyi said, his expression cold.
The knight answered immediately, "The sweep of Lord Luck’s estate is finished and his treasury has been secured. We await your orders regarding his family."
"Let them go. The manor is now the property of the throne, but they are permitted to return to their ancestral lands."
"As you command, my prince."
The knight dipped her head before rising to relay the instructions to her subordinates.
Qingyi sighed and, with a light exert of force, soared into the clouds, making a swift return to the palace.
Technically, flying above the capital without authorization was a crime, but no one was brave enough to try and enforce that law against him. He touched down in the expansive central courtyard, landing amidst a lush, opulent garden where Isabel and Sofia were lounging.
Since their reunion, the two women had spent nearly all their time together, catching up on everything that had transpired during their separation. They had even spent time in the kitchen together.
Sofia had never expected that Isabel would be the one to show her the ropes of cooking.
It wasn't that the Queen was helpless in such matters; she frequently prepared David's meals herself.
"Husband!"
Isabel leaped up, her generous chest heaving as she lunged into Qingyi’s embrace, her face glowing with joy.