Chapter 313: Absolute Reign (1)
Erix took out the Blessed Island, and mass teleported every captive on it.
Afterward, he also activated the barrier pool, essentially trapping everyone on the island.
"Aria, release them."
Erix, Rin, and Aria floated slightly above, facing the big group of people. Amu put Aaron on top after becoming a big slime.
On the other hand, the Mud Slimes vanished and released the people, but none of them tried to move.
Sweat tickled on their body, and fear of death enveloped them.
"First," Erix showed his index finger. "Forget about dying. You will not die on this island even if you kill each other."
Erix's cold smile chilled everyone, "I will not allow you to die unless I decide to send you to your deaths."
"Second, you will work on this island as slaves. For starters, build yourselves small abodes in a relatively empty area and then work on building a palace."
"Third," Erix showed his third finger and smiled, "From now on, you will focus on magic occupations. As slaves, you will produce potions, items, cook, and other things."
"Anyone wants to say something?" Rin asked as she crossed her arms.
"Screw you!"
Someone shouted like a pin dropping in a silent environment.
The woman who screamed had a plan. She thought that if she started and riled up other people, chaos would ensue, and everyone would attack those three people.
However, all she attracted was the gazes of people.
And then everyone heard a lightning crackle.
A dark red lightning bolt surrounded by Dissolution Flow struck her, reducing her vitality to almost zero.
However, her vitality swiftly healed afterward and her injuries disappeared within two seconds.
Finding herself back from the death's door, the woman felt relieved and despaired both.
"You can't die here because this is your hell," Erix uttered.
"If you understand the situation, start working."
Everyone scrambled and flew away, finding a big area as a first task.
Meanwhile, Erix, Rin, and Aria flew out of the island and went around the city to capture the remaining people of the Dark Daggers Alliance.
"This city is established, so more people will soon fill up this place," Erix said as he overlooked the city from high in the sky.
"Or it will be filled by some random clan of another race," Rin chuckled. "Whatever, our task is done."
"Mhm," Aria smiled. "Let's bring back Aaron to his mother."
Erix snapped his finger, causing the Blessed Island to move towards Phoenix City after he teleported the trio back to the island.
…
The flying monsters curiously approached the island, and some even attacked the barrier in futility, but Aria's Animated Spirits were patrolling around the island and killed the monsters.
Below, many people on the way were shocked at a floating island speeding away, erupting in discussion and wondering.
"What was that?!"
"Holy shit, is that some kind of new event?"
"It's so big and still flying at that speed….what the fuck?"
Many people saw the floating island speeding away. Within half an hour, the island also reached Phoenix City, floating on top of the meadow and attracting the giant population's attention.
Uproar ensued.
Some people even flew up in curiosity, approaching the island.
The barrier was visible, but since it was transparent, people could see inside and saw colorful dragons, birds, and fish flying around.
The Animated Spirits approached the group of people, their auras intimidating.
"These monsters feel more powerful than us! Run!"
"Is that some kind of new dungeon? Why notification ain't arriving?"
While people were talking about the island, Erix, Rin, Aria, Amu, and Aaron already arrived at the Unfettered Guild's territory with teleport.
Inside the Virident Tree Palace, Erix and others arrived in the hall, but Erix teleported everyone again and arrived inside a big bedroom.
Isabella was sleeping in the bed.
Kenshin and Sameira already stood up with anticipation as they sensed familiar auras suddenly arriving in the hall and then in the room.
"Mum!"
Isabella's eyes shook as Aaron's voice entered her ears, causing her to open her eyes.
The mental trauma of Aaron getting kidnapped and the anxiousness caused her to sleep even after her injuries were healed.
However, Aaron's voice stirred her awake as she opened her eyes.
"Mom!"
Isabella got up, her eyes getting clear as she saw several people before her.
Aaron jumped and hugged Isabella as he started bawling while Isabella also hugged him, feeling relieved as her tears streamed.
From her blurry eyes filled with tears, Isabella saw Erix, Rin, Aria, and Amu.
Upon clear look, she saw who they were and her eyes widened.
"Erix, Rin…"
Aaron looked at her and wiped her tears with a smile, "Mum, they returned and saved me and made bad guys disappear."
Isabella got up, turning into water particles and appearing before Rin and Erix before hugging them tightly.
"You finally returned…"
Isabella squeezed them, her voice shaking. "I missed you two."
Erix and Rin smiled and caressed her back.
"We also missed you," Erix grinned.
"We are here now, back on the main track," Rin chuckled.
Isabella smiled and looked at their faces and aura, "I can see you two went through many changes."
"You don't know about the notification because you were sleeping," Sameira with a prideful chuckle. "These two are at the top two ranks in the leaderboards."
"Dark Daggers Alliance is no more. The city's safe area is entirely empty, haha."
"And from now on…" Erix's ruby eyes flashed sharply," I want to see who can challenge us."
"Mum, they are so powerful! Way, way more powerful than when they left," Aaron excitedly said as he jumped in the bed with raised arms and clenched fists. "I will become like them and beat all bad guys!"
"Also, Aria and Amu are also so powerful," Aaron giggled and jumped towards Amu, who aptly caught him in a slime ball before popping him up.
"Everyone. This is Aria," Rin said with a big smile as she pulled Aria and patted her head.
"We met her in the Abyss, and we are her new family."
"Hello~" Aria greeted everyone with shining eyes as she saw more people close to Rin and Erix, making her happy.
"And I am Amu. Aria's guardian spirit," Amu said with a big grin and sparkling golden eyes. "I can tell you three are good and caring with a clear conscience."
"We'll be in your care, but don't worry. I will also care for everyone," Amu popped out of a slime hand and patted its tummy as if patting its chest with a confident, big smile.
Everyone laughed at Amu's words, and the atmosphere soon turned merry.
After talking for several minutes, Erix said, "We can talk later but for now…It's time to make some rules and establish some order."
"Order of our own," Rin followed up with a sharp expression, her eyes meeting Erix as both of them had decided on their next move.
…
It was six in the evening, the Blessed Island had attracted many people, and thousands of people had gathered at a big empty ground in the center of the meadow, which was usually reserved for big public meetings of guilds for the past months.
Due to various events, floor clearing, and other things, the guilds held meetings regularly.
The guild leaders arrived and stood at the front, with their core members behind them. The rest of the people stood behind, easily numbering several thousand in the huge circle.
One of the guild leaders was a buffy muscular man, Kaflan, and his gang whom Erix and others met in the Targon city's headquarters.
"Boss, those people we met returned. I feel like this floating island belongs to them. What do you say?" Ronaldo said to Kaflan as he stood beside and curiously looked at the island.
"Rin and Erix. They died on the first-floor realm but returned," Kaflan nodded, his eyes thoughtful. "The members of Heavenly Melody called everyone for a meeting, so things are going to get interesting or distasteful. It depends on people's take."
"Let's see what they have to announce."
People were murmuring and discussing the meeting, but they didn't have to wait long as a group of people suddenly appeared in the center, causing the ruckus of people talking to slow down.
Several of them recognized Erix and Rin, while many who did not recognize them felt a strange pride.
After all, the no.1 and no.2 of the world leaderboard ranking were in their region!
"I'm sure some of you know us, but to those who don't know us, I am Erix. The guild master of Unfettered Fate guild."
"I am Rin, the vice-guild master. And for your curiosity, the floating island above indeed belongs to us."
People erupted in an uproar at the confirmation, but the next words of Erix silenced everyone.
"Dark Daggers Alliance of Frangara city is no more. We've killed their leaders and enslaved their members. They are on the island," Erix's plain yet cold voice echoed everywhere as he stated the result.
"And from now on, there's going to be some changes to this place."
"What changes?" Yagun Mubei asked as he narrowed his eyes.
Erix looked at him and raised his eyebrows, "Yagun Mubei, eh? You are still alive?"
Yagun's face turned red. "I am the leader of 2nd strongest guild here!"
"There's no second strongest or third strongest here anymore," Erix grinned and put away his gaze from him and looked at other guild leaders.
When he saw Kalfan at the forefront, he was surprised as he remembered him and the young man and girl beside him.
His gaze met and Kaflan nodded with a smile.
Erix nodded back while Rin continued with the announcement.
"The changes are simple. First, once this meeting is over, no guild territory must stay in this Sanctuary Area," Rin said, dropping a bomb that dumbfounded everyone.
"And this is non-negotiable," Erix smiled and added, his tone rejecting any notion of objection.