Chapter 53: Ch 53: The Heirs

[ xX_GamerDad_Xx ]: Alright, that’s it. Who are these new people on the leaderboard? Why does it feel like they skipped the tutorial altogether?

[ FallenPaladin ]: Have no idea. They just appeared out of nowhere and overtook Aegis and Holy_Emperor like it was nothing.

[ Firestarter ]: They must be crazy powerful. We’re lagging behind so much. It might not be long before they come after us.

[ ThreeBeautifulPrincesses ]: Ooh, we’re so scared. What will happen to us? @Aegis, darling, won’t you come protect us from being defiled?

[ PervertedGod ]: May I come in, Beauties? I am super strong.

[ ThreeBeautifulPrincesses ]: You’re not even in the top 50. Fuck off!

[ EternalWarrior ]: @Holy_Emperor, Your Majesty, I am willing to agree to all of your conditions. Please tell me where you are so I can join you as your follower.

[ Firestarter ]: Damn, have you no shame? Just a few days ago, you were practically swearing you would never be someone’s slave. But here you are, scared shitless.

[ Curious_Loli ]: Haha, well said, bro. All he could do was bark in front of Aegis. It’s just that Aegis is kind; otherwise, he would have been dead long ago.

[ EternalWarrior ]: Bastards! I won’t argue with fools. When the true Calamity strikes like the last time, you will understand.

[ Holy_Emperor ]: @EternalWarrior, I have sent you the location. Come quickly. I will welcome every capable companion. That includes you too, Aegis.

Aegis glanced at the global chatbox briefly before closing it again.

He could have replied to Holy_Emperor’s provocation, but that would only lead to a childish war of words, and he wasn’t willing to waste his breath.

Instead, he glanced at the growth of the Aquabyss Domain:

[ Island: Aquabyss Domain (Divine) ]

[ Stage: 6 ]

[ Range: 100,000 sq. meters ]

[ Population: 20,000 ]

[ Passive Traits: Hydro-Regeneration 300%, Time Acceleration 30x, Prayer of the Sea ]

[ Prayer of the Sea: Subjects of Aquabyss can pray earnestly in unison to increase their ruler’s power up to 1000% ]

Within the week Aegis spent training and conquering regional islands, he was able to upgrade his island twice.

The benefits were immense. Besides basic increases to its existing traits, Aquabyss gained a new trait that could amplify his power up to ten times, depending on the loyalty and faith placed in him.

It could serve as a trump card whenever he faced a dire situation.

And it wasn’t as if his training during this week was wasted either. His personal strength had grown exponentially as well.

[ Skylord Name: Aegis ]

[ Rank: Baron – (9) ]

[ Island: Aquabyss Domain (SSS+) ]

[ Talents: Sea God’s Physique (Divine) ]

[ Skills: Water Manipulation Ultimate (C), Hydro-genesis Ultimate (D) ]

[ Wealth: 34,100 BC (Bronze Coins) ]

[ Followers: 1,000+ ]

The Sea God’s Palace courtyard was alive with movement.

Water swordsmen drilled in tight formations near the outer pools, their blades flashing like flowing silver. Diamond Fist Barbarians sparred nearby, each clash of hardened fists sending ripples through the stone. Above, Billy and Milly circled lazily, crimson wings cutting clean arcs through the sky as they kept watch.

At the center of it all, Aegis stood quietly, hands clasped behind his back, eyes fixed on the distant horizon where floating islands drifted like slow-moving stars.

Felix approached from behind, boots crunching softly against the coral-paved ground.

“Your Eminence,” he greeted with a bow before straightening up. “The leaderboard… it’s shaken everyone.”

Aegis did not turn as he replied,

“Stage seven. And three of them.”

Felix nodded grimly, “Ann. Gaia. Ignisius. Their rise is too fast. Faster than logic. Faster than normal conquest.”

Silence stretched between them, broken only by the sound of water flowing through the palace channels.

“They’re like you,” Felix continued carefully. “Or at least… similar.”

Aegis finally turned, and said coldly,

“God Physiques.”

Felix inhaled, “Yes. Or something close enough that the difference no longer matters.”

Aegis looked up at the sky, remembering the crushing presence of the Red Emperor, the cowardice of the Land Gods, and the truth Triton had revealed.

“So they’ve begun,” he murmured. “The Seven Cowardly Land Gods.”

Felix frowned. “You think they chose heirs too?”

“They have no choice. After the world broke into fragments, those parasites were probably living like rats. And now they are trying get back to their feet.”

His fingers intertwined..

“But they had abandoned their followers once. There’s no proof they won’t make the same decision twice. This time, they’re pushing pawns forward. Chosen heirs, or so to say Blessed Vessels as disposable shields. Or to take over their bodies in the future.”

Felix’s face fell. “Won’t that mean Humans are in the risk of extinction again?”

“Yes. And this is not their first time Felix.”

The seriousness of that statement settled heavily on Felix’s chest.

Felix hesitated, then knelt in pleading:

“Will you help them, your eminence? You’re the only hope of mankind have now. Please!”

“Stand Up!” Aegis ordered.

“You don’t need to plead for them. The previous Sea God just wished to protect his own people. He didn’t think of unifying the World even when he had the power to do so.

About those God vessels, I will interfere only when find the timing is right.”

Felix exhaled in relief.

“So should we slow down? Consolidate our gains? Let them clash with each other first?”

Aegis looked at Felix and laughed softly. There was no warmth in it.

“No… That’s exactly what they want from us.”

“If the Land Gods are moving, then time is no longer our ally. Every moment we hesitate, they grow stronger. Every island we ignore becomes another stepping stone for them.”

Felix swallowed. “Then what’s the plan?”

Aegis raised his gaze toward the Sea God’s Throne, where faint divine runes pulsed in rhythm with Aquabyss itself.

“It’s simple; We will grow faster. For that we will have to be smarter. And we will make one thing very clear.”

He looked back at Felix, a faint, dangerous smile forming on his lips.

“This world already has a god. It doesn’t need replacements.”

Felix felt a chill crawl down his spine.

“And if we meet one of these heirs?” he asked quietly.

Aegis’s smile vanished.

“Then we test them. If they bend, they will live. If they stand in my way…”

“They will die!”

His aura turned cold as Void, spreading every inch of the courtyard.

Felix’s expression turned resolute.

“I understand, your Eminence. I’ll tighten control over the merged islands and keep gathering intelligence of other Islands nearby.”

Aegis nodded,

“Good. Because this isn’t just a race anymore.”

He turned back toward the horizon, where unseen rivals were already moving their pieces.

“It’s a war of heirs, and I don’t intend to lose.”

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