After that, Vlad turned to the nineteen bloodline soldiers and thought for a moment before giving the group an order. "Return to the Royal Guards for more military training. You should start training as a single unit. While your performance during the ambush against the angels was good, there is still much to be desired."
The nineteen bloodline soldiers, their eyes sharp with anticipation, bowed to Vlad and silently left. They were determined to enhance their powers and become even more valuable in the future.
Ultimately, only Vlad, Jormungandr, Grand Marshal Anglius, and Chief Councilor Aloz remained. This group constituted the central command of the Xaos Kingdom, and their decisions and commands influenced the entire military power amassed over the last year.
Vlad focused on Chief Councilor Aloz, recalling that the man had mentioned urgent matters needing attention. He nodded to the old man before signaling the group to follow him.
The group calmly walked until they reached a massive metallic structure. Towering over ten meters high, it exuded an imposing aura that filled everyone with awe and wonder.
A wide smile appeared on Vlad’s face as he saw how much the Xaos Tower had advanced. It would only be a matter of days before Vlad and Jormungandr could extend the magic and runic engravings from the first floor to the other three, allowing the tower to absorb the world’s energy with ferocious efficiency.
The two Depravitas, along with the Grand Marshal and Chief Councilor, entered the tower and saw how the first floor was bustling with people. Soldiers and civilian officers carried out all sorts of tasks.
While the Xaos Tower was a formidable weapon and a crucial asset for investigation projects, its primary function was to serve as the logistical hub for the entire kingdom. Centralizing all operations within it would facilitate alignment, especially once the A.I. Chip clone was installed.
Though many people noticed the arrival of the four leaders, none of them slacked off. They continued with their tasks and ensured they did not disturb the leaders of the Xaos Kingdom.
Vlad and his group headed to the stairs and soon descended to the underground level, the most secure area to which only the Xaos King could grant access.
"You can speak now," Vlad said in a calm tone, detecting the energy flooding the area. Not only was this place excellent for training, but the radiation made it nearly impossible for anyone to spy on them.
Despite the improbability of someone with such skills in a New Plane, Vlad was acutely aware of the rapid rise of certain individuals, like the man in the purple clothes from the Azarin Empire. He was not one to leave anything to chance.
While Vlad had remained in the Nagan Mountain for the last two months focusing on his training, he had, of course, used his communication gem to give commands to his troops, and there were several missions that Chief Councilor Aloz had been tasked with.
Chief Councilor Aloz’s eyes narrowed as he surveyed the place Vlad had brought them to. He spoke solemnly, "As commanded, we have taken testimony from the soldiers rescued from the Strong Hammer Military Base and concluded that the reason for the arrival of forces of the Azarin Empire was because they were invited."
"Invited, you say? By whom?" Vlad’s eyes grew sharp, and he frowned upon hearing those words.
The sudden appearance of the Azarin Empire had disturbed him to this day. Vlad had even considered that they might have learned about the moves of the Xaos Kingdom, which was why they chose to attack the Strong Hammer Military Base once the angels were drawn out.
"The ones who invited the Azarin Empire were none other than the angels who had taken control over the military base. Most soldiers only knew that a strong force was coming and were given no details. Yet, they could feel there was a problem by how adamant General Omar seemed against the idea," Chief Councilor Aloz explained solemnly, his face somber, making it clear how seriously he took this report as he knew the implications.
Vlad frowned as the pieces fell into place, getting a better picture of what had happened until a flash of enlightenment crossed his eyes. "So, in the end, it was all just a big coincidence."
From the start, Vlad suspected that someone might have known about his plan to lure the angels out and use it to send the forces of the Azarin Empire to attack the Strong Hammer Military Base. However, if Aloz’s analysis was correct, it was just a coincidence, as the forces of the Azarin Empire were only on their way when he acted. Whether the Azarin Empire’s forces intended to attack the Strong Hammer Military Base from the beginning or saw the weakness of the base and chose to take their chances was still a mystery.
Vlad was still full of questions but was at least relieved that he had obtained some answers. "Is there anything else you wish to report regarding the information from the Strong Hammer Military Base rescued soldiers?"
"No, my King. The survivors are not high-ranking, and there is no more knowledge to glean from them. Regarding the soldiers from the Azarin Empire we captured, we have placed them in isolation and have waited for you to perform the interrogations as ordered," Chief Councilor Aloz replied. He was a great civil officer and could easily gather information about his own forces, but interrogating military detainees was beyond his realm, especially those who would kill themselves given certain words. Thus, Vlad had commanded him to keep them locked down.
"Very good," Vlad nodded, pleased with the old man’s work, "How are the soldiers and survivors from the Strong Hammer Military Base? Are they acclimating to the Xaos Kingdom? Is there any sign of dissent?"
Vlad had fought bravely and sacrificed a lot to save those people, but he was not a fool and knew many would blame him for what happened, claiming he killed the angels who were their protection and invited the forces of the Azarin Empire to butcher them.