Chapter 186: A New Beginning
A month had passed since Rain became the Emperor of the Wasteland, and he still couldn't quite grasp the enormity of it all.
The war with Gorm and Balaur now felt like a distant dream, though the scars left behind were very real.
Helliana had returned to her people, assuming the role of chieftain once again for the Orcs.
Santi, too, had gone back to lead the Elves.
Thraigar had also said his goodbyes, and went back to the Goliaths.
Both three factions had sworn fealty to Rain, recognizing him as their ruler in all of the wasteland.
All the factions across the Barren Wasteland were now unified under his banner — a feat no one had imagined possible.
His territory had expanded dramatically, and with it came solutions to problems that had plagued the land for centuries.
The first breakthrough came from an unlikely source: the Thorny Bushes. What was once seen as a mere nuisance had turned into a valuable resource.
Through a method Rain himself devised, the bushes were used to graft other plant. To everyone's surprise, the plants thrived, and the Thorny Bushes turned out to be amazing soil and nutrients for the plant, transforming vast stretches of desert into fertile fields capable of sustaining crops.
Soon, miles upon miles of the Barren Wasteland that were once desolate and lifeless became lush with greenery, providing food and hope for his people.
But it didn't stop there.
Water, which had always been a scarce commodity, was finally found in abundance.
Scorched Peak, the volcanic region once thought to be uninhabitable, held the key.
Golly, Druger, and Drake had discovered that the volcanic activity in the region produced vast amounts of steam from magma, which, as it cooled, condensed into pure drinking water.
Not only that, but it also supplied hot water — a luxury in the harsh climate of the Wasteland.
The two inventors were already in the midst of constructing a massive network of pipes to carry both drinking and heated water to all corners of Rain's expanding domain.
The dream of turning the Wasteland into a thriving oasis was becoming a reality.
Even the issue of trade, which Rain had worried about, had been resolved.
The Dustplain, once thought to be a lifeless stretch of desert, was revealed to be rich in minerals and precious stones.
Balaur's lair, too, was a treasure trove of wealth — filled with rare ores and the hoard the monstrous dragon had accumulated over centuries.
Rain had wisely used these resources to pay his citizens fair wages, ensuring their loyalty and commitment to rebuilding the Wasteland.
And with these newfound riches, trade routes were opening up, connecting the Wasteland to other parts of the Spirit Realm, bringing in much-needed income.
Scorched Peak, once feared for its harsh conditions, had become a source of prosperity. Its rare ores were in high demand, and Golly had even begun experimenting with new alloys and technologies, dreaming of turning the Wasteland into a hub of innovation.
Rain couldn't help but feel grateful, despite the hardships they had endured. The tragedy of the war had somehow paved the way for a brighter future.
No one from his troops had perished this time, and for that, he was immensely thankful.
What had started as a desperate struggle for survival had become a story of transformation, and under his leadership, the Wasteland was becoming a place of hope and opportunity.
As Rain stood on the balcony of his newly constructed fortress, gazing out over the vast lands now under his control, he realized just how far they had come.
The Wasteland, once a barren and desolate region, was now on the verge of flourishing. And while the road ahead was still long, Rain knew they were headed toward a future that none of them could have ever imagined.
Now that everything had finally calmed down, Rain could turn his focus to what truly excited him — the chance to upgrade his troops.
With the foundations of his empire secure and the Wasteland thriving, it was time to take his warriors to the next level. Discover stories with empire
He no longer had to worry about food, water, or resources. The thorny bushes had transformed barren soil into fertile land, and the discovery of the hidden reservoirs at Scorched Peak ensured an endless supply of water.
His people were well-fed, his territories flourishing, and his empire was poised for greatness.
Now, it was time for power.
Rain envisioned legions of warriors stronger than anything the Wasteland had ever seen — battle-hardened soldiers equipped with weapons forged from the rare ores scavenged from Balaur's lair and Scorched Peak.
Golly, Druger, Drake were already developing new designs, combining ancient techniques with cutting-edge inventions that could change the face of warfare in the Spirit Realm.
His troops had seen their fair share of battle, but now Rain had the resources to unlock their true potential.
With new training grounds being constructed and the latest magical enhancements at his disposal, he could see it — the rise of an army that would not just defend the Wasteland but conquer any challenge that came their way.
He would mold his soldiers into elite forces, upgrading their strength, agility, and magical prowess to unmatched levels.
Rain knew that war could return at any moment. The peace they had built was fragile, and enemies both old and new would not remain quiet for long.
But this time, they wouldn't just survive. They would dominate. His army would become a symbol of fear and respect, ready to crush any threat to his empire.
Rain couldn't help but feel the rush of anticipation. His people were strong, but soon they would be unstoppable.
|| Rain Weathers ||
Title: Novice Lord
Territory: The Barren Wasteland
Territory Level: 10
Soldiers: 100/100
Villagers: 5 000/ 5 000
Extraction: 0/50
Soul Elixirs: 1047L 20mL
Evolution Points: 5 160 000 EXP
|| E N D ||
Oh . . . right.
Rain almost forgot — he was still just a Novice Lord.
His personal command only extended to 100 troops like Chi, Chick, Chill, #4, Ri, General Varlox the rest of the soldiers in his territory.
All other army consisted of soldiers from allied territories like the elves and the orcs, who, despite their presence, remained loyal to their own leaders.
It frustrated him, the limits of his authority were glaring, and yet he had no choice but to work with what he had right now.
He needed to become an Apprentice Lord soon, so he could expand his army, and villagers.