Chapter 353: Chapter 32: Forging the Pact, the Three Duchies are Established

"However, there is one thing I have always agreed with."

"Whether it’s the Blood God or the current Dragon God, as long as we can prove our value, it’s all the same which powerful being we submit to."

"It’s best to discard any unnecessary, fanciful illusions."

"Reality is what it is. After so many ages, you all should have understood this long ago."

The Fifth Blood Ancestor spoke these words indifferently, then said no more.

The Blood God Guard under his command—the Demigods and Saints—all fell silent as well.

Soon, under the leadership of the First Blood Ancestor, the Thirteen Blood Ancestors finally went to meet the envoys from the Star Empire who were there to accept their surrender.

Needless to say, these envoys included Deities from the Star Empire.

But the leader was not any of the Deities.

The one at the head was a Demigod.

And a Demigod of the Dragon Race, at that!

Amos, the head of the fifteen elders of the Cloud Court Dragon Clan.

Seeing that the leader was actually a Demigod, with fourteen other Demigods behind him, the Thirteen Blood Ancestors looked on in astonishment.

’So, in this civilization, these fifteen strange Demigods have a higher status than the Deities, even the Main God among them?’

’What kind of arrangement is this?’

The Thirteen Blood Ancestors were somewhat surprised.

But their surprise was soon dispelled.

Because the Thirteen Blood Ancestors discovered through their Spiritual Vision that hidden behind the human forms created by Elementalization, these Demigods were actually creatures similar to that terrifying Dragon God.

’So they’re a Follower Race.’

’How similar to the relationship between the Blood God and us.’

Understanding this, it all instantly made sense.

However, they still had some lingering doubts.

The Dragon God was so terrifying, and even had a group of Deities under his command, including a Main God.

So why were the members of his Clan so weak in comparison?

Of course, this was not something the Blood Ancestors could ask about at this moment.

They simply listened to Amos’s proclamation and quickly signed their names on a Contract Book.

The contents of the so-called Contract Book were actually quite simple.

From this day forward, on the Crimson World, the Thirteen Blood Ancestors were to dissolve all their mortal forces on the surface.

These mortal forces would then be taken over by the Star Empire.

Furthermore, the Thirteen Blood Clans must henceforth prioritize the interests of the Star Empire and must not violate any regulations established by the Dragon God, the Cloud Court Dragon Clan, or the Star Empire.

They must also actively uphold the honor of the Star Empire and, in doing so, become a part of it.

After this, they, the Blood Ancestors, could also join the Star Empire’s Pantheon, becoming members of its divine host, and would be granted rights and responsibilities of a slightly lower tier compared to the existing Deities.

As time went on, if they distinguished themselves with meritorious service in future civilizational wars, their status would naturally be elevated accordingly.

Furthermore, on a broader scale, all members of the Blood Race would henceforth receive the protection of the Dragon God!

All in all, for the Thirteen Blood Ancestors themselves, this contract could already be considered preferential treatment.

After all, as the defeated party, they had already envisioned the worst possible outcomes.

But now, it seemed this contract wasn’t so harsh after all.

It could even be said that it was quite lenient for the losers.

Therefore, one by one, the Thirteen Blood Ancestors quickly signed the Contract Book with their true names, which was accompanied by a True Spirit Contract.

——————

"We’re free!"

"This endless, bloody history will finally become a thing of the past!"

"The Human Race is free, and we, the Blood Race, are free as well."

"This really isn’t bad at all."

「Two months later, on the Crimson World.」

Aided by the contractual power of the Thirteen Blood Ancestors, the rules of the True Game finally allowed the normal light of the moon to shine down on this planet’s night for the first time.

At the same time, the blood-sucking rule of the Blood Origin Land was swiftly erased.

Upon the land, all living things could finally rest in peace from this day forward.

And at this moment, in the Imperial Capital of the former Adams Empire...

...a unique "unification" ceremony was taking place, made exceptionally lively by the fervent shouts of the crowd.

Criminals—the stubborn members of the Blood Race accustomed to feeding on the entire blood supply of humans—had been mostly purged by the Star Empire over the past six months.

Even if some had slipped through the net, it wouldn’t take long to clean up the rest.

And as the unification ceremony unfolded, some of the so-called most heinous criminals from the former Thirteen Blood Moon Kingdoms were now also being sent to the guillotine.

This was the crucial prerequisite for the people’s unprecedented joy and enthusiasm.

The first soul to be claimed at the unification ceremony was the Emperor of the Adams Empire.

Watching these scenes unfold from a high viewing platform, Anos, the Blood Race Prince of the former Adams Empire, witnessed it all.

His expression was one of complete relief, as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

And beside him, the former imperial princes who had flocked to his side and even endorsed his ideals were also present on the viewing platform, all unharmed.

"So, Your Excellency, were we right or were we right?"

"You just don’t understand the magnanimity of our Star Empire!"

"And it’s not just you! Look now, as long as a member of the Blood Race isn’t of a particularly extreme temperament, our Empire has pardoned almost all of their past crimes!"

"Forget about you mortals, even those Thirteen Blood Ancestors you speak of are now members of our Star Empire’s Pantheon."

"So now, you can finally rest easy, right?"

As one of the trio of pioneers in this war, Potter was now basking in glory.

Just moments ago, the three of them had received their investiture ceremony before the Emperor of the Star Empire.

That’s right.

Whether it was Potter, He’an, or Helen,

the three of them had now become true, influential Dukes of the Star Empire.

Their low level of power was no issue!

Because the Empire would later concentrate all its resources to help two of them quickly reach the level of power befitting a Duke.

He’an, being a Divine Favored, had already successfully advanced to the Saint Tier Domain right after the war campaign ended!

Potter was currently only Tier Three, and Helen was merely Tier Four.

Therefore, one of the rewards the two of them received was that they would complete their subsequent breakthroughs one after another under the witness of the Deities in the Pantheon.

The Deities would bestow their Divine Favor upon them, and even guarantee that no accidents would occur during their breakthrough process.

This kind of reward was akin to being ’fast-tracked’ to Saint Tier!

Of course, being fast-tracked to Saint Tier wasn’t the entirety of their reward.

Since all three, including He’an, had become Dukes, the Empire would certainly reward them with land to establish their own Duchies.

And their Duchies, naturally, would be established on the Crimson World!

In short, the Intelligent Machinery Industry Association would provide full support for the construction of the trio’s Duchies.

And the three of them now had the fame of having saved an entire world.

Never mind the original inhabitants of the Star Empire; vast numbers of ordinary people from the Crimson World, including members of the Blood Race, would be scrambling to join their Duchies.

Thus, the trio was now enjoying the utmost power and fame the mortal world had to offer!

This was a true case of ascending to the heavens in a single step!

"What else could I possibly be worried about?"

"In the end, the fact that we were able to keep our lives was thanks to the three of you pleading for us at the last moment."

"Honestly, we old-timers truly owe the three of you a massive debt."

The Blood Race Prince, Anos, shook his head, looking at the trio with a resigned expression.

"Debts are meant to be repaid."

"Say no more. I’m sure you’ve seen our situation."

"So, how about it? Why don’t you come work for us directly?"

Potter’s directness left several of the Saint Tier Blood Race members at their side completely stunned, which was then followed by a wave of resigned laughter.

"Very well. Since Your Excellency has put it that way, we will submit an application to the Empire to join your Duchies."

"However, how do the three of you plan to divide the twenty-eight of us old-timers?"

"Divide? What’s there to divide? We decided on this long ago. Once our three Duchies are established, we’ll sign a mutual support contract. There’ll be no ’yours’ or ’mine’. So, rest assured, everyone. The three of us will be sure to squeeze every last drop of power out of you," He’an chimed in, teasing.

At this, the Young Princess Helen couldn’t help but cover her mouth and chuckle lightly.

Meanwhile, the Blood Race Prince Anos and the few Blood Race members beside him exchanged glances, then couldn’t help but break into laughter as well.