Hero of Darkness

Chapter 1281: The Difference in Identity

As one would anticipate, the military outpost created at the Southern Border of the Rakos Empire, adjacent to the Flavot City, was for the united forces of the Abyss Empire.

Whether the Cult of the Darkborne, the Imperial Faction, or the Senate of the Republic… all of them were basically under Kahn’s control through proxy leaders that he now placed and basically commanded their military troops.

Along with the forces of the Rakos Empire, Kahn currently controlled 2 Empires, becoming the first ever chosen Hero to accomplish such a feat.

As for why Kahn decided to house the forces of the hidden Abyss Empire right outside his door?

He had plenty of reasons to do so.

The first being that bringing such a large force out of the Abyss Empire would take several days. And it wasn’t just individual warriors we were talking about. It also included the ginormous warships, battle barges, and flying helicarriers, some of which spanned for 10 to 15 kilometers in length alone.

Settling the warriors in their new home, preparing for their food and other needs as well as the time required to form strategies regarding several forces they would have to face… it wasn’t child’s play.

And this was just the beginning phase… the Great War in the original timeline had already taken close to 20 years before the Martial Emperor had to return to the past. So a prolonged warfare was already ahead, where Kahn also had to be responsible for hundreds of millions of lives.

He couldn’t win the war with just numbers. He also needed to preserve his forces so they could fight for years to come.

And the second important reason was… the cultural difference.

The Abyss Empire followed the doctrine of the God of Darkness, while the Rakos Empire served no gods or even allowed anyone to form religious institutions because of their dark history regarding such matters.

The one to impose those rules was none other than Rathnaar and his descendants. And even after their fall, the newly established forces also followed the same rules by barring any organizations or cults related to gods.

Even today, the concept of Gods was just a myth to the Rakos Empire’s netizens, and they were treated as part of the foreign cultures.

Now, if Kahn suddenly brought forth an entirely new force out of nowhere, that started preaching edicts of the Gods and Goddesses… it would shake the foundation of the empire.

An empire where people either prioritized strength or their background would have its societal classes destroyed if they suddenly started joining religious churches and cults while their previous belief system was challenged… it would be a fine recipe for disaster.

For normal citizens of the Rakos Empire, it would be hard to directly accept foreign military forces, let alone create a lot of trouble in the future if Kahn forcefully tried to integrate them in Rakos Empire’s armed forces.

On top of it, both sides had completely different customs and cultures, whether it was religion or societal norms.

Forcing them to cooperate during times of war would only create infighting and unnecessary distress among both the Rakos Empire and the Abyss Empire.

For now, he needed the full cooperation of both the empires and needed to avoid something detrimental, such as a civil war or cultural invasion like he had seen on Earth plenty of times.

‘Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it.’

A quote Kahn as Elric had read long ago was now the core driving force of his plan.

Why cause needless bloodshed among your own forces by pressuring them to cooperate with someone who hates them solely because they either don’t believe in the same god or don’t believe in any in the first place?

Now… these were the issues regarding the identity of both the empire… But there was also another important purpose.

And that was to reclaim the old Abyss Empire.

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Yes, you heard it correctly. Kahn intended to retake the old Abyss Empire.

And this military outpost would be the foundational grounds where they could start their journey after the Great War ended.

Because the native people of the Abyss Empire needed a place to hold the line, as well as become a starting point.

If they had a strong military outpost that they could always fall back to… then the future where the old Abyss Empire regains its former glory wouldn’t be far either.

As for the Godbeasts… this border came within the territory of Godbeast Fenrir, who had a 10-year-long soul-oath sworn with Kahn.

Once the latter became a Demi-God and found a way to kill and replace all of them… the people within the sealed Abyss Empire could return to their original homeland.

Hence, Kahn had already prepared beforehand since the last time he met Albestros, Nikola, and Elanev in Flavot City, and then he left with Argos to awaken his Divine Key.

This project was not just another settlement Kahn set to make money or earn resources… No, it was a milestone that would decide the fate of billions of people.

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Back to the Present…

“Do we have enough to withstand a long war of attrition?” asked Kahn to Sirius.

“Yes, your majesty. Even if we lost our supply of food or materials required to forge weapons and warships, there are enough people with magic classes, artisans for smithing, and lands for farming enough food that could sustain us for the next decade or so.

However, I would advise that we offer tight security for such lands and facilities. Even a couple of Saints on each of those territories should suffice,” elaborated Sirius as he had already planned.

“And those are just for the Rakos Empire’s military and the one you intend to bring in.

Both sides will have enough to sustain themselves for the next 5 years, even if there is a drought or famine for the consequent years.” he stated firmly with a confident expression.

“Good. I reckon it is time to officially enter the playing field.” said Kahn as he spoke resolutely.

Swoosh!

Crack!

Out of a void crack, a large crystal was summoned in the meeting room.

And it was the very crystal Kahn saw in the Belmont Kingdom before he entered the Abyss Empire.

“Now… it’s time to reveal the might of the Abyss Empire to the rest of the world.”