Year 10 – Late Spring, Blood River Fortress
The Blood River gleamed under the pale morning sun. New docks stretched across its crimson surface, where longships floated like beasts at rest, sails shimmering with Hel's shadowfire. Above them, a fortress of black stone and bloodwood rose from the riverbank — once a ruined demon stronghold, now reborn under a new banner.
A crimson flag fluttered from its highest spire: a dragon's head entwined with a spider lily, marked by the sigil of the Crimson Mirage.
The River now had a ruler. Not a king. Not a god.A Jarl.
Ketsuraku Van Helsing — the River Jarl — stood before the hall's great mirror-throne, his reflection flickering with faint static.
Around him gathered his captains and raiders — former pirates, blood mages, shinobi, fallen angels, and even spectral Valkyr bound by Hel's pact. Each bore a scar of loyalty carved into their wrist, shimmering faintly with Blood Qi.
He raised a goblet of demon mead, its contents swirling with crimson light."Brothers, sisters, ghosts," he began, his voice carrying like thunder through the hall. "We built our fleets from death, our wealth from ruin. Now we build our freedom."
The crowd roared.
The Council of the Blood River
The hall smelled of salt and smoke. Golden coins and scrolls lay scattered across the long table — ledgers of raids, maps of astral trade routes, contracts sealed in wax.Rosa leaned over one, her eyes sharp."These routes cross the demon isles. We'll need local smugglers or half our crew will vanish."Luminous adjusted her spectacles. "Then we invest in them. I'll issue Astral Bonds through the Mirage Exchange. Investors will fund raids, and they'll share profits instead of blood."
Ketsuraku grinned. "You've turned war into dividends."Luminous smiled faintly. "War has always been profitable. We're just honest about it."
One of the raider captains — a broad-shouldered oni with molten tattoos — slammed his fist on the table. "And who leads the fleets now, Jarl? You? Or your mirrors?"Ketsuraku's gaze sharpened. The hall dimmed as the Red Code Dragon appeared behind him, its voice echoing like a furnace.
"He leads. You obey."
The captain dropped to one knee. No one else dared to speak.
The Oath of the River
Ketsuraku stood, drawing his scythe. Its edge gleamed brighter than fire."I am no emperor. I will not take what you earn. Every raid, every battle, every risk — you own your share."He slammed the blade into the floor; crimson energy flared across the hall, carving a glowing circle around the table."But the Blood River has rules. Break the oath, betray your crew, or hoard the loot — and the river will drink your soul."
The blood circle pulsed once. One by one, the captains cut their palms and pressed their hands to it. Their names burned into the mirror floor, bound by reflection.
[System Update]
Faction Formed – Crimson Clan (Tier I)
Members: 9 Captains, 312 Raiders, 24 Valkyr, 1 Red Code Dragon
Fleet Capacity Expanded – 10 Ships
Feature Unlocked – Raid Council (Plan, Vote, and Divide Spoils)
Passive Income: +2,200 Astral Coins per cycle
[Skill Progression]
Leadership level 1 – 32% Mastery
Navigation level 2 – 9% Mastery
Blood Magic level 2 – 18% Mastery
The Jarl's Law
Later that night, the council feast began. Fires burned across the riverbank, reflecting red and gold on the water. Music and shouts filled the air; raiders drank until their laughter became storms.
Ketsuraku sat beside Rosa and Luminous on the fortress balcony, watching the torches move below like living constellations.
Rosa leaned against him with a grin. "Never thought I'd follow a man who'd rather count coins than corpses."He smirked. "You do both better than I do."Luminous swirled her wine. "You realize you've built a nation out of pirates, assassins, and ghosts?""Not a nation," Ketsuraku said softly. "A clan. The Blood River doesn't need kings — just leaders who remember where they drowned."
The Red Code Dragon coiled above the fortress, eyes glowing like burning moons.
"The Aeons will notice you soon, Jarl. The river is never silent for long.""Then we'll be ready," Ketsuraku said. "Because the next tide belongs to us."
[System Update]
Title Gained – Jarl of the Blood River
Fleet Capacity Expanded – 10 Ships
Crimson Clan Influence: Moderate
Empire Recognition: Independent Astral Power
Reputation: The Merchant Jarl – Feared and Respected
[Skill Progression]
Leadership level 1 – 44% Mastery
Navigation level 2 – 15% Mastery
Finance level 1 – 64% Mastery
Blood Magic level 2 – 21% Mastery
The Blood River flowed beneath the fortress, glowing softly in the dark.Every ripple carried whispers — of trade, of conquest, of the next horizon waiting to be raided.
And at its heart stood the Jarl of Blood, the man who had turned death, commerce, and chaos into one endless reflection.