With Timd's arrival, Sombravida no longer needed to personally oversee technological development.
After reviewing the abilities of the Hollows within his territory, he ordered Timd to begin gathering lower-tier Hollows — selecting those with useful abilities and the willingness to submit — then cultivating them as technical and support specialists rather than expendable fighters.
For now, technological expansion could proceed without him.
Consolidation of Power
Sombravida devoted the following days to refining and stabilizing the spiritual energy he had absorbed.
After the recent battles, his strength had advanced considerably.
He had not yet reached the level of a high-tier Adjuchas.
But the density and refinement of his reiatsu now matched that level.
It was the difference between quantity and quality.
And quality won wars.
Securing the Frontiers
Sombravida ordered Jekain to integrate and relocate resources from the territories of Atak and Gross.
Meanwhile, Sombravida and Nilu personally patrolled the northwestern frontier — the border once controlled by Atak — preventing any messenger from escaping.
With Paramon and Atak dead, the Northwest Alliance had been reduced to two remaining lords.
After Sombravida consolidated the captured territories, and with quiet cooperation from two neighboring lords eager to avoid conflict, his influence now exceeded that of the entire Northwest Alliance.
All that remained was patience.
Void Beast Mines fortified the frontier.
Messengers were intercepted.
Support routes were sealed.
Now they only needed Gatmont's southern campaign to conclude.
When intelligence arrived…
the Northwest Alliance would fall.
News from the South
The wait did not last long.
"Your Majesty," a subordinate reported, kneeling before Sombravida's throne, "we have received news from Gatmont."
Sombravida idly stroked the fur along Nilu's foreleg as she lounged beside him, resting her head on a hay pile like a contented beast.
"Speak."
"Gatmont has destroyed one southern alliance. He is reorganizing forces and preparing to attack the Southwestern Alliance."
Sombravida's eyes sharpened.
"Casualties?"
"Twenty-two Adjuchas lost, including seven mid-tier."
"He retains five lord-class allies, eight mid-tier Adjuchas, and fourteen low-tier."
"He also subdued several defeated Adjuchas."
Sombravida nodded slowly.
"As expected of a former Grand Lord."
"His prestige still commands obedience."
He paused.
"Our report?"
"Still lists only the elimination of Paramon. The next messenger should arrive in approximately two weeks."
Sombravida smiled faintly.
"Then it is time."
Orders for Deception
"Maintain pressure on the front line," Sombravida ordered.
"Prevent all northern messengers from escaping."
"Deploy newly recruited Adjuchas to harvest resources from Atak's territory and establish a permanent presence."
"When the messenger arrives, stage combat with our own forces to create the illusion of conflict."
Jekain bowed.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Sombravida continued.
"When the messenger arrives, seal off the Void Beast Mine production branch."
"No detonation is to occur in his presence."
"Have Borut accompany him."
"Yes."
"Move all Gillian resources from Gross's territory to the underground testing facilities."
"Hide all Gillian acquired from Atak and Gross."
"On the day of inspection, Jekain will conceal himself underground and suppress all spiritual pressure."
"The other two lords will receive the messenger."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Concealing True Strength
Sombravida's strategy was simple:
Maintain Gatmont's trust in Yinfeng.
Conceal Sombravida's true military power.
Present the illusion of a struggling subordinate territory.
When the messenger returned, he would report:
internal fighting
limited strength
unstable territory
He would not report an emerging power.
Total Border Lockdown
Sombravida resumed patrols along the frontier.
He positioned high-sensory Hollows along the perimeter.
Each sensor unit was guarded by two mid-tier Adjuchas.
Sombravida himself patrolled irregularly, ensuring no Hollow escaped.
Not even the weakest.
The Northern Alliance's Desperation
With Paramon dead and Atak missing, the remaining Northern Alliance lords attempted repeatedly to send messages.
None returned.
The border was sealed.
Neighboring alliances ignored their pleas.
Atak's battle with Gross had strained relations with the Northwest Alliance.
No one wished to intervene.
To the other alliances, the Northern Alliance had become expendable.
Cannon fodder.
Once Gatmont was defeated, they would claim the remains.
Until then, they would watch.
Inside the Northern Alliance
Deep within a cavern, the lord Ogrind — serpentine in head, simian in body — paced anxiously.
"What do we do?! Four messengers have vanished! The Northwest Alliance blocks all passage! We are trapped!"
Across from him, the thin, elderly-looking lord Barbournes exhaled slowly.
"What choice do we have?"
"Our Adjuchas numbers are dwindling. We cannot face Yinfeng directly."
Ogrind hissed.
"It makes no sense. Atak was reclaiming Paramon's territory. Why did he fight Gross?"
"You expect me to know?" Barbournes snapped.
"Gross was forced to remain and guard territory while others plundered resources. Anyone would grow resentful."
"But why a death battle? That I cannot explain."
Ogrind lowered his voice.
"…Yinfeng's doing?"
Barbournes considered.
"Likely."
"But even if it is… what can we do? We are isolated."
Silence filled the cavern.
Finally Ogrind spoke quietly:
"If it comes to it… perhaps we should surrender."
Barbournes closed his eyes.
"…I thought the same."
The Reality They Faced
"Our forces are shattered," Barbournes continued.
"If not for our territories' remaining resources, even our Adjuchas would abandon us."
"If we do not surrender, we will be destroyed."
Ogrind hesitated.
"But Yinfeng has not attacked recently."
"Why?"
"To isolate us," Barbournes said.
"And to prepare for Gatmont."
He continued:
"I suspect Yinfeng's strength is far greater than he shows."
"And that subordinate… Sombravida."
"That power is no mere burst technique."
"It surpasses Atak's."
Ogrind frowned.
"Our messengers vanish in the sky, underground… even through Garganta."
Barbournes' eyes narrowed.
"Have you ever seen someone intercept a Garganta?"
"…Impossible," Ogrind said.
"Unless…"
Barbournes' voice lowered.
"…spatial manipulation."
Silence.
Then Ogrind slammed his fist down.
"We've been played."
The Only Path Left
"What do we do?" Ogrind asked.
"Surrender?"
Barbournes sighed.
"What choice remains?"
"We followed Gatmont to survive."
"We formed alliances to survive."
"Now survival demands submission."
He looked at Ogrind.
"We are not warriors."
"We could not defeat Atak."
"Can you defeat Yinfeng?"
"Sombravida?"
"Nel?"
Ogrind scratched his head.
"…fair point."
Barbournes nodded.
"We prepare resources."
"A hollow surrender will not suffice."
"We offer Gillian reserves."
"We brief our subordinates."
"If even one resists during surrender… we die."
Ogrind nodded heavily.
"Agreed."
They began preparing for submission.
Meanwhile…
Sombravida continued planning how to deceive Gatmont's messenger…
and how to destroy the Northern Alliance afterward.
He had not yet imagined the expression he would wear…
when he arrived to launch a final assault—
only to find two lord-class Hollows waiting to surrender.
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