The total number of beings under Muria's command participating in this void war was estimated to be around 800,000. While this might seem like a staggering number, it was quite meager for interdimensional colonization. However, Muria didn't mind; he was pursuing an elite strategy, unlike the Dragon Princess.
Felicia was a princess of a human empire (at least nominally). It was clear that her void legion would be in the millions, possibly even tens of millions. However, most of her forces were likely to be black iron and silver tier, essentially cannon fodder.
"I want to know how long it will take to build the fleet I need," Muria asked, eager to begin the war. "I need to confirm the start time of this war."
"The order has been placed. The Empire's seventh to fifteenth void shipyards have already started building your warships. They should be completed within a year."
"A year isn't too long," Muria frowned slightly, then relaxed. Some things couldn't be rushed, and for someone with his longevity, a year was hardly anything.
"I need to return and gather my giant legion to prepare." Muria stood up, ready to return to Synapse. His goal of retrieving the dragons was complete, but now he had another duel to face.
"Alright," Gladys stood up, watching Muria leave. Muria's presence would soon be widely known among the upper nobility of the Empire following his duel with the Dragon Princess. It was impossible to hide.
With nine void shipyards operating at full capacity, such activities couldn't be concealed. Her siblings and the Empire's great nobles weren't blind or deaf; they would soon learn of Muria's existence.
However, as the first princess to come into contact with Muria, she held an inherent advantage. Proximity had its benefits, though she would soon have to compete with her siblings, which was unavoidable.
...
"Lin, what did my third brother say?" The Dragon Princess asked while patrolling the super large semi-plane she had named "Dragon Realm," observing the dragons she had contracted with. She needed to awaken all the slumbering dragons for this war.
"His Highness the Third Prince is willing to transfer his third dragonman legion to you, but he demands that you support no other royal member but him."
"The third dragonman legion?" Felicia wrinkled her nose in dissatisfaction. "Isn't that a mixed-blood, inferior legion? He's trying to fool me with such a legion and making unreasonable demands? At the very least, he should offer his most elite first dragonman legion."
"Your Highness, the first dragonman legion is the foundation of the Third Prince. Giving it up would mean losing everything."
"Fine, I understand. I'll make do with the third legion. What about my eldest sister? What did she give me? I'm her favorite, beloved little sister. Now that I've been humiliated and bullied so badly, hasn't she done anything to support me?" Felicia's face remained calm until she mentioned Muria, at which point she gritted her teeth in anger. This was the greatest humiliation of her life.
She had been repeatedly flicked on the forehead, causing her to roll in pain on his palm. Even her so-called invincible blue diamond dragon scales were useless. Then, he had threatened her with Lin, forcing her to submit, acting like a complete scoundrel.
She hadn't intended anything harmful, just a simple alliance that would benefit both parties. It was a mutually advantageous contract, but he had refused, saying he looked down on her.
As the most esteemed princess of the Orlando Empire, she was disdained by someone. In terms of figure, appearance, temperament, inner quality, strength, influence, wealth... which of these wasn't top-notch?
So, after being humiliated by Muria, the Dragon Princess returned to her empire to seek comfort from her brothers and sisters, asking for legions and equipment. She was determined to win this duel.
"Her Highness the Grand Princess has gifted you a fully organized dragonhawk knight regiment!"
"Eldest sister is so generous, unlike my stingy third brother."
...
"Lord Muria!" Storm Giant Commander Terrence opened his eyes to see Muria suddenly appear on the throne. His eyes showed delight as he knelt on one knee, leaning on his heavy sword.
"Mhm," Muria lightly tapped the armrest of the crystal throne. Through the array on it, he announced his return to Synapse. Consequently, dozens of rainbows flew from various cloud islands towards the central cloud island.
"I have an announcement to make!" When Dragon Maid Mia, Ancient Green Dragon Fiona, Greater Demon Miles, and the other leaders of Synapse were gathered, Muria got straight to the point and explained his duel with the Dragon Princess...
"Invasion of a civilization! Engaging in colonial plunder." Upon hearing Muria's words, Hell Demon Miles showed an excited expression. He loved world invasions, especially those involving colonial plundering.
"Lord Muria, is it really right to destroy a civilization for this?" Mia asked with a hint of hesitation. Was it really right to destroy a civilization they had never interacted with for resources?
"I didn't explain clearly, Mia," Muria said, tapping his forehead. "The locust civilization is a colonial plundering civilization. Such civilizations aren't worth befriending. This war aims to eliminate their resistance forces, not to destroy their civilization structure or exterminate their race."
The Ten Great Empires, or all the forces in Erathia capable of void colonization, would evaluate the native forces of a discovered valuable world. If the inhabitants were peaceful races like elves, they would establish friendly contact, seeking mutual benefit through knowledge exchange and resource extraction.
However, if the inhabitants were predatory civilizations, extremely xenophobic pure races, or nuclear civilizations that attacked anything on sight, once deemed incapable of peaceful cooperation, the void colonial legions would march in.
If resources could be obtained peacefully, force was avoided. This was common sense. Even in warfare, colonial legions would try to limit the destruction and killing.
Each empire in the Ten Great Empires is independent, not subject to anyone. However, the founders of these empires, the Epic Sovereigns, aren't solitary individuals. Osvaldo Sovereign has ties extending to the Titan race through his Titan bloodline. If he encounters trouble, Epic Titans would undoubtedly intervene.
And the other nine Epic Sovereigns? Are they orphans? Even orphans have friends from orphanages. So far in my book, none of the epics that have appeared are isolated individuals. Please note this.
The other nine Epic Sovereigns have wandered the void, surviving countless near-deaths to become epic. They would never bow to anyone or any force. If conflict arises, they too would call upon their friends.
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