Five minutes later, I was deep beneath the city streets, a labyrinth of crumbling stone and sewage. I found cover behind a thick wall, my senses sharpened, listening.
"Hey, do you think the warlord is gonna find out about this?" a voice asked, laced with a tremor of fear.
"No, he won't. We haven't acted since he arrived. Besides, we plan to move to a different kingdom. He'd definitely foil our plans," another answered, a note of grim determination in his tone.
I paused. If not for the system's intel, uncovering this operation would have taken me far longer. I couldn't risk a direct assault yet; my priority was the captives. If only I'd brought a few of my assassins.
I sneaked through the shadowed passages, silent as a wraith, until I reached a large, cavernous room. Cages filled the space, each holding figures huddled in the dim light. My gaze swept across them—all women and children. I moved slowly, counting as I went, a finger pressed to my lips to signal silence. They nodded, understanding my unspoken command.
I counted 30 in total: 10 women and 20 children. Moving to each cage, I melted the locks with precise, almost inaudible movements. Once freed, I ordered them to follow, emphasizing the need for absolute quiet. They complied, their faces etched with a mixture of fear and hope.
A short distance later, I raised my hand—a signal to halt. Two men stood ahead, their backs to us. My heightened senses confirmed they weren't looking our way. With a burst of speed, I blurred into existence behind them, breaking their necks swiftly and lowering their bodies silently to the ground.
I gestured for the group to continue. After several more instances of silent takedowns, we emerged from the suffocating darkness of the underground. I had previously dispatched a dragon to summon my men, and now hundreds of them stood waiting in formation.
"Capture them alive. I will make an example out of them," I commanded, my voice cutting through the pre-dawn air.
They saluted, a ripple of grim resolve passing through their ranks, and entered the subterranean passages. I then ordered Nala and the remaining soldiers to help escort the freed families. They bowed, a mixture of gratitude and awe in their eyes, before beginning the journey back to the castle.
Back in the castle, the rescued women and children were given food, warmth, and medical attention. The King and Queen, their faces a mixture of relief and horror at the extent of the hidden evil, personally oversaw their care. News of the trafficking ring spread quickly, shaking the kingdom and solidifying my already formidable reputation. The captured traffickers, once dragged into the light, faced swift and brutal justice. I ensured their punishment was public and exemplary, a clear message to any who dared to prey on the innocent.
With the immediate threat neutralized and the achievement of 'The Savior' marked complete, my focus shifted. Corona was now stable, its hidden corruption purged. My month here was almost up.
"System," I vocalized, striding through the castle's quiet corridors. "Provide a detailed threat assessment for Arendelle. Include any known magical abilities, significant political figures, and potential challenges."
Data incoming. Arendelle is a sovereign kingdom known for its strong ties to nature and its advanced ice magic. Its current monarch is Queen Elsa, a powerful magic-user with the ability to control and generate ice and snow. Her younger sister, Princess Anna, is a key political figure known for her diplomacy and courage. Potential challenges include diplomatic relations with neighboring kingdoms, particularly the Southern Isles, and the inherent unpredictability of Queen Elsa's powers, which have historically led to periods of both wonder and isolation.
Ice magic, I mused. An interesting variable. It had been some time since I'd encountered an opponent with such specific elemental control. This would require a different approach than sheer brute force.
"Prepare detailed dossiers on Queen Elsa and Princess Anna," I instructed. "I want their strengths, weaknesses, and any known psychological profiles. Also, gather intelligence on the Southern Isles and any other relevant factions."
Understood. Compiling data now.
I reached my private chambers, the tiara from Gothel now secured within my inventory. It held no practical value to me, but it was a symbol of Rapunzel's past, now reconciled. As I prepared for the transition to Arendelle, a thought lingered: the inherent vulnerabilities of a kingdom reliant on a single, powerful individual. It presented both an opportunity and a potential risk.
My strategies for Arendelle would need to be subtle, focused on influence rather than overt confrontation. I would need to understand the nuances of their power structure, the delicate balance of their alliances, and the temperament of their Queen. This would not be a mere conquest, but a strategic integration.
I considered my forces. Viggo would manage the logistical aspects and initial diplomatic overtures. Nala, with her quiet patience and powerful healing, could prove invaluable in gaining trust, especially given the kingdom's association with nature. My soldiers, hardened by countless campaigns, would provide the necessary backbone. The Rumblehorns and other dragons would offer a distinct advantage, their power a clear display of my own.
As the moon cast long shadows across the floor, I began to outline my approach for Arendelle. This would be a kingdom of ice and diplomacy, and I intended to master both.
A few days later, while overseeing the dismantling of the remaining criminal networks in Corona, I encountered a peculiar situation. A small commotion drew my attention to a group of children gathered around a weeping young girl.
"My lord!" one of the children called out, recognizing me. "Can you help her? Her cat is lost!"
I paused, my usual efficiency clashing with the unexpected plea. The "Kind Man" achievement. Trivial, but available.
I knelt, meeting the girl's tear-filled eyes. "What does your cat look like?" I asked, my voice softer than usual.
"She's fluffy and white, with one blue eye and one green eye!" the girl sobbed, holding up a crude drawing of a cat.
I nodded. "I will find her."
It took less than ten minutes. I used my enhanced senses, tracking the faint scent of cat dander and the echoes of tiny paw prints. The cat, as it turned out, had merely wandered into a merchant's wagon and fallen asleep amidst a pile of fresh hay. When I returned, the girl shrieked with joy, snatching her cat from my hands and burying her face in its fur. Her infectious happiness spread through the crowd of children, and even a few adults offered quiet nods of appreciation. Achievement unlocked: The Kind Man.
Later that week, a royal banquet was announced. The King and Queen, still reeling from the discovery of the trafficking ring, wished to publicly thank me. During the preparations, the royal chef approached me, wringing his hands.
"My lord," he stammered, "the ingredients for the main dish... they are not as fresh as they should be. The market supply has been... affected by recent events."
I observed the meager selection laid out. The "Famous Chef" achievement. Another opportunity.
"Step aside," I commanded. "I will handle this."
The chef looked stunned, but he obeyed. I surveyed the available provisions. My internal knowledge base, fed by the system, immediately provided a myriad of recipes and techniques. I began to work, my movements precise and swift, transforming the limited ingredients into a surprisingly aromatic and visually appealing feast. I enhanced the flavors with a few rare herbs from my personal inventory—subtly, of course, to avoid suspicion.
That evening, the banquet hall buzzed with an unprecedented energy. The food, though simple in origin, was rich and satisfying. Laughter and appreciative murmurs filled the air. The King and Queen, tasting the dishes, looked at me with renewed respect, a hint of awe in their eyes. Achievement unlocked: Famous Chef.
"You know my name is Diastasi, why do you keep calling me, system?"
I paused. "You know why."
"I know it was my fault. It was my mistake. I know you were stuck there for a long time, and I'm trying to make up for it."
"Making up for it how?" I said, my voice sharp with anger.
"Well, I'm here to help you, aren't I?"
"You yourself didn't want to be here. It was your punishment, you said it yourself."
"...Ugh, okay, what can I do to make you forgive me?"
"Oh, what can you give me?" I countered, a cynical edge to my tone.
"I can give you a divine skill."
"I don't have time to train those," I said bluntly.
"T-then I'll give you tickets and points."
"How much?" I paused, a flicker of interest catching my attention despite my anger.
"The most I can give is 50 million points and 50,000 tickets. If I give more, the other gods will notice."
I paused again, the implications sinking in. "Why didn't you tell me this before?" I asked, my voice rising.
"W-well, you didn't ask."
A vein throbbed on my forehead. My patience, already thin, was wearing out.
"Give the points to me," I said, gritting my teeth.
"Wait, you haven't—"
"Give it now before I change my mind," I interrupted, my emotions threatening to go haywire.
"Okay, okay," she quickly conceded, and the familiar system interface flashed before my eyes.
Points: 99,000,000Tickets: 52,300
I shuddered in excitement. Only 1 million more points until I could revive Merida. The thought alone was a powerful surge, pushing aside the lingering irritation.
"Okay, Diastasi," I commanded, my voice now calm and decisive. "Convert all 50,000 tickets into Level 3 Assassins."
"Aye, sir," she replied, a hint of relief in her tone. "You now have 500 assassins you can summon."
I nodded and summoned them. With a shimmer, they appeared before me, a silent, deadly legion clad in dark, practical attire.
"Ten of you," I ordered, addressing the disciplined ranks, "protect the royal family here in Corona. The rest go to Arendelle and do some digging. Collect as much information as possible—threats, terrain, movements, political factions. I want every detail."
They saluted, their movements synchronized and efficient, then melted into the shadows, disappearing as silently as they had arrived. The pieces were falling into place. My objectives in Corona were wrapped up, and Arendelle awaited. This time, I wouldn't leave anything to chance.
I headed towards my fleet. After a while, I reached the docks, and there stood Viggo, who had been waiting for me. He gave a small bow.
"Are the soldiers ready?" I asked.
"Yes, my lord," he answered.
He handed me the report I'd asked for earlier. I read the paper, nodding as I absorbed the information. There was nothing that could stop me from advancing to Arendelle. It seemed one of my soldiers had even found the corpse of the witch. Without Rapunzel's magic hair, she couldn't have survived.
"We set out in a week, make sure everything is ready," I commanded.
He bowed and nodded.
I turned and walked away, my thoughts already racing beyond Arendelle. Now that I had secured my immediate plans, what should I do next after conquering the next kingdom? I could return to revive Merida once Arendelle was under my control, but stopping after all of this would be foolish. Whenever I relaxed, something bad happened. I couldn't afford for that to happen again.
With my resolve strengthened once more, I focused on other things. The conquest of Arendelle was merely the next step in a much larger plan. I needed to consider long-term expansion, potential alliances, and the best way to integrate new territories into my growing empire. The world was vast, and there were countless opportunities to consolidate power, acquire resources, and train even stronger forces. This journey was far from over.
A week later
My army marched for Arendelle. The King and Queen of Corona had informed me they were relatives with the Arendelle royals. It caught me off guard, but it didn't really matter to me.
This continent was different from the archipelago. The kingdoms here didn't have continuous wars; they didn't fight to survive each day. They were weak. Even my rank one summons could defeat them.
I suddenly felt a new energy. It was cold. My eyes narrowed. This was different. This was magic. Definitely a unique rank skill. But who possessed such abilities?
"Diastasi, didn't you tell me this world was Disney? Though I know some princesses, I don't know all of them since I only read the books to my siblings and the kids in the orphanage. Do you know who the next princess is?" I asked.
"Hm, well, the next one according to my knowledge should be Queen Elsa and Princess Anna."
"What about the king?" I asked.
"There is no king," she answered.
I paused. "Is it a matriarchy?" I asked.
"No, it's just that the Queen has not been married," she replied.
I paused again, then everything clicked into place.
"If she hasn't wed yet, then she must be young. And that means the princess must be her sister or a relative that was given that title, right?" I asked.
"Correct," she answered.
"How about you marry her and rightfully take the throne that way?" she said cheekily.
I frowned. "No, I already have Merida. I don't need another woman," I said calmly.
"Well, suit yourself, but from what I remember correctly, she was quite a beauty," she said, still cheeky.
Tch, like beauty would matter to me. I have other things to worry about.
"She is also smart, strong-willed, patient, a good ruler…"
"Shut up, what are you trying to do right now?" I snapped, my anger rising.
"Haha, sorry," she said.
Tch. My eyes focused back on the path leading to Arendelle. My gaze narrowed. The further we traveled, the colder it became. Most of my soldiers had been affected, even my dragons.
I commanded my skill to descend and landed in front of my army. After my skill landed, I looked around.
"From now on, only Viggo will come with me along with 100 dragons and 1,000 of my saber summons. The rest of you will stay and set up camp," I commanded.
They bowed and followed my commands. I took out a cloak from my inventory and threw it to Viggo.
"This is an enchanted cloak. It gives you high immunity to fire, water, and cold," I said.
He bowed. "Thank you, my lord."
I nodded as we continued, the others already setting up camp behind us.
After an hour, I spotted the silhouette of a small kingdom. The cold intensified, a biting wind whipping around us, but the enchanted cloak shielded Viggo and me. The dragons seemed unbothered, their scales shimmering with residual warmth from my magic. As we drew closer, I could discern the distinct architectural style of Arendelle—spires of ice, buildings carved from frost, and a pervasive, crystalline beauty that hinted at the power dwelling within.
"This is it," I murmured, more to myself than to Viggo. The energy I felt earlier was even stronger now, emanating from the heart of the kingdom. This "ice magic" was potent. It would be an interesting challenge.
Note: about the name calling with system/Diastasi. that was utter bullshit. i just didnt want to change it. thank you.