A day had passed since the slaughter at the village under Andrey's control. None returned from the battle—neither the adventurers, the 10,000-strong army, nor Count Laidrav. Heinrich sent a scout to the village, who returned to the guild in Andora with shocking news. Heinrich was stunned to learn that the count's massive force, bolstered by S-rank adventurers, had been obliterated by those "monsters." Driven to extreme measures, Heinrich resolved to notify the king, request aid from the Order of Holy Knights, and sent a letter to the SS-rank adventurer, Princess Janet Oldenburg. With nothing else to do, he began rallying the strongest adventurers to prepare the city's defenses, aware of the looming threat of an attack. Though he might have considered resistance futile, neither he, the citizens, nor the adventurers would surrender Andora without shedding blood.
Village. Andrey's Perspective Post-Battle
Yesterday's carnage solidified my confidence in my army's strength and organization. The first phase of my plan was complete—we had weakened Andora and its guild. Now, it was our move to build a vast clone army and produce military hardware.
I realized Andora's people wouldn't surrender their home without a fight. The loss of their renowned adventurers would either crush their morale or ignite a vengeful fury to avenge their fallen heroes. But their resolve paled against my power. I dispatched their S-rank adventurers with a few strikes and captured two of their women. It was time to deal with them. The healer, Lilia, would be invaluable to my forces, but Amanda, knocked unconscious during the battle, would be tougher. Unaware of her friends' deaths, she'd likely resist to the end.
After musing, I headed to a newly built manor, constructed by my loyal villagers. Their hard work was paying off, and the village's occupation was yielding benefits. I'd upgraded my clone soldiers' arsenal with DLT-19 heavy blasters and mortars with 300 rounds, forming a mortar unit for suppressing infantry or conducting artillery barrages. To boost wartime success, I planned to produce more AT-ST walkers and build a heavy vehicle factory to manufacture SPMA self-propelled artillery—a mid-sized walker with an energy cannon, a smaller version of the STAU artillery seen in Star Wars Episode III during the Battle of Geonosis. Shop!
SFX: System shop opens
Alright, I'll buy 10 barracks to expand the clone army and a heavy vehicle factory. System, what's the total cost?
"Master, this purchase will cost 400,000 credits." The price staggered me, but recent factory collections left me with enough. I'd have less than 20,000 credits left—immense expenses, but necessary for my goals.
"System, purchase 10 barracks and the heavy vehicle factory. Place the barracks in the forest behind the village and the heavy factory next to the light vehicle factory."
"Processing purchase… complete. Barracks and heavy vehicle factory will be constructed by day's end."
Now, what to do while they're built? I suddenly recalled the prisoners of war from yesterday's battle. I headed to a mid-sized building resembling an aristocrat's manor but serving as a prisoner holding facility. Descending the stairs, I faced a heavy metal door flanked by guards who saluted and opened it. Inside, I saw not only my prisoners but also young villagers, mostly boys aged 17–23. I questioned the head of the guard, the sergeant I'd appointed before the battle.
"Sergeant, why are these civilians here?"
"Your Majesty, last night, our patrols caught them fleeing the village with our weapons. Interrogation revealed they planned to sell the arms and information to other states for profit," the sergeant replied calmly as I studied the sullen boys. Before I could respond, one shouted.
"Your Majesty! You don't understand—my wife is ill, and medicine is costly! Selling your weapons was my only way to afford her treatment," he said remorsefully. Curious if he was lying, I pressed further.
"Where do you live?" I asked suspiciously. Tears in his eyes, he answered.
"Near the village exit… my wife is there, sick! I'll accept any punishment if you save her!" He bowed repeatedly.
"What's your name?"
"Carl, Your Majesty."
"Why didn't you come to me earlier if her condition was so dire?"
"I thought you wouldn't care about a commoner like me."
"Regardless, you'll face punishment for your actions. I won't execute you yet—not until I verify your story."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
I ordered Carl bound and escorted, taking guards in case he tried to flee. Five minutes later, we reached his house.
"Here, my wife's inside, on the bed to the right of the entrance."
"Understood. You're coming with me. Soldier, guard the door; the other, follow us."
"Yes, sir!" We entered.
The interior was sparse—chairs, a table, a kitchen with a stove, typical of a medieval home. Carl pointed to a room, and I approached the door. Opening it, I saw a woman on a bed, breathing unevenly. Examining her, I realized the issue.
"Soldier, fetch medics immediately! This is urgent."
"Yes, sir!" The clone ran off. I turned to Carl, who looked anxious.
"Carl, did you ever attend school? Have you and your wife discussed starting a family?"
"Uh… yes, we talked about it a year ago. Why?"
"Did you notice changes in her behavior before your arrest?"
"She was irritable and always hungry… what does that mean?" I sighed at his obliviousness.
"Carl, your wife is about to give birth! You're becoming a father, you dense fool."
"What?! I'm going to be a father?!"
"No, you're becoming a courtesan—obviously a father, you donkey." Carl grinned happily. What did I expect from an uneducated villager taught only to toil? I vowed to bring enlightenment to this world.
Medics arrived with equipment, and I ordered them to assist with the delivery. They nodded and prepared life-support devices. I left, uninterested in witnessing childbirth, and headed to interrogate the captured adventurers as planned. Half an hour later, a medic reported the successful delivery. I dismissed them, and they saluted before leaving. Re-entering Carl's house, I saw him and his wife beaming at their newborn.
"Congratulations, Carl. You're a father. However, you'll face punishment for harming my Empire. I could execute you, but I believe you acted out of desperation."
"Your Majesty, I'll accept any punishment. You saved my wife, and I'm a father."
"Good. From tomorrow, you'll work in the diamond mine, extracting ore for my glory—for one year."
"A whole year? That's too much…"
"Carl, I could execute you. Be grateful for my mercy," I said sternly.
"Yes… I'm ready."
"Excellent. You'll begin tomorrow." I summoned a prison guard clone to escort Carl to the mines, while I returned to the prison.
Entering the cell holding the healer and the blast-injured girl, I decided to interrogate them personally, particularly wanting the healer, Lilia, for her skills.
Amanda's Perspective
We've been in this cell for who knows how long. I don't know what happened to Gustav, Kate, or Milena. Lilia's with me, weeping. A cloaked man entered, and I thought he was our executioner, but he spoke.
"Well, healer and you, madam… you're my prisoners now."
"Who are you?! Why are we alive?" I demanded, struggling against my chains.
"You're alive because I have plans for you," he said coldly.
"I haven't introduced myself. I'm Andrey, Emperor of the First Galactic Empire. Today, we'll conduct a procedure," he said with a chuckle.
"What, planning to violate us?" I snapped.
"No, though you're beautiful enough for any man to desire. My goal is different."
"Then what do you want?" I asked, glancing around, plotting an escape to kill this "emperor" and warn the guild.
"I want your loyal service. Join the dark side and my great Empire, which will soon bring this world to its knees."
"We'll never serve you, you filth—" Lilia cut me off.
"I AGREE!" she shouted, shocking me. Her face was tear-streaked, filled with fear. I must've missed something crucial while unconscious.
"Excellent," Andrey said, satisfied.
"Your name, girl?" he asked darkly.
"I… I'm Lilia! A healing mage… I'll serve faithfully for the Emperor!" she stammered, bowing in terror. I wanted to throttle her for betraying our kingdom.
"Very well, I accept your oath. You're free to join my village. Guards! Escort her out and fit her with a tracking collar!"
"Yes, Your Majesty," two guards said, leading Lilia away. Her face looked relieved, as if the worst was over.
"Now, just us. Changed your mind about joining me?"
"I'll never join you or become a pathetic traitor," I said proudly.
"Ugh, your patriotism only harms you. The dark side has spread its arms, and soon darkness will engulf the world," Andrey said villainously.
"Now, we'll begin re-educating your personality."
As he approached, I backed against the wall, realizing what awaited.
One Hour Later
Screams and moans of pain echoed from the prison. Andrey tortured Amanda, but she refused to break.
Andrey's Perspective
Damn, she's unyielding. I've raised my "Mind Control" skill two levels, but her mental defenses are ironclad. One option remains. I summoned a clone to bring a sack with a surprise for her. She'll lose her mind and become my puppet, sowing chaos against my enemies. A clone handed me a sack, its bottom blood-soaked.
Amanda sat chained, battered, bruised, and wounded, her psyche barely holding against my power. She was shocked at enduring such torture, nearly breaking when she thought of her adventurer friends. But that hope would soon shatter. Gasping from her injuries, she clung to life through sheer will. I tossed the sack to her.
"Look inside and know true pain and suffering, unlike what you've endured."
"What… gasp will you do… to break… me?" she rasped.
"Just look," I said. She pulled the sack with her free hand and untied it. Gustav's severed head rolled out. Amanda screamed and sobbed, overwhelmed by psychological agony, realizing her friends were dead. Her cries were cut off by my voice.
"They died because of you, trying to save your worthless life. Is this how you repay their sacrifice?"
"NO! IT'S NOT TRUE! YOU LIE! YOU KILLED THEM, YOU BASTARD!" she screamed, cursing me through tears. Sensing her mental weakness, I used "Mind Control" to implant false memories: she charged ahead in battle, leaving her friends exposed, leading to their deaths. Recalling these fabricated events, Amanda broke. Her pupils dilated, resistance ceased. I'd shattered her will, turning her into a soulless puppet.
"It's done. The dark side has claimed you. I feel it. MU-HA-HA-HA!" I laughed maniacally, triumphant.
I summoned Lilia to heal Amanda. When she arrived and saw Amanda's state, her legs trembled, nearly vomiting. After casting her healing magic, Amanda's body recovered, but her mind was lost to darkness.
"Rise, my apprentice. You are no longer who you were. From this moment, I name you Darth Norktiss." Freed by clones, Amanda stood, knelt, and spoke.
"Yes, my master."