Arpious of the Planes

After about 10 more minutes of relaxed sparring, we took a break. I also used this time to ask the questions that I was most interested in… not that I wasn't interested in the previous questions, but I really wanted to know the answers to these questions.

"Can I ask for your opinion on the following monsters, Cursed Wings, Cursed Raptor, and Dark Siren… also, maybe a feather," I say?

"I CAN ANSWER THOSE… MAYBE EXCEPT FOR THE FEATHER SINCE I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. FIRST, THE CURSED WINGS ARE A COMMON MONSTER WITHIN THE MIDDLE LAYERS OF THE DEMONS TERRITORY-,"

I cut Paimon off due to another question that sprung from what he just said.

"That's not possible. When I inspected the race, it said that it was extinct,"

"EXTINCT? HOW COULD THEY POSSIBLY- OH, MAYBE THAT'S WHY…"

"What?"

"Please give me a moment," Paimon says.

He starts to ponder about something. The green fire that lit his eyesockets gave off a slight hint of curiosity but quickly reverted to its cheery and humble flame. He continued to ponder for about five minutes before speaking up, but his cheery tone was gone this time. His voice seemed to go cold as he opened his mouth.

"THERE WERE HINTS OF POTENTIAL EXTINCTION BEFORE I DIED, BUT IT SEEMS… IT ENDED UP HAPPENING. IF THE CURSED WINGS WENT EXTINCT, THEN THE CURSED RAPTOR IS PROBABLY EXTINCT AS WELL,"

"Dude, just tell me why they went extinct,"

"THEY WERE BEING HUNTED FOR THEIR FLASHY FEATHERS, AND SOMETIMES, SOME DEMONS WOULD KEEP THEM AS PETS. BUT THE PROBLEM WITH DEMONS KEEPING PETS… IS THAT THE PET NORMALLY ENDS UP BEING EATEN…"

"So they just got overhunted, right?"

"I GUESS YOU COULD SAY THAT…"

"Okay, your opinion on the Dark Siren?"

"HMMMM… IT'S HARD TO TELL. THE SIRENS DON'T ASSOCIATE THEMSELVES WITH THE ANGEL TERRITORY OR THE DEMON TERRITORY… NORMALLY MOST RACES STAY AWAY FROM THEM SINCE THEY'RE AN ENIGMA. WHEN I WAS ALIVE, NOT MUCH WAS KNOWN ABOUT THEM,"

"Really?"

"YEAH, AND THE FEATHER YOU ASKED ABOUT… YEAH, I HAVE NO CLUE WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT,"

"I see,"

I wasn't expecting much on the feathers, but I got pretty much no information besides that. I thought my previous evolutions were special, but they were just a common monster found within the Demons Territory. The Dark Siren doesn't have any information on it since the Sirens, in general, are just a secluded race that doesn't like to get involved with anybody.

"Oh yeah, do you know something about the skill [Divinity Domain]?"

"I'M SURPRISED MASTER KNOWS ABOUT THAT, AND OF COURSE I KNOW ABOUT THE SKILL. IT'S A SKILL THAT ALLOWS YOU TO ASCEND INTO BECOMING A GREAT SPIRIT,"

"Is that the only requirement to become a great spirit?"

"NO, THERE ARE THREE CONDITIONS THAT NEED TO BE MET. YOUR RACE HAS TO BE MAXED OUT, WHICH ESSENTIALLY MEANS YOU NEED TO HAVE GONE THROUGH ALL OF YOUR POTENTIAL EVOLUTIONS. BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN PICK ONE THAT DOESN'T EVOLVE ANYMORE. IT HAS TO BE AN EXTREMELY STRONG RACE THAT WON'T EVOLVE ANYMORE.

THE NEXT CONDITION IS HAVING THE [Divinity Domain] SKILL. IT'S AN EXTREMELY RARE SKILL THAT CAN ONLY BE GRANTED BY A GREAT SPIRIT THAT HAS TAKEN A LIKING TO YOU. ONCE YOU REACH 100/100, YOU HAVE MET THE SECOND CONDITION.

FINALLY, THE THIRD CONDITION IS HAVING BELIEVERS. YOU NEED PEOPLE TO WORSHIP YOU AS IF YOU WERE A GREAT SPIRIT ALREADY… AND THAT'S PRETTY MUCH IT,"

That's a long way in the future… if I don't end up dying. Also, I don't think the domain was granted to me by a great spirit, which I'm assuming to be the emperor, overlord, and sovereign things...

So that means I got the divinity domain from my censored skill...

"... Alright, I'm going to go spar with my wife. See ya later,"

"GOODBYE, MY MASTER,"

We both part ways as I make my way over to the Academy of Twilight. As I walk through my kingdom, there is a heavy feeling of tension. It was almost like you could cut the tension with a kitchen knife.

It seems I need to raise the morale after my citizens heard about another war starting.

Activating [Grand Mind Magic], I began to give my speech across my entire kingdom while continuing to walk towards the Academy of Twilight.

'The citizens of my kingdom, do not fear what is to come. I, my wives, subordinates, armies, and servants, will protect this kingdom. We are facing off against a force outside of the kingdom, but they are just lowly humans. They might outnumber us, but who cares. We're stronger. We match them in intelligence- no, we are more intelligent, and we have the terrain advantage. Nobody knows our home more than we do. We will protect this kingdom! WE WILL PROTECT THIS MOUNTAIN, FOR IT IS OUR HOME! DON'T FEAR DEATH AS YOU HAVE GIVEN UP YOUR SOUL FOR THE GREATER GOOD! YOU HAVE GIVEN UP YOUR BLOOD AND SWEAT FOR THE NEXT GENERATION TO LIVE ON! I WILL FIGHT BESIDE YOU ALL AS WE WILL CRUSH OUR OPPONENTS! DON'T GIVE THEM A HINT OF HOPE, JUST DISPARITY!'

"ALL HAIL THE QUEEN! PROTECT THE KINGDOM! FIGHT FOR THE MOUNTAIN OF TWILIGHT!" I hear my citizens shout around me.

Bloodlust soon filled the tense air. Even the non-fighters seemed to be prepared for battle.

The air seemed to vibrate as my citizens shouted war cries across my kingdom.

A massive smile crept onto my face as I saw the adrenaline-filled citizens.

…

I wanted to spar Aika, but it seems she has her hands full with the Academy. Aito pleaded for her to help him with his work, and since he was an old friend, she gave in and started to help manage classes.

She also had to help manage the budgets for each class since some were more important than others.

"Babe, are we going to send the children to war for the same experience. Like, put them towards the back?" Aika asked.

"Nah, maybe next time. This is our first officially organized war that needs real strategies… so this will also be a test for us as well… leave the children out of it for now,"

"Okay~ See ya later," Aika says, hugging me before I walked off.

…

『Status』

[Name: Owen]

[Race: Freezing Fire Beastman]

[Status: Calm]

[Level: 42/100]

[HP: 600/600  MP: 600/600  SP: 500/500]

[Strength: 175]

[Defense: 110]

[Magic: 200]

[Speed: 175]

[Luck: 1]

[Charisma: 50]

[Skills: [Beastman's Enhanced Senses] [Enhanced Regeneration] [Frozen Fire Magic] [Frozen Fire Body Enhancement] [Earth Shattering Strike] [Grand Sword Enhancement] [Boost] [Critical Strike] [Snow Body] [Summon: Tundra Wolf]

[Body Modification: [Frozen Wolfs Eyes]

[Soul Equipment: [Frozen Fire: Toketsu]

[Mastered Weapons: [Sword (Partial)]

[Titles: [Blessed by the Emperor Spirit of Tundra Wolves]

…

『Status』

[Name: Olivia]

[Race: Dryad]

[Status: Nervous]

[Level: 28/100]

[HP: 400/400  MP: 700/700  SP: 500/500]

[Strength: 50]

[Defense: 50]

[Magic: 350]

[Speed: 50]

[Luck: 1]

[Charisma: 50]

[Skills: [Solar Beam] [Plant Manipulation] [Plant Growth] [Thorny Vine Creation] [Vine Enhancement] [Plant Enhancement] [Enhanced Senses] [Enhanced Regeneration] [Forest Magic]

[Titles: [Blessed by Mother Nature]

…

In front of me were the final two commanders. Owen was outstanding and had unlimited potential, but Oliva, on the other hand… was just blessed by Mother Nature. She had nothing really outstanding besides [Thorny Vine Creation] and [Vine Enhancment].

Owen had bright blue hair with matching bright blue eyes that looked close to an ocean. Flush white skin, tall bright blue ears, and a bushy bright blue tail. He had a few scars across his cheeks and temples, but besides that, his skin was pretty clear of anything else.

Olivia looked like every other dryad. Green eyes, long green hair, and pale white skin. She had a tense face that I knew was trying to act as calmly as possible.

"Have you all met with your armies," I ask the 8 commanders in front of me, with Kumo standing beside me?

"Yes," they all say in unison.

"Kumo, how many soldiers are in each army now after the drafting today?"

"About 1500, I'd say. But, it's still growing…."

"This war might be easier than I thought. Alright, get to know your armies and build a bond with them. If you can't handle seeing close friends or subordinates die, then you can't be my commander… but if you don't want that to happen, slaughter the enemy with no mercy and grow stronger. I expect much from you all, especially you, Akito. I believe you're about to evolve," I say, my voice as cold as ice.

"Yes, I am, your highness,"

『Status』

[Name: Akito]

[Race: Blood Elf]

[Status: Direct Subordinate]

[Level: 92/110]

[HP: 700/700  MP: 700/700  SP: 300/300]

[Strength: 150]

[Defense: 150]

[Magic: 200]

[Speed: 175]

[Luck: 1]

[Charisma: 40]

[Skills: [Slash] [Body Enhancement] [Gust] [Wind Magic] [Blood Healing Magic] [Intense Focus] [Blood Manipulation] [Enhanced Regeneration] [Enhanced Senses] [Contortion] [Cut] [Bloodlust Cape] [Forbidden Magic: Dracula]

[Mastered Weapons: [Spear]

[Titles: [Direct Subordinate] [Party Leader] [Great Commander]

…

It seems nobody had any rejections, and before I dismissed them, I informed them of one last thing.

"For the other ones who didn't get invited to the castle, come tomorrow. I believe the commanders should have a spot in the war council,"

The commanders nod their heads once before walking away.