Genetic Ascension

The last time Sylas left Cassarae sexually frustrated, a General had died in bloody fashion. This time, he didn't expect things to be different. If anything, he was even more infuriated now than before.

His mother's happy smile and giddy enjoyment seemed to offset that somewhat. It was clear that Isolde had been hoping that this would happen for a long time, but didn't want to interfere in her child's love life-a far cry from how Cassarae's parents did things.

But his mother's joy didn't have much of a dampening effect.

The problem they faced now, though... was the fact that there were too many enemies. He wasn't even sure where to target.

And the bigger problem than even that was the fact that the reports were almost certainly underestimates.

Before things even began, Sylas knew that it would be tricky to deal with this. That was because they weren't just facing off against the Generals, Colonels, Captain, and soldiers of the various System Cities, but rather the people within as well... the people of Earth.

The fact Sylas had claimed the System City for Cassarae would almost certainly stir discontent. He had seen it play out exactly like that before, it was just that he was the Warlord of those Territories, so the discontent couldn't stir up many winds.

But now, their enemies would almost certainly use this to their advantage.

The reason Sylas had decided to go through with it anyway was twofold.

First, it didn't make much of a difference anyway. No matter what, this would happen. Cassarae herself had already mentioned how part of the troubles they dealt with came from the useful idiots of the city.

All they knew how to do was to accept Quests and gather resources for themselves. It didn't matter who they targeted to do that or who was handing out the rewards.

They couldn't really be blamed for that. All of them were just trying to do their best to survive.

But this made things more difficult on Sylas and Casstle Main as this meant that the number of their enemies far outnumbered them. To say it was ten to one might be an underestimate. The good news was that even if this was the case, they were just a pile of loose sand. If this Professor Broussard was as smart as Sylas thought him to be, these people wouldn't be a foundation of his plans. They would be the cherry on top or useful cannon fodder.

But now, as expected, all of these pawns had been given a Quest not too dissimilar from Sylas' previous Mandate Quest. The only difference was that it wasn't a Mandate, as such, they couldn't be forced to act on it like Sylas could have been as the City Lord.

Still... Mandate or not, with such lucrative rewards being placed in front of them...

How could they not greedily snap it up?

...

Sylas stepped out from the City Lord Mansion to find that Cassarae was already handing out orders.

"Looks like you did a good job. She's so fiery." Olivia laughed by his side.

Sylas raised an eyebrow. He hadn't gotten to do much of anything. In fact, he was still feeling frustrated.

"Ai, you really don't get women at all, do you. You think everything starts and ends with penetration. For us, foreplay is everything-especially foreplay of the mind. Don't blame us. Blame yourselves for always disappointing when push comes to shove. We have no choice but to treasure the idea of things rather than the actual thing."

Sylas gave her a look but didn't reply. He didn't have the patience for Olivia's past baggage.

Olivia rolled her eyes. "I have no idea what she sees in you, you brick wall."

"This."

It was the only word Olivia heard before Sylas vanished.

No one managed to react before Sylas had grabbed Gregory's throat.

The slimy steward had just appeared with an ingratiating smile on his face before he found his legs dangling from the skies.

Cassarae paused, her words catching in her throat as she looked over with wide eyes. "Sylas, stop!"

CRACK.

Gregory's smile had winced, but he was ready to put on a happy play. He didn't think that Sylas would actually kill him now. He had all sorts of contingencies in place for a covert death. But the one thing he didn't properly prepare for was for Sylas to wait all this time...

Only to kill him out in the public like this.

And that was precisely why Sylas had done it.

Gregory's smile froze and his eyes slowly dimmed.

The steward fell from Sylas' hand and the latter raised a foot, driving a heel through the dead summon's head.

Silence.

No one knew what to say or what to think. Those that could move covered their mouths, their hearts trembling.

"Nosphaleen."

A beautiful snake woman appeared, standing tall and looming over everyone.

"Handle it."

"Yes, master."

A rainbow mist spread over the region and people found themselves calming.

"Steward Gregory was a blight on this village. He embezzled funds, stole from the people, and lined his pockets. Today, his role will be replaced by Tasia. She is not only more qualified, but she is almost solely responsible for the fall of Guiz City."

Nosphaleen spoke in a slow, sultry voice. And then Tasia appeared.

In these days, she had already ingratiated herself with many people and it made things far easier for everyone.

The mist vanished and then so too did Nosphaleen. It looked as though she had never been there in the first place.

In fact, if one looked toward where Gregory's corpse had been, he was gone as well. It was like Sylas hadn't just killed someone in broad daylight.

Olivia watched in a daze. Sylas had just dealt with a problem that had plagued them for so

Long with embarrassing amounts of ease.

Just...

She let out a hollow laugh. "I really hate this guy."

...

In an unknown world, an unknown distance away, a man that was deep in a vat of thick oil

Suddenly jolted up, gasping for breath with a pale face.

"... Sylas Grimblade!"

His roar echoed through the plains.