Ancestral Lineage

The council followed Ethan outside immediately after the meeting, eager to witness what he was about to do. They walked to a vast field behind the Assembly Hall, a place often used for large-scale training but now about to become the stage for something far grander.

Ethan was dressed in a long red coat and trousers, his every step radiating quiet confidence. Without hesitation, he removed the coat, tossing it aside, leaving his upper body bare. His physique, carved from weeks of rigorous training and natural power, gleamed under the sunlight, each muscle perfectly defined.

The gathered clansmen, drawn by curiosity, slowly filled the field. Among them, women stared unabashedly, their gazes lingering on his sculpted form. The intensity of their admiration was palpable, some even whispering in awe. Ethan could feel their eyes roaming his body, drinking in every detail.

He merely chuckled softly, flexing his muscles ever so slightly. The simple motion sent waves of charm surging through the air, the effect so powerful that a few women blushed deeply, while others, overwhelmed, succumbed to nosebleeds and fainted in bliss.

Trevor, standing off to the side, smirked. "Damn, bro. You should start charging for this. That's a dangerous level of charm you're playing with."

Ethan ignored him, instead turning inward.

'System, is there a way to hide my wings without reverting to my base form every time?' he asked mentally.

'Yes. The only way to hide them is by condensing them into your back using energy compression. Your body will store them temporarily, allowing you to summon them at will without needing a full transformation.'

'Mm. That works.' Ethan replied. His wings vanished as soon as he focused, seamlessly blending into his back as if they had never existed.

He exhaled, then looked at the council and the gathered crowd.

"I'll need some space. Trevor, Lamair, protect the clansmen."

"Got you," Trevor replied, cracking his knuckles.

"Now, let's begin."

Ethan floated upwards, his body radiating an unseen force that sent ripples through the air. The moment his feet left the ground, the temperature around him changed, as if the very laws of nature were shifting. He closed his eyes, and in the next breath, a third eye appeared on his forehead.

Unlike before, this eye did not merely glow—it burned.

An overwhelming and suffocating aura erupted from it, pressing down on everyone present. A few weaker clansmen fell to their knees, their instincts screaming at them to submit. The golden-blue light it emitted was both terrifying and awe-inspiring, and it only grew stronger as the alchemic symbols on Ethan's arms came to life.

Dark blue sigils swirled, moving like living entities across his skin, glowing in synchronization with his aura. The moment they activated, the very sky responded.

A massive sigil appeared high above, stretching across the heavens. It took the form of an enormous hand, shaping and molding unseen forces. The sigil radiated a brilliant, golden-white light that could be seen from the farthest outskirts of the Smith Clan's territory.

For the dwarves, the sight was almost religious.

Whether they were warrior dwarves or creator dwarves, they all felt something ancient stir within them. Their very blood resonated with the energy Ethan wielded, a connection that transcended time. This was the power of their origin, the pinnacle of what their ancestors had once touched. It filled them with pride and reverence, a feeling so deep it bordered on worship.

Ethan could feel their trust and devotion in him growing, but he paid it no mind. His focus was singular.

With a mere gesture, the ground beneath him responded.

The soil trembled, roots twisting unnaturally as if they were alive. Rocks cracked and lifted into the air, suspended by an unseen force. The very essence of the earth bent to his will.

He reached out, and the process began.

Metallic veins surfaced from deep underground, glowing as they were drawn toward him. Mithril, Platinum, and countless rare minerals began forming in the sky, suspended like a constellation of gleaming orbs. Air and fire intertwined, forging and refining them as they floated.

Then came the elemental stones.

From the depths of the land, shards of pure elemental energy emerged—fire, water, wind, and lightning. They pulsed with raw power, their vibrant colors dancing like miniature stars in the sky. The wind howled as Ethan refined them, shaping them into their purest forms.

For minutes, the world trembled.

The audience stood frozen, staring at the miracle unfolding before them. Even the council members, seasoned and powerful as they were, couldn't help but feel a shiver of awe.

Ethan exhaled, sweat forming on his brow. The sheer scale of the creation magic he was wielding demanded absolute focus, but he was far from done.

His hand moved once more, and the elements fused.

The minerals condensed, reshaping themselves into pure ingots of refined Mithril and Platinum. The elemental stones pulsed, their power harmonizing.

Then, as if guided by an unseen hand, the refined resources slowly descended, stacking into neat formations on the ground.

Silence followed.

Then, Trevor let out a low whistle. "Damn, bro. You just made an entire fortune in under ten minutes."

Madeleine crossed her arms, a smirk tugging at her lips. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you were born to be a Creator God rather than a warrior."

Ethan wiped his brow and smirked. "Who says I can't be both?"

The crowd, finally shaking off their shock, erupted into cheers. The warriors knew that with these resources, they had a real chance.

The war would still be brutal, but now, they were prepared.

Ethan looked toward the horizon, his golden eyes burning with determination.

Veryan City would be reclaimed.

And the Blade Clan would pay.

...

Ethan stood at the edge of the massive war room, his golden eyes scanning the detailed map of Veryan City spread across the table. Every street, every building, every possible ambush point had been marked. Light flickered across the walls, casting long shadows on the gathered leaders of Anbord's forces. The tension in the air was thick, and heavy with unspoken concerns.

Trevor leaned against the table, one clawed finger tracing along the map. His usual smirk was gone, replaced by a sharp, calculating expression. His crimson eyes gleamed as he spoke.

"We move in two and a half days. That gives us time to finalize our strategies, boost our forces, and prepare the terrain." He tapped a specific point on the map, a narrow passage leading into the heart of the city. "If we hit them here first, we can force them into a choke point. They'll have no choice but to fight us head-on."

Grand Duke Vlad crossed his arms. "And what if they expect that? We aren't dealing with fools. The Blade Clan has held Veryan for a week now; they'll have countermeasures in place."

"They will," Madeleine interjected, her deep green eyes glowing slightly under the dim light. Her horns had fully adjusted to their new form, and her presence alone commanded attention. "But what they don't know is that we've prepared something better. We're not relying on brute force alone."

Lord Tennyson cleared his throat. "We're still short on high-tier equipment. The crafting dwarves are working as fast as they can, but it's still a bit slow."

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"Grand Duke Seraphina will handle that," Ethan said, his voice calm but firm.

Trevor let out a low chuckle. "Guess I'll be rallying the troops. Time to get them in shape before they embarrass us in battle."

The room filled with murmurs of agreement as commanders and generals discussed their final preparations. Some warriors honed their weapons in the nearby forge, their determination unwavering. Others sat in quiet meditation, steeling their minds for the war to come.

Ethan exhaled slowly. This was no ordinary battle. The fate of Anbord rested on their shoulders. And failure was not an option.

Elsewhere, in the training grounds…

The heavy sound of fists striking flesh echoed through the air. Warriors clashed in intense sparring sessions, testing their limits before the true battle arrived.

Jerry walked among them, watching with a critical eye. "Faster. If you hesitate in a real fight, you're already dead." His voice carried easily over the battlefield.

One young vampire wiped the blood from his mouth and forced himself to stand again. "Yes, Master!"

Jerry grinned slightly. "That's the spirit. Now show me you're worth taking into battle."

As the sun began to set, bathing the land in a crimson glow, the armies of Anbord sharpened their blades, strengthened their bodies, and steeled their resolve.

The war was upon them. And they would be ready.

...

A massive black portal swirled ominously in the depths of a secluded cave nestled in the mountains of the Smith Clan's territory. The dark energy it radiated distorted the very air around it, humming with an eerie pulse. Ethan stood before it, his golden eyes reflecting its endless depths, memories flooding his mind. This sight was familiar, almost nostalgic—another journey, another battle.

Behind him stood the people he cherished most—his women, his brother, his grandparents, his subordinates, and his mother. Each of them bore a different expression, ranging from quiet worry to steadfast confidence.

Ethan turned to face them, a small, reassuring smile gracing his lips.

"I'll be back before you know it. I'm leaving everything in your care."

Trevor smirked, crossing his arms. "Don't worry, bro. We got your back."

Ethan glanced around. "Where's Jerry?"

Reginald sighed. "Training the warriors. He's been feeling down lately."

"Because of Thomas, I assume…"

"Mm."

Ethan chuckled softly. "He'll be joining us tomorrow, so tell Jerry not to worry."

Reginald grinned. "Got it, Bossman."

Ethan's gaze shifted to the women around him, his amusement deepening. "Girls, don't worry about me. Just do your best. I'll reward you when I return."

Harley's eyes gleamed with dangerous possessiveness. "I'll be expecting that."

"Come back soon, okay?" Clara added, her tails swaying in a mesmerizing rhythm.

"Bring back souvenirs," Lisa added, her golden eyes glowing slightly.

Pisces smirked, folding her arms. "We are yet to fuck, so…"

"Hey! Have some self-respect!" Andriel snapped before softening her expression. "I'll be waiting for you, honey."

"Don't bring another girl," Carmen said, her sharp teeth glinting ominously in the dim cave light.

Ethan chuckled. "I'll try." He looked at them all, his heart warming. Cute. I'm in love.

Christel and Elaine remained silent, merely observing the exchange. They were still new to this, after all.

Ethan shifted his focus to the two figures he had met recently. "Grandpa, Grandma, I'll be counting on you."

Vlad met his gaze with solemn determination. "Don't worry. I won't repeat my mistakes."

Seraphina chuckled faintly. "I'll make sure of that."

Ethan turned to his mother, his expression softening. "Mother…"

Madeleine sighed. "I'm sorry."

"Huh?"

"Just do your thing and know that I got your back. We all do, my baby boy."

"I'm not a baby."

"To me, you are."

Ethan smirked. "I'm your origin, old woman."

Madeleine's green eyes darkened. "Repeat that bullshit, and you'll be bedridden for five years."

"I'm okay as I am."

"Better." She ruffled his hair, much to his annoyance. "Good luck."

"I'll be back soon."

Ethan turned to Trevor and Lamair, his aura shifting subtly. "Trevor. Lamair. Give them hell."

Trevor rolled his shoulders. "No problem."

Lamair's lips curled into a wicked grin. "I'm eager to test my Death Magic on some Blades. Let's see if Blades can also die." The air around him darkened slightly as his power stirred.

Ethan laughed, shaking his head. Without another word, he stepped into the swirling rift.

In an instant, he was gone.