With the plan I thought of, I've already taken into account the difference of the battles here where the most popular Elemental Spells were always the ranged ones. Though there were some who focused on strengthening themselves through the use of their spells, they were in the minority.
The existence of the Transcendents was also taken into consideration. It's a given that they will not let me do what I wanted easily. They will surely join the fray to stop the troops I will be leading.
On that note, I will rely on Fleur and the arriving Boris. I don't know if he managed to upgrade his Illusion Eye but as one of our Transcendents, it's already an assurance that he will be more helpful than the Mortal Ranks.
As I continued to explain to the Elementals what kind of plan I have in mind, Fleur was also listening intently.
Despite my desire to shoulder everything, she still wanted to help me. It's not only because I'm her Companion but because I'm doing something for her race. We might have started too fast but even now, we're still in the process of knowing each other better.
When the Elementals were in doubt of my words, she would ask me telepathically what I really meant before stepping forward to clarify it to her people. The assist she gave me made it easier to convey my thoughts to them.
"Now then, I don't need a lot and this doesn't mean I wanted to force any of you. I need volunteers who are willing to go out there and clear out the enemies surrounding this place. Dying is a possibility but as long as I'm still standing, I won't let anyone die easily."
Using that as the last sentences, a lot of them who are eager earlier instantly backed down. Dying will always change anyone's mind.
No matter how prepared they are to die for their race, subconsciously, they wanted to be the last.
Just with the Domain of Valor, it's more than enough to dominate the Mortal Ranks. Just like how I made it possible for my clones to fight a Transcendent, even Rank 5 Mortals will be able to stand their ground against one just by being buffed by the Domain.
However, they will fall short on experience as well as the limitation of their Mortal Bodies
The fact that the threshold of a Mortal Rank is 100 UPL means that if someone exceeds that number, they will be subjected to the dispersion of excess strength.
Right. Just like before I became a Transcendent, the excess Power Level would disperse as time passed.
In this case though, it will be dispersed quickly by the body. It is to prevent the excess stats from becoming a burden for the Mortal Body.
I already noticed that since at the World of Meta, when I led the Aegis Battalion. Thanks to the Metagen which only factors the Intelligence Stat, it's not that apparent. Also, the battles were always decided quickly so before they experienced the rapid dispersion of excess stats, the battle already ended.
That was only made clear during our assault at that Dark Elven Labyrinth.
Yse, Ezyn, and Harlan's UPL were already near the threshold. When they were buffed by the Domain, they exceeded it. However, despite exceeding it, it took them a long time to defeat those Mortal Incarnations. The excess stats they received from the Incarnation's buff were quickly dispersed and soon stayed at the threshold of 100 UPL.
Jayna also experienced it albeit slowly during her fight with Yulan. That was actually thanks to her Earthfire which slowed down the dispersion or rather it allowed her to contain the excess stats for a little longer because of its properties as a Mystical Flame.
The reason why we need to forge a new body during the Transcendent Trials was to accommodate the new strength of a Transcendent. That's why there's a clear difference that one cannot easily bridge.
During this plan, a bunch of Rank 5 Mortals was already enough to dominate the field. If it's my main body, the Domain of Valor can increase even a Rank 3 to Rank 5.
Also, I don't need that many people. Only numbers enough to fill the 5-meter circle around me to receive the effects of my buffs.
Make it triple the number because I will not only use my real self but also two clones who will open the same skills. Though they can use the same skills as me, it's way weaker than the original as well as it does not stack with my original Skills. When a Domain of Valor of a Clone also covered someone that was already buffed with my own Domain, that someone wouldn't receive another buff from it. It's a different case if it was Hikari's copied Domain of Valor though. That one stacks.
The other two clones are spare Transcendents that will help me hold the Transcendents off if they decided to move against the troops I am leading.
The only problem here will be how the other Dark World Transcendents will react if they find out that they will not be able to stop me from breaking this situation where they use Mortal Ranks to threaten us. Especially those higher in command like that Dark Beastmaster. I'm hoping to increase my worth in his eyes. That way, they will underestimate the other Transcendents.
There's also the question of why are they not grouping up to end everything once and for all? We are scattered across three territories, they have that option since the start but they're not doing anything. That's also what they're doing with the worlds, spreading their forces thin.
I don't know if that has any purpose at all but if I can put in a wild guess, it looks like they're training everyone. Be it the Heroes or the denizens in exchange for the lives of their own people.
Haa. Why do these Dark World denizens always give me things to think about? That's a wild guess alright.
Whatever their reason is, there's no doubt that they're hell-bent on conquering each world.
In any case, what we're waiting for is the location of the Portal. Without that, even if we wiped out everyone who descended this time, stronger Transcendents will continue to descend. Defending the territories like this was temporary.
Same for the worlds, if there's a chance I want to turn it around and go to their world. Adapt to their Source Energy and cause chaos in it.
Soon after that declaration from me, some brave Elementals who resolved themselves started to step out and volunteer for the position.
Every time someone will do that, I will nod at them as a gesture of admiration for their bravery. It will be rewarding for them as well if they managed to live through it.
It didn't take long before my target number was reached. 200 each for my clones and 300 for those who will go with me. There will be more from the Luxians who will arrive with Boris so that's enough.
Though Elementals can be separated by their Main Elemental Core to create better groups and squads which focus on just one element, I deemed that as a hassle.
Instead, I had someone tally who fights in close combat and who doesn't.
In this plan, I will also be borrowing the strategy applied by the Soldiers at the World of System. The one they used during the first battle I had after getting entangled in this business of saving worlds. The Arrow Formation.
In place of the Knights, those close-combat experts will be at the front while those ranged ones will be behind as we tear through their ranks.
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After organizing the troops and telling them to prepare, I went back with Fleur to wait for the remaining time.
To make use of the free time, I activated the Energy Zone for us to continue absorbing Energy for our cultivation in silence. The last part for her 1st realm of Transcendent Pathway was the Awakening of her Main Elemental Core after that, she will officially become a Rank 2 Transcendent. However, with the added stats bonus from me, she will surely reach the 300 UPL before the Awakening.
"Daisuke, what my parents said yesterday…"
While we're meditating, I heard Fleur whisper at my side. When I turned my head to look at her, she was blushing about whatever is in her mind at the moment.
Yesterday, after going back here, she brought me once again to her parents. It's my request, I want to inform them about my plan of taking Fleur with me once everything settled down. Also, to officially tell them our new relationship.
Though I expected them to be happy for their daughter, after hearing that I will bring her with me, the two were instantly energized as they enthusiastically asked when they can expect a grandchild.
Embarrassed by that, Fleur, just like the last time we were there, stood up and flew out. Leaving her parents and me with wry smiles on our faces. I told them that we haven't talked about it yet which is the truth. I've never gone past kissing her and well, it's still early for that.
But now, for her to bring it up at this moment, she probably thought about it ever since leaving that room.
"I think I know what's on your mind. You don't need to push yourself, you know? We're still young and we still have a long way to go. Though I'm also looking forward to that, I don't want you to feel pressured."
I answered her before she could even complete her sentence. After that, I reached for her hand.
The source of this c𝐨ntent is fre𝒆w(e)bn(o)vel