313 Ruledoms

With a loud grunting sound, Shine Moose declared his revival. The moose was confused, he looked here and there before catching sight of Haji Tea. A strange feeling he had never felt before rose up in his heart.

"What did you do to me?"

The moose asked Haji Tea.

"I saved your life."

He replied.

Shine Moose was startled, he remembered how painfully Red Mamba had broken almost every bone in his body and yet, he was now in tip top shape.

"I made a contract with you."

Haji explained.

Shin Moose's eyes widened in surprise.

"What?"

Akash interrupted the palaver between the happy tamer and his unhappy beast.

"Yes, you heard it right, there was no other way. Now you can use the power of revival and fight Red Mamba again."

Moose replied in disgust.

"We were risking our lives fighting for the sake of freedom and you think I will accept being your tamed beast? If you believe you can bribe me with these rewards of a new life and abnormal powers, then you are wrong."

Akash Tagar retorted without giving an inch.

"You are nothing more than an insignificant beast in front of me, an ignorant creature that knows nothing about tactics. As such, I'd advise you to not think so highly of yourself. None in your army, including that wolf over there can compare to my God Demon Panda."

The Shine Moose flinched as he looked towards the half-conscious panda and remembered the two godly skills the panda had displayed, and that he directly benefited from. He was the reason behind the sudden change in the tide of battle.

Shine Moose soon calmed down and apologized.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't put my words correctly. I just want you to know that I cannot become someone's pet, because..."

"Cut to the chase."

Akash stopped the moose before he could finish and continued.

"I don't want to know the reason. I won't let my most trusted companion have such a weak beast like you. Rest assured, after this battle you will be freed."

This surprised everyone including, Red Mamba, Shine Moose and even Haji Tea, who pondered.

"What the heck is His Majesty saying, I would rather die than let go of such a beast!"

Moose replied as he took a fighting stance facing Red-Mamba.

"If that is the case, then it's alright."

Red Mamba muttered.

"Wait..."

He looked at Akash Tagar.

"Are you, their king?"

"I am, indeed."

Akash stated.

"Who do you answer to?"

Mamba asked.

"I don't give answers, I give orders."

Akash said without a hint of hesitation which made Red Mamba even more intrigued.

"What would I get if I follow you with my army?"

Akash's eyes twitched. Shine Moose gasped and was utterly shocked by the words of Red Mamba, a leader of an entire army of beasts willing to follow Akash. Soon enough, Akash asked for his conditions.

"What do you want?"

"I seek power and battles. Can you give me that?"

Mamba shared his desires.

"Why not just continue fighting here, if you love battles so much?"

Akash asked.

"I'll tell you but you have to order your people to stop killing mine. I have already lost half of my force."

"Alright, but you will have to do the same. Don't interfere with One-Eyed Wolf and Black Dragon's battle as well."

Akash sent the order via the System to everyone, telling them to cease the assault. Red Mamba called back all his soldiers as well with a loud shout.

"Stop the attack and get back to the side of the mountain, we are surrendering!"

The blaring order surprised everyone. The beasts who were under Red Mamba stopped at once. Baghi, Zaheer and the others who were going after the beasts stopped too and finally, the rest ceased their attacks as well.

Suddenly, the entire war had stopped, and everyone's gaze was directed towards the mountain. Immediately after, Black Dragon yelled.

"Red Mamba, what's the meaning of this?"

Mamba looked at the dragon with a side-eye but didn't say anything to him, instead he continued with Akash.

"Tell your people to stop as well."

"I have already done so, look."

Mamba looked and saw that none of Akash's people were attacking, surprising him even further.

"Did he use telepathy?"

He wondered as Akash looked at Haji Tea.

"Earl Haji, bring everyone and follow the moose to help One-Eyed Wolf."

Haji did as he was ordered and everyone from Akash's army followed the moose towards the main battle in the fields

"Mamba, you bastard!"

Dragon roared in rage.

Akash, ignoring the dragon as well, looked at Red Mamba.

"Speak now."

"Are you from this valley?"

Mamba asked.

"No, we've come from elsewhere and as such, we're new here."

Akash said indifferently which only made the snake even happier.

"Very well, I'll start with the introduction of this place. This planet is vast and quite far off in the cosmos, far removed from the others. After countless ages of bloodshed, a relatively perfect balance has been achieved here. Currently, there are total 313 independent powers, each keeping the others in check.

There are 5 empires covering half of this planet, they are the biggest powerhouses with armies in the millions of beasts. If one empire started a war, the other four would join hands to wipe it out. So, none of the five have ever fought directly in decades.

Then comes the 49 kingdoms, they are the secondary powers of this world. Many of these 49 are hidden branches of the five empires who use these to do the things they cannot do directly.

After that comes the 259 dukedoms, these are the pawns of the higher ups. They support them in attacking the others, eager to jump at any opportunity to escalate matters whenever possible, all so they can potentially weaken their enemy's powers."

Akash was shocked but he kept up a poker face as he pondered on the information he had just received.

"Millions of beasts! Their system of governing is like the one on Earth. The humans structured their system around tiers while the beasts here have made these ruledoms."

Akash asked.

"What about this valley and you? Where did you come from?"

"This valley is part of a dukedom, under the rule of Duke Black Dragon. It is rich with valuable resources. However, Black Dragon has made life here a living hell. He has treated other beasts ruthlessly and the result of his actions are in front of you.

I, on the other hand, belong to another dukedom, ruled by Duke Gold Panther. I was ordered to help the dragon before killing him when he was in a weakened state. So that Gold Panther could take over this dukedom as well."

"Then why are you following me when you are loyal to Gold Panther?"

Akash asked.

"I'm loyal only to power. If I ever find someone more abnormal than you. I'll follow him and leave you, though I doubt there is one."

Akash Tagar smiled.

"A straightforward beast, I like it."

Mamba continued.

"As for why I was willing to cease the battle, it's..."

"MAAAAMMMBBAAAAAA!"

The Black Dragon roared and flew high, his fury eyes locked onto Red Mamba as he left his beasts to kill the traitor.

Mamba was interrupted and couldn't finish his answer. He looked at Akash and declared.

"As proof of my loyalty, I will go and face him."

"No."

Akash said as he stretched arms, cracked his fingers and neck before slowly turning in the direction of the rampaging dragon.

"I will slay that dragon myself. As for your loyalty, I'll give you a chance to prove it."

Akash took out his sword from his inventory and looked at the dragon.

"What a perfect sandbag, it's time to check the effects of my evolutions."