Kael pondered his own questions while reflecting on the battle he had just fought against Lone Wolf. Lone Wolf was exceptionally strong, likely ranking among the top of peak eighth-level warriors. Unfortunately for him, he had encountered a freak like Kael. Setting aside Kael's Lightning Domain, he also possessed fifth-level Mana Oscillation and the mysterious Sky Soaring Technique.
The Sky Soaring Technique allowed Kael to move freely in the air, deftly evading Lone Wolf's attacks. Meanwhile, fifth-level Mana Oscillation amplified the power of his spells to terrifying levels, giving even Lone Wolf a serious headache.
Ella's gaze at Kael was filled with disbelief. This young earl was simply too powerful. For someone his age to reach the eighth level, while astonishingly fast in cultivation, usually meant an unstable foundation. Yet Kael defied all logic—not only was his strength overwhelming, but his foundation was also exceptionally solid. To him, fifth-level Mana Oscillation seemed as effortless as eating or drinking.
"Hey there, beautiful—why not give me a chance?" Just as Ella's attention was fixed on Kael, a familiar, sleazy voice suddenly reached her ears. It was Finn, that lecherous rogue, grinning shamelessly as he held onto Amanda, the vice-captain of the bandit group.
Amanda's face was flushed with fury, her beautiful eyes practically spitting fire as she glared at Finn.
However, it was clear that Amanda, severely injured, no longer had the strength to resist and could only endure Finn's "clutches" around her wrist.
Seeing this, Kael chuckled faintly. He wasn't the least bit worried that Finn would actually misbehave—the guy was all talk and no real action when it came to being a creep.
"Jett, handle the cleanup. We're heading back to the city," Kael said with a smile.
Jett acknowledged the order and went to take care of things. Meanwhile, Kael promised the Unicorn Rhino herd a generous reward of roasted meat before storing them back into his contract space.
With Jett handling all the arrangements, Kael comfortably took on the role of a hands-off leader—a rather pleasant feeling. Of course, when it came to dealing with Lone Wolf, Kael would handle that personally.
Kael left all the tedious tasks to Finn and Jett. After storing the severely injured and unconscious Lone Wolf in his Moonlight Dusk Space, he departed with Amelia. The Sky Soaring Technique made travel effortless, allowing them to come and go as they pleased.
With the ability to soar freely through the air, the wind whistling past their ears, it didn't take long before Kael and Amelia arrived at the City Lord's Manor.
"Hah… I really am a bit tired," Kael remarked calmly. Over the past few days, he had been tirelessly strategizing for Lefay Territory, and the intense battle against Lone Wolf had drained him further.
"But at least it's all over now. With this, Lefay Territory can finally move forward on the right track," Amelia said with a smile, her snow-white hands gently massaging Kael's shoulders. She leaned in close, her delicate fragrance drifting into Kael's senses, soothing his weariness.
Amelia was right—everything had finally settled. Now, Lefay Territory was poised for rapid growth.
The Kindrick Family's two million gold coins, the Alpha Family's tax contributions, and the millions in revenue from the mine Kael and Simon operated on Flamebloom Island had swelled Kael's treasury to over three million gold—more than enough to fund Lefay's development.
More importantly, with the Nomadic Bandits eradicated, the biggest obstacle hindering Lefay's progress was gone. The territory's rise was now inevitable.
"You've worked hard these past days too," Kael said softly, holding Amelia's hand and pulling her into an embrace. She had been silently supporting him all this time, often so busy that she barely had a moment to cultivate. Otherwise, given her talent, reaching the eighth level would have been no challenge at all.
Warmth and gratitude filled Kael's heart as he squeezed her hand.
"It wasn't hard," Amelia murmured, though her entire body relaxed as she rested her head against Kael's chest, her starry eyes closing gently. Truthfully, she had been exhausted. Many of the territory's intricate plans had been meticulously designed by her—Finn was too reckless, Jett excelled at execution, and no one else in Kael's domain could shoulder such responsibility. It had all fallen to her.
"This is our home." Amelia emphasized the words "our" and "home," a blissful smile gracing her lips as she nestled against Kael.
"Of course." Kael tightened his embrace around her, smiling. **"Soon, no one will dare set their sights on our home again."**
Kael understood deeply—to survive in this world of ruthless competition, one needed strength surpassing others.
Strength was one thing, but influence was just as crucial.
The Sacred Council, the Holy Temple, even the Shadowwing Mages—each was an indomitable force that inspired fear and reverence at their mere mention. None dared provoke them.
Even dragons, proud as they were, had no choice but to lower their heads before such colossal powers, treading carefully.
Now, Kael too possessed such potential. Though Lefay Territory was still far from matching these established factions, its growth was boundless.
Gazing down at Amelia in his arms, Kael felt warmth swell in his chest. Her eyes were closed, serene as an untouched water lily, radiating quiet contentment.
He kissed her soft lips, the sweetness between them sending a wave of comfort through him. As Kael grew bolder, Amelia let out a faint gasp, her starry eyes fluttering open—now tinged with a hint of reproach as she stared at him.
Alas, Kael's skin had grown thicker over time. Months ago, such a clear, chastising gaze from Amelia might have unsettled him, but now he remained utterly unfazed.
"You—" Amelia hadn't expected his audacity to escalate, leaving her flustered. Under Kael's relentless advance, her delicate frame melted further, her star-bright eyes gradually clouding with dazed longing…
With the bandit crisis resolved and Jett leading Lefay's garrison back to the city, news spread like wildfire. The entire populace erupted in jubilation, their voices brimming with gratitude and praise for Kael.
Since assuming the role of Lefay's City Lord, Kael's reputation had soared relentlessly—now reaching its zenith. To the common folk, he was nothing short of a deity. Their hopes were simple, and Kael had become their provider, their protector.
Just as Kael was deliberating over how to handle the remnants of the Nomadic Bandits, another piece of joyous news arrived:
His magic tower was finally complete!
Yes, even with Ella, a peak eighth-level mage, assisting him—even with the abundance of rare magical materials at his disposal, and even with the backing of the Kindrick Family—the construction had still taken months.
The tower's completion marked the true foundation of Kael's domain. With the Forest of Sinful Blooms as his fortress, a herd of Unicorn Rhinos as his cavalry, and now a magic tower, his territory had taken monumental shape.
The eight-story edifice loomed imposingly. Though it paled in comparison to the enigmatic grandeur of the Eternal Tower, Kael was certain: one day, his tower would rival even that legend.
For now, however, it was more than enough.
This tower would double—no, triple—Kael's combat prowess. A mage within their own tower was a force of terror, which was why eighth-level spellcasters commanded such reverence.
Across the three continents, a saying held true: "Better provoke ten warriors of equal rank than face a single mage within their tower!"
This tower would utterly transform Lefay Territory's struggles. A mage fortified by their tower wielded catastrophic destructive potential—endless mana reserves, amplified mental focus, and accelerated spellcasting, all unlocking a caster's fullest might.
The tower's inauguration sent waves of euphoria through the territory. Kael named it the **"Tower of Hope."**
Lefay became a sea of celebration. This day, perhaps for the first time in decades, outshone every festival in living memory.