CHAPTER 748: GRAECIA WORLD (I)

Vlad did not remain focused on the awe-inspiring sight of the Kylon Kingdom for long. His sharp senses suddenly flared, narrowing his eyes as he detected a powerful presence approaching rapidly from the distance. But after only a second, his posture relaxed. The energy was familiar—measured, regal, and unmistakably belonging to Konstantine.

It was clear to Vlad that the crystal token given to him had immediately signaled his arrival to the Kylon King. A useful security feature—subtle, efficient, and making it clear that Konstantine was not the type that blindly trusted people with the keys to his home.

Konstantine appeared moments later, descending gracefully from the sky with a warm, welcoming smile. His presence exuded calm confidence and long-standing authority.

"Xaos King," he said, voice steady with respect, "you arrived sooner than I expected."

Vlad returned the courtesy with a composed smile of his own. "I was able to finish all my core matters more easily than anticipated. While there are still many ongoing tasks, I have capable individuals handling them. I am not concerned."

Konstantine’s eyes narrowed briefly in thought. On the surface, Vlad’s words were polite and unassuming. But to those paying attention, they carried a deeper message. Vlad was making it clear: even in his absence, Terra would not be left vulnerable. He had strong, trustworthy people in place, capable of protecting the kingdom.

Some might interpret that as a subtle warning or even arrogance. But to Konstantine, it spoke volumes about Vlad’s maturity and strategic thinking. If the True Depravita of Wrath had blindly placed his trust in someone he had only known for a few hours, their alliance would be shaky at best. A leader who trusted too easily was not one to be relied upon.

One might not fear a powerful enemy—but an incompetent ally was the origin of endless concerns.

"You have my admiration," Konstantine said, choosing his words carefully. "I’ve prepared a banquet in your honor. It would be a privilege to celebrate the Hero of Wrath, the one who brought death to the Voroes from the Land of the Three Calamities."

Vlad smiled at the offer and gave a respectful nod before rising slightly and shaking his head.

"I appreciate your kindness, but if it’s acceptable to you, I would prefer to depart for Graecia as soon as possible. I am on a strict schedule and must journey to a distant realm soon after."

Though he didn’t offer any further details, his tone was clear. Time was not a luxury he could spare.

Konstantine showed no disappointment and simply nodded in understanding. "A true king never knows rest. Let us go, then."

Without further delay, the two flew together toward the capital. As they moved through the air, Vlad took in the full scale of Kylon’s might. The city was even larger than Xaos City, with monumental towers, expansive boulevards, and a seamless fusion of ancient grandeur and advanced technology. Ships cruised through the sky, some for transport, others clearly for defense, while weapons of all kinds glimmered in the daylight.

Vlad couldn’t help but frown slightly. It was not that anything appeared flawed—on the contrary, the technological innovation on display was astonishing—but it didn’t match the traditional aesthetic of the Graecia Empire, which typically blended medieval elegance with divine enchantment.

Konstantine noticed the flicker of confusion on Vlad’s face and laughed softly.

"Haha, yes—it’s certainly not what you saw in the Land of the Three Calamities, is it?" he said with amusement. "Let me explain. Although Kylon is now part of the Graecia Empire, it wasn’t always so. In fact, we were once much like Terra."

Konstantine gestured outward, his gaze distant with memory. "Kylon was a newly ascended world millions of years ago. We developed in secret, hidden from the wider universe by the chaotic energies of the void. Slowly, we evolved—technologically and culturally. Eventually, about fifty thousand years ago, we joined the Graecia Empire willingly."

Vlad’s eyes widened slightly in realization, a sense of enlightenment settling over him. It wasn’t uncommon for newer worlds to ascend and join larger empires, after all the only way to survive in the universe was with the protection of a Lord.

Their flight continued until they reached the center of the capital, where a structure of truly titanic scale rose into the sky. At its base was a formation unlike anything Vlad had seen before. Even from a distance, his senses flared in alarm and awe. As someone intimately familiar with the Law of Space, he immediately recognized the extraordinary forces converging within the array.

Konstantine raised his hand toward the formation proudly. "This," he said, "is the Interstellar Teleportation Formation. Graecia is so far from here that no ordinary means of travel would suffice. Unless you’re prepared to wander the void for hundreds of years, this is the only method."

Vlad nodded with quiet respect, taking a few steps forward to study the array.

"Once Terra is officially bound to Graecia," Konstantine continued, "the Empire will construct a similar formation in your capital. These aren’t just used for travel. They are vital for trade, diplomacy, military reinforcement, and more. No thriving dominion exists without one."

"I understand," Vlad replied, appreciating the insight. He stepped beside Konstantine, and the two of them entered the glowing platform at the center of the formation.

A deep hum rose from the structure, echoing through the city as arcs of spatial energy coiled upward into the sky. Dozens of runes lit up, pulsing in synchronized rhythm. The air itself began to shimmer as the entire city seemed to respond to the formation’s activation.

After five seconds—and an astonishing consumption of energy—the formation activated fully.

A shockwave of compressed space enveloped Vlad and Konstantine. In an instant, their figures vanished, swallowed by a corridor of compressed space that transcended the limitations of time and distance.

Vlad’s eyes widened as he felt his body moving at a simply impossible speed, his existence expanding and compressing at the same time, before suddenly and abruptly coming to a halt as he appeared in a new land.