Chapter 27: Considering Progress!
Josh sat quietly in the sprawling private chamber dedicated solely to him. The room was a work of art in itself—vaulted ceilings arched overhead, carved with the sigils of his order and the ancient glyphs of Region 32. Sunlight streamed through tall, narrow windows, spilling gold onto the glistening surface of a broad table made from the Heartwood of El'dan—a rare tree said to never rot or burn.
The table shimmered when light touched it, like water disturbed by wind. Each swirl in the grain seemed alive, a silent testament to the skill of the man who made it—Merolph, the legendary carpenter.
In Region 32, Merolph wasn't just a craftsman—he was a myth wrapped in flesh and beard. Stories of his furniture healing sore backs or bending only to their owner's touch floated through every city, from the coastal docks of Elmarin to the snowy passes of Grend Hollow. He was known in other regions, yes, but here—here, his name thundered through alleyways and the regional lord's palace halls alike.
Merolph had always admired the Black Dragon—a name whispered with awe and trepidation. So when he heard it was Josh Aratat who required his service, he didn't even ask for coin. He arrived that very night, tools in hand, eyes wide with reverence. Only after completing the masterpiece did he awkwardly stammer about payment. It was given, of course. More than he expected.
Josh's chair was his favourite thing in the room. A magnificent swivel design that moved with a satisfying glide, as though the air itself parted to aid him. He spun once, slowly, almost childishly, his fingers drumming the armrest in thought. Then, with a deep breath, he exhaled and reached inward—to the mind space.
Stats. He needed to see how far he'd come.
A sudden shift of light, a glimmer in his mental plane—and then he was no longer alone.
David Stormborn, the ethereal entity who had bonded with him since the Awakening, appeared in his mind's eye. His presence always carried weight, like the pressure in the air before a thunderstorm.
"With the way you're growing," David said, his voice echoing like rolling clouds, "very soon you will be able to summon me physically."
Josh blinked. "You mean... there's a level where I can summon you into this world? Physically?"
"Yes," David replied flatly, then went quiet. As always, he left doors half-open, never revealing more than needed.
"Let me show you your stats," he added, and vanished like mist burned by dawn.
A glowing screen unfurled in Josh's mind.
Name: Josh Aratat
Age: 17 years
Realm Level: Corporal (10th level of the Ocean Opening Realm)
Weapons: Staff of Power, Sand of Aphrota
Abilities: Vortex State (D+ Tier) - 60% Storage Capacity
Voice Power: D+ Tier
Subordinates – Generals:
Conrad Stan – (Death-level loyalty) | First Sergeant | 9th Level Ocean Opening | Glaive of Storms
Lola – (Death-level loyalty - Love) | Assassin-Maid Sergeant | 9th Level Ocean Opening | Thunder Whip
Relia Amia – (Death-level loyalty - Love) | Empath Assassin | Major 1 | 5th Level Ocean Opening | Orb of Memories
Adino – (Death-level loyalty) 60% | Major 1 | 6th Level Ocean Opening
Shammah – (Death-level loyalty) 70% | Major 1 | 7th Level Ocean Opening
Joab – (Death-level loyalty) 60% | Major 1 | 6th Level Ocean Opening
Limro – (Death-level loyalty) 60% | Major 1 | 6th Level Ocean Opening
Arroid – (Death-level loyalty) 60% | Major 1 | 6th Level Ocean Opening
Baggon – (Death-level loyalty) 70% | Major 1 | 7th Level Ocean Opening
Eliphaz – (Death-level loyalty) 70% | Major 1 | 7th Level Ocean Opening
Lino – (Death-level loyalty) 70% | Major 1 | 7th Level Ocean Opening
Miko – (Death-level loyalty) 70% | Major 1 | 7th Level Ocean Opening
Naze – (Death-level loyalty) 70% | Major 1 | 7th Level Ocean Opening
2nd Division Forces:
900 Major 1 Rank (Death-level loyalty)
886 Lieutenants (Death-level loyalty)
711 Lieutenants (Above-normal loyalty)
Josh's eyes widened. Over 2,500 troops. And more than 1,700 of them would die for me without hesitation…
His mind turned to Ralia Amia. So she had been added to his generals… Her empathic abilities were rare—dangerous and sacred. No wonder the system elevated her rank.
His thoughts drifted to the flute he used in his training. If he had risen this far using just the bamboo flute he constructed from bamboo shoot with a carving knife when he first started to train Lola and Conrad Stan, what if he got a relic-grade instrument? The rate of improvement would double, maybe even triple.
But all that power… all that promise… it meant nothing if his army starved.
That part had hit him like a blow to the gut—when Ralia quietly mentioned food during their last conversation. She hadn't even accused. Just stated it plainly about her situation: "*The reason why I found myself doing this work was to raise fund to buy food, so my family would not starve, the war has limited food production, I personally have nothing against you*."
He sat up as he considered those words.
"Lola. Conrad," he called. His voice barely rose above a whisper.
But they entered immediately, as though they had been waiting for the call. In truth, Josh had sensed them outside the door, standing silently like sentinels.
He always knew where his generals were—it was an uncanny trait that both comforted and unnerved them. He never missed a presence. Never.
They entered without question.
"Call the Regional Lord. Alert every officer and every base. Send for the heads of the Farmers' Association from every district in every city in Region 32. We're convening in the great hall. Full attendance is mandatory. Anyone who fails to attend will be considered a liability."
His voice was steady. Calm. But in it was steel.
He turned back to his desk, lifting a quill made of Griffin feather. It dipped into shimmering blue ink as he began writing a list of projections—food estimates, land expansion needs, supply chain vulnerabilities, preservation spells, livestock enchantments.
Lola and Conrad exchanged a glance.
He hadn't looked at them. Hadn't moved. But he knew they were watching.
They bowed in unison and left—boots echoing softly against the marble floor.
The war was not just about strength anymore. It was about survival.
And Josh Aratat was no longer just a rising dragon.
He was becoming a sovereign.