( 10 days before the start of the war )

Max was on planet Geonmi as he was on tour of the various Smithy’s that had set up shop on the planet.

The once rural mining planet with only one small village now had two large cities and a full fledged docking port for ships.

There were 4 big blacksmithing firms on the planet and all of them seemed to have warehouses full of weapons ready for today’s dispatch.

The Bloodfall clan had placed a big order with all four firms that had decided to set up shop on the planet way before the king made the declaration of the war outbreak and hence were at an advantage for getting so many weapons at such a reasonable rate in current market.

The scene was almost surreal to watch.

Mountains of chainmail armour, boots, helmets, swords, spears and other combat gear etched with the Bloodfall clan logo just sat in the warehouses of these Smithy’s, ready to be dispatched today.

In total there was about 300,000 swords, 25,000 spears, 4 million arrows, 400,000 full body armour sets and 700,000 shields ready to be dispatched today for a net order value of 15 billion gold coins.

It was a testament to the growing might of the Bloodfall clan economy to be able to pay the money in full on dispatch day despite the economic crisis ongoing around the universe.

Much of this money was a result of alchemical sales while the other was from taxes.

” What do you think, Sebastian? Will these shields even matter in the end? Or will we all just be crushed to death by a flick of Lucifer’s hand? ” Max asked as he picked up one of the shields ready for dispatch.

Sebastian sighed at Max’s question, sometimes he wondered the same stuff that Max did.

Would all the preparations that they were making even matter in the end should they face a tier8 opponent?

Would there even be a fight or would it all be over in a flash?

The scale and the powerhouses involved in this war meant that such an outcome was not a far-fetched possibility but rather something that was bound to happen sooner or later.

” We don’t know man, all we can do is give our men the best chance at survival, the rest is not in our hands.

Even if we were not running the Bloodfall clan, even if the Kingsman clan was still in power, most of the men fighting this war would still end up fighting this war anyways.

It’s not a fight that we started and it’s not a fight we need to morally worry about.

So even if we all die by some god’s hand, it’s not gonna be our fault.

But if one of us dies not because they were killed by a god but because they did not have a government issued shield

That would be our fault ” Sebastian said as he tried to tell Max that he should not worry about things that he did not control.

Max knew that Sebastian was right. They were trying their best and although it all might be for naught, it was still all that they could do.

*******

( Meanwhile Memphidos and Satan )

Satan was hosting Memphidos in his vile palace that he called home.

The two were drinking exotic blood wine, distilled from the blood of exotic night pythons as Satan inquired about the reason behind why Memphidos chose to participate in this upcoming war.

” You are a free man, you have power, you have respect, you are the embodiment of what the dark faction life offers.

I’m a sovereign, a victory for me means expansion, more subjects, more money, more fun.

But a victory for you is still the same life.

So why are you participating in the war?” Satan inquired, curious behind why the aloof Memphidos would make such a decision.

” Well, I’m sure you know my history with my master Angakok. But here’s a quick recap if you don’t.

There was a time when I was a mere student, diligently studying under the blood shaman god himself, Angakok. My life was simple; my desires aligned with the teachings of my master. But the allure of power and the allure of the unknown became an irresistible force that eventually pulled me in a different direction.

The day of my betrayal, as others like to call it, was one of blood and chaos. The dark faction had promised me freedom, power, and potential unbounded by the confines of Angakok’s teachings. The allure of such promises was too strong. So, I turned against my master, igniting a fierce battle.

Angakok fought valiantly, but his desire to protect his possession, the Time Seed, and his attempts to save me from myself weakened him. As his former pupil, I knew his tactics well and managed to land some severe blows. But even as the battle went on, I felt a pang of guilt. After all, he was the one who had raised me, taught me, and nurtured my powers.

His injuries were severe, forcing him into hibernation to preserve his life. I could’ve finished him off, but something inside me held back. He managed to escape with the Time Seed, his most precious treasure, a Tier 10 artefact with the power to manipulate time itself.

At the time I did not realise why he protected the time seed as if it were more precious than his life as to me it seemed to be just an artefact in the end, but I’ve matured since then, and seeing Lucifer wield the seed of darkness now I understand the power of the seeds.

There are confirmed sightings that suggest that he is out of hibernation and active once more.

If things go badly enough for the light faction, I know he will be forced to appear on the battlefield, and in doing so, he will expose the Time Seed.

I can’t deny the allure of such a treasure. It would secure my position and allow me to bend time to my will, a tantalising prospect as I’m sure you understand.

So, as the drums of war echo in the distance, I prepare myself. Not just for the battle, but to face my past, my old master. As a student, I respected Angakok. As an adversary, I injured him. Now, as a betrayer, I seek to steal from him. The Time Seed will be mine, and with it, control over the very fabric of time itself ” Memphidos said as he raised his cup of wine.

” To the never ending pursuit of power ” Satan toasted

” To the betrayals to come ” Memphidos replied