I Received System to Become Dragonborn

After securing the allegiance of the Daemon of Calamity — or rather, subjugating them into his service by manipulating them — Laston did not immediately return to his world. His plan are not done yet.

There were still places to visit, pieces to move, and alliances to forge — or force.

His journey brought him to a vast swamp-like expanse. The air was thick with humidity and the sharp tang of decaying vegetation.

Towering structures rose from the murky waters below constructed from massive wood and ancient stone.

Hovering high above the swamp, Laston surveyed the sprawling domain with a cold smile curling on his lips. He recognized this place — the Ogre Kingdom.

"This should be entertaining," he murmured to himself, his cybernetic enhancements glinting faintly as he descended closer to the heart of their domain.

The air was thick with the fetid aroma of the swamp, a mingling of decaying vegetation and stagnant water.

Laston hovered above this place. His body wreathed in faint crackling energy.

His cybernetic enhancements glinted as he surveyed the kingdom below.

Without hesitation, he channeled Magic through his body to project his presence. His voice amplified and layered with an unnatural echo boomed across the swamp.

"I am Laston, ruler of realms beyond your understanding! I have come not as an enemy but as a guest seeking conversation."

The reaction was immediate. Alarm horns blared. The swamp stirred as Ogres burst into action. Their massive forms that clad in patchwork armor and wielding weapons that seemed crude yet brimming with Magic energy emerged from their abodes.

From atop their towers, bolts of fiery Magic and jagged shards of enchanted stone arrows were launched at him, the air shimmering with the power of their attacks.

Laston remained unfazed. An iridescent shield materialized around him and becoming a dome of pulsating energy that absorbed every blast.

The Magic dissipated harmlessly against it, illuminating his smug expression.

To demonstrate his power, Laston raised a single hand. The air around him filled with electricity as tendrils of Magic spiraled downward and striking the swampy waters below.

BOOM!

The resulting shockwave rippled outward, sending massive ripples through the murk and scattering the Ogre forces momentarily.

Yet, none were harmed. Laston wanted to show them his calculated show of dominance rather than destruction.

Hovering higher to command an even broader view of the kingdom, Laston magnified his voice further.

"Enough of this foolishness! I am not here to wage war but to offer an opportunity to avenge the Elves!"

His words boomed more, reverberating off the structures and into the ears of every Ogre present.

There was a pause as the attacks ceased. Uncertainty of the Ogres who heard that words hanging in the air.

The Ogres regrouped, their glowing eyes fixed on the enigmatic figure above them.

From the largest of the swamp's structures which was a sprawling fortress built into a massive ancient tree, emerged a figure even larger than the rest.

The new Ogre King, a towering brute with obsidian-hued skin and eyes glowing a fierce amber, stepped forward.

"Speak, outsider," the Ogre King bellowed. His voice was a deep rumble. "You flaunt your power and disturb my kingdom. What do you seek here?"

Laston descended slightly, his hands clasped behind his back as he regarded the Ogre King with a calm gaze.

"I seek an alliance, King of the Ogres," Laston said, his voice smooth. "Join me, and I shall grant your people power and security beyond your wildest dreams. Don't you wanted to avenge the defeat of the Ogres to the Elf Palace?" Experience tales at empire

The swamp grew silent, the Ogres waited for their king's reply.

The King narrowed his glowing eyes at Laston.

The swamp remained deathly silent, the tension between Laston and the Ogres was clear.

The new Ogre King stepped closer, his massive bone club dragging across the wet ground, sending ripples through the murky water.

His amber eyes burned with mistrust and lingering fury, the memories of Laston's betrayal and the catastrophic defeat still fresh in his mind.

"You dare show your face here, Laston," the King growled. "Your schemes cost us a lot of our kinds. My father... countless loyal soldiers... all dead because of your lies and failure!"

His grip tightened on the enormous club, the weapon crackling faintly with the latent Magic of his kind. "And now, you come offering alliances? Tell me, Elf traitor, what if we refuse you?"

Laston's expression remained calm, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. He extended his hand casually as if brushing off the King's threat.

"Refusal is, of course, your choice," he said smoothly. "But before you make that decision, allow me to remind you of what I offer... and what I am now."

With a press of the screen on his wrist, Laston summoned a swirling vortex of energy beside him. The portal tore through the humid air casting light that bathed the swamp.

From the portal emerged a towering mechanical construct, its metallic frame gleaming with cybernetic enhancements and pulsating with Magic energy from the runes ethched in its surface.

The Ogres gasped collectively, their massive forms shrinking back slightly as the mech fully emerged.

Its armored plates were inscribed with runes that shimmered faintly and its movement exuded power. A hum of energy emanated from its core, vibrating through the swamp.

The Ogre King stopped in his tracks, his jaw tightening as he stared at the construct. Even him with his immense strength and authorit couldn't ignore the unease creeping into his gut.

"Do you see now?" Laston said, his voice carrying a dangerous undertone as he gestured to the mech. "The Daemon of Calamity has already recognized my strength. They have joined me willingly. And now I extend the same opportunity to you. Together, we can crush the Elf Palace, avenge your dead kind, and rebuild your kingdom as it was always meant to be — without fear of that Dragonborn."

The Ogres exchanged uneasy glances, their confidence shaken by the sight of the mech. Even the King hesitated and his grip on his club tightening as he weighed the offer.

"And if you refuse," Laston continued, his tone growing colder, "then you will remain weak and just forever cowering in this swamp, haunted by your failures. Your people will become nothing more than a fading memory, forgotten by time or remembered by the world as the kind who had been defeated."

The King snarled, stepping forward with renewed defiance after those words. "You speak boldly for one who betrayed us before. What guarantee do we have that you won't lead us to ruin again?"

Laston tilted his head, his smirk widening. "You have my word as a ruler of realms and the most powerful Mage ever alive. But I see you need more convincing."

He raised a hand, the mech responding instantly as its arm unfolded to reveal a massive cannon. It aimed toward a distant space and with a deafening roar, a beam of energy shot forth, obliterating it in a brilliant explosion of fire and light.

The swamp trembled under the impact, the shockwave rippling outward and causing smaller structures to creak and sway.

Laston lowered his hand and locked eyes with the King with sharp gaze. "This is the strength I offer. The choice is yours."

The Ogres watched in stunned silence and tension as the King considered his response.

The Ogre King amber eyes fixed on Laston as his thoughts churned.

The rage of past defeats clawed at his heart, memories of his father's slow decline after the disastrous loss to the Elf Palace weighing heavily on his mind.

The Ogres had been proud mighty warriors who struck fear into their enemies but now, they were nothing more than a forgotten race licking their wounds in the swamp.

Laston's words cut deep. The Ogre King clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white against the massive bone club he carried. His father had died a broken leader who consumed by guilt and shame.

The image of that frailty was etched into his soul and that driving him to restore the pride and glory of his people.

The sight of the towering mechanical construct before him only cemented the King's decision. The Ogres could not continue to live in fear of the Dragonborn or the Elves.

Lifting his head, the King let out a low growl

"Very well, Laston," he said. "We will join you. But if you betray us again, there will be no place you can hide where my wrath won't find you!"

Laston's smirk widened, his satisfaction was clear. "A wise choice, King of the Ogres," he said smoothly. "Together, we will reclaim what has been taken from you and reshape the future of this world."

He gestured to the mech, which stepped back into the swirling portal behind him.

"I will send more of these machines to your kingdom soon," Laston continued. "Prepare your warriors to wield the power I bring. With your strength and my technology, the Elf Palace and the Dragonborn will fall."

The Ogre King nodded, his jaw set in grim determination. Without another word, Laston's body crackled with Magic and he rose into the air.

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