Chapter 780: Grand Plan And Dangerous Request

Chapter 780: Grand Plan And Dangerous Request

Midway through the renovation, Leo disappeared and reappeared inside Aurelius Hall.

The people around him were startled, but after recognising him, they quickly made way as Leo looked up at the ceiling to get a clear view of the 10,000-kilometre-wide area covered by Aurelius Beast Academy.

"As expected..."

At one corner of the map, Leo spotted what he had been looking for.

A wasteland.

While studying in the library, Leo had come across a very, very interesting fact. It concerned people who didn’t even know that things like the Human Empire, Elven Empire, academies, or cities existed.

They were completely cut off from mainstream civilisation and lived on their own, creating tribes, factions, and even cities, then fighting with the surrounding people for control and eventually dying, believing they had lived their lives to the fullest.

This was especially true in wasteland-like environments that spanned hundreds of thousands of kilometres. People there struggled to even get dirty, murky water to drink.

Even a single bowl of water was a priceless treasure, while a real priceless treasure was scrap, which didn’t help them survive another day.

It wasn’t that the Empire had left them to die or that people were heartless enough to refuse to help them. It was simply a huge hassle. And huge meant really huge.

Just as Leo’s current location was lush with greenery, mountains, and wide rivers, lakes, and forests stretching across millions of kilometres, the wasteland, once it began, expanded for millions of kilometres as well—and apparently, the wasteland on the Aurelius Map was one such place.

And the sheer size was one thing, but the threat of powerful beasts was equally concerning. Ancient Savage Beasts like Howl roamed like ants—though smaller ones were more common—and other ferocious beasts infested the entire region as Secret Realms kept opening and spewing them out at alarming rates.

For the Empires, rescuing a handful of people who had somehow ended up there simply wasn’t worth it, given the risks and rewards.

But for people like Leo, it was a great opportunity!

He looked at the Heaven’s Gate Medallion in his hand. Previously, he had been limited to the academy’s 10,000-kilometre range if he wanted to gain strength safely. But the treasure in his hand changed everything.

Not only could he stumble into great fortuitous encounters, but he could also rescue all kinds of people to fill the population on Howl’s back.

Even if the plan seemed shady and manipulative, saving helpless, desperate people—regardless of race—would help him secure the loyal forces he wanted in the long term.

As for quality of individuals? Leo just needed to master his talent, and even a half-dead being would stand toe to toe with a King Tier Powerhouse.

His current strength alone allowed him to live for more than 5,000 years. He should not toil away for all those years, right? He should definitely have people he can trust with important tasks while he watches over them like an overlord and enjoys his life with Lily.

But for that, he would need a ’special student’ pass from the principal, one that would let him stay part of the academy even while being beyond its 10,000-kilometre range.

In other words, he wanted to be a free student who enjoyed all the benefits and privileges of the academy and Empire while being completely free from its major obligations.

He recalled how the Principal had been planning to fulfil whatever wishes he asked for, but then his health had deteriorated, forcing him to leave.

"I should pass my request through Professor Gunther, then."

And it wasn’t as if he would be restricted in any way after travelling that far. With the Heaven’s Gate Medallion, he could return at any time for important occasions. Plus, the long-distance teleportation didn’t cost him a copper.

So far, he had marked every territory member and beast with the treasure, yet there was still no sign of a limit. Meaning, one day, all the territory members would be safe from death.

"Well, it’s still a long time before I reach this wasteland..."

Leo looked at the corner of the academy map. It was about 9,000 kilometres away, and Howl would have to travel that distance on foot.

"Might as well learn some basic skills to survive in the wasteland by then." He chuckled.

It would take Leo months to get there. Until then, while Howl travelled, he could learn skills from Gunther and train to become stronger so that he could be the king of the wasteland the moment he set foot in it.

Hmm? Since that territory might be outside the Empire... Will I become a new Human Emperor? Leo had a fleeting thought, but he quickly dismissed it.

Being an Emperor was too troublesome.

He would only rule the top of Howl’s back...

"A few months..." Leo narrowed his eyes.

Should he make do with the small number of territory members he had until then, or try to find a few more people to run things more smoothly?

"We’ll see."

With that, he teleported back to the territory and continued the renovation.

Since housing wasn’t needed yet, he started placing the required important treasures.

First was the 10-metre-tall Pseudo Yellow (5) Tier [Infernoheart Mango Tree].

He placed it in the other half of the Inner Ring, right beside the raised plateau. The moment it was planted, the temperature in the surrounding area shot up.

Agnivar seemed to sense the tree and immediately flew toward it.

"This... My Lord, may I make my den beside this tree?" he asked, his eyes filled with hope.

Having seen this treasure in Leo’s spiritual space, Agnivar had always wanted to remain by its side. The tree could benefit him, while he could also benefit the tree by increasing the amount of fire element in its surroundings.

A mutually beneficial arrangement.

"Well, that’s what I was planning, but you’ll need to share the space with other people. Is that alright?"

"No problem, as long as they don’t come inside my cave, which... this... secret brother will make." Agnivar had realised that Howl had performed most of the Earth Manipulation abilities used in Leo’s absence. In other words, he had built even his previous cave.

"A-and I also have another request..."

"Hm?" Leo turned his head. Why was he so hesitant?

"My Lord... I sense a Flame Wyvern at a great distance. Would you allow me to hunt it?"

Leo raised an eyebrow. Agnivar seemed to have more to say.

"A-and if it’s a female..."

"Go talk with Lily."

Leo swiftly turned back to focus on improving the terrain around the tree.

"But, My Lord! My taming contract allows me to get another mate with every major advancement!" Agnivar panicked.

Leo glanced at him from the corner of his eye.

"Did I deny it? I simply told you to have a talk with Lily."

That’s worse than denying it!! Agnivar cursed inwardly.

"What are you doing, Leo?"

Agnivar nearly jumped in fright when he heard Lily’s voice right beside him.

For so many days, he had successfully avoided her, and now, just as he was asking for something dangerous, his nemesis arrived.