Fire burns, but it must choose where it will spread.
The Ignis Empire was expanding with each passing day.
As the empire’s territory grew, the amount of Energy Cores harvested increased, and Vulcanus converted them into Flame Cores, installing defensive fortresses and training his soldiers even further.
And the trained flame infantry were immediately deployed outward, widening the empire’s domain.
In Volcanium, the heart of Ignis where a massive flame blazed, Vulcanus sat upon his throne, lost in thought.
Before him, Phelos, Ignis’s chief engineer, approached and knelt on one knee.
“Your Majesty, the time has come.”
Vulcanus slowly closed his eyes, then opened them again.
His crimson pupils smoldered like lava.
“We are already very strong, but I am not yet satisfied. What do you think we need more of?”
Phelos bowed his head under Vulcanus’s overwhelming presence.
“Your Majesty, there are limits to our current citadel. It is true that our power is growing fiercer, but I believe we lack the space to contain that power.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Until now, we have focused on maintaining basic barracks and defensive systems, but…”
“Not anymore.”
Vulcanus slowly rose from his throne.
When he raised his hand, the air around him reacted and heated. He spread his hand and said,
“We can become stronger. But are you saying this place is what prevents that?”
Around the citadel of Volcanium, enormous flames were constantly surging upward.
Phelos answered.
“With this citadel as it is, we cannot guarantee the future. We must establish a stronger center. Only then will our flames be able to spread farther, and we will not be subdued by outside forces.”
Vulcanus slowly looked around.
Expanding the citadel would require a vast quantity of Flame Cores, but an expanded citadel would be able to handle even more Flame Cores.
He nodded.
“Good. The expansion of the citadel is the expansion of Volcanium itself, and the expansion of our Ignis Empire. Expand this citadel further. Make it larger, and stronger. So that our fire will never be extinguished.”
“As you command, Your Majesty.”
Phelos bowed his head.
Now Vulcanus’s citadel would be reborn as the center of war.
And Vulcanus immediately summoned Barkas and Ragdor to his citadel.
Vulcanus said,
“This place, too, will soon be reborn as a new fortress. If that happens, our soldiers will be able to display even greater skill, will they not?”
Barkas bowed his head.
“Yes, Your Majesty. Only when this great citadel where Your Majesty resides stands tall will all of us grow stronger. However…”
After a brief pause, he continued.
“As a result of our army’s territorial expansion, we have detected unusual movements somewhere far away. First, directly to our north lies an empire called Terra, and they are made of earth and stone. Fortunately, they do not pose a great threat to us, but farther away, an empire called Aqua is on the move. They are made of water and can extinguish our flames. We must be wary of them.”
“Hmm.”
Vulcanus looked from one vassal to the other.
“Is there a way to stop Aqua?”
This time, Ragdor answered.
“Fortunately, Terra is strong against Aqua. Their earth and stone can dry up Aqua’s water. If we place them in front of us, we will be protected from Aqua.”
“So in the end, you are saying it would be difficult for us to push Aqua back directly?”
“For now, that seems to be the case.”
Vulcanus rested his chin on his hand with a solemn expression.
“It wounds my pride, but for now, we have no choice but to leave them to Terra. Still, it is fortunate that Terra lies between me and Aqua. Then in which direction would it be best for us to advance?”
Barkas answered.
“To the northwest, there exists an empire called Metallum. They may appear solid on the outside, but before our flames, they will melt helplessly.”
“Hmph.”
Vulcanus smiled faintly.
“That is welcome news. To think our prey lies in that direction. Then shall we move our army there and seize their land?”
Ragdor hurriedly spoke.
“Your Majesty, but they will not fall so easily. Do you think they are unaware of our existence? It will not be too late to set out after we are more thoroughly prepared.”
“Good. Very well.”
Vulcanus toyed with a Flame Core lying on the table.
“In any case, this citadel will soon reappear in an expanded form. When that happens, our army will also become stronger. Even if we are a little late, let us advance slowly toward Metallum. They will soon fall into our hands.”
Time passed, and the citadel of the Ignis Empire expanded by one stage.
The pillars of fire around the citadel grew even larger and burned crimson.
It was as though the energy of Flame Cores flowed throughout the entire citadel.
“At last, my citadel has been reborn.”
Vulcanus placed his hand against the wall of the citadel.
Flames rising from his fingertips climbed up the wall.
The citadel was gradually taking on the form of a fortress built for battle.
“Barkas.”
Barkas stood beside Vulcanus.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Can we now train new soldiers?”
“We are currently expanding the existing barracks. As soon as the expansion is complete, we will train the soldiers.”
“Good.”
Phelos and the fire artisans diligently developed the barracks.
And from the barracks emerged a new type of soldier.
Their name was the “Blazing Spearman.”
The weapon of a Blazing Spearman, the Flame Spear, connects to their fingertips the moment they grasp it.
They wield Flame Spears heated by fire, possessing far greater striking power than the existing flame infantry.
When swung, fire follows; when thrown, only ashes remain.
They were also skilled at evading enemy attacks with agile movements.
“Fire is strongest when it brings down what is hard.”
This was the phrase they liked to use.
Vulcanus did not stop there and summoned Phelos again.
Vulcanus said,
“The current army is strong enough, but I want to strengthen their power even further. They have safely completed their training and become fine soldiers, but they are still close to bare-bodied. Can you make them good weapons and armor?”
Phelos answered as if he had been waiting for this.
“There is no problem at all. If we build a research institute, the research conducted there will strengthen the soldiers’ offensive and defensive power and make their bodies sturdier.”
“Good. I will trust you. Thanks to the expansion of the citadel, we can now store even more Flame Cores. We have no reason to spare the Flame Cores. Construct the building according to your opinion.”
“Yes, I shall do as you command, Your Majesty.”
The research institute would not only use cores to strengthen the soldiers’ attack and defense, but also conduct research for more efficient training.
If the research was completed successfully, they would be able to train soldiers with fewer cores.
Vulcanus murmured,
“Fire does not spread at random. It moves only according to my will, strategically.”
Not long after, Vulcanus led his armies to the Terra Empire.
“Good heavens, what is that?”
The citizens of the Terra Empire were startled when they saw Vulcanus and his army.
However, they had not come to attack Terra, nor could they attack it.
Vulcanus’s army passed through Terra’s citizens and reached Terra’s capital, Montera.
Soon, Terramont emerged from Terra’s citadel and faced them.
“We finally meet. What brings you here?”
When Terramont asked, Vulcanus answered.
“Good to meet you. I am Vulcanus, emperor of the Ignis Empire. I am currently expanding my territory, but there is one matter that concerns me. Will you hear me out?”
After staring at him for a moment, Terramont said,
“I am Terramont. Speak.”
“On the far side lies an empire called Aqua, and at present, we have no way to stand against them. Therefore, I am requesting your aid. If there is anything you need as well, tell me.”
“Hmm.”
Terramont maintained a solemn expression.
“If fire like you exists, then its opposite, water, exists as well. Is there truly any need to clash with Aqua? Each should go their own way. Then no particular disturbance will occur, will it? That is what I want. To quietly maintain one’s own place.”
Vulcanus was offended by his words.
“Do we look like beings mad for war? As you said, we are merely searching for the path by which we will advance. But Aqua over there is threatening us! If you are going to say such things, say them to that side!”
Terramont did not back down either.
“At the very least, Aqua does not rampage across this land the way you do! They move quietly. Even if they approach someday, we will stop them well enough, so do not worry. We do not need your support either. If you have nothing more to say, leave.”
“Tch…”
Vulcanus began to turn away, then spoke again.
“There must be something you fear as well, no? Where was it—Silva? Think carefully about it. Someday, you will need us too.”
He led his army and left the Terra Empire.
He had failed to persuade Terramont, but there was information he had gained from the conversation.
Aqua was not yet moving in a threatening manner.
And even if he did not step forward himself, Terra would keep Aqua in check on its own.
Vulcanus muttered to himself,
“What a dull fellow. How long does he think he can remain still like that? Even so, we will continue to advance. Someday, I will make all of this land the land of Ignis.”
The fire of the Ignis Empire burned even at night.
They continued to train armies while never ceasing their efforts to expand their territory.
The direction in which they primarily moved was toward the Metallum Empire, located northwest from Ignis.
“Advance!!”
The Ignis army, composed of flame infantry and Blazing Spearmen, moved according to Vulcanus’s command.
Everywhere they stepped, the earth grew scorching hot.
And even as they advanced, they did not neglect their own defenses.
In every newly seized territory, the fire artisans thoroughly built defensive fortresses.
“Is that it?”
One Blazing Spearman muttered to himself.
Far in the distance, the shape of metal revealed itself.
The army of Ignis was gradually drawing closer to the border of the Metallum Empire.
Everything was ready.
Meanwhile, far away, a new ripple was spreading.
There, a massive wave was rising.
In the distance, the Aqua Empire had begun to move.