I created my own system

Waypoints are natural-born transition portals that are created through the connection of massive mana pools and the massive spreading of ancient tree lines. Some trees or ponds are connected through their massive mana, this was the case because they are born from the same origin or parent.

Examples of these are suckering types of trees, they propagate by producing new shoots or sprouts from their root system, which can eventually develop into new trees. These groves of trees are connected by their root systems. Which serves as their connection for the waypoint, ancient parent trees expand into thousands of kilometres and produce dozens of new shoots that are accessible for travelling.

The eastern kingdoms have a considerable amount of them, and the Crusaders must have acquired a parent tree to use for travelling.

Back to Apollo who currently shares the information he got to Arthur. It seems he is bragging about his new creations.

"So how did you get these mechanical soldiers you have?"

"Sir Gavin gave me the scrap ones they no longer use so I made some modifications and tada!"

A heavy sound of metal hitting the floor echoes on the dark drain, though the ground becomes dented due to the soldier's weight. Sonya on the other hand can't help but gasp when five hundred giant silhouettes emerge from Apollo's inventory.

"Just how much space did your space ring have? Did the head give you a space ring the same size as a field?"

"No, actually he gave me the size of a city" Since Apollo can't reveal the truth about the inventory, he just lets them assume it was the space ring on his finger.

However, hearing Apollo's words made Arthur and Sonya surprise.

"That old man sure spoils you a lot" Sonya voices her opinion seemingly amused at the situation.

"So how exactly are you going to use these things?"

Arthur began to ask as he scanned the towering mechanical knights.

"About that I have this with me" A mischievous grin escapes from the boy's face as he takes out something from his inventory.

It was an object with a sleek, rectangular design with a flat, touchscreen display that covered most of its surface. The said screen occupies the front panel, with minimal bezels around it. The back on the other hand was made of metal with a transparent glass covering. It also has a thin profile, making it lightweight and portable.

"Now what do we have here" the senior witch said while looking curious since it was her first time seeing an object like what Apollo was holding.

"This is the controller that I made with sir Gavin before, I already installed the map so it should make the navigation easier"

"The Blue Moon tower sure has unique things inside, so how would this thing help us?"

"Sir Arthur like I said it's a controller, it controls the soldiers while the map will help us navigate and efficiently allocate the forces we have"

"Then what about these blinking lights? Why are they different from each other?"

"That's us, our enemies, allies and the soldiers I just summoned, the colour on the other hand corresponds to to them. Red for enemies, green for allies and blue for the soldiers"

"Oh, I see"

"I get it now"

"It's so hard to explain these mechanical things to two mages who are more versed in offensive and black magic" the boy thought as he continued explaining the icons that filled the screen of the controller.

"It is what you said, they have more numbers than us" the senior mage spoke while looking at the screen intensely.

"I think the remaining enemies above went down here" Sonya added to Arthur's words though the three tower mages weren't satisfied.

"Your map is incomplete Apollo"

"Sorry my control over the artifact isn't that good, I barely hand it for hours so I am still trying to test it"

"I think it's already impressive that you can make a map like this, based on just an item you acquire in less than a day"

Sonya praises their little troublemaker while taking out her staff.

"According to the map, it seems enemies are coming this way"

"We should start then" Arthur initiated even though he still did not fully understand the mechanism behind the controller.

"Before we start let us first put the finishing touches" Apollo began to say while the black cloak that continued to cover him began to spread out. It started creeping on the humid ground of the sewer drain, and then the dark matter crawled on the sturdy metallic bodies of the soldiers and swallowed them. As it continues to envelop them a sudden mask slowly seeps through the surface of the soldiers.

"Are you trying to hide them using the artifact?"

"Yes, that way we can have more chances of winning because those guys can easily slice walls like butter it won't really matter if it's metal. But it's not like I don't trust the creations of the tower I just think that the caliber of our enemies is pretty high"

"It's okay, it's good to be cautious, well I should handle the ones that are coming here, sir Arthur please stay and guard Apollo"

"It's okay Sonya go I got the boy covered"

And so the slaughter continued with Apollo losing all his precious newly modified mechanized knights though the line of mages won the fight. However it didn't end there, the royal family of the Lumen kingdom was under investigation due to the king's brother being one of the Crusaders. Not just him but most of the kingdom's knights and famous swordsmen were found there.

"Now then tell Lumen's king, what is this so-called council?"

A cold and piercing voice began to speak, while a pair of emerald green eyes surveyed each of the remaining royal family members. The room was deadly quiet and only the sound of the rustling curtains could be heard.

The emperor remained looking at them while his blonde golden hair swayed as the wind began to touch it, despite his calm appearance the tension was already rising with each passing second.

"Your majesty, the council was made as a counterpart for the Mage Tower and Mage Association, however the difference between the two sides is that the council is made of martial artists and weapon masters, while the Tower and Association is made of mages. We built this organization specifically for the benefit of the empire"

The King said as he tried his best to convince the emperor.

"Counterpart? The benefit of the empire? How can you call it benefit when you are all benefitting on your own terms? And the fact that this organization haven't been approved by me means that I could consider this an act of rebellion"

In reality, the imperial family has long known the existence of the council, they just don't interfere with their business since they have been operating cleanly. However, it seems their new members are not adhering towards the organisation's beliefs.

Inside the continent, there are four powers that support the empire aside from the four dual families. The Aster Academy at the west, the Wizard Tower at the south and the Mage Association in the north. As for the East, they have the elusive Council, which only operates secretly.

"Your majesty I can assure you that the council was made for the best interest of the people, it's just that, right now we are facing a massive problem"

"Let me guess the Holy Crusaders? perhaps that is what keeps your little group from even reporting to me"

The King and the rest of the royal family went silent with his words. It's as if something had cut off their tongue.

"Speak although I already know everything about these crusaders, I still want to know why none of the council tried to stop it from happening. And now the World tree is in danger"

Each word the emperor said sent a nerve-wracking chill to those who heard it. He may look calm but he is simply a silent beast that rages deep inside, a very calm storm.

"Your majesty if you have known the truth, then please understand us, we simply can't kill our own kin"

The King spoke again though his eyes felt like a bottomless pit of sadness, but in great contrast, the emperor remained devoid of any expression. His face was cold and remained neutral.

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"Neos" Augustus began to speak the king's name as he became even more terrorizing.

"I, once killed my brother to save a kingdom, how come none of you can commit the same act? Why, did all of you hesitate when you all know the consequences of what they are doing?"

None try to speak, for they knew what happened towards the youngest brother of the emperor.

"You said the council is for the people but when you are all needed to make a move you hesitate to take it, to do it, to stop something that should have never happened"

"From today onwards the council is abolished, any meeting and gathering under its name will be considered as a rebellion against my reign"

After giving his decision the emperor stood up from the throne of King Neos and walked past the kneeling guards and royal family members.