Cosmic Lord: The Error Awakens
Chapter 75: The Golden Bastion Fortifies

Chapter 75: The Golden Bastion Fortifies

The sixty-ninth dawn draped Kael El’s Ashen Empire in a victorious gold, the 10,906 square kilometers of his Territory Level 5 dominion shimmering with power. The capital city stood at 210 buildings, bone steel and golden turrets piercing the sky as 2,688,000 subjects worked tirelessly. Kael lounged in the Lord’s Estate, Stormforged Blade resting against a gilded table, EX: Dragonflame Reaver casting a warm sheen, Stormhide Armor polished beside him. His flirty smirk played across his lips, a cool dominance radiating as he flexed EX: Gold Dominion, golden veins threading the walls. Vex’s iron limped 1,000 kilometers east with 15,000 left, and Kael burned to forge his empire into an unbreakable titan.

Day 69. Vex’s iron creaks, my gold stands tall. His dark eyes gleamed with unwavering confidence, pride a molten core beneath his chill exterior. Two-point-seven million souls, 10,906 square kilometers, Territory Level 5’s my shield—Vex’s 65’s a fading clang. The Nexus sang: "Kael’s 70, gold rises!" "Vex’s 65, iron falters!" He winked at the air. Falter more, I’m the peak.

"Day 69: Post-Peace Period. Territory Level: 5 – Commanding Lord. Territory Size: 10,906 sq. km. Population: 2,688,000 Subjects. Food Stock: 31 Days. Resource Yield: +100% (Lv. 5 Bonus) + 100% (SSS: Resource Lord). Resources: 865,000/1,000,000 for Lv. 5 Completion – Excess Banked: 0. Summon Limit: 20/Day. Territory Lv. 6 Conditions: Reach Level 105, Continental Empire (500+ buildings) [210/500], Defeat 100,000-stat Entity [Not Met], 5,000,000 Resources [865,000/5M], 250,000 Gold/Month [125,000/250,000], Army of 10,000 Elite [2,000/10,000], Build World Wonder [Not Met]."

"Lord Nexus Leaderboard: 1. Kael El (70), 2. Vex (65), 3. Myra (64), 4. Lyra (63), 5. Gavrin (61), 6. Sylth (60), 7. Elynn (59), 8. Jorr (57), 9. Kalia (56), 10. Zane (55)."

Kael’s grin widened, a teasing glint sparking. "Level 70 holds first, Vex’s 65 clings to second. Iron rusts under my gold." His talents stayed cloaked, EX: 10,000x Multiplier purring, Total Stats at 14,467 in Champion Lord Low Tier (10,000–25,000).

Lena glided in, her map glowing with golden lines. "Lord, resources hit 865,000 with battle loot, gold’s at 125,000 monthly. Buildings at 210—290 shy of Level 6’s empire."

Kael leaned forward, winking. "Lena, my goldmine, hit 220 by tomorrow, 230 by week’s end. Bank 135,000 more to the million. Vex’s staggering, let’s bury him." He tapped the Nexus, trading 35,000 gold ore for 25,000 Mist Cores, lords watching his wealth.

Thora stomped up, hammer slung over her shoulder, gold dust on her grin. "Forges are screaming, Lord. Hit 215 by dusk, 220 by dawn. Gold steel’s stacking, barriers rising."

Kael clapped her arm, smirking. "Thora, my forge, 220 by dawn, 230 in three days. Build me a golden vault." He turned, voice a low rumble. "Drayce, Veyna, lock east. Vex’s 1,000 kilometers off, I want him trapped."

Drayce nodded, glaive sharp. "Lord, army’s 2.2 million, 400 gold-clad elite holding the border. Scouts say Vex’s 15,000 regroup, iron groaning."

Veyna strung her bow, eyes narrowing. "Vex’s east, Level 65, 10,000 Total Stats, SSS: Iron Lord forging 20,000 now, 1,000 kilometers off. Wolves smell defeat."

Kael’s laugh rolled deep. "Ten-k’s desperate, his iron’s frail. Two days, we hit 230 buildings, then I end him." He triggered EX: Gold Reaper, a golden blade humming, Total Stats at 14,467 a promise.

He called his girls, voice a teasing drawl. "Ladies, 10,906 square kilometers, 2.7 million souls, 865,000 resources, Level 70. Vex’s 65, 20,000 left. I’m stacking, hit me."

Lena traced the map, precise. "Gold to 150,000 monthly, tax harder, trade cores for steel. Buildings to 230 by week’s end."

Thora grinned, hammer sparking. "215 tonight, 220 by dawn, gold spires next. Forges’ll thunder."

Veyna smirked, arrow notched. "Scouts push 1,100 kilometers east, cage Vex’s iron. Wolves’ll bite."

Kael’s grin sharpened, predatory. "Lena, bleed ’em. Thora, raise ’em. Veyna, stalk ’em. Vex’s iron snaps, I don’t." He stood, EX: Bone Dominion raising golden bone turrets, ash and gold melding.

The city churned, forges roaring as gold steel clad 211, 212, 213 buildings by mid-morning. Tax collectors swarmed, gold ticking to 130,000 monthly. Veyna’s scouts darted 1,100 kilometers east, reports flowing: "Vex’s 20,000 swell to 25,000, 1,000 kilometers off." Kael kicked a golden shard, smirking. "Swell all you want, I’ll crush it."

By dusk, 215 buildings stood, gold turrets spiking higher, siege walls thickening. Gold hit 135,000 monthly, Lena’s traders swapping 10,000 Mist Cores for 15 days’ food, stockpiles growing. Kael strode the lines, EX: Gold Dominion threading wealth into defenses, Total Stats at 14,467 a bulwark against Vex’s 10,000. "Close to 230, then his end."

The Nexus pinged: "Kael’s 70, gold towers!" "Vex’s 65, iron rallies!" Kael chuckled, spinning the Stormforged Blade. "Rally all you like, I’m the blade."

POV Shift: Lord Vex

Vex’s iron fortress rumbled, Level 65, 10,000 Total Stats flickering. SSS: Iron Lord forged his 25,000, 1,000 kilometers west of Kael. "Kael’s 70, Territory Level 5, 2.7 million strong. He’s a storm, I’m a spark." Steel sharpened, his axe cold.