Evolution: A Warlock’s Rise To Power

Silent and Lucan sat in a calm meadow. The rosy pink wheat in front of her stretched out for miles in front of them. As the wind blew, waves rolled through the endless wheat that surrounded them like it was water.

This was the fourth location that Lucan had shown her. Everyone of the places she had been to today was absolutely beautiful. Any of them would be the perfect place to get married in the game.

"We can hold the ceremony wherever you like." She told Lucan. "If it is a place you have chosen, I will be happy."

Lucan nodded and put his arm around Silent as they looked into the distance. They had just finished their lunch and were sitting on the flying carpet that was hovering a few feet off the ground.

Adrestia had a full stomach as was lying on her back, taking a nap.

Creepy was in the field of wheat bellow. There were a few creatures that were at level 35. It was the perfect level to be Creepy's opponents. The foot long centipede wasted no time in dragging the creatures towards it and having a big meal.

"Where is Little Brown?" Silent asked. "I have not seen him in a while."

"He is doing well." Lucan said. "Currently, he is out on a mission. He may not be back anytime soon."

"Okay." Silent said as she snuggled up next to Lucan. She had to admit that Uncle Bo was right, this flying carpet was much better than the flying broom. "We can keep looking at different locations if you want, but I know that wherever you choose will be perfect." She said while resting her head on his shoulder.

'Lord Quilldrake, there is someone in Shadowsweep that has approached your castle to meet with you. They say it is extremely urgent and the outcome of numerous lives await your response.' Commander Gear telepathically informed Lucan.

'Alright, I will head back. What is going on?'

'I am sorry my Lord, I do not know the specifics. They told me it would be better to speak to you in person.'

'Aye, okay. Keep an eye on whoever came, I will be there shortly.'

'Yes, my Lord. Orders received.'

Lucan turned to Silent. "Looks like things are happening in Shadowsweep. I need to head back."

"Okay, let's go." Silent said. She activated a return scroll and then vanished.

Lucan collected his two pets, stored his flying carpet, and then did the same. After appearing Shadowsweep he made his way into his castle.

He was surprised to see familiar faces in the receiving hall.

"Glen, what are you doing here? How is your research going? Grand Magister Faylen, what do I owe the honor too?" Lucan greet his guest.

"Lucan it's bad, real bad." Glen said as he reached out towards Lucan.

"Calm down, what's happening?" Lucan asked.

"It is the drow." Faylen explained. "They have taken over a few cities on the outskirt of Baramore and it looks like they now intended to push towards the capital. We suspect that they will arrive in Avalon within a week. Currently their force numbers over two hundred thousand."

"Hmm, that is troubling by my forces here are probably weaker than your own. I won't be able to fight them off. No offense, but I don't want me people to die for you only to by another two days of survival before you are eventually overrun."

"I understand." Grand Magister Faylen said. "I don't want you to fight for us. The issue is that once our king and the rest of the nobles found out, they cleared out their vaults and teleported away. If we still had the national treasury, we may stand a chance of evacuating the people. As you know, teleporting outside of a country is very expensive. We can't afford to even send our people away. But…"

Lucan frowned. He knew what they were think. They wanted to come here. The issue was, that they had too many people and were too powerful. They had a bigger fighting force than he did. Would it really be alright if the people of Baramore evacuated into the shadow realm?

From a certain standpoint, it would be a good thing for Lucan. He could increase the population of people under which in turn would cause him to earn more taxes every week. If he could groom loyal soldiers his fighting force would explode in size. He could probably even meet the population requirements to become a count or a duke.

But it was also incredibly dangerous. With a countries worth of people coming to his territory, things could turn bad. What if the people began to riot. He didn't have the forces capable of suppressing the. If the Baramore citizens really came to his territory, the refuges would outnumber the citizens at least one hundred to one.

"I know you have your concerns, but we really have nowhere else to go. Can you help us?" Asked Grand Magister Faylen. "While we don't have any money or treasures to offer you we will offer anything you wish to have."

Glen was nodding adamantly. "I will share all of my research with you."

"I have also discussed with the few officials remaining. It would be alright, if we mislead the people about the requirement to enter the shadow realm. We see nothing wrong with making them believe that have to be one of your acolytes to stay inside your territory. Think off all the followers you will gain. Even if only 1% makes purchases, that is still an incredibly large number of people."

"Alright, alright, I will consider it. Given me some time to make a proper decision. I know you are pressed and in a hurry, I will give you an answer within twelve hours." Lucan replied.

"Good, good, yes. Thank you for considering it. We will make it worth your while." Grand Magister Faylen said. "Okay Glen, let's head back and get everyone prepared. If Lucan gives the okay, we will have to move quickly."

Grand Magister Faylen and Glen quickly ran back towards the Shadow tunnel. Lucan's acolyets had enhanced it greatly during their travels between the shadow realm and the material realm. At this point it only took 12 minutes to walk from one realm to the other.

Lucan called his most trusted subordinates for a meeting in the command room of his fortress. Silent, Super, Commander Gear, Alasan Swift, and his steward Oar were all present.

Lucan pondered what to do while Silent filled the other in on the details.

Alasan, the man who oversaw Shadowsweep since Lucan arrived in the shadow realm was the first to speak.

"This is troublesome. Things could go very wrong if this isn't handled well."

"Mmm." Commander Gear nodded. "If the people oppose our Lord, it will be hard for us to regain control."

"Boss has plenty of land, can't we just put them all somewhere else?" Oar asked. "you don't have to let them stay in your city, then can just build their own."

"That would be very dangerous." Super said. "If they one day decided that Lucan is no longer their Lord, then things could get out of control fast."

"The pie is just too big this time." Silent said. "I fear if we try to eat it all ourselves, our stomach will exploded. This is not a good thing. Perhaps we could ask Raze to take some of the people. If Baramore is spread out over several locations, we won't have as many things to worry about."

Everyone looked towards Lucan hoping that he had a plan in mind. This decision was too big for them to make.

While they all stared at Lucan, he only continued to think the matter through while gently tapping on the table. If he really could absorb this population successfully, he would be on the fast track to advancement under Raze. He didn't want to give up all the advantages that came with the risks. Therefore he didn't want to rush this decision.

"It may not be as bad as we think." Alasan offered. "The common folk still don't know about the drow. If Baramore were to announce a mass migration to the shadow realm, will all their people willing accept this. Surely, there will be many people who will make their own plans. Not everyone will come running here even if we open the path way."

"This is true. If they are unreceptive to the idea, we my gain as little as 10% of their population. And if they are eager to come here, I could see at most 80% of their population making the migration." Commander Gear said.

"Even 10% percent is a huge amount of people. 10% of the population of Baramore is still 12 times the amount of people under Lucan currently. This will have to be handled delicately." Super added.

"Alright, alright. I know what I should do." Lucan said after he had come to a decision.