After the discovery of the genetically modified scientists, a year quickly passed.
Léo was now ten years old and, at that exact moment, he was conducting experiments alongside two other genetically modified scientists.
Since the discovery a year ago, where the success rate for creating genetically modified Thraxanos was improved, seven more genetically modified scientists had been created.
The seven new scientists, along with the three that already existed, were assigned to four experiments: the creation of more genetically modified scientists, the creation of genetically modified soldiers, and experiments with the unlimited cube. The rest was left to sub-branches of the Phoenix experiment.
Since last year, some progress had been made in genetic enhancements. The success rate for creating Thraxanos now had a chance of success between forty-five to fifty percent.
More than thirty genetically modified soldiers like Angela had already been created. Fortunately — and unfortunately — since these soldiers were generally created through any possible method and not carefully crafted like the scientists, many were created, but many also died. The vast majority didn't even have 80% of Angela's strength, as she had been created with more effort and resources.
"Great emperor, this is excellent news," said one of the scientists respectfully to Léo, then continued, unable to hide the joy in his voice: "At this rate, in at most a decade or less, we'll achieve great results in integrating the unlimited cube into a body!"
Léo, satisfied with the rapid progress, subtly praised the scientists present.
"These are indeed good news. Keep working hard like this."
The scientists nodded their heads, giving slight smiles, as if the one who had praised them was their great god.
After this brief conversation, Léo left the laboratory, cleaned himself in the sanitation area, and went for a quick training session.
Unfortunately for Léo, during the past year, he hadn't improved much. His strength had increased slightly, and now he could lift 950 tons — only 50 tons more than last year.
After finishing his training, Léo cleaned himself again and changed out of his tight training clothes into loose garments, similar to the kimono and wide pants he usually wore.
He then headed to his office and, upon arriving, saw Lucky handling some matters.
After Lucky took on the role of Léo's personal advisor, Léo dumped all the responsibilities of managing the empire onto him. Léo usually only focused on training, learning with the scientists, and conducting experiments.
Startled by Léo's entrance, Lucky stood up and, while making a respectful gesture, said, "My lord."
"How is the empire doing and what about the inspection of the Blue Star?" — Léo asked calmly.
"My lord, the empire is doing very well, and regarding the Blue Star called Earth... I was just about to contact Your Majesty about that matter," — Lucky said, pausing in the middle of his words, as if afraid to bring up the subject.
"Don't stall. Tell me — did you find the planet or not!?" — Noticing Lucky's hesitation, Léo asked coldly and authoritatively.
Seeing Léo's impatience, Lucky composed himself and quickly answered honestly:
"My lord, we did indeed find the planet... but recently our space explorers have been under attack by our enemy race, the Xangs."
"So even before reaching star systems near the Blue Star, our ships are being taken down by space explorers from the star Xangdia..." — He gave a slight pause as he noticed a vein forming on Léo's forehead and continued.
"I think they are deliberately targeting our race and ambushing us while we are far from our home star. That way, our explorers can't call for reinforcements." — Lucky finished, sweating as he saw Léo clenching his fists in anger.
"Great... great, these inferior animals actually dare to go against this emperor!"
"It seems that being peaceful all this time made this emperor look defenseless!" — Léo finished, punching a wall next to him.
Léo had excellent control of his strength, so he created a hole just large enough to break the wall without destroying the entire area.
'My God... this wall is made of the strongest mineral on the planet... and he broke it like it was clay!?' Lucky thought, shocked by his emperor's strength.
But then he remembered that his emperor could lift over 900 tons with ease and considered it normal to witness something like that.
While Lucky was deep in thought, he was interrupted by Léo's voice.
"Lucky, go to Angela and tell her to gather the four generals in the meeting room." — Léo, now calm, ordered, and Lucky quickly left to fulfill his command.
Stumbling and nearly falling, Lucky left as if afraid that Léo might vent his anger on him.
A few hours later, in the Thraxan Empire's meeting room, there was already a small group of five people in the place. Two people were seated on one side of the table, and two others were seated on the opposite side.
It was a slightly large, oval-shaped table. There were five chairs — two on each side and one at the head of the table.
The last chair, which was empty, was guarded by a Thraxan woman with a youthful and refined appearance. She was none other than Angela.
"Miss Angela, why do you think the emperor summoned us?" — the western general asked, his face clearly filled with doubt.
The other generals who heard the question quickly turned their attention to Angela's response. After all, none of them knew why they were summoned.
"I have no idea. Lucky just ordered me to gather everyone. He said Lord Léo wishes to speak with us." — Angela replied coldly, without showing any emotion.
She had been through a lot — killed friends, innocent people — and had been mentally broken by Léo. Very few things could make her show any kind of reaction now.
She created a mask for herself, all in the hope of enduring everything she was going through, so that one day she could have her revenge.
"I see." — Noticing Angela's unwillingness to communicate, the western general fell silent and said no more.
Even with Angela behaving coldly, everyone there idolized her. She was the first genetically modified Thraxan. They had grown up hearing stories about Angela since childhood, so they weren't offended by her behavior.
And even though they were also genetically modified Thraxanos, they were neither as strong as her nor nearly as old. There would always be the barrier of respect based on age and strength.
Some time passed and Léo arrived at the location. Everyone there, upon seeing Léo enter, stood up and saluted.
Léo then sat in the chair Angela had been guarding, and all the others, who had been standing and saluting, sat down — except Angela, who remained standing behind Léo's chair as his guard.
"All right, you must be wondering why I called you here."
All the generals looked at each other and then turned their eyes to Léo, waiting for him to finish his words.
"From today onward, my empire will extend beyond planet Thraxan!"
His voice echoed with authority. A dark smile appeared on his face as he continued, loud and clear:
"And from this day forward, my empire shall be called Morvain. The planet will also carry that name.
Morvain, which means death and emptiness!"
"The death of our future enemies and the emptiness we will leave in their generations, which will haunt them until the end of their lives," he finished.
All the generals were momentarily stunned, and even Angela was frightened by Léo's words, but soon they all composed themselves and nodded in agreement.
Léo then exchanged words with the generals about future planetary invasions and ordered each to prepare their respective armies under their command for a future invasion of a planet within a maximum of one month, and then all the generals departed.
After everyone had left, the only ones remaining in the room were Angela and Léo.
Angela was dressed in battle gear, revealing some curves of her beautiful blue body. Her ears had round gold earrings hanging, giving her an air of elegance.
Angela, who was behind Léo, slowly approached him as he sat with his hand on the table, and hugged him from behind.
"My lord, what do you say we have a little fun?" — Angela asked cutely, licking Léo's ear seductively.
Léo stood up without giving an answer, directly kissing Angela, who returned the kiss while touching Léo's lower parts.
While Angela touched his lower parts, he slowly removed Angela's clothes, revealing her breasts which were relatively small, but very soft and cute to the touch.
Angela removed Léo's kimono and licked his chest lovingly, making Léo quite aroused down below.
He took off the skirt Angela was wearing — a gladiator skirt — short, made of golden plates attached over dark red leather, with "X"-shaped stitching as war marks. It was held by a rustic blue belt, leaving the rest of her navy-blue thigh exposed.
Her thighs were soft and smooth, like jade stone, and after Léo removed her skirt, her slim waist was revealed.
Everything seen there was beautiful; the panties she wore highlighted her perfect body, her butt was big, making any man stare fixedly without looking away.
Léo couldn't take it anymore, and he attacked, completely removing her panties, revealing Angela's beautiful lower parts.
He threw Angela to the floor, then took off his pants and entered the paradise Angela kept between her legs.
After some time having fun on the meeting room floor, Angela and Léo were lying down, Léo with his back on the floor and Angela lying on his arm, with her head resting on his chest.
She used her fingers, drawing circles affectionately on Léo's chest, making his body hairs stand in a slight shiver.
"My lord, may I ask you something?" — Angela asked, speaking in a timid tone.
Léo, noticing Angela's pretense, promptly answered, amused.
"Speak, Angela." he commanded.
"What do you think about giving me a child!?" — She said, her face turning red like a tomato.
'Surely a child of yours will be as strong as you. I could raise him to kill you,' she thought.
"…"
A moment of silence filled the meeting hall, leaving Angela quite apprehensive.
'You bastard, answer me already, I've been putting on these acts for years, just give me what I want!' — she screamed in her mind while waiting for Léo's answer.
"No." — Léo replied coldly, standing up from where he lay, putting on his clothes and preparing to leave.
After seeing him getting ready to leave, Angela snapped out of her daze and ran toward him, clinging to his clothes flirtatiously while pretending to cry.
"My lord, do you not like Angela? A child is all Angela wants!" Angela continued acting coquettishly, speaking to Léo.
Léo raised his arm toward Angela's neck and grabbed it tightly.
Angela was startled by Léo's action, but when she tried to react, it was already too late — Léo had already seized her neck in a strong grip, making her moan in pain as she struggled against him, trying to break free.
"I can tolerate you, but do not cross your limits, Angela." — Léo said coldly, throwing Angela toward the wall.
Angela hit the wall hard, leaving a small dent where she was thrown.
Her body fell to the floor of the hall, struggling to breathe. She raised her head and looked at Léo, who left the room without looking back.
"You bastard, I'll still kill you!" — She whispered, still gasping for breath.
Outside the room, Léo walked through the corridors of his empire, thinking to himself.
'Children, hahah! Maybe the day I'm strong enough not to be betrayed by them or affected by emotions. Look at Thragg, betrayed by his own children and developed feelings for them.'
With a faint, macabre smile, Léo continued his thought:
'I don't wish to have feelings that could hinder my plans, much less variables like children.'