The Greatest Assassin Gets Reincarnated in Tensura

Chapter 21: The Base



Arion and Veldora stood amidst the towering trees of the Jura Forest, the dense canopy casting dappled shadows upon the moss-covered ground. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and the distant sounds of creatures lurking in the wilderness. They had been walking through the vast expanse for some time now, the conversation naturally shifting toward the state of the world.

Arion leaned against a gnarled tree, arms crossed, his piercing golden eyes studying Veldora. "Tell me, Veldora, what is the current state of the world?" His voice was laced with curiosity, though his mind was already formulating plans.

Veldora, reclining comfortably on a boulder with his arms folded, exhaled a deep breath, his draconic presence dominating the surroundings. "Hmm... the world is still in its early stages of development. Compared to what you might expect in the future, things are much simpler now. But don't let that fool you—there are already key players in motion."

Arion's gaze sharpened. "Key players?"

Veldora nodded. "First off, you should know something important. You, Arion, are the very first Demon Lord. As of now, Demon Lords don't really exist in an official capacity. But that'll change in the future. Right now, the world is ruled by a few powerful figures, each shaping things in their own way."

Arion smirked at the notion of being the first. "Interesting... Then tell me, who holds the most power in this era?"

Veldora sat up and stretched before responding. "The most important figure is my older brother, Veldanava, the Creator. He's the one who formed this entire world and its laws. Right now, he's more of an observer, but his influence is absolute.

Arion tapped his chin, processing the information. "And the other rulers? Are there any beings overseeing the other regions?"

Veldora nodded. "There's Valentine. He's an odd one. A powerful vampire who roams the world, creating new species and experimenting with evolution. He's not as focused on conquest as Rudra, but his influence is undeniable. His work is the reason new races and unique beings keep appearing."

"There are a few names you should know. First, the Eastern Empire, ruled by a human named Rudra. He's ambitious, powerful, and has already started expanding his influence. He's gathering warriors, mages, and strategists, all while solidifying his rule. If anyone is going to attempt world domination, it'll be him."

Arion raised an eyebrow. "A human aiming for world conquest? Bold. But humans are fragile. How strong is he?"

Veldora chuckled. "Stronger than most, but he's also brilliant. He's not just relying on personal power—he's building an empire with military discipline, advanced strategy, and technology that surpasses most nations. He might be a human, but he's dangerous."

Arion nodded thoughtfully. "Interesting. He might be a worthy piece in the future… or an obstacle."

Veldora continued. "Then there's Jahil, the ruler of the Nation of High Humans. They are a rare race, humans elevated beyond their mortal limits through magic and divine blessings. Jahil sees his people as superior, believing they are destined to rule over all lesser beings. His kingdom is powerful, but they prefer isolation for now, strengthening their internal forces."

Arion scoffed. "A supremacist fool, then? He'll either be a useful pawn or a nuisance to be removed."

Veldora smirked. "We'll see. Then there's Ballachia, a kingdom deep in the west. It's a land of warriors and dark magic, ruled by ancient bloodlines. They believe in the survival of the fittest, and their nobility is filled with powerful sorcerers and knights. If you want a stronghold of battle-hardened fighters, that's where you'd look."

Arion's eyes glowed slightly. "A nation where only the strong thrive… interesting."

Veldora nodded. "Next, there's Carnada, a merchant kingdom built on trade, wealth, and political manipulation. They don't have the strongest warriors, but they have influence. Their coffers are deep, and their ability to sway others with gold is unmatched."

Arion chuckled darkly. "Ah, the power of wealth. Useful, but it also breeds corruption and weakness. Easy to exploit."

Veldora grinned. "Exactly. Then there's Flitwood, a nation hidden deep in enchanted forests. It's home to powerful elves and mystical creatures. They're reclusive, but their magic is nothing to underestimate. They view outsiders with suspicion, so making contact with them won't be easy."

Arion tapped his chin. "A hidden nation of magic-wielders? I might find something useful there."

Veldora continued. "Then you have Grada, a desert kingdom where only the toughest survive. Their warriors are relentless, and their rulers govern with an iron fist. They thrive in battle and conquest, always looking for the next enemy to crush."

Arion smirked. "Another stronghold of warriors, then? Noted."

Veldora's expression became serious. "Lastly, there's Dolan, the Military Kingdom. If you're looking for pure military might, that's where it is. Their rulers care for nothing but warfare. Their armies are disciplined, their strategies ruthless, and their technology advanced.

They rival Rudra's empire in military strength, though they lack his long-term vision."

Arion exhaled slowly, his mind racing with possibilities. "So, the world is still shaping itself. Empires are rising, and rulers are staking their claims. That means I have time to place my pieces."

Veldora raised an eyebrow. "And what exactly are you planning?"

Arion's smirk deepened. "I will remain unseen. While these nations fight, expand, and scheme, I will build my own power in the shadows. By the time they realize what I've done, it will be too late."

Veldora laughed. "You really are something else. But before you start manipulating the world, you'll need a base of operations."

Arion nodded. "Agreed. We need somewhere hidden, yet strategic. Somewhere defensible."

Veldora gestured around them. "You're already standing in it. The Jura Forest is my domain. It's massive, untamed, and filled with powerful creatures. No kingdom controls it, and most fear venturing too deep. If you want to disappear while gathering strength, this is the place."

Arion's golden eyes glowed slightly. "Yes… this will do. We need a secluded area, something naturally hidden from the world."

He turned to Pandoria, his ever-watchful companion. "Pandoria, scan the area. Locate the most optimal place for our base. Prioritize concealment, natural defenses, and resource availability."

Pandoria's form flickered as she processed the request. After a brief pause, she responded. "Scan complete. A subterranean cavern system has been detected beneath a dense thicket in the northern Jura Forest. The entrance is obscured by thick vegetation and mist. Underground rivers provide a sustainable water source, and there are mineral deposits rich with untapped resources. It is the ideal location."

Arion smirked. "Perfect. That will be our stronghold."

Veldora crossed his arms. "I'll take you there myself.

With that, the two prepared to journey into the depths of the Jura Forest, marking the beginning of Arion's silent conquest.

As Arion and Veldora arrived at the hidden location deep within the Jura Forest, they were greeted by an eerie silence. The dense vegetation hung thick like a natural barrier, vines twisting around ancient trees, their bark covered in glowing moss. The entrance to the cavern was almost invisible, masked by a waterfall that cascaded over jagged rocks. Only those who knew where to look would ever suspect the existence of something beyond.

Arion stepped forward, his golden eyes narrowing as he took in the scene. The rushing water echoed through the cavern, the sound masking all other noise. As he passed through the waterfall, the cave opened into a vast subterranean space, illuminated by faintly glowing crystals embedded within the rocky ceiling. Stalactites hung like the fangs of a beast, while underground streams carved winding paths through the stone.

Veldora smirked, crossing his arms. "Well, this place is ominous enough for whatever grand scheme you're cooking up."

Arion slowly ran his gloved fingers along the cavern walls, sensing the untapped potential. "This… is perfect." His voice was almost a whisper, but the weight of his words carried through the chamber. He turned to Pandoria. "Activate concealment protocols. We'll use high-tier illusion magic to shroud this place from detection. Even the strongest clairvoyants will see nothing but an empty forest."

Pandoria's form flickered as she processed his command. "Understood. Deploying veil of concealment." A pulse of magic radiated outward, weaving an intricate illusion over the entire area. The waterfall shimmered briefly before returning to its natural state—now, to any outsider, it was just another piece of the endless wilderness.

Veldora leaned against a boulder, watching with mild amusement. "Alright, you've got your hideout. Now tell me—what exactly are you planning?"

Arion turned, his golden eyes glowing in the dim cavern light. "This world is still taking shape. The great nations are rising, but they are blind. They scheme in the open, building armies, waging wars. But true power isn't held by kings on their thrones—it belongs to those who pull the strings from the shadows."

He walked deeper into the cavern, his voice growing colder. "We will become the unseen force that dictates the fate of empires. I will forge an army of assassins and shadow operatives—masters of infiltration, manipulation, and elimination. Every ruler, every general, every so-called hero will dance to my will, whether they realize it or not."

Veldora chuckled, intrigued. "Hah! So you're not just after brute force. You want to control everything from behind the scenes."

Arion smirked. "Exactly. The strongest warrior can be felled by a single dagger in the dark. A king can be undone by a whisper in the right ear. Empires rise and fall not through conquest alone, but through deception, betrayal, and precise elimination."

Veldora raised an eyebrow. "And where do you plan to find these 'shadows' of yours?"

Arion gestured toward the darkness beyond. "The Jura Forest is home to outcasts, exiles, and creatures shunned by the world. I will seek them out—the ones with nothing to lose, those abandoned by fate. I will offer them purpose, power, and a place where they can thrive. They will become the deadliest force this world has ever known."

He turned to Pandoria. "Begin the next phase. Scan the forest for individuals with exceptional agility, stealth, and killing potential. Search for exiled warriors, rogue sorcerers, and those who have already learned to live in the darkness."

Pandoria's eyes glowed. "Scanning… Initial targets identified. Multiple outcasts detected within a 50-kilometer radius. Some possess latent abilities that match the required parameters."

Arion's smirk widened. "Good. We'll start recruiting immediately. Those who prove their worth will be trained. Those who refuse… will be dealt with."

Veldora let out a low laugh. "Heh. You're really going all in on this 'shadow empire' idea. Fine, I'll stick around and watch how this plays out. But don't expect me to follow orders—I'm just here for the entertainment."

Arion chuckled darkly. "Then enjoy the show, dragon. Because soon, the world will fear the name of the Emminence of Shadow."

The air in the cavern grew colder, the shadows seemingly stretching as if answering their new master's call. The first steps of a grand conspiracy had begun, and in the unseen corners of the world, a new power was about to rise.


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