The Path of Ascension

Chapter 105

Emmanuel looked around his office while lost in thought.

He had cracked thousands of healing skills, to no effect, before he started looking elsewhere.

More than one person had taken to collecting odd cracked skills for a variety of reasons. Some did it more as a hobby, just trying to find or create unique cracks that completely changed the skills function.

Others, people he disapproved of, used the rare and unique cracks as recruiting tools. They functioned as bribes, used to entice people that the new skills perfectly fit over to the creators side, along with stringent contracts.

It was never illegal, but the contracts could be restrictive. They essentially stated that the person accepting the contract was given something genuinely unique and incredibly valuable. That definition allowed the skill owner to bind people to their cause nearly forever.

That was where he found the answer to his Melinda problem.

Duke Frederic Macheteuil was the cause of quite a few of the Empire's current problems. He was a part of an old house of nobility that had remained neutral when Emmanuels grandmother took the throne from the previous dynasty.

The loyalists had all been purged or forced to ascend during his grandmother's rule. Still, her supporters and the neutral parties had been given special compensation, along with exemptions from the rules that had been implemented.

His grandmother was a monster, and might have been able to give Duke Waters a run for his money. At Tier 48, she had an inspiration that pushed her to Tier 49, allowing her to kill the Emperor of the time.

The gaps between Tiers only grew more prominent as a cultivator ascended through them. The Tiers where you earned a Talent or needed a Concept were always watershed Tiers, where it was even harder to close the gap.

Grandma Agatha had been a beast that few could compare to. He only had recordings of the woman, but she had dethroned a corrupt dynasty, then struck down the internal strife that nearly led to a civil war. Most of the vital Ducal families tried to seize the throne, causing chaos amidst a struggle for power.

It had come to a head when a noble had secretly met with the then slightly stronger Sects, and proposed an alliance. He had convinced the Tier 50 ruling them to assist in his take-over plot, for some unknown compensation.

In an at-the-time realm shaking event, his grandmother cut the Tier 50 in half, causing him to retreat in a panic. Agatha then proceeded to cull the families that backed the coup. That event cemented the Empire as a power not to be trifled with, but it also painted a target on their back.

The Sects didn't take their loss lightly, saying that their Tier 50 was about to ascend, which he did in short order. The new Tier 50 was incredibly aggressive to the Empire, and declared nine wars on them during their thirty thousand-year reign.

Most ended in draws, with no land exchanged on either side, and only spilled blood to show for them. But, in order to fund those wars with both money and bodies, his grandmother had to make several concessions to convince the remaining noble families to back her.

She instituted many new changes, which would eventually be the foundation that the Empire's success rested on. But those changes came at a cost.

In exchange for amending the Path of Ascension to allow commoners, and reducing the stringent requirements to recruit new people, she was forced to reform the tax policy and replace those funds with her own delving profits.

Preventing newly raised noble families from excluding all but their firstborns from seats of power, and allowing anyone to challenge a noble to their position caused even more backlash. In response, she had to write an exemption for the nobles of that time. It declared that they, their houses, and any land they directly settled were exempt from those rules.

As was the case today, the nobles of the past subtly threatened to go to the other great powers and split away from the Empire. His grandmother could fight one Tier 50, but if there were two

She never wanted to find out, and thus refrained from pushing the nobles too hard. A trend his father had followed. So did he, for that matter. But he was slowly trying to chip away at their power bases, and the noble families knew it.

That threat had caused Agatha to turn to the then similarly powered Conglomerate of Guilds and offer a truce, treaty, and official defensive alliance. It was rare for two of the Great Powers to ally, since they usually contested each other for territory and resources. It was rarer still for two neighbors to enter into an alliance, as settled land didnt need to be curated or Tiered up. To that effect, most alliances were ones of convenience, and lasted for only a single conflict. They usually were formed to knock down a common threat or rival.

That didn't mean that the two Great Powers didn't have their differences, but their alliance had been tested, and had never faltered. Even when the Empire was at its weakest, and recovering from strife caused by the multitude of changes that his grandmother implemented.

As they started to rise in his father's time, the two powers only grew closer, and the Guilds were the first to implement similar changes. They only remained the fifth great power due to a string of terrible luck. Both of their most recent territorial gains at the time had yielded nothing but low Tier worlds. The lack of any higher Tier gains caused bottlenecks in their ability to produce similarly Tiered fighters, causing apparent stagnation. Low Tier worlds had their usage, but they were only really settled to create connections to the more valuable, higher Tier worlds.

In truth, the Guilds were nipping at the Sect's heels then, and were about to overtake them in relative power, even if they were significantly smaller.

His father and the Guilds last Tier 50 had both gone off to delve the far reaches of chaotic space, and together had found and hauled back a Tier 39 world, causing a resurgence in exploration and cooperation.

Power was what prevented the lower Tiers from breaking free and setting up their own kingdoms. Tier 50 was a hard limit in this realm, and as long as there was a single Tier 50, everyone was forced under their power.

Emmanuel was a Tier 50, which equated to strength that couldnt be ignored. He could kill any of his nobles without question, and easily. If he wanted them to die, they would. But it would cause the other nobles to scatter into the arms of the other Great Powers, and split the Empire.

The other Great Powers were always hungry for new land, and high Tier planets were at a premium. If he pushed changes too fast, the nobles would band together and defect to one of their neighbors.

All of the compromises that his grandmother made were still causing problems today. Despite all the good his father had done, he wasn't a fighter. His grandmother chose him as her heir because of his steadfast personality, along with his ability to network and play politics.

That wasn't to say he was weak. His father was strong, but he simply wasnt the most combat-oriented cultivator. In truth, he was a seeker of middling ability at best. His abilities relied more on his honed skills, rather than Talents.

His father had made great strides in limiting the abuses of those under Tier 15, to the point that the common men lived amazing lives, free from most worries.

After Tier 15, rules were less enforced outside of cities, and to Emmanuel's shame, the rules were treated more like guidelines after Tier 35. He and his forebears had ensured that fighting down without being attacked first was a death sentence, but only living people could report the attacks.

It didn't help that his nobles clung to the old ways, and rarely intervened. Most believed or purported that the law of the strong was paramount, so it wasn't their place to intervene.

Two of his Royals were nobles, and were backed by the opposition faction while supporting noble causes. Rusty and Tur'stal had been found and backed by noble houses during their advancement, and had pushed back against any reforms that were too hampering.

Harper was deliberately neutral in all dealings, leaving Emmanuel backed solely by Mara and Leon. They were excellent friends, and steadfast in their support of his changes, but they were flakier in their duties than a fresh pastry. Getting them to show up to a meeting of Royals was like pulling teeth, as if they were actively hiding.

That worked well for the nobles aligned against him, but it was also why he was able to allocate them rifts to reach Tier 48 so quickly. The nobles didn't mind his having two allies that couldnt be bothered to participate in court politics. Even his most fervent opposition wanted the Empire to remain strong, and no one could deny the couples fighting prowess. And with Great Powers limited to having only two Tier 48's he was happy to have them on his side.

The pair just worried more about their personal entertainment than directing their entire being to the betterment of the Empire.

Emmanuel sighed. That wasn't fair. They dedicated all of their profits from delving to him and to taxes, and their presence wasn't entirely needed at meetings, since they had standing orders to always vote with him. But it still left him at a distinct disadvantage in those meetings.

He, as Emperor, had three votes. One for each of the Kingdoms he presided over, and an extra vote for being Emperor. With Mara and Leon's votes he had five,against the two from Rusty and Tur'stal, and the single abstained vote of Harper. In theory, that should allow him to push everything and anything he wanted through. But Rusty and Tur'stals Kingdoms accounted for nearly forty percent of the high Tier planets, and were far and away the largest powerbases.

It forced him to need at least their tentative support for most things. And to their credit, they were incredibly supportive of reforms that didnt affect noble power or privileges.

Duke Frederic Macheteuil was the reason he was in a pickle. The Empire had grown so large in such a short amount of time, it was already time to raise another Royal to the council. Duke Frederic Macheteuil was the strongest non-Royal who was interested in politics. At Tier 46, he was a powerhouse in his own right, and he was widely popular amongst the old blood families for his desire to retain noble power.

In one of his few mistakes, his father had given Frederics father the Dukedom of one of the outer systems, in which a Tier 35 planet was found. At first, the deal seemed terrific, as the noble family had to give up their current holding to take the new land. At the time it was a reason for celebration, but now it was a thorn in Emmanuel's side, letting Frederic campaign to be raised to a Royal position.

Emmanuel's father had refused to grant the request, on the pretense of the sector not being built up enough, which Frederic and the other nobles accepted. There was a long-standing tradition to only award Royal seats in areas that met the inner worlds standards. Frederic's ancestors had used this reasoning to prevent a rival's ascension to power, so his faction couldn't balk at it now.

In an expected move, but one he couldn't prevent, they poured massive amounts of resources into the sector. They rapidly attracted settlers under Tier 15, along with quite a few higher Tiers, over to the new regions.

They even followed his laws and edicts to the letter about under Tier 15 treatment. Things were going as well as he could ask for, which was the problem. Frederic, for all his faults, wasn't an evil or stupid man. He was a supporter of the reforms that Emmanuel pushed through when he took the throne, to once again increase noble taxes so the proceeds could be reinvested into their worlds and for The Path.

What Emmanuel worried about was creating another Royal that would work on the old system, making this another prime position for a corrupt noble to take over after Frederic ascended to the higher realm.

Emmanuel sighed as he debated whether it was worth it to go see the man.

In the end, he had to. He had so many useful skills for when his current hopefuls fell off The Path, or participated in the Tier 10 tournament.

Melinda particularly was too valuable of a resource not to cultivate.

Her growth with her Talent was one of his highest priorities. He wished she would focus on things other than healing old age, as was her current obsession, but he wouldn't interfere. That would stifle her at best, which was something he was unwilling to risk.

Still, he had consistently made trips to her the moment she Tiered up, so he could get the newest version of her Talent. It was so potent, it replaced his Tier 3 in situations where he wasn't in direct combat. Assassins werent expected, but they could strike at any time, and the ability to save someone's life around him was too useful a power.

The skill in question was [Cracked Miasma].

[Miasma] was a Tier 20 skill that created a massive area of effect noxious gas when cast. It was formidable in and of itself, but nothing exceptional. Mostly, it was paired with more dangerous poison skills to increase their range. The skill lingered in the cast area for hours or days, depending on the initial mana cost. And unless purged, the toxins remained in the body for up to a week.

The cracked version only had one single change that made it useless for other people. It was a healing skill that acted the same way as the original skill. In theory, an AOE healing skill was amazing, but it was as weak as it was long-lasting. While not usually a problem, healing a body already under the effect of a healing spell was dozens of times more difficult. It wasnt impossible, but it was an unnecessary added effort for subsequent healers.

Melindas overhealth didn't have that problem.

He had Moon check a dozen times.

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But for Melinda, a healing skill that lasted a week would be a game-changer. Instead of the active skill interfering with subsequent healing spells cast after the fact, any healer treating someone with the spell active inside of them would get the benefit of overhealth. It would let Melinda cast the spell on entire armies, who could then walk through the lingering miasma and become practically immortal for the next week. He hadnt even factored in the lack of healing downtime, which could last decades at the higher Tiers.

Emmanuel needed the skill, unless he wanted to wait for Matt to make a new skill with his rift experiments. But while the boys experiments showed promise, he was unwilling to wait that long, or risk the situation with his nobles changing. While he and his people didn't know the combination Matt had used to make [Copper Skin] they could brute force it with enough mana and attempts. Mana he didn't really have the budget for.

Perhaps Alex would be able to coax it from a Rift if they knew where to look but no.

The Empire needed the skill.

He just didn't know how to get the skill without tipping his hand and revealing Melindas existence, or backsliding on millennia of progress. Frederic was known for his hard bargaining.

Emmanuel sent a message to his wife to let her know that he was leaving. Once she responded, he ripped through reality and into chaotic space.

For him, the angry winds of the corrosive energy werent even an annoyance, and he could see farther than nearly anyone else through the swirls of power. Orienting himself, he plotted the most direct path to Fredric's duchy, and ignored the lines of power connecting the linked worlds. It was faster to go through space directly.

In only a month, Emmanuel was inspecting the linked worlds of this new region. With his Tier 50 perception, he could blanket and inspect half a dozen worlds and all their inhabitants at once.

He needed to change his Tier 25 Talent to one that let him split his mind into portions, allowing him to comprehend the information at a reasonable pace. But he was quite happy to see the progress.

There were no overt abuses of power, and no signs of commoners being mistreated. The worlds around him were thriving and proliferating. It was everything he could ask for.

Crime and such happened, but that was just human nature. The worst offenses he observed were recorded and sent to the proper authorities, ensuring that the guilty would be punished. There was nothing egregious to be alarmed about.

Emmanuel repeated his actions with each new world he passed during his month-long journey. It would take someone in a state of the art chaotic spaceship a year to traverse this distance, and longer if they tried under their own power, but that was a benefit of being on top.

If he wanted to, he could snuff out any of the worlds around him with a thought.

Power was dangerous, and he wondered if it would be better if there was no cultivation for the millionth time. His wife, Carissa, thought he was crazy for even trying to contemplate the idea. But he figured that if everyone was similarly weak, they would be truly equal, and no one would be able to abuse their power.

When he arrived at a bright speck of light in the void, he politely sent a strand of perception, and deliberately brushed upon the strongest perception on the planet.

He could have, with his greater power, inspected the planet without being noticed, but it was the politest way to contact someone on their home planet.

A strand of perception punched out of realspace and offered an open but questioning invitation.

Emmanuel noted where Duke Frederic Macheteuil was, and ripped through space to meet him in a sitting room. It was clear that he had just teleported into the space to meet Emmanuel upon his arrival, as maids were scurrying to prepare delicacies in the nearest kitchen.

Duke Macheteuil was standing, and bowed deeply at Emmanuel's arrival. He kept the position held as he said, As always, it is a pleasure to receive you, my liege. My home is your home.

Emmanuel waited for the proper timing, and responded in the traditional response, Rise, my loyal retainer. I protect what is mine, either by proxy or directly. Only together does the Empire remain strong. Rise, and let us speak.

They both sat as tea was brought in, with the formalities out of the way.

This being a Tier 35 world, Emmanuel didn't have to worry about accidentally tearing an uncontrolled hole into chaotic space and destroying the planet, but he still moved with more control than Frederic.

As they sipped the tea, Frederic probed slightly. It is always a pleasure to have you visit your grace, but I must ask if this is an official visit or a personal one.

Both. It was time to inspect this region of my territory, in preparation for integration to a kingdom. I was also looking for some practical skills in your collection.

He was trying to offer the carrot to get what he wanted, rather than the stick he was willing to use.

Using his father's Tier 50 Talent, he checked the next few seconds of time and reviewed the various possibilities in descending likelihood. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary, he observed Fredric's reactions.

The Duke nodded. I was sure you would see the progress that weve made in the last few thousand years, and grant our request in short order, but it is good that we have met your expectations.

Emmanuel wanted to scoff. The man was essentially saying it was good that Emmanuel would be forced to elevate him and this region of worlds to a proper kingdom sooner or later. Whether he liked it or not. And it wouldn't buy him any favors to do it early.

I am glad that you and your nobles have worked so diligently and kept any excess in check.

Frederic just smiled. We always strive to do what is best. Clearly seeing Emmanuels disagreement, he temporized, Not all of us are so conscious of our obligation. I do admit that, but no system is perfect. I keep a strong leash on my nobles, unlike other locations.

The Tier 46 scoffed, There are no uncontrolled rift breaks on any planet I control.

Emmanuel nodded to the man. That was true. It had only been with Frederics support that he had been able to push through reforms against such negligence, after the disaster at Lilly. It was also only with his interference that the law passed with the clause that nobles would only lose their title and privilege, if subsequent disasters were at least sixty percent as destructive as the break on Lilly had been.

Still, it had been a good reform. Emmanuel could admit that.

Yes. I inspected your worlds and only found the normal crimes one would expect. I must commend you on your control over your retainers.

The small talk continued as they talked about expansion routes and various resource exchangesnormal and mundane things between Kingdoms. Most deals were fair and equal, but they each got the upper hand on a few key items. Emmanuel had two kingdoms worth of resources at hand, compared to Frederics single new Kingdom.

When that was settled, Frederic broached the second topic after leading Emmanuel to his vault.

They passed through layer after layer of restriction to reach a massive door made from Tier 47 steel. Even Emmanuel would need time to physically break through that much metal, which was all that it was meant to do. Nothing could stop a desperate cultivator except for someone stronger.

The vault only needed to slow anyone foolish enough down, so Frederic and his guards could rush in and subdue them.

The spatially expanded space was massive, and they meandered around as Frederic showed off the various things he had collected throughout the years. Most were unique rather than useful, but that was to be expected. Useful things were used.

They finally reached the section of the vault where the cracked skills were kept.

Frederic waved and said, And so we finally arrive within my most prized collection. Unique cracked skills with various effects. The more unique or specialized, the more I prize them. He sighed in a way Emmanuel believed was genuine, if rehearsed.

And the same ones that you use to bind people to you.

Frederic shrugged. I don't force anyone, nor do I prevent them from growing in power and ascending. That breaks all contracts, and they keep the skill. When something is that perfect, what is a little service? Seeing they were going to tread down a long rehearsed path, he waved. I welcome you to look around if you aren't sure what skills you need, but if you want to pick the ones you need, I will be happy to start negotiations.

They started with more common skills to bargain for. There were two dozen promising youths Emmanuel was preparing to reward with special, targeted rewards in the next Pather tournament, and it would help obfuscate the skills he actually wanted to get from Frederic.

Vince and Adam both just needed cracked skills with lower spiritual strain. Easy enough to get, but hard to find good ones that matched their hybrid fighting style.

Tiffany was a void melee fighter who needed [Cracked Heavy Punch] with a void aspect to really shine, and he intended to get it for her here.

Very few Skills could withstand part of their structure being twisted to Void, and given the immeasurable rarity of true Void Skills, this was a perfect reward for her.

The others would either get specialized items to further their advancement, or Tier 20 skills. Adding to the numbers would hopefully hide Melinda's skill.

Emmanuel had already found the skills he wanted, and with an effort of will and a show of power, broke the restrictions around their cases and brought them to hover in between them.

He wasn't stealing them, but he was showing that he had a distinct advantage, and wasn't going to deal with bad faith bargaining.

The first ones were easy enough to bargain for, as they were there more so to round out Frederics collection than anything else. They were hardly of any true value. To Emmanuels irritation, the man latched on to [Cracked Miasma] with much more enthusiasm.

Yes. [Cracked Miasma], truly a rare crack. A damage skill turned to healing. One of a kind.

They both knew it wasn't one of a kind. Just rare.

Yes, its a great find indeed, though no rarer I would say, than [Cracked Heavy Punch].

Frederic smiled. If it is your majesty who needs the skill personally, I will be happy to give it as a gift. But He trailed off seeing if Emmanuel would lie.

The man was probing to see if there was a new rising star in the Empire that had a Talent the Emperor could use to his advantage. The free gift wouldn't be free, but instead a favor, which was far worse. It was also a way to see if Frederic could make the cost too high, and then try to rope in the young person the skill was meant to synergize with.

Emmanuel would kill the man before he let Melinda fall under his thumb.

He still needed to avoid lying, though. No. As you suspect it is for a young person who can make good use of it.

Seeing the mans smile turned predatory, Emmanuel flexed his power.

Slightly.

Reality trembled for an instant, and the expanded space grew disjointed as the enchantments started to fail under the stress.

Do not try to play games with me on this, Frederic. I will not tolerate it in this instance. What do you want for these skills?

Even under the power, Frederic remained calm.

I would like to know who the young up and comers are. I like to do the same as you. Bring them to my side early and raise them up. Don't pretend that youre doing anything different. I just don't hide my bindings. And you say I'm the worst.

I'm nothing like you. I don't force anyone into my service. Seeing the man about to object, Emmanuel raised a hand, I won't argue that you don't treat your people well. But I don't force anyone to accept my leash. You should know, with how many of your guards were on The Path. You snatched them all up as soon as they fell off.

Frederic nodded at that. It was true, after all. The Path of Ascension was a fertile recruiting ground for noble houses and guilds, and Emmanuel let them take freely from those that fell off. His only restrictions applied to approaching the youth that were looking to complete The Path. Those were national assets, and not to be touched.

He had killed more than one noble for trying to tempt Light and Shadow off The Path.

Frederic sighed. If you want the skills with no strings attached for your prospects, I want you to halt all of your reforms targeting the nobility for the next five thousand years.

Emmanuel resisted the urge to curse. He was hoping, despite knowing how unlikely it was, that the man would just ask for his own Royal title and leave it at that. Still, that was too far. Emmanuel only had thirty thousand years as a ruler, and a thousand were already gone. Losing one-sixth of his time to get a single skill was inexcusable.

He wanted to have the old nobles well under control, and a balance for the guilds, while the new meritocratic nobles who were more loyal to him and the central government held more of the power.

Emmanuel shook his head this time. That's too long. Two thousand years, and I'll immediately raise you up to a Royal during the session.

Frederic tried to retort that the deal was too unfair, but Emmanuel held firm.

It is not enough. This is a one of a kind skill. I can't part with them so easily.

Thinking, Emmanuel brought out [Copper Skin]. It was one of a kind, until Matt made more of them. If the boy took too long, he would start tasking other people with it, but his mana budget was already held together with promises more than anything. Everything cost mana, and there were always places to use more of it.

This is [Copper Skin], a unique Tier 8 skill. A seeming variation of [Iron Skin], but a Tier lower. One of a kind.

Frederics eyes glinted with interest, but he tried to play coy. But the skill will be pulled out of rifts in the future. It's only rare now. Not forever.

Emmanuel, shook his head. No, the skill wasn't thought to be unique at the time, and with its birthplace being only Tier 6, the rift was either Tiered up or dissipated. They aren't sure, as it was a part of a batch increase. Regardless, the rift is gone, and the skill is the only one that remains.

That caught Frederics interest, and Emmanuel knew he had him on at least that.

The conversation turned to more obscure negotiation methods for them to move the price, but Emmanuels tactic of saying it was for a poison user fell flat. Frederic had the skill well investigated and it didn't count as a poison skill in terms of damage any more, only healing which meant most poison Talents wouldnt affect the skill any more.

Eventually, they settled on the two thousand years of no changes to noble privileges without Frederics approval. A condition they both agreed on easily enough. Change needed to happen, and if Frederic approved it, the nobles that followed him would fall in line. The deal also came with Frederics immediate rise to Royalty, with Emmanuel assisting him in a few public speeches, and shows of support in his new Kingdom. [Copper Skin] was the final touch which let him keep the years of the condition down.

Frederic was a collector after all and the skill was a prize he couldn't pass up on easily.

Neither were happy with the deal, which was how they both knew that neither was being screwed.

He believed that before two thousand years had passed, Matt would be a high enough Tier to change the face of the Empire. Then, he could turn this deal in on the nobles, and hold the benefits of unlimited power to those loyal to him.

Emmanuel was touring the new Kingdom while meeting and greeting various local nobles and commoners, when the report of the Pather war ending came in.

Things were normal enough, until he saw what Mara and Leon had done.

He had to resist face palming in front of the crowd when he got the high priority report. They loved to create problems for him.

***

Brice, former King of the Seven Suns vassal state of the Empire, as he had sent his abdication order as he left real space, moved through chaotic space with the rage still burning hot in his chest.

It didn't help that he was being buffeted by the ever-increasing chaotic space, and was nearly unable to fly through the turbulence before things started to settle down.

His anger only increased as he left. All of his recent troubles had started from Pathers. Pathers had gotten tangled up in his idiot family members scheme of taking indentured workers and then the Pathers had caused the war to be allowed in his territory.

He thought it was a good sign when he noticed the chaotic space turning into a flame type, in response to someone strong enough to impose their will on the untamed space.

Not willing to interact with someone that strong, he started to fly out of the area, when he noticed that the flames grew hotter and started to follow him.

His worry turned to alarm, and he flew ahead at full speed, only to turn and see a woman with flaming hair feathers chasing him down.

Realizing that he couldn't escape, he began to ask why he was being chased down, only to be grabbed by a massive talon.

His ribs and arms shattered like dry twigs, as the crushing power was accompanied by a cultivation pressure that threatened to extinguish his very spirit.

He tried to ask why, but was unable to even concentrate enough to use his AI.

The woman looked at him with a tilted head that reminded him more of a bird of prey, wondering the best way to pick out the soft bits of its meal, than a human. It was then that he put the pieces together. This was Mara, Queen of Beasts and Evolved Humans. A Tier 48.

Are you King Brice?

I

The talon tightened. Don't bother. I already know. I'm quite upset with you.

The chaotic space around them flared to orange and flame.

As Mara expected an answer, her talons lessened their pressure, and Brice was able to say, You attacked down Tiers. The Emperor will kill you for this.

She shook her flaming hair. Nah, I don't think so. More like chewed out. I've been chewed out before.

The claw around him tightened as she leaned forward. I'm debating just eating you now. It would solve so many problems. But I won't. I'm sure you have plenty of enemies lining up to take your head. Your own family for example. I can't believe you actually treat them that way. As if theyre disposable.

The flames roared around them, and even Brices' full power couldn't keep them at bay. The inferno started to char his skin.

I treasure my children. They are the most important thing to me. Now how do you think I felt when my youngest daughter asked for a favor from me to help a friend?

The crazy bitch clapped her hands and smiled. I was ecstatic! Friends! She had so few growing up that I worried for her. Now she has a friend good enough that she requests a favor on their behalf. How wonderful! She also formalized her relationship with my soon-to-be son-in-law on that planet. I was going to memorialize it and add it to my collection. So how do you think I reacted once I found out that you detonated depleted copper all over the place!? It's going to take years to return to its pristine condition! It cant be a part of my collection if it's not pristine, can it?

Brice tried to speak, but the talon tightened. From the report, I saw that you were even willing to kill quite a few people with your little plan. Youre lucky the army had overrides for your son's detonators to the explosives. The poor boy was panicked enough to actually do it.

With a monumental effort, he wheezed out, There are always losses. I

The talon tightened even further. Clearly, you are much too stupid. Maybe I should just kill you after all People disappear in chaotic space all the time... Mara seemed to really ponder it for a minute, but shook her head. No. I have a much better punishment.

The power radiated off of her, and there was an authority in her voice as she said, Former King Brice of the Vassal Kingdom Seven Suns. I, in my authority as a Royal, am ordering you to serve on a clean-up crew on the old frontier, to help re-terraform them from the last war. This is nonnegotiable, as I find you guilty of using planet-harming munitions on a soon-to-be habitable world. You may have followed the letter of the law, but I find you in violation of the spirit of said law, while risking the lives of thousands of Pathers.

Unwilling to be forced to clean planets for who knew how long, he tried to protest. I am due my reward for growing the Empire by proxy. I

Mara cut him off. Yes, you are, and even I can't touch that. But with my authority, I am postponing your compensation until after your punishment is complete. If you fail to report in, you will be treated as a criminal, and will be hunted down. She smiled a hopeful smile as she finished, Please do run. I'll chase you down, even into another Great Power. Test me. Please.

Brice was flung away, and slowed in the non-controlled chaotic space while he focused on healing. He intended to flee into unsettled space to get away, but that was only an initial reaction.

He would lose too much. No, it was better to report her, and try to use the physical attack as a lever to reduce the punishment. It was also far more likely to work; the woman had gone overboard, and had broken half a dozen laws. Even if laws were less enforced when between two peoples over Tier 15 she had broken them nonetheless.

She was probably right, and wouldn't be killed, but he could fight to reduce the punishment on the grounds that she had already punished him.

He was still focusing on healing when the chaotic space started to change again. He feared it was Mara coming back to finish the job, as he would have, when he noticed that it was a lightning user.

To his bafflement, he saw a single man hauling around an entire world. It felt like a Tier 7 planet, and they were clawing their way through chaotic space. They were pulling a world against the current. Brice couldn't pull a world through chaotic space with the current. At least, not more than a few feet. He had done so once as a show of power, and had needed years to recover his overtaxed spirit and that had only been a Tier 2 world.

It didn't take his reading the message that was sent for him to figure out who the man had to be.

When I get done hauling this, I'm gonna kick your ass for ruining my daughter's fun!

Brice decided that it was much better to report into the terraforming location, and shelter somewhere even those two maniacs wouldn't dare act against him.

***

After the party and commiseration, Queen Diana was positively sloshed with her newest sister.

Her father's parting words still bothered Cori, but they convinced her that they were all bluster, and that he was only trying to hurt her.

It had mostly worked, and they had gorged themselves on good food and better wine for the better part of a week.

Even their immortal bodies could only take so much punishment and abuse. Coupled with her almost gone, but still lingering wound, Diana was feeling sore, but good.

That was, until she and all her sisters were ripped through chaotic space, suddenly standing in front of Mara.

Diana immediately bowed deeply while sending messages to her sisters, who followed suit.

Technically, they were peers, as they were both queens. The only noble she technically had to bow to was the Emperor, and Leon, her direct liege. Maras husband. Even the land they ruled was of different quantity and quality. Dianas entire Queendom was the size of maybe two duchies in the Empire proper. And Mara controlled dozens of duchies. Only a fool wouldn't bow in front of true power.

That wasn't even to mention the difference in Tiers. A Tier 35 might as well be a child in front of a Tier 48.

Stand up! Stand up. Mara sounded in good cheer, which relieved most of Diana's worries. The fear that her daughter had said something still lingered, but lessened.

How can I assist you, Queen Mara? We will do

Mara waved an arm that slightly turned into a wing. Please, hunnie. I don't care about the formalities. I want to buy the planet.

Diana paused as she replayed the words that the Queen in front of her just said. It made no sense.

We will happily give you sovereignty over the planet, if that is what you wish. I

No, no, no. I want to take the planet. My daughter had quite a few first experiences here, and I want to add it to my collection. I want to take the planet home with me. She made real friends here! I can't let this place go.

Diana started to panic. This planet was the only tether to the Tier 20 planet next door, and if they lost the connection, the Tier 20 planet would start to drift into chaotic space. Then, they would have lost everything.

Trying to figure out how to deny the woman without pissing her off, Diana tried, We would give you the planet if we could, but there is a Tier 20 one jump over. We will lose the other planet if you take this one. Great lady, please, I beg of you not to make us lose something we have fought so hard for.

Mara scoffed at her. I'm not an asshole. My hubby is bringing a replacement planet over as we speak. A fresh Tier 7 planet. Well just plop it in place before we leave.

They stared at each other for a long moment as Diana questioned if she heard her right. She knew Leon. The man was strong. He had to be to remain a King, but moving a Tier 7 planet over more than her range of perception should be nearly impossible.

She peered upstream to see if he was just guiding the planet over. That would be much more believable, but her spiritual scene showed her the opposite. There was nothing there.

She did, however, find him pulling a Tier 7 world from down stream.

Diana was speechless as her mind ground to a halt.

Mara shoved a bag into her chest, along with each of her sisters.

Diana took it out of reflex, and nearly drifted away as the higher Tier stones had enough spiritual prescience to try and drift off, it was more than she could easily stabilize. Her lower Tiered sisters weren't so lucky and she felt Mara assisting them.

Five Tier 45 mana stones apiece. I'll also be paying everyone on the planet a mana stone fifteen Tiers above them.

Seeing the woman pause and look at her with a cocked head, Diana nodded.

This is more than generous, great lady. We will immediately start evacuations. I

Mara waved her off. When we get the other planet in place, Ill move everyone over. She also looked at the connection between the Tier 6 world and the Tier 20. Ill also clear the traps through there. Did the idiot do that?

Not waiting for an answer, Mara continued, Maybe I should have killed him.

At the same time, a series of explosions rang out in chaotic space. She turned to Cori, who had passed off her bag of mana stones to remain with them, instead of drifting off into chaotic space.

Hey, girl. Your dads a proper dick. If you plan to kill him, you need to get a lot stronger, and soon. I ordered him to planet clean up duty for this little stunt, but it won't prevent him from advancing forever.

Cori opened her mouth, but Leon arrived, puffing with exertion. I'm here. He panted more before continuing, Did we make a deal?

Mara transformed her battle garb to a skimpy maid's outfit, and started patting his forehead with a small cloth while shoving her chest into his arm.

The comical scene was offset by the weighty words, Yup! All sold. Ill do the swap and move the people.

There was a flash of flames, and the two worlds seemed to merge in space for a second, before the Tier 7 replaced the Tier 6. Even the connections were transferred over.

Mara froze as Diana felt a powerful perception inspecting the people on the new world and Mara looked at Diana. Ummm, did you happen to get a note with training instructions on it?

Diana paused. She actually had gotten one. Everyone on the planet had. They were quite good, and addressed everyone's singular greatest weakness while giving them things to improve on. The instructions for Sara were so good, Diana was genuinely impressed. Concise information about her general fighting style, and tips for her budding Concept. That didn't even account for the note for her, which hinted at what she needed to do to get her own Aspect.

Yes, would you like to see it?

Mara screamed, No! Even her feathered hair stood straight out.

Leon looked like he would be sick as they turned to each other.

Tell me they wouldnt do that to our baby girl!? Leon seemed to be asking anyone for reassurance, while Mara looked as if her flames would gutter out.

How are we supposed to spy on her if the crazy bitch is there? She's going to try and make us work hard!

The two looked stricken as they peered around, like they knew someone was watching them.

Finally, they said in unison, Let's get out of here.

Mara, with an effort of will, moved everyone on the planet over, and then the two flew off, with Leon dragging the planet away.

Squawk!

Maras last word confused Diana further. The woman had said squawk. Not actually made the noise, but said the word.

Those two were weird.

Still, as Diana inspected their new planet, she smiled. It was lovely, but the Tier 45 mana stones would pay for quite a lot. They would both increase the value of her Queendom, and her own personal equipment.

Overall, they had made out well.

She wondered if there was another planet that the crazy couple wanted to buy.