บท 547: Planar Expansion
After the intense events that was the election, the people thought they would enter a time of great peace, with nothing as grandiose as that event. They thought the most exciting news coming to the Empire was things like cleaning up Planet Dark Star and getting rid of crime or news about corruption and degradation in the Empire's council.
However, more than a month later, another major news spread like wildfire–the discovery of the Astral Realm. The existence of other planes opened a new door to the Empire. They now had access to countless civilizations, including their history, knowledge, and resources.
How they understood the universe and how it operates drastically changed, and many people felt they took one step closer, as a collective, in pursuing the Arcane Truth. In just a few days of this news, countless Arcanists bought information regarding the Astral Realm and began writing papers.
However, these people did not have much time when Edward came on TV and announced the Empire's next step of expansion. Arcanists as low as Tier 6 can buy or rent Astral Towers, traveling ships to explore the Astral Realm.
Everyone knew that the Empire was entering its next step of major expansion and development, so the mood of the entire galaxy was extremely jovial, with countless people signing up.
In a short period, the Empire returned to the Age of Exploration, the short time after Edward's first voyage, where they first expanded outside the solar system. In that period, the universe was a vast unknown full of mystery. Many Arcanists signed up to travel the Milky Way as explorers.
Many people knew that the Age of Exploration was dangerous, especially in the early stages. But they also knew it was the best opportunity to get rich, acquire more resources, and climb the social and political ladder. The discovery of universal planes was an even greater opportunity than back then.
As such, countless people decided to buy an Astral Tower, even if they had to take a massive loan from the government or borrow one after signing a restrictive contract.
Not everyone was qualified, despite how many people signed up and wished to acquire a tower. The guideline for traveling the Astral Realm was extremely strict, and these arcanists–who first complained–soon understood why.
They learned that those powerful planes have an extreme hatred or desire for people in our Cosmic Faith Plane because of what their predecessors–the magus–did. As such, they must be extremely cautious in their voyage and not reveal their information.
Luckily, these people had a great leader and a competent government. In the past 20 years, the Empire conquered a Tier 8 Plane and secretly influenced or changed its history.
The plane, which once contained mages but was ruled by a god, experienced a renaissance as one man renovated the Mage Path and created the Arcane Path. Under that man's leadership, the mages turned into Arcanists and successfully rebelled against the Gods.
They took control of the plane and renamed it Arcane Plane from Glory Light Plane. The Arcane Plane became the place of origin for all Arcanists in the Empire as Edward created a clean and new background for everybody to prevent their identity from leaking. Regardless, they also must be careful not to reveal the truth.
This measure was also variable to the Gods of their own universe, who also wished to disassemble the Empire into delicate parts.
The second issue to consider for this new era was that their timeline was still isolated, making traveling to other planes a little more complicated. However, this problem was more of a logistic than anything else.
The third problem to deal with was the proper behavior to contact civilization. The Empire acknowledges that war, invasion, and plundering are the theme of all civilization in the Astral Realm. However, they wished to attempt something different.
For example, an Arcanist can use the Laws of Equivalent Exchange instead of direct invasion and plunder when dealing with weaker or less developed civilizations. The same approach is encouraged when dealing with more powerful civilizations up to Tier 8. (Tier 8 Civilization is the highest Astral Towers sold and the highest permitted civilization that an Arcanist can interact with.)
There were also rules to follow, especially regarding the enslavement of the natives of any world. In the Empire, population equals more arcanists, which equals more strength.
Slavery was outlawed, but there is also nuance to this issue. Some races, like Abyss Demons, are the manifestation of evil and everything chaotic. Such a race is impossible to domesticate or integrate into the Empire.
The rules for dealing with such species are to exterminate them. Arcanists can enslave them, but there is a limit based on the person's Tier and achievements. Edward and the Empire did not want these people to become one man's nation and destabilize the Empire's strength and power.
The Empire does not restrict how arcanists interacted with other planes–they can choose peaceful or brutal means. However, there are benefits, like tax breaks, to following protocols and peaceful methods. Ultimately, these people were warned and had to sign a contract not to purposely create powerful enemies for the Empire.
The final issue to deal with was tax. If an Arcanist uses peaceful means to exchange with a plane, they only need to pay 25% of their income, which involves knowledge and resources. If they used brutal means, the tax was increased to 30%.
Although 5% looked small, the number is astronomical when an entire plane is involved.
Many people felt this tax was too huge. After all, they knew how much resources even a weak plane contained. However, the Empire explained to these people the tax was for multiple reasons.
Firstly, if something happens to an arcanist during an exploration, they can contact the Empire to come to save them. The tax also covered the fee for reviving them in case they die or don't experience true death. An arcanist also had the right to ask the Empire to help them during a conquest or exchange.
However, depending on how much help they ask, the tax paid will increase to a minimum of 50% and a maximum of 70%. The officer in charge of the seminar introducing the rules to these people told them the best job was to find plane coordinates and sell them to the Empire.
Although Havika's Mathematical Model was wonderful, it was too far away from mapping the entire Astral Realm, and these coordinates would help. Furthermore, if an Arcanist discovered Tier 9 or above planes, they cannot do anything about it except wait for the future when the restrictions are removed. So, it's the best choice to sell the information.
The people attending the seminar felt relieved after hearing the information about taxes and their benefits, especially when they learned the Empire could save them from a Tier 10 threat if they gave sufficient reason. After all, their lives were more valuable than anything.
The last section of the seminar was detailed knowledge about planes. How to identify their tier before entering. How to deal with Planar Will, courses on planar warfare and diplomacy, and recognizing people from the top planes and their relationships.
Finally, everyone signed the necessary contracts before acquiring their Astral Tower and exploring the world.
The Empire had taken another major step toward their dominance of this universe.
-----
Next Chapter: Fourth Great Voyage.
บท 548: Fourth Great Voyage
[Short Chapter]
—--
After the planar expansion ordeal, Edward had little to do before his voyage. He went to check on the research on the Quantum Realm while also visiting the Savant Race. The people both loved and hated him.
The knowledge they acquired in the past few years made me sleep with a grin. Unfortunately, the tedious negotiation often ruined their happiness.
Afterward, Edward checked on the Bones Council. Things were proceeding smoothly, with relatively no problem. His methods allowed his variants to work together while keeping their deepest secrets. Over the past years, the Empire has benefitted immensely by using the council's resources.
Meanwhile, Edward had one problem he had to deal with, which was to prevent his variants from accessing other planes. He did not know whether there would be an issue with variants from the multiverse entering the Astral Plane. So far, the gods are all right.
Regardless, he was unprepared to deal with this issue–at least not now. As such, his main issue with the council was dealing with these variants that were closed to mastering Planar Travel Technology. Luckily, time was still short–relatively speaking–so there were not too many.
Edward's biggest worry was the variants not part of the council that had mastered this technology. After all, the multiverse was vast, full of endless variables and opportunities.
"Last thing to check," muttered Edward as he closed his eyes. A few minutes later, he opened them with a smile. "Everything is proceeding smoothly."
Not long ago, he finally received news from the spy he sent to infiltrate Daoist Purple Robe's home world. Now, everyone is fine and was not detected, so the first step in the infiltration is completed.
The next step is to create a believable identity and get Purple Robe's attention. Then, he can infiltrate the latter's Samsara Hall and take it down from the inside.
"I can't believe they've contacted us after so long," commented Morgana. "The time difference between Universes is fascinating."
"Indeed, it's something we should study one day. Anyway, all that matters is everything is going smoothly. Now, all I have to worry about is how fast he will take to completely control the artifact."
"Worrying about this won't help, so let's focus on the task at hand."
"Yes, so, are you ready?" asked Edward.
"Yes, I've prepared everything we need, including updating my database to contain all the Empire's progress in the last 20 years."
"In that case, let's not waste time."
He first saw Olivier and had a passionate night before she left. She would travel to many worlds like him, but her purpose was to become a better commander. Afterward, Edward met with his aunt before entering [Netheril] and left.
He promised Albion he would bring him on the next voyage, so he kept his promise. However, he still locked the dragon in his room and did not let him see anything to prevent problems.
"Is everything ready?" asked Edward.
"Yes, we have the coordinate."
"Then, let's go."
Edward heard a sound before everything began to shake like it was an earthquake of 10 magnitude. Luckily, the process lasted only a few seconds before stopping.
"What happened?" he asked, and Morgana did not immediately respond as she gazed at a small screen before her.
"We hit something in the midst of our travel."
"How can we be so unlucky? Or, is the Void not what it used to be?"
"I don't know, but luckily, everything is fine. We did not meet any creatures, nor were there any damages."
"That's good. Are we at our location?"
"Yes."
"Then, let's go."
The floating city entered this world while still in invisible mode. In an instant, Edward was outside a blue planet–Earth. Morgana immediately sent the Sorcerer Eyes to scan the planet, which appeared only to be an ordinary modern-day Earth.
Unless you look at its history.
Edward had a screen before showing the history of this planet. He read all the alien invasions this small planet experienced and the weird history of the past.
"It's hard to determine which one we are dealing with," said Morgana. "The worst part is he's not here, and we do not know where in time he is. It will be a pain to track him down–unless you blatantly used your Time Rule."
"It's unwise to use such a method on a being of that caliber," Edward shook his head. "How is the city adapting to the rules of this universe?"
"Barely," replied Morgana. "There is a powerful force that is rejecting all mana or magic. I have isolated its effect with the Void Shield and turned our system to a pure technology base."
"Will that be a problem?"
"Our technology is not on par with our magic, so it can only function at 80% capacity."
"That's better than I anticipated."
"We have made great strides with the Technomancer Inheritance, knowledge from the council, and Savant Race and our efforts."
Edward nodded. "So, what's our next move?" asked Morgana.
"Let ourselves adapt first. Then, send a signal that only he would understand and come running. Don't stay on Earth."
The floating city flew away to a faraway galaxy. A few days later, it sent a signal that scattered across the space-time continuum and waited. Not even a week later, a blue police box appeared outside.
"Are you sure this is the place this time?" asked a female voice.
"Isn't it obvious?" asked a playful man's voice. "Look outside."
"Is that a city floating in empty space? Why is it like that? What happened to it, and why is it sending a distress signal?"
"That's why we are here," said the man, not hiding his excitement. "Let's go."
The blue box flew to the destroyed city, finding an open area to land. A few seconds later, two people walked out: a woman dressed in a black dress and a young man wearing a bow tie.
The two only walked a few steps before the surrounding trembled lightly. Then, the decrypt city reverted to a vibrant one full of life.
"What's going on?" asked the woman.
"I don't know," said the young man as he pointed a metal stick, waving it a round.
"I'll have this," said a sudden voice. Then, the metal rod in the young man's flew over to someone else–Edward.
"Sonic Screwdriver–what an interesting piece of technology," he muttered before focusing on the two. "Doctor, I've meaning to meet you for a long time."
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