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734 - Post Assimilation
🕑 Added 2024-09-21 09:30:50 +0000 UTCAron stepped out of the pod after spending several hours inside, now far more knowledgeable about the Astral Conclave than before. With this newfound understanding, several uncertainties that had previously clouded his thoughts seemed to vanish, as though a fog had been lifted from his mind.
But despite his newfound knowledge, none of the decisions he had made earlier were altered. In fact, his conviction to stick to them had only strengthened. The primary reason for this resolve was now hovering directly in front of him, reinforcing his belief that his choices were the right ones.
In front of him was the description of the mana oath, now registered in his system the moment the knowledge entered his mind. This integration also allowed him the option to upgrade the oath if he wished and paid the price for it.
[Mana Oath (Low-Grade)
The Mana Oath is a basic magical contract that binds two or more parties through the essence of mana, enforcing agreed-upon terms with consequences for breaches. As a low-grade version, it is relatively simple and, while effective at establishing trust, contains several exploitable loopholes, particularly for skilled magic users.
Despite its utility at this level, it struggles to enforce vaguely worded or open-to-interpretation terms. Phrases like "reasonable effort" or "in good faith" are easily manipulated by cunning parties who can argue they’ve technically adhered to the agreement.
Moreover, due to its low grade, the Mana Oath may fail to detect subtle breaches, especially those involving indirect or third-party actions that circumvent the original terms.
......
Upgrade Price: 10,000,000,000 SP]
The description was far more detailed than even what Xalthar, a sage-level figure, knew. This indicated that these loopholes were likely known only by those in power and the higher echelons of society, which means they likely have been exploiting the contracts to their advantage, allowing themselves an escape route should they need to break the terms.
Meanwhile, the weaker parties—unaware of these loopholes or how to exploit them—were the ones who suffered the most, often facing the full consequences for breaching the oath. It was a system built to maintain the upper hand for the elite, leaving the less informed at a significant disadvantage.
As Aron stared at the price to upgrade the Mana Oath, he couldn't help but take a deep breath. Though he could afford the 10 billion SP, it would significantly reduce the amount of SP he'd have available for upgrading the Wormhole technology—something he prioritized far more urgently. He knew that once he had that technology, paired with mana stones and a few other resources, it would allow him to slowly advance his long-term goals without much interference. His enemies would be forced to work with him in one way or another.
Plus, he already had an alternative. Although it required to be in a written form to be used, it was still a reliable option and one he could fall back on without having to drain his reserves at a critical moment. For now, the upgrade would have to wait.
As for the issues of slavery and brutality embedded within the system, Aron had placed them at the bottom of his list of priorities. He knew that tackling those problems would invite immense pushback from those who benefited, and until he had the power to handle such resistance, addressing them would only create more chaos. As an intelligent individual, he could despise those injustices, but as the leader of an empire, he needed to be strategic. He wouldn’t risk creating problems unless he was confident he could manage the fallout. Otherwise, he might worsen the situation for the very people he was responsible for as they were providing him him something money couldn’t buy, SP.
{Sir, it’s time for you to address the empire,} Nova reminded him, signaling the next item on his agenda.
“Okay, let’s do that. Although things appear calm, there’s still worry among the citizens. We need to ease those concerns,” he replied, standing up and heading to the elevator. It transported him to the roof of the CUBE, fully equipped for a live address. He intended to speak in person rather than in VR, making it clear that he wasn’t hiding from anyone.
Reporters would be able to attend as holograms through their devices, allowing them to ask questions should there be an opportunity to do so as if they were there in real-time. This ensured transparency, preventing any claims that he was avoiding them.
Aron had started this practice a few years ago after growing tired of spending too much time in VR. Knowing everything about that world felt akin to being the creator of a drug, and he was determined not to become addicted to his own creation. He wanted to remain grounded in reality, especially during critical moments like this.
{Everything is ready, sir. You can start,} Nova reported directly to his mind through the implants.
Now alone on the rooftop of the CUBE, which was still an active training base. He took a moment to gather his thoughts, looking out over the vast expanse as he prepared to address the empire.
Shortly he began to speak.
After greeting the audience, Aron got straight to the point. “I’m here to provide an update on the situation with our visitors and to explain what’s currently happening.
As many scientists have pointed out in the past, the prospect of a face-off against aliens often ends in conflict. Just a few hours after we initiated communication and began exchanging information, it became clear that their destination was Earth—and they were not here in peace.”
He paused, allowing the tension to build among his listeners. Many would now speculate that the military's current movements, along with the retreat orders, were either a sign that the situation was deteriorating or a precautionary measure against an imminent fight.
Having been an emperor for some time, he had honed the ability to tap into people's emotions, ensuring his messages resonated as intended.
