Claude looked at the screen before him and spoke out loud: “First Observation: Humanoid Creature, blue skins, average height similar to humans, clothes, and weapons showed signs of a developed civilization.”
The Sorceress and the others in the room recorded his words: “What are the preliminary environmental data?”
“Temperature: 46F, Humidity: 62%, Gravity: 5 times that of Earth. Energy Detected: Mana.”
“Hmm?” Claude focused on the last two data. Such a harsh environment means the average native of this plane is stronger than humans on Earth before the Age of the Empire. However, Claude’s greatest concern was the fact that this world had mana,
“A world with mana? We’re so lucky?” Claude smiled. There are many types of worlds in the Astral Realm, and according to the Empire’s classifications, worlds with mana and magic systems are the most valuable. For one, they contained magical resources like magic ores, plants, and new creatures. Lastly, the Empire relished studying new magical civilizations and incorporating them into the Arcane System.
“Enemy has detected us,” one of the people in command stated.
“Activate the defensive measures of the Sorcerer Eyes. Although these things are cheap, we don’t have money to burn,” Claude ordered. His actions saved a few of these monitoring systems, but the enemy’s arrows successfully destroyed most of them.
“Deploy long-range monitoring.”
The tower contained methods of long ranger detection, but it was more energy-effective to use the Sorcerer Eyes. However, since this civilization was advanced enough to detect their methods, Claude had no choice but to use this method. The team then saw an army of blue people, most dressed in armor and others holding staffs — which may be indicative that they were spellcasters.
Claude calmly looked at the upcoming enemy. “What do you guys suggest?”
“First, we must deploy the Space-Time Lock Shield,” the First Commander suggested. “This is a Tier 8 Plane, meaning they may be able to destroy our tower. Additionally, the Law Resonance Spell is a prototype and may not work. The shield should protect us from the Universe Will’s interference.”
“Do it,” Claude ordered. The surrounding space around the magic tower suddenly changed. In some ways, it had entered another dimension, and the surrounding spatial walls of this dimension were reinforced to block potent spells.
“What about an action plan?” Claude asked.
“Deploy the Golem Legions,” the First Commander suggested. “We need to get a basic understanding of the enemy’s strength and magic system. It would be best to capture a few of them as samples.”
“No, it’s too early to deploy the golem legion. Those things are expensive to repair,” said another commander. “Didn’t we bring a Knight Legion with us? Deploy them to confront the enemy.”
Claude frowned. The Knight Legion was a new invention since the Empire entered the Age of Exploration. Many new races and species were discovered in these planes, so it became a concern how to deal with them. The Elder Council has created strict rules on how to govern these people; for example, no intelligent creatures can be enslaved — with the only exception being Abyss Demons. These creatures with a chaotic nature cannot be incorporated into the Empire, which said something since even the undead have been incorporated.
Although the Empire is inclusive, it will just accept everyone. After all, these races from other planes have just been conquered, so how could they be so easily incorporated? The rules are for children 13 years old and younger to be recognized as “citizens” after experiencing school.
Previously, the Empire had a security system ranging from 1 to 5, with each layer granting individuals access to rare or forbidden knowledge or resources. After the new age, this system was reorganized to start at 0 and end at 10. Citizens of the Empire born into the Faith God Plane will have a starting Security Level of 3.
Meanwhile, the children who are “preparatory citizens” of these planes will have a security level of 1. After becoming official citizens, they will have a Security Level of 2 and be teleported to the Arcane Plane—the plane the Empire used as a front to hide the fact that they originated from the Faith God Plane. If these children show enough talent, they can have a level 3 security clearance and travel to the core of the Empire.
The Knight Legion was created to deal with the parents of these children. As long as the people from these conquered planes volunteered into this legion and had enough merit, they could raise their security level from 0 to higher. In other words, this was the only way for them to rise through the ranks of the Empire.
“Send them out,” Claude ordered. His hesitation stemmed from the fact he did not trust these people much. The only reason he brought them with him was because the government provided many discounts as a way to encourage expeditions to use these legions.
A white light flashed about 200 meters away from the blue-skinned legion’s legion. Claude chose a standard composition for his Knight Legion: A group of Shield Bearings composed of dwarves, a group of Spear Knights composed of humans, a group of Elf Archers, and finally, a small legion of Non-Arcanist Spellcasters.
“Broadcast the announcement,” Claude ordered. Although he knew it was useless, he still followed the proper procedure. A voice then emanated from the tower:
“This is the magic tower from Arcanist Jean Augustus Claude, receiver of the First Class Order of Merlin for his accomplishment in Ancestral Spirit Magic.
“According to the Arcane Empire’s New Age Development Act, I have the duty to ask for your peaceful surrender before engaging in warfare. If you accept the peaceful surrender, your plane can choose a delegate to negotiate the terms.”
The broadcast was in Soul Language, meaning that any creature with a soul can directly understand the meaning. Claude and his team calmly awaited the other’s response, and as expected, a man more than 2.5 meters walked to the front holding an enormous ax.
“Quick, activate the Divination Spell — Language Translation.”
Claude’s orders were immediately executed, and by the time the large man spoke, everyone understood what he was saying:
“I am Lieutenant General Kossir Grandax, representing the Sassyx Empire. Foreign Invaders, we will never surrender. On behalf of the Empire, we are willing to be lenient and allow you to leave as soon as possible.”
“It’s impossible for me to leave,” Claude responded directly. “This voyage cost a great deal, and I must recuperate somehow. However, I’m willing to approach the situation more peacefully. I’m willing to exchange knowledge and resources. If you are willing to compromise, I can promise to start with your Sassyx Empire first and not exchange with anyone else for one year.”
“There is no room for negotiation,” General Kossir rebutted. “Leave now or face the consequences.”
Claude shook his head, not surprised by this outcome. As soon as the negotiation with the Plane Will failed, he knew the invasion was the only option. Plane Wills are born from the consciousness of all sentient beings in their worlds and are connected. All Plane Will have an instinctive desire to protect themselves, so the moment Claude forces himself in, the Plane Will’s instinct will subconsciously affect all the creatures in that world, turning them xenophobic; they will do everything to protect their worlds.
“In that case, let the best man win,” Claude declared.