Chapter 227: The Jade Court’s Terms

"City."

Cassian did not hesitate. Before the Realm could even ask whether he was sure, he added, "Confirm."

[City direction confirmed. Domain area increased to 1,500,000 square meters.]

The ground rumbled as Forgotten Shrine expanded again. Cassian finally let out a relieved breath.

He had considered this choice long before reaching Rank XIII.

With Expedition Writs, Lords could take their Domains on campaigns beyond their own territories. Fortress was the obvious choice for many War Lords who intended to do so. It made walls stronger and greatly improved defensive Buildings such as arrow towers. It could even double the strength of the Barrier unlocked at Rank XIV.

Cassian’s strength, however, rested on his Legendary Buildings and the speed at which a large army could earn Battle Essence. Give him enough powerful troops, and he could do without those defensive bonuses.

Counting the additional space in the Deep Layer, he had gained another million square meters.

He did not rush to upgrade his high-grade Buildings. More troops came first.

"Build two thousand houses. Recruit twenty thousand Eclipse Legionnaires."

Dismantling Swordheart’s city had provided an enormous supply of resources. He paid the construction and recruitment costs, then rose into the air to oversee the work.

Two thousand houses entered construction. Twenty thousand more Legionnaires joined the recruitment queue.

A long notification tone interrupted him.

Someone had mentioned him in the Homeworld Channel.

Lord civilization on the Homeworld stretched back countless millennia. Generation after generation had brought resources, technology, and cultivation arts out of the Realm, transforming their world.

The main planet alone was two hundred and ten thousand kilometers in diameter. Beyond it lay uncounted satellite cities.

That immense living space supported an equally immense population. More than ten billion Lords entered a new sector each year. Some were experienced Lords starting over, hoping that greater strength and knowledge would let them build the perfect beginning.

Sector 666’s Homeworld territory contained exactly three hundred and sixty-five Provinces and more than twelve billion Lords.

Roughly sixty-five to seventy Provinces lay within the Crown’s sphere. The number was uncertain because some, like Divine Province, were contested by two or more powers.

Future Nations and greater Domains would be founded across that vast map.

When Divine Province gained its Governor, all its Lords had automatically joined the Homeworld Channel. As with the Province Channel, only Marches Commanders and Provincial officials could speak there freely.

The wealth of Riftward had helped their Governorship contest begin early. When they joined the Channel, only twelve Provinces had opened access.

Cassian knew no one there. He had also been busy for the past two days, so he had yet to post a word.

"Orion, perhaps?"

He opened the Channel.

[Corven Talcrest — Plain Gold Province: Congratulations on becoming Governor, Brother Cassian. Your private messages are restricted, so I have to contact you here.]

Cassian narrowed his eyes at the name and Province.

[Cassian Vale: A kinsman of the Jade Court’s royal house. What can I do for you?]

[Corven Talcrest: A discerning eye, Brother Cassian.]

Since Cassian had come straight to the point, Corven did the same after that small compliment.

[Corven Talcrest: There have been some misunderstandings between you and the Jade Court. If you’re willing to put them behind us, we can offer you the office of Third-Class Blade Guard. A full Fifth-Rank appointment, and one that War Lords dream of receiving.]

Cassian smiled.

An offer to bring him back into the fold?

Once a Nation had been founded, its ruler could establish custom offices and bonuses within the Realm’s rules, alongside fixed positions such as Governor.

Every such bonus required National Fortune to sustain it.

The Aurelian Dominion’s General of Flying Cavalry was a famous example. Its bonuses were extraordinary, but so was its drain on Fortune. The office was created for campaigns against foreign enemies and abolished again in peacetime.

Cassian already had the Black Banner to deal with. He had no particular wish to add the Jade Court to his immediate problems.

[Cassian Vale: I’m not an unreasonable man. Since the Jade Court is showing such sincerity, I’ll accept the office.]

[Cassian Vale: But let’s be clear. There can be no conditions attached. No demand that I hand over Divine Province, for example. If that’s what you intend, don’t blame me when this turns unpleasant.]

[Cassian Vale: If there’s nothing else, I have work to do.]

Corven’s smile stiffened. Had Cassian’s talent and strength been less remarkable, he would already have lost his temper.

[Corven Talcrest: A moment, Brother Cassian. Surely you understand that all land lies under the Sovereign’s authority.]

[Corven Talcrest: Even if you someday found a Nation and become its King, you cannot establish a greater Domain while the Jade Court stands. A wise man listens to good advice. At least hear our conditions.]

Cassian sighed softly.

[Cassian Vale: Better not say them. We might both regret hearing them spoken aloud.]

Corven suppressed his anger and continued anyway.

[Corven Talcrest: First, a troop line as powerful as the Eclipse Legionnaires cannot be allowed to spread without restriction. For the stability of the Nation, it will become an exclusive provision for the Jade Court’s royal house. Only our princesses and other royal ladies may build its Chapterhouses.]

The Governorship battle had made the Eclipse line famous all over again. The Hall of Heavenly Secrets had promptly updated its records, placing the Legionnaires first among the Homeworld’s Epic troop lines.

It was hardly surprising that the Jade Court wanted them.

[Cassian Vale: Anything else?]

[Corven Talcrest: Second, you will relinquish Tidecrown—Divine Province, I should say. An excellent name.]

[Corven Talcrest: The Dowager only ceded it to the Black Banner because she was misled by bad advice. The Eight Standards will take charge of Riftward Marches. Rest assured, we will never let the foremost Marches on the Homeworld fall into Black Banner hands.]

[Corven Talcrest: In return, you will enjoy the bonuses of a Fifth-Rank office. You will even be allowed to approach the throne without hurrying. You must still kneel, of course.]

As he spoke, Corven seemed to grow carried away by his own authority.

[Corven Talcrest: White Lotus Province. Peace Province. Haven Province. All achieved far more than Tidecrown has. The latter two even founded Nations and swept across more than a dozen Provinces in their newcomer years. And what happened? The moment the Jade Court acted, they collapsed.]

[Corven Talcrest: To put it bluntly, even House Frost, the Aurelian and Caerwyn Dominions, or House Valcrest would have to bow their heads if they came down to the Seventh Realm. I hope you’ll recognize the proper order and submit, Brother Cassian. Don’t ruin yourself.]

Corven was overbearing. Cassian still had to admit that he had not exaggerated by much.

The Realm’s laws were not easily broken. The Jade Court held recognized sovereignty here and had spent centuries putting down roots in the Seventh Realm.

It was widely believed that the great Crown powers of the upper Realms could destroy it if they descended together. But such an internal war would leave the Crown badly weakened.

The Heroes and troops sent down for that campaign would need centuries to recover.

"What a nuisance," Cassian muttered.