Chapter 404: Message

"You become the Arcane Empire's business partner, or you can become our subordinate plane," explained Hermione. "The first choice is obvious: our exchange is purely a business: you pay for something, and we provide the product and vice versa. However, compared to being our territory, there are some things we will not sell you.

"And if you are invaded by another plane, you have to pay us to protect you, and we have the right to refuse. But we will defend against any civilization if you are our territory."

"I'm surprised we have a choice."

"Marcus!" said Elaine with a raised voice. "Your majesty-"

"It's fine. Our Empire is trying something new regarding planar warfare by the suggestion of the Emperor, hence the reason for the choice."

"Emperor?"

"Yes, my husband. He's the creator of the Arcane Empire. He raised our home from a Tier 5 Civilization to Tier 10 in less than a hundred years."

"Impossible," said Marcus, who could not believe this. And he was not the only one. The three knew some ancient history of their world. This plane used to be only Tier 7. But Ancient Knights had a brilliant civilization and even invented Planar Travel. Through Planar Warfare, they plunder the World Source of other Plane to raise the ceiling of the Eques Plane and update the Knight Power System to Tier 9.

However, they knew how long that era was and how long it took. Less than a hundred years to skip five levels as a civilization? Impossible.

"Our plane is a natural Tier 10 Plane with many different civilizations and races. So, we did not have to evolve the Plane Tier."

"Even then, less than a hundred years?"

"That's my husband; he's a remarkable man." Technically speaking, Edward spent over 600 years if you consider the time in other worlds and Time Acceleration Room. But that's still impressive. But the Arcane Empire is not yet a hundred years old, so she's not lying.

"You said you would not sell certain things. Can you give an example?" asked Marcus.

"An example would be our Planar Navigation Technology; we would never sell these things. Well, I should not say never, but I doubt this plane has something that valuable."

"Your majesty, I have to admit I still have some reservations," said Fury.

"Are you worried about your race's treatment?"

"Yes, our relationship with humans has not been the best."

Hermione nodded before taking ten massive, thick books that looked like five dictionaries stacked on each other. "These are the Empire's Anti-Xenophobia Laws to protect different races and species. Read them."

Fury took one book and activated his senses to the limit. Then, with godly speed, he read through the entire thing in a few minutes. So, he picked another one and repeated the same thing until he read everything.

He closed his eyes as he analyzed what he read. The thing was comprehensive, considering a race's customs, history, culture, and traditions and trying to accommodate them.

"One of the reasons for racism and discrimination is ignorance," said Hermione. "So, every time a new race joins the Empire, every citizen must take an online course on the race's customs and traditions. The species itself will design the course in cooperation with the Empire to ensure accuracy and appropriate accommodations.

"With Virtual Reality Technology, any race can spend time as another as a way to understand each other."

"Virtual Reality?"

Hermione explained the concept to him in a simple matter.

"How fascinating," commented Elaine.

"What is your stance on God and religion?" asked Marcus.

"That's a tricky question," replied Hermione. "Religion is not banned, but it has become less popular. Gods run our plane, and since we are currently in a war with a powerful Death God, they are not very popular in the Empire."

"So, Gods do exist," commented Marcus. The Holy Papal State believes in the Supreme Light, worshipping it as a god. When he was young, he was also a believer until he reached the pinnacle of the world and realized god was not real, almost driving him mad. Ever since then, he's been obsessed with godhood.

"To quote my husband: 'Gods are nothing but a parasitic species that rely on faith for their power and immortality,'" said Hermione. "They are powerful but nothing to awe or admire."

Marcus smiled wryly and did not comment.

"You can take some time to ponder and give me an answer. Meanwhile, I will be surveying this plane and learning more about it."

—Scene Break—

Cosmic Faith Plane, Planet Earth, Arcane Palace:

Edward watched Luna floating in the air while sitting cross-legged. He had many screens before him monitoring her vitals. He hid the worry deep in his eyes as he focused on the task at hand.

'The murmurs stopped a few days ago, which is a good sign. But why isn't she waking up?' He scrolled down on the holographic screen, but his hand trembled.

'Calm down, Edward: it's not time to be panicking yet.' He continued scrolling, but he could not find anything wrong. Her soul, body, and mana appeared completely fine.

"Someone better not be responsible for this. Otherwise, they'll know what I can do once I'm mad."

For a moment, the universe trembled as Cronai sensed a disturbance; she perceived a brief catastrophe that could destroy the entire plane but could not pinpoint its origin.

A powerful fluctuation emanated from Luna's body before she opened her eyes.

"Are you alright?" asked Edward as he held her.

"I'm fine," she replied with her ethereal smile. "I know what these murmurs were."

"Oh, what are they?"

"It's from the Oracle Tower."

"Oracle Tower? Isn't that the place in the Central Region known for their divination?" Edward remembered that place was one of the news he acquired from the central region.

The master of that tower called herself the Oracle Master and is the only Tier 10 Seer in the universe. All the gods or Tier 10 entities in the universe would ask her for help once they had a problem, granting the Oracle Tower a semi-detached status in this plane.

"So, what's the connection with you?"

"It's a message from the Oracle Tower asking for help."

"Help?"

"Yes. The message was brief, but it said something along the line that the current Oracle Master is a fake and the real one is being imprisoned for some reason."

Edward grunted as he felt this news was nothing but trouble. "Why is she communicating with you?"

"Apparently, only people with high enough Seer Bloodline can hear her message. However, I was too weak and could not previously properly hear it."

"Okay, don't worry about these things. We'll save her when we're strong enough if she is not lying or scheming."

Luna agreed with that sentence. "There is something else."

"What is it?"

"She told us the 7 Pillar Patheon will be the first calamity of the Arcane Empire."

"Calamity?"

"Calamity, obstacle, etc."

"Oh. Then?"

"She advised us to disintegrate them from the inside. Apparently, they are not as united as they appeared. The exact advice was the Goddess of Magic and the God of Dwarves is their biggest weakness."

"That's good to know, but I'm more concerned that an imprisoned Seer from so far away can clearly know our situation."

"Yes, she seems good," replied Luna.

"Did she suggest taking you as a student?"

Luna nodded.

"Are you tempted?"

"I am. Until now, I had to develop my powers alone, and it became more difficult after reaching Tier 5." To become Tier 5, Luna absorbed a perfect Aether Core like Edward and the rest, resulting in a talent like Hermione's summon. However, her talent was a boost to her Divination ability, which should have been a good thing. Unfortunately, it also made things more challenging to train and discover the limit of her powers.

"You should understand the danger?" explained Edward.

"I do."

"How about this: travel to other universes with Divination and learn their system. Then, decide whether you want to become her student." Edward knew a few animes and television with talented Seers; they could greatly help Luna.

"That's not a bad idea." Luna never had the opportunity to travel the Omniverse. But after the war, once everything is stable, it's a good idea to open her horizon.

The couple then decided to take this rare opportunity of alone time to spend it together. They left a few days later when they received news that Hermione had returned.