Chapter 174 - Meeting of the Orden (1)
Next days I have spent most of the training my new Clan Trait Holy Flame to increase its proficiency, as I wanted to achieve at least Master-ranked within next years to use Holy Flame in the battle to its opinion state.
As I was training in my personal training yard within the Sanctus Imperialis of the Imperial Palace, I felt, The Devil Tarot Card vibrating wildly, as I felt that it was time, so I went to my chambers and instructed Adeptus Custodes to not allow anyone to enter under any kind of circumstances.
I laid in my bed, and slowly I have fallen asleep as my consciousness drifted away.
When I opened my eyes, I was in a totally different environment.
A majestic ancient palace with a vast dome supported by towering stone pillars stood above the boundless gray fog.
There is a magnificent palace hall with a vast dome supported by numerous towering stone pillars. It's looked grand and lofty, just like a legendary palace for giants.
Directly under the dome where the gray fog gathered, there is an ancient, long bronze table with thirteen high-back chairs on either side in a symmetrical arrangement, each with the sigil of Major Tarot Arcana. The back of each chair dazzled and shone faintly with crimson red, drawing the outlines of weird constellations that differed from reality.
At the end of the table, sat an androgynous man with long dark blue hair. He wore a blue outfit with high leather boots, that seemed to be like some kind of military uniform.
Next to him, sat two other people. One of them was a tall man with a youthful complexion and had shoulder-length and flipped outwards. His bangs were parted to frame both sides of his face silver hair and gray eyes. His hair was straight with a single lock that fell to the right side of his face and split into two parts. He wore a formal attire that consisted of an open, dark green double-breasted coat with large cuffs and four buttons outlining each storm patch on the fronts of the clothing. The buttons and the lining found on the sleeves and storm patches were moss green. Underneath his coat was a white shirt with a ruffled collar and center front. He wore dark green pants that matched his coat and plain white shoes.
The other one, wore a brown jacket, and had red eyes and red hair, looking very handsome and at the same time very intimidating. He looked at me for a moment, before nodding his head, and continuing staring at the top of the majestic palace where we were located.
The last two people participating were two women, and to admit they were stunning. The first one was human, what I have sensed was her aura, as she was a lot weaker than everyone here, even more, weaker than mine. If I would give her Class in my power system, it would be undoubtedly Grand-Class, even though it didn't exist in the Dimensional Gap, at least yet. She was between High-Class and Ultimate-Class but considering she was Human and only around 15 years old, she was very talented, a cultivator of some spirit-like energy. She was very beautiful, had fair skin and a perfect complexion with an air of noble radiance. She dressed in black gilt-lined luxurious robes, wearing a nine-tipped purple gold crown with a more than two-meter long scepter in her hand, inlaid with countless precious stones.
But it was the last person that gave me a sense of dread and death. She had light purple skin and shining azure-blue eyes, with sharp ears and deep brown eyes that contained lightning. She wore a complicated ancient dress. Her hair was black and held up into a bun. Her facial outline was soft, and her features were exquisite. She had a beauty that seemed timeless. She radiated an aura of death, dread, and calamity.
"Now, that everyone is here, please welcome another new member to our little gathering."
Said a blue-haired man, after another person arrived whom I recognized as Okhwang, sitting at the end of the table. As he said that everybody clapped, as I gave a standard bow as a greeting between nobility, as I sat down on my seat, with my Tarot Devil Card.
"I am Karl Erns Kraft, Code: The Mercurius."
Now I know the name of our founder. While we could use only our Code Names between us, it was virtually useless, as during some time, each member would guess the identity of another, especially due to the fact most of us are from the Astral Boundary, and the majority is famous from what I know. Additionally, the Tarot Cards are the pinnacle of mind-protection artifacts, and they would perfectly conceal memories. Additionally, they could directly delete memories of faces and names of members if needed.
"Adolf K. Weismann, Code: The Magician. Pleased to meet you."
Introduced himself the silver-haired man.
"Enryu. Code: The Rot Spinne."
Said the red-haired man.
"Elven Queen of Calamity, Cohinem. Code: The Death."
Said a bewitchingly dangerous woman, and now I knew why I felt so much danger from her.
"Bibi Dong, Code: The High Priestess."
Said the blond human woman, in a bit uncertain voice as it was clear that she was nervous. So it was her first time attending just like me, I looked at the Bibi Dong that was sitting next to me, as she looked at me with a sense of distrust, pretty similar way as she looked at Kraft, Weismann, Enryu, and Okhwang. Only when she talked to Cohinem she looked more confident and it didn't contain the air of nervousness.
'Some bad experiences with men, then.'
"Now that introduction part is over, let's start the business. Who has something interesting to report?"
Asked Mercurious as he leaned over his hand like he was really bored with everything around him.
"I have something that may be useful to the Orden."
Said Weismann as he started talking.
Chapter 175 - Meeting of the Orden (2)
"I have gotten info that Six Warlock Imperial Courts are going to resurface within next 3,000 Years and even now some weaker Holy Spirit Warlocks has already awakened. If they completely awaken and re-establish Human Warlock Council on the Canghzi, I can see a brutal war coming on all fronts. Currently, there are only a very few powerhouses on that level that didn't go to sleep or seclusion, so the state of the Astral Boundary isn't so intense, but our rather peaceful times are coming to the end."
Stated Weismann as everybody was looking at him seriously, even always-bored Kraft sharpened his eyes.
"That is sooner than initially predicted. Our initial prediction was 5,000 years... something has changed among Warlocks. Still, as the Conjunction is coming near, they don't want to bet anything. Also, Canghzi Plane is one of a few Grade 1 Planes in the Astral Boundary capable of holding Exarchs and Eternals, so they are probably fearing other races will attack them to take off their inability to defend themselves effectively."
Said Kraft soon after.
In the Astral Boundary, Grade 1 Planes were the most priceless treasures. Each one of them was of enormous size, where even one small province was several times the size of Earth. Each one of them has given birth to Eternal ranked powerhouses before and was filled with riches, resources, and very high energy density.
The strongest Grade 1 Planes were Canghzi, Divine Blood, Dragon's Lair, and Sarion. Each of them was under the control of a faction with Eternal Powerhouse. Canghzi while not unified, was back by Warlock Eternal, Divine Blood was unified by Blood Covenant led by their Primogenitor, Dragon's Lair Plane was owned by Dragon Primogenitor and Sarion Plane was ruled by Dresden Arcanum Empire that was founded by Weismann here. A bit shock that seemingly friendly-looking Weismann was so powerful, but I had the same feeling about Kraft, he was stronger, while others aside from Bibi Dong were also extremely powerful.
Aside from these Planes, there were other Grade 1 Planes that weren't under the rule of such faction, instead were divided between several species and factions that waged war for supremacy there.
"We need to prepare more thoroughly for this. If Six Warlock Imperial Courts awaken sooner than our initial predictions, we need to prepare to defeat them in the Planar Conquest. The first thing they would do would be taking absolute control over the Canghzi, which would give us some time, and only after that, they will start Planar Conquest. Hopefully, they will squabble between themselves as they always did and create some friction."
Said Weismann as everybody nodded at his words.
Arcanists were different from warlock in this regard. While same in the fact that neither of them had some kind of unified government, Arcanists at least had Dresden Arcanum Empire that was able to suppress and force into compliance all other factions, kingdom or empire created by Arcanists, while Warlocks had Six Imperial Warlock Courts that were similar in strength and their Warlock Eternal never interfered in politics, which created more conflict among Warlock Factions that started great infighting among each other for benefit and resources.
"We shall do that, now what next?"
Said Kraft, as Mercurius acted as moderator of their meeting, as he was basically a founder of the Longinus Dreizhen Orden.
"I want to ask for help."
Said Bibi Dong with a low voice as everybody looked at her.
"With what exactly?"
Asked Enryu as he was the person who traveled to other Universes most often, so it would be probably him who would go.
"After the death of my 'master' I became Pope of the Spirit Hall, but with my current strength, I am nothing more to puppet to the Hall of Elders. And while they don't usually meddle in the internal working of the Spirit Hall, their influence is all over and I cannot use the power of the Spirit Hall to maximum, and currently, I am nowhere near strong to oppose them."
Explained Bibi Dong while I listened from the side.
"While it doesn't seem to be a problem, currently, there is nobody that could go there. While time-lapse in your world is enormous, for you it would be best if someone could go there immediately in your perception of time. I personally cannot, Weisman, Okhwang, and Kraft are out of the question. Our last member has gone to sleep and Cohinem also cannot leave. So it leaves only our other new addition."
Said Enryu as this time everybody looked at me, especially Bibi Dong, as I looked at her, I could see that she sincerely hoped that I would come to help her. From what I have understood she was really in a shitty position and she was a very ambitious person, wanting to implement her plans as soon as possible, and very rational, to ask for help as now currently with her strength she cannot do anything else aside from that or wait until she got a lot stronger and could say her way around Elders of the Spirit Hall.
"How strong are they?"
I asked as I was really considering going. Why not, I didn't have anything to do right now, time flew far more slower there and we were of the same faction. Additionally, she seemed to be a pretty woman, so...
"All of them are at Titled Douluo, most of them are Hyper Doulou stage, ranking from Spirit Rank 95 to 98, while Grand Priest Qian Daoliu is Rank 99 Extreme Douluo nearing Demigod Stage."
Answered Bibi Dong.
"In your system, it would be ranging from Advanced Super Devil to Pinnacle Super Devil. Though they may have Martial Spirits of Holy or Light element."
Explaiend Weismann to me.
"Then I agree. I will be able to handle all of them. You probably want to enslave them, right?"
I asked to be sure. Of course, killing them would be stupid.
"Thank you very much. I can give you access to our treasury and library if it helps you."
Said Bibi Dong sincerely, as I just gently nodded.
Chapter 176 - Meeting of the Orden (3)
Going to her world, which was called Douluo Plane could be an interesting experience. While I will gain nothing from the cultivation there, but there are several things that could be of great usage to Baator.
The first would be Martial Arts. From what I know from Bibi Dong as we talked a bit, Spirit Hall had an enormous library will countless martial arts developed within the history of the Douluo Plane. While these martial arts utilized mainly pure physical body or some Spirit Energy, I can adjust them to work with Demonic Energy too.
Another thing is Spirit Herbs. A bit of experiment on my side, as I wanted to get some herbs, to see if they could acclimatize to Underworld, a become full of Magical Power instead of Spirit Energy. While Underworld had plants like those, but they were incomparably rare, while on the Douluo Plane they were rather common.
"Also I can pay you if you will add magical defenses on the Spirit Hall Pontiff Palace. I was told that this would be a good choice for payment."
Said Bibi Dong as she created an image of a stone.
But not any ordinary stone, but rather an Astral Stone.
Astral Stones were used in creating Trans-Dimensional Gates, that allowed direct travel through planes and even Universes in some cases. Astral Stones were very precious in the Astral Boundary, and in the Dimensional Gap, I only managed to excavate a few pieces of a low quality.
"How much you have of this?"
I asked seriously.
"Don't know. There are whole mines of this, but nobody knows its usage, so it is basically worthless."
Everyone looked at her with surprise. Even someone with as Weismann who was the founder and Ancestral figure of the Dresden Arcanum Empire would be glad to find a single large mine of Astral Stones not several of them.
"I want mining rights to those mines. In exchange, I will help you create a standing Military of the Spirit Hall, easily rivaling those of two Empires, and even help you train Temple Knights to standards of my Custodians."
I said my proposition as Bibi Dong looked at me for several seconds.
"You can have some, seeing those stones are precious, It would be foolish to give them away, all. We will discuss terms after your subjugation of Elders is done, but I want for you to create a Spirit-based technology."
Answered Bibi Dong as this would practically solve one of her biggest problems. While Spirit Hall had quality, it lacked quantity. Creating a standing army of a high enough level would be a great boon. And while she didn't know how strong Custodians were, she thought they would be strong, and that was a correct guess.
This would make up for the greatest weakness of the Spirit Hall. Additionally, she could start the most ambitious plan of the Spirit Hall and mostly herself, aside from the unification of the Douluo Continent, and that was the colonization of other Continents and sub-continents that were on the Douluo Planet.
She knew that Samiel Zentuar was a brilliant scientist that was extremely well versed in Arcanotechnolgoy, technology, and genetic engineering. While they were some experiments in the past, attempts to create something Battle Armor, it all ended in failure, due to lack of technology.
She knew that like in many worlds similar to her technology, which was widely common across many worlds, was non-existent in hers. The best thing that Douluo Continent had were Artifacts and some Spirit Weapons that were crude by standards of technologically advanced civilizations. Thus by this, she would gain another advantage for the Spirit Hall against two Empires.
I agreed as creating a Spirit-based technology wasn't a real problem for me, as I already did the same when I created Arcanotechnology. In entire Orden only person who eclipsed my knowledge when it came to Arcanotech or Magitech was Weismann. Maybe Okhwang but he was well versed in refining cultivation artifacts and objects.
"I agree, but I want an Eternal Alliance between our factions added too."
I said slowly, as she nodded. While we were allies, me and her due to both being members of the Longinus Dreizhen Orden, the same cannot be said about our factions. I had a hunch that Mercurius knew a way to permanently connect Baator with Douluo Universe, as he lived too long and in truth, he was probably the strongest person in an entire Astral Boundary. Shame he never interfered directly or personally, if yes, then Astral Boundary would be under his rule, but as was stated.
He was observed who never stepped up directly. Maybe because it was his nature, maybe because there were individuals on the same level as him, or maybe something else prevented him to do so.
"Now that we have come to the agreement. Mercurius how shall I get there? Not to mention bringing some people with me?"
I asked as I looked at our supposed leader sitting leisurely and observing everything.
"That shall not be a problem. Just activate The Devil Tarot Card and you will obtain the necessary knowledge and several items needed. With those, you can build Trans-Universal Gate to the Douluo Universe."
Answered Mercurius with a smile, as I nodded happily with my gains during this meeting. Having a permanent connection to Douluo Universe and being in Eternal Alliance with Spirit Hall, my gains would be immense.
It would mean steady income of spirit beasts meat, and while it was filled with different types of energy, it would be great for Baator, as it would nourish the constitution. That was why we have started breeding monsters and the meat of high-level monsters was one of the luxuries of Baator. Additionally, other things like precious ores, metals, and others could be imported. While Spirit Hall would gain a powerful ally, magical defenses something that didn't exist, making their strategical places unpenetrable coupled with their own methods and I would create a Spirit-based technology for Spirit Hall.
Chapter 177 - Gains and Working Hard
Eternal Alliance was different from an ordinary type. It cannot be broken, it cannot be disregarded and it cannot be ended. As the name suggested it lasted for eternity or until one of the parties was destroyed.
It was usually agreed by factions that were very close to each other, and this contract was affecting the entire faction in their very own souls so the alliance cannot be terminated.
"Splendid. Please give me some samples of Artifacts and Spirit Energy, so I can experiment and bring you already completed technology."
I said as Bibi Dong nodded, and soon the grey fog appeared that showed several items and stones, that were absorbed my The Devil Tarot Card.
"Now that everything important has ended, the last topic is about new candidates for members. Deus Ex Machina have you delivered an invitation to that person?"
Asked Mercurius slowly as he looked at Okhwang.
"Not yet. My clone in that Universe isn't strong enough but it will be soon. Time flows several times faster compared to the Astral Boundary."
Answered Okhwang nonchalantly, as Mercurius nodded.
"Then this meeting has ended."
Said Mercurius and afterward, everybody started talking to each other in a more relaxed manner. Mercurius talked with Kaziklu Bey and Rot Spinne, while Deus Ex Machina and Valkyrie squabbled about something.
I talked with Bibi Dong about the Douluo Plane and we were going through details of our agreement and alliance, as there were many things to discuss. In a certain sense, I was deeply surprised by her, as she was so young, yet she was already powerful for her age, but what shocked me more, was that she was practically genius when it came to politics and machinations. She had an extremely bright mind and was very determined to get what she wanted.
She reminded a weird combination of Vena and Fia in a certain sense. While I didn't press, I noticed that she held some kind of distaste for men in general, and was a bit uncomfortable talking to me in a such relaxed manner.
She told me some legends about a place called a Divine Realm where Gods existed and their gods were immeasurable stronger than those of the Astral Boundary. Even the weakest God there was comparable to strong Apocalypse Class, and unofficial gods, called God Officials were comparable to strong Warlock Monarchs. The reason for that, proper gods, had something called a God Position, which was like comprehension of Law, so a weakest 3rd Class God was as strong as Apocalypse Class, while those without God Position were called God Officials, and they were around stronger Warlock Monarchs.
After talking for a bit, everybody started slowly leaving until a Grey Fog enveloped me and I disappeared from the meeting hall.
I woke up in my chambers in the Imperial Palace - Sanctus Imperialis.
The first thing I did, was to call out The Devil Tarot Card and took out several items I got from Bibi Dong during the meeting and there were even a few books and scrolls with theories about the Spirit Energy, its usage, origin, and properties.
'Architect, start analyzing the Spirit Energy with knowledge from these books and scrolls. I will go and start developing prototypes for weaponry that could work on the Spirit Energy based on these books and create a prototype for Battle Armor. Also, activate the conversion equation to try to find a way to convert Spirit Energy into Magical Power. Try using Agreas Crystal as a catalyst, that should work.'
I said in my head as I instructed my A.I. companion.
[As you wish. The approximate end of the operation is estimated to be 15 days, 9 hours, 45 minutes, and 33 seconds.]
Said the voice of the Architect as I nodded and got to work. I promised that I would try to arrive as soon as possible, so I will uphold it, and right now my passion for researching new things has been ignited as I got to play with a new type of energy and create a new branch of technology based on it.
When I thought about Battle Armor schematics I got from Bibi Dong, I thought If I can upgrade our own. Right now, Imperialis Militarum and other branches used Runic Armors, which were in nature very similar to something the create of Battle Amrors wanted to forge.
One of the most important assignments was to create a way to convert a Spirit Energy that was in Douluo Universe to the Magical Power that could be then subsequently used by us to replenish our reserves.
Douluo Universe was devoid of Magicule Particles that filled the entirety of the Astral Boundary, so when there, my energy reserves won't regenerate because there wasn't material. And cause I wasn't Being of Law, that could do other ways, I can only prepare something.
And the first thing that came into my mind were Agreas Crystals, which held a unique ability to absorb almost any kind of energy. I tested it on Divine Power, Magical Power, Demonic Energy, Holy Power, Nature Energy, and even Qi that was used by Cultivators in Draconic Deus as I went and captured several hundred for experiments. They were good subjects to test weapons and some other things on.
What was shocking was the discovery of the fact these Crystals were able to replicate themselves given enough time in an environment with very high energy density. Thus I have ordered to create a special spell formation around the entire Agreas that increased energy density ten times. This would create practically an unlimited amount of Agreas Crystals, as they would always replicate under the right conditions. Also, I have given an edict that the reserves of Agreas Crystals in mine, cannot be lower than 50% of an entire volume of the mine.
I have decided to work for the next few days and after that, I will go and spend some time with Vena, Fia, and Hela.
That would be good.
Chapter 178 - Sometimes it is hard
Time dilation between two universes was 1:100, meaning one hundred years in the Astral Boundary was just one year in the Douluo Universe. I have planned to depart within several years of the Astral Boundary time, there were some things that needed my attention immediately right now in the Underworld and Baator, and who knows how many years I would spend away.
I thought I would spend in Douluo Universe year or maximally three, which would be either 100 years or 300 years in Astral Boundary. Fortunately, the governmental structure was stable and strict o the Empire could govern itself even without my direct presence with just Senatorum Imperialis.
If Senatorum Imperialis cannot solve something then Elders are always in the Baator and would solve it for me.
Within the past week, I have managed to get a solid foothold and knowledge about Spirit Energy that was in the Douluo Universe, and the creation of basic Spirit Technology was going well. I have included Ajuka Beelzebub, yes Beelzebub, as I have given Bloodlines of Beelzebub, Asmodeus, and Leviathan to Ajuka, Falbium, and Serafall as they were compatible with their Clan Traits and they created new Houses in the Baator.
Clan Traits of those three Families were powerful, and it would be a shame for them to be lost in the annals of history.
Battle Armors for Spirit Masters was already almost complete. I just needed to test them in practice to do final adjustments. Alas, that was impossible here, as there were no Spirit Masters so I needed to wait, but I have decided to take Ajuka with me to the Douluo Plane.
He was already a very strong Satan-Class individual, so he would even help in combat. Especially his Kankara Formula allowed him to fight even Class above him, as he could easily redirect energy attacks and unless one had absolute control over his energy, then Ajuka can turn it against him.
Battle Armors would be a great boost for the Spirit Hall. They would provide a significant boost in the Offensive and Defensive and even in the Supportive department for the user. Equipment was an important part of the strength.
For example, a single Custodian, that was dual Ultimate-Class clad in his Runic Power Armor, could slaughter entire Regiments of Middle-Class soldiers in the Imperialis Militarum without any effort. Mainly thanks to the superior quality of the Runic Power Armors that can not be damaged by energy attacks or physical attacks lower than High-Class. Additionally, I have designed them to have absorption qualities, so they would absorb energy attacks to charge themselves, repair, and support.
Today I was spending time with my wives.
More precisely currently only with Vena, as my other wives, Fia and Hela were busy with their duties and would join us at the later date. Vena had more free time, as she had no official government position, but rather she managed an enormous megacorporation, IMC, or Interdimensional Manufacturing Corporation, that was created as a merger of various companies that I owned or bought from other Nobles or inherited by Right of Conquest from Houses Levithan, Asmodeus, Beelzebub or other individuals that during my rise to power refused to swear their undying loyalty.
While the IMC was formally a private business, materially it was basically part of the government as it was only a private supplier of wargear, Arcanotech, and other things, because of this I also gave Vena place in the Senatorum Imperialis as CEO of the IMC.
The creation of the IMC gave me an even stricter hold on the Baator as I controlled the Military from the governmental side, economists from the governmental side and private side, and politics from the governmental side and partially even the private side.
"What it is Vena? Do you want to go to bed to enjoy some carnal pleasures?"
I asked with a grin as my adorable wife laid in my hands, as we were enjoying our private time in her gardens in the Senatorum Imperialis. Both Hela and Vena liked gardening and taking care of plants.
Of course, Hela's garden was more like of death trap, like madwoman she was, she was rearing deathly plants and several of them were extremely dangerous. Though Dou Dou, my Phantom Devouring Thorny Flower Familiar loved the place. Vena on the other side created the garden from plants and trees imported from the Three Realms and it gave a very nice and tranquil atmosphere when one entered.
Vena just smirked at my question and started pressing my chest against me.
"We will wait for Fia and Hela. Or they would be jealous."
I said as Vena pouted a little.
Strictly speaking, I didn't have a harem, but the polyamorous relationship as all four of us was equal in our relationship. Though my wives would often compete and sometimes fight with each other. Unfortunately for them, all three of them were almost equal in strength, with Hela being a tad stronger than Fia and Vena due to her rich combat experiences, but that gap was narrowing during the past decades as Fia and Vena fought and sparred a lot.
There were in Laws in Baator that every citizen of Baator must undergo obligatory military training and serve in the Imperialis Militarum or in another branch of Military for a decade, which wasn't that lot considering that majority of species were extremely long-lived or outright ageless. And there were also Laws, that every citizen must train at least several hours a day, and undergo special examination every fifty years.
That was to prepare everyone for the Astral Boundary, and for that, in times of need, everyone in Baator could defend themselves if it got invaded, or should there be a need to recruit new soldiers for an army quickly.
All children in Baator started their training at 6 years old, and the majority started their military service at age of 15. This greatly increased the quality of soldiers in Baator and established a well-disciplined and trained society of warriors and soldiers.
Chapter 179 - Enjoying the Life
After some time, Grayfia and Hela joined us in our nice garden.
Grayfia was amazing to cook, and she often cooked for me, as she always finds some time to prepare dinner for me. Usually, all four of us dines together when all of us were free that evening. Even during my experimentation, I always had two or three hours blank period to take a break and go spend time with my wives.
Thus Fia prepared some tasty snacks and I brewed tea. My art of Tea Brewing was superb, I even traveled to the Three Realms to learn from various masters of the art. I got my hands on some nice Teas from Okhwang who sent them to me through Tarot Cards from his homeland.
Like Moon Soul Tea Leaves, Tranquil Imperial Tea, Heavenly Light Tea, and many others. All of them were priceless and had a good effect on the soul, Okhwang told me they were able to raise Soul Aptitude due to their miraculous effect.
While they had minimal effect on me, my Soul Aptitude was Level 9 Superior, thanks to the boost obtained during the time when I was granted my first true name, Dizmason. But it greatly helped my wives of children. I even gave some to Azrael, Zekram, and Crom Cruach as they were either family or good friends and were pillars of the Baator.
As we sat in my gardens we talked about various mischievous things.
"Hey Zeo have you noticed that Sirzechs has affection for that little girl Serafall? I would love to spoil grandchildren, but with those two airheads..."
Said Vena in melancholy.
"Unfortunately your son has taken after you and is dense as a brick. So I would need to encourage Sera-chan to make the first move or I will never get my grandchildren."
She continued as I rather sipped my tea, ignoring her comments.
"Fia did you know that General Jabberwock has been pursuing Hilda?"
I asked with a mischievous smile looking at my wife as she nearly choked on the snack she was eating.
"My daughter with that brutish grunt?!"
She shouted in disbelieve.
'Wow her usually Ice Queen mask has been cracked.'
I thought in my head as I laughed a bit.
If Hilda was the epitome of aristocracy and noble upbringing, then Jabberwock was the exact opposite. He ignored protocols, social hierarchy and usually did what he wanted. He often behaved like a thug, getting into fights on the streets over arguments and many others. And of course, together with his partner in crime, my son Sigmar.
"Yeh, apparently he has been chasing after her for several past months. I even sneaked up on one of their dates. It was really fun to watch."
I said with a laugh as I remembered the date between Hilda and Jabberwock.
Hilda behaving exactly the same as her mother, she has him wrapped around her finger and seeing him in a suit, sitting and drinking tea in a high-class restaurant trying to behave like a perfect gentleman, and with every mistake receiving her Hilda's angry glare was really fun to watch.
"Oh, and I have sent both Sigmar and Jabberwock to act as Lord General Behemoth's attendants. Lately, they have been causing a lot of trouble, so I will let old man discipline them properly."
I said, as Hela smiled as she already knew about it, while Grayfia nodded with vehement agreement.
Hela knew that being with Lord General Behemoth would straighten them both if they acted as his attendants for decades and maybe even for centuries. It would also greatly help them improve their greatest faults.
Mainly their temper. That was the reason, why Hilda almost all times defeated Sigmar, even though Sigmar was stronger than her, but his temper was holding him back. He was too easy to anger up, and in the fight, anger could mind and judgment.
"Also, I wanted to talk about something important. Soon enough I will be for another Universe. Due to a timelapse between our Universe and Douluo Universe, I will be away for around 200 years. I will be taking with me Ajuka and detachment of Custodians. I believe that during my absence you can take care of Baator."
I said as all three of them were sad that I would be leaving for 200 years approximately. It wasn't forbidden to tell others about Longinus Dreizhen Orden, or rather about its existence and that I was a member. Anything above that was forbidden, especially divulging the identities of other members, unless other members revealed it themselves.
"Too long, too long... I wanna go with you."
Whinned Vena likes a small child.
"You know that is not possible. Not mentioning that you need to stay here in my absence, but If I take you, I will need to take Fia and Hela. And that is not possible, it is already enough that I am taking with me Ajuka and Diablo. That alone will create a large gap in the Senatorum Imperialis."
I said Vena as I hugged her.
"Then we will wait for you while playing with each other..."
Said Vena as she hugged Grayfia close.
"But for now..."
Said Hela seductively.
Chapter 180 - Important Decisions and Plans (1)
Today was once again the meeting of the Senatorum Imperialis.
But today was a bit different, as today even Elders were participating as the topic discussed there would be crucial for the Empire for millennials to come.
The meeting room of the Senatorum Imperialis was located in the Imperial Palace, in the Sanctus Imperialis. It was an enormous rather plain stone room, with a huge oval stone table, with huge stone chairs around them.
Today all the important people were present.
From three Elders, of Azrael, Zekram, and Crom Cruach.
To High Officials of Grayfia Lucifuge High Chancellor of Baator and Venelana Gremory CEO of the IMC, Interdimensional Manufacturing Corporation.
From Magisters:
Archduke Agares Magister of Domestic Affairs and Territorial Management. Mephisto Pheles Magister of Arcane and Magic Research. Ajuka Beelzebub, Magister of Arcanotechnology. Serafall Leviathan Magister of the Foreign Affairs. Falbium Asmodeus Magister of the Intelligence Department.
To Leaders of the Military Branches:
Hela Odisndottir Lord Marshall Militant of the Imperialis Militarum. Gerstahl Lucifuge Lord High Admiral of the Void Fleets. Diablo Noir, Captain-General of the Adeptus Custodes. Cain Valefor, Grandmaster of the Execution Temple. Architect as temporal Lord General Matrix of Mechanicum. Tiamat as Commissar-General of Commissariat.
Additionally, there were other people present, most of my sons and daughter, Lord General Behemoth, Lord General Ragnar. Important Tribunes of Custodians like Diehauser Belial or some Lord High Admirals.
"Now, during this meeting of the Senatorum Imperialis, very sensitive topics shall be discussed that required attention of all High-Ranking personnel of the Empire. Now, I will leave word to the Magister of the Arcanotechnology, Lord Ajuka Beelzebub."
Said Grayfia as she looked at Ajuka who stood up and activated the hologram to show us his presentation.
"During the last decades researching Agreas Crystals and find many of the mysterious abilities and possible ways of usage, there is one that has been kept as of utmost secret and none besides me knows about it. Apparently, Agreas Crystals, if configured with the right rituals and arcanotech, have the ability to change the fundamental nature of species. For easier understanding, the last test proved it can change humans into devils, without any major side effects. Same has been tested for Fallen Angels or Oni."
As he finished his presentation a creeping silence took over the meeting.
Everyone showed different reactions, while some of them were not bothering to hide them. Serafall was horrified as this could spell a diplomatic catastrophe and possible wars.
If it was freely given it would be terrible. While Baator has been purged from most of the incompetent nobles or those who abused their privileges and were all executed, but wars won't be waged on them because someone had something, but because they had something like this in their possession.
What is worse, what would happen if strong factions in the Astral Boundary heard about it?
Problem was, their method of suing Agreas Crystals was more effective and easier than other methods that some species or factions may have. If some race that desperately needed to increase their numbers learned about such an easy way as Agreas Crystals, they would annihilate every living soul in the Baator to get their hands on them.
I looked at Serafall and knew what she was thinking.
Exactly the same thing as I was thinking.
While Hela was thinking about how could she weaponize this invention, and Mephisto showed looks of wonder and curiosity.
Elders were quiet but they were thinking the same thing as Serafall.
They knew that we were nothing in front of strong factions in the Astral Boundary.
"I have come to the decision regarding this."
I said with an authoritative voice as every eye looked at me.
"Frist thing, from today entire Agreas Island shall be turned into the military base, under the direct joint control of Custodians and Execution Temple. Archduke Agares will receive appropriate compensation for this act."
I said as Archduke Agares nodded with a satisfied smile. All of us knew that I didn't need to compensate him anything for the nationalization of the Agreas Island which served even now as the touristic attraction of the House of Agares.
But I was the fair monarch. I knew that it was the right thing to do, and that was because my subject followed me, that was how loyalty was created and grown.
"Second thing, Agreas Crystals shall be used to create special Arcanotech device with the design of Cards consisting of 7 Class Cards. We shall card them Servant Class Cards consisting of Cards for Ruler who shall act as Commander of the Unit. Then we have Saber, Archer, Lancer, Berserker, Caster, and Assassin. Additionally, we will create Independent Card, so those who are reincarnated by those Cards are not tied by any Ruler. From today, all control, overseeing, and decided who will be given Servant Class Card Peerage Set shall be entrusted to the Execution Temple. Thirdly, we will create only a few sets that will be used on notable individuals with strong potential, affinities, magic talent, or strong innate abilities. From now, the existence of Servant Class Card Peerage Set has become Omega-Grade Top Secret Information of the Baator. Anybody who divulges existence it shall be instantly executed. Also, create something that will hide the appearance of those who were reincarnated by the Servant Cards to avoid unnecessary problems."
I said with an authoritative voice as everybody nodded.
Nobody can know about the existence of the Servant Class Card Peerage Set. For that, I have decided to limit its usage, and they will be used only by Executors or Agents of Execution Temple. This basically prevented another civil unrest that happened in canon, as no reincarnated devils would exist, at least formally.
Additionally, they weren't needed.
Thanks to many of my inventions and interventions, our population didn't suffer great losses during the Great War, and what it did suffer would recover given enough time.
I can see that my decision was met with good reactions, especially from an older generation that knew how dangerous it was. Truth to be told it could be worse, if given to every Noble House like in canon, it would be terrible.
Even though now, almost all uncomfortable people or bad apples were dead, it was never bad to be cautious.
