Chapter 1203: Small Factions.
Victor's Empire's expansion had raised concerns among various minor powers scattered throughout the Upper Sectors. For some rulers, the existence of an empire on that scale represented a threat to their own existence. Others feared that trade routes, natural resources, and independent systems would eventually fall under imperial authority. Lacking sufficient strength to confront Victor directly, these factions began acting according to their own interests, and as had often happened in Earth's history, they decided to turn to another patron: one of the Four Major Factions.
