Chapter 17: Relative Peace and An Imperial Invitation
Personal System Calendar: Year 0009, Days 3-14 Month VI: The Imperium
Imperial Calendar: Year 6854, 6th month, 3rd to 14th Day
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No Signs
The days passed slowly in the village, each one bringing hope that August might wake, and each one ending in disappointed vigil. He remained suspended in a limbo between life and death, his body present but his consciousness absent. This would be his fourth time experiencing this strange twilight existence, and in a peculiar way, it was relatively peaceful compared to the chaos of the waking world.
His physical form lay in the medical facility, tended by healers and watched over by his team. But the true battle was occurring elsewhere, in spaces that existed beyond normal perception. August's Personal System was working ceaselessly to repair his body and return it to normal status, or as close to normal as possible after what he had experienced.
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Behind the Scenes
In a realm that existed outside conventional reality, in offices that were simultaneously everywhere and nowhere, the administrators of the System were experiencing their own crisis. Every day brought new errors to August's Personal System software, cascading failures and unexpected complications that required immediate attention.
The people behind the scenes, the beings who maintained and monitored the System itself, found themselves overwhelmed. They had not realized just how volatile human emotion could be, especially emotions that had been forcefully suppressed and bottled into the depths of the subconscious mind.
When August's control had finally broken, those emotions had exploded outward like the Big Bang, that theoretical cosmic explosion that human scientists from System Aerthe had proposed to explain the origin of their universe. The comparison was apt, and Administrator Magnus found himself darkly amused by the parallel. Funny how mortal scientists had arrived at that theory through mathematics and observation, never knowing they had stumbled close to a fundamental truth about energy and transformation.
Administrator Magnus and Manager Dorothy had gotten significantly less sleep than either wanted or needed over the past week. It had been nearly seven days since August had fallen into his comatose state, and still there were no signs of him awakening. The humans on the Lower Heavens, in that mortal realm where August's body resided, could care for his physical form. They could keep his body fed, hydrated, and protected. But this crisis extended far beyond the physical.
This involved August's soul, that fundamental essence of being that transcended mere biology. The damage there was more complex and more dangerous than any physical injury could be.
"I cannot believe it," Administrator Magnus said, staring at the holographic displays that showed August's status in far more detail than any mortal diagnostic could achieve. "He broke through many of our safeguards entirely on his own. The limiters that were supposed to regulate his progression for decades, just shattered."
He gestured at another display, and his voice took on a note of incredulous disbelief. "And look at this. He is now level 50. Level 50! He had only reached Personal System level 2 just a couple of months ago (in mortal time). Now he has somehow jumped to the maximum player level of 50? Ahhhhggg, the headaches this causes!"
For the first time in his extraordinarily long lifespan, spanning epochs that would make mortal history seem like a brief moment, Administrator Magnus found himself experiencing a confusing mixture of frustration and happiness. The contradiction was almost painful. His face, which normally maintained the serene expression of an ageless being, had developed visible wrinkles from stress. Though he appeared frustrated, he was also genuinely elated for the first Prospect Player of System Centuury.
He had not known that a mere mortal could bring him such joy, could penetrate the professional detachment that he had cultivated over millennia. It was unsettling and wonderful in equal measure.
The emotional display was remarkable for another reason. Manager Dorothy, the woman their colleagues had nicknamed "the Ice Queen" due to her legendarily cold personality, typically showed more emotion than Administrator Magnus. She was known for her ability to maintain professional warmth while Magnus remained distant. But now their roles have reversed.
Manager Dorothy watched her superior with fascination tinged with concern. She was experiencing her own emotional complications regarding August's situation. She felt sad for this mortal who had pushed himself to the breaking point. She felt happy at his achievements. She experienced fear about his potential outcomes and hope for his recovery. The range of feelings was extraordinary and somewhat uncomfortable for someone who prided herself on emotional control.
What an interesting thing, she thought, to be moved so deeply by the struggles of a single mortal. She found herself wondering what Soul 777-777, the original human consciousness that had been transferred into this world, felt while observing what August had achieved. Though perhaps "observing" was no longer the correct term. The original soul had integrated so deeply with August's developing consciousness that they were no longer truly separate entities. They existed in cohesion within a single body, two streams that had merged into one river.
She hoped that the accidental death on System Aerthe, the tragic event that had brought Soul 777-777 to Centuury in the first place, had somehow been worth this second chance at existence.
"Yes sir," Manager Dorothy replied, gathering her thoughts. "I believe we should trust the evidence before our own eyes. The boy has achieved miracles that others would not even be able to comprehend. We have no baseline for comparison since he is our first Prospect in this world, but when measured against prospects from other systems, he is certainly unique in his own right."
Administrator Magnus's expression shifted to a wide grin, an expression so rare that Manager Dorothy made a mental note to preserve this moment in the records. "Well, I hope we can stabilize the system by tomorrow. I wish to grant him that Legendary equipment we had been saving, the one crafted from Mytherium. I believe it would help regulate his mana flow more effectively, among other benefits of course."
The conversation ended as they returned to monitoring August through the holographic displays, watching the intricate dance of energy and essence as his Personal System worked to repair catastrophic damage. Their colleagues in the technical departments continued their frantic efforts to patch the software failures and restore stability.
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Imperial Assessment
Back in the village, far removed from these cosmic considerations, the Imperial Intelligence agents led by Captain Henrietta Gloria assigned to monitor the settlement had completed their comprehensive evaluation. Their report was thorough, detailed, and contained conclusions that would have significant ramifications for the village's future.
The assessment covered multiple categories: strategic value, political structure, economic capacity, military capabilities, and most critically, the unique factor represented by August Finn himself.
Their primary conclusion was unambiguous: the village held far more value as an ally than as an enemy of the Empire. The reasons were numerous and compelling.
Strategic Location: The village occupied a naturally defensible position of significant strategic importance. Two mountains shielded its rear approaches, creating a fortress-like geography that would be extraordinarily difficult to assault. The terrain forced any attacking army into predictable approach routes that could be easily defended. Control of this location would provide dominance over the surrounding region.
Political Stability: The village's political system, though unconventional by Imperial standards, demonstrated remarkable solidity. The council structure balanced different interests while maintaining clear lines of authority. Leadership transitions occurred smoothly without the power struggles that plagued many frontier settlements.
Economic Self-Sufficiency: The settlement could produce necessary goods independently, from food to basic manufactured items. They were not dependent on external trade for survival, which made them resistant to economic pressure or blockade.
Ecological Harmony: Uniquely among human settlements, the village maintained harmony with the Great Forest of Lonelywood rather than existing in opposition to it. This relationship provided access to resources and intelligence that other communities could not match.
Beast Alliances: The village had established formal alliances with intelligent beast populations, an achievement no human settlements could claim. More remarkably, they had been accepted into the territorial structure of the Beast Lords, specifically under the protection of Aetherwing, August's Guardian Beast. A Mighty Peregrine Eagle of legendary status carried significant weight in the beast community hierarchy.
Military Capability: Most impressively, the village had demonstrated the ability to hold its own against threats that regional Imperial armies had struggled to contain. Their combat effectiveness far exceeded what their size and resources should have allowed.
Then there was August Finn himself, the factor that dominated the entire assessment. He was, the report concluded, probably the single most significant aspect of the entire village. The agents recognized that August was not merely a talented young man but rather something unprecedented.
The report offered two strategic options regarding August:
Option One: Elevate him to a status of formal recognition throughout the known world. Make him a public figure, celebrate his achievements, and bind him to the Empire through honor and public expectation.
Option Two: Keep him a secret from the wider world. Prevent other kingdoms from attempting to recruit him, allowing the Empire to enjoy exclusive access to this unique individual.
Regardless of which option was chosen, the approach had to be carefully calibrated. Any attempt to control or leash August would likely backfire catastrophically. The relationship needed to appear as a friendly partnership where both parties could give and take freely.
The report emphasized that August was too dangerous to be treated casually. Earlier assessments of his capabilities were either outdated or had failed to capture his full potential. More concerning, he continued to grow stronger at an unprecedented rate.
The agents posed a hypothetical question in their conclusion: How powerful would August be as a single individual when he reached the age and status of someone like Grandmaster Ben Flameswrath? If current trends continued, he might surpass even that legendary figure.
Would the Empire prefer to befriend such a person or to fight him?
The report also noted the exceptional talent gathered in Talon One, the combat team formed around August. These individuals demonstrated loyalty based not on formal oaths or political obligation but on genuine friendship, trust, and camaraderie. If August could command such devotion without demanding it, what did that say about his character and leadership?
The final assessment was stark: attempting to fight and obliterate this village would cost the Empire considerable resources and potentially significant casualties. Unless the Empire was willing to deploy its Dukes, the highest tier of military power short of the Emperor himself, victory was not guaranteed.
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The Report Reaches the Capital
The report was dispatched to the Imperial Intelligence Director, who read it thoroughly before day's end. Recognizing its significance, he personally carried it to the Emperor rather than trusting it to the normal courier system.
When Director Thrace arrived at the throne room, Emperor Janus was already in conference with Grand Advisor Solomon. A group of shadows stood in the corners of the room, barely visible even in the direct light of the magical illumination. These were the Anino, the Emperor's personal intelligence network, reporting their own findings from the village.
Director Thrace waited patiently as the shadow operatives completed their report. Their information would complement his own, providing different perspectives on the same situation. When they finished, the shadows vanished from the hall without sound or visible transition, they were there for a moment and gone the next.
"Come forward, Director," Emperor Janus said, his voice carrying the weight of absolute authority tempered by genuine interest. "I have read the summary already, but I wish to hear your thoughts in person. The Grand Advisor here insisted he be present for these reports. It seems he has cultivated his own sources of information."
"Yes, my liege," Director Thrace replied, approaching the throne and formally presenting the full report. "I will hand over the complete documentation. As for my personal input, the reports have considerable merit, but I will leave final judgment to your wisdom."
Emperor Janus studied the Director's face, his supernatural perception detecting subtle hesitation. He glanced at Grand Advisor Solomon, who gave a slight nod of encouragement. "Speak your thoughts freely, Director Thrace. I do not remember placing limits on my citizens voicing legitimate concerns. Well, except for those who harbor rebellious intentions, of course."
Taking this as permission to speak candidly, Director Thrace chose his words carefully. "Very well then, my liege. I will point out that if these reports are accurate, leaving the boy entirely to his own devices may not be wise. If he is as dangerous as documented, even though he currently demonstrates rational thinking and emotional control, who can guarantee he will not eventually turn against the Empire?"
He paused, then continued with his primary recommendation. "If elimination is not an option, and I understand why it would not be, then I would suggest implementing safeguards. Yes, we should follow the suggestions of alliance and grant them considerable autonomy. But August Finn himself should have safeguards established, measures that would protect both him and the Empire from potential worst-case scenarios."
Emperor Janus remained silent, his expression unreadable as he considered the Director's words. The recommendation had merit from a pure security standpoint, but it also carried risks. Safeguards could be interpreted as threats, and threatening someone of August's capabilities seemed unwise.
After a long moment of contemplation, the Emperor turned to his most trusted advisor. "Elder Sol, what is your perspective on this matter? I would like to hear your thoughts before making my decision."
Grand Advisor Solomon, a man who had served the Empire for longer than most citizens had been alive, stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Hmmmm, let me consider. I do remember that youngling Ben being stationed at the village, yes?" He was referring to Grandmaster Ben Flameswrath, though calling a centuries-old wizard a "youngling" said much about Solomon's own age.
"That is correct, Grand Advisor," Director Thrace confirmed.
"Well, I know that boy," Solomon continued, his tone mixing fondness with mild exasperation. "He has always been fickle about choosing whom he associates with. Most importantly, he has always preferred solitude. For him to voluntarily settle in a village rather than maintaining his isolated tower and traveling suggests something significant."
He let the implication hang in the air for a moment before elaborating. "If Ben Flameswrath, one of the most powerful and discriminating individuals in the Empire, has chosen to make this village his home, then there must be something there that attracts his sustained attention. Ben does not make such decisions lightly or for trivial reasons."
Director Thrace found himself confused by this line of reasoning. "I apologize, Grand Advisor, but what does Grandmaster Ben's presence have to do with whether we should implement safeguards regarding August Finn? Please enlighten me."
The older man sighed, the sound of someone explaining something he considered obvious. "Director, Ben was my student many years ago, one of my most talented pupils. I will personally write to him and request that he maintain close observation of the boy. If Ben is willing to remain in that village, he can serve as a natural safeguard. He has the power to intervene if August ever loses control, and more importantly, he has the wisdom to recognize when intervention is truly necessary versus when it would be counterproductive."
"Ah." Director Thrace found himself momentarily speechless, realizing the elegant simplicity of the solution. A safeguard that did not appear to be one, that existed as a natural consequence of existing relationships rather than an imposed restriction. He bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Grand Advisor. Your wisdom illuminates what my more limited perspective could not see."
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The Emperor's Decision
After several more minutes of silent contemplation, Emperor Janus spoke, and his words surprised everyone present.
"I have made my decision. Let it be known that I am formally inviting this young man to my halls. I need to see him for myself and verify certain suspicions I have developed."
Grand Advisor Solomon raised an eyebrow, an expression of surprise that was itself surprising given his usual imperturbable demeanor. This was unprecedented. The Emperor had just extended a personal invitation to someone who was neither a king nor a recognized noble. The throne room, that sacred space where the Empire's most important decisions were made, was accessible only to a select few: ruling monarchs, high nobles, and individuals of extraordinary achievement.
For a frontier village youth to receive such an invitation spoke volumes about how seriously Emperor Janus was taking this matter.
"Your will be done, Your Majesty," Director Thrace said, bowing deeply. He departed to begin making the necessary arrangements for such an invitation to be properly delivered.
Grand Advisor Solomon remained behind briefly, his curiosity overcoming his usual restraint. "May I ask, Your Majesty, what suspicions you wish to verify?"
Emperor Janus smiled slightly, an expression that held secrets. "Let us simply say that I have felt certain fluctuations in the fabric of reality emanating from that region. Disturbances that should not be possible for an ordinary mortal to create. I wish to determine whether young August Finn is what I suspect he might be."
"And what would that be?"
"A Player, Elder Sol. A true Prospect of the System itself. If I am correct, he would be the first such individual to manifest in our Empire in recorded history. Such a person could reshape the balance of power across the entire continent, perhaps the entire world."
Solomon's eyes widened slightly. "I see," This was information even he wasn't privy to or had no knowledge about, in his entire existence. It didn't exist in any scrolls or records that the Empire has kept even to its secret vaults of knowledge. "Then yes, meeting him personally would be essential. Such an individual could be either the Empire's greatest asset or its most dangerous threat, depending on how this relationship develops."
"Precisely. Which is why I will not send intermediaries or rely on reports. I will evaluate him myself and make my judgment based on direct observation."
The Grand Advisor nodded and departed to compose the formal invitation, already considering the precise wording that would convey both the honor and the significance of such a summons.
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The Invitation Letter
In his office, Solomon took out special parchment reserved for imperial correspondence of the highest importance. The material was enchanted to be nearly indestructible and carried magical authentication that could not be forged. He selected ink that would shimmer with imperial gold, marking this as a direct communication from the throne.
He wrote carefully, each word chosen for maximum impact while maintaining appropriate diplomatic courtesy:
*To August Finn, Lord of Maya Village,*
*By the grace and authority of His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Janus Cornwall, Sovereign of the Elms-Arkanus Empire, The Grand Protector and Sovereign Guardian of the Elms-Arkanus Empire, the Last Son of Arkanus, and The Last True Dragon Rider, you are hereby formally invited to attend His Majesty in the Imperial Capital of Aethelgard.*
*This invitation is extended in recognition of your service to the Empire and your remarkable achievements in defense of the realm. His Majesty wishes to meet you personally and discuss matters of mutual interest and potential benefit.*
*You may bring a small retinue of your choosing, not to exceed twenty individuals. Transportation and accommodation will be provided at imperial expense. Your safety and that of your companions is guaranteed by imperial decree.*
*Please respond at your earliest convenience, indicating your acceptance and preferred timing for this meeting.*
*By order of His Imperial Majesty,*
*Grand Advisor and Elder Solomon Brand Elmsvale from the House of Elms, First Counselor to the Throne*
The letter was sealed with the Emperor's personal seal, a magical mark that would glow faintly and could be verified by any imperial official. It would be delivered by special courier, an honor guard of Elite Imperial Royal Knights "the Dragonguard" who would demonstrate both respect and the seriousness of the summons.
As he completed the letter, Solomon found himself genuinely curious about how August would respond. Would he be intimidated? Excited? Suspicious? The response itself would tell them much about his character and judgment.
Back in the village, August remained unconscious, unaware that his actions had attracted the personal attention of the most powerful individual in the Empire. His team continued their vigil, waiting for him to wake, hoping that when he did, he would still be himself.
The invitation was already on its way, carried by riders who would not stop until they reached their destination. History was moving forward, and August Finn, whether he was ready or not, was about to step onto a much larger stage.