EPISODE 170: IMPERIUS FACTION 2

— Edryan Queendom, Year 7291. Season: Central—four months prior.

“I’m honestly surprised you’ve managed to get the system to acknowledge your faction,” Margret began. She looked a bit tired from the creation of Nubia Blackwater, now we sat recovering our Life Points. The golem was undergoing checks by various [Mages] as they tried to comprehend as much as possible. We’d be leaving for Starglow Valley shortly, and it was unknown if Nubia would return in the same shape.

“You shouldn’t be,” Marna stated with a hint of smugness as she sprawled across a black couch. “He is our [Chosen], and through him, anything is possible.” From her tone, I could tell she was beyond pleased after witnessing one of the Three Faces of Madris.

Madria Gamal nodded in agreement with her mother. It appeared to come offhandedly as she stared at only a screen she could see. While Amaya watched the [Mages] curiously, their chatter around Nubia grew in volume. The short golem stood as [Mages] analyzed her with various skills—(Inspect), (Mana Sight), and more were just a few to name. I wouldn’t be surprised if they tested her offensive and defensive skills next.

We sat together on one of the higher platforms overlooking where Nubia was brought together. I was tired but prepared for my journey to Starglow Valley, where I would assert my status as the [Chosen of Madris].

“So… what exactly is a faction,” I questioned, looking curiously between the older women. Margret promised me an explanation of factions once the creation of Nubia was finished. Our process of creating Nubia was far too vital to be interrupted.

Margret, sitting straighter, adjusted her glasses as her magenta eyes focused on me. The air shifted, and I felt like I was back in the class of Wil Silverhand, prepping to receive a lecture. Amaya’s attention was pulled back the moment her elder sister began to speak, though Madria remained distracted. My offer to make her a [Hero] was likely still on her mind.

“To answer your question, first understand what your actions through the last few years have generated,” Margret said, her voice steady and gaze focused on me. “This will give you insight on how to cultivate and strengthen your faction.”

I could practically smell the lecture coming.

“What you’ve done,” Margret continued. “…is a process of system manipulation I’ve yet to see done. By insisting on naming your skills and classes [Imperius], you’ve subtly created an entire ecosystem around the concept of [Imperius].”

“All I did was what you originally told me to do,” I pointed out. “…name things after myself.”

Margret chuckled, a rueful smile gracing her face. “Yes, I did tell you that, didn’t I?”

She paused, formulating her next words. Her gaze held a more serious tone to them. “But you went a step further—you didn’t just name them, you elevated them to an ideal . You ensured that the earliest adopters of the Imperius name adopted a standard. If their bloodline potency wasn’t Rare, then you’d ensure it met at least that quality. This is especially true in [Imperius Academy]. The resources you’ve poured in this effort are extraordinary. This is something no normal house, not even your royal family, would continue to do. Perhaps for a few chosen individuals, but not for every… single… person. The price just isn’t deemed worth it, as their future prospect is unknown. It’s like you believe everyone can become great.”

She gave me a curious look, but I remained silent. I only wanted the citizens of Edryan to have somewhat of an even playground.

Marna summoned a maid to bring us snacks and drinks. Once the items arrived, she began to speak. “The effects are clear across Edryan. [Imperius] knights, chefs, workers, alchemists, and more have all made a name for themselves in their fields. They’re held to a higher standard, and for that reason, they don’t go jobless. If they can’t find an employer, they can always work for the crown. But the requirements for crown service are much stricter, and many find themselves limited in what they can do. That’s why nobles are quick to snatch up talents when they can.”

I nodded along as I processed their words. When I first began granting classes with the name Imperius, I enforced a strict policy and protocol. I silently chanted, ‘menu,’ to check the system's options. As a prince and heir to the throne of Edryan, I was granted a limited option of controlling system effects within the queendom.

One of these effects was granting classes through Royal Allocation.

Status

Territory

Royal Allocation

Royal Quest

Royal Decree

I dismissed the screen, silently reflecting as we enjoyed the refreshments. The first people I held to an ‘Imperius Standard’ were the men and women of Law’s Sweet Golem—LSG. It was my first face into the waters of the Edryan society. I could not— no —I would not allow them to not represent the best of the best. The greatest service, the finest products—everything modeled after luxury brands I knew from Earth.

Through LSG, I made the money to fund my various projects. The quality and status those brands maintained was something I’d quickly adopted, ensuring that every branch under the Imperius name reflected excellence. That initial process is what began the Imperius Standard, and why those who held Imperius in their class names were a step above the rest.

“I understand,” I spoke up. “…now, how exactly does a faction work?”

“Open your faction sheet and we’ll get started,” Margret said, waving a large cookie in her hand like a ruler, or perhaps a wand.

“Faction Sheet,” I commanded, and my mind snapped back to the present as the familiar blue interface materialized before me. The light of the fall entered through the window of Tenten Parlor. The system's light bathed my features—visible only to me.

Kathrine, my personal maid, stood off to the side, ever alert and awaiting orders. As I scanned the information in front of me, the echoes of Margret’s voice cut through my focus, guiding me as I navigated the faction sheet.

IMPERIUS

FACTION STATUS [+]

FACTION OBJECTIVES [+]

FACTION ALLOCATION [+]

System Generated Message: WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE IMPERIUS

“First, open your Faction Status,” Margret instructed, her tone precise and encouraging. “This section will give you an overview of who can join your faction and outline some requirements for increasing its rank. You’ll find a subsection under the main menu where you can post a message for all faction members to see when they access their sheets. This area will also display any active faction skills and other features that might be available.”

FACTION STATUS

Leader:

Lawruthian Edryani

Creation Date:

Year 7291, Month 8, Day 11.

Faction Rank:

Common

Rank Up Requirements:

— 10,000 Current Members — 𝒳

‎ — 500,000 Reputation Points — ✓

Current Members:

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‎ Accept Members:

1 (180,534 Available)

‎ ✓ — 𝒳

Active Faction Skills:

None (Room for one)

Active Quest:

None

Reputation Points:

12,532,905

The second notification provided a brief outline of the Imperius Faction’s status and current members. The light from the interface shone into my eyes, its intensity matching the excitement building inside me. How many components did the Prime System hold? A toothy grin stretched across my face—this was interesting .

“Next, select the Faction Objectives option. Knowing you, this will be your favorite area,” Margret teased, her voice was laced with amusement.

IMPERIUS

FACTION STATUS [+]

FACTION OBJECTIVES [+]

FACTION ALLOCATION [+]

System Generated Message: WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE IMPERIUS

FACTION OBJECTIVES

Quests Creation [+]

Member Recruitment [+]

Resource Panel [+]

Faction Skills [+]

Faction Classes [+]

“It’s here you can create quest, assign recruitment goals, and purchase faction-wide skills using Reputation Points,” Margret explained, her voice took on a more serious tone. “The importance of this cannot be underestimated. You will be able to purchase faction wide skills, and you’re allowed a bit of class tailoring.”

It definitely wasn’t just me who’d love this part of the system, I knew Minerva would jump at the chance to explore it. I shook the thought from my head and returned to the tasks at hand.

So these were some things my mother held access to when viewing the system and Edryan Faction. This is how they tailored every Royal Knight class to fit a certain standard. Skills like (Defense Breaker) and more could be curated into a particular class by my mother or those she gave permission too.

The conversation I held with Margret and the rest continued to play in my head.

“Why… am I not apart of the Edryan Faction?”

If there was an Edryan Faction, I should have been part of it. It seemed illogical for my mother to not include me. I gazed at the two women who were among my mother’s closest friends.

Margret shrugged, her magenta colored eyes meeting my gaze. “A conflict of interest. Once you open the Faction Allocation, you’ll understand. And, the next ruler of Edryan would inherit the position automatically—or should their be a conflict, the vice-leaders would temporarily be in charge.”

I reached out and selected the tab, the answer to the question I posed so long ago would be answered. It was unfortunate I’d only been able to set up the Imperius Faction four months after I’d initially received it. The events of Starglow Valley were only supposed to take a week or less. Instead, the entire fiasco of events took over four months. Its direct aftereffect was the Imperius Grand Summit. I’d been rushed from one event to another without a moment's pause. This was my only day of rest, for the morrow would see my return to the Council of Nobles and the early establishment of the Class-Based Constitutional Monarchy.

FACTION ALLOCATION

Leader:

Lawruthian Imperius Koltius Edryani

Vice-Leader:

[Open-Slot]

Vice-Leader:

[Open-Slot]

Vice-Leader:

[Open-Slot]

Faction Advisors

[Three Open-Slots]

Military Commanders

[Three Open-Slots]

Diplomatic Envoys:

[Three Open-Slots]

Treasurer:

[Open-Slot]

Current Holdings:

Law’s Sweet Golems,

‎ North America Research Center,

‎ Imperius Academy,

‎ Imperius College

I immediately understood why I wasn’t made involve with the faction. Should my mother have invited me to join the Imperius Faction, my status as the [Chosen of Madris] demanded an adequate position. I was Her Voice—the Goddess’s Voice upon the Mortal Realm. She could not leave me as a general member, nor could she immediately give up one of the positions belonging to the members of the [Seven Heroes].

In that case, the best response was to do nothing. It would not affect me, as I would get the position regardless, nor would I need it in the event of a class or more. A faction would nearly be useless to me outside structured organization for my forces . And, that was the sense I was picking up from the faction component of the system

I dismissed the components of the Faction Sheet and turned to Kathrine. She turned to me at attention and ready to receive my orders.

“Call for Bucca, Celcus Kain,” I started, hesitating as I thought of Margret and a few others. They were dealing with the Council of Nobles, and that wouldn’t change anytime soon. “…and Prirro Nepos.”

“Of course Your Highness Lawruthian. It is nearly lunchtime, would you prefer it here or in the Luxon Room?”

“Here is fine.”

I stepped forward and gazed down at the men and women scurrying about as Kathrine began to order other maids and personnel present. The words of Zie Breaker flashed into my thoughts.

‘The people—they look like… ants’

They are anything but .