Arslan watched as everyone bent their backs. Among the citizens, countless beings were more powerful than he was. However, there were no Eternals among them, as coming here would mean they would bow, just like everyone else. They had too much pride for that. He tried to search for certain individuals, but he couldn’t find them among the crowd because there were too many people. It didn’t help that he couldn’t use the treasure that bent space to search for them.
Instead, he opted for a more natural look towards the crowd and gazed at some of the more important people. He had enough experience giving speeches to crowds or groups. That’s why he learned a lot of ways to improve his talks. This was one of them; by focusing on certain individuals rather than the whole group, he could read their expressions and see if they were invested in the talk. He would become more domineering and would force them to listen if it was a matter of importance and they didn’t listen with their all. However, he already knew that everyone here gave their utmost attention to what would be announced, even though the awakening of The Eye gave enough evidence.
“Ever since my accession to the throne, I have done everything I could as the emperor. However, I find the current situation of our continent, also known as the Deserted Continent by outsiders, couldn’t reach the heights it deserved ever since the previous Galactic Competition,” Arslan stated with a calm expression. He saw that some of the people didn’t think this way. Just like he said to Derin, he ignored them. His attention focused on those whose eyes shone. They were his target audience, even though they weren’t fooled by his speech; they wanted what could be gained through it.
“My family, for millions of years, did not touch a single grain of sand to create a better world and instead used this world with its natural environment. However, I think it’s time to change that. And this needs a lot of resources. However, we are not so poor to just get the necessary resources to change this world from petty ways. Thus, just like how my ancestor, the first emperor, had done and brought this world to its current situation by helping to create this Galactic Competition, I will join the current competition to change our world for the better.” Arslan added this for those who did not have much knowledge of what was really happening. If he told them he wanted to find ways to divinity, it would create unnecessary discussions among the mortal citizens. Most of them were those who had talents enough to be brought to the Shattered Continent. However, due to not having any clearance, they aren’t aware of what makes the Shattered Continent the treasure trove. However, he guessed that they would be satisfied if the Empire were to spread all over the continent. They must have thought it’s because of the world being uninhabitable because of the sun. Not everyone had the privilege of knowing the real reason.
Among the crowd, some had lost their ancestors, thus they had lost their way of getting resources. However, to respect their ancestors, they hadn’t lost their place in the main world of the Empire. To target them, he continued, “My family already made enough preparations to conquer strong worlds. However, to defend our worlds that are under our Empire, we need many cultivators. The competition is not only dependent on the Immortal tier battlefield. There will also be worlds that need to be integrated into our Empire after being conquered. Those who had enough merits will have the rights to the conquered land and its cultivation resources. This is also true for the world that needs to be protected.”
He could see the calculating look appearing in their eyes. War was the most profitable business in this cosmos. After all, everything is restricted, and the laws did not allow many things for revenue. However, the so-called competition was famous for just that, as they created it exactly for this. They don’t have the exact knowledge of why they are keeping everything together, free from free warfare, as the Galactic Alliance doesn’t earn anything. This is also true for the Cosmic Alliance, as it could earn a lot of shares if they allowed wars. However, most of the people here more than likely will never know.
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Arslan paid attention to his wife as she had a look that he understood. She wanted to continue the talk herself.
She started by saying, “We have all the power in our hands, ready to be used.” She waited for them to understand the meaning. Some did, some didn’t. “However, power in our day is attainable by cultivating. Our lifespan is incalculable when we reach the Immortal stage, and by the end, we already have time and space as our plaything. However, this is not enough, and will never be. Just like you did, we also saw The Eye. The helplessness, the need to find a path beyond Eternal. But who thinks that by sitting in our lives, doing our everyday job, we could achieve it? Even with talent, look at me. Can I say I will ever achieve something beyond Eternal? Maybe Demigod, sure, but it can’t be said to be beyond. After all, that’s not a true cultivation realm belonging to the Divine, but a transition phase. If I were lucky, maybe billions of years later, I could achieve divinity. But who could wait, knowing that you might die any day? I can’t. Can you?” She totally destroyed the intentions of Arslan, however, he noticed the people beyond his audience had also awakened the will to want more.
Since he had a partner in life, this kept happening. He was grateful for it. He stopped and continued listening to his wife and empress.
“I am an Empress. You bow to me. Not because I am above you as an individual, but because of what I represent. But don’t ever think I’m satisfied with just being an empress. Nor should any of you. Because, to us who have eternity, anything other than strength can become meaningless without a Path and people. As for the people, strength also matters to protect those who we hold dear. And let me tell you, even Demigods aren’t safe, so we have to get the strength necessary to feel safe! This is our right, as long as we chase to achieve it. Are you with us?”
“Yes!”
“Will you spill blood for your loved ones?”
“Yes!”
“Will you spill blood for their future?”
“Yes!”
“Will you spill blood for power?”
“Yes!”
“Then prepare. In the Luvi Network, a survey will be situated for those who are willing to join in the fun.”
“Yes, our Empress!”
Ah, the greed. She didn’t need to see the look they had. She could hear it from their voice. She hoped they wouldn’t spill their own blood because of it. But wasn’t it worth the risk? She thought so, and more than half the beings who gathered physically before her did. But her talk didn’t only reach them. Spanning multiple worlds under their rule, every citizen of the Luvi Empire, whether Mortal or Immortal rose, to their feet.
***
A girl sitting on a throne watched the live feed. Her feet didn’t reach the ground, but no one in the hall belittled her for it. She gazed into the dark eyes of the empress, and she saw the cruelty deeply within. Her own eyes also reflected the same and turned her gaze to the imperial troops of her country and commanded, “Prepare for war!”
“Yes, our Queen!”
***
In another world, a teenage boy looked into the two screens before him. In one, he saw the Emperor and Empress giving a speech. In the other, he received a message from a screen he had ever since he came to this world. However, he was not pleased with the message at all. He was not ready!
‘Mission #12.
Option 1: Join the war and get as many benefits as you can.
Reward #1: Upon choosing to join, A Path that is suitable for the host.
Reward #2: Depending on the performance of the host during the war.
Option 2: Don’t join the war.
Reward: None.
Punishment: Reduced luck for 10 (ten) years.’
***
All kinds of people from different worlds, but of the same citizenship, made preparation after they filled in the survey. They were going to need all the preparation they could get. It was unknown how long it would take.
But they will give their all for power!