Chapter 35: Uninvited Guests

Upon the discovery of teleportation gates interstellar travel was not far behind. Although their discovery was quite the accident. A young mage by the name of Pulzar was tweaking with a newly constructed gate next to a batch of high mana stones and other precious resources used to construct the gate. In doing so the surrounding energy was drawn to the portal as he opened it to sneak away to see his love interest at the time, who was stationed at another gate. Instead Pulzar found himself viewing different worlds that would flash quickly and be gone just as fast as they appeared. Instead of hiding in shame as the various resources where consume and scattered. Pulzar recorded his observations before turning himself in to his team for punishment. Head researcher Logna Arlow was so impressed at the time that he had the young man do it again. This time with a team watching and ready to write what they observed.

A snippet from EMPIRE WEEKLY. Written by Jorrgin Arlow.

“What do you mean the Imperial Princess will be arriving tomorrow?”

I stared at Murnia in confusion as she delivered the news.

“Fuck.”

“Young Lord we have received word that she will be arriving with a contingent of roughly 250 people. Fortunately, we won’t need to set up extra housing as the population of the city is roughly 6500 of its 10,000 max.

That is not all Young Lord… we’ve received word that Makanui Hukku your cousin will be arriving with around 500 people himself. Judd Lance and Bella Nightingale will also be arriving with a host of western nobles totaling around 1500.”

“Someone is calculating against me,” I said and sat down with a sigh.

I knew what they all wanted after all my father had been home for a few years and would be returning to the wall and with his return my expedition would be setting off.

“God’s above and below… FUCK.”

This was a major wrench in my plans. Amaya small troop of 500 was enough but now that the calvary had arrived I could quickly see myself losing control of the situation. To many people I didn’t want nor to need were coming and I could just imagine them imploring me to let them join my expedition.

‘Fuck.’

My birthday was within the week and the vehicle my mother prepared for our journey was to be delivered shortly. I expected us to be traveling through some interstellar sort of teleportation gate, but it was much more complex than that.

I sat down in my office chair and pondered on the situation. I would refuse them of course or at least try and delay whatever conspiracy was going on long enough for a chance to slip away. Murnia moved around me and began to massage my shoulders and I leaned into the massage. Tension left my body with her expert hands. Well, I had no other option but to face the music.

***

Moriah could tell the moment she laid eyes on Aegis that he was unhappy. Nervousness plagued her mind and body but outwards she projected a confident unbothered expression.

“Princess Moriah,” Aegis said while giving her a bow. “To what do I owe the appearance of someone of your station visiting my humble little city?"

"I believed we did without the titles the last we spoke. Call me Moriah," her mind was racing trying to lighten the load she was about to drop on Aegis. Especially after she heard because of her move everyone else began to move as well. A delegation from the Hukku Clan would be arriving soon and the western nobility had routed themselves under Bella Nightingale and Judd Lance looking for their opportunity to join the expedition. These where not the third or even the fourth sons who position in the family was not that important. These where the first and second sons who had grown interested at the prospect of conquering a new world with relative ease.

Opening an interstellar gate was expensive and not all the noble houses wanted to foot the bill. A tag along for the honor and glory one such expedition would bring would have the people singing tales of their exploits for days.

“Princess Moriah…?”

Her attention returned and with a sigh she pulled out the imperial decree. Freshly written by her mother. She tossed it to Aegis, and he opened it with a grimace. Eyes widening in surprise then alarm, from there an indescribable look appeared before Aegis settle on a face that could only show resolve.

“Very well.

Lady Keala will want to have a look at this but I’m sure the terms are agreeable.”

“Thank you, Aegis. Truly.”

Moriah was still trying to close the growing chasm between them.

“It will be my pleasure to host you, Moriah.”

She gave a sweet smile at the acknowledgement of her name.

“My personal maid Murnia will show your troops to an area they can be stationed.”

***

Makanui gave his cousin a once over as he approached. Steps calm and measured.

“Cousin,” Makanui said with a deep bow.

“Ha-ha, no need to bow to me cousin. To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit to my small humble city Aurora?”

Makanui pulled out a letter and handed to Aegis.

“Aunty Keala will want to see it, but she will also confirm and vouch on behalf of us. We’ll be in your care.”

He watched as Aegis quickly skimmed through the documents grimacing as he arrived at the end.

With a flourish towards his city. Aegis opened his mouth to speak.

“Welcome, to Aurora the city of Dawn.”

***

I watched the last and final delegation head towards me. They all must have been in cahoots with one another using the princess and my cousin to butter me up. I would be denying the western nobles however, or my name wasn’t Aegis Kan.

Judd Lance had grown even more strait laced since I last saw him, and Bella Nightingale hair seemed to be wildly dancing as she approached, or it could have just been the wind.

There was a small flash and a figure appeared on the path. Lord Alexander Fross my father’s right-hand man and a hero many were named after in the Empire.

I watched him converse with the two who led the delegation of nobility towards me before he turned in my direction and began walking.

‘Fuck.’

Why was nothing going my way?

“Good evening, Aegis.”

“Lord Fross, to what do I owe the pleasure.”

“I’m here on behalf of your father…”

My heart sank at his words, and I waited for him to finish.

“It’s come to his attention that the lords and ladies of the western dukedom have become rather… discontent at their children being passed over for the common man. Not saying such a decision is a problem but your father decided to compromise when 50% of the western nobility complained to him.

This small force is that compromise.”

Apparently… my name was Aegis Kan.

*

I paced around in my office frustration evident on my face. I could work around this,

I must work around this. Too many lives were at stake and to many resources had already been poured into this. My mind raced for answers and my thoughts and head where in a mess. I would not be enjoying my birthday week.

Taking everything into account I had two maybe three options at the max.

Option one was to come out and reveal everything to my family. Never mind I realistically only had one option. It’s not that I didn’t trust my family. In time I would reveal all of this to them the Empire as a whole but now was not the time. I barely had a full understanding of what aspects could do.

I would have the troop advantage and with interstellar travel there was basically radio silence. My plans where already laid out for the blue greenish gem called Prima. I would need to slightly alter them, but I could still play everything out the way I wanted. I’d just have to force everyone to take an oath of secrecy no this would require a Geas and a powerful one at that.

My thoughts instantly turned to my mother. I knew she would get one for me and new plans and ideas began to develop.

*

I slowed my breathing and released the full power of my bloodline while Amaya did the same. Our powers clashed before merging. My blue flames with her red creating a violet color that easily melted the ground. I directed our combine bloodlines closer. Concentrating both and bringing the area around us to a boil. Our eyes locked and I released the torrent of energy skyward creating a beam that traveled into the distance.

“That is the perfect stress reliever,” Amaya said while stretching.

“That it is… that it is.” I calmed and was far from the agitated state I was in earlier. My mother would be arriving soon after I sent a messenger out asking for her help. A smirk appeared on my face. Damn it was good to be a momma’s boy.

Things had been set in motion that I could and would no longer stop. The princess forced herself into my party? Fine. My cousins forced themselves into my party. Fine. The western nobility forces their children into my party. FINE.

Do not blame me for what happens because of their selfish decisions. This was my expedition to prove that I was worthy to inherit the dukedom. They had no business or rights here in the first place. I would proceed how I intended too.

“Aegis… your scales are showing again.”

My hand reached up to my neck where the outline of dragon scales began to appear, and I took deep breaths calming myself and bloodline. The scales slowly receded. I concluded that because of the gift Arrgonton gave me and the change in my racial ability. I was slowly adapting more and more to the bloodline. The dots in my eyes that were previously white had now changed to blue and gold truly reminding me of the night sky. My second bloodline, the one from my mother’s side had finally showed. Well after my mother explained to me how to properly use it. Using light, I could cast illusions that were meant to trick and deceive low level foes. At higher tiers I could mix in sound and create true illusion allowing me to bring in a target to a world of my own making. My state was quickly returning to normal as my aspects worked to lift my mental fatigue.

It would be my birthday soon and I would no longer let these problems plague my mind. I would enjoy myself. Train my apprentice and play with my cute baby cousin. Amaya’s sister Aolani.

She was a beautiful and curious little thing, and I took pleasure in carrying her around and making mischief. It was nice that I could be in Ashburn within hours since my city was so close.

Dax had grown into a fine young boy. From the skinny kid with barely any meat on his bones to a healthy child already on the verge of tier two in Path of the Body. I took my training of him very serious, and I had plans for the boy the moment Malix awoke. The worm cocoon had been growing brighter lately and I imagined she would wake soon. I just hope she wouldn’t mind being in an entirely new world.

Prima the world I’d be conquering was inhabited by a few of the greenskin races and human like creatures with horns on their heads. From the description I received people from Earth would call them devils or demons depending on your isekai story. I missed reading all those books but now I was living the life myself. I hope my parents and siblings are ok and thriving in the new world [Beyond] is bringing about. The ashes left in her wake quickly destroyed any I used the perk on. It was wonderful.