Over the next few months, the Ptolemy faction helped Baron set up a dozen different tournaments. Due to their poor reputation, the first tournament had its fair share of skepticism. The only reason that it had a big turnout was because of the promised prize. A blueprint that was considered valuable to many in the Egyptian community. To Baron, it was just one of many tools at his disposal.

There were a total of 7,000 participants for the first tournament. Many of them were just regular strategists. If Baron had to guess, many of the top fighters in the community would not waste their time in these lowly tournaments. Plus, many were doubtful of the legitimacy of the prize. Many people thought there was no way the Ptolemy faction would have the blueprints to a military missile truck. However, curiosity got the best of them. The allure of a Chinese master providing the blueprint added some hope to their dreams.

The winner of the first tournament was a strategist called Wahibre Psamtik I, a pharaoh of the 26th Dynasty of Egypt. During his 54 year-reign, he ended Assyrian control over Egypt and reunified Egypt as the first pharaoh of a new dynasty. After winning the first tournament, he explained to everyone that he only joined to gain some experience, never expecting to win it all. With his prize now confirmed for all to see, people began paying more attention to the other tournaments set up by the Ptolemy faction.

By the time the second tournament rolled around, the participants had doubled in number. This time, a few noteworthy strategists had shown up. It was unclear whether or not the prize this time would be the same as last time. Many people wouldn't mind that. However, if there were multiple advanced blueprints, there was a sense of urgency. The people present wouldn't mind calling in a few of their allies to try and score big. To everyone's bewilderment, the prize for the second tournament had more practical uses.

Most of those who participated in the first tournament returned for the second. Baron had designated this simulation to be one of a mix between land and naval warfare. The Egyptians were no strangers to naval warfare as they had waged many wars on the Nile river. In Psamtik's case, he was well-versed in both of these disciplines, but the competition was too fierce. At the end of the simulation, the winner was Ramesses III. This Ramesses was not the one who joined in on the Sun tournament; that was Ramesses II. Instead, he was an unaffiliated powerhouse.

Immediately afterward, he put his prize up for auction. In just a few days, the attention and jealousy that the blueprint attracted began to reach the ears of everyone in the community. The amount that it ended up selling for caused many to discard any hopes of winning. They had to call their strongest allies immediately. With all of this attention, some of the best in the community were starting to paying attention.

Baron was busy studying how the Egyptians performed in war, their tendencies, their different styles of warfare, etc. He was making a lot of money from this too, but that was not the intent of these tournaments. Naturally, he had to share some of the profits to the Ptolemy faction for preparing all of this, but it was worth it. All he had to do was sit back, provide a blueprint, and wait for his infamy to spread.

The third and fourth tournaments went by, but nothing of interest happened. On the fifth, the blueprint that Baron provided was so enticing that multiple high-ranking strategists had to participate themselves. These included Ahmose I and Thutmose I of the 18th Dynasty faction. Hammurabi, Sargon, and Tiglath of the United Mesopotamia faction, who had a strong showing in the Sun tournament, were also competing.

Baron designated this to be a land-based simulation. After many months of fierce fighting, Tiglath came out on top. The United Mesopotamia faction had impressive tactics and strategy, but what they lacked were blueprints. With their limited funds, they couldn't purchase many blueprints during their time in China. A set of tournaments where the prize was an advanced blueprint and had a low entry fee was a godsend.

During the next tournament, even the famed Ramesses II and Hattusili of The Great Empire faction participated. Currently, the Great Empire was the second most powerful faction in the community. As such, they had much more funds to spare. Unfortunately, the sale of premium blueprints was too much for even them. Any addition to their lineup of advanced blueprints was helpful. In any case, after a close match, they ultimately won.

For the next three tournaments, The Great Empire faction, United Mesopotamia, and the 18th Dynasty won one each. However, the dynamic of power shifted when a new group showed up. It was the new generation of strategists. The one who led them was a man by the name of Ahmad Ismail Ali. Only three people from the new generation joined in the fight.

There was no competition after that. Each one of the three from the new generation won a tournament with relative ease. Following the tournament were announcements and the distribution of prizes. However, the new generation members did something that no one expected. They took the stage from the Ptolemy faction and burned the three blueprints in front of the entire community. Without saying a word, they left.

Those present could not believe their eyes. The provocation from the new generation was too much to bear. Many of the strategists wanted to chase them down and beat them. Of course, no one present dared to do that. Even some of the strongest among them could do nothing more than curse them internally. At the end of everything, almost everyone knew of Baron's name.

Throughout all of this, Baron had gained immensely from these events. Just the information that he had learned, especially from the new generation, made this trip all worth it. Not to mention all the money, fame, and recognition that this stunt had netted him. Later on, Hattusili made a personal visit to Baron in the Ptolemy faction.

"What do you want, Hattusili?" Ptolemy scorned, obviously not happy about his uninvited guest.

"I just want to speak to Baron, alone. I hope that isn't too much to ask?" Hattusili remarked in a nonchalant attitude.

"Not a chance. If you have anything to say, say it now,"

"Well, Baron," he turned towards the one he wanted to talk to. "You are invited to the hearing about the new generation."

"Oh, wonderful. Then I accept," Baron accepted.

"What about me?" Ptolemy asked with contempt.

"I suppose if you can behave yourself and not talk during the hearing, that goes for you too, Baron, you can come as well."

"Alright, does this mean I am finally accepted?"

"Don't push your luck."

"Hattusili, I want to ask why there is so much conflict between the old and the new generation? What they demonstrated at the end of the tournaments was nothing short of a slap to all your faces."

"It's complicated, Baron. From what I understand, they had to deal with grossly negligent superiors while serving their country. I assume they applied the same principles to us. Though, I'm not sure why it seems to be such a point of conflict for them. Enough that they would leave the community altogether to spite us."

"That is some conviction," Ptolemy noted.

"Indeed, they also have an extremely loyal fanbase. Those people only want to win no matter the cost. It is truly a sad state of affairs."

"Quite so. Have the old guard decided?"

"Not yet, Ptolemy. I am not able to discuss anything about that until after the announcement."

"Alright. How about we talk about another matter. My faction in China has put in a request to conduct business here. Is it possible to expedite our application?"

"Oh, is it selling for blueprints?"

"That will be the core business, yes."

"I can't give you an answer right away, but I'll see what I can do."

"Thank you. If the new generation burned my blueprints, does that mean they have far better ones in their arsenal?"

"That is hard to say. I believe the reason is to send a clear message. We are already powerful. Fear us."

"Yeah, I can see that. It is no surprise, they have reason to be arrogant. However, I doubt the new generation can make it any further in the Sun tournament than you did. After all, most of the other communities are starting to build up a solid base. What actions have they taken to prepare for all-out warfare?"

"Basically what most communities are doing right now. A little practice in the sims and a lot of research and development. Oh, most likely going through all available simulation records too. That is just my guess anyway."

"I think so too," Baron agreed.

"How about a simulation between you and me, Baron?" Hattusili asked.

"Sure, I don't mind."

Baron and Hattusili used one of the Ptolemy factions' simulation rooms. There wasn't much to say, so they just started immediately. Both of them decided to let the random setting decide. They would go on to fight three simulations against each other. Baron won the first two and lost the final one.

"It's sad to think that I am not even a match for a young upstart like you anymore," Hattusili laughed bitterly.

"Don't think of it like that. I won the first two simulations because of my more advanced weaponry. The final battle where you won depended on strategy alone. Out of a hundred more simulations like that, I don't think I could even beat you 20% of the time," Baron admitted.

"You're too humble, but a loss is a loss no matter how you look at it," he paused to think. "What kinds of blueprints do you plan on selling , once you get set up?"

"All kinds. It might not be the best that I have in my possession, but many times better than what the average Egyptian currently has. Given what I have witnessed in the simulations."

"I'll try my best to get your store up. Just promise me that you won't charge too high prices once you start. Our wealth has been decreasing year over year, so you will not be able to charge a premium on your wares."

"Never planned on it. I will be having one of my allies personally look after this location for the first little while."

"And after?"

"Who knows."