Chapter 2: Rumors Trickle

The Green Robed man had been back in his Kingdom digesting the news. He was unable to relax. He was shocked that an heir was being made through adoption and one in i11. An uninitiated, unaffiliated! And he is receiving a paired companion as powerful as Pneuma. Pneuma was supposed to be bonded to his Master. It wasn't enjoyable to consider. Yet what could he do? Nothing. He had been warned. He turned the warning and news over and over in his head. Surely, Master didn’t mean no assistance could be sent.

‘Maybe just a nudge for the child will be alright—a nudge with a promised favor in return. Surely there will be allowances to help. Just nothing too direct,’ He thought.

Walking to his study, he wrote a message by hand. He sealed it with magic runes and called his second son by sending a system message.

“Take this to your Aunt Gracious. Tell no one and report directly to me, confirming personally at my study.No system messages. Understood?” He didn’t wait for a response as he closed the door to his study in his son's face.

He didn’t worry as his second son was also the most loyal. The message will find Gracious. She is capable enough to find and ingratiate the new heir to us.

‘Trinten doesn’t have many friends, and Pneuma shouldn’t hinder Trint from accepting a gift from our family.’ He thought.

Empirium Dynasty: i3 Branch Headquarters

“I can only imagine you have something interesting to share since you sent one of your little ones to find me.” Jing Lu expectantly asked.

“Yes, my General. My messengers were used to arrange our meeting. We must avoid this message being traced or captured in system messages or spies. It had to be from my lips to your ears.” The unknown man clung to the shadows, but the General knew him well.

“A source high enough to destroy us has leaked information about a new heir in the lower iterations. It is unclear who the heir is and even who the dynasty they serve is. But the source is interested in binding them to their cause. The news hasn’t spread far yet. If the heir is strong enough, they should soon reach an iteration in which we have a large enough presence. We should find them and bring them to our side.” The shadow excitedly shared.

“I know you wouldn’t waste my time. So tell me, what dynasty do you think this heir is from? Did some powerful clan send their scion down the iterations as punishment, or are you saying this is about an adoption?” Jing Lu questioned.

“Yes, you are, as always, a step ahead. I received the message that adoption from one of the Core was initiated. They don’t know the details of which level of adoption, but my source is in i1, and they guaranteed this authenticity with a system life contract. I know you don’t care for speculations, but my source believes it was a direct adoption from a Patriarch.” Shadow ventured to add the last part, even with the fear of punishment for overstepping.

“Now, now. You know I’m not too fond of rumors. So, see that you don’t forget who you are speaking to. But you are right. The potential of a Patriarch adopting anyone, let alone someone low enough to be vulnerable. Now that would be unheard of. I would have you killed if you were joking. If not for the sheer audacity of the claim.No, one from an i1 Core Dynasty would adopt just anyone. Let alone a Patriarch being a benefactor. But if that is true….” Jing Lui trailed off in thought.

“We will act as if this is credible intel. If we can gain control over such a rich resource, we will have the leverage to get our Dynasty or, at least, my family to i1. Don’t worry; I will reward all who help find and bring me the supposed heir. Also, send a few of your people with the lower iteration recruiters. We might catch a fish in the shallow waters.”

“Yes, catch the fish before it becomes a dragon. My people will go today, and I will send you word. I assume you want to avoid system messages and stick to our little meetings?” The shadow asked.

“Yes, until we can be sure our enemies can’t intercept them with divination, we will use this secure room as necessary.” The General dismissed his Shadow with a wave.

They were left alone in the room. He sent a message to his brother to meet him in this room tomorrow at dusk. They had their machinations to consider—an heir to a Patriarch. The iterations would be scrambling to control such a prize. Leverage over a Patriarch is hard to come by. One tying themselves to a baby would make them quite vulnerable. Yes, they could flex their power, but many Patriarchs have been known to distribute great rewards for leverage over each other. The games of Patriarchs are not like those others play. They move a pawn and end up shifting the fate of trillions.

‘We are but pieces on their board.’ The general thought to himself. ’There’s to move and sacrifice in their great games. Yet why would one of the great powers tie themselves to someone so weak? An inheritance would follow an heir even through death or restart. Linking the heir to the Patriarch is too risky. But if even a sliver of a chance exists, I can find them first….’ Jing Lui’s greedy heart swelled.

Getting back to his Dynasty responsibilities would be difficult after this excitement. The General decided to take time to meditate and clear his mind by his private pond at his family compound.

Getting his big weight up was not difficult given his strength stats, but his breathing was still labored as he walked to his home. It took great dedication to gain so much weight in the system.

‘If the news has reached me, it will surely spread to others. The odds are against us being the ones to find them. But time and all in the eternities are against this young heir. And time can kill when you don’t have enough.’