After his talk with Caia, Shu returned to the Sanctuary. The place was practically empty and he had already written the GMOTD, so going back held little meaning for him right now.

In truth, the only reason he teleported back to the sanctuary was because he had to get away from Harbrook. He needed to maintain his image, after all. He didn't want to look too uncool and risk it making its way back to Lisa...

He was sure the girl did not think well of him already, but... well, why did it matter so much to him what she thought? He wasn't one to care about the opinions of others, but with Lisa it was somehow different.

So far, he'd obtained two anchors in the world, Harbrook and the Sanctuary. If memory served him well and the surrounding Geography remained as it had been in Edge online, he could teleport out of the playermade zone by aiming himself directly above the highest mountain in the central region, float down and then blinkstep to avoid potential fall damage.

If he did that, he'd know approximately where he was, atleast geographically. It was also far safer than chancing the use of an old teleportation anchor from Edge.

Who knows what changes took place in a 1000 years? Most of the region names seemed to have gone and changed on him, so it was like he didn't know much about the current world.

[Teleport].

Shu appeared in the air above the Wrathspire, immediately plummeting down as the wind whipped his cloak about. Even if it was night, Shu took a look as e fell, trying to guage what changes had been made to the landscape over the years. Steadily, his eyebrows climbed his forehead.

A huge circle of lights spread from the base of the Wrathspire like a giant glowing doughnut. The lights snaked their way outwards in different directions, like fingers on a giants hand. This was certainly a pretty impressive city. Knowing that this gigantic metropolis of lights had managed to spring up in the time he was away, kind of brought perspective to that oft bandied about 'Millenia' term.

The city below most likely contained mages strong enough to feel the spacial ripples that his teleportation spell had generated, but if they went aggro on him for this, he would deal with that appropriately and try not to kill all of them.

The wind wooshed through his hair, deafening him as his long black mane whipped about getting into his eyes. Free fall plummeting like that, Shu imagined he looked cool, but maybe he was just crazy. It felt cool though.

A grin slowly spread across Shu's face as he dived down towards the lights like a small black arrow. When he could make out the people milling about in the city below, and even the individual paper lanters hanging all over the city, he cast another [Teleport].

This was called Blinkstepping. A method used to avoid taking fall damage when plummeting from a great height. It was also a common evasive technique which Shu deployed liberally during difficult duels and high-end combat.

When he appeared in the central trading plaza, a circle of invisible force boomed from him. Although the lay person wouldn't feel the mana, they would atleast feel a little blast of wind. Not to mention they'd probably find themselves discombobulated at his sudden and unauthorized appearance in the middle of the central trading plaza of their city. So much for keeping a low profile.

The late-nighters on the street turned to gape at the small, cloaked form that held a menacing, evil looking staff. Some gasped and stepped back when the Eye of Apophis twitched in their direction, glaring hatefully at the world.

Shu quickly pulled the hood back over his head to hide his appearance, but before he could slip into the crowd, a squad of men clad in red and white livery rushed towards him. Accompanying them was a woman in a red robe, with the crest of a white horned dragon eagle on her chest.

He was slightly surprised at the speed with which they had responded. This Empire was probably not some backwater banana style republic, but a more long-lasting affair.

When the Eye of the Unmaker directed its burning gaze to the approaching group, they stopped in their tracks, looking apprehensively at the prospect of possible combat with such a fearsome looking foe. However, this did not seem to deter the woman leading them. She stepped forward, addressing him in a loud and clear voice.

”Halt. Teleporting into the city is forbidden.” The woman announced grandly, before sighing to herself and melodramatically flinging up a hand in frustration. ”Haah, one of those have appeared again huh? You'll be coming with us.” She said, appearing very sure of herself despite the presence of Apophis.

The woman looked to be in her mid twenties, had a face round as a peach and seemed to lack a chin. Her eyes were sharp and narrow, her hair a matte brown. She wasn't ugly, but he couldn't get himself to call her pretty either. She certainly wielded a unique look though.

”The Master does not need your petty permission to move as he wills.” Apophis rasped, sending a visible wave of shivers through the knight patrol.

The round-faced woman regarded him dispassionately, as if this was an every day occurance for her. If even Apophis was unable to faze this woman, she was either incredibly strong, or an idiot embodying the essence of Donning Kruger. He already had his suspicions as to which of those two groups this woman belonged, given how arrogantly those slitted eyes of hers glared down at him.

Shu just glared back. He didn't really feel like talking to this woman, not if she was going to look at him like that. Even he had his limits.

”Captain Ansa, it seems you were lucky to have me along today. Looks like you won't be able to handle this one on your own, and it doesn't seem like he'll come willingly. Step back, I'll detain him properly for you.” The peach-faced mage announced, stepping forward, mana alreading swirling around her outstretched hand.

As she raised her hand towards him, she continued her rant. ”You can't just come in here, to the center of the great Empire and do as you please. I'll show you the difference between a plebeian Kingdom dweller and an Empire trained Mage!” He nearly face-palmed at this womans strange behaviour, but before he could retaliate against her, Shu felt mana from a sudden teleportation.

Another red-robed mage woman with long blonde hair appeared infront of the peach-faced mage, blocking her path.

”Stand down, Lili.” The blonde woman said.

He felt a familiar mana accompanying the space ripple from the womans sudden teleportation. This ones clothes were of an entirely different quality than peach-face, and she had a dignified look about her that spoke well of her character. Though of course looks could be deceiving too. The chinless mage did not possess an ounce of grace, though he had to admit that she possessed some good eyes. This woman though, had grace in spades.

”My lady.” Lili said, bowing. ”To grace us with your presence... it is truly an honor. I was just about to apprehend this law-breaking scoundrel and-”

”That will not be necessary Lili. Dismissed.”

”Bu-but my lady, he-” Lili protested.

”Dismissed.” The superior replied coldly, and Lili bowed her head, reluctantly retreating. Though she did glare past the 'my lady' woman at Shu. She had sharp eyes.

The 'my lady' woman that had appeared before Shu, now turned around to face him, deftly performing an elegant bow.

”Greetings. My name's Myria. Allow me to welcome you to Lanastre, Capital city of the Great Dawn Empire. Oh and please do excuse the rudeness of my colleague, she doesn't know the esteemed master and was merely doing her job.” Frowning, Myria added. ”If a bit poorly. Her character needs work. I shall have to take it up with the Commander so that he can discipline her properly.”

Myria swayed elegantly as she moved. The red robe she wore was many times more intricately designed than that of her fellow comrade. It too displayed a horned dragon eagle on the chest, but hers was threaded with gold and silver and looked like a master piece.

She reached up to remove her cowl, unleashing her curly blonde locks, which fell down past her shoulders. She looked like a mature and very alluring woman of uncommon beauty. Shu briefly wondered at the ethnic variety of these two mages. But then again, this was the world of Edge online.

”The remote viewing was your doing?” Shu asked, deciding to not remove his own hood, even if the woman thought it was some sort of affront. The hood hid his features well. If he revealed himself here, in the central plaza as he was being observed by hundreds of prying eyes, he would truly be foolish.

”Yes, my apologies if I caused offense.” Myria said, again bowing slightly as a Japanese person might.

”Don't worry about it.” He shrugged. It wasn't like the woman had done anything wrong by exploring that region with her magic, so why was she like that? Did she perhaps think that he was the master of that underground lake, and that he had come here in anger to extract vengeance on them for spying? Smiling to himself, he shook his head.

Of course it went without saying that he would claim that place, but he wasn't the type to go out and wave his arms saying get off mah lawn you darned kids.

He would be more likely to invite them for coffee and cake than chase them away, since the place was quite empty at the moment. He'd have to erect some perma-barriers with the stones left in storage in order to re-establish a habitable zone before he even thought about how to populate the region. In truth, he was looking forward to developing the area though. He'd always wanted an aquatic city for himself.

Still immersed in his own thoughts, he saw the mage woman throwing him a weird look.”Allow me to invite you to the Palace of our esteemed Emperor Valentius IX, blessed be his name.” Those in the crowd that heard the womans words gasped, sending a ripple of murmurs through the gathered mass.

Seeing no reason to refuse the woman, Shu nodded, intrigued at where this would take him. He had come here in part to investigate the remote viewing. If a threat existed, he had to take steps to remove it before it could get any fancy ideas such as trying to spy on him, realize that Lisa was close to him and then concoct a plot to kidnap the girl and use her against him. He would rather nip such possibilities in the bud.

The other reason he'd chosen this method of exploration was because the Empire might be able to provide him with the information he needed on the Chain Emporium.

”Myria Langaard.” The woman said, nodding at Shu before extending a finger. ”Here's the mana trace for the Palace TP. Meet you there?” Shu received the mana transmission instinctually and nodded.

”Alright.” he said, teleporting to the indicated coordinates. As he did so, he briefly wondered whether or not it was a trap. But truth be told, traps weren't gay, so it was okay. He was confident that even if a trap appeared, he would be adequately equipped to deal with it.

The only thing Shu was worried about right now was his companions. Lisa and the others. He promised himself that he would return as soon as he was done with his task, but he did not know when that would be. Hopefully he could deliver the industry of slavery an expedient death, but he was on shaky ground here.

Lacking experience and knowledge of the world and this particular undertaking made him hesitant about estimating how long it would take to complete.

He teleported to a receiving room ringed by gaudy tapestries in the Empire's customary Red, white and golden colors. Moments later, Myria appeared beside him, and he followed her out of the room.

”This is the Emperor's inner sanctum, only a few are permitted the use this teleportation pad, but as the Court Mage I naturally have such a privilege.” She wasn't bragging, merely stating a fact of which he might not be aware.

”Hoouh? Court mage eh. Myria is an unexpectedly high ranking person to come out and greet someone like me.” Shu replied, a faint smile tugging at his lips underneath the dark hood.

”You jest. It's only natural. After all... I saw that...” she trailed off.

”Sorry about that. I didn't know what the blue light was at first, so I might've been overly cautious.” Shu replied nonchalantly.

”Don't be so tense Myria, You did well to intercept the peach-faced mage.” Myria let out a strangled sound, probably trying to suppress her laughter.

”The- the Emperor is just up ahead. We're currently in the middle of a war council.”

Rounding a bend in the lavisly decorated corridor, they came to a pair of large double doors made of polished wood, adorned with intricate carvings. From inside, the hysterical creakings of an old man could be heard.

”My Emperor! I thought we'd been invaded by the damned Conglomerate or something, but it turns out that you called us here for something silly.” Shu motioned for Myria to wait, stepping up to the door to listen.

”Silly you say?” An aged, respectable voice said. ”If only you knew... but I suppose you can't know since it's one of the secrets we royals have kept from you people. See, this is why I asked the tower to attend. They should know.”

Shu burst through the double doors. 13 pairs of eyes turned his direction, and most of them shuddered, rising to their feet in shock as their eyes fell on the small cloaked figure.

Myria stepped in behind him.

”My Emperor, as you can see, he's here.” Myria said.

”This.. this is faster than I expected. Out, all of you.” Valentius said, waving a gnarled old hand at the gathered councillors. One by one, disgruntled old men and women rose from their seats cracking nearly as much as the wooden chairs, and waddled slowly towards the door.

Shu stepped to one side to allow them to pass him by, but he needn't have worried about them bumping into him. Most gave him a wide berth.

Once they were out of the room, Shu slammed the doors shut with telekinesis, causing Myria to jump in surprise beside him.

[Noise Isolation].

[Motion sense].

[Circle of Mana Perception].

[Eye of the inquisitor].

First, he made sure no sound could escape the room. He then cast several spells to sense if someone was approaching, and placed an eye of the inquisitor to keep watch outside. His mind was linked with the eye, a small hovering orb similar in appearance to Apophis, but green instead of red.

Myria stared at him with her eyes wide open. ”Did you just cast four simultaneous chantless spells?” she asked in shock.

”I meant no offense, just wanted to make sure we could speak without anyone listening in.” Shu explained. ”Apophis, you have my permission to erase from existence anyone who attempts to do so. Go join the inquisitor. I will speak with them alone.” He did not want the Emperor too unnerved by the presence of Apophis to discuss things in a reasonable manner, but he supposed he was already making quite a racket. Atleast this wasn't the Azure kingdom. He didn't want Lisa to look at him with awe and fear.

”I hear and obey.” The unmaker rasped eerily, curling in on itself and becoming black smoke that seeped through the closed door as if it didn't exist.

”Is it really safe to have that thing... loose?” Myria asked.

Laughing amiably, Shu reached up to remove his hood. ”Don't worry about Apophis. As long as people don't try listening in, nobody will die a horrible death.” Shu explained.

His words hardly seemed to reassure the woman, and when his hood slipped down to reveal his youthful 12 year old face and the eery heterochromatic eyes of red and purple, both Myria and Emperor Valentius stiffened. Now that the hood was off again, the glowing sign of Pandemonium could be seen glowing clearly on his forehead.

”So it really was that symbol.” Emperor Valentius muttered. ”I wasn't sure at first, but now I know. Please, take a seat and let us have a chat.”The Emperor said. Shu moved foward and sliding into one of the vacated council chairs. Myria went to stand behind the king, ever the vigilant court mage. He was slightly impressed by her discipline.

”I'm impressed that you were able to recognize the symbol after a thousand years. As expected of an Emperor.” Shu complimented, eyeing the Emperor to gauge his reaction, but it was not Valentius who caught his immediate attention.

Rather, it was the woman squirming uncomfortably at his side of whom he took note. Finally unable to endure it any longer, she asked. ”What exactly are you two talking about?” After Myria's outburst, a hint of rouge crept unto her otherwise pale cheeks.

”Hoho,” The Emperor chuckled. ”You needn't be so impatient my child. There's no way you could know, since this is one of the secrets we rulers have kept for many centuries.” The emperor said, leaning back in the chair and taking on a rather informal manner of speech. ”What I am most curious about however, is why this young one bears the sign of Pandemonium on his forehead... and that staff of his aswell. Not to mention the location where we first saw him. Most curious indeed. We request that you indulge this old Emperor before you end him.” Emperor Valentius said, his large grey-blue eyes appearing sad.

Myria tensed up at the Emperors words. It looked like she was readying herself for combat.

”There's no need for that, your Majesty.” Shu said. ”I didn't come here to cause trouble, truly. It was actually a little bit of an accident that I ended up paying you a visit.” Shu proceeded to explain why he had ended up teleporting into town, and they looked at him incredulously.

”Just because you had nowhere else to teleport, you... that's ridiculous.” Myria said. ”Nevertheless, it's true. ” Shu replied.

”Besides, I have no reason to lie to you. Now that I'm here... well first off all, let me introduce myself.” Shu rose to his feet and bowed.

After all, he was facing an Emperor and it would be good to show some manners.

”I am Shugireth Darkstar, you may call me Shu if you wish. Actually, it would be best if you kept my full name to yourself.”

The Emperor's aged hands gripped the armrest of his throne tightly, and he did a double take on Shu. ”My Emperor, what's wrong?!” Myria asked.

”The Master of Pandemonium?” Old Valentius asked, his voice hoarse and his throat dry. Shu silently inclined his head. The old Emperor let out a weary sigh.

”Then my death is assured. I'm sorry Myria, but I'll have to leave things in that incompetent fools hands for now...” His old eyes glazed over, as the aged emperor gazed into nothingness.

”Why do you say that?” Shu asked the emperor. ”Isn't it obvious? This Emperor has committed many sins... and when we gaze upon your form, that horn of yours, it is evident that we cannot escape with our life today.”

”So you really were involved somehow.” Shu said quietly. Myria started to move, but he had no intention of starting a row here. ”Don't get me wrong, I don't want to end you if I don't have to. My target this time is the Chain Emporium, not your Empire.” Shu said, forestalling the attack. Really, were these Empire people so willing to throw away their lives?

”But don't you see?” The old Emperor said. ”It was me, I collaborated with them. Filthy business, but very lucrative. We'd lose out to the others if we didn't and-”

”Stop it Dad, say no more. Please, I can't protect you from him!” Myria exclaimed all of a sudden, her hands balled into fists. Dad? Hehe, the old man has good genes to produce such a woman.

”I will speak frankly.” Shu said, his serious tone commanding their attention. ”I have set 3 objectives for my guild. These 3 objectives will be completed at all costs, no matter who stands in my way. Simply speaking, the choice of whether or not I take down your Empire lies with you, not me.”

”You...” Myria said, ”How can you speak so casually about destroying our Empire? We may not measure up to the Conglomerate, but we're a powerful force nonetheless!”

”Silence.” Valentius snapped, turning his head to Myria. ”You still don't get it. Nobody does. If this...” The emperor said, motioning to Shu. ”if Shugireth truly is who he says he is, then we won't have enough coffins to bury the dead. It'd be a moot point anyway, since everything would be gone.” Sighing, the old emperor leaned back in his throne, one of his hands reassuringly patting Myria on the shoulder.

”Go on, speak. What do you want of us?”

Guild objective 1: Find and destroy the operations of the Chain Emporium. Acquire information about the organization, then proceed to completely wipe it out.

Guild objective 2: Enlist the cooperation of the rulers in every land, to combat and eradicate the practice of slavery.

Guild objective 3: Find and rescue demonkin, offer sanctuary to them, and create general amnesty for them at all costs.

After Shu explained his current goals to Valentius and his daughter, they stared at him in silence for a long time. Then finally, he spoke. ”To destroy the chain emporium... is no small task. But if it's you then we can't imagine failure. To offer amnesty to demonkin. Hmm. That we can do, though we know many nobles will not approve. However, this is our Empire. We do not fear the revolt of a few councillors.”

Myria also nodded her head. ”I can see two of the three things as quite feasible, but...”

”It's the second objective, isn't it?” Shu asked. Having experience from his previous life on earth, he knew that it was no small task to eradicate the practice of slavery, but that it could definitely be done.

Besides, he hadn't expected them to comply with his wishes so easily, so this was certainly a good start.

He was a little relieved that there was atleast some push-back. This meant that they had a spine, which was always a good trait for potential allies to possess. Perhaps it was because of whatever Valentius knew about his guild from the past, that he was so compliant, or rather, resigned.

Just how much of what these people knew was rumours and hearsay, and how much was fact?

After all, if Caia's group was to be believed, then it had been over a millenium since his guild had existed... ugh, his head started to hurt again.

He couldn't think about the metaphysics of this world too much right now...

Another dimension? A derivative of a created reality? Could reality itself mutate and evolve through the multidimensional theory? String theory? Infinite bubble universes?

He had no idea how things fit together, he only knew that he was here, and that his goals mattered to him personally. So they would be fulfilled whether or not these people acquiesced to his requests.

”If the chain emporium falls,” Valentius said, ”Then maybe there's a chance that more of the dukes under us will accept the proposed changes. However, we can't be sure of even that. Furthermore... what are we to do with all the freed slaves? It will be impossible to have them just up and leave. Many have broken... If we just release them tomorrow, we fear they will just be recaptured and sold to other kingdoms or the conglomerate even, and then it'd be back to square one as far as your guild objective is concerned.”

Shu nodded his head in understanding. ”Valid concerns.” Shu said. ”The slaves with good masters can simply be re-employed with more favorable conditions. Those under bad masters can be offered better work or come serve the Empire in some capacity.” Shu shrugged.

He might also be able to take some of them in if he built an underwater city to populate the area near his guild house. However, he wasn't willing to voice that possibility to the old man yet, lest he end up taking the easy way out and dumping all of the responsibility on Shu.

”First though, let us concentrate on the Chain Emporium. I wish to completely eradicate them.” At this, the Emperor raised his eyebrows, but he wisely did not inquire further. Shu wasn't sure he could keep his cool and stay level-headed, were he to explain why he hated them so much and why they had to die.

”The trouble is that I lack intel on them right now. If you know something about them, base locations and so on, you can consider telling me what you know as lending me your aid, which would mean that I would then owe you one.”

The Emperor sighed heavily, but nodded, showing clear signs of weariness. ”Very well. I will prepare for your arrival in my Empire by slowly cutting ties with them. That is all I can do for now though. If I publicly offer amnesty to demonkin, then the dukes will know somethings up and instigate a revolt for sure. Rravaine's faction has been gaining strength recently.”

”Rravaine wouldn't dare go against you father. He's a coward.” Myria said. Shu had almost forgotten her due to the Emperor's presence.

”Alone? No, not a chance.” Valentius replied. ”But he has his backers.” Myria nodded. ”The conglomerate.” She said. There was no question in her voice.

”Well, your Highness. Myria.” Shu said, interrupting the ruminations of the two. ”You clearly have much to discuss, but I am in a hurry. Do you have information for me or must I go elsewhere to obtain it?” He let a note of impatience creep into his otherwise serenely calm voice, which caused the Emperor to quickly address him again.

”Yes, yes. Myria go prepare maps and catalogue all our information regarding the Chain Emporium. Go top shelf, but don't let others know what you're doing. In the mean time, I will tell you what I can.”

Bowing, Myria left the room in a dash. Just as she exited the door, Shu remembered Apophis and called him back to his side.

Over the next half hour, the Emperor personally described the operations of the Chain Emporium and they discussed the abolition of slavery, Valentius producing much practical advice but also showing his hesitance at the prospect of losing such a significant work force.

”Better than losing your entire Empire? Is it not?” Shu replied when the Emperor's protests had finally bubbled to the surface of their conversation.

”Going against my wishes, Emperor, is akin to committing suicide when cutting off an arm or a leg will do. Perhaps the Empire will be crippled for a time, but I have no doubt that you will manage. An Empire has the mysterious ability to regrow a lost limb, but a lost head... not so much. I may even feel inclined to assist you in the future. Lose something, gain something else, yes?” Shu said.

The Emperor had a grim expression on his face, but did not object further after that. Soon, Myria returned with her arms full of folders and maps, aswell as long descriptions of specific operations and procedures. The most useful thing however, were small pieces of crystal which shimmered with mana. Myria explained that they were traces for known Emporium teleport locations.

Well, the maps was all Shu needed, but the teleportation coordinates would speed up his progress significantly. He wanted to chill for awhile and not have to worry about this kind of thing.

But for him to live a carefree life while his own kin went extinct, and millions toiled beneath the whip of callous masters, would be frivolous and irresponsible aswell as outright mocking the God of reincarnation who had somehow enabled him to exist in this place, this world. His world, now, though he supposed it had always been his world, even when this was just a game.

”Since we are neighbours,” Shu said, preparing to teleport, ”I believe it would be best if we remain on good terms with each other. Yes?”

Valentius hurriedly nodded. ”Of course. We do not intend to go back on our word... it's just that we are troubled with the implementation of the coming... changes.”

”Well, Myria is clever isn't she? And you've surely got some councillors you can trust. If something comes up that you can't deal with then...” Shu paused for a moment, then pulled out the guild chest. Deliberating for a moment, he chose a ring much like the one he had given Lisa's group and tossed it at Myria.

”This is...” she replied, her eyes on the ring.

”Pour mana into the ring if you have need of me and I will teleport to you, but don't call me away for something trivial. It is strictly for emergencies that will jeopardize my guilds objectives.”

”Understood.” Myria nodded. On the throne, the withered old gentleman in decorous garb sighed. ”Go on then, I wish you luck. The world is about to change, isn't it?” Emperor Valentius IX muttered to himself.

Shu prepared himself mentally for the task ahead.

[Teleport].