Aaron didn't hesitate to extend his spirituality toward the next glowing point.
His spiritual energy was limited—he needed to quickly assess the basic circumstances of those who might eventually enter this space and become his blessed.
If they were virtuous, he could guide them into the dark golden mist for careful nurturing. If cruel, they would be marked for future elimination.
---
South Serzo District, Feynapotter Capital
In a slightly aged garden villa, a black-haired girl sat at a desk studying books intently. Her crimson eyes and pale complexion marked her as a member of the Sanguine.
On the decorative shelf beside her desk, a pale green diamond necklace glowed faintly—her coming-of-age gift from her mother.
Louise Hills closed her book in frustration, running fingers through her dark hair. As a young Sanguine who had just reached adulthood, everything still felt fresh and exciting.
During private gatherings with her kin, she'd listen eagerly to tales of northern customs. Finally coming of age, she expressed her desire to travel to her parents.
With their permission, she began studying languages of both continents. As part of their conditions, she would visit her grandfather, Count Mithras, in Backlund.
Under his supervision, she'd tour the Loen capital to gain experience.
---
Withdrawing his spirituality, Aaron pondered on his throne.
'A newly adult Sanguine girl, already Sequence 7. Meanwhile, Emlyn White's probably still obsessing over dolls.
'Hmm... Sanguine, Church of Mother Earth, Lilith.
'Speaking of which, the Trunsoest family shares deep ties with the Sanguine. That Sequence 1 "Goddess of Beauty," Blood Moon Queen Auernia, was the Night Emperor's wife.
'The Evernight Goddess likely agreed to help the Night Emperor partly considering Lilith's stance.
'Fundamentally, I'm connected to the Sanguine too. And given the historical ties between the Trunsoest and Sanguine...
'As successors to the Trunsoest, the Will family probably possesses hard-to-trade Sanguine characteristics—perfect for deals and development.'
---
Time pressed. Aaron extended his spirituality to the next point.
Port Bono, Northwest of Berserk Sea
In a dilapidated two-story building on North Street, a mixed-blood youth with bronzed skin and rugged features—bearing traces of elven ancestry—entered through a drafty door.
Feren Edas had finished another grueling day at the docks. Placing a faintly glowing azure dagger on the table, he collapsed wearily.
His late father had claimed this dagger held supernatural power, yet its secrets remained elusive.
Port Bono lay beyond main shipping lanes—a lawless pirate haven where supernatural abilities weren't secrets but symbols of power.
As a mixed-blood orphan in this chaotic city, Feren struggled daily between backbreaking labor and yearning for transcendence beyond piracy.
---
Aaron mused: 'Port Bono, elven bloodline—he'd suit the Sailor pathway.'
Massaging his temples, he probed the final glowing point.
Caesar Port, West of Pas Valley, Intis Colony (Northern Star Highlands, Southern Continent)
In a hybrid Bayam-Intis style building near the docks, a slender youth knelt before a translucent skull, praying for ancestral blessings.
In 1194, Roselle's new shipping routes reopened the southern continent to colonization. Initially, his policies favored cooperation with local chiefs.
After his 1198 assassination by the Eternal Blazing Sun Church and Sauron family, the new Republic intensified violent colonization—sparking native resistance.
The Watson family, local nobles of Caesar Port, suffered brutal suppression. Only strategic proximity to Loen's colonies prevented total annihilation, leaving them permanently weakened.
Western Bayam was a patchwork—Loen-administered cities, Intis-controlled valleys, native warlords backed by either power, and semi-independent states playing both sides while secretly courting different factions of the Church of the God of Death.
Meanwhile, the Rose School of Thought and Feysac Empire wielded covert influence through puppet leaders.
As current chieftain, Sid Watson bore his family's revival hopes. When members of the secretly contacted him with recruitment offers, he was given one day to decide.
Sid knew the Church—fanatics worshipping death and seeking to resurrect the God of Death. Originally formed by descendants attempting revival, they preached concepts like "death isn't the end" and "all can be reversed."
Frankly, Sid wanted no part of such a dangerous cult. But as a native leader in Intis territory, his options were bleak.
If not piracy or orthodox churches, joining a secret organization might be his only path to transcendence.
After ancestral prayers, Sid tossed restlessly, tormented by indecision.
---
Aaron withdrew his spirituality, intrigued.
'Western Bayam, Caesar Port, Intis colony—and tied to the Church of the God of Death? Could I plant a mole inside?
'Speaking of Pas Valley, doesn't the Will family have colonies there? Future conflicts with the Church and Rose School seem inevitable.'