Due to the Sarasvain Federation being located even farther from Pytho than any of the other theatres of conquest that Theodore's Subordinates had headed off to, it took Vigdis and her team a considerable while to finally lay eyes upon their target. By now, everyone else had pretty much either already wrapped up on their end, or was in the process of doing so.

  Knowing about what had just occurred over in Krysmidonia, Vigdis' expression turned a shade more grim. Evidently, there were indeed forces in play here in their vicinity that could trouble them all, at least to an extent. Therefore, they could not allow themselves to grow complacent or to underestimate these native civilizations–else, they might not even know how or why they died.

  "Miss Rún, we've confirmed the presence of an activated, federation-wide defensive Array. They appear to have prepared themselves for our arrival in advance."

  Returning from a quick scouting mission, Jules and his squad of guards presented Vigdis with the newest intel that they had obtained.

  Ever since they had arrived in the Sarasvain Federation's vicinity, they had been figuratively walking on eggshells, afraid that they might startle the snake or step into a pre-arranged trap. But instead of direct danger, what welcomed them was a turtle shell of an Array, with no obvious weak points to exploit.

  "I see. Jules, Bogdan, bring your squads along. We'll go and have a chat with them."

  Naturally, it would be a simple matter to breach their target's defences, yet that could easily lead to unintentional collateral damage. Every single life was precious–because it could become a Student and provide Theodore with points–and should therefore be protected, if at all possible. Alternatively, it could still donate Attribute Points to their leader as well.

  Stepping into the Lesser True Void while flanked by about two dozen guards, Vigdis approached the defensive Array, spreading out her perception to the greatest possible extent. Yet even then, she could barely make out a small part of the protected worlds.

  'Not bad. I didn't expect to encounter a potent creation like this in such an unremarkable corner. Extraordinary.'

  Raising an eyebrow in praise, she quickly noticed a few hundred people clustered together, consisting of many handsful of different groups. They were led by about 20 figures of markedly high status, and were all at the very least at the beginning of the Gate Traversal Stage.

  'Those should be the local leaders. Well, then. Time to make our intentions clear.'

  -----

  Ever since they had detected that initial ripple back when Theodore had set up the Lesser Void Guarding Array, the entire Sarasvain Federation had been in full crisis mode. Whenever anything–even just a fragment floating in the Lesser True Void–came close to their borders, they would immediately activate the protective measures that their Undying President had left behind.

  Until today, there had only been false alarms, almost lulling some of the heads of state into a deceptive sense of security. Yet, most of them had still been at the edges of their seats, ready to fight for their lives in desperation.

  And it appeared that they were right to be worried, as less than an hour ago, an enormous Voidfaring Vessel had been detected to be approaching them. Gathered beneath their trusted Civilization Protection Array, the heads of state, their assistants, a number of generals, as well as many reclusive experts, were staring out into the nothingness beyond, dreading what was very likely to come.

  "Still no word from Lord Sarasvain?"

  Asking a question that he had been vocalizing nearly constantly every few minutes or so, Amir glanced at his aide, refusing to give up hope. But as expected, her response did not magically transform into the words that he most wanted to hear.

  "Forgive me, Lord Amir. We've all been trying our hardest–not just our own people, but everyone here as well–and there has been no sign of Lord Sarasvain at all. We know that he has to be somewhere in the Lesser True Void... but that is all."

  Although he had heard pretty much exactly this many, many times already, Amir still did not allow himself to lose heart. At this point, it was clear that it was merely a coping mechanism intended to stabilize his crumbling mind.

  The entire federation had been busy for what felt like ages now, and could at the minimum confirm that their Undying President was not in any single one of their worlds. That meant that he was–again–floating around in the Lesser True Void somewhere, yet it wasn't clear whether he was even still close to their civilization, or had wandered off to places completely unknown.

  Judging from his past actions, he likely hadn't gone very far, but searching for him had still proven more difficult than attempting to find a needle in a cosmos-sized haystack. Sarasvain habitually cloaked himself in a manner that would make him undetectable via regular perception-utilizing methods of sensing, or any Arrays. The only way to actually find him was to physically spot him!

  One sole man, floating in the endless void like a piece of debris, without any signs of life... Hell difficulty might as well be considered the same as easy mode when compared to the circumstances that the search parties found themselves in.

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  Right now, they were even restricted to solely the areas of the Lesser True Void that were encapsulated within the Civilization Protection Array–meaning that if Sarasvain wasn't this close to their home, then they would be well and truly screwed.

  As they watched the minutes trickle by, they soon saw the other side's Voidfaring Vessel come to a halt, with about a dozen figures disembarking, surveying their defensive measures. Due to being cut off from the outside, they couldn't exactly tell how powerful these people were. However, judging by the fact that they were able to strut about in the Lesser True Void as if it was nothing, they had to be–at the very least–as resilient as Advanced Ascension Stage experts.

  If that was the extent of it, though, then it wouldn't be a big deal. But judging from how sophisticated these invaders' Array Formation expertise seemed to be, and looking at that incredible Voidfaring Vessel... they feared that they were simply completely outmatched.

  Eventually, the group of scouts returned to their ship, allowing the observers to catch a quick break. Shortly thereafter, however, they reappeared–and this time, not only had their numbers doubled, but they were also led by a red-haired lady presenting herself as some sort of office worker, or secretary.

  'Who is that woman? Is she... a messenger? Or, based on her attire... a clerical assistant to whoever is calling the shots?'

  Furrowing his brows, Amir scrutinized the new arrival. Soon, he spied the runic tattoos on her exposed skin, a cold shiver running down his spine instinctively. He had no idea what they represented, but he simply knew that this lady was not someone to mess with. Proof of this, and worst of all: She was evidently capable of seeing him and the others, as her gaze had just now fallen on them!

  Before they could discuss a viable countermeasure or how to act in general, they saw her lips move, her voice reaching their ears even through the Civilization Protection Array. This, of course, caused only further panic amongst them.

  "People of the Sarasvain Federation, be not afraid–we come in peace."

  Her tone was cold and analytical, yet exuded friendliness and amiability. Still, the mere fact that she could directly project her speech towards them across all of that distance, and past their defensive measures... it made it impossible for them to take her words at face value!

  "We represent Theodore Winter, a participant of the Heavenly Succession. As I'm sure you're aware, this round's goal is to recruit Students and to teach them, with foul play being expressly forbidden."

  Hearing this, Amir rolled his eyes. Obviously, they were informed, due to the appearance of their own few local Heaven's Chosen. But that was also why they knew that there were a lot of loopholes that could be exploited, many of which would be hard for their civilization to bear!

  Well, to be completely honest, their real biggest fear was that they would lose the power and control that they were currently enjoying. With an outside force intervening, their status and usual semi-autonomy were in danger!

  "You have nothing to fear, but everything to gain. The Winter Family is a Supreme Pillar of the Heavenly Court, its accumulated knowledge, wisdom and abilities far beyond your imagination. Theodore Winter and we, his people, offer to teach you, allowing you to rise to previously unthinkable heights!"

  Whether it was due to the accumulated stress and how tense the present situation was, or because these claims really struck a chord with him, to his shock, Amir found himself briefly considering the lady's proposal. And he wasn't the only one–everybody that heard her voice began to ponder, weighing their options–seeking a way out, and to survive.

  'Crap! Is it some sort of voice-based mental attack!?'

  His eyes widening in panic, Amir quickly snapped out of the temptation, unaware that it was merely his own mind playing tricks on him. With the dread and caution in his gaze even stronger than before, he cleared his throat and stepped forward, choosing to fight for his people–by buying them more time to find their Undying President. He was betting on a miracle!

  "In the name of Amir Kamal, head of the Meluha State of the Sarasvain Federation, allow me to thank you for your generous offer. However, I have to ask: How can we trust you?"

  For the next dozens of minutes, he was engaged in a back and forth with the red-haired messenger, resolutely denying any and all of the things that she suggested.

  What was a Winter Family seal? And how could it possibly ensure that no deception was going on? Supreme Pillars–according to his limited knowledge–sounded incredible and all, but why should his people have confidence in someone from such origins?

  No argument that Vigdis made served to convince him, and soon, it was blatantly obvious that he was trying to delay her. Even his highly advanced and practised linguistic skills, honed through ages of serving as a politician, were simply insufficient to hide the truth from her forever.

  "Enough of your games! Let me go back to your initial question: How can you trust us? It's simple: If we wanted to harm you, it would be as easy as flipping a palm!"

  Her approachable air all but disappearing, Vigdis frowned, the look in her eyes an icy one. At exactly the same time, she began to exude pressure on the defensive Array in front of her, causing it to tremble and to be kicked into overdrive within moments! Due to Theodore's most recent significant advancement, she had the power and the confidence to overwhelm all that stood in her way–that is, if it was limited to what these people had shown her so far.

  Still, there was always the possibility that a hidden ace of some kind actually existed. Therefore, she didn't outright attack them, and merely scared them a little, to serve as a warning. Watching Amir's face grow pale, his back drenched in sweat, she patiently awaited his next move.

  Seconds later, as the man was still mentally cycling between his available options–giving up, attempting to run away, or going out in a blaze of glory–his aide darted next to him, whispering something in his ears. Vigdis had no idea what had been said, as her perception didn't work too precisely within this Array's bounds, but evidently, he had been thrown some kind of lifeline.

  "... I alone am not in the position to decide the Sarasvain Federation's future, as I cannot speak for all of us. But there is one person who can!"

  Lifting his head, overflowing confidence blazing in his eyes, his despair vanished in an instant, melting like a chunk of ice flung at the sun. Fate had not been too cruel to his people–the one who they had been searching for had, just now, miraculously been found!

  Realizing what his words implied, everyone around him–who hadn't got the news yet–felt like they had found their backbone. With their greatest supporting pillar around, what was there to fear?

  "It's our Undying President, Sarasvain!"

  These words, bellowed at the top of Amir's lungs, reignited his people's hopes in an instant. In their experience, no crisis could ever aspire to overpower that one unfathomable figure!

  'Here it comes, the final card up their sleeve.'

  With her instincts beginning to warn her of the approaching danger, she grew more solemn. Sensing carefully and then looking in a particular direction, she awaited the arrival of the powerhouse who this entire civilization was named after.

  If you'd like to support my writing efforts (and get food on my table), you can head over to my .

  There, you can find all of the free chapters that I've already released elsewhere, as well as a number of advance chapters for you to enjoy.

  By the end of the month, very infrequent, exclusive chapters will also start to appear there~

  If you're interested in reading more of my writing, then I'd recommend for you to check out my novel series "" on Amazon.

  And if you'd like to stay up to date with any and all updates regarding my creations, then feel free to join the .