The council was finally coming to an end. Akhenamen gave one last look at the spot where he had forcefully disconnected Villia. He had to admit he didn’t even know he could do that, but it made sense.

  ?

  He was now an Aspect, something as great as the System. So yes, he could easily cut off, or end in his case, an Avatar’s connection to its linked soul on Earth. He didn’t care about ruining the System’s plan or warning humanity too early. After all, he had sworn the Cygilites alone would be enough. He would be enough.

  ?

  As for the System punishing him? It wouldn’t. What Akhenamen had done was perfectly lawful according to the System (use his own power to terminate an avatar, no different from an NPC killing a player), so he had no reason to be punished.

  ?

  He went back toward Cygislax’s meeting room. Walking calmly, as he got closer, he could hear some arguing between a few participants. A stack of papers sat neatly in front of Aquilius, who was wearing a single monocle, mostly out of style, and read every contract once again. His eyes turned toward Akhenamen.

  ?

  “Everything is in order.”

  ?

  “Thanks a lot, Lord Aquilius. Now, if no one else has any questions, you’re all welcome to leave. However, for Lord Aquilius, Leeros, and Barnaby, I would like to discuss a few private matters with you three.”

  ?

  With a polite goodbye, most envoys left, leaving only those who had been asked to remain sitting around the table. Aquilius, reading his stack of papers, triple-checking everything once more, Barnaby with his nose deep in his tankard of ale, and Leeros looking curiously at Akhenamen.

  ?

  “Thank you all for remaining here. I asked you three to remain for a more proper arrangement between us. I would like for an Adventurer Guilds headquarter to be built close to Cygislax. Of course, it would be reserved only to Transcendents because of Oleron’s dangerous fauna.”

  ?

  “Oh? That can definitely be arranged. But why? The Cygilites seemed to wish to remain isolated from what I saw.”

  ?

  “You’re correct, however, staying isolated forever is impossible; we must remain in direct contact with Zenthia. And allowing a limited number of non-Cygilites to enter and interact with my kind will allow them to… get used to the changed times.”

  ?

  “That’s a good idea! Hey Aquilius, mind lendi-”

  ?

  “No.”

  ?

  “Do not worry about financing this operation or building it. My people will take care of it themselves. I have shown you our abilities after all.”

  ?

  “That’s true… but what will you get from it? And don’t say you’re doing it just to help your people acclimate to Zenthia. We both know that’s not the case.”

  ?

  “You’re correct. I also wish for you to arrange the possibility of my people joining the Adventurer Association if they so wish.”

  ?

  “That seems… simple.”

  ?

  Barnaby’s eyes stared into Akhenamen’s. As if trying to find even the slightest hint of dishonesty. Yet Akhenamen truly had no other thoughts; the main goal of this was to help his people and allow them to explore the continent if they wished while being protected by the Adventurer Association.

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  ?

  He had failed to do so in his future memories and had paid the price quite harshly as a result. Now he would be ready and have legal protections for his people entering another territory if they simply wished to explore. Integrating the Cygilites with the players and adventurers early would be of great help in future expansions.

  ?

  “Very well, I accept. When will the Hall be ready?”

  ?

  “In three months at most. I have my people to welcome first and the matter of the Hyperfauna Machines to deal with.”

  ?

  “So that’s the name of those big constructs,” Leeros added with a voice that showed he had been trying to come up with his own names for them. If not for Leeros' terrible naming sense, Akhenamen would have been curious to know what he would have called them. Big Machines? He did name his academy, The Academy.

  ?

  “As for you, Lord Aquilius, I have a similar proposition. I wish to allow the CBZ to place one of its headquarters inside Cygislax and to integrate your monetary system into Cygislax.”

  ?

  Someone might wonder why Akhenamen would want that. Why not create his own banking system with the manufacturing abilities of his people? Why not crush and take over Zenthia’s banks? Because he was far too lazy to do that, and the thought that such an act could ever be done peacefully was a child’s notion.

  ?

  The CBZ was without a doubt the strongest, not hidden faction on Zenthia. Their money could allow them to rally even the three big factions to their side. Having the CBZ as an ally was far better than having them as enemies. His people didn’t even really use money. It didn’t exist in Cygilite society. But they would need money to trade with other nations.

  ?

  “That is perfectly possible, Lord Akhenamen. I can even send my twin to make sure that no abuse toward your people will be done, and that only our best will see over the Cygilites integration to our system. Must I suppose that… “

  ?

  “Yes, we will take care of building the bank ourselves. I can even add our contract a few… helpful creations to scan, verify, and automate monetary transfer, Lord Aquilius.”

  ?

  “What will you wish for in exchange? You give a lot and ask for very little.”

  ?

  “That for the following twenty-five years, any legal conflicts that could happen between the Cygilites and any other factions. Including those factions. Will have the CBZ backing and experts on our side.”

  ?

  Aquilius’s face went from a polite smile to absolute neutrality, Leeros and Barnaby looking slightly confused. The old dragon hadn’t expected a race that had only recently woken up to already know about the Sixfold Conclave. But soon his professional smile came back.

  ?

  “That is acceptable. We cannot guarantee that having our backing will be of much help; however, we of the CBZ accept your proposal.”

  ?

  Akhenamen smiled in relief mentally. Twenty-five years to a being like Aquilius was a literal drop of his life, almost nothing. To Akhenamen, it was all he needed. Aquilius made them all sign a contract to finalize the agreement and left alongside Barnaby. Leaving only Leeros, who had been staying silent patiently.

  ?

  “Thanks a lot for waiting, Leeros.”

  ?

  “It’s perfectly fine. I do wonder what kind of personal matters you wish to approach me with.”

  ?

  “It could be a professional one.”

  ?

  “It is not, or you would have talked about it during the council.”

  ?

  He smirked softly, straightening himself a bit on his chair, his humble brown robe slightly dirty with his sleeve pulled back to his elbow. Exposing the burned skin below. While Akhenamen had been polite enough not to ask or stare, he did wonder how he got such harsh burns.

  ?

  “You’re correct. I wish for my daughter, Syllena, to be granted entry to The Academy. She will, of course, go through regular tests to prove she is worthy of joining it. Do you believe you could help me arrange that?”

  ?

  “I don’t wanna sound rude but.. I thought your kind couldn’t reproduce. How do you have a daughter?”

  ?

  “You’re correct. However, Syllena is a peculiar one. I ask that you not question how it happened; it did. Is it possible?”

  ?

  “It should be possible. If she has the talent, I see no reason why she couldn’t. Same for any more mysterious kids you end up having. If they have the talent, The Academy will welcome them.”

  ?

  Akhenamen felt more relieved than he had when he saw the council had happened mostly as he hoped. To know his daughter would have a normal childhood was great news to him. But it did raise a certain thought in Akhenamen’s mind.

  ?

  Should he allow his kind to be able to be “born” as children to truly experience life, or directly as adults? They were still constructs after all. And all Cygilites were so deeply linked to each other that none would hesitate to lay their life for their siblings, even if they had been created a few seconds ago.

  ?

  “You seem strangely silent, friend? A problem I could help with, perhaps.”

  ?

  Akhenamen stared back at Leeros, against his own judgement, he listened to his instinct, and told Leeros a bit about the Cygilites.

  ?

  “I am troubled, yes. I do not know what to do with my kind. Great perils will soon strike Zenthia. Common sense would demand I sacrifice a generation of my people to help Zenthia. To be born as warriors ready to defend our home until death. To sacrifice themselves for future generations.”

  ?

  “But what right do I have to demand that of those who have yet to even be born?”

  ?

  “You have a better moral than the entire council, Akhenamen. Most would not hesitate. To sacrifice an entire generation to earn peace for your kind? To safeguard your home… It is a deal all would take.”

  ?

  Leeros stayed silent, closing his eyes. Thinking for a few seconds before opening them.

  ?

  “I do not know what the best course of action is, Akhenamen. But do not forget our role. We old men have only one true duty.”

  ?

  Akhenamen nodded, already knowing the answer.

  ?

  “To fight. To fight so that those who come after do not have to.”

  ?