Family system

The Arbiters moved in their seats, their bloated forms relaxing slightly as Hana's calm demeanor and explanation calmed them down. The largest Arbiter leaned back in his throne, letting out a deep chuckle that made his multiple chins wobble.

"Well, there you have it!" he proclaimed, echoing through the chamber. "Hana, ever the efficient one. I told you all there was nothing to worry about."

Another Arbiter nodded vigorously, his stubby fingers clutching a half-empty cup of wine. "Indeed, indeed. It seems we've been fretting over nothing. These reports are probably just the work of some panicked underlings. Leave it to Hana to handle things."

The smaller Arbiter who had questioned Hana earlier wiped the sweat from his brow. "Yes, yes, of course. Excellent work, Hana. You always know how to put things in order."

Hana offered a faint smile, bowing her head slightly. "It's my duty, my lords. The relays are secure, and our operations are proceeding without interruption. You have my word."

The Arbiters visibly relaxed further, their little concern replaced with self-satisfied smirks. The largest Arbiter clapped his hands together, summoning a servant who hurriedly refilled his goblet.

"See, this is why we entrust Hana with these tasks," he said, raising his drink in a toast. "To Hana! May she continue to keep our empire thriving!"

"To Hana!" the other Arbiters echoed, raising their goblets before returning to their indulgent feast.

The woman who had summoned Hana stepped forward, bowing slightly to the Arbiters. "My lords, I will escort Hana out if there is nothing further. She has much to attend to."

The largest Arbiter waved a dismissive hand. "Yes, yes. Go. Keep up the good work, Hana."

Hana bowed one final time, her movements precise and respectful. "As you wish, my lords."

As the grand doors of the hall shut behind them, muffling the raucous laughter and clinking cups, Hana walked forward without missing a beat. The woman followed closely behind, her steps quickening until she was at Hana's side.

Once they were far enough from the hall to ensure privacy, the woman stopped abruptly. She dropped to one knee, bowing her head low before Hana.

"Commander," she said, her voice was mad, as if she was speaking with her object of worship. "Your plan worked flawlessly. The Arbiters suspect nothing. What are your next orders?"

Hana turned to face her, her expression cold. "You've done well," she said, her tone quiet but firm. "Maintain your position within the council. Keep feeding them the narrative that everything is under control. The more complacent they are, the less interference we'll face."

The woman nodded, her head still bowed. "And the cores, Commander? With the relays destroyed, their communication network is crippled. What's our next move?"

Hana's mind was calculating. "The Arbiters are blind and isolated now. Their empire will feel the strain of disconnection soon enough. The next step is to exploit that weakness. Send word to the resistance—tell them to intensify their efforts. Hit the supply lines of the empire, disrupt their operations, and sow chaos."

"Yes, Commander," the woman said, her voice steady.

Hana's expression softened slightly. "You've done well to remain undetected. Your loyalty is invaluable. But remember: the Arbiters' downfall is only the beginning. The true enemy is the god they serve."

The woman looked up at Hana with respect in her eyes. "Understood, Commander. I will not fail you."

Hana extended a hand, helping the woman to her feet. "You won't. Now go. Keep them docile and distracted."

The woman bowed deeply once more before hurrying away, her movements fast as she didn't want to disappoint Hana. Hana watched her disappear into the distance before gazing at the capital city.

Hana stood at the edge of the overlook, her sharp eyes surveying the sprawling capital city of the Arbiters' empire. The city should have gleamed like a jewel from this vantage point, showing the empire's power and prosperity. Instead, it was a cesspool of corruption, cruelty, and despair—a gross reflection of the decadence within the council hall.

The city was a labyrinth of towering black stone buildings streaked with veins of glowing mana. What should have been a sign of innovation and power only underscored the place's lifelessness.

The streets were crowded, but not with bustling trade or joyous activity. Instead, the thoroughfares were choked with desperate citizens, their faces hollow and eyes sunken. Armed enforcers, clad in dark armor engraved with the Arbiter sigil, patrolled every corner brutally. These men and women were not protectors; they were oppressors, quick to strike down anyone who dared to step out of line.

Hana's gaze shifted to a group of chained individuals being herded through the streets like cattle. Their wrists and ankles were bound with glowing manacles that sapped their strength, forcing them to stumble and trip as they were dragged toward a massive, ominous building at the city's center. This was the "Conversion Facility," where people were stripped of their autonomy and transformed into mindless laborers to fuel the Arbiters' ambitions and make for cheap labor.

The enslaved ranged from children barely old enough to walk to the elderly, who could no longer stand upright. Cries of protest and pleas for mercy were met with the lash of energy whips wielded by enforcers who sneered at their suffering. Families were torn apart, mothers reaching for children who were pulled away without hesitation, their screams echoing through the streets.

Hana's jaw tightened as she watched the scene. It was a reminder of why she fought. The same was done to her people when this place attacked their world. The planet was raided, but the people were still being sold off at auction houses or just thrown on the streets to die. Only she had enough luck out of everybody on the entire planet to come out of that place with a position that was higher than a slave.

Even outside the reach of the enforcers, the city was far from safe. Hana's eyes lingered on a dark alley where a group of shadowy figures surrounded a lone individual. The muffled sounds of a struggle reached her ears, and moments later, the body crumpled to the ground. The attackers fled, their gains clutched in their hands, while the victim lay unmoving, ignored by the passersby.

In this city, life had no value unless it could be exploited. The weak and the poor were preyed upon, not only by the Arbiters' enforcers but also by those desperate enough to turn to violence themselves. Even within their own homes, people were not safe. Stories abounded of entire families slaughtered in their sleep, their meager possessions stolen by neighbors, or thieves who had grown numb to morality.

The city's riches were reserved for the towering palaces of the Arbiters and their favored elite. These structures rose high above the rest, their exteriors gleaming in stark contrast to the filth below. The Arbiters indulged in their excesses from these lofty heights, oblivious to the suffering that made their lifestyles possible. They called it "order," but Hana saw it for what it was—a veneer of control over a rotting foundation.

The mana veins that powered the city's lavish districts flickered, a sign of the strain on the empire's infrastructure. The destruction of the relay cores would only accelerate this decay, but Hana knew it was the people's suffering that truly hollowed the city from within. The empire had long since sacrificed its soul for power.

With a sigh, she turned around, knowing she couldn't change anything about it now. She still needs to be more patient, and when her goddess comes here, she can reform this place from the ground up.

Hana reappeared inside the hideout where Elena, Valentina, and Isabella had taken refuge. The room was dimly lit, with the faint flicker of a small fire casting long shadows across the stone walls. The three women sat around the fire, their weapons cleaned and ready, though their posture relaxed.

Elena was the first to notice Hana's arrival, her eyes flicking up as she adjusted her blade. "Back already? That was quick."

Valentina leaned back against a crate, her blade resting on her lap. "Let me guess: they bought the story?"
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Hana gave a short nod, her cold as she was still thinking about the horrors she had just seen. "They're completely blind. As expected."

"Good," Isabella said softly, her voice calm as she looked up from her bow, which she had been resting. "That gives us the time we need."

Hana crossed her arms, leaning against the wall. "The Arbiters are pacified for now, but the situation is fragile. With the relay cores destroyed, their communication network is severed. The empire will begin to feel the strain. Supplies will falter, and their control will weaken. Which is the thing that they gear the most."

Elena stood, her blade now sheathed at her side. "Then it's time to head back. We've done what we came here to do."

Valentina stretched, a sly grin on her face. "Finally, back through the portal? Seems almost too easy."

Hana's gaze sharpened as she thought about it. "Easy isn't the word I'd use. The portal will likely have defenses. They won't leave it unguarded now that the relays are gone."

Isabella nodded, her silver eyes reflecting the firelight. "Then we'll do what we've always done. Handle it."

Elena smirked, her confidence evident. "Let's go. We've been here long enough."

The group quickly packed their belongings, ensuring their weapons and gear were in perfect condition. Hana activated the teleportation crystal again, this time directing it to the portal's location.

The journey through the teleportation field was brief but jarring. Arriving just outside the portal's site, the once-familiar clearing now buzzed with energy. The portal glowing with an ominous red hue surrounded twisted constructs, their forms bristling with dark mana.

Hana's gaze swept over the scene. "These are the monsters that were supposed to be sent across. Let's deal with them here so we don't have any problems later."

"Good," Valentina said, her blade igniting with flames. "I was starting to miss the action."

Elena drew her blade, her voice steady as she addressed the group. "Same plan as always.