Legacy of the Void Fleet

But what he actually said—his voice calm, regal, and composed—was, "You're right, Association Master Berinly. Given our proximity to the Holy Region, it makes sense for my Empire to act first."

He let that hang in the air, before adding with a deliberate pause and steady weight, "However, you must also understand—it will take time to mobilize and prepare a fleet of the necessary scale. I must ensure our movements remain discreet, to avoid attracting attention from opportunists or... the very force we're concerned with. Logistics, navigation through adjacent star-rifts, and supply lines—these things must be managed carefully."

"His tone turned firm but reassuring. "So yes, I will act first. But don't worry—within one or two Galactic Days or at most 3 Galactic Days, my fleet will depart."

A subtle shift spread across the chamber.

The Supreme Elder of the Mountain Dwarves raised an eyebrow. Empress Velryss of the Dark Elves frowned, clearly displeased. Yet neither said anything—not because they were truly satisfied, but because he had, at least, agreed. That was enough to anchor his position. For now.

They needed someone to go first, someone to test the unknown. If the waters were deep—deep referring to the power of the mysterious enemy—then they would need to reassess. Reinvest. Recalculate whether this venture into the Holy Region was worth the blood and treasure it would demand. If the enemy was strong, perhaps even stronger than them, they would have to be sure they weren't throwing away their future for territory long buried by time and myth.

But not everyone was convinced.

Guild Master Tharok, the Tainted Dwarf of the Forger Guild, and Association Master Berinly exchanged brief glances. They were surprised—and not pleasantly so.

Berinly had expected the Star Emperor to leap forward. After all, hadn't he spent decades preparing his empire for a chance at superstatehood? Wasn't the Holy Region exactly the kind of inheritance that would guarantee such a rise? And yet here he was… delaying.

That delay told Berinly more than the Emperor likely intended.

So the desperation isn't as real as we believed, Berinly thought, masking his realization behind a perfectly composed expression. Or perhaps… the Star Empire has already prepared more than it lets on.

Tharok came to a similar conclusion, though his thoughts held a more arrogant edge.

Let the Star Empire have its turn, he mused. Even with all their advances, they are still beneath the Forger Guild and Alchemy Association. If this so-called "unknown human power" proves too troublesome, we'll simply sever ties and walk away. And if the Empire prevails... well, we can always claim we supported them all along.

The Tainted Dwarf finally spoke, his tone iron-clad and full of weight.

"That's up to you, Star Emperor. When your fleets move, ours will follow. Now that you've declared your timeframe, I shall commit to mine. If all goes well in the Guild's war halls, we will be ready to deploy in six Galactic Days—perhaps a week, depending on how smoothly the integration of our regional detachments proceeds."

The Star Emperor nodded, appearing calm and grateful. "Your gesture is appreciated, Guild Master. I only hope your guild expedites the process where possible. The sooner we move, the better our chances to contain this unknown force."

But inside, his thoughts burned darker.

You think me a fool? That I don't see through your smug calculation? You're all watching to see if I bleed first… and when I don't, you'll pounce like scavengers. Very well. Play your games. I will play mine.

His gaze shifted toward Berinly, who was already beginning to speak.

"Just like the Guild Master here," Berinly began smoothly, "the Alchemy Association will require a similar timeframe. Rest assured, I will use every ounce of my authority to accelerate the process. We may even deploy one of our Quasi-Magi fleets—if necessary."

The chamber shifted again.

Gasps, subtle but noticeable, echoed among the gathered.

Even the Star Emperor's brow arched slightly.

The Quasi-Magi fleet? he thought, almost amused. Now that's a rare card to play.

Quasi-Magi fleets represented a fusion of technology and mysticism beyond Arch-Tech. Where Arch-Tech operated on principles of dark matter—an elusive byproduct of mana, used to power and reinforce weapon systems—Quasi-Magi technology had begun transitioning toward using pure mana itself.

While the difference sounded theoretical, the power gap was not.

Even a basic Quasi-Magi battleship could overpower an entire Arch-Tech strike group. They were rarer, slower to produce, and required a deep well of resources and magical engineering—but they were devastating.

"I can't thank you enough for the gesture, Association Master," the Emperor said aloud, voice steeped in royal gratitude. "If your forces arrive with such a fleet, it would be a mighty boon indeed."

But inwardly?

As if you'd do it without a hidden price tag, the Star Emperor sneered in his thoughts. You wouldn't lend such forces unless you were sure it would earn you something far greater in return. So, let's see what you're really playing at, Berinly...

Meanwhile, the show of commitment from the Guild and the Association pushed the others to respond.

Empress Velryss, ever proud and politically calculating, straightened her back and rose.

"I will dispatch one of our Arch Fleets as well," she said with cool confidence. "Given the distance between our territory and the Holy Region, we'll need at least five Galactic Days to arrive. But I will ensure we make all haste."

She glanced toward the Star Emperor, her tone less icy than before.

"Consider it our contribution to a cause we all must protect."

The Emperor nodded with composed appreciation.

Then, as expected, the Supreme Elder of the Mountain Dwarves followed suit.

"Our clans will answer as well," he declared. "We'll begin deployment preparations immediately. When the Star Empire confirms the rendezvous point, our fleet will match it. We may not arrive as swiftly—but we will arrive ready."

The Star Emperor inclined his head with a hand on his chest.

"I thank you, Supreme Elder. And you, Empress Velryss. Your cooperation, your willingness to stand united—it humbles me. Even though our alliance has yet to be formalized, you've already shown the strength and spirit of one. It's proof enough that we are already walking the same path."

The atmosphere shifted again—less tense now, more focused.

The Emperor stood tall, stepping back to the center of the Round Table, and allowed his gaze to sweep across them all.

"Let us then bring this summit to a close," he said solemnly. "The preparations will take time. But let us make every moment of that time count. The longer we delay, the more the unknown grows bolder. We must strike not just with force, but with precision, unity, and understanding."

He placed both hands on the table and looked each of them in the eye.

"This region, this inheritance, is not a mere cluster of stars. It is a legacy. It belongs to us—those strong enough to protect it. If we falter now, we may never have another chance."

He straightened again, voice filled with finality.

"So if you all agree… let us conclude this summit, and return to our people. Let us prepare."

No one objected.

One by one, they stood. Each bowed or nodded toward the Star Emperor—some respectfully, some diplomatically, and some with quiet suspicion—and began to leave the chamber.

The vast throne room echoed with the footfalls of power.

Only the Star Emperor remained standing at the table, his expression calm, posture regal.