In the void of interdimensional space, a massive fleet navigated its way through the emptiness. At the center of this flotilla, on the largest flagship, Muria lay sprawled atop a magical cannon large enough to accommodate his human form, his legs dangling over the barrel.
"This is so boring!" Muria yawned, gazing at the seemingly lifeless void surrounding them. "How much longer until we reach the Uranos Empire? It's been nearly an hour, and even space jumps take this long?"
"Once I arrive in the Uranos Empire, what should I do? I don't know anyone there except Andrew, the president of the Deep Blue Trading Company. Should I contact the imperial family? Ask them for help?"
Sitting up, Muria fell into deep thought. He was wary of exposing his presence on the main continent too soon. The Uranos Empire was a hidden force within the Titan race, and he had no doubt that if he revealed himself, he could be compromised in an instant.
"Hey, why do we make this monthly supply run to Synaps anyway?" Two middle-management officers strolled beneath Muria, oblivious to his presence on the cannon. Thanks to the Seventh-Circle spell, Greater Invisibility, Muria was unseen.
"The golems from those folks on the cloud islands are top-notch in quality and variety, but their prices are exorbitant. We barely make a profit, and each trip basically means we're delivering golems to the imperial army at a loss, even covering the shipping costs. What kind of business is that?"
A young man in light armor, with flame-like tattoos on his face, shook his head in disbelief.
"Luck wasn't on your side, kid. If you'd been around for the first transaction with Synaps, you'd understand why we keep doing this, even at a loss," the other man, sporting a horn in the middle of his forehead, replied with a cheerful grin.
"You being part of this trade now shows the president's trust in you. After this trip, you might see a promotion."
"Were you there for the first deal?" the flame-marked young man asked, curious. "What was different about it compared to today?"
"Andrew himself led that mission. What do you think?" The horned man chuckled. "The ruler of Synaps even made an appearance. Can you guess what he looked like?"
"Come on, stop teasing me. You know my imagination isn't up to it," the young man complained.
"Black hair! Golden eyes!"
"Hiss! Royalty!" The young man gasped, his face showing a mix of shock and realization. "No wonder we go out of our way to deliver these supplies at a loss."
"But isn't it dangerous for the Deep Blue Company to get involved in royal competition? Entering imperial politics could lead to the annihilation of our entire organization."
"Dangerous?" The horned man sighed. "We're traders. High rewards come with high risks. And the ruler of Synaps… his bloodline is incredibly pure. His golden eyes practically glow. Compared to him, the royals we've seen are nothing. His chances of becoming the next emperor are extremely high."
"If he ascends to the throne, our president might even gain a noble title, and those of us who helped could earn a fief in another realm, becoming minor nobles," the horned man continued.
"Who cares about being a minor noble in another realm? Imperial titles are where the real value lies," the young man scoffed, unimpressed by the idea of being an out-of-realm noble.
"Kid, don't be greedy. You look down on being a minor noble in another realm?" The horned man patted the young man's shoulder. "You're young and ambitious, wanting to be an imperial noble. But from our humble beginnings, such opportunities are rare."
"Joining the imperial expeditionary forces could offer such chances. Earn a title through military service and become an imperial noble stationed in another world," the young man argued.
"Youngsters always dream big. Do you know how many commoners have been ennobled in our empire's 130,000-year history? Compared to the number of commoners who've died in foreign campaigns?"
"There have been some, right?" The young man's voice lowered, sounding deflated. "Some commoners have been elevated due to exceptional military merit."
"They succeeded because they were exceptionally talented. For the rest, it's better to let go of unrealistic fantasies and follow a solid path. Stick with me, and I'll make sure you end up with a title as a minor noble in another realm," the horned man advised.
"You might be disappointed," Muria, trailing behind the two Deep Blue Company officers, mumbled. "I'm not royalty and have no claim to the throne."
"Has Andrew always thought I was a royal?" Muria rubbed his face. "Trading with no profit and even covering transport costs—that's losing money. He's been currying favor with me all this time. If he knew my true identity… well, he wouldn't dare get angry. I'll make it up to him someday. Synaps wouldn't be what it is without the resources the Deep Blue Company has provided."
"Since that's the case, I'll reach out to Andrew. After all, he's the only one I know here." Muria scratched his chin and made up his mind. "He's invested so much in me; he wouldn't betray me."
Just then, Muria felt a subtle vibration beneath his feet. The runes on the ship's hull flared to life, and a familiar spatial disturbance rippled through the air. "We're jumping back to real space. We've arrived at the main continent!"
As the Deep Blue fleet transitioned back to the prime material plane, a series of resonant chimes echoed across the Uranos Empire's capital.
"Dong!" "Dong!" … The deep, melodious tolls of the Century Bell resounded in the sky over the imperial city. In response, everyone paused, regardless of their activities. Even gladiators in the midst of fierce combat stopped to listen to the prolonged chimes.
"The Century Bell has tolled five times. Is a general returning victorious from a foreign campaign?"
"Why wasn't there any prior notice? This is so sudden."
"No, wait, it's already tolled nine times. Who could it be? A noble of princely rank?"
In the bustling streets and narrow alleys of the imperial capital, countless young girls' eyes lit up, and numerous parents looked on with expectant expressions.
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