Chapter 2 Part 2

Heather uses Mage Sight, staring directly at the Centurion. "This is a construct much like a Soulust. However it has zero will of its own, like a golem. This thing is able to command a force of Centuries made using the same method; Using an artificial algorithm for strategy programmed into it at birth."

"You gleaned all that from Mage Sight? How advanced is it?" Beau asks, curious about Heather's ability.

"There is much more I can see about something. It's Mana Capacity, life force. Anything really…Estimated age, Race, Personality." Heather says.

"I've always been curious. What do you see when you use it?" Christopher asks.

"It's difficult to explain. It's like a parchment or book, but clear, like glass, but as thin as the air. It shows what a thing is. For example, a Human. If I'm looking at a plant it will show its 'Shelf Life'. Which I'm guessing is how long before something is dead or rotted. It's kinda like looking at someone's statistics from a Mana Crystal, Ya know, those perfectly smooth spheres that the Adventurers Guild has to rank them." Heather says.

"Hold up. So…You're looking at some statistics? Like how a Botany Encyclopedia has extensive detail on a type of flower?" Christopher asks.

"Yeah, like that." Heather says.

"That's awesome. So you used it on my closely guarded secret to reveal everything?" Beau asks cautiously.

"It can't tell me everything. For instance the process to make it or the specific details of how it came into existence or anything. Just information on what it is n' stuff." Heather says.

"Ok, thank god. At least I have a piece of mind from that." Beau says, slumping into one of the five chairs in the camp and breathing a sigh of relief.

"I've far from mastered this spell though. At least thirty percent of the information is censored with a thick black line covering the words." Heather says, walking over to one of the chairs and gently places herself upon it.

The other three settle in the remaining seats and they converse for a sizable chunk of the day until.

(Dime) Christopher, sir.

"Yeah? What is it, Dime?" Christopher reacts.

(Dime) His Majesty King Shavik and Her Majesty Queen Viridiana are requesting entry. The request goes as follows. 'We have an urgent matter that you and the Marquis need to discuss with us. As you are currently away we would like to have the court take place within your dimension. Attendees will be I, The Queen, Several nobles, and you both. If you find these conditions agreeable then please proceed accordingly.' What would you like to do, sir?

"Open up a door for this side immediately. Heather, Haider, take care of the camp for us." Christopher says. He briskly leaps to his feet as the dimensional door opens in front of him.

The door abruptly explodes open and Christopher leaps through, with the Marquis close behind. The door closes before I can get in.

(Nebulon) I got this, one sec.

…

The inside of the dimension flashes into view with the voids assistance.

(Nebulon) Your welcome.

Christopher straightens himself up and says, "Open the door His Majesty asked for."

A few moments go by and six noble cautiously walk through into the dimension. Just as King Shavik makes his entry Dime's text shows up in every square inch of the dimension in blood red letters.

(Dime) HARMFUL OBJECT DETECTED — ISOLATING CAUSE — FOUND — OBJECT REMOVAL IN PROGRESS —

A blue light erupts from the King's neck.

(Dime) OBJECT REMOVAL — FAILURE — DESTROYING OBJECT —

A miniature blackhole was created inside the object, destroying it instantly.

(Dime) CRISIS AVERTED — FINE MUST BE PROVIDED BY OWNER OF THE OBJECT — 3 PLATINUM —

"Ah he tried to steal information by trying to isolate Dime's archive and copying it." Christopher says.

(Dime) INDIVIDUAL KNOWN AS KING SHAVIK. YOU HAVE BEEN CAUGHT IN VIOLATION OF YOUR AGREEMENT — PAY THE FINE — IF THE FINE IS NOT PAID — YOUR MANA WILL BE TAKEN AS PAYMENT — 30,000 UNITS OF MANA IS NEEDED AS EQUIVALENT TO THE FINE.

The letters disappear for everyone except Shavik, Viridiana, and Christopher.

"Such insolence! How dare you treat His Majesty in such a manner." a noble snaps.

"Hush! We are no longer inside of Maranus. This is Christopher's jurisdiction. This dimension is big enough to be a country on its own!" Queen Viridana scolds.

…

"I didn't expect you to be so bold in violating the terms like that, Your Majesty." Christopher says smugly.

"Eh, I had to try." King Shavik replies casually.

"So why would you voluntarily try to essentially destroy my dimension, while you're in it, just to steal some information?" Christopher says.

"Wait, I could've destroyed it?" King Shavik says like a caught kid.

"Nah, I'm just fucking with you. You were about to make an attempt on Dime's life though." Christopher says, his expression stern and intense. "It's good that he could defend himself with the mana from your…hundreds of other violations of the terms." He continues. "Now, I could've destroyed that gem by overflowing mana into it, terminating your connection with me and a dozen more powerful allies. But I didn't." He slowly saunters towards them. "I gave you my trust. My knowledge. And my expertise. So why are you poking at the seams of the delicate thread?" He gets up into The King's face, which causes to put all the nobles on guard. "Fucking with me is a fatal error none of you want. If I was so inclined, Dime could kill every last one of you in an instant." Christopher backs away from him, up the gentle hill. "Explain yourself. Your Majesty."

Throwing a bag of Platinum coins into the air, Shavik explains his reasoning. Dime collects the bag and confirms the contents. "Before I begin. The fact that you are able to address such a powerful figure head should give my nobles a clear perspective. Whilst inside of ANY dimension controlled by Dime. Christopher Newman is King. Therefore on equal footing with every country's leader. By my estimation, this dimension is 40 to 70 kilometres. In. Every. Direction. And still expanding. Making the land we currently stand, a nation. One not yet recognised by the collective majority of government leaders."

Christopher's expression does not change upon Shavik's lengthy exposition to his nobles. "However, there is a formality. Because these dimensions are located wherever the bearer's are located on the continent; his rule only extends to inside here. Meaning, this is the only place where he is able to talk and enforce such things. There is also a loophole for enforcement in Christopher's favour. Wherever these objects are located, is also his nation; bound by the laws of the country it is in. Meaning the five metre radius around the wearer is bound by both of the nations laws. Meaning the violations are valid, even when I was not inside the dimension."

"Do you understand now? Whilst inside here, he has more power than everyone but the head of a nation. I cannot defend you or declare war if you die here." Shavik says, finishing his lecture.

"Did you know this?" Beau whispers to Christopher.

"Now. I did this for three reasons. To show my nobles the impenetrable security for possible future projects. To show your authority inside these dimensions. And to show just how expensive it's going to be to purchase." King Shavik says.

"An expensive price to have to pay in order to stage such an event." Christopher comments.

"There is however a legitimate concern that I and my Husband have that we do need to discuss with you. This crisis happened to fit perfectly in conducting this experiment." Queen Viridiana says.

"Then state your business if you would." Christopher says.

"The Empire is on the verge of collapse. It seems that a growing issue of feral animals and monsters terrorising the towns and cities have become too frequent and unpredictable for the adventurers guild to deal with. They have discovered that it is the result of a single individual; this information leaked to the public, causing a civil war." King Shavik says.

"This is a situation I have come to expect. I already know most of this information. Why would you need to tell me this?" Christopher asks.

"The Empire is requesting aid from every single other nation. Reports conclude that not a single country is willing to aid them, including us. I know you were banished from Stocaea for matters I won't address here. We can support you in declaring your own sovereign nation. By our calculations, you could offer them that aid; Being one of the smartest people alive, I have confidence you can resolve this. The Empire will have only two options. Accept your aid in exchange for whatever you like. Or be destroyed. A ruin. A relic of the not so distant past. The day The Empire fizzles from existence." King Shavik decrees.

"As an attractive proposition that is, I have no desire in ruling a nation in the slightest." Christopher says.

"And that's where this chance is perfect for you. With your domain being in another dimension, Dime can manage all of this stuff for you, including ruling and maintaining a population. Whether they accept your aid or not, you can accept refugees where other nations cannot support them. Immigration being a thing of the past, a place where people can live in prosperity for eternity." King Shavik says.

After a few moments with Christopher thinking about this situation, he says, "It's going to cost a mountain of resources to pull this off. This dimension you stand on is not easy to set up."

"We can supply that for you. Whatever you need, you have it." His Majesty says.