Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage

CH334 External Situation of Pangea

***

'A Late-stage Legend the same age as Prince Caesar, who is considered a genius across the empire for reaching Sub-Legend at his age?' A flicker of awe crossed Alex's eyes.

'Is it because he focuses solely on improving his physical strength and force, and nothing else, that he managed to reach this stage so quickly?' Alex couldn't help but wonder.

He recalled a popular saying from one of his gym instructors back in his previous life—apparently, it was quoted from some famous martial arts icon.

'Fear not the opponent who has performed a thousand moves once, but the one who has performed a single move a thousand times.'

This All Might seemed like a living example of the success that came from extreme focused specialisation—a stark contrast to Alex's own all-over-the-place approach.

His only saving grace was the Rune-Tech Platform that tied everything together. By improving his platform as a whole, every little ad-hoc skill he picked up naturally improved alongside it.

But then, an issue came to mind.

"I doubt it's just because he's a Late-stage Legend at his age that he's this respected by all five Empires. Sure, a future Epic deserves recognition, but not like this from the representatives of the Empires. After all, the Empires should each have more than one Class 7 in retainer."

"You're right," Eleanor said, nodding. "His Excellency Achilles Maximillian isn't just a genius; he has a powerful background as well. First, he's a member of the Maximillian Royal Family, which is one of the council members of the Nearmarch Confederacy. But more importantly, he's a Banner Lord of the Order of Valour. If not for that, he would've been the Crown Prince of the Maximillian Kingdom—and a future Confederate council member.

"His identity as Crown Prince allows him to speak to the Five Empires. But his identity as a Banner Lord ensures they actually listen."

"While that's true, it's not the only reason they agreed so readily," Zora interjected. "The representatives themselves didn't want things to escalate—but none of them could be the first to suggest standing down."

"National pride or personal ego?" Alex asked.

"Either or both. It differs for each representative," Zora said with a light shrug. "Whatever the case, the result was the same. All Might just had perfect timing—it gave everyone a convenient way out."

"I see." Alex nodded slowly.

"Also, you should know, the pleasant words they spoke to him were nothing more than thanks for giving them that opportunity. It's not like he had any real deterrent over them," Eleanor added.

Zora and Alex both nodded in agreement.

It was hard for Alex to imagine the Five Empires—behemoths that commanded hosts of Legends—bowing to a single one. Even if he was a genius with Epic potential, those Empires already also had multiple true Epics under their command.

"Oh yeah, by the way, what exactly is a Banner Lord?" Alex asked suddenly.

Eleanor froze for a moment before remembering. "Right… you didn't even know what the Order of Valour was before today. Of course you wouldn't know what a Banner Lord is."

"Simply put, Banner Lords are the Order of Valour's equivalent of Lord Marshals. They lead the Order's armies stationed at potential incursion fields—places where our realm can be invaded from outside."

Alex scratched his chin, thoughtful.

'The Lord Marshal rank isn't something given out lightly here in Pangea. It's somewhat similar to the Field Marshal rank in my previous life—usually granted during wartime to a single individual with full authority over an army.

'For an organisation dedicated to defending the realm from external threats, it makes sense that they'd have more than one army. But if each army has its own Lord Marshal, how big is this organisation? How is it structured?

'If they use that rank, does that mean each army operates independently, with its Lord Marshal having full authority over their assigned region?'

Before Alex realised it, questions were already firing off in rapid succession through his mind.

"Do you know how many armies and fronts the Order of Valour commands?" he suddenly asked.

"I know of one," Princess Eleanor replied. "The Realm of Anarchy."

"The Realm of Anarchy? I thought that was just a lawless land where people without a future on the mainland go," Alex said, surprised.

"No. The Realm of Anarchy is an artificial subspace created by several of the Order's powerhouses to trap an invading species from another realm. It's only a temporary measure, though. The species reproduces rapidly, and the Order's Army stationed within the subspace is stretched thin trying to contain them. They use massive rewards—some rare, others secret—to lure all kinds of people into the subspace to hunt the hostile race before they corrode the barrier and breach into our world."

"It's not just the Realm of Anarchy. I know of at least four other subspace realms where the Order has dragged the battle to keep it from reaching our main plane," Zora added. "And there's probably more. The five I know of are only the ones the Enclave contributes to, so I've heard about them from Father or the Grand Mages directly under his command."

"So the hostile incursion Pangea has already happened or is happening?" Alex was stunned.

"Of course," Eleanor replied. "I don't know why you're unaware, but every noble house and major power is required to send troops or resources to the Order to help maintain the frontlines in the subspaces—so the war doesn't spill into our world."

"I'm honestly surprised Earl Drake never told you," she added. "You're his heir, and you'll have to serve in one of those realms as part of your Noblesse Oblige to the Empire before you can inherit his title or claim a higher nobility of your own."

"Well, technically, that only applies once he becomes a Saint," Zora corrected. "Until then, he can send a representative in his stead. That's probably why the Earl hasn't mentioned it. Alex is still just an Intermediate, after all."

"That… actually makes sense." Alex mused aloud. "I have a feeling the upcoming interplanar travel might be Father's way of testing me."

"Is that so?" Eleanor tilted her head, half amused, half uncertain.

"Anyway," Alex continued, "from what you both said, there's another reason the Empires would give All Might that level of respect. I'm guessing that since none of the Empires want their citizens serving under those of another, they've agreed to let the Order of Valour control the subspaces entirely.

"That would explain why they have Lord Marshal equivalents manning the subspaces as their Areas of Responsibility. If I had to guess, part of a Banner Lord's duty would be to lead combined forces from all five Empires. In that case, offending a Banner Lord—no matter how 'weak'—is practically the same as jeopardising your own countrymen stationed under that Banner Lord's command.

"Even if the Banner Lord doesn't directly retaliate, there are countless subtle ways to make life difficult for someone—especially when they're technically your subordinates."

"A person with the status of a Banner Lord wouldn't be that petty, right? I mean, taking out their issues with an Empire on the innocent soldiers who came to help in your duty is a bit too much, isn't it?" Eleanor asked, frowning slightly.

"I can tell you for a fact," Alex replied with a knowing smile, "that anyone in a position of power is capable of pettiness. It just depends on how high their moral standards are—or how badly they were irked. Trust me, annoy even a supposed saint enough, and they'll respond with a touch of pettiness too."

His smile faded.

"And one more thing, Eleanor," he said suddenly.

"What is it?" she asked, puzzled.

"There's something wrong with what you just said."

Her brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"It's not the Order of Valour's responsibility to protect our realm," Alex said firmly. "It's our collective responsibility to protect our home. Just because the Order chose to stand at the vanguard doesn't mean the rest of us get to sit back and call it their duty. That kind of mindset—treating their selfless act as an obligation—is dangerous."

His eyes hardened. "If they fall because we decided it was 'their job', then we'll all pay the price for it."

Eleanor's eyes widened. "I… I didn't mean—"

"I know you didn't," Alex interrupted gently, offering a reassuring smile. "But a thought like that, shared by enough people… that's all it takes."

Eleanor fell silent, while Alex turned his gaze back to the stage, lost in thought.

'So, Pangea is already dealing with hostile threats, huh…' he mused. 'I wonder if this has anything to do with why I was brought here.'

His expression darkened slightly.

'You're not expecting me to become some kind of hero who saves the world, are you, Heart_of_Pangea?'

'I really hope not.'

Alex wasn't exactly thrilled at the idea of becoming a hero—especially not in a world like this.

Those who rise up first as heroes are always the first to die.

Either by the hands of the enemies from the front or from the actions of those being protected from the back.

"Oh-ho!"

Fortunately, before his thoughts spiralled any deeper, a sudden commotion in the hall pulled him back to reality.

To everyone's surprise, the elven auctioneer—who had handled the entire event so far—suddenly bowed and stepped back. It was a clear sign that she wouldn't be hosting the final two auction lots.

Her replacement stepped forward—a smaller, sharp-eyed figure that immediately drew murmurs through the crowd.

The Palace Head of the Golden Palace himself, Cromwell Haggleworth.

Alex's eyes narrowed as the gnomish diplomat-turned-business executive took the stage.

'So, you decided to use that method after all,' he thought.

***