Infinite Mana In The Apocalypse (WN)

2951 The Mantis, the Cicada, and the Oriole! I

The practice of Imperium Rules stretched out over the eons.

They were there because the profits of the Imperium mattered more than all others.

If Legacies were poorly running their Existential Domains, other Legacies could observe this and undergo proper procedures to strip them of this right and take their Domain for themselves.

If they could convince the Imperium that as Rulers, they were better. That in the long run, they would take in more profit for the Imperium!

Thus, at times, representatives of the Imperium would stand in observance for Domains they deemed of some importance.

If they were shifting rulership in Legacies, they would be there.

It was just that…Al-Abalem never expected to be on the opposing end of a situation like this!

First, a Corrupted Seed rose that caused him to lose a great deal of his profits.

He was forced to utilize the Codex of Extremity as even now, its authority was being encroached upon evermore!

And now, another Legacy appeared to challenge him for his rulership, and an Imperium Royal Basileus was even invited to observe!

Why had his contact at the Imperium not warned him of anything?

And how did they collect information to give to the Imperium that deemed it worthy to even have an Imperium Royal Basileus Observer here?

…!

When he arrived at this thought, his eyes flashed brilliantly as his Will looked at the Basileus of the Ignatius.

He then flashed his awareness over the Basileus around him, his daughter included as his eyes flashed with a chilling light!

Was there a traitor among any of them? And what would they even have to gain if their Legacies fell and no longer reigned over an Existential Domain?!

They would lose one of the safest and most profitable methods of attaining Fruits of Existence.

...

Al-Abalem thought of many things while he, Ignatius, and all other Basileus of the Legacy of Al-Abalem and Ignatius bowed towards the Imperium Vessel.

The vessel was triangular in nature, lined with pulsing gold and purple lights as a blinding slit on it opened to reveal a graceful man adorned in a golden purple robe.

His golden hair was sleek as he had a cane in his hands with a blinding Scripture that signified [IMPERIUM]!

It radiated an Existential Dominium light itself as this was a killing weapon that could oppress a common Existential Dominium Realm expert with a tap.

They bowed towards such a being as Ignatius and Al-Abalem spoke towards him.

We live and we die for the Imperium. We pay respect to the Imperium Royal Basileus, but we wish it was under better circumstances! We never expected the names of our Legacies to be besmirched so much that they would even waste the time of the Observer.

…!

Al-Abalem and Ignatius bowed their heads briefly before rising as no matter the situation, the Imperium had to always be respected.

The Imperium had to always be placed above all else.

After all, the day they became entities of the Existential Dominium Realm, they pledged obeisance to the Great Imperium!

The Imperium Royal Basileus nodded with a graceful smile towards all beings here as his intent flowed out with calmness and majesty.

Ignore my presence here, for I am only here to ensure impartiality- that no Legacy will be bullied into anything. Though some concerns were raised, so I will be here to observe the Contest of the Rule of Imperium Telos between the Legacy of Lethith and the Legacies of Al-Abalem and Ignatius. Which Contest do you wish to proceed with first?

…!

Words that nobody else could deny.

Words that made it clear the Rule of Imperium Telos would be carried out today!

The Imperium Royal Basileus asked…which Contest do they wish to proceed with first?

This was because the Rule of Imperium Telos consisted of three Contests.

The one challenged had to lose 2 of these 3 contests before they lost ownership of their Existential Domain!

If they instead won the contest against their challengers, they would instead win ownership of the Existential Domain of the Challenger.

With the Rule of Imperium Telos, they had to prove two of three things!

The first and foremost was that the power of the Archon Basileus themselves reigned supreme.

The second was to present the database of their past tributes, current tributes, and a stipulation of future tributes comparative to what their challengers would be able to provide if they were reigning over this same Existential Domain!

In this case, Al-Abalem and Ignatius would present their future stipulations along with Archon Basileus Lethith, and the grander stipulation would win.

This was the most abstruse contest to win as one wouldn't know what the other side could offer in their tributes of Fruits of Existence…and this was why all Archons kept large reserves of Fruits of Existence in hand.

In the case their rule was ever challenged, they would be wealthy enough to offer a high tribute in a Rule of Imperium Telos, and they would win the Domain of anyone who challenged them for the next few eons to recoup any losses!

This was how crucial Fruits of Existence were.

This was why using so many for the activation of the Codex of Extremity and subsequent losses over the last 2 days of Mors Apokalypsis…this was extremely deadly.

The face of Al-Abalem was cold as he thought of this.

His enemies must have been given information that foretold of his recent expenses.

Otherwise, they wouldn't be confident in exceeding him so greatly in wealth and tributes.

But these two Contests in the Rule of Imperium Telos, there was the third and final one.

This was commonly referred to by Archons as the Will of the Imperium.

Because it involved the Dominiums of the challenging Archon and the challenged Archon to be infused into the Codex of Extremity residing over the Existential Domain.

The Codex of Extremity granted by the Imperium!

The Codex held shocking weavings as it could choose itself who the better Archon to preside over it would be!