Chapter 31: The Empire
"Mr. Thomas, is the Empire going to strike a deal with Alis using the core as leverage?"
Thomas raised his brows. "And why would you mention this fact?"
"Mr. Thomas, the Alis are strange people, and the core is not what you or the Empire thinks it is. I, on the other hand, had the fortune to learn the Alis language and know what it exactly can do. So I thought about helping the Empire to show my patriotism."
Thomas's eyes glowed, as what Lucas said was indeed correct. The Empire, even after sending their best linguists, was unable to completely decipher the Alis's complex language and had only managed to collect bits and pieces of it from the ruins.
As for making the Alis agree to teach them, that would be impossible, as the Alis believed their heritage to be sacred and considered it foul to let others have knowledge about it.
Thomas then continued, "Oh, and what would you like in return for this?"
Lucas knew now was the time, so he immediately struck, "I have two conditions. First, I want the Empire to let me head the business deal," after sipping some tea, he continued, "and I also want to be issued as a knight under the Empire."
Thomas almost spat his tea. After gaining composure, he stated in a harsh tone, "I can agree to the first condition, but the second one is too much to ask for. Being a knight requires strength of at least C-rank, and you are nowhere near it."
Lucas simply smiled, seeing that the bait was taken. If strength was the determining factor, then Lucas was confident in getting powerful in the future.
"Very well then, I think there's still enough time till the deal takes place, so why don't we do this: after completing the deal successfully, you will allow me to fight another knight. If I am able to defeat him, then and only then will I be appointed as a knight. On the other hand, if I lose, I won't ask for anything else."
Thomas's eyes glowed. He knew Lucas winning the fight was almost impossible, as it was extremely difficult to become C-rank in such a short time unless Lucas was one of the heaven-defying geniuses like those in the inner rings of the Empire.
So he thought this was perfect, but after looking at Lucas sipping his tea calmly, he had a bad premonition. He immediately contacted the upper echelons, as these kinds of decisions didn't come under his authority.
After 5 minutes of complete silence in the room, Thomas received a message. He turned to look at Lucas seriously.
"Lucas, the Empire has agreed to your conditions, but you will have to go under a test by our linguists. If and only if your results are satisfactory will the deal continue. What do you say?"
Lucas smiled, "Of course, I agree."
Thomas then told him that the time and venue for the test would be mailed to him after the Empire decided it.
After discussing the matters, Lucas took his leave. He had gained tremendously this time around. Even while exiting Thomas's door, he had a wicked smile on his face.
"Hehe, seems like I should open a cheat fund."
Thomas, on the other hand, watched Lucas's back and sighed.
"The kid has potential, but he is too naive if he thinks being a knight is so easy. The politics played by nobles is not something a man of his age should deal with."
The Empire's power structure was very complex. With its territories increasing every day, the politics also became complex.
But Thomas didn't know that Lucas knew very well what he was doing. After undertaking basic knowledge from the super net, he had been searching in his free time to collect as much information about the Empire as possible to develop a long-term plan.
In the end, he had created a database in his watch that contained all the information he had collected so far.
The Empire's Power Pyramid
The Holy EmperorThe Twelve Heavenly EmperorsThe KingThe 10 Demonic GeneralsDukesPrinces and PrincessesMarquisCountViscountBaronKnightsPrime CitizensCitizens
The Empire occupied the whole Soloman Galaxy, which was named after its first King, King Soloman. The Empire divided its regions into outer, central, and inner rings. The planets in the outer rings were considered villages by the inner ring nobles.
Great families resided within planets in the inner rings. Knights usually occupied all the smaller outer ring planets, and barons ruled the mid-sized planets, while the viscounts were considered the overlords of the outer ring.
The central ring was ruled by counts, marquises, princes, and princesses.
The 10 demonic generals usually resided outside the galaxy, forming a protective barrier around the Empire and annexing different planets and star systems from time to time.
As for the inner ring, it was the core of the Empire and was ruled over by the dukes and the king himself.
As for the Twelve Heavenly Emperors and the Holy Emperor, the outer ring wasn't even considered worthy enough to know any further information about them. Only the barons and above-ranked nobles may know something.
The Empire's politics became complex with the increasing lifespan of humans through technological advances. This also increased their battle prowess and hunger for power as time passed by.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Celestial_Xcaliber
Celestial_Xcaliber I feel that the personality of our MC does not match with his appearance on the cover, Let me what you guys think.
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