Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage

Chapter 884: Drake’s Insufficient Advise

CH0884 Drake’s Insufficient Advise

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Alex gave his father a simplified narration of his time in Verdantis. Still, Drake couldn’t help but be stunned by what he had experienced.

“A Class 6, potentially Class 7 plane on the verge of an advancement. A pantheon of Navi, and a potential Class 8 invader… you really slammed into one serious situation, boy,” Drake said.

“What do you think I should do?” Alex asked.

“That’s up to you. You are a man now. It’s up to you to decide what you want to do,” Drake replied freely.

He didn’t seem worried about the mess his son was embroiled in.

“I am asking for advice here, Father,” Alex said exasperatedly.

“There’s nothing I can tell you that you already don’t know. If you are looking for new advice, you would be best served asking that master of yours.” Drake shrugged.

“If I were to give you advice, it would be to keep the circle of people who know the class of your plane very small. You should also be careful about using standard interplanar formations to travel to the plane.

“The Imperial family guards the coordinates to higher-class planes, Class 6 and above, jealously and carefully. If they, or any other major power for that matter, find out you have access to a Class 6 or potentially Class 7 or 8 plane, you can be sure they will do whatever they can to extract the coordinates from you.

“You are sitting on a gold mine that can bring in massive amounts of resources as long as you are powerful enough to exploit it.”

“What about you, Father? Aren’t you tempted by it?” Alex asked.

“I am.” Drake admitted with a clear nod. “My highest plane is a Class 5 one, so I am indeed tempted. However, I am not about to take over your plane.

“Not only are my forces already spread thin currently handling the planes I do control, but more importantly, it sounds to me that you share a fate or providence with this plane. I will likely be doing myself and you harm by taking it over.”

“So, what if we cooperate together? I need help to handle the legendary threats and above on the plane,” Alex proposed.

“Not interested. It’s your plane, so the responsibility is yours,” Drake responded, much to Alex’s chagrin.

Drake surprisingly chuckled upon seeing his expression.

“I have only one Legend I can spare you, even if I decide to ally with you. Sounds to me like this plane you arrived on has more than a few Legends to worry about. There’s also those Navi you mentioned. One Legend won’t cut it.”

“You are better off asking your master for help. Not only is he an Archmage, he will also have a greater number of Legends under his banner than me. Don’t be fooled into thinking he is actually the only Legend in the Enclave; he hides his full depth better than even me.”

‘I actually know that. Master isn’t an Archmage. He is a dragon who is definitely stronger than a Transcendent mage,’ Alex thought to himself.

“Find allies or go at it alone, whatever you do, just don’t forget one thing.” Drake suddenly said seriously. “Pangea is your home, and your main plane.”

“I understand.” Alex nodded.

“That remains to be seen.” Drake commented, shaking his head. “I have seen and heard of people—especially youths like you—who get so engrossed in growing their own private plane that they forget their true origin, and where their focus should actually be.”

“And I am not speaking of sentimental reasons, boy. Pangea is a higher Class plane than the planes we travel to. Even if this plane of yours survives its tribulation and progresses, it would still rank lower than Pangea.

“If you are going to go far on the path of power, obtaining concepts, laws and providence of a higher-ranked plane is indispensable. And the longer you stay on lower-ranked planes, the more you are tainted by the plane, and the more difficult it would be for you to earn the acknowledgement of Pangea when the time comes.”

He looked at his son and continued in a serious tone.

“I ensured you got yourself a territory on Pangea for a reason. Your territory in Pangea is your true fiefdom—your heartland territory that must not be lost. The territory you set up on external planes are colonies for you to obtain resources to be transferred to your territory here. Be it people, materials or even immaterial resources, they will be best served and find their greatest use on Pangea.

“Always keep this in mind,” Drake emphasised.

Alex felt a bit uncomfortable hearing his father speak about main fiefdoms, colonies and the movement of resources. It made him recall uncomfortable histories from his past life.

However, he knew better than to criticise Drake for his thoughts, as he knew the man meant well, and the histories of his past life were foreign to the people of Pangea.

Trying to speak to the man otherwise would be no different from preaching to a rock.

“I understand,” he said instead.

Though inwardly, Alex made the decision to see how he could grow all his territories across different places without having to exploit one or some for another.

“Looks like we should start preparing for a grand ceremony seeing as you’ve already consummated your marriages,” Drake suddenly said, bringing Alex out of his thoughts.

“How did you—?”

“I am a Legend. You think I would miss the changes in my daughters-in-law?” Drake cut him off.

“This is good. The old fogies of the Clan almost suffered a heart attack when you, the person with the most potent bloodline the Clan has seen in some time, suddenly disappeared without leaving an heir. They’ll be happy to know that you are back and are already working on your duty to the Clan.” He nodded.

“Father, does that mean any Legend can tell…?” Alex couldn’t help asking.

“It’s a matter of observation. If a Legend is familiar with both parties, I don’t see why a competent Legend shouldn’t be able to notice the changes,” Drake replied as if it were a matter of fact.

He raised an eyebrow. “Are you bothered by it? That’s pointless. You are all married, so why are you embarrassed over something that is the norm for your relationship?

“If you have time to waste worrying over something, you should worry about how the old Clan fogies will now be hounding you. You can expect them to hound you now that you’ve returned, demanding that you produce children.”

“Also, don’t forget you still have to marry a member of the Clan. If you don’t decide soon and make your move, the old fogies might start moving to force someone on you. I can only block them off for so long. I am not about to expend significant political capital to hold them off for you.”

In other words, man up and get things over with.

“I already have a plan, Father. Just hold them off for me a little longer,” Alex pleaded.

“You don’t have much time,” Drake warned.

Alex shook his head and smiled wryly.

“Alright. Enough chitchat. Let’s see how much you’ve improved in the last two years,” Drake suddenly said, standing up from his seat.

He walked to the side of the office and revealed a secret staircase leading down to his private training area.

Alex walked to a nearby weapon rack and picked out a metallic training sword. Just as he turned to his father, expecting him to be his sparring partner, he suddenly sensed a presence behind him.

Moving on instinct, he attacked behind himself while quickly opening the distance.

“That’s good. Looks like you haven’t slacked, Young Master Alex,” a slightly condescending(?) voice sounded.

Even without seeing the person, Alex would recognise that voice anywhere. He gritted his teeth as he stared at the dark-armoured man who had appeared before him.

“Jared!” Alex called out.

However, when Alex laid his eyes on the man, his eyes flashed with shock.

‘Legend,’

***