The Glorious Evolution

In the neighboring territory... House Zen’s Samsara Temple.

”Mr. Problem.”

This was the last thing Levi heard before the connection was cut off from the Wire Parasite... his nickname, uttered with such deeply seething hatred and anger that it was nearly impossible for normal people to detect.

But Levi studied frequencies and emotions daily... he could tell at once: Despite everything Silas spewed during his speech, he absolutely fucking hated his guts and what he had done to his Noble House.

He had merely tried to maintain the last bit of his dignity before him... but he was a broken man, through and through.

’You sure have done some serious mental damage to him.’ Ash’Kral snickered, enjoying the situation.

’I would be too if some random guy showed up at the last second of a forty-year plan and ruined it without even meeting me once.’ Levi shrugged, unbothered.

Levi didn’t feel much for Silas... he had used whatever means necessary to abuse House Zen and force them to sell or get deported.

All he did was return the favor... just much faster.

Most importantly, per the contract terms signed with Brahmin, the moment the Court ruled that House Targon’s territories and assets constituted reparation damages, they would be bound by law to sign everything over into his name.

In other terms... Levi would be their new neighbor and would finally have a foothold on the Boundless Expanse mainland without spending tens of millions or decades of his time collecting the necessary Map Fragments!!

”Their fall is the beginning of my Nation’s rise...” Levi smiled.

Levi might not be interested in investing in a nation yet... but it would never hurt to keep it in his plans, as he knew that having a respected Nation in the Boundless Expanse was the Holy Grail.

Climbing the Nocturnal Ring was one thing... but exploiting the privileges of its Noble Ranks to benefit his nation was an entirely different game... strength, authority, reputation, and economic power.

”Don’t get too comfortable now...” The Titan warned sternly. ”If what he said is correct, then you have stepped on the toes of their Patron... and you know exactly who they are and what they are capable of.”

Levi’s expression changed, but not by much... before he even started, he already knew that taking down House Targon would come with its own can of worms.

He still did it... why?

Because 99% of Noble Houses were backed by bigger Noble Houses... and the chain worked the same way everywhere.

A Barony or Viscounty answered to a County, which in turn answered to a Duchy or Marquisate, then a Kingdom, and ultimately, an Empire.

Such a hierarchy was a must if a small Noble House had any ambition to become a large nation or survive for a long, long time in the Boundless Expanse.

House Zen was considered one of the 1%... Brahmin refused to accept any patronage under the strict orders passed down by their ancestors. He would rather sell his territories and move his people elsewhere than accept patronage.

Levi didn’t even ask them why... he understood their reasoning after listening to their Dharma, or philosophy of life.

Peace above all else.

Unfortunately, signing under a patron went against their Dharma.

What patronage bought was survival in the shape of convenience: market access on the patron’s routes, relief from the size-scaled territorial tax, sponsorship into Nocturnal Games a House could never buy into alone, and sometimes, even a retained Cricetii advocate paid for by the patron.

After all, even within the Murinori Clan, some odd ones accepted bribes and went against some of the Administration’s rules for profit or just... to feel alive in this glorified prison of a realm.

Meanwhile, what the patron took in return was tribute, a levy on demand, priority on any territory sold, and the right to be consulted before the House made an enemy.

Most importantly... in case of a war breaking out between the Patron and their enemies, the Noble House was fully expected to join their side.

This condition alone had alienated House Zen from taking part in this ’protection’ system.

”Targon’s Patron has been using them to seize House Zen’s territories while they’re left undefended in the Boundless Expanse,” Levi explained calmly. ”If they could make a move personally, they would have done so already... but the Administration has strict rules against that kind of ’bullying.’”

Ash’Kral nodded in agreement... he understood that if such a law weren’t in place, the Boundless Expanse would turn into a chaotic, war-ridden mess.

”The only possible way to conquer territories is through the Administration’s supervision... and its first law is that the conquering House must challenge a Noble House of the same rank or higher... challenging below doesn’t exist.”

Even this rule wouldn’t work unless the challenged Noble House agreed to participate in the War... that’s why House Targon had been going at it for four decades, slowly chipping away at House Zen until they starved to death.

They didn’t have a patron to protect them, and still... it was so difficult to take them down.

”I understand that their Patron won’t make a move on your territories publicly, but personally... they won’t let you live in peace,” the Titan stressed.

”I know... but that’s the price of trying to make a name in the Boundless Expanse,” Levi replied calmly. ”I am bound to antagonize not just one nation, but multiple, if I want to build my own nation as a backup in case I fail to stop the corruption.”

Levi never assumed that he was going to save Earth one hundred percent... he was going to do his absolute best, but if he failed, it was always better to have a backup to migrate the survivors to the Boundless Expanse.

Just like House Zen’s ancestor did.

He knew that it wasn’t his sole responsibility, as many powerful Daywalkers on Earth were working their hardest to do the same... but just as they were doing their best to save their home and their people, so would he.

It had nothing to do with being a hero.

It was a responsibility.

And Levi had no plans to shy away from it.

Thud, thud, thud!

Suddenly, Levi’s ears picked up on distant, thundering footsteps rushing in his direction... without needing to use his spiritual vision, he already knew who it was.

Brahmin and Sati.

”Come in.”

Before they could even knock, Levi let them in with an amused smile, their excitement and happiness written plainly across their faces.

The moment they stepped inside, both of them knelt before Levi... their faces fully planted against the wooden floor.

Then, neither said a word for a few moments.

Brahmin’s mouth opened once, then closed again... Sati tried as well, but whatever she had prepared on the way here disappeared the moment she found herself kneeling before him.

”We...” Brahmin finally managed to speak. ”Mr. Problem... we...”

That was all he could muster before going quiet again... his mind still frozen since the moment he received the Ninth Sky Supreme Court’s notification a little while ago.

The notification was an acknowledgment by the Court that a serious audit would be carried out regarding their situation... and it even told them exactly what would happen to House Targon during the process.

The moment Brahmin received the notification, he couldn’t believe his eyes... he recalled how, two hours ago, Levi had told him to file the case immediately without a consultation or anything else that would waste time.

The only condition was to leave the case open because more damning evidence might come.

Brahmin had resisted at first, telling him that their case was too weak and would never be taken seriously by the Court... that’s when Levi played a portion of the recordings.

Silas Targon’s own voice, calmly discussing the liquidation schedule, the inspector kept on retainer for years, the subcontractor and hollow cores that ruined their store’s reputation, and finally, with the same indifference one might discuss drainage, what House Targon intended to do with the Runehoof territories once they changed hands.

Halfway through, Brahmin simply sat down and listened with his hands resting on his knees and an expression of utter disbelief.

He knew what Silas and his family sounded like.

He knew that Silas fiercely protected his family’s privacy, as if he lived in a presidential house.

He knew how damning this recording was as evidence, not enough to win the trial, but more than enough to at least launch an audit.

Knowing all of this left only one question burning in his mind.

How?

Levi merely said, ”Trade secret.”

Brahmin didn’t push for answers and swiftly did as he was told, filing the case at last... only this time, the recordings were attached to the first page.

The Court moved faster than he expected, and ironically, the reason was the very same problem that had been causing him stress for months.

-The Final Demotion Timer.-

A House that lost its Noble status mid-suit could not be restored by a later judgment, because by the time the judgment arrived, its citizens would have already been deported or scattered across the realm.

The Boundless Expanse offered no one perfect protection... It also did not throw out anyone who hadn’t earned it. So the petition skipped the ordinary calendar and landed in the priority queue.

Whatever the Cricetii heard in those recordings, they took it seriously, since everything discussed matched every single claim made in the case.

Once the voices in the recordings matched the voices in the Administration Data of those involved in the case, the Ninth Sky Supreme Court demanded a full audit of House Targon’s records.

Brahmin understood that no trial was required, as once the audit finished, it would no longer be House Zen vs. House Targon... it would be House Targon against the Court, defending themselves against all the evidence the investigators would later uncover.

Unfortunately... there was no hiding or covering one’s tracks from the Court’s Investigators.

Every sin committed on the soil of the Boundless Expanse would be discovered... no exceptions.

In simpler terms... House Zen had won the case before it could even get to trial, and the Court would definitely freeze the Final Demotion Timer indefinitely until a new Nocturnal Noble was born.

An achievement almost unheard of in matters related to Noble Houses, as everyone was always careful and secretive!

Alas... House Targon had no clue that they weren’t only going against Levi, but Ash’Kral and an Omnithar Genie.

The Dream Team!