The hivemind is conquering for me?

I raised my eyebrow at the King’s question. I wasn’t sure why he was asking me this, so I needed to be careful. After a couple moments of thinking, I had an answer that was technically the true and replied,

”Oh. I don’t know. I am quite a simple person at a fundamental level. I have three things I truly care about. My family, the pursuit of Psionics and my science. As for what I hope to accomplish? I don’t know yet. I am quite liberal with my time. I don’t plan ahead too much, but I am open to exploring new paths, new opportunities. And about my actions now? I assume you mean on a broader scale, but I will tell you why I signed up at the college for this type of action. It’s simple. I believe that only by exerting yourself through true life and death situations can your Psionics really. And I mean really grow. I cannot emphasise how boring I would find sitting down for years studying the whims of my Psionics in silent solitude. I’d rather end myself and I don’t say that lightly. I need action, I need adventure and I need my loved ones. Stagnation is the killer of innovation and I am not planning on stopping anytime soon.”

”Hmm~” Sigismund simply hummed at my answer and just stared at me for a few moments. If he had any thoughts about what I just said, he didn’t give them as he changed the subject to what I had been expecting.

”Apollo, I have a task for you. In fact, coming here to speak with you was one of the primary reasons for my intervention in the region, the Drakoshi Warlords turning up was just the factor that allowed me to speed up the process.”

”Ok? Hit me with it.” I gestured casually to Sigismund and he smirked again, but kept himself composed.

”Apollo. As you know now, you are a sentinel of the Empire. This title usually means that you are free to do whatever you want in the service of the empire. And while that is true. I have a request for you.”

”Sure. What kind of request? It’s not like I could turn down a King after all.” I said with a smile, but Sigismund shook his head.

”Actually, in this context and with what I am going to ask you, you are allowed to turn me down. As what I am going to ask you is, to put lightly, a suicidal undertaking.”

”Ok... And what exactly is this task?” I asked

Sigismund then scrunched up his face like what he said next caused him great pain.

”Back just before this war on Lleon started, on a planet called Hecury, I made a deal with the Coalition of alien filth so we could focus on the significant influx of swarm and Drakoshi on our borders. One of the conditions of this peace was that the Coalition asked for a Sentinel to act as a Coalition diplomat. A title that has not been given to another human in our empire for centuries.”

”I see... And you chose me why? I’m sorry, Sigismund, but I am sure there are people more suitable for such a job, no?” I asked, not denying his request, but genuinely curious as Onyx told me to accept his request.

Sigismund then let out a sigh of heartache and disgust. ”Actually, Apollo. For reasons you are not at liberty to know, you are actually the last person I want to ask. But you see, it was not my decision to ask this of you, you were hand picked by an alien of the coalition known as the Seer.”

”The Seer?” I replied without meaning to as I was surprised. I had spoken to the Seer before, Aeletha. I had spoken with her bodyguard, Rekosh on Euc 4. I had told her I had planned on visiting one day soon, I didn’t expect to have to go under diplomacy.

Sigismund nodded his head. ”Yes. The Seer. She is a powerful hostile entity older than our empire. She is a serious threat to our empire, which is why I am reluctant to let you, or anyone else for that matter, enter coalition space. The alien cannot be trusted.”

”Did the alien, this ’seer’, say why she wanted me to go? Why I was picked?” I asked, a bit perplexed by the whole ordeal. I’m just a nineteen year old with very little in the way of a formal education. I did not know how to do diplomacy.

Sigismund let out another sigh, he seemed genuinely pained by this whole ordeal. ”Yes, actually. Now Apollo, you don’t need to lie to me, as we already know and you are not in trouble, but can you confirm that you were once in Coalition space. On a planet they named bastion?”

”Oh shit.” My eyes went wide, recalling the events. How could I forget? I accidentally met the Seer there. Saved her life, even if it was unintentional. That was what led to Rekosh reaching out and the few communications with Aeletha.

”Worry not, son. You aren’t in trouble. We had that meeting months ago. No, the reason the Seer picked you was because of the scourge beast you managed to somehow kill on that planet. Over in their space. Your actions are deemed as heroic. As such, having you go there will have the least amount of political friction.”

So that was it? I was just a good pick because I went on a hunt with my hive and accidentally ended up being recorded scolding a prime? I still couldn’t determine if I had super luck or not because this was just a massive opportunity for me.

I had wanted to see the Coalition all year. Actually hang out with aliens instead of killing them. And now I had a legal way to do so? That was...

”Wait. When would I have to go do this?” I asked with a frown.

”Right after this conflict I’m afraid. We will both be heading back to Ecumenopolis for a couple of days then I will assign you a bodyguard unit and then you and your bodyguard after a stupid unneeded party that the nobles just ’need’ to have, you will be sent towards Coalition space where you will then be at the mercy of aliens... Honestly, son. This is a big ask. But our empire, as much as I hate to admit, does need this temporary peace with the Coalition. You don’t need to give me your answer now, but in a couple of days, I will have exterminated the Drakoshi presence on this world once and for all, so I will need it by then.” Sigismund stated. He then looked like he was about to ask me something else, but I already had an answer for him.

”I don’t need to think about it. I will complete this ordeal for you.”

Sigismund appeared stunned for a moment. ”Really? You will?”

I nodded my head. ’Time to lay it on thick.’

”Yes sir. While I might be young, while I might have already bled deeply for this empire, there are those that have given their all in service. Given their life. Through their sacrifice, I understand, In my own way, what it truly means to serve this empire. It means putting your life in a position you want no other human to go. A position you put yourself in so no one else has to sacrifice themselves for this empire. For humanity. So yes. I accept this mission and all the dangers that come with it. I will go into the heart of evil so no other soul has to. This is the sacrifice I will gladly make for Spartari.”

...

Sigismund nodded his head, proudly. This was it. This loyalty that was hidden from plain sight. A loyalty not paraded, not sung high, but kept tight. Close to the heart. This was the loyalty of a warrior. Someone who shows their devotion to the empire not through actions; but with their blood, sweat and tears. Someone who would give their all so that no other has to give theirs.

Sigismund already liked Apollo. Not just because of his perplexing strength, but because at their first meeting, Sigismund could tell the young man was different. This talk just now, hearing the youths true feeling on sacrifice. Hearing how loyal the previously fallen archon was to this empire.

It gave Sigismund hope.

Hope that in a few hundred years, when his body had finally given out, when he could no longer fight the good fight, there were people ready. Ready to do what needed to be done. To do things never thought possible. To sacrifice everything in the name of humanity and the Spartari Empire.

Because to push yourself past your own limits and do what needs to be done and not exactly what you want is the true hallmark of a King. And when Sigismund looked at the young man before him, he could see a future one.