Chapter 34: Conspiracies

Chapter 34: Conspiracies

Ogras ArhRezak was already starting to tire of this whole enterprise. The humidity of this baby world was far higher compared to what he was used to, and the two blaring suns forced him to keep squinting through the day. The terraforming was helping, but it would still take a long time until the climate got to the point that was comfortable.

He somewhat regretted exhorting his ancestor to let him lead this invasion. With his status in the clan, he still would have been entitled to any good items they could seize on this world, even if he stayed at home.

But he knew this invasion was his opportunity if he wanted to stay alive. If he could find enough goodies for either himself or the clan hed be safe until he was strong enough to protect himself.

But who would have thought that The Ruthless Heavens placed them on a godforsaken island? It had rendered his tactic of unleashing his packs through the portal seem like a joke. There had already been voices of disagreement in the clan to such a cowardly tactic, but Ogras had only sneered at their snide remarks.

While most baby worlds were disorganized and paralyzed from the huge changes, some were quite dangerous. There were many anecdotes of new planets resisting and even sometimes completely massacring all the different invaders.

Of course, it was usually the forces behind the other incursions on the planet that were the real enemies, rather than the weak natives.

In any case, he wasnt about to stick his neck through a portal before increasing his odds of survival, even if it was considered cowardly.

His seven elder brothers had been heroic warriors, always charging into the fray, leading any charge in skirmishes. And now they were all food for the maggots. Some were killed by their enemies, and some died from machinations of their own clan members.

The path to power was ruthless, and even among kin benefits preceded loyalty. There had been a large amount of dissatisfaction towards his branch of the clan for a long time. His great grandfather was originally a normal soldier who managed to rise to his great power through a few lucky encounters.

His prowess had allowed his progeny to enjoy great benefits and resources, even matching that of the main branchs youth. Ogras suspected that was why his siblings kept dropping dead one after another. He had voiced such concerns to his ancestor, but being a warrior for the clan his whole life his thought patterns had become rigid. He had bled and fought for the clan for over a thousand years, and couldnt imagine that they would backstab him and his kin like that.

Thats why only the two of them were left, not counting his great aunt who disappeared to become a wandering warrior two hundred years ago. That was also why he kept this ridiculous persona going, pretending to have become a pampered wastrel not interested in cultivation. The fewer of his clan members believed that he was a threat, the lower was the chance that hed wake up with his throat slit.

Thats why he walked around in his gaudy outfits and surrounded himself with useless sycophants. It was another type of armor. And if he could further his ambitions while it looked like he was just being spiteful and stupid, then all the better.

He had almost laughed out loud when the news of the death of Kevoran arrived at his desk. That little prick from the main branch was one of his largest contenders for any potential goodies that would be found on this planet.

While Kevoran was afraid of his ancestor, only the youths and unevolved were able to go through the portal. So his attitude had progressively gotten worse with each day since they arrived. Ogras had used a snide remark as a basis for ordering him to go with a scouts squad to canvas the whole island, in order to solidify his position while Kevoran was gone.

It was tacitly approved by the elders that the young elite would have a feeding frenzy when they arrived at the new world, as some healthy competition was good for strengthening. As long as enough benefits were lugged back they did not really care that some didnt make it all the way.

As Ogras was pondering about his next steps the door to his temporary study opened, and a man decked in an extravagant armor entered.

This time Ogras was angered for real, as such conduct was a blatant disregard for his authority. Still, he wouldnt break character for something minor like this.

Insolence! How dare you enter my chambers like his! I will have my grandfather flog you when we return! Ogras roared as soon as the man was inside the door.

My apologies the man answered with a face that spoke of no regret. I wonder what steps you have taken to capture those responsible for my cousins death.

The man in front of him was Rydel ArhRezak, one of the heirs to the main branch just like the departed Kevoran. Different from him though, Rydel was one of the most heavily nurtured youths in the clan, and also one they had spent the most Nexus Crystals to allow to retain as much power as possible when going through the incursion.

The more power you retained in an invasion to a baby world, the better your survival rate would be, and the better your position would be when contending for resources on this new world. But The Ruthless Heavens never just gave anything for free. It charged an exorbitant amount of Nexus Crystals if one wanted to keep more of their strength when passing through. And of course there was a limit, or the purpose of the incursions would be lost.

Clan ArhRezak wasnt overly wealthy, and could only pay up to a point for each daemon going through. Any more and the risk of the invasion turning unprofitable would be too big. The rest would have to come out of their own pockets.

Most of the soldiers couldnt afford it or only got a few levels extra, but the scions of their clan of course got some special benefits under the table. Either from their elders or even from the clan itself.

Maybe not even Ogras himself was a match for Rydel, though he had a few hidden aces in case they ever came to blows. And it might actually come to that, as Ogras had a strong suspicion that Rydel had been sent through the portal to both keep an eye on things, and if possible, neutralize him. That would eliminate any threat of a branch family becoming too strong in the clan.

The crystal mine isnt going anywhere, and it would seem a waste to attach such large manpower to quickly excavate it. Also, a large portion of our mages are occupied building your Palace. In my opinion, it would be more pertinent to

It doesnt matter what your opinion is, Rydel. The clan decided I was the most suited for this task, so my orders are what goes. Now leave my study, and remember your manners in the future or there will be repercussions! Ogras practically screamed, looking very much the part of a fool enjoying his new found power.

Rydel only sneered and performed a barely acceptable salute, and left the study without another word.

Left silently brooding behind his desk, Ogras prayed that the natives and Rydel would find and kill each other, solving all his problems at once.