The announcement spread across the galaxy the moment it was announced by the Imperial family.
News banners flashed across planetary networks. Imperial broadcast channels interrupted regular programming, even fringe system feeds carried the signal.
///////////////////////////
BREAKING NEWS: HOUSE VOSS CONFIRMED SUCCESSION. NEW LORD DECLARED
/////////////////////////
The message was clear and noteworthy to be the top concern for news agencies, why because it was House Voss. Not only was it an Original House but it was the hero of the galaxy.
/////////////////////////
Plastered on all news sites was the image of Wein.
Standing in beside the Emperor beneath golden chandeliers in formal suits. Underneath was the caption:
Lord Wein al Voss, Successor to Baron Albetron Voss.
***
Speculation and reactions erupted across the empire instantly. More and more information was given, how Wein was a common born successor. Soon the entire empire was talking about it.
Across the Salven system, factories slowed. Mining was paused and trade stations replayed the footage again and again.
With the rest of the galaxy, the people of Salven system learnt of their lords passing and successor. It was an unknown, some were hopeful the new lord might usher them into a new golden age, others were afraid.
Inside the Command Ship on their way back, the atmosphere was controlled but alert. Wein stood in a private chamber adjacent to large screen.
He sighed.
Nearby the Voss officer stood beside tablet in hand.
"Public response is divided," she reported. "Military sectors are largely supportive with only some civil sectors being rowdy".
"As expected," Wein replied calmly.
"You will have to hold conference as soon as we arrive, my lord".
"It appears I won't be resting for a while. Let's get going" they left the room and went to the hall where reporters were waiting for them.
The hall was bright sterile and alive with cameras. After returning from the gather, the fleet hovered above the airspace of Velmora and many news agencies flocked to the Command ship for this.
Many journalists were presents, some from Voss aligned networks others independent and others from other territories. Because of the scale, many Troopers were deployed dwarfing the number of reporters.
There was unstopping chatter, while the podium was being set up.
When Wein stepped onto the podium, the murmur rose instantly, flashes burst accompanied with clicking sounds. Wein said nothing and took the flashes. He was dressed in similar formal attire.
As the chatter quieted down and silence followed, he began to speak.
"Citizen of the House Voss and Members of the great Empire, I offer my greetings to you".
His voice carried evenly across the hall.
"I stand before you as the new lord of House Voss. Elevated at the behest of my predecessor Lord Neilson Voss who has passed away".
He paused.
"I was granted this office thanks to Lord Neilson using his second request which solidified me, a common born as Baron of the Empire. My desire is to see through his last wishes for House Voss which was for it to prosper and I will do so".
Wein let the silence linger a moment longer as cameras zoomed closer.
Across Velmora, screens projected his image and the citizens watched eagerly. From the wealthiest in their mansions to the poor as bars and clubs.
"I am aware, " he continued evenly, "that you all just learned of Lord Neilson's passing just hours ago. Lord Neilson was the shield who guarded the system and made it into one revered throughout the galaxy. I promise to lead and govern in a way befitting what he would have wanted".
"Lord Neilson lost his successor through the war, I promise to ensure House Voss is in safe hands".
A reporter in the front called, raising his arms up.
"Lord Voss, what changes should the Salven system expect coming under your rule?"
"There will be no abrupt shifts" Wein replied. "I will pursue stability as a priority. However,"
A small pause.
"We will strengthen military action against the criminal syndicates that have grown in the meanwhile to increase civilian protections throughout the sectors".
He continued before interruption.
"House Voss had been deteriorating in the Baron's last months. Crime had been growing rampant and public safety falling. I will ensure that it returns to its prime as I have taken steps for this already."
…
/////////////////////////////////////
The broadcast replayed across every major network.
"…Information confirms Lord Wein served about four years in the Voss military…"
"…Records indicate strategic advancements during the latter half of his service…"
/////////////////////////////////////
The news anchors echoed in the background, inside the quiet halls of Neilson's former residence in the city Eclipseon. Wein stood alone near the tall window overlooking Eclipseon's skyline.
Despite the city being Victorian era, there were high buildings reaching the skies with architecture and art that would invoke feelings.
Wein held Vaelstine drew on his right hand and on the left the sheet. The broadcast of the news filled his ears but he could not concentrate on that. His mind was still plagued by the dinner with the other nobles.
During that dinner, he got a sense of who the most important Houses were like, Countess Wyren was a psychological threat and did not hold a favourable impression of him. Duke Serandra was an elitist and against him, only Marquess Draevan was someone he could see connecting with.
And the Emperor, he was definitely a future enemy. He was just forced to accept him and because of that force meant he and the emperor would never see eye to eye.
And to top it off, there were other Houses in the empire still wary of him. He had not been able to form alliances with anyone yet. For security of House Voss, he would have to change that, still nobles were unpredictable.
His psychic strength was still weak compared to the others. If a noble met him, he would be at a disadvantage. He had to change that, grow strong.
He recalled a conversation he had with John. During the gather while they were alone, they were discussing knight's abilities.
"Despite, the training you went through as a Trooper. In front of a powerful noble, your mental strength means nothing with that training" John had said calm.
"I can meditate to increase my divine psychic ability but that is not enough, is it?"
"My lord I'd advise you to increase your mental strength through combat. Most knights, if not all, are immune to noble's mental intrusion because we have reached a higher realm thanks to training mental strength."
"By forcing the mind and body to move together, quickly under strenuous pressure, you can increase mental strength in the shortest amount of time."
John gestured to Vaelstine on Wein's hand.
"There are many sword forms to learn from both as an attack and how to analyse to defend against. Archery demands timing calculation, breath control and the correct force needed to shoot."
He continued.
"All these cold weapons force you to use the mind and body together. Putting a strain on the mind and body so as to surpass ones limits. That is why throughout the galaxy, hot weapons are not as cheered as they should be".
Wein nodded in acknowledgement.
"In battle," John continued, " you make dozens of micro decisions every second. The distance, angle, intentions and rhythm. But when using hot weapons, you point and shoot. Sure, there are times where that places a mental strain on you, but mental growth independent from physical growth is where a block occurs."
"What weapon do you use Sir John?" Wein asked.
"I am proficient in swords but my main weapons are daggers".
"That is uncommon, I'd think the head of the knights order uses swords or spear or axe".
"Daggers are the most ideal, they require bravery to get close to the enemy and fast concurrent movement. But most of all, using daggers suited me far more than using a sword or any other weapon."
…
Wein returned to the present recalling what John had told him. He swung Vaelstine from left to right in a clean swoosh.
The sword felt clean in his hands. Wyren's words echoed faintly.
Else with weak mental strength, you would have been at our mercy…
His jaw tightened slightly as he moved from the window. He put the sword back in the shaft and handed it over to an attendant,
Without saying a word, he walked away through the mansion. There was silence in mansion, sure attendants were busy with work, cleaning and reformatting.
The thoughts plaguing his mind was how he would counter meeting another noble. Being born into nobility, they already had a leg up before him, Wein would have to be ready for those meetings.
Since he had just announced himself to the galaxy, requests for meetings were only a natural outcome. He needed these requests to come through, he needed to form alliances, form friendships and limit dangers that could come from being isolated.
But he was not ready for that yet. He was an open book, one he needed to close before long.