Chapter 329: The Anomalous Species
Everyone in the coordinate knew they could die.
It could be this cycle. It could be the next. It could be the very next
micro-second. No one formulated long-term projections. No one discussed the
"Future." Because statistically, the future didn't exist.
But now, this Vampire Myriad-Captain was informing them that as long as they
paid their tax, they could live in a state of "Safety." They wouldn't have to
concern themselves with Anomalies. They wouldn't have to exist in a state of
terminal anxiety.
The sensation was like a drowning unit suddenly grasping a high-buoyancy float.
It was the feeling of someone who had navigated the dark for decades finally
localizing a light source.
749 watched the weeping humans and felt a profound cognitive dissonance. He
simply could not parse their reaction.
In the Empire, paying tax in exchange for public service and security was a
logical baseline. Why were these humans experiencing such an emotional spike?
Did they lack even the most primitive security infrastructure before his
arrival?
749 realized he had likely under-calculated the level of decay in this Plane. He
drew a breath and continued the reading.
"Article 4: Educational Infrastructure."
"The Empire shall establish the Evernight Academy in every sector. We provide
free foundational education and instruction in Mana and Od-manipulation for all
juvenile units."
"The curriculum spans twelve cycles: Primary (6), Intermediate (3), and Advanced
(3)."
"Upon completion, elite units may petition for advanced studies within the
Evernight Empire proper."
The grandstands erupted again.
"FREE EDUCATION?!" "TWELVE CYCLES?!" "ACCESS TO THE EMPIRE?!"
A middle-aged man was shouting with incoherent joy. "My son... he can finally
learn! He's always wanted to study, but we didn't dare send him to a
schoolhouse!"
"Exactly!" another added. "My daughter is a high-tier talent, but we feared she
would be extracted by the Game on her way to class! Now? The Empire will guard
the route!"
749's expression grew more rigid. Foundational education and the protection of
offspring are standard biological maintenance. Why do they perceive this as a
'Grand Blessing'?
Was their world truly so broken that children were considered 'Consumables'?
"Article 5: Medical Logistics."
"The Empire shall establish Public Dispensaries in all sectors, providing
foundational medical services for all residents."
"Standard trauma and illness: Imperial Medical Fund subsidizes 70% of the tax.
The individual pays 30%."
"High-tier/Terminal conditions: Subsidized at 90%. The individual pays 10%."
"Residents categorized as 'Low-Income' may petition for total tax-exemption on
medical services."
The hall lost all semblance of control.
"SUBSIDIES?!" "NO OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS?!" "THE EMPIRE PAYS THE DOCTOR?!"
An elderly man collapsed to his knees, kowtowing toward the dais. "Thank you...
thank you, Sovereign of Evernight!"
"GLORY TO THE EMPIRE!"
More and more administrators followed suit. They wept, they shouted, they
offered sincere, religious gratitude.
749 stood at the lectern, his system nearing a total lock. He couldn't
understand.
These protocols were actually stricter than the laws in the Evernight. Because
this was a Vassal Plane, the Empire had included extra layers of oversight and
higher personal taxes for services. 749 had initially projected these "Strict
Rules" would trigger a human rebellion.
Instead... they perceived it as Heaven.
What manner of existence did they endure, he wondered, that basic public service
elicits a state of fanatical joy?
"SILENCE. ALL UNITS," 749 commanded.
The weeping and shouting died down.
"The manifest is incomplete." He flipped to the next page.
"Article 6: Residential Logistics." "The Empire will construct Public Housing
Sectors. Units will be sold or leased to low-income families at 50% below the
market baseline." "Un-housed individuals may apply for temporary stasis-housing,
free of charge, until they secure a labor contract."
The humans had run out of words. They stared at the Vampire with expressions of
total unreality. Is this a dream-cycle? Are we in an Instance?
749 finished the list.
"Article 7: Food Security." "Article 8: Environmental Protection." "Article 9:
Labor Dispute Arbitration." "Article 10: Social Security Protocols."
With every article, the emotional resonance of the crowd spiked. By the end, the
room was a sea of silent, streaming tears. 749 rolled the dossier shut.
"The preceding points constitute the core management logic for the Vassal
Plane." "The full documentation will be distributed to every city within
seventy-two hours." "Compliance is mandatory. Violation of these rules results
in disciplinary processing."
He paused. "Query: Are there further variables to address?"
A young man raised a hand. "Pardon the query... will these rules truly be
enforced? Or is this merely a 'Propaganda Protocol'?"
749 looked at him. "Imperial Law is never a suggestion. Every protocol will be
executed with 100% accuracy. Violators—Human or Undead—will be processed."
"I guarantee this on my status as an Imperial Myriad-Captain."
The young man's eyes brightened. "And... if an Undead unit bullies us? If they
try to process us?"
"File a report with the Punishment Legion," 749 said flatly. "An investigation
unit will be dispatched. If a violation is confirmed, the unit will be
apprehended and sentenced by the Imperial Judiciary. The results will be
broadcasted publicly."
The humans allowed themselves to finally believe. The Empire was serious. These
weren't lures. This was a structural shift.
"One final query," an Elder rasped, his voice trembling. "What is the cost? Why
are you providing these 'Blessings' for so little tax? It is statistically too
favorable to us. What is the hidden price?"
749 nodded. "The tax is as stated. The Empire requires only three variables from
you."
"One: Absolute compliance with Imperial Law." "Two: Accurate and timely payment
of taxes." "Three: Total obedience to Imperial Deployment and Management."
"Fulfill these, and you are Legal Subjects. You possess every right granted by
the Sovereign."
The Elder began to weep again. "Thank you... thank you..."
749 watched them, his heart-core feeling a strange, unfamiliar weight.
"This session is terminated." 749 gathered his files. "Return to your sectors.
Broadcast the decree to your people. In three days, the administrative shift
begins. Let us build a more 'Robust' future together."
"YES, SIR!"
The roar was unified, carrying a volume of will he had never sensed from a
human. 749 stepped down from the dais and headed for the exit. Just then, the
young female mayor intercepted him.
"Wait! Please!"
749 stopped. "Is there an unresolved variable?"
The mayor took a sharp breath. "I must ask... Why? Why spend this much Od to
protect us? Why integrate us as equals? Are we... truly worth the investment?"
749 was silent for three seconds.
"Worth is a human metric," he said. "The Sovereign stated that all subjects
beneath his Shadow are to be protected. It is the Empire's responsibility. It is
a soldier's glory."
"Humans, Elves, Orcs—you are all part of the Design now. The Empire does not
discriminate based on biological origins."
"That is the Iron Law of the Evernight."
The mayor bowed her head, her tears hitting the floor. "Thank you... thank you
for the Shadow."
749 nodded and departed. Once he cleared the hall, he initiated a link with
Skele-Greed.
[General. Preliminary contact finalized.] [The human reaction is... anomalous.]
[Anomalous? Elaborate,] Greed's voice responded.
[They displayed an extreme level of gratitude for basic management protocols. I
projected resistance; instead, I received fanatical worship.]
[I must ask: What manner of hell was this world before we annexed it?]
Greed was silent for several heartbeats.
[Maintain the schedule, 749. If they wish to be loyal subjects, provide them
with a world worth being loyal to.]
[As commanded.]
749 terminated the link and looked up at the sky.
Soon, the banners of the Evernight would fly from every spire. These
humans—these survivors—would finally be permitted to stop being prey.
They would finally be permitted to just... live.
☆☆☆
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