Chapter 1289 – Meeting & Many Machinations

Jake frowned as he looked around the room, questioning the current situation.

Is this really it?

After returning to Earth, he was quickly asked to attend a meeting in Haven to discuss the news of the system event. Jake had naturally gone as quickly as he could, and based on Miranda being the one requesting his presence, she had evidently also returned.

That, or she’d been back for a while already. Either way, perhaps her being there was why he fully expected to see most of the powerful figures on Earth there; however, not quite so.

“Thank you for coming, everyone,” Miranda said, regarding all those present, who didn’t really say much, at least not from Jake’s perspective.

So many people were missing, including Carmen, the Sword Saint, Casper, and Caleb, alongside every single monster, even Sylphie and the Forest King. He had fully expected them all to have returned with him, yet the fact that Miranda started the meeting before they were there said a lot.

At least Arnold had bothered to come. Most others were leaders of other minor forces in the galaxy as well as representatives of the major factions. Kindroth was naturally there, looking neutral and friendly, as always.

“I can see what a lot of you are thinking, so allow me to clarify something,” Miranda continued. “This system event is a bit different from usual, in that with everything announced so far, the result is already a foregone conclusion for the Milky Way Galaxy. Lord Thayne will claim the Seat of the Exalted Prima as the Chief Administrator, and everyone else who takes part in this competition will only do so as a failsafe in case something goes awry. Even then, the ownership will ultimately belong in the hands of the Malefic One’s Chosen.”

People around the room nodded, many of them looking towards Jake, who just sat there stoically, wearing his mask and looking intimidating as always.

“With that in mind, the noticeable absence of many you would expect to see here makes a lot more sense,” Miranda continued. “This meeting simply has no bearing on them, and taking part would likely end up being a waste of time, as they cannot win. At least not here, in this galaxy.”

Jake perked up a bit at that, as he suddenly realized what Miranda was getting at.

Is that an option?

“As per the system announcement, each Administrator Candidate is only able to compete for their own galaxy’s Seat of the Exalted Prima, and one cannot bring Administrator Candidates from other galaxies as allies… but notice something in the wording of the system. It very explicitly said current Administrators or Administrator Candidates,” Miranda said, making Jake nod as many others in the room also finally got it.

“Within moments, it was discovered that Administrator Candidates can renounce their candidature at will, allowing them to function as allies for other Administrator Candidates in the selection ten days from now, no matter what galaxy they originally belonged to. This is something many are now planning, including the majority of those noticeably absent today. At least that’s what those who’ve reached out have shared, with me just making an educated guess for the rest,” the Verdant Witch said, her gaze looking across the room.

“Is it believed that allies of Administrator Candidates can become Administrators themselves?” Kindroth spoke up and asked.

“No one knows,” Miranda shook her head. “But I bet a lot are banking on that being the case. If not, the plan is likely to just turn a current candidate into a puppet Chief Administrator.”

“Soul Contract sales have significantly spiked across the multiverse in the last hour,” Sultan, whom Jake hadn’t seen in quite a while, added. “Assumptions are that many Administrator Candidates will want to sign powerful allies, while powerful factions want Administrator Candidates in a relatively weak position to compete in signing what’s effectively powers of attorney.”

“As Sultan said, even if these allies cannot claim ownership themselves, these contracts will help. They can also help defend the weaker Administrator Candidates. It’s always a question what will happen should someone with an exclusive position die, and if the role can be inherited,” Miranda said with a light smile.

Jake nodded along, the situation more complicated than he initially assumed, but things made sense, and he could see why so many of those he’d expect to be there weren’t. Didn’t mean he wasn’t a bit offended that none of them had at least let him know, but he understood why they did as they did.

Knowing that the Milky Way Galaxy was pretty much already locked down by Jake, everyone started looking elsewhere, most of them with factions of their own to either work for or make use of.

So many earthlings were ahead of the curve, making them valuable allies in the conflict to come, so it was only natural that their factions wanted to take advantage. Especially considering what Miranda said next.

“Some do theorize that, based on current trends and experience from prior universe integration events, only natives of the ninety-third universe can become Administrators,” Miranda said. “Hence, bringing along powerful natives may serve as additional chances to compete for the title of Chief Administrator.”

People around the room nodded along as Jake wondered internally whether that was what the usual elites of Earth were gambling on doing. He also wondered where people had gone to compete, and with whom.

For people like Casper and Caleb, it wasn’t hard to figure out. They were part of major multiversal factions, so there were probably already spreadsheets and shit assigning people to where they needed to go, optimizing personnel. Carmen, too, as well as all the members from Earth who were now part of the Holy Church.

Vesperia was naturally operating as a member of the Endless Empire, but things got a bit trickier with some other people. Regarding the Sword Saint, Jake guessed that, despite Aeon not strictly having a faction, he still had followers. Same for Stormild and Sylphie.

When it came to Eron and the Dao Sect, Jake had no idea. In general, he knew borderline fuck-all about the Dao Sect and wouldn’t even waste brainpower trying to figure them out right now. He did have a sneaking suspicion that he would soon get far more acquainted with them, though.

Besides these people, there were some Jake had no idea about at all, though. Such as the Forest King. As far as Jake knew, the Unique Lifeform didn’t have any allies outside of Earth, so where had he gone? Was he just doing his own thing? Many questions for later.

“Are there any prevailing theories on what happens after all the Chief Administrators are selected?” Kindroth asked, already thinking ahead.

“Besides the overwhelming consensus that it will be a competition or fight of some kind between the many different Chief Administrators, effectively pitting galaxies against one another, no,” Miranda shook her head. “We also have no idea as to the nature of these upcoming tests, which is why sending Lord Thayne alone makes no sense. As an Administrator Candidate, I will personally take part in the event ten days from now, alongside others whom we’ll agree on as a group beforehand. There are quite a few Administrator Candidates in the galaxy, and from Earth, I assume that myself and Arnold will-“

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“I shall not take part,” Arnold raised a hand, motioning for her to stop. “In the most unfortunate of circumstances, I would refuse to take ownership of the Seat of the Exalted Prima.”

People looked confused at the scientist for a few moments, but Miranda just nodded, not commenting on it further. “Very well. Worst case, Kindroth is already an Administrator, and I doubt the event would end with no one being selected without leaving a method to still get a Chief Administrator.”

“Can C-grades take part in the Administrator Candidate test?” Jake asked, speaking up for the first time.

His reason for asking that was pretty simple… Miranda hadn’t actually evolved yet. She was one level off, from the looks of things, and he also wasn’t sure if the others he knew had managed to get their evolutions in yet. He reckoned most had, but Jake currently had no way of knowing.

“Nothing says otherwise,” Miranda shrugged. “The only thing we know is that Administrators need to use their Seals of the Exalted Prima to enter the Seat for the Chief Administrator event, at which point B-grade is a requirement.”