Chapter- 28 Hidden Function: Loyalty Imprint
10th March | Late Afternoon | Vantara Village
Vector stood quietly, his eyes narrowed slightly as he envisioned what this place could become. A hub of innovation… A forge of ideas. A sanctuary where alchemists, engineers, and scientists from his growing force could create technologies that the world had never seen. A training ground for a powerful army, hardened by countless simulations, gaining practical experience in both offense and defense.
He'd spent nearly an hour and a half inspecting the newly constructed Void Library. Each floor held its own marvel, a masterpiece of purpose and function. But a sudden thought struck him… "Did the Library as a whole have any functions?"
"System," Vector asked silently, "does the Void Library possess any additional, hidden functions beyond the ones described?"
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> [System Notification]
[Affirmative. In addition to the explicit functions on each floor, the Void Library has one hidden feature — Loyalty Imprint.]
[Any individual who frequently trains or studies within the Library will gradually develop a subconscious bond of loyalty toward the Host. This effect is subtle, irreversible, and undetectable by the affected individual.]
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Vector stopped mid-step, upon hearing the response. "Lo… loyalty? Loyalty Imprinting?"
The Library's hidden function left him stunned. His mind reeled, processing the implications. He knew that for any force, loyalty was the sole reason for their continued existence. Loyalty was why the Astrum family still stood; it was the glue that held lasting empires together. Loyalty built dynasties, held empires together, and won wars that strength alone could not. Power alone couldn't hold a nation. It was the trust between leader and soldier, between ruler and people, that built unbreakable walls. The fall of Novastra had proven this truth. A mighty empire brought low – not by external force, but by internal betrayal.
"And now… the Library possesses a hidden function that instills unwavering loyalty… without them even realizing it."
He wanted to confirm his speculation.
"System," he asked, his voice low, "you mean… without their knowing, they will become loyal to me?"
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> [System Notification]
[Confirmed. This function is a passive effect embedded into the Library by the Will of the Void. The longer individuals remain inside, the deeper their Loyalty Imprint becomes.]
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Vector fell silent.
He let out a slow breath. "So… just by spending time here… they'll stand with me when it matters most."
Then another thought struck him.
"System… is there any kind of loyalty indicator? A way to monitor how deeply someone has been imprinted?"
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> [System Notification]
[Apologies. No such function exists. Loyalty cannot be quantified through this Interface.]
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A quiet sigh escaped his lips. "Of course… how could you measure something as abstract as loyalty?"
He looked at the Crystal Orb at the center, the furniture and decoration of the 1st floor glowing in the light of Arcane Lamp. He murmured, "Everything that's happening feels surreal… And yet… it's real, all of it. And sometimes, I even find it hard to believe."
After snapping out of his thoughts, Vector decided to return to the village – and inform the others about the Library. But he couldn't reveal its true origin. He needed a believable explanation, one that grounded in reality and yet vague enough to conceal the truth.
Stepping out from the stone entrance of the Void Library, the wind shifted subtly around him, as if acknowledging the birth of something ancient and powerful. Behind him, the mountain loomed in quiet majesty. His footsteps were steady and purposeful as he descended the forested foothill where the hidden entrance lay.
He looked up at the sky, where golden rays filtered gently through the forest canopy. The light shimmered across the treetops, serene and distant – like the answers he sought.
"Did the Will of the Void choose me to build a force?" he murmured to himself, lost between thought and disbelief. "Naah… that's impossible. The Will isn't something that chooses. It's not something anyone can comprehend and understand."
He exhaled slowly, letting the weight of the question dissolve into the breeze. "Let's not think about it now," he said, more firmly. "In time, the truth will reveal itself – when I'm ready."
As he made his way back toward the village, his thoughts lingered on the Library. This wasn't just a building, it was a legacy, a tool not just for knowledge, but also for building unity. As his mind raced, he thought – the fall of Novastra wasn't just about strength. It was about loyalty – or the lack of it. If their authoritative figures, and even civilians hadn't defected... If the resistance hadn't scattered... If the Empire's agents hadn't found so many willing hands… But the answer to all those 'Ifs' was loyalty.
"Fidelity," Vector muttered. "It wasn't power we lacked. It was loyalty."
There had been betrayals – some for power, others for survival – but each one chipped away at the Novastra Empire until it collapsed. Even now, scattered factions still hesitated to trust one another. In the end, it wasn't the Lionheart Empire that broke them. It was themselves.
"But this time,..." he said quietly, voice hardening with resolve, "we'll build something that can show what unity and fidelity is…"
With his thoughts consolidated and with firm resolve to have a better future, Vector moved towards the village. The forest canopy rustled gently above, the late afternoon sun casting long beams of golden light that danced along his path. As he approached he saw the movement of villagers, patrolling guards – which made Vantara lively.
It made his resolve more firm, to protect the life who had believed and pledged to him.
━━━✧❂✧━━━
Meanwhile, in the underground dungeon, Sebastian, Arthur, Marcus, Tristan, Rhea, and Leo stood together, their expressions locked in disbelief.
They had just completed their interrogation of the traitor, Seran. And what he revealed had stunned them all. His shocking revelations painted a picture far more complex than they had imagined. According to Seran's statements, a mysterious third party was secretly aiding the Lionheart Empire from the shadows. And this hidden force appeared to be quite formidable having roots in all other empires on Ethereum.
Until now, they had believed this was simply a two-sided conflict. They never suspected that another party was manipulating events from behind the scenes and the reason for doing it – they wanted something from the Novastra Empire. The revelation was staggering that they didn't believe it at first but…
Suddenly, the door of the cell, the interrogation room, was opened. All heads turned toward the entrance. When they saw who had arrived, their tense expressions softened as they straightened and greeted him.
"Young Master."
Vector stepped inside and immediately noticed the stunned looks frozen on their faces.
He nodded at them, "What happened?" he asked, his voice steady. "Why do you all look like you've seen a ghost? Did you find something that is unbelievable?"
Rhea was the first to respond. "Young Master, if you knew the result of the interrogation – the information we have found then you'd be wearing the same expression."
After hearing from Rhea he also became serious and said, "what did you discover?"
Rhea and others looked at each other as if they were preparing to detonate an explosive piece of intelligence that would shatter everything they thought they knew.
Sebastian stepped forward and said, "Young Master let me tell you the information we have obtained."
Pointing toward Seran he said, "He revealed that there is another mysterious force that is helping the Lionheart Empire to capture the Novastra Empire."
Vector's brows furrowed. "Another force? Who?"
"We don't know the name," Sebastian admitted. "But he did know that they're the ones who gave firearms technology to the Lionheart. They probably want something from the Novastra Empire. That's why they are helping the Lionheart Empire to invade the Novastra Empire. That's why they also want to attack Vantara – create a fortress here – so that they occupy Redfield and capture the Novastra Empire in one fell swoop."
Vector was stunned, 'provided firearms technology? Want something from the Novastra Empire…'
'If they want something,' he thought grimly, 'then they didn't find it in Ashmont, Arya, Solara, or Elaris…'
The Lionheart Empire had conquered the Elaris 6 months ago and should be consolidating their strength there. But they were in a hurry to attack Vantara… unless they were desperate for something.
'Which meant the object of their desire was likely in Redfield?... Avalon?... or perhaps even Aurora?'
'If they can provide firearm technology to strengthen the Lionheart soldiers then they must have more powerful or more advanced technology.'
'No… I have to gather more knowledge about this mysterious force that was helping the Lionheart Empire in the dark.'
He recalled his earlier suspicions. How could the Lionheart Empire possess firearms technology when Ethereum had never focused on developing such weapons? The people of Ethereum focused on martial arts and body refinement – not industrial warfare. Their technological advancements were mostly in basic sciences, aimed at improving daily life or crafting traditional weapons. Firearms technology was an odd one out of all this.
Now the things were clear, the mysterious force had provided them with technology.
'But… How did the mysterious force have firearms technology? Did they have discovered some ancient building and discovered the technology from it?'
Vector knew that Ethereum's history was shrouded in mystery. From the previous System interaction he knew that Origin Energy was sealed within this planet, Ethereum.
Vector's gaze swept across the group. "We need to uncover this dark hand behind Lionheart," he said. "If they can provide them with firearms technology… who knows what else they're capable of?"
"Maybe they have more advanced technology in their hands."
The group nodded, their faces grim. The group had also speculated this after hearing Seran's information. And the scary thing was that they hadn't known about this force till now.
But among them, only Sebastian showed no surprise. Vector had noticed this previously too.
As a high level Body Refining expert Sebastian did know something that others don't know.
He turned to him. "Sebastian… Do you know something?"
Sebastian hesitated, then bowed his head slightly. "Young Master, I know that there is a mysterious force aiding the Lionheart Empire. But I didn't know much about them. The family elders only told me that there is a force that is helping the Lionheart Empire, and nothing more. The family may know about this force but didn't tell me about it."
"It's not that I had deliberately concealed this information from you. These are things which are only known to higher stage Body Refining experts."
"It's not your fault. Please don't feel guilty." Vector waved his hand seeing the apologetic expression of Sebastian, "It's probably the Elders at home, who don't want to let me know about it. Maybe they didn't think I was ready.""
He sighed. "And maybe I wasn't. Even If i knew about it I cannot solve it. I don't …"
Sebastian stepped forward, cutting him off, "Young Master, don't say that. You've reached 1st-stage Body Refining in just six months, and you're already stronger than most 2nd-stage practitioners. You will surely achieve the 2nd stage in less than 3 years with your talent and support from the family."
"So don't feel discouraged."
Vector gave a small smile but said nothing.
Arthur and Leo, on the other hand, stood frozen. Their minds reeled. Stronger than a 2nd-stage expert at just the 1st-stage? and his talent was so monstrous that he could enter the 2nd stage in 3 years.
(⊙＿⊙')?
'???' Marks formed on their expression. They were doubting their life.
Leo was told that he was also a rare talent – he reached the 1st stage after practicing 4 years and would reach the 2nd stage after practicing 10-15 years. Now he felt like a frog staring at the sky. Compared to Vector, his so-called "talent" was nothing. Compared to Vector he felt that he had no talent but that as if a normal person was competing with a supreme talent.
Marcus, Tristan, and Rhea exchanged amused glances. They had gone through the same shock not long ago. Watching Arthur and Leo's reactions was oddly satisfying.
Vector noticed their expressions and smirked inwardly. It was good to humble them once in a while.
"Alright," Vector broke the silence, shifting back to business. "I have something important to show you."
He planned to take them to the mountain base and explain about the Library… Showing is much better than explaining.
"Is there anything serious, Young Master?" Sebastian asked, his tone formal, yet filled with concern.
Vector's expression remained composed.
"Nothing Serious… but I have some happy news to share. Follow me – It is much easier to show than explain." he said simply, turning to lead the way.
"The rest can be explained once we reach our destination."
The others exchanged brief, curious glances, unsure of what awaited but trusting his lead without hesitation. Without another word, they fell into step behind him, leaving the prison building behind as they followed Vector – to the unknown location.
They didn't know it yet, but what awaited them would change everything.
[To be Continued…]