A mage sat in a small office, pouring over a scroll. He had brown skin, golden hair, and slightly pointed ears hinting at a non-human heritage. This was Faustus Petronius Acacius, a theoretical expert and lecturer on the summoning arts.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Faustus glanced at his schedule but it did not appear he had forgotten anything, so this was unexpected.

“Come in.”

Faustus blinked. Apprentice Callisunus led an armored soldier of some kind into the room, not someone Faustus anyone had seen before.

“Ah, Nonus, my boy, come in come in. May I ask who your companion is?”

“Thank you, Mage Faustus. This is NSLICE-00P, a visiting Amiciti Populi Elteni. She had some questions for you if you don’t mind.”

Faustus made a sympathetic smile towards Apprentice Callisunus. No mage liked to entertain political guests, but Apprentice Callisunus drew the short stick more often than naught. Something Faustus was familiar with, his Sun Elf parentage was somewhat controversial in this part of the Empire. He supposed it didn’t help that he was the presiding expert on summoning and the Realms of Mana, it made it all too easy for others to imagine him as some crazy cultist.

He shook his head before his mind wandered too far and turned his attention to the guest. Political necessities aside, he appreciated inquisitive minds and would do his best to satisfy her curiosity. Though, he generally knew what kind of questions a visitor would ask someone like him. High-ranking officials always imagined armies of summoned beings, or beautiful servants from beyond attending to their every need, or drawing endless mana from the Source to become invincible sorcerers.

“Hello, Miss NSLICE-00P. I am Senior Mage Faustus Petronius Acacius.”

“Greetings: This unit is designated NSLICE-00P. It is nice to meet you.”

Faustus could not help but smile. It was not often for someone to greet him without hesitation.

“Nice to meet you too. Now, how may I assist you today?”

“Query: Does Senior Mage Faustus Petronius Acacius possess any data regarding different universes and the means to contact them?”

Faustus blinked. That…was not the question he was expecting.

“Different universes, you say? Do you mean the Realms of Mana?”

“Negative. Clarification: A second universe similar to the surrounding one. Specific Parameters would include a 99.99% reduction in the concentration of mana, as well as the following physical properties…”

Faustus rubbed his chin as NSLICE-00P listed a bunch of numbers he didn’t understand.

“So you mean…a second Material Plane? But separate from the first? And one where mana barely exists?”

“Affirmative.”

Faustus’s eyes widened.

“Fascinating…”

He stood up and paced around his office for a bit, with his hand on his chin, muttering to himself. After a bit, he sat back down.

“I can’t say I’ve ever heard of a second Material Plane, so I do not know anything specific. And the idea of a mana-less world…well that has largely belonged in the realm of fiction beyond a few thought experiments. But, there have been at least a few proposals regarding new worlds. Nonus my boy, could you fetch us Ithruidh’s A Peek Into the Void? Somewhat difficult to parse, that one, but if I recall correctly there was a passage that may be relevant.”

Faustus spent quite some time speaking with NSLICE-00P, investigating as many leads as he could think of at present. Unlike his fears, NSLICE-00P was practical and inquisitive. She did not waste time with grandstanding or arrogance, but simply asked her questions directly and accepted his answers without bluster. He quite enjoyed the time, and the problem she had posed for him.

A second, mana-less Material Plane. Most mages would have dismissed such things as fantasy, but Faustus knew how strange reality could get outside of the boundaries of the world. And NSLICE-00P described this hypothetical plane in exacting detail, down to the biology of the creatures that had to survive without mana. It was as if she had been to such a place herself, and recorded everything with immaculate precision. It created such a vibrant and internally consistent picture that Faustus found himself believing that such a place could actually exist.

And should he actually discover proof of such a thing, it would be a revolution. Other worlds outside of either the watch of the Aesdes or the Realms of Mana? Worlds with different properties down to the most fundamental forces of reality?

It was certainly worth a look, at the very least.

He would have to keep looking, however, as he had no answer himself or in the materials he could recall. Eventually, Princess Caecila herself came to fetch NSLICE-00P, and she departed for the night. But Faustus promised to continue his own investigation, and to consult with some of his peers.

So, he took out a letter, and began to write. He had an anonymous correspondent he exchanged regular letters with on various theoretical subjects. He had never met them before, but their insights into his field could not be matched. If anyone might have a hint regarding this puzzle, it would be them…Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

Consul Gallus Albanius Noxisius sat upon the small throne in his villa’s reception hall. The hall was decorated with artwork from the early Empire, even a piece or two from Elteno’s city-state days when it was ruled by the Senate. Men and women in togas and stolas stood around the hall.

“An outsider, granted an audience with the Empire and access to our secrets? Two frontiersfolk elevated to Patrician? This is an outrage! Is Lucius mad? What is the man thinking?!”

“What he’s thinking is that this person is clearly very powerful, and he wants her for himself.”

The original speaker scoffed.

“I doubt that. Her feats are clearly exaggerated! If the ‘dreaded’ Sun Elves can’t take on a Legion, how could this person we’ve never heard of? I say, it is a poorly conceived play by Consul Hiberius to retrieve that disgrace of a daughter from the frontier, only the Aesdes knows why he would bother.”

The responder’s eyes narrowed.

“Hold your tongue, you go too far, Tertius. Consul Hiberius has long been a distinguished member of Elteni society, from an old and honorable line, who has guided the Northern Court for many years. The misadventures of his progeny aside, it would not do to slander his name.”

Tertius waved around.

“And where is the distinguished and honorable Consul now? He has all but abandoned the job to Consul Noxisius, and let the Empire fall to ruin over his personal grudge! And now he opens the gates to a foreigner! His judgment is clouded, as is the Emperor’s. Consul Noxisius, something must be done!”

All eyes turned to the Consul, who rubbed his chin and nodded.

“This move by the Emperor is unexpected, and an alarming breach of decorum, but let us consider the facts. NSLICE-00P is an Amiciti Populi Elteni who the Emperor claims we owe a debt, and the two Turannians are now Imperial Inquistors, the first Emperor Lucius has ever appointed. Whoever they are, and whether their abilities are exaggerated or not, it is clear the Emperor considers them important, and is staking his future upon them. That is something we must take into consideration.”

Everyone fell silent. The responder asked a question.

“Then, what should we do, Consul?”

Consul Noxisius thought for a moment longer.

“It is only natural that the barbarian and the frontiersman should come to the Empire. Who would not wish to partake in our culture and might? The Empire has integrated more than one savage tribe into our ranks. These people may have the Emperor’s ear, but they do not know how things are done here. We should welcome them in, and give them proper tutelage on our ways. We will not hold their ignorance against them, but guide them as a good Elteni should. Such is the way of the Empire.”

An armored Legionnaire stepped into the office of Magister Militum Septimus Vipstanus Verrucosis. The office was decorated with all sorts of trophies, mounted skulls from deadly monsters, the personal weapons of barbarian chiefs, and medals bestowed by the Emperor himself. And at a desk at the end of the office sat the Magister himself.

A plump man pushing his armor to the limit, and chewing on a plate of sausages and cheese.

Magister Verrucosis had a long and distinguished career…despite the fact that the Legionnaire couldn’t actually recall seeing him at several of the battles he claimed to have participated in.

But the officer knew his place, and it was not to question his superiors save for decisions with dire consequences. And he knew that whatever the case, Magister Verrucosis loved the Legion, and would fight on its behalf in the battlefield soldiers could never enter.

The officer saluted and stood at attention.

“Magister Peditum Decius Considius Ausonius, ready to report, sir.”

Magister Verrucosis put aside his meal and wiped his mouth before sitting up straight.

“What is the news, Magister Peditum?”

“Reports have come in from Legate Dubitatius of the Velusitum limitanei and Legate Seneca of the Legio Utrad XIII. The rumors are, for all intents and purposes, true. NSLICE-00P, Amiciti Populi Elteni and Queen of the Dobhar, was personally responsible for Caelinus’s defeat.”

Magister Verrucosis frowned.

“We’re trusting the word of traitors here?”

Magister Ausonius nodded.

“Legate Dubitatius never officially joined the rebellion, though I believe that is more because it never arrived at his city. Legate Seneca, for her part, remained defending the border, and turned herself in once the rebellion had concluded. After cross-referencing with testimonies from eyewitnesses among the rank and file and captured rebels, I believe their reports are credible.”

Magister Verrucosis sighed, then slammed his fist on his desk.

“Hang that woman then! This was our moment to show the power of our Imperial Legions, and bring that traitor Caelinus to justice! How dare she take that from us?”

Magister Ausonius waited patiently as Magister Verrucosis cursed for a bit.

“Magister Ausonius, I want you to find out what she can do, and draw up plans to bring her down. She is clearly a serious threat to the Empire, and I want us ready to handle it.”

Magister Ausonius saluted.

“Yes sir. May I offer a suggestion?”

Magister Verrucosis raised an eyebrow.

“What is it?”

“This NSLICE-00P has displayed loyalty to the Empire even as just a friend, more loyalty than some of our own I’m ashamed to admit. I imagine she might be amenable to cooperation, and the Legion could benefit significantly from her assistance. In the worst case, if we learn what she did in Utrad from the source itself, we could determine what Caelinus did wrong and adjust our own strategy.”

Magister Verrucosis frowned, but rubbed his chin. Eventually, he started to nod…and grin.

“Yes, I could see that. If she were willing to fall under my command, she could be a powerful asset. Very well, Magister Ausonius, I grant you leave to handle this matter as you best see fit. If she is willing to acknowledge our authority and fall in line, then secure her cooperation. If not, then prepare to deal with her.”

Magister Ausonius saluted once again.

“As you command, sir.”

A banquet hall was filled to the brim. People of all shapes, sizes, and species mingled around while musicians played an upbeat tune. A table was filled to the brim with all manner of exotic dishes, and servants kept up a constant flow of wine. A handsome man lounged on a couch at the edge of the room, sipping from his cup as he held a woman close.

A merchant stood before him, holding a piece of jewelry for the man to see. Aedile Lar Paesentius Hortensus frowned and nodded as the man spoke, before breaking out into a wide smile.

“I believe we have a deal. You drive a hard bargain.”

The merchant smiled and Aedile Hortensus shook his hand. The merchant then returned to the party. Aedile Hortensus then whispered to the woman by his side.

“The price is exorbitant, but the craftsmanship is the real deal. I want his supplier.”

She giggled.

“It shall be done. By the way, how do you feel about our new friend?”

Aedile Hortensus smiled and greeted the next guest before whispering back.

“Continue the investigation, but don’t make any moves yet.”

She smiled at their next guest as she replied.

“Is that wise? If we wait she might have prior engagements?”

Aedile Hortensus took a sip of his cup.

“Oh, I’m counting on it. This one has come from afar it appears, I imagine she has her own way of doing things. I have a feeling it would not do to be hasty. Let us observe what happens to those who are…”

“As you wish.”