Chapter 400: Political Glimpse

Words : 1274 Updated : Oct 13th, 2025

Chapter 400: Political Glimpse But it probably really was, for when Kyle, the glorified deliveryman, returned with his mechanic’s idea, someone who had looked a little wilted suddenly came back to life. Princess Kira practically lit up because the suggestion wasn’t just good. It was brilliant. She almost didn’t believe it at first. It sounded like something the Orcs would never be offered, and for a moment, she worried that the humans wouldn’t be happy about it because it was like giving them something that could’ve been an advantage. But then Luca nodded and said, "That actually sounds great," which caused a short silence for the two orcs. Because there was no hesitation. No second thoughts. No dramatic pause. Just that simple, open approval. So their silence was kind, which made people wonder if reality had just shifted a little, and Kyle could understand. Because Luca could’ve had all the advantages, but he’s been sharing them with everyone, like that was the most normal thing in the universe. That’s why when Ada asked, he wasn’t too surprised. "Would the Empire even allow something like this?" Ada asked, still wary. "I mean... considering what this kind of facility could actually do?" The implications weren’t small after all. Xavier leaned back in his seat and exhaled. "It’ll be better to have Killian on this." Everyone turned to him. He rubbed his temples, already anticipating the chaos. "If we want this to pass without the Ministry tearing it apart later, we need him to review it. Spot the holes. Cover the cracks." "But why would they even question it?" Jax asked. He rarely dabbled in this part of things. That was his friends’ job. "Because they’ll wonder why we’re building one far away instead of prioritizing the capital," replied Kyle, who could already hear all those chirping mouths. "Oh." "So we have to present a compelling reason for picking the location over all the possible locations that could’ve gone first," continued the adjutant, explaining it to everyone who was curious. "We need co-dependency. Make it so that both sides need the partnership." Xavier then said as he thought about how this actually wouldn’t be a problem before going public with the complex. But after... That’s when the grubby hands of those particular beasts would start trying to get their hands on everything. However, before he could think of all the ways they could start trying to meddle with their business, Luca, who had been leaning slightly forward in thought, suddenly straightened in his seat. "Oh," he said, perking up. "What about the supply of raw materials?" All heads turned. Luca blinked innocently. "For one, we’re already sourcing electrocrystals from them. If we could negotiate a price for other materials, then maybe we could argue why they were going first." Eyes momentarily flashed as a Princess was trying to take stock of all the mines they owned that she could possibly remember, suddenly hoping that a few of those rocks would be useful! Xavier nodded. "If we word it right, it’ll help fend off future criticism. Make it look like this location is the first step, not the anomaly." Technically, they knew that Luca could create the facility using the Trove, but since it would really draw attention to them or look like they’ve been smuggling, they would have to source most of their parts legally. Kyle then tilted his head as he turned towards the princess. "Only question is... would the Orcs agree?" "And if you’re using this as your ticket to stay, "then you’ll have to be clever." Kira tilted her head, intrigued. "Argue that you’re staying for the knowledge of how to run the place. So show you’re capable of learning, by showing possibilities." "But don’t act like you know too much or your father might decide you’re ready to return." "I-I see," she muttered, realizing that, knowing her father, it was really possible she’d be dragged back if she already knew enough. "He’ll likely say it’s better to send experts," Xavier said from the side. "But this is a guild endeavor. A guild that, by academy rules, wouldn’t really be able to do that." Kira paused. And Ada was similarly surprised that it sounded so reasonable when you look at it that way. And really, the more she thought about it, the more plausible it’s becoming in the mind of the Princess who has already started envisioning the crops and the fish. She sat in stunned silence for a beat, then suddenly clapped her hands and let out a loud, unapologetic laugh. "You’re apparently smart," she said brightly. "It seems like you do deserve Luca!" Luca, who had been sipping his juice, choked, his face reddening in a beat. Xavier, on the other hand, was unfazed. He simply nodded once, as if he’d been praised for something mundane. "I’m going to the aquaponics complex," the Princess declared, springing to her feet. "No more just nibbling. I need to study the entire thing. If I’m going to be in charge of a dome, I’ll need to know more than how to water the carrots." And just like that, she marched off. The rest of the table stared after her, especially Jax, who wondered why there would be carrots on a farm with no soil. "Luca, can carrots be farmed in the aquaponics complex, too?" verified the redhead, who was suddenly curious about this. "Well, the book says it’s not impossible, but maybe we should find another way for root crops...after we’ve sorted out the bigger problems?" Like the possibility of all this getting approved because he didn’t want to disappoint the princess, who had been in better spirits after hearing a bit of good news. "Will this really be possible?" he asked, hopeful. Kyle sighed. "It’ll be hard," he admitted. "We’ll need to really convince Killian and everyone else that the Orcs have something unique to offer. Something that justifies building this facility." He didn’t say impossible. Just hard. That was already a win. "And we’ll have to frame all this as an endeavor of DG, so they can’t claim using Imperial allocations in exchange for taking over." "...Then what about just building one for the capital, too? Wouldn’t that help solve the problem? Or maybe here in Planet Nova, so the military could benefit?" Xavier’s lips curved. He was pleased because his little chipmunk was thinking like this. "That’s probably going to happen eventually," he admitted. "But for now, our answer will be simple: we’re doing this with our own effort. With our own resources. That’s why the guild’s been covering all costs." "Then, if it’s like that, we’d be safe?" Piped Jax, who was also trying to see where all of this was going. "Well, next they’ll question our ability to protect such a project. Then, likely offer protection and assistance since we’re young." Luca blinked, then sat up straighter because he didn’t like the sound of that. "It’s also why the Mylors are insistent about the success of this expo." Xavier pointed out why they really couldn’t ignore this one. "If we look weak," Xavier said, "we could lose custody of this." Luca wondered if the others knew of this, too, which was why everyone had been exerting extra effort. And they did, but more importantly, they were furious at the disrespect towards their House and their Young Lord. He gripped the edge of his seat, brows furrowed. "Alright," he said. "I’ll try to figure something out, too." And maybe they shouldn’t have let the overthinker know because no one prepares more than someone who thinks that doomsday is tomorrow.

Chapter 400: Political Glimpse

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