Building My SSS-Rank Universal Empire: From Trash to Cosmic Overlord-Chapter 19: The Barrens

"The Barrens is made up of different layers, five of them. The layers represent the level of dangers you can encounter the closer you get to the Rift itself. The first layer here is still manageable because the Squire teams can handle the monsters and ruins.

"But the farther you go, the more dangerous and powerful the monsters become, so only higher-ranked teams can handle it. The fifth layer is where the main battle is going on and where the Flagbearers have their elite forces."

"So, who looks after each layer since the Flagbearers aren’t there?" I asked.

"Each flag looks after itself. The strongest in each layer takes command of that layer, but the other flag teams won’t necessarily listen to them unless it’s something that affects the whole layer."

I frowned. "That’s a lot of complications. Why don’t they set up a simple chain of command? It’d be a lot easier that way."

Tiber snorted. "Won’t work. This is not the army, Vale. The nature of this place is that strength rules. And besides, most of the people fighting aren’t the personal forces of the Flagbearers."

I was only getting more confused. I flexed my shoulders and slammed my pickaxe down again. "What do you mean?"

Slya took over. "Let’s take it from the beginning. Teams are formed by individuals, and then they sign a form of contract with the Flagbearer of their choice. But once they do, they’re bound by it. Most of the teams here are mercenaries, outlaws, and bandits who come together and form teams.

"Even criminals sent over by the Clans are given the same grace, though they can’t leave the Borderlands. But all this is for those who are Squire rank and above."

I nodded. "So I can form a team?"

Tiber stared at me steadily. "You can, but I’d advise you to know your strength first. There’s always fierce competition among the teams. You’ll only be used as cannon fodder otherwise. Why do you think the overseers and even Taiwo aren’t out there fighting monsters and clearing ruins?

"It’s because they’re not strong enough," he sighed. "Everything here is about power."

I digested that quietly. So I must also form a team if I want to know what the Borderlands have to offer. But for now, I should take the advice seriously and build my strength.

"If the overseers are Squires, even weak ones, how does this Kade have any influence at all?" I asked.

Tiber and Slya shifted, almost nervously. I caught it and stopped swinging to focus on them. It seemed the real worth of my deal was here. "Well?" I pressed.

Finally, Tiber sighed and said, "It’s not Kade they’re afraid of, it’s what he represents. Kade’s little gang is also affiliated with Nyxori."

Tiber paused, and I blinked. "Am I supposed to know that?"

Slya pressed her lips together and shook her head. "They’re Knights, but... not part of the Knight Assembly."

It felt as if something had smacked me on the head. "What?"

Tiber and Slya just gave me a look, part amused and part surprised.

"But every Knight belongs to the Knight Assembly," I said.

Tiber sighed. "The Knight Assembly is just a political organization. It’s the biggest organization for Knights, but it isn’t the only one. Although most of the other organizations operate in the dark because they aren’t generally accepted by the Clans."

My head echoed. There are other... organizations out there? Then... then... there must be one that accepts forbidden marks! The Knight Assembly are the ones who make rules against forbidden marks, but what if others accept them?

I found it hard to breathe. "Then this Nyxori... they’re also an organization?"

"Yes, but they’re only made up of the Mystic Orders. Really, they focus on alchemy. They can even be said to be an organization of alchemists."

"Oh." I tried not to let my disappointment show.

"Yes. Apart from the Knight Assembly, there aren’t many organizations that bring the different orders together like that. Most only focus on a particular Order or aspect of the Order."

I nodded. That made a lot of sense. "How does this Nyxori fit into all of this?"

"They’re allied with the Flagbearers, so they make potions and pills in exchange for raw materials. Although the Nyxori here is only a branch, they are still powerful, and no one wants to cross them easily."

"Why would an organization like that support Kade?"

"Because he oversees their illegal operations here in the mine. He makes sure the smuggled starsalt reaches them."

I stared at them, too stunned to immediately say anything. "Of course."

Tiber shrugged. "Starsalt is like fuel. They’ll provide food and other things for you if you work for them. And if you participate in their big operation? Then you might even get a construct."

Their eyes seemed to gleam as they said that.

I sighed. It seemed there was a lot I didn’t know. "What is a construct? And are you guys part of Kade’s gang? Is that why you’re so healthy?"

Slya snorted. "We’re not. That guy uses his gang members to bully workers into providing extra starsalt. No, we work directly with Nyxori. And that’s why you’ll see a lot of us who don’t look like we’ll fall over."

"Yes," I murmured. There was a lot going on here that I truly didn’t know—a lot about the world I lived in. Maybe the Borderlands won’t be so bad after all. "So, what big operation are you talking about?"

Tiber and Slya shook their heads. "We can’t say unless you join them. They’re pretty vicious to those who leak information. But you should join them. It’ll be better that way, so Kade won’t come after you."

"Ah, yes! You said something like that before. But why would Kade come after me? No, why should I be afraid of him? I’m a Squire."

Slya grimaced. "Apart from the fact that he’s a valued part of Nyxori? Well, he’s a Squire-ranked construct user."