The Top Excursion Zone E1Z1 was the absolute border of the Empire. After leaving it, one would enter a lawless space without any owner. This last piece of civilized space was the destination of Swain. In truth, the Excursion Zone wasn't part of the Empire, but an autonomous zone that wasn't supported actively by the Imperial High Command and the Central Government. However, the Empire and the Emperor paid a lot of attention to these autonomous zones for the resources and untapped potential.
Because of this Swain couldn't understand why was the Cultivation Union left to do however they liked. Just alone in the Top Excursion Zone E1Z1, there were 92 billion active inhabitants and more than a hundred habitable planets. Yes, comparing it to the bigger zones of the Empire, it wasn't anything notable. Yet the three sects that probably were the subordinates of the Steadfast Alliance, exploited every notable resource of it.
The Lesser Sword Sect controlled a planet that had rich deposits of valuable minerals, such as high purity mithril. The Grand Saber Sect had claimed a star system with four habitable planets theirs. And the Odd Art Sect had dominated the biggest agricultural world in the Zone. Each of them was an essential piece for the development of the Zone.
As governor, Swain had to control the essential resources and decide where to employ them. If he left those places in the hands of those sects, then he wouldn't really control the Zone as he would need to seek approval of those sects. And if he used the brute strength of his newly commanded troops, the Cultivation Union would have a really good pretence to send stronger cultivators to remove him from his position. The core of the Empire and Swain's allies were far away from the Top Excursion Zone.
"Governor de Peck, I am sorry to interrupt your musings but we have entered the Top Excursion Zone E1Z1." said the ship. "And a message arrived from the Capitolium as soon as we entered the Zone."
"What did it contain? Maybe more data from the Intelligence Agency of the Interior?" asked Swain.
"I couldn't open it as an Imperial Seal has been placed on by the Highest of Scribes."
Swain froze for a second than utmost confusion appeared on his face. The Imperial Seal was a double concept. The first meaning of it was a wax seal personally created by the Emperor and sealed by the heraldry of the Emperor. The second meaning of it was an encryption mode, which even the most advanced AIs couldn't break. As this was a digital message, it would be the second, but if it was that Imperial Seal, then Swain shouldn't be able to read through the encryption.
"Display it. Let me see it." ordered Swain with a hoarse voice.
A big amount of unreadable gibberish appeared before Swain in the air. However, before Swain could even attempt to read it, the characters began to change at a rapid pace. The words of gibberish started to change the formal language of the Empire, ne-latin. Soon, the message turned into a readable script.
"Did you do this?" asked Swain from the Computer.
"No. The code of this message changed by itself and I didn't notice any order. It's a complete mystery."
Swain lightly nodded then turned towards the text. However, as he read the first line, he dropped to his knees. A small gasp of pain escaped Swain's lips as his right knee touched the ground. He clenched his teeth and bowed his head before the floating text.
"Ship, read it out!" commanded Swain.
"It goes: 'This is an Imperial Edict scribed by the Highest of Scribes by the command of our most glorious Emperor for Swain de Peck, the former Investigator of the Institution of Order and Investigation, and the Governor of the Top Excursion Zone E1Z1. The Emperor commands you to take over the territory of the Zone and create new mines and resource processing facilities. Furthermore, the Emperor grants you the right to construct a shipyard that is allowed to make D rank ships. The Emperors also cautions you to not start a conflict with the Cultivation Union, but make them the instigators. Glory to the Emperor!"
"Glory to the Emperor!" shouted Swain after the ship.
"Besides this text, the data we received also contains the design for a factory complex and several blueprints of smaller D rank vessels. Furthermore, a sequence of code that will grant you the right to command the forces of the Empire inside the Top Excursion Zone E1Z1."
"When will we arrive at the Zone? Now I have work to do as the Emperor commanded me." asked Swain.
"We will arrive at the Governor's Seat, the command station of the E1Z1 Zone, at little more than a half of a standard hour."
"Then as soon as we arrive, you will hail all Imperial forces inside the Zone and command them to gather at the Governor's Seat for a report. Also, inform the four representatives of the Institutions to report to me. And if there is a missionary ship, I want to speak with their chaplain too."
"I understand."
"Also ask the representatives of the three sects to meet me. And after power down and fill all energy storages."
"I understand."
Swain turned back to the reports of the Intelligence Agency of the Interior. The three sects which de facto controlled the Zone weren't that strong. The Imperial forces could overwhelm them even if the three sects fought side by side, but the commander was somebody who was forced to lead a Punitive Regiment. The commander was probably somebody who experienced regional politics and could understand the bigger picture. The forces of the 46th Punitive Regiment and their supporting naval elements weren't even enough for a bite to the Three Steadfast Sect which supported these three sects of the Zone in the open and behind the screens.
Yes, the Empire would probably punish the Cultivation Union for the destruction of the Top Excursion Zone's forces, but to the commander, who was punished to be here, this trade of forces wasn't worth it at all. If the Emperor or the High Command of the Empire commanded him, the commander would definitely commit suicide this way, but, as Swain read, the only command of the forces inside the Zone was to maintain the peace and the developed status quo.
The four representatives of the four Institutions hadn't reported anything in the last two standard years, so Swain was comforted by the stillness of the Zone. However, he was still concerned. The representative of the Institution of Order and Investigation didn't report any investigation, nor did the representative of the Institution of Judgement and Punishment carry out any hearings. And from experience, Swain knew that the Adepts of the Institution of Innovation of Technology always wanted more resources, but not even one request arrived from the E1Z1 Zone.
Swain was maybe paranoid, but if something really did happen to the representatives, then hell would descend to the Top Region of the Empire. The four Institutions carried out the most important roles inside the daily life of the Empire, and even a small strike from within the Institutions could cripple the Empire's judicial, technological, peacekeeping and educational wings. Of course, they would quiet down if the Emperor commanded so, but the Cultivation Union was only a stubborn vassal, which was a thorn in the Emperor's side.
Swain dropped the reports on the table next to him and laid back into his luxurious chair while massaging his brow. Institutions were monstrous forces compared to the Cultivation Union, but a thousand and one other forces could further their agenda while they were occupied by the barbaric sects of the Union. Swain wasn't a member of the Institutions anymore, but he didn't want to see them become less strong as he originated from there.