Gideon traveled far and wide while following the traces left by the evil god that dared to target Earth. On his 12th month of travel, he came across a solar system that was entirely confined inside a ring of technological structures. It was obviously metallic constructs that connected the solar system together in multiple rings that made it look like a chain all the way to its central yellow Sun.
Gideon spread his divine sense towards the solar system to 'feel' for its inhabitants. Only to find that everything inside were carbon-based creatures much like humans but with different structures.
Gideon was still outside the solar system so he could only observe. Wanting to establish a connection with this 'neighbor', Gideon entered its area of influence and was surprised by what he encountered.
[You have entered the Kariktyon Principality's territory. Please identify yourself. Are you friend or foe?]
"Friend."
Gideon had no problem understanding the language and spoke it as soon as he heard it.
[Friend, confirmed.]
[Please stand-by.]
After a few minutes of waiting, he received another notification.
[Please grant permission to implant Signal SG-247365.]
"Granted." His body would reject imperfection, so Gideon confidently accepted. In the end, the signal was implanted and he remained himself so he shrugged his shoulders and moved forward.
[You have been granted access only to the basic services available on Kariktyon Principality. These include, food, lodging, entertainment and tourist spots. If you wish to extend your stay you will have to apply for it and the next time would be for a price. Thank you for your visit and understanding.]
"What an advanced technological civilization!" Just when Gideon was admiring.
{Gained Basic Services Access to Kariktyon Principality's Central Control Hub}
{Ten Orders of Magnitude in Gains Activated}
{Gained Highest Control Access below the Supreme Intelligence to Kariktyon Principality's Central Control Hub}
[Welcome back, prince!]
With surprise, Gideon flew towards one of the rings that connected each planet and entered it as the rings accepted him. It was convenient for Gideon since he was served by robots instead of those carbon-based creatures.
He was served and accommodated like a prince by the robots and the voice that he hears in his head. As soon as he landed, all necessary arrangements were already set up. Lodging in the most luxurious hotels, food that looked weird for an Earthling but tasted divine was served to him, relaxing services was offered as well.
"Phew! This is the life!"
Gideon enjoyed his stay for a night to rest after he ordered to not be disturbed by anyone as he rested. And true to his orders, none bothered him unless he called for their service.
At night, when everything felt tranquil, Gideon ordered for information regarding anything and everything that could be gathered using his access.
Gideon learned many things. Summarizing its content and compartmentalizing important details from unimportant ones there were three things to remember.
One, this entire Planetary System is called Kariktyon Principality. And it seems that as its name suggests, it is governed by princes. That which Gideon had also become through his unreasonable ability. He had gained access of the highest order in the principality becoming one of the princes.
Second, the Supreme Intelligence was in fact the amalgamation of coconsciousness that made up the 'Divine Council' of the principality similar to the Divine Realm of Earth. There are no gods, only the god called Supreme Intelligence which controls every aspect of development, destruction, era, and all other crucial settings to prosper the principality.
Third, as a prince-in-title, Gideon was entitled to all rights and benefits granted to real princes and even more. As the one second only to the Supreme Intelligence, Gideon served as a second in command, or the Supreme Intelligence's arms and feet.
Things like politics and such were of no value to the Supreme Intelligence as its business was the prosperity and posterity of the principality. In this case, it was also Gideon's responsibility to repopulate the principality. To do this, there were numerous ways. To procreate naturally, to donate sperm, or to give away DNA to be cloned and modified.
And the most crucial information was that Gideon, as the Supreme Intelligence's right hand, could not defy it unless the reason is valid.
Cold sweat trickled down Gideon's forehead. Because just now, after all information was downloaded to his mind, he was given a task by the Supreme Intelligence.
[There are vermin, pirates, that dirty our Principality's air space. Eliminate or capture them. Pirate Fleet 2/2.]
"Eh? Am I being worked right now?" Gideon was a bit frustrated, but he was also interested. After all, once the Supreme Intelligence acknowledged his existence officially, a connection with Earth would be established through him as well.
Gideon left his hotel suite and flew towards the coordinates given by the Supreme Intelligence.
A few minutes later, Gideon masked his approach and scanned the air space. He saw a fleet of pirate ships?
They were all in the shape of, undoubtedly, Gideon was not wrong in seeing, sea vessels. They were literal ships fit for the sea.
Gideon's mouth was stuck agape as he tried to process this stupidly unrealistic turn of events. The pirates themselves looked like ordinary human nobles wearing suits and dresses. Like proper gentlemen and ladies!
"What the… hell?"
However, Gideon's doubt lasted only for a few minutes as he observed that inside each vessel were living beings worked like slaves. And then there were living beings that were also used like playthings. The gentleman and lady-like pirates were merrymaking like nothing mattered to them but themselves.
"Sigh. Don't judge a book by its cover indeed." Gideon decided to just capture them and observe how the Supreme Intelligence would handle them. After all, he had to know what he was also dealing with.
With a single snap of his finger, is will as enacted through his Origin Qi and manifested as instant knock-out agents to all the passengers including slaves and even the engines.
"Supreme Intelligence, capture target acquired. Dispatch collection units."
[Acknowledged, prince. This shall be added to your credit.]
"Much obliged."
Gideon immediately returned to the suite without alerting anyone to his appearance inside his room.
There, he slept and continued to mull over the information he downloaded as his body slept and his mind worked.
Soon as he woke up, he was yet again given a mission by the Supreme Intelligence.
[Attend the gathering at Kiryon Hall to be presented to the entire Principality. All 2 trillion citizens must know the face of their highest prince.]
"Acknowledged."
Gideon couldn't help but agree. One of the reasons was to observe the social structure of Kariktyon and two, he wanted to enjoy the benefits of entering Kariktyon's high society.
At the appointed time, Gideon arrived and the Supreme Intelligence announced his illegibility to join the selection.
Gideon purposefully sealed his cultivation to only be at Transcendence Realm to match the level of strength that the princes of the Principality had. In fact, the princes had strength equivalent to Transcendence Realm cultivators physically. They were rather slim and fit as per their physique. Those below them would be what the Principality called Karkikon. These Karkikon are the knight equivalent of Kariktyon. They were protectors of the principality and its interests. This meant that Karkikon were required to have strength at the minimum equivalent of Core Formation with the strongest and its leader being at the same realm equivalent of the princes.
The soldiers were also required to have strength at Body Tempering to have a commanding role in the army.
Over all, the strength of the entire Principality was exponentially bigger than that of Earth's. In comparison, it was like an elephant and an ant.
The days passed and the gathering at Kiryon Hall arrived. Gideon was dressed well according to Kariktyon's customs. He was also donning a special emblem representing one of the princes. His emblem though, was that of a prince that was only under the Supreme Intelligence's authority.
At the Hall, one of the Karkikon announced his entry.
"Gi-deon, First Prince of the Principality enters!"
Gideon had a slight problem with his name being announced wrong, but it was negligent. He entered with a stride. Soon, he saw the Kariktyon's citizens as they did him once-overs before losing interest in him.
Because of the genetic transformation brought by the desire to have more power, the Kariktyon citizens who wished to have a body that can weather the cosmic storms they regularly faced, they now looked like strange creatures from their originally human-like resemblance.
Through generations, the genetic make up was fully replaced and the overall strength of Kariktyon skyrocketed, but their beauty standards plummeted.
Gideon knew this from the information fed to him by the Supreme Intelligence after his inquiry. He even gained knowledge of scientifically enhancing the body through cellular, molecular, and then genetic modifications. Through the Supreme Intelligence, he was also able to learn about the current direction of development that the principality was going for, atomic modification using such advanced technologies.
As the party progressed, the time for the other princes to appear also arrived. Gideon was an early arrival and was welcomed already, however, he was without a faction. His power and influence was unknown to the citizens, thus, the Supreme Intelligence required him to attend this gathering.
"Karleon, the second prince enters!"
"Karityon, the third prince enters!"
"Krieson, the fourth prince enters!"
"Karlinton, the fifth prince enters!"
Soon, the main actors arrived and was welcomed by their factions. Gideon simply sat at the first prince's chair as he drank his fair share of wine and beverages. He was served well by the service robots and he lacked nothing.
"Is this the reason why you'd required me to attend, Supreme Intelligence?"
[Yes. As the right hand that holds together the entire principality, you cannot be an unknown.]
"Fine." Gideon just gave in. He was not in a hurry to leave anyway. His journey towards the coordinates where the evil god was wasn't that particularly far from the milky way, so he only needed about 10 years before reaching it.
Once he does, he killed the evil god and return. By making connections with every planet he comes across with on the way, he would be able to rapidly use this connection to be his 'sling-shot' to Earth in a shorter time frame.
After the princes were greeted by the guests, they sat after Gideon and warily observed him. They did not know him, but judging from his appearance, it seems they knew of this form. This was the form of their old selves.
The form which gave birth to increased power and strength for the price of beauty.
The second prince finally couldn't take it anymore after some time and asked Gideon questions.
"Excuse me, first prince. How is it that you've maintained your look despite the power I see you to be emitting unconsciously?"
"Ah, second prince. Greetings. Supreme Intelligence has succeeded in creating the perfected formula and administration of top secret, top-tier agents and modifications. That is to say, I am the first success out of all."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Do appeal to the Supreme Intelligence to learn of the secrets to my beauty and strength."
"Heh. That's cool." The second prince was tempted but he was reluctant. After all, the standard of beauty for this era had long been changed. He was not envious of Gideon's looks, only curious about him overall.
The other princes did not even try to talk to him. They were busily expanding their faction's power through networking.
Knowing this, Gideon decisively stood up and gathered the hall's attention to himself by simply tapping on the wine glass he was holding.
Clink, clink.
"Attention, friends. I stand before you to introduce myself. I am called Gideon, next generation prince and right-hand man of Supreme Intelligence. My humble self am tasked to make aware the masses of my being.
"For those curious enough, do consult the Supreme Intelligence regarding any questions you may find hard to voice out in public.
"However, as the right-hand of the Supreme Intelligence, matters of security and prosperity are directed to me and supervised by me.
"From today on, I encourage all to seek the aid of yours truly. For now, I bid you adieu."
Gideon immediately left in a stride at the middle of the hall where the gathering was naught as they concentrated on their own corners instead of occupying the center stage for dancing and merrymaking.
When Gideon left, the second prince immediately whispered to his subordinates to investigate Gideon and his background. The same order was given by the other princes at the same time. And while most of them wished only information, one of the other princes dared to order for an assassination.
"Go and tail him. Gather enough information and plot to kill him in a fortnight."
"Yes, my prince!"
Gideon was at leisure. He wasn't particularly bothered nor was he anxious about Earth. In the end, he could still talk to his wife. Rebecca. Albeit only through his mind.
Gideon resolved himself to expedite his process of eradicating threats. The ultimate threat of the evil god and all other factors. To do this, he had to establish a few backups.
Kariktyon was only one of such backups. A fortnight passed and his tails disappeared to be replaced by assassins. He was called a prince but he was not influential enough to bear such a prestigious title. Envy and contempt overflowed from the fifth prince. This caused him to plot to kill Gideon silently. This way, he would push the ranking up and move up 1 rank. Although he'd still be the last, at least he wouldn't be dead last as the fifth prince rank would become empty.
This was a typical stupid person trying to act smart.
Gideon easily resolved this attempt on his life. He did not touch the prince but he did report it to the Supreme Intelligence which in turn meted out punishments on his behalf.
The fifth prince and his family, entirely were uprooted and eradicated in a night.
It was simply something not worth talking about.
When Gideon had spent more than a month in Kariktyon, he gathered enough knowledge to propose a connection with Supreme Intelligence and Earth through him.
Without much fuss, the Supreme Intelligence granted this and he felt his connection to Earth even in Kariktyon as if he was back home. Having the Gideon's Law activated again, he left a measure to protect Supreme Intelligence thoroughly after he left.
Like this, Gideon continued his journey towards the evil god's coordinate.
3 years passed.
In the three years that he traveled the void, his cultivation has reached peak of Emperor Realm. In this realm laws were common place. His words became the only thing he needed to manipulate creation. Much like when he had the Gideon's Law activated. However, it was not limited to just Earth but anywhere he was.
This was the highest realm he could achieve even in the other world. The greatest advantage of this realm is that as soon as you stepped into it, you'd know as if instinct what to do to reach the next one as if someone was urging anyone of this level to push even more forward.
In this realm, he was able to vanquish the evil god that plagued the other world. However, even with this cultivation, he hadn't reached the peak of the other world.
"The Emperor Realm is not the peak. Maybe I should try to reach the peak of this system of power up just for the sake of looking at the world while up top?"
Gideon suddenly had a desire for the peak.
Like this, he continued to travel and make connections with Earth as he moved forward.