Chapter 83: VASSALAGE CONTRACT

“Those interested in this expansion can remain in the lobby,” Red told the assembly. “I will explain my terms and propose my idea after that. You will get your chance to speak and give suggestions. After all, it belongs to everyone.”

Red glanced around. “Those who refuse are free to disconnect right now. I will not attack your physical domains today. But I offer no guarantees for your safety in the future.”

Red fixed his eyes on a rotting, The Rotting Druid avatar seated beside Volkar. “When an external enemy breaches your borders and your followers face absolute deletion, do not call my terminal. I do not offer second chances.”

Red fell silent. He monitored the connection logs on his primary screen.

[ACTIVE CONNECTIONS: 30/30]

He watched the data stream. Several of the avatars present displayed Rank 6 and Rank 7 markers, perfectly matching Red’s current tier. They had the numbers and the divine authority to challenge him in a protracted war.

However, nobody left. Out of thirty summoned gods, not a single one severed the connection.

Red tapped his console. A massive holographic document materialized above the center of the circular table. The text glowed a harsh white against the dark backdrop of the Void, detailing the exact parameters of the new alliance.

“Section one outlines the resource grid,” Red told the assembly. “I am placing a thirty percent tax on all unrefined materials mined or harvested within your borders. Timber, iron, and beast cores will flow directly to the City of Spiral.”

The towering armored god leaned over the table, his bronze plates grinding together. “You demand a third of our wealth.”

“I am curing your famines.” Red expanded a secondary display over the contract.

[INVENTORY: VIOLET TUBERS, HYPER-DENSE FUNGAL BLOOMS]

“The City of the Spiral produces a massive agricultural surplus,” Red explained. “I will export these crops to your territories. Your followers are currently starving and dying in the dirt. I am offering you the caloric density to keep them alive and productive. You trade your raw materials to secure your own survival.”

The dependency loop was absolute. If any of these minor deities attempted a rebellion, Red would simply sever the supply lines. Their worshippers would starve to death within weeks, plummeting their Faith generation to zero. But things would never get to that point.

“To move these resources, we require permanent infrastructure.” Red highlighted the map of the Eastern Sector, drawing glowing yellow pathways between the thirty divine territories. “We are constructing a unified network of paved roads, waystations, and trade facilities across the continent. I will supply all the materials such as the stone, and the architectural blueprints. You will provide the manual labor.”

Volkar studied the glowing map from his seat. “My territory spans the entire mountain range. I will be building for years.”

“The system scales precisely to your borders,” Red countered. “Those with massive territories will naturally supply more workers and time to build the routes spanning their lands. Those with smaller domains will expend less manpower. The workload remains completely proportional to your geographic size. Everyone contributes a fair percentage of their population.”

Red projected a three-dimensional model of a metallic spire beside the map.

“Section three requires a foundational anchor for this new grid. You will construct a basic System Node in the center of your respective capitals. It will process the trade caravans and synchronize our regional communications.”

The minor gods nodded, accepting the terms as a standard logistical requirement. They failed to realize the true function of the architecture. The nodes would establish a permanent, unbreakable surveillance network across one-third of the country, giving Red absolute control over his new empire.

Red expanded the final section of the holographic document across the center of the virtual table.

“Understand the reality of this alliance,” Red told the assembly. “My decisions are absolute. You are surrendering your sovereign autonomy in exchange for survival and growth. You will not be able to betray me. This contract is bound and penalized by the System itself. Any breach of terms triggers immediate, automated retribution.”

The towering armored god, once again, crossed his heavy bronze arms, the metal plates grinding together. “You expect thirty rival factions to suddenly play nice. Half the deities at this table have blood feuds dating back centuries. How do you intend to stop us from killing each other over old grudges?”

“I introduce the Inquisition,” Red said.

He tapped a command into his console. A massive holographic projection of Iron-Scale materialized above the table. The mutant Kobold’s metallic scales glinted under the artificial light, his scythe resting over his shoulder.

“I am appointing my Inquisitor as the supreme judge of the eastern alliance,” Red declared. “I strictly outlaw all inter-faith warfare. If one of you attacks another, I will deploy Iron-Scale directly through your newly constructed System Nodes. He will bypass your armies. He will walk into your capital, enter your temples, and execute your high priests. He will instantly cripple your Faith generation at the source. This enforces absolute obedience.”

The minor deities stared at the projection of the metallic monster. The threat of losing their high priests who were the very engines of their power, effectively neutralized any thoughts of a protracted war. One by one, the glowing avatars reached forward and pressed their hands against the glowing parchment.

[VASSALAGE CONTRACT: FINALIZED]

[EASTERN ALLIANCE ESTABLISHED: 30 FACTIONS INTEGRATED]

Red locked the encrypted documents into his terminal. The alliance was official. He now commanded a massive buffer zone across the continent.

“One final mandate,” Red addressed the room. “Many of you currently have active border disputes and overlapping territories. You have exactly twenty-four hours to solve them amongst yourselves.”

The avatars flickered in silence.

“Negotiate, trade, or draw new lines on the map,” Red continued. “Do whatever it takes to reach an agreement. If a dispute remains active past the deadline and I am forced to get involved, I will settle it my way. I guarantee both parties will suffer heavy losses, and you will deeply regret my intervention.”

Red prepared the disconnect sequence.

“Get to work. The summit has concluded.”

He severed the connection. The Virtual Pantheon shattered into pixels, leaving Red alone in the dark expanse of the Void. He pulled up the master map of his newly expanded territory, ready to monitor the massive logistical shift across the Eastern Sector.

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