Lord Star arrived in Downland, where the lamp factory was being rebuilt into a facility for cloning production. No advanced machinery had yet arrived. Only bricks, iron, sand, and the lively chatter of workers filled the air.

  When the Extraterrestrial faction leader stepped down, every worker paused to bow to the former first-generation council leader. Lord Star returned the gesture with a warm smile and a gentle wave.

  He walked toward the nearest tent, where raised voices of argument spilled outward. Inside, several Cogworks supervisors stood around a table while Sigurd the Mischief Paladin sat opposite them.

  "This is wrong. All of it. Did you even read the instructions?" Sigurd muttered while crossing out sketches with his pencil.

  "We have checked repeatedly. It is correct," the foreman replied.

  Sigurd flipped the papers again and slapped his forehead.

  "I know your problem."

  "You read it upside down," he said, slamming the table.

  Sigurd scolded them all while the workers began blaming one another.

  "You have built structures many times. How can you still make mistakes?" Sigurd shouted.

  "The instructions were unclear."

  "The initial construction is complicated."

  Their debate grew louder until Lord Star cleared his throat behind them. Several times he did so until all turned around.

  "Sigurd, it is good to see you working for All Realm," Lord Star said with a laugh.

  "Lord Star!" Sigurd exclaimed, joined by the startled Cogworks workers.

  He dismissed the workers, instructing them to reexamine the sketches while he stepped outside with the faction leader.

  "Lord Star, it is an honor. Would you like to see Leroy?" Sigurd asked.

  "Of course. Lead me," Lord Star replied, observing the construction around them.

  Sigurd seemed slightly nervous beside him. "Lord Star, may I ask you to pass a message to Starfall?"

  "I appreciate your concern for my son. I will tell him," Lord Star said, patting Sigurd’s shoulder.

  "Tell him this, my lord. He is expected to repay his debt for missing the previous match," Sigurd added with a laugh.

  Lord Star laughed as well. Despite everything, other Regal Vanguard still cared for his son.

  They entered the factory. Sigurd pointed toward the front near the staircase leading to the second floor.

  "He is there, Lord Star. I cannot accompany you further. I must correct those fools thinking first."

  Before Sigurd left, Lord Star stopped him briefly.

  "Sigurd, how does the Prime Director view this program?"

  "You should ask Professor Bjorn about that, Lord Star," Sigurd replied.

  Lord Star nodded and let the Vanguard return to his tent. With hands clasped behind his back, he walked forward. Leroy had not noticed his arrival and was still speaking with several workers. Lord Star watched with a quiet smile, memories of his own past surfacing.

  "It seems the chairman is far too busy to meet his future brother-in-law," he said.

  Leroy turned pale and spun around at once.

  "Lord Star, forgive me. I had intended to visit you after—"

  "Enough. Do you think I do not know my former apprentice?," the faction leader replied.

  Leroy guided Lord Star away from the factory. They boarded a steam carriage and traveled to a nearby eatery. Most commonfolk quietly left when the first and second council leaders entered and sat together, unwilling to overhear a conversation between such figures. Even so, they chose a private room at the back.

  "Lord Star, when I proposed to Starmist, I honestly thought you were home," Leroy said, pouring wine into the elder’s glass.

  "There is no need for guilt. What matters is that my sister chose you. As family, we support her," Lord Star replied, sipping his drink.

  "So…?" Leroy asked, hesitating.

  "Yes. You have my blessing. But you must still speak with Lady Star," Lord Star said with a soft chuckle.

  Leroy smiled as their meal arrived, roasted meat served for both.

  "Do you believe I can be responsible for her?" Leroy asked.

  "You became council chairman. Surely one woman should not be beyond your capacity. In truth, our paths are not so different," Lord Star said, cutting into his meal while ordering a sweet drink.

  "I cannot compare myself to you, Lord Star," Leroy answered quietly.

  "There is no need to feel unworthy or anxious. Your position and accomplishments carry great honor," Lord Star said. "And honestly, I am glad my sister chose you."

  "I will not make her wait any longer," Leroy replied, tense, holding fork and knife without touching his food.

  "I am certain the syndicate leaders will welcome this good news as well. It strengthens ties between our factions."

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  Leroy nodded and finally cut into his meal.

  "Lord Star, did you know Lucretius also have feelings for Starmist?"

  Lord Star’s eyes widened. He paused mid-bite and folded his hands.

  "I was unaware. That may complicate matters between our faction and Abyss in the short term."

  "But do not worry. You know I still intend to arrange Starlax future with Morrigan," he added.

  "Do they already know about this?" Leroy asked.

  Lord Star resumed eating before answering. "No. Darkon and I agreed to let the two children remain friends first, just as you and Starmist once were."

  "I told him that political marriages may be strong, but when two people already share a bond rooted deeply, they can reshape the fate of All Realm," he added.

  "You remain as wise as ever, Lord Star," Leroy said.

  "The reputation of Abyss and King Darkon’s aspirations will rise as well," Lord Star continued.

  "Morrigan is a good child. That is why I insist, even though my wife remains uncertain," he said.

  "And stop calling me lord in this matter. You are family now," he added, patting Leroy’s shoulder.

  "It feels strange. My friend is now my wife, and my former mentor is now my brother-in-law," Leroy joked.

  Lord Star lifted his drink. "In my homeland there is a saying. A fallen star always finds the ground where it may rest."

  "We were not born here, yet this is where we live, struggle, and eventually die," he concluded.

  Leroy did not fully grasp the allegory but nodded. "You may share House Star’s concerns with me, brother."

  "You learn quickly. Focus on the cloning program instead. Do not keep my sister waiting any longer," Lord Star replied.

  "As long as I remain council chairman, I can still act," Leroy said, his gaze steady.

  Lord Star explained that several Houses had already spent vast resources to secure the technology. If the program encountered setbacks or grew uncontrollable, House Star’s reputation, recently strengthened by Starmist and Leroy’s union, could collapse once more.

  Worse still, the cloning device had already entered All Realm. If dissatisfied, some Extraterrestrials might attempt independent cloning and sell it to certain kingdoms, especially given their faction’s lack of military power. Though he admitted this remained speculation.

  "With Starmist seated in the council, such a scenario will not occur," Leroy said.

  "I believe so. Yet as faction leader, these are concerns I cannot ignore," Lord Star replied.

  "I will not withdraw or delay the program. Starmist and I have already discussed succession and all matters before our marriage," Leroy answered.

  Lord Star nodded. They soon finished their meal and departed. Lord Star returned to Stargate while Leroy remained to oversee the factory.

  "I hope your presence inspires my other children to become better superhumans," Lord Star said.

  "I will continue learning from those more experienced," Leroy replied.

  The steam carriage rolled away from Downland. Inside, Lord Star sat in silence, lost in thought.

  Several hours later he arrived at his manor in the late afternoon. Lord Star gathered Lady Star and Starslayer, along with several key figures of Stargate including Sicilia and Njall, to discuss their plans for the year. He also delivered an update regarding the Extraterrestrial program, while Starmist was away attending Sevenstar affairs.

  "Njall, I want you to study several relics connected to the cloning program, since Cogworks will act as its final executor."

  "Understood, Lord Star," Njall replied.

  "Sicilia, the Sorcerers will test the subjects in their own methods. We will conduct our trials differently, yet I want you to serve as a discreet observer," Lord Star said.

  "Of course, Lord Star. Are there particular individuals you wish me to monitor?" Sicilia asked.

  "Lord Umbrion, Lord Necrit, and Lady Pharsa. Focus on the three of them," Lord Star answered.

  "With my abilities, I can manage that," Sicilia replied.

  The meeting was brief. Lord Star dismissed them, allowing each to return to their duties, leaving only his family behind.

  "Father, is it wise to involve outsiders in this matter?" Starslayer asked while reviewing the cloning report.

  "We cannot walk this path alone. It is a gamble that requires perspectives from other factions," Lord Star replied.

  "If Sicilia discovers another lord or lady misusing the program, what will you do?" Starslayer pressed.

  "I will submit a report to the council. They will act accordingly," Lord Star answered.

  Starslayer smiled faintly as he folded the paper. "In truth, Father, Sicilia has sworn loyalty to our family. You could order her to eliminate them if such a moment arises."

  "Starslayer," Lady Star snapped, her voice firm with warning.

  "Sicilia remains a Sorcerer. Only Cygnus or the Table of Oculus may command such actions," Lord Star said.

  Lady Star rose, fixing her son with a sharp gaze. "Remember this, Starslayer. She stands here as aphysician and as a goodwill between our house and the Sorcerer. Even the task your father requested already stretches beyond our original agreement."

  "We should be grateful she accepted," she concluded.

  Starslayer nodded once. "Understood, Father. Mother."

  The next morning, Sicilia activated the transmitter from her chamber, reporting on the cloning program and several of Lord Star’s plans. A deep voice echoed from the device.

  “House Star is under pressure from the other houses to make that program a reality, at any cost?” Cygnus asked.

  “That is correct, Master Spellbane. That is what I understood from yesterday’s discussion,” Sicilia replied.

  “Understood,” Cygnus answered as he stepped through the gates of Morsalem.

  “Do you think they can resist,or has Lord Star’s influence diminished since the Starfall incident?” Sicilia asked.

  “All pressure can be resolved through the proper means or through Cryptic,” Cygnus replied.

  Sicilia swallowed nervously. “Will you order them again?”

  “Not for now,” Cygnus said as he climbed the stairs.

  “Are you considering something else, Master Spellbane?”

  “The Extraterrestrials have already appointed their stakeholders for the program. As long as they remain firm and fulfill their duties,” Cygnus explained, “that pressure is unecessary.”

  Sicilia forced a small smile, nervously touching her ear. “You are right. The stakeholders are directly accountable to the council.”

  “Continue monitoring the situation, Sicilia and carry out Lord Star’s orders,” Cygnus commanded.

  “Understood, Master Spellbane.”

  The transmitter shut off. Cygnus entered his study, opened a large empty tome, and began inscribing spells with a golden-ink quill.

  Several hours later, a knock sounded. Grodum, the spiritual sorcerer, entered with a young boy.

  “Master Spellbane, Elysius has arrived,” he said.

  Cygnus stood immediately, retrieving the cloning test report prepared by Gruk and Amigdala from his desk. Grodum closed the door, leaving the two council members alone.

  “Good afternoon, Master Spellbane,” Elysius greeted.

  Cygnus nodded and handed him the report, which Elysius slipped into his bag.

  “Thank you for the report,” Elysius said.

  Elysius hesitated instead of leaving. He looked around the room, awkwardly cracking his fingers, until something caught his attention. Before Cygnus lay a stack of documents bound together, the front page marked with two black eyes—the Cryptic Associate report.

  “Master, I do not mean to be presumptuous, but you know I am being prepared as the future council leader. May I learn about the Cryptic Associates?” Elysius asked.

  “You may,” Cygnus replied without looking up.

  Elysius smiled and stepped closer, pointing at the stack. “Then may I take that report with me?”

  Cygnus glanced at it, then at Elysius, before returning to his writing. “Return in a few days. I will give it to you then.”

  Elysius stepped back. “Understood, Master. I realize some matters are sensitive.”

  “I have not read it yet,” Cygnus said.

  Elysius blinked, startled. “Oh… that was unexpected. I will deliver this report first, then.”

  Before he could leave, Cygnus set down his quill and called him back.

  “Elysius, how far can your foresight reach now?” Cygnus asked.

  “Normally… about half an hour.”

  “You know the Celestial before you could see a week ahead,” Cygnus added, his gaze piercing.

  Elysius gave a strained smile. “I… have only heard rumors.”

  Cygnus resumed writing. “Continue training your ability. Do not focus solely on Cognisource.”

  “I understand. As council members, we must balance power and authority. Thank you for the advice, Master Spellbane,” Elysius said.

  Cygnus nodded silently. Elysius closed the door behind him, exhaled in relief, and descended the stairs toward Downland.