Imagination System: I Can Build Anything-Chapter 195: The Mobile Capital

Domarto mobilized a battalion of one hundred thousand soldiers to sweep through the eastern continent of Mostaganem, in the northeast of Planet Ghlizan. He arrived via several warships that transported him swiftly from the mother continent. Domarto marched, parading his forces among the Ghlizan tribes and villages, his artillery machines pounding the earth with a rhythmic thud.

Mostaganem had been Jasto’s domain, a continent characterized by shimmering green snows. Domarto passed several villages that had been decimated, their inhabitants dead from the plagues Jasto and his doctor, Barth, had unleashed. Other villages had been burned to the ground. The Ghlizan tribes here were utterly subjugated, cowed by the brutality they had witnessed. Domarto realized this was a golden opportunity to exploit them for the plan Moonlight had prepared.

He met with the tribal leaders, demanding they send fighting men for the coming war in exchange for protection against any aggression. He informed them of Jasto’s death and declared that the continent was now under his grip; no harm would befall them unless they betrayed their covenant and joined the Prince.

The Franks had always been keen to control the eastern continents, even though the Prince held sway over the west, south, and northwest. They did this because the capital lay on a continent in the middle of the planet, effectively surrounding them. If the Prince could incite the eastern tribes against them, the Franks would be finished. Thus, they always strove to intimidate or win over the tribes of the east. They knew the tribes of this planet were deeply divided, rarely uniting in their history. Yet, the Prince had managed to unite the western tribes under his banner, creating a mobile capital and a ministry to manage the affairs of the western continents, organizing tribal life and attempting to push Ghlizan civilization forward to match the Franks’ progress. He threatened death to anyone who betrayed him for the Franks. However, most of the eastern tribes owed allegiance to the Franks out of fear of their brutality or to protect their own interests.

Domarto secured promises that none of the eastern tribes would join the Prince in the coming war. Indeed, some even promised to join him when the time came. Domarto smiled; the division between the tribes aided their expansion. He was grateful that on every planet they occupied, there were always those who would betray their people for money and interests. These were the ones who made it easy to tighten their grip on every world.

Domarto passed through the neighboring continent where Jasto had been killed, holding a majestic funeral for him before all the tribes. The soldiers stood mourning their great leader amidst the tribes’ hidden joy at the monster’s death.

Domarto questioned the tribes, conducting an investigation into Jasto’s murder, but they knew nothing. However, after much effort and long interrogation, he reached several men who said that when Jasto was burning the village of Barqa, men wearing strange silver suits arrived and saved a large number of them. In the following days, news of Jasto’s defeat reached them. Domarto did not know who these strangers were or what their interest was here, but he knew they were strong enough to eliminate a General, which could threaten all their plans.

Domarto then returned to the capital for final preparations. But he was stunned by the news of the defeat of Saint Jean Dark, whom Franks men had managed to contact and carry to the capital. Domarto went to him in the hospital, finding him lying on his bed, hands clasped in prayer.

"It seems your prayers did not save you from defeat," Domarto interrupted.

The Saint looked at him, smiling a half-smile. "On the contrary, they saved me. I was lost for a long time and forgot a promise I made long ago. But someone brought me back to my senses. I know now that my place is not here. And that you were using me to change the religion of these Lunix so they would be closer to you, even if you are not convinced by this religion. But such are the games and intrigues of politics. You can exploit religion when you want, then cast it behind your backs when you wish."

Domarto sat on a chair, leaning his hands on his cane. "And who is this person who defeated one of the Nine Knights?"

The Saint looked at the ceiling for a moment, then said, "It matters not who he is. I have become an old man, my head white with age, no longer possessing my former strength and might. But he is a strong man who has something to fight for. You will know him when you see him. And who knows? Perhaps I will see you in the bed next to me in this hospital."

Domarto smiled, stood up, and left. The Saint left Planet Ghlizan on the first ship bound for the Planet of the Franks, which was not far from Ghlizan by astronomical calculations.

The Prince’s Mobile Capital (Guelma)

The capital approached the village Hugo had burned. Tulkas was amazed by its enormity and said to Noor, "I think we are in trouble. We must get out of here immediately."

Noor was still in grief, pain having taken hold of his soul after the killing of Meshdal, Lalla, and Malha at the hands of General Hugo. Tulkas approached him, pulled him to his feet, and slapped him across the face.

"Wake up from your stupor now. They are dead, and it is over. Now we must flee before the Prince thinks we killed them, not Hugo."

Tulkas heard a voice from behind him say, "And who said I would say that? I know Hugo did it, and the proof is this painting."

Surprised, Tulkas spun around, drawing his black sword. Noor looked toward the source of the voice and was stunned.

A tall, huge-bodied man stood there, looking like Hercules from ancient Greek mythology. He wore a white cloak decorated with red, yellow, and orange plant motifs. He had a round, light green face showing signs of aging, and a medium-length gray beard connected to a thick mustache. The Prince had wrapped a white scarf around his head, hiding his long white hair.

"When did you arrive here?" Tulkas said, retreating backward.

The Prince pointed to the man standing atop the approaching city. "Do you think that is me standing at the front of the city? That is my son. I preceded him here after my men told me that a man named Guider tricked Hugo, and that he would pass through this village with his soldiers. I wanted to attack him suddenly, break his power, and eliminate him. But it seems he moved faster than me, burned the village, and left. But we can catch him now if we move."

The Prince approached Noor and saw his tears. His heart softened toward him, and he said, "Do you weep for the Ghlizan, stranger? A man like you cannot be a traitor."

He turned his gaze to the masked Tulkas, who wore a skull-like mask engraved with two snakes on the forehead. He contemplated his clothes for a moment, then broke the silence. "As for you, you seem suspicious. Identify yourself."

Tulkas sheathed his sword and turned his back to the Prince. "I have no concern with your conflict here. I came to retrieve something I lost on this planet, and I will leave as soon as I get it."

Tulkas addressed Noor. "This is a parting between you and me. I will tell my master that you are a failed specimen, unfit to join us. Do what you will with your life now, but if you interfere in our affairs, you are an enemy to us, and I will not go easy on you."

"Tulkas! Wait!" Noor called out.

Tulkas walked away between the burning houses. The Prince stroked his beard, watching him go. "He is strong, and surrounded by a dark aura. It is our good fortune that he is not our enemy right now, at least."