"The ten emperors at that time, after discussion, unanimously decided that the empire's strength should not be used for internal strife but must be directed towards external expansion. Therefore, from that point on, any conflicts between the imperial family of the same country or between the royal families of two or more empires could only be resolved in the void and not within the world itself.
Conflicts among the royal family must also be directed towards external expansion. If a conflict arises between two imperial families, they will choose an undiscovered world, receive the same intelligence, and both royal families will lead their legions to simultaneously launch an attack. They can use any means necessary to win, except harming each other.
The method of victory depends on the specific circumstances of the world. The victor will gain dominion over the world, while the loser gains nothing and must bear the losses incurred from attacking the world.
This is the royal duel!"
Gladys briefly introduced this information to Muria, something he had never known. This was common knowledge to the royal families of the ten great empires.
"Do you dare accept the duel?" asked Felicia, the Dragon Princess standing in Muria's hand, looking up at him. "I have coordinates for a newly discovered world."
"I'm not an imperial royal, don't try to bind me with your rules," Muria raised an eyebrow. "However, since the victor of the duel can gain a world, I accept."
"Good. Let go of Lynn, and once I return, I will send you the void coordinates and all related intelligence about that world." Upon hearing Muria accept the challenge, Felicia displayed a confident smile, feeling victory was within her grasp and that an alliance with Muria was just a matter of time.
Watching the departing Dragon Princess and Sapphire Dragon, Muria stroked his chin, suddenly finding it quite interesting.
"Your Highness, do you already have a legion capable of battling in the void?" Gladys asked Muria with a peculiar look in her eyes, remembering that a normal Titan begins forming their legion only after advancing to Legendary Rank Seven and studying at the Imperial War Academy.
"Yes, I have a legion," Muria nodded, stating what he lacked for void warfare. "But I don't have a warship capable of traveling through the void. Even if I have the coordinates, I can't transport my legion there..."
Only imperial-level forces possess void colonization technology. Kingdom-level technology is limited to within the world. Unfortunately, the Synapse that Muria established only has an incomplete knowledge and technology reserve at the kingdom level. He has no way or means to send his legion to another world.
"I won't lose this duel, but first, I need to find a way to get a void fleet," Muria pondered whether to return to the Titan territory and seek help from the Mech Emperor to borrow a fleet. However, he dismissed this idea, thinking it would make him seem too incompetent to bother the Mech Emperor for this.
"Do you have any good suggestions?" Muria asked Gladys about the issue he had just thought of. "I need a void fleet to transport my legion to the target world."
"I do have a fleet," Gladys gave an answer that greatly delighted Muria. "But according to the duel rules, Your Highness Muria, you can only use your own forces."
"Can't you lend me your fleet?" Muria asked somewhat frustrated.
"No," Gladys shook her head and refused. "The rules of the royal duel have never been broken since they were established. You can only use your fleet, not borrow any other forces or fleets."
"These rules are too rigid," Muria looked at Gladys with a calm face. "What is your suggestion?"
The temptation of void warfare was too great for Muria. From the moment of his birth, he had been constantly instilled with the idea that the ultimate goal of the Titans was to venture into the vast void and fulfill the highest pursuit of Titan life. Muria now wanted to see the void. If it didn't work out, he planned to visit the celestial realm to obtain a floating city.
"There are shipyards within the empire," Gladys gently reminded him. "As long as you have money, you can buy a fleet."
"..." Muria silently stared at the seventh princess. "The problem is, I don't have any money!"
This was a harsh reality that Muria found hard to accept: he was penniless. Ever since he started the cloud island renovation project following the advice of the Golden Dragon Mother, his personal assets had been continuously shrinking. He had already squandered all the wealth accumulated during his childhood.
If not for the Deep Blue Chamber of Commerce constantly finding ways to send him money, his assets would have started to decline long ago. So Muria was now penniless. He could only come up with a few elemental crystals, but he couldn't produce more.
It's worth noting that Synapse's research labs were set up with energy-absorbing arrays for power sources, and only some important research projects used elemental crystals for energy because Synapse was genuinely poor.
"If you don't have money, you can borrow it."
"Didn't you say I could only use my own resources?"
"That's for the legion, warships, and various materials. Their ownership must be yours, but money isn't included."
"Isn't this a loophole in the duel rules?" Muria felt speechless. Was this superfluous?
"No, this is also a kind of competition, testing the personal connections, charm, and reputation of the duel participants. After all, no one would lend money to a rogue or someone with no hope of winning."
"That makes sense," Muria nodded. "So, Gladys, are you willing to lend me money?"
"Your Highness Muria, you are very strong, but you haven't reached the point where you can single-handedly drive the progress of a world war. Conquering another world requires more than just strength.
Besides, it seems this is your first time participating in such a war. You have no experience, while the Dragon Princess is not a novice. Compared to her, you have no advantage except personal strength, and you don't even have a qualified commander."
"So, are you refusing me?" Muria nodded, understanding that according to the duel rules, the loser would gain nothing and suffer the losses incurred during the conquest, making it unlikely they could repay the debt anytime soon.
"No, I just want you to understand the gap between you and the Dragon Princess," the seventh princess Gladys said with a smile. "These gaps can be filled in a short time, so I can lend you money to tide you over."
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