The Five Kings: First Step

Hopian 134

Last chapter, Domino Afolabi, owner of Fixed Reality Casino, presented his project called the "Soul Saver" to the leaders of the Hopian Continent.

He was overjoyed once they agreed to support his project, however that joy soon turned to despair after he was told about the truth to the Five Kings.

Ignoring the fact that his Soul Saver project would be able to save the Hopian Territory, Domino was left conflicted at what truth he should believe- that of his faith, or the government he's always trusted.

Meanwhile, in the center of the Hopian Continent...

Hopian's P.O.V.

"I'll miss seeing them think I was ever locked up..." I say to myself with a chuckle as I take a sip of my all natural green tea. With my other hand I close out of the tab on my quantum PC that was displaying Domino Afolabi's meeting with my territory's "leaders" just now, VIA one of my billions of micro-drones fashioned with cameras.

I hate the fact that I haven't assassinated Domino yet since his project is wrong... but- him using it will actually make my life easier, so I haven't intervened in the Soul "Saver"'s development quite yet. Of course I'll be confiscating the souls as soon as they enter their little digital "lands of paradise" however.

...

"I wonder if I'd be able to see Prósopsi leaving the building from up here... well it's more a matter of if I would be willing to sit here and wait for him to leave. And I don't believe he's worth THAT much of my time, so never mind." I think to myself as I stand up from my redwood desk, and walk towards the massive window in front of me to enjoy the view regardless.

I built this- or hired people to build this 100 story high luxary apartment building years ago. Which of course means that I have an astounding view from the top floor I'm currently living on. The "walls" all around me are made of reinforced tinted windows that are not see-through from the outside, since privacy is very important to me.

Of course I "breach" others privacy by constantly using my micro-drones to gather data, but it's not like my traitorous citizens deserve it anyways! ...Calm yourself Hopian, back to the present.

"Some fools call it gloomy, but if they could see this view... I'm sure they would appreciate my design." I think to myself as I admire the countless neon lights glowing in the cities below. Due to the constant darkness of my continent caused by my dome that surrounds it, the lights shine even brighter. It almost makes the ground itself look like the clear night-sky we used to naturally have here.

A fine continent, architecturally. But of course the corruption and crime taking place here isn't... ideal. Some places are filled with complete vermin. A shame but, that issue is not a major concern of mine at the moment. Once I go through with my plans, and formally reclaim this continent with my true identity- crime will no longer exist here.

I've actually been elected to lead the governmental party of my territory 212 times over the course of 3356 years, with a total of 40 different fake identities and personas. Some of the times I ran in office due to me missing my days as King. The other times I campaigned due to me realizing certain things needed to be built or fixed in this territory ASAP.

For example- the Hopian-Dome that surrounds this continent. Due to a poor president my continent had, emigration rates were soaring- which is why we needed the dome built to prevent people from leaving. And of course, I also knew that I was going to, successfully, take over the continent soon. And by building this dome, I've practically made this continent my playground for when that day comes.

Speaking of which... since Taylis isn't back yet, I'll entertain myself. I walk back towards my seat, and say "Command: Mine Detector". An instant later, my ear-implant recognizes the command- and a 25 by 25 3D board full of squares appears on my computer screen. My favourite game.