"Miles, you've been seriously negligent. So many creatures have infiltrated Synapse, and you didn't even know," Muria reprimanded the deep abyss demon who had volunteered to go to Soros, his face impassive as he looked at the beings before him. After his return, due to the angelic reincarnation, Muria conducted a census of all Synapse residents.
He discovered many unrecorded creatures, realizing that numerous unknown entities had already infiltrated Synapse.
Synapse's primary residents included various giants, numerous chromatic dragons, tens of thousands of drow elves, and an elven army due to the presence of Silvermoon Elf Hethiel.
There were also a large number of mixed-race pirates and bandits, primarily humanoids, at the bottom layer of Synapse, engaging in various busy tasks. A small portion were humans Muria recruited from the Lockman Kingdom, along with their families.
The majority of Synapse's population consisted of various monster clans from the Lockman Kingdom. Although they were numerous, their quality was lacking, so Muria did not bring them to the Void Colonial War, except for a few outstanding individuals who participated as giant war pets.
These were the inhabitants of Synapse as Muria remembered. However, during this census, Muria found many creatures that shouldn't have existed. Some were exceptionally powerful.
For example, in a tavern on the lower levels of the cloud island, there were brass and copper dragons who enjoyed telling jokes and a bronze dragon lingering in the drow elf city. These metallic dragons had snuck into Synapse without Muria's permission.
Miles was aware of these dragons but assumed Muria knew of their existence due to his own bloodline, so he didn't report them.
However, some entities were unknown to Miles because their power was too low to be detected, such as a goddess preaching among the elves in Synapse.
But the most outrageous discovery was an unidentified human mage infiltrating Muria's research institutions. His power and origin were unknown, and he had become the dean of all human secondary professions, overseeing, advising, and guiding all research in Synapse. Astonishingly, no one, including Muria, had noticed his abnormality.
"So, could you please introduce yourself?" Muria, sitting on his throne, looked solemnly at the smiling old man in mage robes. This man had no place in Muria's memory.
However, according to the information Muria had just gathered, this old man had been in Synapse since its inception, involved in almost all its research, including the legendary synthetic beast Shadow of Slaughter, created under his guidance, and the soon-to-awaken Azure Winged Demoness.
He had been part of every extraordinary research in Synapse and was essential to its achievements. Yet, except for those who worked directly with him, everyone else, including Muria, had overlooked him. This was terrifying.
"My name is Mason, a down-and-out mage," the scruffy-looking old man introduced himself. "I now serve you, son of Titan and Dragon King."
"Although you say that, I was unaware of your existence before. Your claim of allegiance is unfounded."
"Your Highness, we've met quite a few times."
"But I ignored you completely. The reason lies not with me but with you. You erased your presence while making others accustomed to your existence."
Muria looked at the old man, feeling inexplicably frustrated. He could only detect him now, likely because the old man chose not to hide anymore or felt Muria was worthy of interaction.
"Indeed, Your Highness. I used some simple tricks, easily seen through."
Muria could only chuckle at this. Easily seen through? Ridiculous. If not for his voluntary exposure, Muria would never have noticed him.
"So, Mason, why did you infiltrate Synapse? What do you seek?"
"I'm just looking to get by," the old man said nonchalantly.
"If that's all, you could find a position of power and wealth in any empire with your abilities."
"Those large organizations are boring! Too many rules, lifeless, and full of scheming. No fun at all. But here, it's interesting. I like working with energetic young people as an old man nearing the end."
"So you joined my forces out of boredom or for amusement," Muria summarized, eyeing the old man, whose aura was only at the Gold level.
"If you want to think of it that way, sure."
"When do you plan to leave?" Muria asked cautiously. He had no desire for such inscrutable beings. He felt he couldn't harm him even with full effort, akin to the goblin merchant Styron who possessed some untouchable power.
"Why are you like those annoying people? After all I've contributed, you want to kick me out?!" The old man pouted angrily.
"You're underestimating yourself, Mason. Your abilities are undoubtedly beneficial to my forces."
"Then why drive me away? Do you know how many powers covet my talents?"
"I can't see through you. Apart from your name, I know nothing about you."
"The ruler's need for control, huh? Hate anything beyond your control, even at the cost of halting your forces' development? Do you know the consequences if I leave?"
"No matter the consequences, I believe my followers and I can handle it."
"Even if the cloud island modification project halts? Also, the Magitech defense system was built under my guidance, though it's only a prototype. Many major projects would stall without me. Your recruits aren't quite there yet."
"So I can't drive you away and must beg you to stay?" Muria rubbed his forehead. It seemed his forces couldn't function without this being.
"No need to beg. I'm willing to stay and serve. Just working with those youngsters is satisfying enough."
"Just that? I can't believe a being like you would stay here for such reasons," Muria sighed.
"The ruler's paranoia. You're backed by beings I can't offend. So, please accept my service without worry."
"Then everything remains as is. I won't interfere with your research." Muria believed Mason referred to the Epic Titans. Considering Mason's claim of not offending Epic Titans, Muria found it credible. Besides, having a legendary mage willingly follow was too tempting.
"Then I'll take my leave. I have research to conduct and can't waste too much time."
"As you wish, Mason." Watching the "Gold-level" mage leave, Muria turned his gaze to another presence in the castle hall—a female giant with blue wavy hair, though this wasn't her true form.
"And you? A legend from the deep sea, why did you infiltrate my forces?"
"I just woke up recently, wandered into the sky, found Synapse, and decided to explore," the blue-haired giantess replied nonchalantly.
In Muria's eyes, behind this beautiful giantess loomed a massive deep-sea beast, its blue skin adorned with dark blue scales and a horn seeming to pierce space—a true deep-sea overlord.
Mikaela discovered her presence. She had transformed a cloud island into a large floating swimming pool and recruited over a hundred tidal giants to serve her, deceiving Mikaela by claiming to know Muria and thus enjoying Synapse's resources.
"You lied to my maid, used my resources for entertainment. How will you compensate for my loss?" Muria asked, his gaze and Mikaela's fiery wings making her uneasy.
"I'm broke," the deep-sea overlord responded loudly.
"Huh?" Muria squinted while Mikaela's flames intensified.
"I'll give you my shed scales and horn. Are those enough?" The deep-sea dragon whale caved instantly, asking weakly.
"Not enough. You ruined a large cloud island. These materials are far from sufficient."
"What do you want?"
"Since you lied about being my follower, make it true. Sign a contract with me!" Muria smiled kindly. Having nested in his Synapse, where could she run?
"Alright!" The deep-sea overlord agreed quickly after some thought. "But I won't accept overly harsh contract terms."
"Not harsh. Just guard Synapse and repel invaders."
"No problem." The dragon whale agreed easily. The contract terms were surprisingly lenient.
Next, Muria met with two more infiltrating metallic ancient dragons—a copper dragon who loved telling dirty jokes in lower island taverns and a bronze dragon fighting evil in the disciplinary corps. For these elder kin, Muria greeted them, acknowledged their presence, and sought ways to keep them.
Of course, there were more infiltrating metallic dragons, but Muria didn't need to meet each one.
"Now, it's your turn, Your Majesty of the Dark!" Muria's gaze turned to a void, where a tall, quiet drow elf girl appeared.
"You once helped me, so I have no objections to you preaching to the drow in my domain."
The drow girl's divine light twinkled in her eyes. "If you have no objections, why call me here? What do you want to say?"
"Promoting your doctrine and guiding drow towards goodness is fine. But could you mind the impact? Your prayer rituals are somewhat problematic. I have many energetic males under my command. Your followers' daily prayers might lead to unpleasant incidents," Muria said, troubled by the goddess's habit of not wearing clothes.
She required her followers to do the same in several rituals, leading to large groups of drow dancing naked under the moonlight during his absence.
"I trust your ability to maintain order, son of Titan and Dragon. You won't let any sins occur in your domain."
"Isn't it better for your followers to wear clothes? Why conduct rituals naked?" Muria questioned, finding the drow's behavior highly disruptive to
Synapse.
"It's an essential part of the rituals," the dark maiden's avatar smiled.
"That's just your perverse taste!" Muria muttered silently.
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