The observer's application to lower orbit was perfectly normal, but the coordinates he reported were anything but.
"673,991..." His superior sounded as though the words had been forced out between clenched teeth. "Do you know where that is?"
Of course the observer knew. Not only was it marked on the screen he was watching, but he had already memorized those coordinates.
But duty required him to make it clear. Otherwise, it would be negligence on his part.
"Highly suspected Exotic Energy... the kind that warrants military control."
—He had emphasized it again. If permission could not be obtained, then it would no longer be his responsibility.
"But that's a fief," his superior muttered in exasperation. And it was the most untouchable fief on the planet! Under normal circumstances, no matter what resources were discovered within a noble's fief, the Empire had no right to seize them by force.
Even if they encountered an Imperial controlled resource, nobles did not have to heed the authorities' demands.
For instance, the gold mine Consair Lord had once discovered was a controlled resource—and that had merely been on property he had purchased.
However, nothing was absolute. Add "strategic-grade" before a controlled resource, and it became a different matter.
When faced with such a resource, the Empire would consider negotiating with the noble, exchanging the fief and offering as much compensation as possible.
And a resource like spiritual energy held strategic significance far beyond strategic resources such as Energy Stone Mines.
If an Energy Stone Mine appeared on a noble's fief, the Empire might not necessarily seek an exchange—of course, the noble might not necessarily agree either.
As long as Energy Blocks were properly regulated on the market, they would not cause any major problems.
But spiritual energy was different. Not only was it strategic-grade,