The king of the realm who led the envoys chuckled and explained, "We've come over here requesting an alliance with your majesty. More accurately, we'd like to subordinate ourselves to your rule."

The new king frowned. "Subordinate? How so?"

The king explained, "We're willing to offer up our own worlds to join up with yours, your majesty, and to become your subordinates."

The officials of court whispered to themselves, shocked by what these envoys were proposing.

"And those other kings whom the rest of you represent—they share the same intentions?" the king clarified.

The envoys nodded. "Your majesty, you've done us a great service by destroying the black spirits. To repay this debt, all we...