(Planet Su Prime, Su Tang’s POV)
Su Tang, now a Demi-God, sat upon the golden throne at the heart of the Su Clan’s grand hall, his head raised high as his very presence radiated the authority of a higher being.
On one hand, while the news of his ascendance was mostly received positively across the clan, giving the clan members some hope for survival, unfortunately, it had not been enough to lift the gloomy spirits of the clan members, as on the other hand, a constant stream of despair filled news kept being shared every few minutes.
"My Lord, Vayomir’s commander, Su Ragzu has denounced the Su in his name," an attendant declared, his head bowed so low it nearly touched the floor.
"He has pledged himself to the Du Clan instead, and now calls himself Du Ragzu.
Furthermore, as a gesture of goodwill, he has also surrendered control of planet Vaynomir to the Du Clan."
The attendant reported as a murmur rippled across the chamber.
"Coward."
"Traitor."
The words spat out from the lips of officers and elders assembled in the Su Clan’s grand hall today, their voices rising in venom, though the fury could not disguise the undertone of fear—fear that more defections would soon follow.
Currently, although the banners of the Su Clan still hung proudly from the vaulted ceiling of Su Prime, its color had started to look faded to the eyes of everyone that saw it, for everyone could feel the glory of the Su clan slipping away in real time.
Every man and woman who bowed before Su Tang today did so with genuine reverence, their voices respectful, their postures rigid, for none could deny the weight of his presence now that he had ascended into the Demi-God tier.
Yet for all the respect they gave him, the fact of the matter remained that Su Tang was no Su Ren.
And despite him being a Demi-God, the Su Clan was still in massive decline.
"My Lord," another servant stepped forth, his voice quivering as though each word were a blade in his throat.
"Monarch Su Wang too has abandoned our name. He has sworn allegiance to the Mu Clan who has generously allowed him to retain control of planet Oyarzabal.
But their grace is not without its leash, and Su Wang has now become their lapdog."
He reported, as the hall erupted in outrage again, the word "Lapdog" hissed like venom, yet beneath the shouts was the quiet recognition that another pillar of the Su had been stolen away.
"My Lord, we cannot let this slide.... An example must be made of the defectors!"
A branch clan leader demanded, however, before Su Tang could respond, a third messenger approached, his armor stained with dust and travel, as he too spoke in a gloomy tone.
"My Lord, planet Nemo, that was abandoned by Commander Su Bal in haste, has now fallen into the hands of the Evil Cult.
So the tally of how many worlds we have officially lost now reaches seventeen."
The scout reported, as the entire hall quaked with anger.
"The Evil Cult?"
"So even those bastards want a slice of our lands eh?"
"Of course they attack us when we are weak. That’s what they specialize in anyways."
The officers cursed, however, Su Tang maintained his calm, his facial expression not changing in the least, as he had already expected as much.
*Step*
*Step*
Finally, another officer stumbled forward, he too having his head down, as he spoke with great shame.
"My Lord... Monarch Su Lei and Su Fang are no more. They fell defending their homelands to the last breath.
While Monarch Su Perry has been reportedly slaughtered in transit. His fleet encircled and annihilated by the Lu Clan."
The scout reported, as the reactions this time were mixed.
"Stubborn fools."
"They should have withdrawn when there was still time."
Harsh condemnation clashed with grief, for those who had chosen to stay and die were honored in spirit, yet their actions were seen as wasteful in reality.
The mighty Su Clan, once unshakable, now looked fractured, as some of their old pillars started to abandon them, while others denounced them outright.
In no way was this situation ideal, and hence, as Su Tang closed his eyes briefly, all he could see was an empire crumbling in his grasp, its fragments slipping through his fingers faster than he could close his hand.
The Su Clan had once stood as titans across the stars.
They were once one of the Six Great Clans, yet now they were a dynasty in decline.
A Great Clan that had gambled everything to just hold onto 4 planets.
’How foolish was I to think that the Su Clan’s strength came from the strength of us all as a whole.
The ’Greatness’ of the Su Clan was always the greatness of you, father, and without you, this clan is nothing much.
While every branch clan defector can be replaced, what we can’t replace is you....
If only you were still alive, the Su Clan would never have fallen so far.’ Su Tang realized, as he slowly opened his eyes and let his gaze sweep the room.
’Can I become another you? Father? Can I rebuild this clan from nothing to reach the same heights it did before?’
Su Tang asked himself, but in his heart he knew that he could not.
He had barely achieved the realm of a Demi-God after risking his life, and had no hopes of ever achieving true divinity.
And hence, for him to ever become his father’s replacement was simply impossible.
"Everything is going as expected. There is nothing to worry about...." He said outloud, as although he was fuming regarding the betrayals internally, he did not let his frustration be seen externally.
Instead, in front of others he only projected an image of calm, so that the Clan members believed that everything was under control.
’Su Yang my son.... You’re the only hope for this clan to regain its past glory.
While I can’t become as strong as my father, perhaps you can.
And I’ll do my best to hold on-to this clan, until the day you can lead us to greatness again....’ Su Tang thought, as in the end, he gave up on the idea of expanding the Su Clan anytime soon, and instead accepted their new role in the universe as a minor power.