100\% DROP RATE : Why is My Inventory Always so Full? Chapter 532 - First Branch

A week later, Lilith returned to Lootwell by way of the Void Disc.

She made her way directly to Lucien.

"The first branch is completed," she announced.

Lucien observed her for a single heartbeat.

Then, a laugh escaped him.

"Naturally," he replied.

Lilith crossed her arms, though a faint smile couldn't be entirely suppressed.

Lucien examined her more closely before speaking, "As I would expect of you, sister Lilith."

The compliment struck its intended mark.

Her evolved Law had already proven formidable within Lootwell's confines. Yet, learning that she had established an entire external branch from the ground up in just one week still felt almost excessively impressive.

Lucien shook his head once, a gesture of clear admiration.

"A single week," he murmured. "Your law is becoming quite formidable."

Lilith's smile broadened on this occasion, openly delighted.

"I shall accept that as a compliment."

"You ought to."

Shortly thereafter, Lucien turned toward Vivian, informing her of his and Lilith's imminent departure for a brief trip.

"We will be visiting the Maereth branch first," he stated. "The instant teleportation array must be properly installed there."

Vivian looked up from the reports she was reviewing.

"Be careful out there," she advised. "And if either of you spontaneously decides to construct another city while you're gone, at least remember to submit the proper paperwork afterward."

Lucien placed a hand over his chest, feigning offense.

"That is an egregiously unfair accusation."

Eirene, seated nearby, let out a soft chuckle.

Then, Lucien and Lilith departed.

•••

They materialized beneath an open sky.

Lucien stepped out and surveyed his surroundings.

The first branch of Lootwell was, indeed, magnificent.

It sprawled across a vibrant and thriving district of Maereth, like a carefully planned proclamation of purpose.

While optimized for the sale of communication devices and general branch operations, Lilith had ensured the location's functionality didn't preclude aesthetic appeal.

At its heart, the branch was essentially a grand market-city.

Expansive trade avenues intersected with plazas paved in polished stone. Tall, tiered pavilions rose elegantly, their edges sharp and refined without being ostentatious.

The flow of traffic was also remarkably efficient.

It clearly had been designed by someone who understood the principles of movement.

Lucien emitted a low whistle of impressed surprise.

Lilith observed his reaction from the side.

"So?"

"This doesn't resemble a branch," Lucien declared. "It looks like a major city."

Lilith appeared to contemplate his observation.

"Good."

Beyond its impressive appearance, the branch possessed another quality that pleased Lucien even more.

It emanated a sense of profound stability.

The layered barrier structure enclosing it bore the distinct imprint of Lunarian scholarship, interpreted and implemented through Lilith's enhanced law.

It did not match the formidable, main territorial protection of Lootwell itself. However, its foundational logic was clearly derived from the same source.

It was a scaled-down, more refined iteration of the overarching civilization's defensive strategy.

Nearby, the Liberator branch also stood.

Shadow's contribution to the operation had been constructed with a different set of guiding principles.

Where Lootwell's branch exuded an aura of organized prosperity, the Liberator branch possessed a more subtle, sharp edge. It presented as a marketplace and functioned as an allied hub, but underlying this facade was the quiet, potent competence born from individuals long accustomed to navigating the harsh realities of the continent.

The coordination between the two branches was exemplary.

They were positioned closely enough to offer mutual support. Yet, they remained distinct enough to avoid merging into a single entity.

Lucien recalled a specific detail from one of the recorded reports and allowed a faint smile to touch his lips.

Quite a number of individuals in the West still debated whether Lootwell and the Liberator Organization constituted a unified entity, two independent powers, or something situated between these extremes.

Some posited that Lootwell had simply evolved from the Liberators. Others theorized that the Liberators now acted as a covert instrument of Lootwell. A few insisted the two were merely temporary allies of convenience.

The complete truth remained elusive to all.

...

Meanwhile, the branch itself pulsed with nascent life.

Kael was the first to spot them and approached without delay, his face alight with recognition.

"Young Lord."

"Kael."

Soon after, Luke and Cienna arrived. Shadow followed not long after, maintaining his characteristically reserved demeanor, while several other individuals moved discreetly in the background, preparing the initial major shipments for sale once the branch officially commenced operations.

Everything already felt on the verge of completion.

Lucien offered brief greetings all around before allowing Lilith to guide him towards the chamber designated for the instant teleportation array.

Its placement was strategic. Deep enough to ensure it remained well-protected.

Lucien entered the chamber, conducted a brief inspection, and then nodded in approval.

"This will suffice."

Lilith stood beside him, her attention now focused in a distinctly professional manner.

Lucien noticed her shift and remarked, "Observe closely, sister Lilith."

She met his gaze with a level stare.

"When do I ever not?"

He smiled and commenced his work.

The task occupied the entirety of the morning.

Lucien had, by this point, become significantly more adept at handling the intricacies of instant teleportation arrays.

Light moved in layered pulses through the chamber as he worked, lines manifesting in a suspended sequence, symbols nesting into larger symbols.

Lilith observed his every motion, her eyes glowing brighter as the logic of his actions revealed itself.

By the time Lucien finished binding the new array to the main one in Lootwell, the chamber thrummed once before settling into stable readiness.

Done.

Lilith softly exhaled. "I understand it now."

Lucien turned to study her for a moment, then he laughed. "That is great. You will be the one placing them in the future."

If Lilith had truly grasped the array’s deeper logic, then future nodes would rise much faster than they had any right to.

Now, the next question was not structure, but governance.

Lucien remained in the branch for the rest of the day, beginning to shape how it would function. It would mirror Lootwell's philosophy but not its full severity, as this was a branch, not the hidden heart of the civilization.

Its purpose was trade, distribution, repair, communication-node maintenance, branch administration, and regional influence. Thus, the rules remained strict but not absurdly dense.

The five contracted ancient beasts would remain here with Kael as a stabilizing force and branch defense. This alone made the place more secure than many so-called major factions deserved to be.

Lucien also directly asked Shadow for his opinion. Shadow listened to the proposed structure, considered it, then stated in his usual measured tone, "We are already operating as one in practice. I’ll follow the arrangement."

That answer pleased Lucien. The instant teleportation array was now functional, which changed everything. This branch no longer needed to behave like a distant outpost; it could function as an extension.

People could work in shifts, specialists could rotate in and out, and critical staff could return to Lootwell seamlessly. The branch could request direct support without waiting for caravans or wasting artifact reserves. It felt less like expansion by distance and more like growth by lawful reach.

...Once the core arrangement was clear, Lucien returned to Lootwell.

There, he sought Elias immediately, finding him, as usual, amidst reports.

"I need a representative for the first branch," Lucien stated, "and the right staff to support it."

Elias barely needed time to think. "Young Lord, I believe brother Cecil will fit as the representative."

Lucien's approval was immediate. He gave a thumbs-up without hesitation. "Yes." That was the right answer.

A first branch like this needed someone clever, adaptable, and structured enough to manage pressure without becoming rigid under it. If all went well, the branch would open within a week.

Lucien summoned Cecil, informed him of the appointment, and watched the young man freeze for exactly one heartbeat before straightening with a seriousness that made Lucien quietly proud.

"Pick your people carefully," Lucien instructed him. Cecil nodded at once. "I will, my lord."

Good. Lucien also had Lilith fetch Anvil-Horn to the branch via the newly seated array. The old master would assist in completing the branch-scale security system and ensure that the barrier logic, defensive geometry, and emergency response architecture all met standards worthy of continued existence.

Once that was set in motion, the Void Disc returned to Lucien’s hand. He stood still for a while after that. Then another thought came to him. He thought of the East Continent. Then of Seraphine. Then, rather unfortunately for his peace of mind, of the night they had already shared.

Lucien sighed softly through his nose. There was practical value in going east; a teleportation anchor there would matter greatly. The more stable fixed points he established across the wider world, the more frightening Lootwell’s future mobility would become. That much was true.

What was also true, and far less politically convenient, was that he wanted to see her. And perhaps, if fate behaved itself badly enough—he might not object to another very intense night.

Lucien looked toward the far east and shook his head once at himself. Then he smiled anyway. If he was going to be shameless, he might as well remain productive about it.

And with that, Lucien turned, stepped into transit, and leapt toward the East Continent.