In a civilization governed by Magus, authority was never seized through conquest—it was granted through recognition. The Magus Alliance did not concern itself with who sat upon a planetary throne, only that order was preserved, resources and tribute flowed without interruption, and no open rebellion threatened the stability of the quadrant.
Governments could rise and fall, banners could change, but as long as those conditions were met, the Alliance remained indifferent.
At first glance, the rule seemed almost trivial—preserve order.
Yet beneath its simplicity lay the true foundation of Magus governance.
If Emery wished to claim a planet, brute force alone would never suffice. Any victory achieved through violence had to leave no residue—no chaos, no unresolved power vacuum, and, most importantly, no justification for a formal complaint filed with the Magus Alliance.
