Chapter 53: The City Beyond the Palace

The Council of Succession.

Three days.

That was all the time each prince and princess had to prepare.

Most of the royal heirs immediately returned to their estates inside the capital.

Messengers rode through the palace gates.

Meetings were arranged.

Bribes were whispered.

Political alliances were renewed.

Some prepared speeches.

Others prepared schemes.

The game had already begun.

Kael remained standing in the Hall of Ancestors.

Watching everyone leave.

Watching every faction gather around its chosen candidate.

He noticed something.

No one approached the common officials.

No one spoke to the palace servants.

No one even glanced toward the Imperial Guards.

Everyone chased powerful nobles.

"They're trying to win the throne..."

"By convincing those who already have power."

The thought lingered.

"Isn't that backwards?"

The system appeared.

"Mission Hint"

An emperor rules everyone.

Not only nobles.

Current Evaluation:

Your competitors seek influence.

Seek understanding instead.

Kael smiled.

"Exactly what I was thinking."

The Palace Garden

Instead of returning to his guest residence...

Kael wandered through the Imperial Gardens.

The gardens stretched across several acres.

Crystal-clear lakes reflected the morning sun.

Stone bridges crossed streams filled with colorful fish.

Ancient cherry blossom trees lined the pathways.

Even in the heart of the Empire...

The place felt peaceful.

Near one of the ponds...

He found an old man scattering food to the fish.

The man wore plain gray robes.

Nothing suggested wealth.

Nothing suggested status.

Kael offered a respectful nod.

"Good morning."

The old man smiled.

"Beautiful day."

"It is."

The two stood quietly.

Watching the fish.

The old man spoke first.

"You've become quite popular."

Kael chuckled.

"I wouldn't call today's court popular."

"No?"

The old man smiled knowingly.

"You made half the nobles angry."

"The other half is curious."

"That's usually how change begins."

Kael looked at him carefully.

There was something familiar...

About his voice.

Before he could think further...

The old man spoke again.

"If you became emperor..."

"What would you change first?"

Kael didn't answer immediately.

Instead...

He looked toward the city beyond the palace walls.

"I don't know yet."

The old man raised an eyebrow.

"That's an honest answer."

"I've only seen one part of the Empire."

"Blackwood."

"I've read reports."

"But reports don't show everything."

"They don't show hungry children."

"They don't show broken wells."

"They don't show the expression on a farmer's face after losing his harvest."

Kael shook his head.

"If I'm going to tell this empire how to change..."

"I should first understand it."

The old man smiled.

"A wise answer."

Beyond the Palace

An hour later...

Kael left the palace through the eastern gate.

Only Walter, Leon, Iris, Darius, and Grom accompanied him.

The rest of the Black Dragons remained behind to avoid drawing attention.

Walter looked confused.

"So..."

"What's the plan?"

Kael answered simply.

"We're walking."

Walter blinked.

"...Walking?"

"In the capital?"

Kael nodded.

"How can I lead people..."

"If I never meet them?"

Darius couldn't hide a small smile.

"Your mother used to do the same thing."

Kael looked over.

"My mother?"

Darius nodded.

"She often disguised herself."

"She visited villages."

"Markets."

"Hospitals."

"The Emperor hated it."

Walter laughed.

"Why?"

"Because every time she came back..."

Darius chuckled.

"...she found another problem he had to fix."

Everyone laughed.

Even Kael.

The Merchant District

The streets were alive.

Merchants shouted over one another.

Children darted through the crowds.

Street performers entertained travelers.

Foreign traders displayed goods from distant kingdoms.

Spices.

Magic crystals.

Weapons.

Books.

Animals Kael had never seen.

The capital truly was the center of the continent.

As they passed a bakery...

Kael suddenly stopped.

A small girl stood outside.

She couldn't have been older than eight.

Her clothes were worn.

Her face is dirty.

She stared through the bakery window.

Watching fresh bread being placed on display.

Walter quietly reached into his pouch.

"I'll buy her—"

Kael gently stopped him.

"Wait."

The girl never asked for food.

She simply watched.

Then...

She turned away.

Kael approached.

"Excuse me."

The girl froze.

Seeing the noble clothing...

She immediately lowered her head.

"I'm sorry."

"I wasn't stealing."

"I was just looking."

Kael crouched to her level.

"What's your name?"

"Lina."

"Where are your parents?"

She hesitated.

"My father works."

"My mother is sick."

"I was waiting until the bakery closed."

"They usually throw away the burnt bread."

Walter's expression hardened.

Kael stood.

He entered the bakery.

A few moments later...

He returned carrying several loaves.

The little girl stared.

"I..."

"I can't pay."

Kael smiled.

"I didn't ask you to."

She carefully accepted the bread.

Tears filled her eyes.

"Thank you..."

Then she ran.

Disappearing into the crowd.

Walter scratched his head.

"You know..."

"Giving away bread won't change the empire."

Kael looked toward the busy street.

"No."

"It won't."

"But..."

"If there are a thousand children like her..."

"Then the Empire has a problem; no palace report was mentioned."

The System Responds

Leadership Experience Gained

Observation:

A ruler who leaves the palace discovers truths that reports cannot.

Wisdom +1

New Side Mission

Walk Among Your People

Objective:

Learn the Empire through its citizens.

Progress:

1 / 10 Encounters

Reward:

Hidden

Kael smiled.

"I like this quest."

A Pair of Watching Eyes

High above the street...

From the balcony of a nearby tea house...

Two hooded figures watched everything.

One lowered a spyglass.

"So..."

"He bought bread."

The second figure nodded.

"He stopped to speak with a child."

The first frowned.

"Strange."

"I've watched princes for twenty years."

"They usually don't notice children."

The second remained silent.

After several moments...

He quietly replied.

"Perhaps..."

"...this one notices everything."

Far away...

Inside the Imperial Palace...

The emperor stood at his office window.

Without turning around, he spoke.

"Has he left the palace?"

A Royal Guard knelt.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"He refused a carriage."

"He chose to walk."

The emperor looked toward the sprawling capital.

A faint smile crossed his face.

"...Good."