Chapter 82: The First Court After Ironridge

The next morning...

The bells of Dragonspire Palace rang throughout the capital.

Dong...

Dong...

Dong...

Court was in session.

Golden carriages rolled through the palace gates.

Dukes.

Marquises.

Counts.

Generals.

Merchant Lords.

One after another, the Empire's most powerful figures entered the Hall of Dragons.

Today wasn't an ordinary court.

It was the first gathering since Prince Kael's return from Ironridge.

The Hall of Dragons

The throne room stretched hundreds of feet.

Massive marble pillars supported a ceiling painted with the Empire's history.

The Dragon Throne rested upon seven steps.

Behind it hung the Imperial Banner.

One by one...

The princes and princesses entered.

The First Prince.

The Third Princess.

The Fifth Prince.

The Sixth Princess.

The Ninth Prince.

Kael, the Tenth Prince.

Other princes and princesses followed.

Each stood beneath their family banner.

No one spoke.

Everyone waited.

A loud voice echoed.

"His Imperial Majesty!"

Every noble knelt.

The Emperor entered wearing simple black robes instead of ceremonial armor.

His crown remained modest.

Power needed: no decoration.

He sat upon the throne.

"You may rise."

The Report

Minister Roland stepped forward.

"Your Majesty."

"The restoration of Ironridge has begun."

"Commander Aldric Vayne has accepted his appointment as Warden."

"The engineers estimate repairs will take approximately three years."

The emperor nodded.

"Approved."

Another minister bowed.

"The surrounding villages have already requested Imperial protection."

"Merchants are returning to the old trade roads."

"The eastern economy is recovering."

Several ministers murmured in approval.

One fortress...

Had already begun changing an entire region.

Recognition

The Emperor looked toward Kael.

"Step forward."

Kael walked to the center of the hall.

The nobles watched carefully.

Some admired him.

Others studied him.

A few already considered him dangerous.

"You restored Ironridge."

"You honored a forgotten commander."

"You completed the mission without unnecessary casualties."

The Emperor's voice carried throughout the chamber.

"Well done."

It wasn't loud.

It wasn't dramatic.

Yet hearing those words from the Emperor carried immense weight.

Kael bowed.

"I merely fulfilled my duty."

The emperor smiled slightly.

"A good answer."

Jealous Eyes

Among the gathered nobles...

Several expressions darkened.

A prince quietly clenched his fists.

A noble whispered to another.

"Another accomplishment..."

"He's gaining influence."

"Too quickly."

Near the front...

The Empress remained composed.

She even smiled politely.

Only those who knew her well would notice...

She never applauded.

Another Mission

The emperor stood.

"As promised..."

"Each of my children will continue to receive opportunities to prove themselves."

The throne room became quiet.

"This empire will not be inherited."

"It will be earned."

Every prince straightened.

Every princess focused.

This was why succession remained uncertain.

No Crown Prince.

No guaranteed heir.

Only merit.

"The First Prince."

Cassian stepped forward.

"You will oversee negotiations with the Western Merchant League."

Cassian bowed.

"I accept."

"The Third Princess."

"You will inspect the southern academies."

She nodded confidently.

"The Sixth Princess."

"You will reinforce the northern border garrisons."

One by one...

Every royal child received a responsibility.

No favoritism.

No exceptions.

Finally...

The Emperor looked toward Kael.

"The Tenth Prince."

Kael stepped forward once more.

"I have another assignment for you."

Several nobles leaned forward.

"Before I decide..."

The Emperor glanced toward General Magnus.

"How many reports have we received concerning monster attacks this month?"

Magnus opened a scroll.

"Thirty-seven confirmed incidents."

"Twelve villages have requested military assistance."

"Three caravans disappeared."

"The attacks continue to increase."

A heavy silence settled over the court.

This wasn't unusual.

But the numbers...

We're higher than normal.

A Different Kind of Threat

An elderly minister spoke.

"Your Majesty."

"Our armies can suppress monsters."

"But they cannot remain stationed in every village."

Another nodded.

"By the time soldiers arrive..."

"The monsters have already moved."

The discussion spread across the hall.

The Empire had strong armies.

What it lacked...

Was speed.

Kael listened carefully.

His mind immediately began analyzing the problem.

The system remained silent.

This wasn't a puzzle solved by skills.

It required leadership.

The Emperor noticed.

"You have something to say."

Every eye turned toward Kael.

He remained respectful.

"May I speak freely?"

"You may."

Kael looked across the court.

"The Imperial Army exists to fight wars."

"It shouldn't spend all its strength chasing scattered monsters."

Several generals frowned.

Others nodded.

"We need smaller groups."

"Fast."

"Independent."

"Able to respond before entire villages are destroyed."

The room became quiet.

Several ministers exchanged curious glances.

The Emperor rested his chin on one hand.

"Continue."

"They wouldn't replace the army."

"They would support it."

"When monsters appear..."

"They answer."

"When merchants request escorts..."

"They answer."

"When villages need protection..."

"They answer."

The idea lingered in the air.

No one interrupted.

Because...

No one had proposed such a system before.

The emperor smiled ever so slightly.

"A fascinating thought."

"But thoughts alone do not protect the Empire."

Kael nodded.

"I know."

The emperor looked toward the gathered court.

"The matter will be discussed further."

Then he turned back to Kael.

"As for your next assignment..."

"You will accompany the Imperial Expedition Corps."

A ripple spread through the nobles.

The Expedition Corps?

Even experienced generals rarely joined those missions.

General Magnus stepped forward.

"Your Majesty..."

"The destination?"

The emperor's expression became serious.

"The Crimson Highlands."

"The reports suggest something there is driving monsters from their territories."

"If left unchecked..."

"It could threaten the eastern frontier."

Kael bowed.

"I accept."

Shadows Beneath the Palace

Far below the throne room...

The hidden chamber remained dark.

The unknown figure stood before a map of the Empire.

A black marker rested upon the Crimson Highlands.

"So..."

The figure whispered.

"They're sending him there."

The Empress calmly poured herself a cup of tea.

"Good."

"If fate is kind..."

"He won't return."

The figure smiled beneath the darkness.

"No..."

"He'll return."

The Empress looked up.

"Then?"

The figure's smile widened.

"He'll bring us exactly what we've been searching for."

The candlelight flickered.

Neither spoke another word.

Above them...

The Empire prepared for an expedition.

Neither Kael...

Nor the Emperor...

Realized that someone else had been waiting for that expedition to begin.