Chapter 14: Empire On The Edge

    In the strategy room, where high ceilings and a few beautiful banners hung from the walls, the room was quiet yet the air was tense.

    The vast chamber, though grand in scale, was furnished with a simple yet regal touch smooth stone walls, a large, polished wooden table in the center, and soft candlelight flickering from brass scones, illuminating the room in a soft warm glow as night approached.

    At one end of the room, Arkanos sat on a throne-like seat, His expression was calm, yet intense, his piercing gaze seemed to hold the entire room in silence, none dared to speak before he did.

    To his right stood Seraphine, silent but vigilant. Just a step forward by the left, a man with silver hair neatly braided down his back held a stack of documents, his monocle glinting slightly as he adjusted it.

    Arkanos glanced at him, and a basic status window appeared in his view.

    ---

    Name: Arvel Rothenwald

    Title: Imperial Treasurer and Chief Strategist Loyalty: 40%: Skeptical Compliance

    Obeys orders with reluctance, feeling disconnected from the leader. Will follow orders out of self-preservation but harbors doubts, often second-guessing decisions and looking for flaws.

    ---

    ''A bit low, but will have to do for now,'' Arkanos thought to himself, before shifting his attention to the other figures assembled before him.

    Around the grand table, his vassals were seated, each representing a powerful faction or a region of the empire. Arkanos allowed a brief silence to hang in the air, ensuring all eyes were on him. Then, with a calm tone, he addressed them.

    "You have done well to heed my summons promptly."

    "This meeting will be instrumental in shaping the future of our empire. The plans we lay today will define our path forward—and I expect your full commitment as we usher in this new era."

    The vassals exchanged confused, slightly shocked looks at each other. Hearing the tyrant emperor speak of progress instead of dominance felt unreal.

    Arkanos had been know to rule with an iron fist, yet here he was, talking about at a vision for the future beyond mere survival or conquest.

    It was as though the war itself, sparked by a border explosion that killed hundreds of imperial soldiers in the western province, had stirred something new in him.

    Cedric''s eyes locked with Arkanos''s, intense yet cautious. "In my view, Your Majesty, swift and decisive actions are necessary—not only to reinforce our borders but also to quell the doubts of our people. A show of strength may be in order if we are to maintain unity."

    Arkanos remained silent for a moment longer as he listened, absorbing the weight of each report. After a beat of silence, he shifted his attention to Arvel Rothenwald, the imperial treasurer and chief strategist.

    "Arvel," he called smoothly, "tell me—how long do we estimate before Akeria can mount another strike?"

    Arvel adjusted his monocle, his eyes focused as he took a look at his notes.

    "Based on current intelligence, Your Majesty, I estimate Akeria will recover enough to mount a large-scale offensive within a month. Their forces have been weakened but not demoralized. Given the recent momentum from their raids, they may even try for smaller incursions in the coming weeks."

    He paused, looking up to meet Arkanos''s gaze, his fingers tightening slightly around the edges of the papers.

    "If we wish to prevent them from seizing any more ground, we must move choose our next moves carefully."

    A tense silence filled the room all present awaited Arkanos'' response, his stoic expression, revealed nothing of what he was thinking.

    Then, suddenly, he exhaled, he waited for a moment then spoke." All your reports paint the Empire in a dire state."

    His piercing gaze swept across the room, lingering on each one of them in turn. He rose from his seat, moving slowly towards the massive window that displayed the city beyond, each step echoing in the vast hall.

    He then turned to face them.

    "But..."

    "luckily for us, all your reports are far from the truth."

    "What!?" a loud yell came from the vassals, each one shocked and thrown off by the emperor''s words.

    Arkanos''s gaze sharpened, becoming intense as he leveled it on each of them. His voice cold as he spoke.

    "Tell me..."

    "...do you all really take me for a fool?"