Chapter 39: The Imperial Court

The Black Dragon Banner waved proudly above Blackwood Manor.

The ceremony had ended hours ago.

Yet no one had left.

The people of Blackwood remained in the courtyard, celebrating the birth of something new.

Children chased one another while pretending to be Black Dragons.

Blacksmiths discussed forging better armor.

Farmers spoke excitedly about finally feeling protected.

For the first time in decades...

Hope had returned to Blackwood.

Inside the manor...

The fifty newly appointed Black Dragons gathered inside the Great Hall.

Some still wore their black cloaks.

Others carefully folded them over their arms, afraid of damaging them.

The atmosphere was quiet.

Everyone understood the weight of what they had become.

Kael stood before them.

He looked at every face.

Leon.

Marcus.

Damien.

Iris.

Hugo.

Elias.

Osric.

Grom.

Forty-two others.

Different ages.

Different backgrounds.

Different dreams.

One purpose.

"I'm proud of all of you."

No one smiled.

Instead...

They listened.

"You earned your place."

"No noble gifted it."

"No family bought it."

"You earned it."

Several recruits instinctively straightened their backs.

"But today..."

Kael continued.

"...isn't the end."

"It's the beginning."

He slowly walked through the room.

"The Empire doesn't know your names."

"The world doesn't fear you."

"No songs have been written about you."

He stopped beside the Black Dragon banner.

"But one day..."

"They will."

Just as Kael prepared to continue...

The doors burst open.

BANG!

A guard hurried inside before dropping to one knee.

"My Lord!"

Everyone immediately turned.

"What is it?"

The guard swallowed.

"An Imperial Messenger has arrived."

Silence.

Walter frowned.

"Already?"

Edwin sighed.

"That was faster than I expected."

Darius simply nodded.

"I figured they wouldn't wait."

Kael looked toward the entrance.

"Bring him in."

Moments later...

A man wearing crimson Imperial armor entered the hall.

Every soldier recognized the insignia immediately.

The Dragon Messenger Corps.

The Emperor's personal couriers.

Unlike ordinary messengers...

They answered only to the throne.

The messenger stopped several meters before Kael.

Without hesitation...

He knelt.

Then removed a black scroll sealed with crimson wax.

At its center...

The Imperial Dragon.

Only one person could use that seal.

The Emperor himself.

The messenger spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear.

"By decree of His Imperial Majesty..."

"Augustus Aurelius Asterion ..."

"Emperor of the Imperial Kingdom..."

"Lord of the Crowns..."

"Guardian of Humanity..."

"I deliver an imperial summons."

He raised the scroll with both hands.

"Prince Kael Asterion ..."

"You are commanded to present yourself before the Imperial Court."

"Three days from today."

"No exceptions."

"No delays."

The hall became deathly quiet.

Everyone knew what this meant.

Walter finally broke the silence.

"They're moving quicker than I expected."

Edwin adjusted his glasses.

"They aren't summoning you to congratulate you."

Bram scratched his beard.

"They're coming after Grom."

Several of the newly recruited Black Dragons exchanged nervous glances.

Marcus whispered,

"Will they arrest him?"

Leon frowned.

"They can't..."

"...can they?"

Nobody answered.

Kael accepted the scroll.

He slowly broke the crimson seal.

Inside...

The Emperor's words were written in elegant black ink.

Prince Kael Asterion.

Reports regarding your recent actions have reached the Imperial Court.

You are to appear before the Dragon Throne and answer for them.

Failure to obey shall be considered contempt against the Crown.

—Augustus Aurelius Asterion

Kael quietly rolled the scroll shut.

His expression never changed.

The messenger looked up.

"I have completed my duty."

Kael nodded.

"You have."

The messenger stood.

Before leaving...

He hesitated.

"My Prince..."

Kael looked at him.

The messenger lowered his voice.

"Word of advice."

"The Court..."

"...isn't like Blackwood."

Then he left.

Silence

No one spoke for nearly a full minute.

Finally...

Walter sighed.

"Well."

"That didn't take long."

Lily folded her arms.

"The capital will make an example of someone."

Edwin nodded.

"They'll probably choose Grom."

The old goblin quietly stood from his chair.

"If my presence brings trouble..."

"I'll leave."

Every eye turned toward him.

"I've lived seventy years."

"I've survived wars."

"I don't wish to become the reason your territory suffers."

He looked directly at Kael.

"You've already given me more honor than I deserved."

"I won't ask for more."

Before anyone else could speak...

Kael walked across the room.

He stopped directly in front of Grom.

Then...

He placed one hand on the old goblin's shoulder.

"You aren't leaving."

Grom blinked.

"I recruited you."

"I offered you a place."

"I gave you my word."

Kael's voice remained calm.

"If I abandon the first soldier who trusted me..."

"...then I don't deserve to lead anyone."

The room fell silent.

Grom slowly lowered his head.

Not out of shame.

Out of respect.

A Warning

After the meeting ended...

Only Darius remained.

The old general stood beside the large map of the Empire.

His eyes rested on the capitol.

"You know what waits for you."

Kael nodded.

"Politics."

Darius smiled.

"Worse."

"Pride."

He pointed toward Aurelia.

"The battlefield is honest."

"If someone swings a sword..."

"You know they're trying to kill you."

He moved his finger to the palace.

"The Court smiles first."

"Then they stab."

Kael folded his arms.

"Who should I be most concerned about?"

Darius answered without hesitation.

"The Empress."

He pointed again.

"Princess Seraphine."

"The Minister of Internal Affairs."

"And..."

He paused.

"Your own relatives."

Kael frowned.

"My relatives?"

Darius nodded.

"The main bloodline protects itself."

"They'll see your growing influence as a threat."

"What about my father?"

For the first time...

Darius didn't answer immediately.

Instead...

He looked out the window toward the setting sun.

"The Emperor..."

"...is the hardest man in the Empire to understand."

"He may praise you."

"He may punish you."

"He may do both in the same conversation."

Kael chuckled softly.

"He sounds complicated."

Darius laughed.

"No."

"He sounds like an emperor."

The System

That night...

Kael stood alone on the balcony overlooking Blackwood.

The village below glowed with lantern light.

His people slept peacefully.

For now.

The familiar blue screen appeared before him.

"Main Quest Updated" Journey to the Dragon Throne

Objective:

Attend the Imperial Court.

Reward:

???

Failure:

Severe consequences.

Another notification appeared.

"Side Quest Unlocked"

The Court of Dragons

Survive your appearance before the Imperial Court.

Optional Objectives:

Earn the respect of one imperial prince. Impress one great general. Avoid losing political influence. Protect Grom Ironfang.

Bonus Reward:

Hidden Imperial Authority

Kael smiled.

"So..."

He looked toward the distant capital.

"The real battle begins now."

The system answered in its usual emotionless voice.

Correct.

The battlefield has changed.

Your enemies will now fight with words before they fight with swords.

Kael's gaze hardened.

Then he'd simply have to master both.