Foundations of Order and Shadows of Conflict

Alex's POV

'Simion Caliard, son of a former noble, practically nameless, but after establishing the first court of law, he was one of the first people to enroll. After graduating, he joined the City Guards, transferred to units for a short few months, then joined the Military Police. However, he was soon offered a job by the Ministry of Law and was made head of the Law Enforcement Agency. Currently, there are two divisions' worth of personnel in the capital, which is very low considering there are about a million people,' I thought as I walked toward the throne and sat on it, while Simion stood unmoving, not even twitching an inch.

"Okay, Simion, what is it you want to talk to me about?" I asked as he leaned back.

"Your Majesty, I request a reorganization of my entire agency and the creation of new branches under it," he said while taking out a folder and handing it to me.

As I started reading, I could already see that this might ease up some things while also allowing different branches to focus on their roles, much like the Knight Order.

"So, it's like the Military Police, but this operates more on a civil level?" I asked, and he nodded.

"The name of the new organization will be the Draconian Directive of Security and Order—DDSO for short. It will replace my current agency, and its main responsibilities will be domestic security, counter-terrorism, loyalty enforcement, and data gathering. The new motto will be: 'Order Through Vigilance, Loyalty Through Strength.' I have already pre-planned the new branches, one of which will become the new police force," he explained.

Alex snapped his fingers, and soon two Imperial Guards brought up a chair in front of him. Simion sat down and continued his explanation.

"They will be called the National Guard Enforcement Bureau—NGEB for short. Their main tasks will be civilian safeguard, law enforcement, and public order. Their motto will be: 'Justice for the Empire, Safety for its People.' Additionally, I have considered creating a border police force. After speaking with the operations commander of the border guards, I learned that the responsibility of customs oversight has been assigned to us, along with assisting in the apprehension of contraband and smugglers. A branch dedicated to domestic deployments and overseeing the territories under the Empire's control is necessary," he paused, awaiting my response.

"I can approve of this, but I might need someone from the Imperial Guards to supervise and ensure its completion, given that recent intel reports regarding Assassin X have been concerning, to say the least," I said as I read through the training timeline and the implementation process.

"I will make sure, Your Majesty, that this project is completed."

"Okay, but I want six divisions' worth of a police force stationed around the capital. Don't worry about the stations—they will be placed strategically and designed to be transformed into fortresses if necessary. Also, I want your men to monitor the increasing number of shapeshifters entering the capital. I want their slow elimination; I do not want my citizens captured and sent to some godforsaken place. I have already tasked my Shadows with this, and your agency's assistance would be of great help," I said as I stood up and walked around the large throne room, thinking about the rising number of missing citizens in the capital.

'Fifty people missing, ten of them clones.' I thought bitterly. I had already tasked the Foundation Division and Insurgency with finding them. Additionally, I turned to the elves for information and assigned Sentinel Sean to investigate the so-called Winter Court, a name the captured shapeshifters muttered before dying.

"If this is a national crisis, it shall be done, Your Majesty—the God-Emperor," Simion spoke, not out of flattery, but pure reverence. This man had led a collapsing empire into new heights, and he would be there to witness its golden age.

As he turned to leave the throne room, I gave him a small warning.

"Tell your father that joining those idiots is a bad idea. He will only see himself bleed before my throne," I said before turning toward another door instead of the main exit. I walked toward my office, where I was working on something that would formalize the Draconian government, to be announced on the 1st Victory Anniversary of the Empire, which coincides with its founding anniversary.

I had never considered a victory parade or a grand celebration, but after suggestions from the military and ministers, I agreed to hold one next year, declaring a new era for the Empire, along with the introduction of a new calendar.

Emperor's Office

"Your Majesty," a man with long black hair, wearing an all-black tuxedo, greeted me while carrying a briefcase in one hand. He bowed slightly.

"Kaiden, nice to see you again," I greeted the man. At 25 years old, he was the youngest lawmaker in the Empire.

"Yes, Alex, but the task you assigned to me is complete. I had to contact a few people," he said as he pulled out a stack of documents from his briefcase.

"This will be the new constitution, officially titled The Draconian Era. It contains the foundational laws that will shape our government, along with the centralization of laws into five sets of books," he explained.

I paused briefly before reading through it. After a careful review, I made small changes—some sections had too many loopholes, so I closed most of them while leaving a few intentionally open.

"So, all available personnel are nearly assigned, and by the end of the year, this declaration will be circulated across the Empire. It will become public information, and all citizens will be required to study it to gain stock knowledge," Kaiden stated.

"I see. I will review the final copy before approval," I said.

"I hope this declaration will bring a new era for the Empire," he added before bowing and leaving the room.

As I sat down, my thoughts drifted to the Athenian League, which had been gathering allied nations. Our subtle threat of sanctions and limited market access forced many to remain neutral, so they started conquering the nations that refused to join them. In response, I began arming resistance groups, creating my own faction with the help of Ares and Poseidon. However, due to political strife in Olympus, they could only send instructors and weapons, rather than full military support.

To counter this, I founded the Ghost Company, an elite force made up of Olympus Army veterans, tasked with training and assisting the armies of the independent kingdoms.

"For now, this will keep the balance. A civil war must not begin until Arthur stabilizes the New Titania Republic in the north," I muttered.

I issued an official decree as Chief General of the Olympus Armed Forces, enforcing a strictly neutral stance. A new branch of officers was created to ensure that the army, navy, and air force remained apolitical, with rewards offered to those who exposed soldiers attempting to pick sides in the impending conflict.

Although many gods despised me for cutting off their military access, they had no choice. Instead, they increased their numbers through deserting Olympus soldiers, though most of these deserters were killed or arrested before they could join.

I was already in an undeclared armed conflict, and I knew that sooner or later, war would break out the moment the Empire left a single blind spot.

"For now, I must maintain order before I can no longer," I thought, burdened by the weight of my responsibilities.

Frustora Region - Draconian Base of OperationsMedical Bay

"What's her status?" Manuel asked the military doctor tending to Roselyn.

After a few minutes of examination, the doctor responded.

"She should not stand for at least two weeks—her leg injury was left untreated for far too long. Her other injuries will take time to heal, and while physically she is recovering, I cannot say the same for her mental state. I'm not a psychologist. For now, she must take these medications," he said, writing down a prescription before handing it to Manuel, who nodded.

A faint cough came from Roselyn as her eyes fluttered open. Upon seeing the unfamiliar ceiling, she jolted up in fear.

"Who are you!? What did you do to me!?" she shouted.

Manuel reacted instantly, holding her down tightly to prevent her from moving too much.

"Calm down, Roselyn. Is this how a former Empress should act?" he asked, his tone nonchalant but slightly cold.

She paused, calming her heart, before staring at him in silence.

To be continued...