War Room - 718

The next day, Skymender said farewell to most of his family as they left the Imperial Capital. Melly stayed behind. She was no longer just a member of the Mel Dukedom, but the Sky Barony as well.

Normally, this would have been insignificant, but now that Skymender is the Imperial Scholar, it had a completely different meaning.

Skymender got a good amount of rest, before finally arriving at the Imperial Palace early in the morning, when the sun's light barely peaked over the horizon. The guards saw him and stood at attention. 

"Welcome, Imperial Scholar Skymender." 

Skymendwer nodded and walked past them. 

Not long after walking past the group of guards, he stumbled upon a group of attendants.

"Welcome, Imperial Scholar Skymender. We have been ordered by the Emperor to show you what is now yours." The head butler said with a bow.

Skymender nodded. The group of attendants led him towards a higher floor in the Imperial palace, and stopped at a door tall enough for two Skymender's to fit in stacked on top of each other. Additionally, it was wide enough for one Fatty to fit through.

Skymender pulled the doors open and walked in. Inside was an elegant chamber that could only be described as kingly. There was a large, golden bed, red carpet, and desks around the room.

"If you'd like any renovations done, simply request it. Also, please look inside the chest."

Sitting in the middle of the room was a fairly large chest.

Skymender opened it up, and it was filled to the brim with gold. 

"This is a slight portion of your new wealth. If you want something done, it will be done. Even if you spend all of your money, you can dip into the Empire's finances." The head butler explained.

What was left unsaid was that, while Skymender could access the Imperial treasury, he better have a good reason for taking anything from it. Otherwise, he would have to answer to the Emperor. Although extremely rare throughout all of the Empire's history, there have been Imperial Scholars who have been executed due to abusing their power, essentially committing treason.

Skymender already knew not to abuse his power. Only a fool would.

Skymender nodded. 

He was taken to another room.

The walls were filled with books, there were countless blank papers and a large desk. In addition, there was a board and many writing utensils. 

"This is your office, Imperial Scholar Skymender."

Skymender nodded. 

He was finally led to the throne room, where he met the Emperor. 

He was able to see everything in the throne room with his seeing through vibrations technique. In fact, many secrets in the Imperial Palace were revealed due to this technique. After all, a wall could not stop his vision. 

He did not pay much attention to any of it. None of these secrets were truly important to him or in general. At most, there were a few hidden rooms and a hidden tunnel system.

Skymender already knew about most of it anyway, as the Imperial Scholar had taught him a lot.

In the throne room, he walked up the stairs and stood on an equal level with Fei Luzi and the Emperor.

"It's about time. Now, we can officially begin."

The Emperor turned to his head servant, the head servant of the Imperial Palace, and technically, the entire Empire.

"Gather all of the officials, generals, and all other important figures. It is time for war."

The Emperor's sudden declaration surprised Skymender, as well as the head servant.

The head servant nodded, not daring to waste a second. Servants spread out across the entire Imperial Capital, bringing news to many figures. 

Meanwhile, the Emperor led Skymender and Fei Luzi through a few halls, and into a large room. This room was one of the most important in the Empire, equal to the throne room. It was the war room.

In the center was a large, round table, and on that table was a map. This was the most accurate map Skymender had ever seen. Mountains actually rose up, and valleys actually sunk down, showing Skymender the complete geography of the entire known world.

Of course, some places were less in depth than others, and some places in the wilds were completely flat and black, showing that they were completely unknown lands. 

Skymender walked around the table as the Emperor spoke. 

"Soon, all of the higher ups in the Empire will gather, and we will begin to form a war strategy on the Ancient Empire. Tensions have grown greatly, and there is not much more time for peace."

Skymender nodded. He moved over towards the land of the Ancient Empire. It was vast and diverse, sporting countless resources and more people than any other Empire in the world. 

Its Imperial Capital was grand, just as grand as the Imperial Capital of the Faceless Empire. 

As Skymender observed the map, people began to enter the room. Many were dressed in Scholar robes, while others were dressed in battle clothes. There were few in between.

Sword Master Shang arrived first, having not been very far to begin with. His sister, Skybelle, showed up next. A few councilmen showed up, before a man with a large body appeared. He was Sword Master Gargantuan, someone Skymender was slightly familiar with.

A few more councilmen came in, along with some generals, before Sword Master Deyr, the chief of the Imperial guard, entered the room.

More people entered, including the two Sword Masters of the Empire that Skymender had never met before.

One was named Zhao Shugang, while the other was named Yi Shuzanhao. Sword Master Yi Shuzanhao was particularly of note, as he was the strongest Sword Master below Sword Master Shang. He was the only other rank one Sword Master. 

Sword Master Gargantuan was a rank two Sword Master, though his physical power was above that of even a rank one.

Sword Master Deyr and Sword Master Zhao Shugang were rank three Sword Master's. Skybelle was rank four.

Of course, it was long assumed that Sword Master Shang had surpassed the level of rank one Sword Master, but it was unconfirmed. Nobody in the world qualified to determine such a level.