Chapter 41: The Emperor's Counsel

The grand halls of the Hanura Palace resonated with quiet anticipation. The intricate carvings on the walls told tales of past conquests and divine blessings, and the soft glow of lanterns bathed the room in warm, golden light. Seated on his throne, Emperor Shojun, a figure of both power and intellect, awaited the return of his scouts. To his right sat the Empress Ayame, her gaze as sharp as her husband's. The Imperial children, Tetsuo and Hana, stood by the throne, curiosity flickering in their eyes.

The room was silent except for the faint rustle of silk robes and the occasional crackle of a torch. The air was heavy with expectation as the heavy doors creaked open, revealing the five scouts who had ventured north.

The scouts entered in single file, their cloaks worn and dusted with the remnants of their long journey. Their leader, Akio, stepped forward and knelt before the Emperor, his team following suit.

"Rise," Shojun commanded, his voice calm yet authoritative. "You have returned safely. That alone tells me you have much to report."

Akio stood, his face lined with both exhaustion and awe. "Your Majesty, the rumors are true. Every word of them."

The room stirred slightly, the whispers of courtiers and advisors carrying an undercurrent of disbelief. The Emperor raised a hand, silencing them. "Tell me everything," he said, leaning forward slightly.

Akio began recounting the events of their journey, his tone steady despite the weight of his words. "When we arrived in the northern lands, we sought to blend in with the locals. The Viking settlements are hardy, and their people are strong, as one would expect. Yet, there was an unmistakable presence among them—Gabriel, as they call him."

"Gabriel?" Empress Ayame repeated, her brow arching slightly. "An unusual name for such a being."

Akio nodded. "Indeed, Majesty. But it suits him. He is… unlike anything we've ever seen. He moves among them as one of their own, yet his power sets him apart. The tales of his wings, his healing, and his ability to shape the very earth are not exaggerations."

The room grew still, the weight of Akio's words sinking in. Tetsuo, ever the skeptic, folded his arms and spoke. "And you witnessed these powers firsthand? Not hearsay or the ramblings of awestruck villagers?"

"We did, Your Highness," Akio replied firmly. "We saw him heal the injured with a mere touch, the glow of his power unmistakable. We watched as he cleared dense forests to create paths for travelers. And most astonishing of all, we saw him build an entire settlement for 25,000 barbarians who had surrendered to him."

The courtiers gasped at the revelation, and even the Emperor's stoic demeanor wavered slightly. "A settlement for 25,000? And he built it himself?" Shojun's tone was measured, but his disbelief was evident.

"Yes, Majesty," another scout, Hiroto, interjected. "He raised walls, built houses, and even constructed a grand hall at the heart of the settlement. It was as if the land itself obeyed his will."

Tetsuo's frown deepened. "If he has such power, why does he waste it on barbarians and Vikings? Surely he could conquer entire nations."

Akio hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "It is not power he seeks, Your Highness. From what we observed, Gabriel acts with a meaning we do not yet understand. He does not command them through fear but through respect and trust."

Shojun's sharp eyes narrowed. "And what of his demeanor? Does he act as a god, demanding worship and tribute?"

"No, Your Majesty," Akio replied. "Gabriel is humble. He walks among them as if he is one of them. The people revere him, yes, but he does not ask for their reverence. If anything, he seems almost reluctant to accept their praise."

Ayame's voice cut through the silence, soft yet probing. "And his appearance? Did he seem… mortal?"

Akio exchanged a glance with his team before answering. "His appearance is… striking. He is tall, with hair as white as snow and wings that seem to radiate light. His every movement carries an air of authority, yet there is nothing intimidating about him. It is as if he is both divine and approachable."

Hana, the youngest of the Imperial family, leaned forward slightly, her voice filled with curiosity. "And the settlement he created? What of the barbarians? How do they regard him?"

"They worship him," Hiroto answered simply. "Not as a tyrant, but as a savior. These were once ruthless warriors, yet they now live peacefully under his guidance. Gabriel has given them homes, food, and goal."

Shojun's expression grew thoughtful. "And what of the Vikings? How has his presence changed them?"

"They are emboldened, Majesty," Akio replied. "They speak of Gabriel as a gift from their gods, a protector who ensures their survival. They trust him implicitly, and his presence has strengthened their will."

The Emperor leaned back in his throne, his fingers drumming against the armrest. "If what you say is true, then this Gabriel is no ordinary being. He has the power to shape the course of history. The question is, what does he want?"

"That, we cannot answer, Majesty," Akio admitted. "He does not speak of conquest or ambition. His actions seem… altruistic."

Tetsuo scoffed. "No one with that kind of power acts without purpose. If he is not seeking conquest, then he is biding his time."

Hana frowned at her brother. "Or perhaps he seeks only to protect those who cannot protect themselves. Must every being of power have sinister motives?"

Shojun raised a hand to forestall further debate. "Enough. Whether his motives are pure or not, Gabriel's presence changes the balance of power. If the Vikings and barbarians unite under his influence, they could become a force capable of threatening even Hanura."

At that moment, Akio gestured to Kaizen, the team's artist. The young scout stepped forward, holding a stack of parchment. "Majesty, I have drawn Gabriel as accurately as possible, based on what we observed."

Shojun motioned for the sketches to be brought forward. As the pages were laid before him, the room fell silent. The drawings depicted a tall figure with flowing white hair, glowing wings, and an expression of calm strength. The detail was impeccable, capturing both Gabriel's physical features and the aura of authority that surrounded him.

Ayame studied the sketches closely. "He looks… otherworldly."

Hana's eyes lingered on the drawings, her voice barely above a whisper. "He doesn't look cruel."

Tetsuo, though still skeptical, couldn't hide his intrigue. "If these sketches are accurate, then this Gabriel is no ordinary man."

Shojun closed the sketches and leaned forward, his gaze sweeping over the scouts. "You have done well. Your journey has brought us clarity, though it raises more questions than answers."

Akio bowed deeply. "Thank you, Majesty."

The Emperor turned to his advisors, his tone decisive. "We cannot ignore this. Prepare envoys to journey north. If Gabriel is willing to speak, we must understand his intentions. And if he is not…"

He let the sentence hang, the unspoken threat clear.

As the scouts were dismissed, the Imperial family remained in the throne room, their thoughts heavy with the implications of what they had heard.

Hana broke the silence, her voice soft. "Do you think he will come here one day?"

Shojun's expression was unreadable. "If he does, we will be ready."

Ayame placed a hand on his arm, her gaze thoughtful. "Ready to fight… or to listen?"

"That," Shojun said quietly, "depends on him."

The room fell silent once more, the weight of Gabriel's existence settling over the Imperial court like a shadow.