Chapter 5: Nazare Blade Empire!
The Nazare Blade Empire was built on a ruthless unyielding foundation of power hierarchy where strength determines authority. At its helm is Emperor Groa Aratat, a man of iron will, ruthless ambition and formidable individual strength. Surrounding him are eight empresses and eight concubines. From these women, he fathered eight princes and ten princesses—each a pawn in the emperor's bloody game of expansion and domination.
The Princes (In order of birth):
1. Balek Aratat (eldest)
2. Jaden Aratat
3. Gerard Aratat
4. Rezbah Aratat
5. Typh Aratat
6. Michael Aratat
7. Aloysius Aratat
8. Josh Aratat (youngest)
The Princesses (In the order of birth):
1. Zemira Aratat (Oldest)
2. Phebee Aratat
3. Mahlah Aratat
4. Alice Aratat
5. Lapidoth Aratat
6. Judith Aratat
7. Karen Aratat
8. Jerusha Aratat
9. Michalah Aratat
10. Lily Aratat (Youngest)
The Empresses:
1. Vashti (Mother Empress)
2. Jemimah
3. Hodiah
4. Persis
5. Lois
6. Kezia
7. Maachah
8. Mephibot (mother of Josh Aratat, who met a grim fate when she was executed by the Emperor)
The Concubines:
1. Talitha
2. Reumeh
3. Zerurah
4. Petal
5. Mel
6. Ariel
7. Daisy
8. Zibiah
The Nazare Blade empire spanned 68 regions, each region was akin to an independent kingdom with its own states, towns, and villages.
Emperor Groa Aratat, seeking to maintain his crumbling grip on power, distributed like chess pieces, his 18 children across the regions. Each child was tasked with conquering at the very least, one region, subduing neighboring territories through warfare, alliances or sheer dominance, and expanding their territories by any means necessary—even going as far as battling and subjugating their siblings, with the strong eliminating the weak or subjugating them as vassals.
The Emperor hoped this bloodshed would secure his legacy, even if it meant pitting his children against one another.
At the heart of this vast empire, lay the capital, —region 1, which is home to the palace of the emperor and a symbol of his power and dominance. The empire itself, when viewed on a map, its geography resembles the image of a leaf, with each region representing single dots on that leaf.
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Prince Balek Aratat, the eldest of the emperor's sons had been assigned to region 2. Region 2, like the capital region, is also big, and flourishing, although there are still stark differences that shows the absolute dominance of the empires' capital.
However region 2 could totally serve as a second capital with its towering skyscraper, architectural marvel buildings, and so many wonderful sights which could be seen at just the outskirts, not to mention when one enters the deeper parts of the region or the regions capital.
Thriving commerce and also cutting edge technology that matches that of the capital region could be likewise be witnessed here. Region 2 is truly a jewel ripe for conquest.
Prince Balek sat down on a red imperial stable horse as he rode with his entourage towards region 2. From the side, Amiel approached him with grim news
"My prince, I heard that your youngest brother, the 8th prince, Prince Josh is dead." Prince Balek's closest warrior and companion in battle, Amiel spoke.
Balek frowned, disbelief showing on his face. "Amiel, is this information true or just an unconfirmed gossip?" Prince Balek couldn't bring himself to believe the rumors.
After-all, since Josh didn't die the day he was birthed, and had survived the emperor's treatment till now, how could he die when a huge competition had just started which could change his fate.
"I swear this on my life, My prince, One of my many spies which I sent to monitor all your other siblings came back to report that he saw your brother— beheaded..." Amiel said with firm confirmation.
"Such a poor brat, he has not had a good life. Father had loathed him right from the time he was born and he was more or less like a thorn in the flesh of the throne, well at least I have one less nuisance to worry about..." Prince Balek said absent- mindedly.
As Prince Balek pondered the implications of Josh's death, a wicked idea struck him. He then paused and smiled,
"Since region 32 is free from any claiming leader or imperial heir, it is ripe for plucking. Select a detachment of men, go with them and conquer the region quicky, just handle whatever resistance you meet there, no need to shed so much blood, it is a rather small region, and more of a dumping site, we can at least start our campaign there while we slowly find ways to conquer regions 2." Prince Balek instructed.
Amiel also had a devilish smile, with a faked loyalty spoke "when do we leave my prince?"
"Hmmm" Balek was thoughtful.
His gaze darkened, "Go in a week's time, since my brother is dead, let's conquer his region in his honor..."
Amiel smiled and went forward with his horse to select a number of competent men, instructing them of the developments to prepare their minds for the attack that would take place in a week.
After Amiel had done that, he returned to ride beside Prince Balek. Prince Balek suddenly had a troubling thought that gnawed at his mind, "How exactly, did he die?" He asked Amiel.
Amiel hesitated, before responding. "My sources informed me that, he sacrificed himself for a man who was on a death toll for allegedly stealing bread, and was beheaded in that man's stead, and as it turns out that man that was alleged of that crime was in-fact innocent." Amiel said slowly as he had a thoughtful expression on his face.
"Wait, so... that means— Josh was beheaded for nothing..." Prince Balek's smiled faltered, replaced by a cold, murderous fury. He tightened his fist till his knuckles were white.
"These worms knew who they were beheading, they knew he was an imperial prince of the Nazare Blade Empire and they still did it anyway. What gall? My mind has changed, Wipe them out completely. I want you to wipe out the entire region 32, leave not even a speck of dust alive." Prince Balek roared.
"Yes my prince..." Amiel could see his anger and could only nod submissively, masking his internal contempt.
''i feel for the citizens of region 32...' Amiel said in his mind as he smiled, riding forward beside the fuming Prince Balek.
As he rode silently, a treacherous thought took root in his mind. 'i need to tell princess Jerusha, my love, that her brother has started making moves. If she can get a piece of this pie, and profit in this chaos, then it is going to be beneficial for us both. My claim to the throne cannot be stopped by this heartless Imbecile of a prince. ' Amiel sneered in his heart at Prince Balek with schemes of betrayal and ambition but he smiled outwardly.