Chapter Title: The Rise of the New Council

Chris's POV

By the next morning, the palace was alive with motion. A quiet but intense storm of black cars, secured briefcases, and encrypted communiqués passed between agencies. I sat at the head of the Black Table, the long obsidian slab that only members of the Blackwood Council could sit at — and all the chairs were empty now.

Because I had stripped them of everything.

"Bring me the candidates," I said into the comms.

Dictator Christiana entered moments later with a digital tablet in hand, flanked by Henry and Commander Frank. Behind them stood Agent Sarah, her posture crisp, her presence silent but effective. She nodded toward me before taking her place in the shadows.

Christiana handed me the list.

"These are the vetted individuals we recommend to fill the vacated Council seats," she said, her voice clear. "Each one has been reviewed for loyalty, contribution to the Union, and a clean history."

I scanned the names:

Captain Amaka Duru, a battle-hardened marine who led the border victory in Sector 19. Her name had been whispered in war rooms for months.

Dr. Leif Owusu, a robotics engineer from the mining district, known for designing self-replicating repair drones.

Farmer Nuru Adebola, whose agricultural methods in South Central Outpost had quadrupled food production — with no prior funding.

Teacher Imani Rasheed, a former educator who rebuilt an entire district's schooling system using salvaged materials and volunteer labor.

"Good," I murmured. "Real blood. Real sweat."

Henry leaned forward. "We also have a few names with military intel backgrounds, and Sarah is vouching for one personally — Lieutenant Jin Tao, ex-intelligence, helped her during the Baron investigation."

I looked to Sarah.

"He doesn't blink in the face of corruption," she said calmly. "He'll make a fine asset."

I nodded. "Appoint him."

I tapped the seal icon on the digital pad, giving my imperial signature. "Let all of them be sworn in within the next twenty-four hours. New badges, new jurisdiction, new salaries. Christiana, I want a national broadcast of this ceremony. Let the world see that I do not replace royals with favorites — I replace them with the capable."

"Yes, Father," she replied, tapping rapidly on her tablet to initiate the orders.

Frank asked, "What about the royals still trying to challenge your authority?"

I looked him in the eye, cold as ice. "They can challenge me if they wish. But they'll have to do it with empty pockets, stripped lands, and no voice in the Council. And they'll learn quickly — this Union belongs to the Blackwoods. Not to old names or fading bloodlines."

Henry gave a slight smirk. "They'll hear it loud and clear."

"Make sure they do," I said, rising from the chair. "The new Council must be announced with fire. No more hidden rulers. No more nepotism."

I turned to Christiana. "Plan the oath ceremony. And make sure Classic is seated by my side. He must watch this — this is the world he'll rule one day."

Christiana nodded, her tone serious. "As you command."

I walked out of the chamber, the echo of my boots trailing behind.

The old world was dead.

The real Blackwood Union was about to be born.

And history… would never forget it.