The Dawn of a New Era

Everyone stood in the great hall – knights, nobles, and advisors – each bearing a different expression on their face. Some were still shocked by the swift downfall of Duke Edward, while others were trying to adapt to the new situation.

As for me… I felt a surge of victory coursing through my veins, but I didn't show it.

I sat on the throne that had belonged to the Duke just moments ago, placing one hand on the armrest while raising the other to my cheek, surveying the faces before me.

"Well then…" I began in a calm voice that nonetheless carried the weight of royalty. "It's time to set our priorities."

I raised my gaze towards one of the knights who had bowed to me earlier. He was a knight with short black hair, a scar across his left eyebrow, and eyes that were filled with caution.

"You, what is your name?"

The man immediately raised his head, then placed his hand on his chest with military discipline.

"My lord, my name is Walter Krause, Captain of the Third Knights in the late Duke's army."

"Walter Krause…" I repeated his name softly, then looked at the other knights. "Who here opposes his joining my ranks?"

No one spoke.

I nodded, then looked directly at Walter. "From this moment forward, you are the Captain of the Castle Guard, and you will be responsible for order within the Northern Capital. You have one week to prove your loyalty to me. Fail… and your fate will be the same as your former lord."

No fear showed on his face. Instead, he knelt on one knee and raised his head steadily.

"As you command, my lord."

I smiled with satisfaction. This man knew how to set aside his pride when it came to survival. Perhaps he would be useful after all.

After the meeting, I retreated to the throne room with my new advisors. Among them was a short, bald man with eyes as sharp as a hawk's.

His name was Giorgio, the former Duke's financial advisor, and he was one of the first to kneel before me as soon as I declared control of the castle.

"Emperor Kyle, there is an urgent matter that needs to be discussed."

"Speak."

He pulled out an old scroll and unfurled it on the table in front of me. It was a map of the northern empire, with markings indicating the positions of neighboring armies.

"As you know, the Duchy of Aldric served as a natural buffer between the Empire and the Western Kingdom of Axentra. Now that the Duke has fallen, Axentra might see this as a weakness and attempt a military intervention."

I looked at the map in silence.

"How much time do we have before they move?"

"If they decide to attack… I believe we won't have more than a month."

I smiled coldly.

"Then let us wait for them… but on my terms, not theirs."

The next day, I ordered my spies to be sent towards the borders, while I sat in the castle and drew up my plans.

The goal now was not just to defend… but to turn this war into an opportunity.

If I played my cards right, instead of defending our land, I would make them attack only to fall into a deadly trap, allowing me to easily occupy a portion of their territory.

But for that… I needed something more.

"Summon Elizabeth."

Elizabeth was one of the most enigmatic figures in the former Duke's court. She was a sorceress of high standing, and she only obeyed those who held true power.

And now… it was time to make her a part of my plan.

◈◈◈◈

Everyone sat in the meeting hall, waiting for her arrival. The silence was heavy, broken only by the sound of the torches flickering against the stone walls.

"The sorceress Elizabeth…" I murmured, leaning back in my chair, while Giorgio, the financial advisor, stared at the door with concern.

"My lord, are you sure about this step? Elizabeth owed no allegiance even to the former Duke. She is enigmatic, and dangerous."

I smiled; I didn't need to hear these warnings.

"Of course, I know that."

Before he could continue speaking, the door slowly creaked open.

The sound of light footsteps echoed in the hall until their owner appeared.

Elizabeth…

A tall woman, wearing a dark blue robe interwoven with faint magical symbols. Her long silver hair cascaded down to her waist, and her eyes were the color of burning gold.

There was something about her presence that made everyone feel uneasy… but I was different from them.

She entered the room with quiet steps, without any bow, stopped before the table, then raised a slight eyebrow as she looked at me.

"You summoned me, Kyle."

She called me by my first name, without any titles, and without any apparent respect.

Some of the commanders raised their eyebrows, and their shoulders stiffened, but I merely smiled.

"Yes, I summoned you. I have an offer for you."

She sat down slowly in the chair opposite me, then crossed her legs and smiled that smile that held a mixture of curiosity and mockery.

"An offer? I wonder… what could a new emperor offer me that those stronger than you before have not?"

I didn't answer her immediately, but instead reached out to the table and pulled over the map of the kingdom.

"The Kingdom of Axentra is planning to move against us soon."

She glanced at the map, then looked back at me coldly.

"And what does this have to do with me?"

I lowered my voice slightly and said,

"I want you to play the role of a goddess in this war."

Her smile widened, but it wasn't a smile of happiness; it was more like the smile of a predator who had found its prey.

"Continue… I'm starting to find this amusing."

I placed the map in front of her, then pointed to a specific point on the border.

"There is a border fortress located between us and Axentra. It is protected by ancient enchantments and cannot be easily breached."

"And you want me to destroy it?" Elizabeth asked, tilting her head slightly.

I smiled.

"No… I want you to make it look as if it has collapsed by divine power."

Her eyebrows rose slightly. "Divine?"

"Yes… I want to plant terror in the hearts of Axentra's soldiers. I will make them believe that I have received the blessing of the God of War himself. And when they are afraid… my soldiers will take care of the rest."

She chuckled softly, then looked at me with her golden eyes.

"You are not just a novice emperor, are you?"

"I am someone who creates opportunities," I said calmly.

She was silent for a moment, then stood up slowly.

"I will do it… but I have one condition."

"And what is that?"

She approached me until she stood behind my chair, then leaned in slightly and whispered in my ear:

"When all of this is over, I want to see just how far you can go."

Then she stepped back, turned towards the door, but before leaving, she looked back at me and smiled.

"Prepare yourself, Kyle… I will make you look like a true god."