I opened my eyes, lying on the bed while feeling like I was laying on a cloud quite literally. I wiped away the drool from my mouth that was steadily making its way down my chin. I haven't slept this good in ages, and part of me feels bad for it. I hated sleeping so good, especially after losing my mother.
I got up and was surprised to see that my clothing was the same as before I put it on, no wrinkles at all. Perhaps this was a trait in the fabric, I don't know.
Deciding it was finally some time for answers, I opened the door to my sitting room and found Folduin and Zurlian resting on one of the couches, they rose immediately upon seeing me and gave me a deep bow. Knights remained at the door, they saluted as I exited my room.
"My lord, I trust you rested well?" Folduin asked, observing me. I assume my hair is a mess, it usually is after I sleep so good, or rather sleep at all.
I grinned sheepishly, "I did, thank you. The food was also delicious," I told him, as I came around and sat in one of the comfortable chairs facing them.
I forced a serious expression on my face and turned to Folduin. His face turned from one full of humor to one mimicking my own, and he nodded sharply. I couldn't tell what Zurlian was thinking, as he wore his beautiful engraved helmet.
I wouldn't mind having one of those.
Folduin nodded and sat back down, as did Zurlian.
"Yes, I did promise after all. Well, where do I start?" he asked.
I thought about it for a few moments and leaned back into the couch. "You could start with the beginning, such as why our world was separated, to begin with," I said slowly.
Folduin nodded, there was no sign of surprise at all on the redhead's face. "I'll give you a short summary of it then." He cleared his throat, pretty dramatically if I do say so myself, but I kept the comment to myself. "This world, as you know, used to be one whole."
He paused for a moment, "You've heard of how the dinosaurs went extinct, right?" He asked I nodded my head, confused as to why he'd ask something like that. "Well," he continued, "They were actually destroyed because of a battle that happened on this part of the world many, many, many centuries ago. The thing is, there were very primitive humans on this part of the world, and many lost their lives. A nation on the other part of the world, known as Algrita used technology to take over the minds of the beast and mounted fearsome weapons on them. The war was deadly, but it ended with the defeat of all of the mounted beats. Once done, we made a pact to seal off this part of the world, at the time, this part of the world was more unknown to us. We hadn't fully explored it yet."
He paused for a minute, pulling up a teacup from the table, I hadn't even noticed there was tea. As if my mind was being read, a knock on the door rang out through the room. A beautiful woman carrying a steaming pot and an extra teacup entered. She set the cup down, poured some of the scathing liquid inside the cup, then bowed and left, leaving the pot on the table.
I picked up my cup and took a sip of the tea, and I was not disappointed. "All traces of the war was removed, which includes the machines and weapons. Galia and Algrita made a pact to never fight a war on this part of the world again, as many of the natives over here were killed. We together made up a new technology that would allow us to alter dimensions of the world, and so we sealed off all areas but one, which we then used a barrier generator to hide it from your side and even ours." He stopped and took another sip of tea, letting his smooth voice relax for mere seconds before starting again.
"Before the world was sealed, however, Galia left a descendant of the Royal Family here as a fail-safe, should something ever happen to the then ruling family. Tens of thousands of years have passed since the great war. The descendant was only able to be identified because of a special gene that was edited in the families DNA. You luckily have retained the gene, your mother didn't have it so we have come to the conclusion that the gene was passed down from your father." Folduin ended with that, and to be honest, I was mind blown.
To think that my ancestors had a gene special only to them was pretty impressive and overwhelming at the same time. I didn't know what to say.
Folduin allowed a small smile to grace his lips, as if he knew what my thoughts were like right now. Zurlian remained quiet, content to watching the exchange between us two.
I finally managed to come to peace with what he was telling me when a question popped up in my head, "If I had the gene, how did you know I had it? Wouldn't you like, need to deconstruct me or get a piece of my hair?" I asked.
Folduin shook his head, "No, similar to how you guys have x-rays, we have a small machine, the size of a watch, that can track the specific royal gene. Unfortunately, the gene deactivates once the tracker goes off, so it can only be used once."
Well, I did like the fact that I could no longer be tracked due something I've had in my body that I never knew about, so this wasn't all bad I suppose.
"What happens now?" I asked after several moments of awkward silence.
Folduin crossed his arms, and his fingers started tapping against his armor, "Well, that's your choice. Zurlian said you have already chosen to become our Emperor, do you still wish for this?"
"Yes, I do," I answered immediately.
Folduin stopped tapping his fingers, as his expression turned even more serious than before, "I can't promise you this will be an easy path. You will have burdens placed on your shoulders that no one else could ever hope to comprehend, and you will face danger unequal to anyone else in the nation, perhaps even the world. Are you sure you still want to walk this path?"
I looked down slightly, and the thoughts of what happened in the mansion replayed constantly in my mind in only a matter of seconds. I looked up at Folduin, my hands now clenched tightly into fists, "I'm sure, my mother was killed, and I will find the bastard who did it and bring him to justice. Then I'll go after the bastard who wanted my head, and I'll bring my fury upon him."
I had never spoken so passionately before in my life, I always considered myself to be the laid back type of guy. However this time, I was pushed too far, and someone was going to pay.
Folduin and I continued to stare at each other for minutes, until he finally said, "You will have to take Galia on as your last name," His face was twisted in what I could only match with regret. In order to become Emperor, I had to simply replace my last name.
This was tough, the name meant more to me, especially how it was a reminder of my mother. I exhaled, "I will take on Galia as my last name, however," I paused, just to be dramatic really, "I will take Larouge on as my middle name."
Folduin grinned, then he stood and knelt while placing his fist over his chest, "My life for my Emperor, Sebastian Larouge Galia."
Zurlian stood and repeated the process, as did the other two Knights in the room.
I allowed myself a smile. This was but one path to my vengeance. Merely a stepping stone to help me get Wulf. And once I finish off that traitor, I will be gunning for his master next, quite literally.
"You may stand," I allowed, the men in the room got to their feet, Folduin and Zurlian sat back down. "So," I continued, directing my attention back to Folduin. I wasn't done with the questions yet, "I'll be the first to admit I know nothing of the new world, but you two already knew this, so how am I expected to run Galia?"
Folduin nodded at the question, "There are nobles who run certain things of the country, at your order sire. They are your voice and hands, whatever you decree, they will follow to put it into laws and edicts."
So if I understood correctly, the country is run by nobles who follow my orders. But, that's assuming they would follow my orders. I'm an outsider and I know nothing of Galian culture. I wonder if there are any nobles who harbor any ill feelings towards me.
I looked at Folduin and brought it up with him. He frowned and replied "It is quite possible. The last Emperor about ten years ago, he had no wife nor any heirs. There were several troublesome people among the nobility who argued what we should do. We chose this in the end." His frowned deeply as he said, "It is very possible that they may reject you as their Emperor."
Then with a hardened, grim face, he said, "And if they do, then the Royal Knights will wipe them out. All of them to the letter."
The room suddenly felt colder as those words were spoken, and I couldn't help but shiver. Was Folduin acting, or was he genuinely loyal to this crown, no matter who possessed it?
Only time could tell I suppose. I reached towards my cup and wrapped a finger around the pristine handle, pulling it to my lips and taking in the sweet liquid. This tea was hella delicious.
"I also would like to request something of you, my lord," Folduin started, I looked at him with my full attention and nodded for him to go on, "You were still in school when we came, I request you attend the Royal Academy."
I raised a brow, was this a school for the privileged nobility? I decided to go ahead and ask him that. He grinned and slowly shook his head, "The school is for all who have the interest to learn. It's a place for those who walk the path of leadership or those who are interested in Knighthood."
That brought a question to my mind, he said the school is for those interested in Leadership or Knighthood, does that mean becoming a Knight had different requirements than being a Knight during the Medieval ages?
So I asked him about it, "Knighthood? Someone can become a Knight just by going to school?"
He half shrugged, "Kind of, the courses are pretty damn hard and gruesome, and your loyalty will be tested beyond the limit. Only those loyal to Galia may become a Knight."
I raised a brow at that, "so you require someone to be loyal to the country and not the Emperor?" I wasn't jealous or anything, just trying to learn more. What mattered the most to these people, the leader or the country and its ideals? What would they do if the Emperor changed things? I needed to find out, I couldn't afford to make any mistakes.
Folduin chuckled lightly, I frowned. That wasn't meant to be funny in any way.
Upon seeing my expression, Folduin looked at me and raised his hand up, in akin to one trying to ease one's worries. "I apologize my lord, but you are Galia."
Oh, well that's interesting.
"Oh," was all I thought to say. I mean, what else could be said in this kind of situation?
He chuckled once more, "The Royal Knights," he gestured to Zurlian and the men at the door, who tilted their head down in a small bow, "are completely loyal to you, and you alone. Passing through the Academy will only make them a regular Knight in the army, while they are high ranking and loyal, only certain Galians join the Royal Knights. Some families raise their children from birth to join, while others, common people actually donate their children to join."
My jaw fell down as my brain comprehended what he just said.
People actually gave their children to the country in order to become a Royal Knight. That should be outlawed, but in a way, it was an efficient way of training soldiers who would be loyal to the crown, as they won't grow up with their families.
"What if the children don't have the ability to become a Royal Knight, or even the will when they get older?" I asked.
Folduin shrugged, "They have the option to step down the moment they hit of age, which is sixteen in Galia. Several have done it before, but it doesn't happen that often. Being in this position is an incredible honor, as people in Galia are raised and completely loyal to the Emperor."
I let out a breath, I'm glad that nobody was forcibly conscripted to be a Knight, it made it easier to trust those. You wouldn't have to look over your shoulder every now and then.
"My lord, if I may," one of the men standing at the door spoke.
I turned towards him and nodded, but not before I saw disapproval on Folduin's face. "Go ahead, I prefer if you have something to say that you say it," I smiled encouragingly, I hope this is a good start to being a leader, I really have never lead anything but a guild in an MMORPG, or units in a strategy game.
The Knight saluted me, "I myself was donated at birth for the crown. My mother and father wanted to contribute as much as they could to Galia, as Galia has done much for them. I'm with you till death."
I felt a warm feeling bubbling in my chest. These people barely knew me, yet they decided to put their trust in me. This only reinforced my will to become a leader, to protect these people and lead them to a better future.
I'll study as best as I could, I silently promised myself.
I nodded at the Knight and smiled, and then with the most sincerity I could come up with, I said, "Thank you, I will do my utmost best to make Galia a place for everyone."
I saw Folduin nod out of the corner of my eye, a satisfied smile resting above his chin. I turned back to Folduin, "I need to start studying about Galia, Folduin."
He grinned at my eagerness, "We do have a tutor on board the ship, I'll get him to start teaching you. I'll be teaching you swordsmanship and marksmanship myself, Zurlian will assist with me as well."
It's safe to say I'm pretty damn excited to get started. I know the path I'm choosing would definitely be one full of holes and hurdles, nonetheless, I will find a way to overcome them.
A question suddenly popped up in my mind, "Folduin, what all is expected of me as Emperor?"
He simply said, "To lead our people. You have governors for towns, generals for armies, admirals for fleets, Merchants for trade. You need to lead these people. Emperors have played a role in all of those aspects in previous eras, and you like the rest have a major say in all of it. Emperors in the past have led battles personally or governed a town themselves, some have even gone out with Trade Convoys. You aren't expected to personally take part in all of those, but you can if it is your wish."
Wow, it's hard to believe that an Emperor would actually go with a trade convoy, but I could understand it. Trade plays a large role in many countries, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised to hear this.
"Thank you," I said.
I grinned to myself, already deciding on my own role. I'll lead from the front, and protect my people myself. Like heroes of the old age, Alexander the Great, Achilles, or even King Leonidas. I reached forward and gripped my cup, my fingers slid smoothly over the perfect pristine cup, I brought it to my lips and took a large drink.
Folduin's amusement was in plain sight on his face as he watched me closely, his fingers continued to tap on his armor. Made me wonder if the guy has anxiety.
"Sorry for getting off track, I'll attend the Academy," I told Folduin.
He easily brushed away my apology, his face was radiant. It was pretty unusual for me, to see a man from a new part of the world so excited about me. I could understand, though. These people have been leaderless for over a decade.
They still held on tightly to tradition, while being a pillar and relying on a member of the Royal family to lead them. And then they last it all fifteen years ago, which I assume led them on a desperate search for me.
"I'm so excited to hear that you'll attend. So how about we get you fitted for a weapon and some armor?" Folduin asked, as he stopped his tapping and reached forward, gripping his cup and drinking the last drop of his tea.
I immediately jumped up up my seat and smiled eagerly at Folduin, "Let's go!"