Alex arrived in the capital of the Southern Siegfried Empire, commanding 1,500 guards. The rest of his forces had split up to capture nearby cities, as the other three groups were heading south. Alex dashed toward the gates, with the cavalry following closely behind. The archers on the walls attempted to fire upon them, but their arrows could not pierce the armor worn by Alex and his men. With a powerful swing of his sword, Alex blasted the gates open, creating a shockwave that cracked the surrounding walls.
The cavalry charged through the broken gate and spread out across the city in groups of eight. Alex soon encountered a swordsman wielding magic. The man attacked relentlessly, but his efforts were in vain. With a simple swing, Alex's sword cut through him, shattering the magical blade.
The battle ended swiftly, and Alex discovered that the Southern Siegfried Emperor had attempted to escape but had died during a port invasion when he boarded a ship that was subsequently sunk by a pursuing destroyer.
Entering the palace, Alex approached the throne and sat down. A few hours later, his three generals entered and knelt before him.
"Long live the Emperor!" General Ben proclaimed.
"I forgot to ask, what will be the name of this empire now that you will unify them along with Draconia?" Duke Dimitri asked.
Alex looked up at the ceiling, pondering for a moment before deciding, "I shall call it the Draconian Empire." He mumbled, but they all heard him.
"Then long live the Draconian Empire!" the last general spoke. Alex nodded and left the throne room, followed by his personal guard and the three generals.
"Time to head back and prepare for the unification," he said. Alex had won the unification war, which shocked the world with how quickly it had ended. He sent letters to multiple city-states and the Sky Kingdom, announcing an event called the Great Empire Unification. The event would showcase a second coming of an empire filled with advanced technology, and kingdoms in the southern region watched closely, fearing invasion. Even Olympus sent diplomats to the event, scheduled for two months later.
**Five Days Later: Emperors Forge**
Alex was carving and forging his own throne while incorporating artifacts he had gathered during his travels. After removing and adding some parts, he finished a design featuring a dragon emblem at the top and balance scales on the right, representing the city-states, as well as a sword representing the Siegfried Empire.
Alex infused powerful magic into the throne, transforming it into a powerful artifact. When he used it, it could summon a sentient army called the Emperor's Army, with a base of 30,000 soldiers that would increase or decrease depending on the user's power level.
"Now for the final touch," Alex said as he grabbed a knife and slit his hand. He let his blood drip onto the throne, which absorbed it and glowed faintly. On the back, he inscribed, "Whoever sits on this throne is forever immortalized as an emperor." Afterward, he sat in a nearby chair and gazed at his creation.
"Should I make another one? But for whom?" he wondered, rubbing his chin in thought. Suddenly, he remembered a certain violet-haired goddess and began sketching plans without fully understanding why.
Two minutes later, he finished the plans and compared them to his own. They were almost identical, as if designed for an emperor and empress. Alex shrugged and placed the plans on his table, filing them away. He then began creating a new mask to serve as his crown, forging it with anti-magic properties.
**Two Months Later: Draconia**
The entire city was in celebration, anticipating the announcement of the new empire. Delegates entered the city, which Alex had expanded to accommodate three million people, eradicating poverty. He had established residential, business, and industrial areas, along with a fortress a few kilometers away, where he had formed the 1st Legion, comprising over 150,000 soldiers.
Alex rode in a military vehicle, escorted by cavalry from the former Chaos Brigade, now part of the Imperial Guard. As he passed, the people made way for him. He noticed some Assassin X agents moving on rooftops and shadow squadrons blending into the crowd.
A few hours later, Alex exited the armored SUV to face the Imperial Guard, now dressed in black breastplates resembling a darker version of the German SS uniform. Soon, other armed forces in his empire would adopt similar attire.
As Alex began walking, the men raised their weapons and held them at the ready. He continued until he stood before them.
"Ladies and gentlemen, citizens of the Draconian Empire," he began. "Today marks a historic moment in the annals of our realm—a moment that transcends the boundaries of clans and territories, heralding the dawn of a united Draconian Empire. We stand at the precipice of greatness, and together, we shall soar to new heights, our scales gleaming in the light of a shared destiny.
"For too long, we have been divided, our strength diluted by internal strife and discord. But no more. Today, we cast aside the shackles of division and embrace the power that comes with unity. As we gather under the wings of our common purpose, we find strength in our diversity, for it is the mosaic of our differences that makes us formidable.
"Look around you—see the dragons of every hue, from fiery reds to tranquil blues, majestic golds to mysterious blacks. Each scale tells a story, and each story weaves into the rich tapestry of our shared heritage. Today, we declare that every winged creature within our borders is kin, a brother or sister bound by the ancient ties that connect us all.
"Our unity is not just a proclamation; it is a covenant—an unbreakable bond forged in the crucible of our collective will. Together, we shall face the challenges that lie ahead, whether they be the tempests of war or the trials of prosperity. United, we are impervious, for the flame of unity burns brighter than any single dragon's fire.
"In our unity, we find strength; in our diversity, we find resilience. Let us celebrate the unique gifts each of us brings to this union, for it is through collaboration and understanding that we shall reach our zenith. No longer shall the roar of discord drown out the harmonious symphony of our combined might.
"To the elders who have guided us, to the warriors who have defended us, to the scholars who have illuminated us—your contributions are the keystones of this great edifice of unity. Together, we shall build upon your legacies, creating a Draconian Empire that stands as a beacon of wisdom, strength, and prosperity in a world fraught with challenges.
"As we embark on this journey of unification, let our wings beat in unison, a rhythmic pulse that resonates across the skies. Let the flame of unity burn eternal, lighting the way for generations of dragons to come. Together, we are the Draconian Empire, a force to be reckoned with, and together, we shall script a saga that echoes through eternity.
"May our scales glisten with the brilliance of unity, and may the winds of destiny carry us to greatness. For the Draconian Empire! Roar with me, my fellow dragons, for today, we are one!"
With that, Alex finished his speech, and the crowd erupted in roars and cheers. His words were broadcast throughout the city and beyond.
Alex turned around and grabbed his mask, facing the assembled crowd. With Ares, Apollo, and Artemis from Olympus watching, he raised his crown/mask high.
"This shall be a symbol of authority and power in the Draconian Empire. No one but I shall wield this crown, and future rulers after me shall create their own crowns as symbols of their power and authority!" he declared, placing the mask on his head as a crown formed around it, latching on securely.
"Long live the emperor!" Duke Dmitri proclaimed, kneeling. Soon, others followed suit, pledging their allegiance.
"Long live the emperor!"
"Long live the emperor!"
"Long live the emperor!"
"Long live the empire!"
After the ceremony, Alex sat on his throne, which glowed brightly, momentarily blinding everyone. When the light faded, a new pressure filled the air, and everyone silently acknowledged him as the 'God Emperor.'
Alex rested his face on his left palm, taking in the moment. Soon, a grand party commenced. During the past two months, Alex had renovated the lord's castle, transforming it into an Imperial Palace named Draco, capable of holding 100,000 people. It included multiple training yards for the Imperial Guard, which now numbered over 100,000, as Alex planned to deploy them on multiple fronts.
Right now, Alex mingled with different emissaries and engaged in a drinking contest with Ares. Everyone placed bets, and Ares lost after drinking 170 mugs, while Alex finished his 171st without even feeling drunk.
"What's next for you, Alex, after unifying this new empire?" Ares asked.
"Well, my next goal is to defeat Chronos and bring balance to this continent. For now, I'm focused on stabilizing this empire, reorganizing the army, equipping them, and gradually increasing my navy. I also have new weapons to introduce in upcoming conflicts. For the time being, I will close our borders during this transformation," Alex concluded, taking a sip of his drink.
"And what about Chronos? What if he attacks?" Artemis inquired.
"Don't worry. I'll send the 4th Corps to the borders to stay vigilant during our industrialization efforts," Alex replied.
Soon, the party wound down, and everyone retired to their quarters.
**One Week Later**
Alex presented his plans for the empire to the ministers gathered before him.
"This is the plan for the empire. We have a massive workforce, and if we organize them into groups, we can complete our projects efficiently. Siegfried and Draconia will produce the materials, and our engineers from the military will assist. I plan to build large farms for our people in the east, while factories will be established in the west. The army will eventually expand to one million active soldiers, but for now, 300,000 will be active. I aim to expand our empire eastward, effectively capturing 70% of the southern continent."
Everyone nodded, reviewing the development plan Alex had presented, which was viable for completion within a year.
"What about the bandits?" the Minister of Transportation asked.
"The garrison in those regions will root them out. Any bandits or brigands will be dealt with on the spot, and we will establish fortresses along the borders," Alex responded, earning a nod from Duke Dmitri.
"Our expansion may be seen as a threat to other nations," the Minister of Foreign Affairs cautioned.
"The Department of Intelligence can manage the news of our invasions and make them seem justifiable," a member of Assassin X suggested.
Everyone nodded in agreement, continuing their discussions until the meeting concluded.
Alex then journeyed to the Demon Realm to inspect the factories he planned to build but received an unexpected message.
**Demon Emperor's Palace**
Sitting on his throne with the mask on his face, Alex faced the powerful Demon Kings, who regarded him with concerned expressions.
"Give me a reason why you have come here," Alex said.
"We are here to ask if you plan to raise the Demonic Empire," Meliodas inquired.
"Yes, but I intend to expand into the unknown regions, not here," Alex replied, causing the kings to breathe a sigh of relief. However, the pressure he exuded made them kneel, creating cracks in the floor beneath them.
"If you think your kingdoms are safe, think again. I may expand, but do not encroach on my territory. Even you, Demon King, that duchy is mine, not yours. If you attack, I will raze your kingdom to the ground," Alex warned, his glare silencing any objections.
"I declare my fealty to the new Emperor," the Demon King of Pride said as he knelt. "Ever since the time of great separation of the empire, my family peacefully declared independence, and the Demon Emperor supported our growth. We shall serve the new Emperor to repay our gratitude."
Alex nodded solemnly and looked at the others. He would not force them to join, but he welcomed those who did. He informed them that he would soon establish a hierarchy, ensuring equality among all.
To be continued…