Alex's POV
The long line of soldiers stretched far ahead as I sat atop a Humvee. It had been two days since we left the northern front, and people were eagerly awaiting our arrival. I had to carefully manage the marching order, deciding that the 14th Legion would lead. They had survived a life-and-death battle, separated from their main force and nearly annihilated. Thankfully, I arrived in time to save them. Now, two companies represent the legion while the rest return home by ship, watching the celebration on the magic TVs onboard. The journey back to the Empire would take over three months—no small feat given the continent's vast size.
I had already planned the awards system for the soldiers. These medals were not just for show; they came with material benefits, such as a monthly pension upon retirement. One soldier would even be promoted as the 6th official Marshal of the Empire, though he wasn't present, being currently deployed on another continent.
I had sent him with two specialized marine divisions adept at fighting in cold winters. Their mission: establish and develop a regional territory in the Glaciera Continent, where the Nordic Empire lies. This area borders the Budenvier Republic to the southwest, which supplies us with food thanks to a favor I called in. To the north is the Thanatos Empire—isolated, with little communication—but that will change soon.
The west faces constant conflict from the Nordic Empire, which has been sending armies of over 50,000, thinking they can wear us down. They don't realize that the commander has been planning for this from the start. Supplies, such as weapons and ammunition, are either shipped via military transport vessels or smuggled by submarines to avoid detection from patrolling ships.
As the Victory March approached, the city limits came into view. The towering walls of New Draconia stood tall, with buildings behind them reaching no more than seven stories. Plans for skyscrapers were underway to maximize space efficiency. The city had been divided into different sections based on family incomes, ensuring organized growth.
Passing through the gates, I heard the roars of the citizens. The road to the central plaza had been cleared, and the giant fountain temporarily removed to make way for the parading army. The citizens' diverse appearances and attire revealed their origins—from the east, west, and south.
"Really, people from all over are here," I remarked, though my voice was drowned out by the cheers and roars around me. The Imperial Guard formed an unbreakable wall to keep the crowd at bay, while the police, armed with wooden shields, ensured the parade route remained clear.
"Your Majesty, over 500,000 people have entered the capital to celebrate Victory Day. Assassin X units assigned here have requested backup to root out any conspiracies," an Imperial Guard reported.
"Continue their work," I responded, and the guard nodded before leaving.
As the parade reached the central plaza, soldiers formed tight columns, standing upright and unmoving. I stepped down from the vehicle and walked toward the podium, which was heavily guarded by the 1st Legion's elite Black Cloaks, along with my personal Imperial Guard unit. Surrounding me were Sean, Alric, Ling, Axe, Zarina, and Jin, their armor and weapons polished to a gleaming finish.
"Soldiers and citizens of the Draconian Empire," I began, my voice commanding attention. The crowd quieted, and even those in the farthest corners stopped what they were doing to listen.
Speech
"One year ago, we embarked on a war to end the menace of the Chronos Horde, a threat that plagued Pangea. Today, we stand victorious, not just celebrating triumph but also remembering the sacrifices made. This victory came at a cost—soldiers and allies of Olympus, who have fought since the beginning, paid with their lives.
For years, I defended myself as a city lord, rising to emperor and then god to slay Chronos. We have long defended ourselves, but now, we struck at the root of the threat. We honor those who fell, acknowledging that their sacrifice fuels our continued existence. We know peace must be defended, and as long as we fight for survival, we must never yield.
Soldiers of the Empire, this is your day—celebrate, eat, drink, and cherish this victory. For those still deployed, your day of joy will come. Let us also remember the tireless efforts of our citizens who, though not on the front lines, ensured our warriors had the tools needed for victory. To you, we extend lifelong pensions and future opportunities for your children.
Today, we salute you all, for this war has ended, and your unwavering dedication has secured our legacy."
As I finished, I raised my fist to the sky, releasing energy in the shape of a dragon. It roared to life and ascended before bursting into colorful fireworks. Artillery pieces on the city walls, long silent, turned toward the city center and fired their salvos.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Instead of explosions of war, vibrant colors and shapes filled the sky. Banners of the Draconian Empire draped over each city, celebrating this momentous day. As morning turned to night, silent prayers were offered in the absence of a state religion, allowing citizens to freely practice their faiths within the Empire's regulations.
The soldiers stood stunned before one shouted, "Long live the Emperor!"
This sentiment spread like wildfire, with soldiers and citizens echoing the cry:
"Long live the Emperor!"
"Long live the Emperor!"
"Long live the Emperor!"
"Long live the Emperor!"
"Long live the Emperor!"
The cheers were deafening, and the people rejoiced in this time of peace. Yet Alex knew this was only the beginning. He could already feel the challenges looming ahead. The Novoros soldiers had been sent home with generous rewards. For those who had died, their bodies were cremated and returned to their families, along with promises that their children would have opportunities to attend future academies for free, receive lifetime pensions for widows, and discounts on essential products.
Draconian Imperial Palace – Main Conference Room
Alex touched the high-quality table before him, recalling the many pivotal decisions made there. Now, this meeting would decide the empire's course for the coming years and beyond.
"Since everyone is present, we can begin this meeting," Alex said, his voice firm and commanding, embodying that of an emperor.
"For the status of religious activity within the empire's lands, I want a summary," Alex addressed Zarinion Jeremiah, head of the Bureau of Religious Regulation.
"Your Majesty," Zarinion began, his black hair neatly combed and glasses glinting under the light, "currently, the majority of the population worships you and the Draconian Sentinels. Despite your policy prohibiting religious practices in your name, I would request you reconsider. Allowing limited worship could give us greater control over the population.
"The second-largest group is the Golden Cross, who worship Noah, the god of skies. The smallest faction is the Olympus Pantheon, primarily Athena. Those who worship her are mostly covert spies from the Athenian Accord or foreigners within our borders," Zarinion concluded.
Known as the 'Inquisitor,' Zarinion oversaw a specialized unit tasked with handling religious practices that violated laws and policies. His methods, while thorough, were only used in extreme cases, as Alex preferred a civilized approach to governance over barbaric practices.
"Understood. Let's move on to the economy. We are transitioning from a war economy to a peacetime economy. What are the losses and gains?" Alex asked, shifting the agenda.
"Your Majesty, the war cost us 250 billion Dracs," the economic advisor reported. "This includes expenses for supply roads, soldier salaries, compensation for allied nations, and lost military equipment."
Everyone in the room took a sharp breath; the figure was higher than expected.
"But we have gained 50 billion Dracs in return from captured enemy equipment, materials, minerals, and cash. Additionally, we've expanded our northern border. If we industrialize and repair the ruined cities, we can boost our economy further."
"So, we lost much, but we gained something invaluable. Good. I approve. Let's capitalize on the land we gained. Since Chronos never mined resources there, we can take advantage of the virgin mines," Alex responded.
The emperor allowed his advisors autonomy in decision-making, believing it was their responsibility to guide the Empire. He would approve or modify their plans as needed, but ultimately, it was their performance that shaped the empire's future.
"Now, moving to diplomacy—what is our status with our neighbors?" Alex asked, turning the discussion to foreign relations.
"Your Majesty, we must monitor the eastern nations closely. Our attack on the Gran Cathay Empire's capital has made them wary of us. They're cautious because we now dominate the southern lands of Pangea. I recommend increasing surveillance on them," the foreign affairs advisor replied.
"As for the western nations, our relations remain stable. We can expect increased demand for raw materials from them," he continued.
Alex nodded in agreement. Most eastern nations were notoriously arrogant, bolstered by warriors capable of contending with gods. Controlling half of the southern lands of Pangea meant Alex now held the region's breadbasket, drawing both interest and hostility.
"For now, let's maintain stability. Instead of expanding continental trade, we should look outward. We are essentially in a cold war with the Tiamat Empire and the Zenith Empire," Alex declared, his words causing everyone to straighten in their seats.
"We must secure allies and support them. Currently, we have three key allies: the Alchemist Nation, the Novoros Duchy, and the High Kingdom of Muscovy," Alex continued.
None of the Sentinels were present in the meeting, as they had returned to their respective duties. Even Axe and Sean were absent, assisting Zarina with stabilizing her realm and implementing Alex's proposed unification plan.
"Alright, we have much to address. While the celebrations continue, I want skeletal crews in each department to handle essential operations. Everyone else can take the day off and join the festivities," Alex said, signaling the meeting's conclusion.
"But, before we end, Grand Marshal, what old-generation weapons do we still have in storage that can be shipped out? For the first dispatch, I want weapons that can be quickly mastered by newly dispatched officers," Alex asked Dimitri.
"Most of our stock consists of bolt-action rifles, semi-automatic rifles, and older artillery pieces, including fortress guns and smaller field artillery. Ammunition stocks are also plentiful," Dimitri replied.
"Good. Begin covertly exporting 50,000 rifles per month, along with 500,000 bullets. For artillery, send 5,000 units for now. No air force assets yet—deploy instructors instead. Assign Assassin X to train the Muscovy Intelligence Agency, but ensure they remain under our control. Axe's unit may only act directly on specific targets under my orders," Alex instructed.
A Few Minutes Later
As the meeting adjourned, the room slowly emptied. Alone, Alex leaned back in his chair, wrapping his hands together as fatigue weighed on him. His mind calculated the next steps, even as the holographic map before him displayed the zones of interest. One large red patch had been cleared, signifying the end of the Chronos Horde.
"So, where do we focus next?" Alex muttered, staring at the other red patches dotting the map.
"Why not all of them!" he said with determination, his voice steady.
To be continued...