A blast of bright golden light washed the two said people, teleporting them to where the Japanese once stood.
Fear is clearly shown in Pina's eyes. The Emperor's wrath might crush her, destroying her soul into oblivion. This was not only her Empire's fate but the fate of her entire world.
Even with those burdens, Pina could not help but think about her own fate and safety. The titanic presence of the Emperor of Mankind had revealed her biggest fear to the fold.
Bozes were not better. The Emperor's psychic power completely freezes her. This situation is something beyond her mortal understanding, beyond anything she had ever witnessed.
She solely focused her strength to stand as if she did not. Bozes would eventually collapse on her own.
"G-Greeting, O' mighty one." Pina bowed deeply, putting all her honorifics gesture to honor the Emperor.
Bozes follows, bowing to the golden man.
The Emperor stays silent, watching the Saderan with unreadable sentiments. It only brings them anxiety and fear, terror crippling their mental grit.
"I demand your answer, Princess." The voice literally made the room's temperature drop significantly.
The red-haired Princess snapped from her stupor, regaining her sense of reality around her.
"We, Saderan Empire, had lived for over 800 years on Falmart. The Gate... We used to plunder the riches that lie beyond. That is our tradition to ensure our nation stays flourish," Pina gulped, trying to swallow her fear. "Since our founding, there were no records regarding more advanced civilization than us. We did not expect to meet with your mighty nation, Your Majesty."
"A foolish and reckless endeavour, Princess," It is one of the giant golems spoke. In contrast to the Lord Commander, this golem is emotionless, even beyond the inhuman border. "World that unknown to you, a danger that utterly might be horrors beyond your Empire to endure. Foolish even in my trillions possible future that my Calculation Matrix counted, it was foolish to its core. A failed culture to protect their people, relying on their blind superiority and glory."
The unnatural voice brought distress to the Princess. This not only pinpoints the entire flaw within the Saderan's view of their superiority. But it is also a mockery. A direct insult to her tradition and origin.
She would not tolerate such action. But the golem's size alone is more than capable of rendering her bravery into nothingness.
Pina cannot stare back at the Emperor. Her eyes were dilated with fear and mental agony. With all of her culture, she had taken a deep root within her soul and way of life.
Now, it was crumbling beneath the unfathomable behemoth named Imperium of Man.
The golem had put the last nail in the coffin. The might of the Imperials had made it in the first place.
"Princess Pina Co Lada, raise your face," It was the Emperor. His voice is neutral, yet it is regal as it is grandeur.
The Saderan Princess complied, and she stared back at the Emperor. She did not find any burning gaze. It was someone who had lost something. After a few seconds, she recognized the gaze the Emperor was holding.
A father who had lost his daughter. Yet, it was buried deep in his inhuman wisdom as the Master of Mankind.
"Y-Your Highness," Pina said, trembling.
"Your country's culture. Slavery, blind glory, and even discrimination against your kin are our folly." The Statement made the Princess widen her eyes in shock.
"Yo-Your Highness! Your Imperium is perfect in so many ways that I lost count of how many perfections are in this Cradle World. The arts, the beauties, and even your presence alone are marvels beyond miracles." Pina said, finding the Emperor's sentence wholly blasphemous to the most extent.
"Why did you think like that, Princess?" The Emperor asked.
"Aren't the answers obvious, Your Highness? Terra, this golden world is filled with untold riches and treasures. I can't see the reason behind your words." Pina admitted. But she hates to acknowledge it.
Emperor before her is indeed a god. But, she wonders why Imperial Citizen hates gods. Their leader is god. She was sure about it. As he is indeed a god. Thus, the worst judgement that shall befall her nation must be accepted.
"Your nation is born because of my direct involvement, Princess."
As a member of the Golden Order, Malcadors stiffened as his palm buried deeper into his staff. All of the High Lords are aware of their liege's origin.
An origin that leads to why the Emperor of Mankind is worthy of the title of Master of Mankind.
"My apologies, Your Excellency. I do not quite understand." Pina said in her Princess demeanour. However, she was heavily sweating due to her fear consumed her soul.
The Emperor scanned his court, trying to find something from them.
"If that is your will, we will not intervene, Your Majesty." The Lex Chancellor said with a nod of understanding.
The Emperor nodded in return, smiling at his subjects. The ageless face of the Emperor of Mankind peered deep into the Princess' soul.
"Did you ever hear someone named Romulus?" The Lord of The Imperium asked.
Hearing the name, Pina tried her best to remember the said name. Since she was born, Pina had learned about the Saderan Empire's original founder.
The Saderan Empire had been through countless reforging. Once, they are a proud nation that foolishly believes in the power of the people. Slowly it changed to the predecessor of the Saderan government, the mythical nation named Rome, which is founded by Romulus.
Romulus itself is a sacred name that became the core foundation of Saderan's myth.
"I did, Your Highness. It was a holy founder of the Empire we originated from." She answered carefully.
"Indeed. He was the origin of the civilization named Roman civilization. A rising civilization became one of the Old Earth's most prominent civilizations. It builds arts and mastery over science beyond anything in its era. It is also the source of slavery across the continent, a foolish nation that grows far from it intended purpose, far from Romulus' teaching." The Emperor said wistfully.
It made the entire room rendered silent. They had their own suspicions regarding the Emperor's initial statement.
"Your Majesty... What does that mean?" Pina was still lost in her thought and anxiety, trying to utter her question carefully.
"Romulus's teaching is about the next step of human evolution. In that era, civilization is limited to only a splitter of city-like nations. Too fragmented to survive. Thus, he founded the Roman culture and the first Roman city. When the time of parting hath come, he left guidance to their ascension. Yet, they degraded far from the intended path." Emperor closed his eyes as if he were experiencing a nostalgic sentiment.
"Even so, it is still in my design. Humanity then lived solely focused on their own kin, feeling xenophobic toward others." Something was off. Not only Pina but the entire group felt the same thing.
"Your design, Your Majesty?" Pina asked, eyes wide open.
"Indeed. Romulus was among my countless masks when I wandered the Old Earth." The Emperor declared firmly.
The declaration sent various shock expressions from the Falmartian and even the JSDF. Romulus, to the JSDF, is a known figure within the world's history.
"Y-Your Highness. How... How is that possible?" Pina asked in disbelief.
"I assume you were already aware that I became the ruling monarch of the Imperium of Man for over 2.000 years. But the genuine truth is much wider than you think, Princess." The Emperor slowly said. His eyes gently flared with psychic power.
A golden light filled the Princess' mind, overwhelming them in a stream of memory.
There, she saw a man with an ancient cloak of simple fur. He created the first city, built civilization, and passed his teaching to mankind with all his wisdom.
In seemingly endless generations, he wandered across the Old Earth. He plants the seed that soon becomes a mighty civilization. If the time has come and fate is needed, he will also be the destroyer of civilizations.
The man wore countless masks, becoming the guide of humanity to ascension.
Blood sheds in his wake, and civilization arises from the ashes of his judgment. Stay hiding as long as he deems humanity is ready for his reveal.
It was the true nature of the Master of Mankind. A being that held power and foresight with no bounds. A god-like being that had his soul as a human.
The golden Emperor smiled. He only showed the Princess what she needed to know. Each of them had different visions of the Emperor. He did not show them the more bizarre and horrifying truth as it would fry her mortal brain.
Soon, the vision stopped as she regained her foothold in reality. Pina is baffled by the revelation, staring at the mighty Emperor in wonder.
"Your... Your Highness," Pina mumbled as her eyes filled with tears.
"The information you've witnessed is a widespread knowledge within the Imperium of Man. I know your culture and the truth of the universe," The Emperor said to the Princess. "A folly born from the seed I had planted countless ages ago had reborn into a pale imitation of the original idea."
Pina could not help to remain calm. The truth, the founder of her culture is right before her.
Then, she remembers what the Ferrous Mind had said to the Apostle.
"The Emperor held the title Master of Mankind for a reason, Rory Mercury. Please, you will have your answer."
It made the realization strike her to her core. Pina buried her face in her palms.
"Princess," Bozes whispered, worried by her liege's condition.
The rest of the groups were confused as they witnessed the prideful Princess succumbing to her own emotional pressure.
"What's going on?" Rory asked.
"I heard about Romulus while exploring an old tale from my teacher's possession. " Lelei remarked, holding her chin.
"So... The Emperor is the founder of Rome. It... It's a lot to take in. What kind of report I will send back to the parliament." Aizawa commented, putting his fingers on his temples.
Pina steeled herself, slightly regaining her composure as she brought all of her bravery to stare at the Emperor.
"O' the mighty Emperor of Mankind, why you show me this?" Pina asked with determination.
"To teach you a lesson. A lesson that you are the only one worthy enough to receive from me." The Master of Mankind gently said to the Princess.
"Me, is the only one who is worthy?" Pina muttered as she could not find a suitable answer.
A mortal like her, an ordinary woman like her. Someone as insignificant as her now entrusted and had received truth from a man like the Emperor of Mankind.
It is beyond overwhelming for her.
"Nothing is much worthy than you in this circumstance." The answer only made the Princess bite her own lips.
"Then, what is Your Majesty's demand on my foolish Empire?" A bitter taste filled Pina's mouth as her heart ached in pain.
"I demand you to abolish slavery as fast as possible, build an embassy in your capital, and create a free trade pact with us." The Emperor counted his demand, narrowing his eyes.
"Those are indeed acceptable. But abolishing slavery... I can't be sure. I don't have the necessary power to do it." Pina said regretfully.
"Then, you can have your father's position," The mighty Emperor said firmly.
"What?!" The red-haired Princess shouted in shock.
"Your Empire is crumbling on broken legs. After losing the majority of its armies, civil war is on the horizon. Your brother would be the cause of this. Furthermore, my demand will accelerate it." The Emperor stated coldly. "If that moment comes, I want you to take your mantle as the ruler of Sadera."
"If that is indeed happening. How will I secure it, Your Highness?" Pina asked seriously, narrowing her eyes in conviction.
"Princess Pina!" Bozes shouted disapprovingly.
Pina did not answer, still staring at the Emperor profoundly.
"Further negotiation shall come. Until that moment, do your best, Princess Pina Co Lada. Now, prove my faith in you is true. Make yourself worthy of claiming my support. " He said with a booming voice, demanding an answer.
Pina swallows her saliva as she is emotionally exhausted by the revelation. The Emperor only needs one answer from her. However, this answer will also become her Empire's ultimate fate.
"I will talk with my father first. His answer will be delivered to you, Your Highness." Pina replied, firmly pressing her tone.
Bozes could not believe her ears. Her lady's statement is utterly blasphemous and a sign of treason.
"Please, milady," Bozes grabbed Pina's hand. "Please, don't do this. If your father knows this, he will have your head."
"I was already aware of it. Don't be worried." Pina smiled weakly, reassuring the blond knight. Pina turns her head back to the Emperor, nodding in confirmation.
"So be it," The Emperor stands, revealing his full armor.
"Pina Co Lada, Princess of the Saderan Empire as well as the 10th person on the Saderan throne. By my authority as Lord of The Imperium, I declare you as Primum Praesidium." The declaration boomed throughout the room, blared with authority and power.
"Primum Praesidium," Pina muttered in shock at the title.
The rest of the group just stared at each other. They have been led astray by the title. But for Saderan, the title was made with ancient words that they thought had been lost.
"May I ask, Your Highness?" Bozes inquired.
"You have my permission," The Emperor said with a smile.
"This title, Primum Praesidium. What does that mean?" The female knight questioned with a sign of fear as she did not look at the Master of Mankind.
"Primum Praesidium is a title bestowed by the High Lords of Terra or me. This title means you will receive complete protection from us. Usually, anyone with this title will be accompanied by one of my Custodes. Unfortunately, due to your status as our enemy, it will be impossible." The Emperor answered.
"If that is the case, Your Majesty. Who will protect me, then?" The red-haired Princess asked in distress. The term Custodes is foreign to her, yet she acknowledges it as a form of a guardian.
"It will be a Solar Guardian and a member of Ordo Assassin."
Suddenly, Pina realized the implication of the title. It protects her from an unknown danger and acts as an execution tool when she deviates from their plan.
A dangerous gamble indeed.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Pina bowed nobly. "I humbly accept this title and kindness."
"Very well. Malcador," The Emperor addressed the hooded man.
"Yes, Your Excellency?" He answered.
"The rest is yours with Lex Chancellor." The Emperor returned to his seat. His eyes radiated a pleasant sentiment.
"Of course, milord." Malcador said, bowing in respect.
"Leave it to us, Your Highness." The Man of Stone said firmly.
The Emperor nodded, expecting nothing less from his court's two most talented bureaucrats. The member of the Golden order stepped forward, clearing his throat.
"As the Majesty had declared. Pina Co Lada will be sanctioned as Primum Praesidium. Thus, she will be appointed with the highest order of protection of the Imperium," With a wave of the Lex Chancellor's hand, a stream of the information entered the Imperial Palace's Noosphere.
In a second, a sheet of paper appeared on Pina's podium. It is written in High Gothic, the formal language of the Imperium. Thanks to her cultural origin, she can read the majority of it.
After taking a few seconds to read it, Pina can only shudder.
"This... This is too good to be true." She murmured to herself.
"Imperium of Man is indeed an expansionist country. But integration and the dream of unity is our main purpose for existing." The Lord Commander inform the Princess.
"A united race, united culture, and military. That is His Majesty's dream." The gigantic robot said with its inhuman tone.
"If integration is achieved. Every wonder you've seen here would also be in Falmartian possession." The man in the red robe said encouragingly.
Pina scanned the room with a spark of hope inside. There is no need for bloodshed. The devastating war can be avoided as this mighty country would bring miracles to Sadera beyond imagination.
"I accept," Pina stated without hesitation.
"Use the needle beside you. Use your blood to mark it." As the Lord of Laxius Ordo finished his sentence, a small steel needle materialized beside the paper.
The red-haired Princess used it on her index finger. She placed it near the wax seal that bears the mark of twin-headed Aquila. As the blood had marked it, the Emperor of Mankind raised his hand. A burn sensation stung the Princess' upper hand.
"What." Pina winced in pain.
"A Warp Rune. It is small psychic wards that will connect you with Alexander." Said the Emperor, staring at the Princess.
"Alexander?"
"It would be me, Princess." A voice suddenly resounded in her head. "My name is AR-103. Ferrous Mind serves as Imperial Palace's guardian."
"Another iron spirit," Bozes remarked.
"Now, every activity of yours will be directly reported to Alexander. Use your choices wisely, Princess." The golden Emperor said to her.
Pina can feel her skin crawl. "O-Of course, Your Highness. I understand"
"Very well," The Emperor smiled, glancing at the rest of the group. "The Lord General has given all of your the schedule. I hope you are prepared for what awaits you."
At this statement, Itami can feel his excitement filling his lungs, while other Japanese feel intrigued by how their histories were recorded in this era.
Lelei held her chin as her mind raced with imagination. She wondered about Prospero. Based on documents she had read from Agral's document, Prospero is home to Imperium's warp science and countless psychic innovations.
Tuka could only feel insecurity had taken a deep root in her mind. The Imperium hates everything from her. Yet, the High Lords did not seem to hate her. Thus, she has a hope that lies ahead.
The Saderan steeled themselves as their next meeting would be with Malcador at a certain historical place.
Meanwhile, Rory tightened her grip on her halberd as her meeting would be with the Emperor privately.
"Therefore, I suspend this meeting according to the schedule," The Emperor proclaimed as his body disappeared into a mots of lights.
The Lex Chancellor stood from his seat, raising a golden scepter that held his status as a Chancellor. "As the Majesty has spoken. I declare this meeting to be suspended until the end of the Victoria Aurea celebration."
"Victoria Aurea?" Pina asked.
"It's a victory festival that would be celebrated for a whole week. I hope you can enjoy it," The Lex Chancellor informs them with a smile. "Alexander will guide you to your room, as tomorrow will be a great journey for each one of you."
With a flash of golden brilliance, they appeared within the room whose beauty could not be described. It is ornamented with impossibly crafted ornaments.
The architecture is beyond any their world could offer. Golden metal and ceramic span across the room.
Calling it a room would be an understatement. This place alone is four times of Japanese Diet room.
"This would be your room. If you ever get lost, I've installed the map so you can access it. Don't bother to ask me something, though," The Man of Iron said to them while a holovid materialized before them, revealing the room's floor plan.
Pina had lived in her personal manor in her entire life. Although her manor is not as big as her brother's, this entire room is the same size as the Sadera's Imperial Palace.
"This... Impossible," Itami said in a whisper.
"It's... No way," Kurobayasi added.
"I hope you are enjoying your stay. Foods will be delivered soon. I assure you they are delicious." Said Alexander jovially.