By the time the sun began to set on the royal capital the news of what happened in the funeral spread like wild fire, and by tomorrow the whole empire would know, followed by the world a week or two later. This was obviously due to Isaac greatly aiding in spreading the information under my orders. But to be honest, I feel that it was unnecessary since the people who were at the funeral did more than enough on their own, and within an hour hundreds of gifts were sent from all over the capital congratulating me and my family.
But it wasn't the time for that now. Currently I was headed to the throne room followed by Darius, Horus, Abraham, Isaac and Nizam, and they were giving me all sorts of reports. When they finished I said "Darius I want you to immediately call for the war council."
Darius shocked by this, says "But your majesty, by law and tradition the funeral of the emperor must be continued for two weeks, and war is forbidden until the funeral is over!"
"Law and tradition also demand that we protect our people, defend the empire and avenge our fallen! So I'm sure we can make an exception this time, don't you think so Grand Vizier." I emotionlessly replied.
Darius opened his eyes wide at this, but then a content smile appeared on his face as he said "Of course my emperor, it shall be done immediately."
I nod to this and he departed to see his task complete. Without stopping my movements I continue "Isaac I want you to take all my belongings and move them to my mother's palace for the time being."
Isaac confused by this asks "Are you not staying at the emperor's palace, my liege?"
"Not at the moment, I will move to the emperor's palace when my mother's health improves." I reply with a concerned voice.
Isaac understanding says "Very well, your majesty. But I will still have the emperor's palace ready at any moment for you, sire."
I nod to this accepting his decision. But then I remember something that freezes me in my tracks, as I turn around and tell him "But make sure that you remove all of my father's lecherous toys first."
Isaac stifles a laugh and says "Of course, sir."
It was at this moment that I remembered that Nizam was still following me, and no matter how mature Nizam was for his age, what we were about to talk about was not something that a twelve year old boy should listen to.
"Nizam I have a job for you as well." I say in the same tone of voice I used to issue orders to the others, but I could not help my eyes growing a bit softer.
"Yes brother!" Although Nizam tried to keep his earlier composure, but this time he failed completely, and everyone only saw a cute child who wanted to help his brother, while trying to imitate the adults.
"I want you to go to our mother and tell her of all that has happened today." I said while showing a small smile on my face.
Nizam was obviously disappointed with the task I gave him, but none-the-less he still left to do it.
Soon after he left we arrived at the throne room. Which I always thought was an understatement, it would be more accurate to call it a throne hall. As soon as you open the door you are met with a large hall that had rows of columns that reached the high sealing. And on both the sides to the right and left were color stained windows that filled the hall with a sense of otherworldly beauty and charm. And at the end of the large room was a large staircase that led up to a small platform that held upon it a black and golden throne.
The staircase itself was flanked on both sides with two statues of Chimeras and above the throne was a large drawing of the world and above it all was an eclipsed sun! It was a bold declaration of the empire's ambition and pride. All of this only helped to add a sense of authority, dignity and intimidation to the one who sat upon the throne.
As I walk to the throne the guards took their positions between the columns and at the base of the stairs. And as I stand in front of it Horus and Abraham stood behind it as guards, while Isaac stood a few steps away from the throne at the right side of the stairs. Then I sat calmly on the throne as if it was the most natural thing in the world, and all those who saw me were shocked because they felt me sitting on the throne was as natural as the sun rising from the east, and setting in the west!
Within three minutes the hall was filled with the highest ranking military officers and advisors. But there were four men who had more say in this meeting than any other! The first was a tall and muscular man, wearing intimidating black armor, and holding a large black and red lance in his hand. He had blood red hair and eyes. He was General Sodarus Indra, the commander of all the Chimera Knights. He was also level nine in lance martial arts.
The second was an old man who wore colorful purple clothes with many potions, odd tools and trinkets on his belt. He had a long grey beard that reached his knees, a bald head, and two grey eyes. He was Arch mage Hekan Heka. Similar to martial artists, mages also had eleven levels to go through, and Hekan had already reached the tenth level of magic arts.
The third one was another old man, but unlike Hekan who wore vibrant clothes, he wore simple white robes. He walked slowly with a hunched back, and held in one hand an ordinary wooden walking stick, while the other was held by a man in similar clothes as he helped him take a seat. He was Adam Sekhmet the Arch Priest of the empire. Even though he looked like a frail old man, he was anything but. His glowing green eyes were a testament to his power as a tenth rank healer!
And the last one was the most feared of all these men! He was a gigantic man, who had long braided black hair, and his left eye was black, while his right eye was pure white with a deep scar over it. And he wore a regal attire that brought a sense of nobility to his intimidating features. He was Hamilcar Seth the Grand Marshal of the empire. And he was also a tenth rank martial artist!
In a few moments everyone was seated, including Darius who was still Grand Vizier. I started the meeting by saying "I thank you all for your haste in answering my call. Everyone here knows that our empire has suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the Luminous Empire. So before I hear your thoughts on how to best deal with this, I would like the Grand Marshal to report all the recent news, and also ask how we lost both my father, and the battle in the first place!" I mostly asked this so that all those who were still unclear on the state of things may catch up.
"As you wish sire. Currently our situation is very bleak. The northern army that was supposed to defend against the Luminous army was nearly destroyed, and we have no armies close enough to stop them, and if they are left unchecked they could easily attack and capture the largest city in the north; Abaddin!" Hamilcar said with a powerful and loud voice so that all could hear.
When he reached this point everyone was astonished. After all if Abaddin fell that would leave the capital open to attack! Not to mention that Abaddin itself was home to more than three million people.
Even though they were shocked everyone here was a man of great talent and wisdom, so they calmed down to allow Hamilcar to continue "As I was saying, this is the overall situation. As for why we lost so miserably, it's because our Chimera Knights were no match for their Gryphon Knights, and were absolutely decimated."
This once again shocked everyone. Because historically speaking the Chimera Knights have always either defeated or stalemated the Gryphon Knights, but they never lost to them.
At this point Isaac said "I'm afraid I don't understand Grand Marshal. Was the information the Shade Corps provided the army of the number of Gryphon Knights wrong for this to happen?"
Hamilcar did not answer this time, instead he looked at General Sodarus. Seeing that all eyes were on him now, the general stood up and loudly proclaimed "The reason the Chimera Knights failed was not because of the Shade Corps! The Chimera Knights were not outnumbered. It was because the Luminous Empire has invented a new type of armor for the gryphons and their riders that is resistant to a chimeras fire and poison!"
The hall erupted in a flurry of noise and yelling trying to understand how they could have invented such a thing without us knowing about it from our spies. But they were silenced by Abraham when he released his terrifying aura. The only ones not affected were Hamilcar, Sodarus, Hekan and Adam. When they calmed down I asked "Grand Marshal, who was leading the Gryphon Knights?"
"It was the brother of emperor Octavian, Grand Duke Marcus, sire." Hamilcar replied calmly.
The hall stayed silent this time as they waited for me to speak. I take a few seconds to think before saying "So we have no army in the north to fight them with, Abbadin is their next target, we can't defeat their Gryphon Knights and they are being lead by the Luminous Empire's most talented aerial commander."
'In my past life we avoided losing Abbadin by signing a humiliating peace agreement. But not this time! They must be insane if they think I will be giving up an inch of land this time around. But how?' I think.
As I was thinking over the situation while petting Bellerophon, who jumped on my lap at some point, an amused smile appeared on my face.
'This is so complicated. HAHAHA! This is so much fun! I haven't had a problem this complicated in eons! But it doesn't matter how hard it is, I'll figure it out and once I do, I will flood this world with the blood of the Luminous Empire!' I think as a predatory look settles in my eyes.