A tragedy that caused countless deaths and mass displacements—this was how the catastrophe would be remembered, marking only the beginning. Or rather, it was the first phase of entering a turbulent era.
For the common people, the origins of this disaster were uncertain, giving rise to speculation throughout every corner of the Empire.
— "What should we do?" asked Baron Konrite.
— "We should begin by choosing a regent," he suggested.
— "What?!"
Agitated voices echoed in the room. The high nobility of Amalek had gathered around a table in a dimly lit chamber. Everyone was visible, each able to propose their ideas in a debate where the future of the kingdom was being discussed.
The meeting room, sparsely furnished, held only a table surrounded by chairs and a few decorative items, including a valuable tapestry adorned with a crest on the wall.
— "Watch your words, Baron Konrite!" rebuked Baron Decados.
— "I understand your position, Baron Decados, but we must appoint a temporary regent," insisted Baron Eldum. "The children of our late sovereign are too young to make such weighty decisions, and his elder brother remains missing. We're in a critical situation."
Murmurs swept through the room.
— "Certainly," replied Baron Dristerbel, "but you don't have the power to make such a decision alone, and all the nobles eligible for the regency title will soon be back."
— "Oh, Marquis Dristerbel, we understand your position, but we cannot wait for those who are late," responded Baron Eldum.
— "Why don't we discuss more urgent matters in the meantime?" suggested Marquis Poatty.
— "And make no mistake, I think a perfect candidate for this role has already returned," declared Konrite.
At that moment, the vigorous voice of a butler announced:
— "The Viscount Achreios."
Murmurs rippled through the room:
"Viscount Achreios is back? Since when?"
"Wasn't he at the Empire's borders? How did he return so quickly?"
The Viscount walked with confidence, greeted the assembly, apologized for his delay, and took his seat.
— "Then, I propose that Viscount Achreios become the temporary regent. What do you all think?" insisted Baron Konrite.
The murmurs grew louder.
— "What do you think, Marquis Poatty?" asked Konrite.
Marquis Poatty tensed up: *This is a sham, they're all in collusion. Even before this catastrophe, they were acting suspiciously, and now they have free rein.*
— "I found it strange that the discussion kept going their way when it was only a few barons," thought Baron Dristerbel. *So that's what's going on…*
Viscount Achreios interrupted the murmurs:
— "This is all dreadfully slow. Let's proceed with the vote and move on."
— "Viscount, before proceeding, why don't you explain your intentions to us?" requested Marquis Poatty.
— "My intentions are simple," replied Achreios. "To serve the Empire and make it eternal."
The phrase, though brief, left the nobles perplexed.
— "What do you mean by 'making the Empire eternal,' Viscount?" asked Baron Dristerbel.
— "The recent catastrophe can be seen as an opportunity," explained Viscount Achreios. "We must seize it to annex the neighboring kingdoms."
— "What?!"
Marquis Negrito, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke up:
— "Why such folly, Viscount? We have far more pressing matters to address. We're in no state to go to war."
— "Do you not understand the stakes?" insisted Baron Konrite.
Baron Dristerbel interrupted:
— "What is there to understand, Baron Konrite?"
— "Calm yourselves!" intervened Viscount Achreios. "This is for the good of the Empire. The current situation is causing a massive influx of refugees into every corner of the Empire, and resources are starting to run scarce. It is time to unite all peoples under one banner, to crush any potential threats."
Marquis Poatty, concerned, thought: *I don't like this at all! And this doesn't seem like an idea conceived on a whim. How long have they been planning this?*
— "Viscount, launching such an operation would spell the Empire's end. We lack the necessary funds, and our troops need to reorganize after the incident with the Order of the Transcendent," objected Poatty.
More murmurs filled the room.
— "The Viscount is right," interjected Baron Eldum. "We need much more land to manage this situation, and the same goes for the other kingdoms. By joining us, we could manage resources equitably, though it's unlikely they would accept, favoring their own interests."
— "Enough of this," said Viscount Achreios. "Let's settle it with a vote."
Marquis Poatty looked around: *It's a foregone conclusion; he likely holds a majority. Most of the nobles here haven't even voiced their opinions since the beginning of this meeting.*
— "I ask those in favor of electing Viscount Achreios as regent to raise their hands!" declared Baron Konrite.
As hands began to rise, a new voice broke through the room:
— "We don't need a regent at the moment. Let's discuss how to manage the current crisis, the increasing number of refugees, and how to help the common people to avoid chaos or civil war."
Count Li, imposing in his presence, had disrupted the charade. Certain plots were beginning to unravel.
— "Count Li?! Since when have you been in the capital?" asked Viscount Achreios.
Astonished murmurs filled the room.
— "Count, you're back?" marveled Baron Dristerbel.
— "When did he arrive? We didn't even see him enter…" thought several nobles, stunned.
Marquis Poatty felt a rare sense of relief.
— "I was already on my way before the Emeth catastrophe," explained Count Li. "I received a report suggesting a coup was in the making."
The room fell into a tense silence.
— "All this matters little for now," added Li. "I have no proof, and I won't dig any further at this time. Now, let us begin the meeting."
Viscount Achreios, momentarily thrown off, quickly reflected: *Count Li… according to my sources, he wasn't supposed to arrive today. I can only wait for another opportunity.*
The meeting continued without further incident. It was decided that the Adventurers' Guild would receive imperial missions to ease the knights' workload, which led to a boom in the adventuring profession. Measures were adopted to increase resource production, provide work for refugees and citizens of the Empire, open care centers for the injured, and carry out a massive population census, among other similar initiatives.