Chapter 27

Chapter 27

Chapter 27

Chapter 27: Epilogue

One day, the collapse of the Ninth Empire occurred. That outcome came about in a manner inexplicable by any other reason.

The bitter dispute held between the monarch and the revolutionary insurgents suddenly lost all purpose.

Despite this, the primary question remained valid.

Would one choose the monarch or the revolution?

The sovereign William of Brandenburg formally abdicated his crown, causing the aristocrats who remained loyal to him to prostrate themselves submissively before the new ruler.

Thus, after the successive rise and fall of nine empires, the Tenth Empire was finally established.

“I extend my gratitude to you for answering this call.”

Established since the period of the Third Empire, there existed a custom called the “Imperial Tradition.” Through this, the aristocracy, members of the clergy, and even merchants from the autonomous cities would gather for the purpose of dictating the fate of the nation.

The Imperial Assembly.

Such a grand meeting was held with solemnity in the imperial city of Ingelheim, a site where the ruler made his appearance wearing garments of dark and golden tones.

However, he did not arrive alone.

That group of influential figures whom history considered extinct after the end of the Fourth Empire also made an imposing presence.

The murmurs of the crowd extinguished suddenly, as if a mystical force had silenced them.

“…!”

“Could they belong to the Fourth Empire of the Northern Continent…?”

The royal consort could be seen, revered in other times as the Divine Sword, the Grand Duchess Lancaster, and Charlotte of Saxony.

Also, the sovereign’s progenitor, cataloged as the most renowned necromancer in the region, Alan of Saxony.

Next to them marched the Night Raven Knights of Saxony, commanded by the imposing Sir Helmut Blackbear, in addition to the custodians known as the Guardians of the Tomb.

Even practitioners of the dark arts from the Black Tower made an appearance, individuals who displayed an incontestable “black magic” in an era where conventional mystical groups had weakened.

Whoosh!

The spiritual energy emanating from the Night Raven Knights was overwhelming. The aristocrats held their breath upon witnessing those blades imbued with an aura of profound darkness and the corporeal manifestations of energy that enveloped their bodies.

“A manifestation of aura!”

The surprises did not end there. Behind the Night Raven Knights advanced the heavy infantry troops, provided with “magic armor,” the artifact that was previously considered the confidential armament resource of the revolutionary forces.

“Is that what I think…?”

“The mystical armor belonging to the revolutionaries…?”

Astonishment unset the faces of the nobility, but Dale intervened to instill calm in them.

“These protections were always intended to clothe the combatants of our own nation.”

To ratify his words, the characteristic insignia of the Night Raven was visibly engraved upon the dark breastplates of the infantry soldiers.

In an era where a lone warrior possessed the capacity to bend a thousand opponents, these relentless beings had ratified their supremacy by erecting prominent mounds with the remains of their adversaries.

To the men of the present time, those newcomers looked like spectral apparitions from remote eras. However, they were far from simple apparitions.

In that environment of absolute cold capable of paralyzing the passage of time, the layers of ice finally dissolved, allowing them to emerge again from the pages of the past.

Dale, in the company of the Saxon lineage, his elite riders, and his sorcerers, was completely prepared.

Despite this, it was not required that they initiate any action. The intervention of the individual who had subjugated the Ninth Empire from the northern territories to the southern lands was more than sufficient.

The Great Mage.

It was not a matter of an incompetent monarch or a sovereignty lacking substance, but of an authentic kingdom that showed itself deserving of their loyalties.

“Again, I express my gratitude to the members of the nobility, the ecclesiastical representatives, and the bourgeoisie for undertaking this complex journey to meet in this hall.”

In the main section of the parliament, a royal seat awaited the monarch to whom they would render homage. It was a seat made of dark gold.

Dale contemplated that royal seat and subsequently fixed his eyes on Charlotte.

“Charlotte, take a seat in this place.”

“Dale…?”

Despite the situation, it was not planned for Dale to occupy said seat of power.

“Do it for the well-being of the creature we are expecting, I ask you to rest in this place.”

“However… there are other seats available. It would be possible to request…”

Charlotte showed hesitation, but Dale made a negative gesture.

“It is my wish that you and our descendant occupy this place before the gaze of those gathered.”

“……”

Pressing affectionately her growing belly, Dale expressed himself. Charlotte abandoned any doubt.

Charlotte took a position in the seat forged of black and golden tones. Remaining at the side of his companion, Dale addressed his progenitor.

“Do we arrange for the other seats to be brought?”

“It is unnecessary.”

“I understand.”

Alan replied calmly, causing Dale to nod.

“I ask all those present to take a seat.”

Keeping close to his wife, the leader dressed in dark and golden garments continued with his speech. A wave of murmurs ran through the audience. Was it prudent to sit when the sovereign himself remained standing? However, Dale continued with a lowered tone of voice.

“It is my will that you settle in without experiencing any misgiving.”

Despite the softness of his words, his tone left no room for any objection. Eventually, the people gathered in the session proceeded to sit. The environment was plunged again into an absolute silence, and sheltered by that stillness, Dale spoke.

“I thank you for the vassalage you offer me.”

Amidst that silence, Dale’s declaration spread clearly. Through countless historical periods, dynasties and unknown courtiers had made their presence known.

He examined the space around him.

The Saxon lineage, which unconditionally remained by his side, was in the place. Although nine empires flourished and perished, they remained stable next to Dale.

His aspirations did not include monumental plans destined to transform the planet, nor did he carry guilt that required redemption. Dale only yearned for one purpose.

A reality in which he and his most esteemed beings enjoyed well-being.

However, to ensure said end, he required his own power structure.

To consolidate that which he yearned for.

“In retribution for the loyalty you show, your positions of command and your organizational structures will have my support. Likewise, I will provide you with protection against the dangers that beset you.”

“Will you make reference to the revolutionary insurgents…?”

“The monarch or the revolution.”

One of the aristocrats muttered, which motivated a gesture of confirmation from Dale.

“Prior to answering that dilemma, I maintain the expectation that you do not disappoint me.”

“Under no circumstances would we do so, your highness!”

The nobles stood up simultaneously, unifying their voices in a joint declaration.

“Is it entirely real what you state?”

However, in the instant they raised the tone of their voices, Dale’s smiling expression acquired an icy tint.

“You prostrated yourselves on your own initiative before my person, handing me portions of your regions and turning your backs on the monarch to whom you promised eternal loyalty.”

“…!”

Suppressed exclamations of astonishment were heard in the hall. That constituted a reality. Seen from various perspectives, the end of the Ninth Empire resembled a farce lacking meaning. A lone individual instilled such a degree of terror in the monarch that it forced him to escape, causing the aristocrats from the northern regions to the south to fold consecutively. Those few reckless individuals who tried to oppose said warrior in defense of King William remembered perfectly the outcome of their actions.

They brought to their memory that infinite army of beasts that was seen beyond where the sight could reach. That monstrous amalgam composed of bodily tissues, vital fluids, bone structures, fortresses, and metal weaponry, which originated terrifying colossi.

The sovereign of the Great Mage’s Empire, that ruler covered in dark and golden robes.

The souls gathered did not profess a genuine devotion; rather they trembled due to panic, prostrating themselves desperately before the absolute deity whom it was impossible for them to oppose.

“However, you have no reason to be alarmed.”

Sheltered by that chilling silence, Dale sketched a subtle smile.

“Fear consolidates submission. And besides…”

He continued manifesting firmly in his tone.

“I assure you that there is no element on this earthly plane that is more terrifying than incurring my betrayal. And fortunately, we have the ideal scenario to corroborate it.”

The ambient temperature dropped notably. In the middle of the general stillness, Dale extended his upper extremity.

Whoosh!

From the dark zones of the court sprouted appendages of black tint. Exclamations of bewilderment and sorrow sprouted among the aristocracy, but in that precise instant…

“Stay still!”

The imposing voice of Sir Helmut Blackbear thundered with force, causing those attending the assembly to remain completely motionless. The shadowy extremities grasped multiple courtiers and threw them directly to Dale’s feet.

“Hi, hiik!”

“Lord of the nation! What is the reason for this action?”

In that precise instant, Charlotte advanced to place herself in front of Dale. The latter interrupted his breathing for a brief instant.

“Charlotte…?”

“We have the certainty that you have maintained secret agreements with the revolutionary factions, betraying the trust of my consort and disclosing the confidential data of the nation.”

“……!”

In her capacity as royal consort, Charlotte expressed herself using the authority inherent to her investiture. The discontent and murmurs spread swiftly through the hall.

No fact could remain hidden before the Lord of Shadows. It was impossible for them to evade the bluish-tinted nets that imprisoned them.

“Despite your faults, in the measure that you maintain your submission to our crown, we offer you a definitive opportunity.”

“…!”

“Our management will be based on instilling fear, however, we do not lack clemency. Reveal your faults and amend your errors in this very instant.”

Charlotte did not focus her words toward the governed mass, but looked directly at the man who was by her side, as if engaging in a direct dialogue with Dale. Before this gesture, Dale opted to remain silent.

“Just as she manifests.”

After a brief reflective pause, Dale pronounced a word.

Those involved knelt hurriedly, lowered their heads, and proceeded to relate in detail the terms of their hidden collaboration with the insurgents. Once their testimonies were concluded, they remained prostrated before the monarch imploring clemency. They finally assimilated that it was impossible to hide any secret from their leader, due to his domain over the shadows of the hall.

In the surrounding space, the dark extremities continued to move with violence, prepared to destroy the offenders at the slightest indication. However, the moment Dale made a slight manual movement, the appendages retracted, hiding under his feet.

Subsequently, he focused his gaze on Charlotte. She did not represent the only existence that rested in that environment of absolute cold. He possessed the capacity to perceive how the spark of life was gathering strength in the interior of his wife.

The descendant of Dale and Charlotte, whose arrival in the world would occur shortly.

“I thank you, Dale,” mentioned Charlotte using a very faint tone of voice. Dale reacted by dedicating an affectionate gesture to her.

After manifesting that smile, he turned his face toward the inhabitants of the empire he corresponded to lead.

That gesture of warmth was extinguished completely, being replaced by an expression totally devoid of compassion, transforming the previous warmth into a distant memory.

In the course of that same night, in the royal rooms situated in the fortress of Saxon.

“A kingdom characterized by mercy…” expressed Dale manifesting an ironic grimace while he settled on the edge of the resting furniture.

He harbored no intentions of replicating the blunders that occurred in previous eras. He wished to avoid transforming into a being that instilled terror and fright, even in the face of the people for whom he felt affection, thus preventing a total isolation from the rest of the individuals.

For this reason, Dale turned his face.

Seeking the gaze of his own, of his respected life companion.

“No additional obligation falls on your shoulders nor penalties that you must face for the sake of this planet, Dale.”

“This represents the territory that we and our descendant will guide.”

“Neither my person nor our future creature wish for you to transform into a ruthless being. Your progenitors would not share that yearning either.”

Charlotte replied, letting a slight nuance of melancholy be glimpsed in her voice.

Upon hearing those declarations, Dale remained completely mute, experiencing an impact similar to that of a blunt blow.

“… I understand.”

“It is no longer my desire that the inhabitants of the world contemplate you with terror and extreme submission.”

“…”

“You possess a noble soul, Dale.”

However, facing such assertions, Dale felt himself devoid of the capacity to formulate a reply.