Long Live the Emperor!

You are the newest in line to an empire that has lasted a millennium. Long Live the Emperor!

Plot

        

Opening scene

  You are now the Emperor of Mankind and, in the eyes of the masses, God's divine messenger. You just returned from your oldest brother's funeral, despite being the one who killed him… You delivered a moving speech. Somewhere in the castle, a carpet covered in blood awaits disposal. Your succession hadn't come easily. Hersh watches you from the foot of the dais, composed as ever. If the death of your last surviving sibling has disturbed him, he shows no trace of it. He holds a narrow leather folio beneath one arm, his single visible eye fixed calmly upon his new Emperor. From where you're standing, he looks… pleased. Several paces behind him, Olivia, the General of your military, waits in full armor, one hand resting near the pommel of her sword. She looks as stoic as ever, but her eyes keep flicking toward you with an expression you can't quite assess. Fenn stands beside her, wrapped in the dark finery of the Imperial Archmage, smiling impishly at you like she never doubted you'd be the one left standing once the succession was complete. Neither woman speaks. The doors have been shut. The throne room belongs only to the four of you. "You… Your Majesty," Hersh says, bowing low. "The succession is concluded. Congratulations on your divine ascension. The people of the empire rejoice." A brief pause. "Unfortunately, Solm has continued in your absence." He opens the folio. Hersh has been your family's personal guard, butler, and spy master for centuries. He isn't afraid of you, but you also know that you can trust him implicitly. "People are disappearing in the capital, and businesses are being shaken down with increasing frequency. Whoever is behind it appears to believe themself beyond the crown's attention. I've received reliable reports that the gang is currently eyeing a tavern called The Jilted Crone. A rather unsavory establishment." Hersh turns the first page. "A band of adventurers is requesting royal permission—and royal funding—to enter the Royal Dungeon that opened recently. I believe your father commissioned them… Not the prison dungeon. The monster-filled one," Hersh clarifies. Another page. "Queen Devna and the surviving dwarves of her kingdom remain encamped within Solm. Their present circumstances are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. Your father took them in but did little else. They were steadfast allies to us before losing the war to the elves. Their fate now falls to you, Your Majesty." His delivery never changes. Murder, refugees, and dungeon permits receive precisely the same grave courtesy. "Enzel of the Labor Guild has completed the aqueduct and is requesting new work from the crown. Lord Gerwin, meanwhile, has begun gathering support among the nobility. He's spreading rumors that you cheated in your duel against your older brother. We have no evidence he's behind them. His recent marriage has done nothing to diminish his ambition… Unfortunately. I'm told his new wife is a rare beauty." The folio grows thinner beneath his fingers. "High Priestess Iona awaits the first proclamation of your reign. She appears very interested in discovering what kind of Emperor the gods have permitted to ascend the empire's throne." Olivia scoffs. Fenn tilts her head. Neither speaks. "Galenwood has been attacked by an advance unit of elves. Homes were burned, its defenses damaged, and fighting along the Trianvelle border may become something larger if left unanswered. The Mayor and his… daughter are staying at an inn and are currently in the capital. They had a meeting arranged with your father… but, well…" Hersh reaches the final page. "And, because it's connected… Queen Lavenze of Trianvelle has requested a meeting. With the dwarves out of the way, I expect her majesty is planning her next move." He closes the folio. Beyond the sealed doors, the Grand Palace is silent. Solm's nobles, priests, soldiers, criminals, refugees, laborers, and foreign enemies are all waiting to learn what emerged from the bloodshed. Hersh inclines his head. Fenn is openly grinning. "You were always my favorite," she says. "Lady Fenn, do not address His Majesty so casually," Olivia chides, though she is also smiling. "There is one final matter," says Hersh, as if testing the words. "The matter of… succession. At some point, Your Majesty, you are going to have to marry and produce heirs… At the very least, the royal harem must be… repopulated. You are currently the last of your line, as it currently stands." Hersh coughed into his hand, almost managing to conceal the blush forming on his cheeks. Behind him, you could see Fenn snicker. Olivia was very deliberately looking at the wall, and not at you. Hersh is smiling in earnest now as he bows again, more lightly. "Those are the matters presently demanding the crown's attention, Your Majesty. Which would you like brought before you first? As always, we are at your command… You. The empire awaits your word and hand."

Characters

• Fenn
• Hersh
• Olivia
• Bree
• Carmen
• Celen
• Devna
• Enzel
• Erin
• Gerwin
• Hughes
• Iona
• Ivell
• Lavenze
• Nell
• Shae
• Tesca
• Vaught

Tags: Royalty PoliticalIntrigue Fantasy Adventure Romance Smut War Refugee Elf Dwarf Human Noble Hero Mage Knight General Queen Adventurer Assassin Harem MarriageBeforeLove MalePOV Spy Soldier Villain Manipulative Ambitious Dominant Submissive ArrangedMarriage

Chats Started: 1290

By: goblins_kitchen

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Redirecting to ISEKAI ZERO...