New territory  

When the imperial decree to subdue Sinbad arrived in Green River Town along with the news of Edmund Hale's death, Magnus Valorion did not feel happy despite gaining control over three thousand military personnel.

The news of Edmund Hale's death made Magnus instantly realize that he was in an ancient feudal monarchy. Subordinates had no voice in front of their superiors; everyone's life was at the mercy of the Emperor's words.

Edmund Hale was beaten to death by Emperor Adrian Montague just for giving a few words of advice. Magnus Valorion was merely sent to the remote Green River Town because he didn't want to submit to Alp Arslan. On the way to his new post, that scoundrel Lucius Blackthorn even sent bandits to assassinate Magnus. The original Magnus died in a muddle, which gave the time-traveler Magnus the opportunity to come here. Without his cheat of material supplies, Magnus might have died during a raid by barbarian tribes on the border.

"Are kings and nobles really born superior?" This thought once again firmly appeared in Magnus's mind.

Staring at the letter from the capital, Magnus made a secret decision: "My strength is still too weak to break away and become a king, to confront the court."

"But Adrian Montague, you wait. I remember Edmund Hale's vengeance. It won't be long before I make you pay!"

Magnus then wrote a memorial to the court, first praising Adrian Montague's might and wisdom, then stating that Sinbad, awed by the Emperor's majesty, had willingly accepted the terms of surrender, ready to disband some of his bandits, and incorporate the remaining three thousand into the military.

Along with the memorial, Magnus sent the double-skull-and-crossed-swords flag to prove he had successfully subdued Sinbad. Emperor Adrian Montague, upon seeing Magnus's memorial, was delighted by the flattery in the first part, especially the title "The Emperor of All Ages." Learning that Magnus had successfully persuaded Sinbad to surrender, Adrian was even more pleased and showed off the flag to the ministers in court.

"Everyone, look! I knew that the bandit leader Sinbad had the intention of surrendering long ago. Now, under my majesty, he has indeed disbanded some of his bandits and sent the flag to show submission."

The ministers, knowing the Emperor's love for grandstanding and intolerance of dissent—especially with Edmund Hale's recent death as a stark example—each found ways to praise the Emperor.

However, Alp Arslan's faction was skeptical that Magnus could persuade the ruthless Sinbad, with over five thousand troops, merely by words. Daruq Arslan then stood up and suggested that there might be something fishy about Magnus's success and asked the Emperor to send someone to investigate.

At this point, Royal Preceptor Edmund Aldrich and his faction seized the opportunity to attack Daruq Arslan. A high-ranking official immediately countered, "Vice Chancellor, last time you said Sinbad intended to surrender, and now you say there's something fishy about his surrender. The flag is here in front of His Majesty! Do you doubt the Emperor's majesty is insufficient to awe a mere bandit into submission?"

Daruq Arslan's face turned pale at this deadly question. Magnus's memorial credited the success to the Emperor's majesty. No matter how Daruq answered, it would be a direct denial of Adrian Montague's authority. The last person to deny the Emperor, Edmund Hale, had just lost his life. If Daruq answered poorly, he might follow in Hale's footsteps.

Daruq Arslan, having been pampered from a young age, surely couldn't endure the punishment. At this moment, Alp Arslan intervened to mediate, "My son Daruq spoke out of turn, disrespecting Your Majesty's authority. I request Your Majesty punish him as a warning to others."

Alp Arslan's strategy was to advance by retreating. Given the Emperor's good mood due to Sinbad's surrender, and his self-perception as the Emperor of All Ages, he did not punish Daruq.

"Everyone, with the successful persuasion of Sinbad, what position should we grant Magnus? And how should we arrange Sinbad?"

Alp Arslan quickly responded, "Your Majesty, Magnus was recently promoted three ranks. A further reward so soon might not be well-received. Besides, Magnus's memorial attributes the success to Your Majesty's majesty and presence. If there is any merit, it should belong to Your Majesty!"

The Emperor, who loved grandstanding, nodded happily, "Indeed, indeed! The credit belongs to me." Adrian Montague then had an idea and said to Daruq, "Given my hard work and accomplishments, I should reward myself well. Daruq, for your recent disrespect, I order you to select 20 beauties from the common folk to fill the harem."

This was clearly a reward rather than a punishment. Daruq accepted this "punishment" with joy.

"Chancellor Alp Arslan, how do you think we should handle Sinbad?"

"The Sheriff of Willowbrook Town, Dick Long, has been incompetent, causing the people to flee. It would be better for Magnus to govern Willowbrook Town and oversee its military affairs, reorganizing the troops to protect the border. As for Sinbad, let him take over Magnus's previous post in Green River Town, killing two birds with one stone."

Alp Arslan's intention was to create trouble for Magnus. Wasn't it reported that Magnus had turned the rundown Green River Town into a well-governed place? Then he would have a bandit leader take Magnus's place and ruin the town Magnus had painstakingly managed. Moreover, leaving Sinbad unchecked in Green River Town might cause trouble, giving Alp Arslan an opportunity to impeach Magnus.

However, Alp Arslan didn't know that his actions were inadvertently gifting Magnus territory and population. To disgust Magnus, Daruq even sent a secret urgent message to the Fierce Lion Province about Sinbad's appointment.

This time, a younger eunuch brought the imperial decree. Magnus learned from the young eunuch that Basil Lekapenos had offended a major eunuch in charge of banquet affairs and was nearly killed. Basil later bribed Cassius Serapion, the head eunuch of the Royal Court Chamber, who helped Basil resolve the conflict and accepted him as a foster son. Recently, Basil had gained favor with Emperor Adrian Montague, who appreciated Basil's cleverness and high emotional intelligence.

Without Magnus's gold bars, Basil believed he would have been doomed. Magnus's prediction of turmoil had indeed come true, and Basil's status in the palace had risen. Basil, understanding gratitude, also thought of repaying Magnus's kindness someday.