12.

Gilltian returned from my parent's grave with calm emotions. His eyes were still red from crying his heart out but I could see that he was still mulling about something.

He sat down inside the patio, opposite of mine. Neither of us spoke for a long time but we were perfectly fine with it. The man needs some time with himself to sort his life out.

"Its a pity." Gilltian suddenly spoke and broke the silence.

"Indeed. It is indeed a pity." I replied to him.

"If I didn't prioritize sitting on that throne they would still be alive. Maybe you would still have your parents." Gilltian said with a sad smile. His eyes were a little dazed but his mouth was speaking what his heart wants to say.

"Stop. You cannot change their fate even if you came rushing." I ruthlessly replied.

"Its their fate? We choose our own fate!" Gilltian said with an agitated expression and glared at me.

I closed my eyes and replied.

"Then it wouldn't be fate, would it?" Gilltian was stumped by my answer and he couldn't argue back. (A/N one of my favorite quotes, guess who said it? :D)

"Its your fate to be the Emperor, no one can change that. No one expected that the Roguepalace family would suddenly become the Royal Family, the Ruling family, right? Isn't that fate at work?" I said opening my eyes.

"Whether you choose to be a Good Emperor or not, that... is your choice." I said with a gentle smile. Gilltian's eyes regained their light as he stared at me in surprise.

"I see. Since I've come here in your territory, is the reception you promised still available?" Gilltian asked as he regained the majesty he had back and his aura even pressured me a little.

"Of course. Let me show you around then. Care for a walk?" I asked him and he was unsure.

"Aren't we going to use the carriage?" He asked me with curiosity.

"Where's the joy in just visiting those famous establishment in my territory. Its better to see and feel everything by your own." I said with a carefree laugh.

Gilltian nodded and we started going around Blackwood for quite a long time. Gilltian was surprised and shocked at the same time. Their Duke was walking around but no one is hounding him. The people even called the Duke to try out their stall which is a little disrespectful for a noble but he could see that I was fine with it and tried out their goods.

"Come on, Lord Duke! You're paying for so much again! Here, let me put some more bread for you." The grandma said while I just laughed.

"Grandma, don't mind it. Just use it and take care of your health or save it for your son's wedding, but I prefer if you use it for your health. If you're gone, where would I get such amazing bread?" I said making the Grandma smile.

"Oh please, Lord Duke. Flattery won't get you anymore bread from me." The Grandma said while I just chuckled lightly.

I returned to Gilltian holding a bag filled with bread.

"Here, try one. She makes amazing stuffed bread." I said as I passed him one and I took one and bit it.

"So good!" I said as I started munching on the bread quickly.

'Was this really good?' Gilltian asked, the Royal Chef made food for them daily and he hasn't found anyone surpassing the taste of the food made by the Royal Chef.

Seeing me enjoying it with relish, Gilltian took a bite and he was surprised by the soft bread filled with meat. He was surprised because meat was not something commoners could easily buy because of their financial situation. The melted cheese also stimulated his stomach and he took his second bite. It was not as good as the one made by the Royal Chef but he felt like he was being filled.

"Amazing." Gilltian looked at the bread in amazement.

"Right? That grandma was so good at making breads but because she was only able to use inferior ingredients her bread didn't sell well at first. When the economy improved, she was able to make full use of her talent and started creating different types of wonderful bread. Isn't it a pity for good food and talent to be buried just because they don't have financial stability?" My words contained my heartfelt joy and pity, many good food I got used to eating started coming out after the economy gradually improved.

Seeing my face filled with joy, Gilltian slowly understood why I am confident that Revolutionary doesn't have any influence in here. The people loved their ruler, why would they betray him?

'Looks like I still have a long way to go.' Gilltian thought as he lightly smiled.

We roam around the place and I showed him to many places. Gilltian was wearing a disguise so they didn't know who it was. People thought it was suspicious but after seeing that their Duke is with him, they ignored it. Gilltian learned a lot about his son-in-law's territory and his horizon was widened.

We returned as the sun was going down.

"Let me tell my maids to prepare a room for you." I said to him but he shook his head.

"I still have a lot of work to do." Gilltian replied and I nodded in understanding.

"I thought that the Royal Capital, Dresden, was the most prosperous place in the Empire. Looks like you'll take over that spot sooner or later." Gilltian said while I just chuckled.

"With no conflicts within my territory, I could focus on stabilizing and developing my territory." I gave him an honest answer.

"Looks like I have to quell the rebellion quickly and stabilize the Empire. I still don't want to give that spot to you yet." Gilltian said with a laugh while I laughed at him.

"You're on, your majesty. I'll take away that spot quicker than you thought." I said with confidence as our competitive spirit blazed.

"You're still a brat, you're still wet in the ears, brat." Gilltian taunted at me with a smirk.

"I'm still a brat, I still have room for growth. You're already old... you get what I'm saying?" I taunted back as we both laughed.

Gilltian left to take care of the rebellion while I went back to the training room to do a light training to burn down the calories.

*

{2 Months later}

The Hebrion empire won against the Revolutionary army. I was in my room when Wilhelm came in and told me the news.

"I thought that it would take them two more months to quell it. It seems like Uncle Gilltian really doesn't want to lose." I laughed lightly while Wilhelm was confused.

"What do you mean?" Wilhelm asked in confusion.

"Uncle Gilltian became afraid that we will take over the spot of Dresden as the most prosperous territory. He must've ended it quickly to focus on stabilizing and developing the territory. He doesn't want to let go of that spot yet. Hehe, I will claim it after the end of the year." I said and Wilhelm understood why the Empire sped up their search for the Revolutionaries and their remnants.

"The Emperor was named as the Guardian of the Empire and solidified his position as the Emperor. He made huge contributions to shut the mouth of those who doubt his competency." Wilhelm said while I just smiled and continued going back to work.

Two months after I've met with the Emperor and the Dukes, the manhunt army avoided us and retreated. After learning about the incoming war, the residents panicked and thought that many of them would lose their lives, they suddenly cheered. With their safety assured, the territory suddenly had its golden age. Many people from all over the place entered the territory and among them were talented professionals.

The Duke's house started recruiting those talented individuals and placed them to posts that will make them shine.

With sufficient manpower, I created the intelligence department, which is separated in two divisions. The Internal and External. The Internal divison is tasked to inspect the inner workings of the territory and find out if someone is misusing the funds, even those who are working with the Duke's manor are being inspected. The only exception was me, that was my money, I had every right to use it in any way I want.

The external division is my information gatherer in other territories. They would send us any important information that they gathered. Many of them are veterans that's why I'm not worried about them being caught.

As for my self-training, I could now practice with 1.4 times gravity but I still could not move freely. I asked Wilhelm to send another request to the Magic tower to create a magic item that will act as weights to help me with training. I specified that I want it to run without time limit. I want to train my body with weights, just like what Gai did to Lee.

I didn't care about the cost, all I want is the result. With my territory booming with prosperity, I don't have to worry about money at the moment.

*

"Aegis, can I take some time off?" Wilhelm asked me suddenly.

"Why? Is there a problem?" I asked him.

"I would like to visit my granddaughter." He said making me smile.

"Take it. You deserve it after all your hard work." I said and Wilhelm thanked me with a bow.

"Why don't you take your granddaughter and live in the manor?" I asked Wilhelm who was surprised by my question.

"I dare not, Young Lord. My granddaughter is sickly and she won't be of any use if I brought her here." Wilhelm said solemnly.

"I didn't mean that. What I mean is for you to live here with your granddaughter. It will be more convenient for you and you won't have to go anywhere to visit her. You can use a carriage of the Blackwood Family to fetch her." I said and gave my permission to him. Wilhelm thought for a second before nodding.

"This... thank you, Aegis." Wilhelm said as he arranged the task that he needed to do and passed it to talented individuals.

Seeing the carriage leaving the manor from the window of the manor, I smiled before returning to my duty.