The Young Emperor

Time swiftly passed, and the Empire Calendar 1014 has already receded into the past. The calendar now marks the year 1015, in the first month.

With the old Emperor's burial and related mourning rituals completed at the end of 1014, the upcoming coronation of the new Emperor drew near, and the capital gradually returned to its usual bustling state.

The coronation ceremony of the new Emperor helped to alleviate the shadow cast by the old Emperor's passing.

Thanks to Selene's victorious foreign campaigns, the Empire maintained a favorable reputation among the populace, and the surrounding tribes, intimidated by the Empire's recently demonstrated terrifying military potential, refrained from provoking trouble.

Empire Calendar 1015, First Month—a day of significant commemorative meaning. The heavens seemed to favor the Empire, as if bestowing their blessings.

Today, there was no biting cold wind, nor the heavy snow typical of winter. Although the ground remained blanketed in white, it appeared especially sacred.

The sky above the capital was extraordinarily clear, with the sun shining brightly. The air was refreshingly crisp, and the wind no longer pierced with its usual frigid sting.

On this bright and sunny day, within the Imperial Palace of the capital, in the grand Central Hall, the only remaining bloodline of the old Emperor, his youngest offspring, moved like a puppet on strings, mechanically performing the intricate steps of the enthronement ceremony.

Finally, accompanied by Honest and Budo, the young prince slowly walked toward the throne—the center of the Empire's highest authority.

As the young prince officially seated himself on the Imperial throne, the ceremonial music ceased, and this thousand-year-old Empire welcomed its youngest ruler ever.

"Rejoice, bow down to him, swear your allegiance to him! A ruler beyond ages, embodying the glory of a thousand years, the master of the world, the shepherd of the people, before whom darkness grovels, and upon whom light shall eternally shine, until the end of time... Ascend to the throne! Rule the world!! At this moment, the new Emperor is crowned!!!"

Under the golden glow of crystal lamps, the entire palace shimmered with even greater splendor.

Seated on the throne at the highest step of the grand hall, the young Emperor was clad in the coronation robes made from fabrics specially provided by the royal household, crafted by the finest artisans in the land.

A crown rested upon his head, his shoulder-length green hair neatly combed back. His fair skin and undeveloped hands barely managed to grasp the scepter symbolizing imperial authority.

Although his youthful face strained to appear stern and dignified, the slight anxiety in his light green eyes betrayed the unrest within his heart.

As Honest and Budo, the heads of the civil and military officials, led the bowing, the entire hall instantly erupted in a chorus of "Long live the Emperor."

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empire!"

...

Time flowed on, and it had been over a month since the new Emperor's coronation. Selene's army had finally arrived in the capital region.

Returning to the capital, Selene felt a distinct sense of calm and contentment.

Setting aside the impending turmoil in the capital, the city was, at present, at peace and flourishing. To many, the Empire appeared to have an "endless" future.

For Selene, there was no need to overly concern herself with the events soon to unfold. What did it matter to her? Let Honest stir up whatever trouble he wished.

The city was as lively and prosperous as ever, and the news of Selene's army returning hadn't disrupted the bustling activity.

In truth, Selene was no longer the capital's headline figure. Despite her great achievements in the southern campaign, after the initial celebrations, life for the common people hadn't changed—they went on living as they always had.

By now, the numerous celebrations in the capital for the southern victory had long since concluded.

The public's attention had shifted to more recent events: the old Emperor's death, the new Emperor's coronation, Honest's appointment as the regent minister... and other such developments.

Of course, Selene had no interest in these fleeting trends.

Meanwhile, Honest had further solidified his power. Before the young Emperor reached the age of majority and took full control, Honest managed all imperial affairs, basking in glory after Budo, constrained by the "military officials must not meddle in government affairs" ancestral code, chose to refrain from involving himself in court matters.

Reining in her horse and gazing at the heavily transformed imperial guard garrison on Lake Island, Selene couldn't help but smile. "Phew, I'm back. I've really missed this place."

"Order: All prisoners are to be escorted to the labor camps in batches, one hundred per group, and placed under collective punishment. If anyone resists, the entire group will be executed!"

...

At that moment, in the Imperial Palace's Council Hall.

The diminutive, youthful figure, the Empire's supreme ruler, the young Emperor, sat upon the throne, his face full of excitement. "Minister Honest, has Selene arrived in the city today?"

Minister Honest bowed respectfully and smiled. "Your Majesty is wise! General Selene has indeed returned to the capital with the captured leader of the rebellious southwestern tribes."

"The only slight regret is that although there were three large tribes in the southwest, General Selene's heavy hand has completely wiped out two of them, along with their leaders."

Honest stood close to the young Emperor as he spoke. Now, his position in the hall was only a few steps below that of the Emperor himself. Without Budo to keep him in check, Honest was now a man of unparalleled authority, second only to the Emperor.

Even in terms of legal authority, Budo, the Marshal with the Empire's most powerful title and commander of the palace guard, was now half a rank below Honest.

Although Honest couldn't actually do anything to Budo, and Budo could even flip the table and remove Honest if he wanted, legally, Budo was now half a rank lower than Honest!

Below them stood the civil and military officials, divided into their respective ranks.

"Where is Selene? I can't wait to meet the Empire's hero."

"No need to worry, Your Majesty. General Selene is already waiting outside the hall," Honest calmly reassured him with a smile.

"Quick, summon her!"

Upon being informed of the Emperor's summons, Selene slowly entered the Council Hall, performing a standard salute to the young Emperor on the throne. "Selene von Habsburg greets Your Majesty."

As a titled noble of the Empire, and considering she was returning victorious, Selene wasn't required to perform a kneeling salute, except in specific solemn ceremonies (such as the Emperor's coronation or the Grand Assembly).

Maintaining a calm demeanor, Selene curiously observed this young, final Emperor of the Empire. Indeed, he was just a child. Despite having been on the throne for over a month, he still seemed uneasy sitting on it, a bit restless.

Though it was somewhat disrespectful, it wasn't just Selene—many officials had begun to lose a degree of reverence when looking at the young Emperor.

This was the consequence of a young ruler ascending the throne: lacking the dignity that would command respect, leading to a gradual erosion of the subjects' awe. Of course... this was something that power-hungry figures like Honest, or ambitious individuals like Selene, found quite favorable.

"Selene..."