Chapter 4: The Council

The sun had barely risen when Leonis awoke, his mind already racing with thoughts of the upcoming council. The events of the previous night still lingered in his mind, but today was crucial. He had spent hours studying every war, strategy, and power dynamic in the novel. Now, it was time to put that knowledge to use.

Servants entered his chambers, preparing him for the day ahead. His armor gleamed in the early light, a dark, polished black adorned with intricate golden designs, the royal crest of the Perdium Empire emblazoned on his chestplate. As they finished, Leonis caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror—tall, broad-shouldered, with a body that radiated strength. He could hardly believe that this was him now, the once ugly and weak Alden Wu, now the first prince of the Perdium Empire.

After a final adjustment, he dismissed the servants and made his way through the grand halls of the palace toward the council chamber. The familiar architecture, with its towering marble columns and vast tapestries depicting great battles, reminded him of just how powerful the Perdium Empire truly was. Yet, he also knew that even the strongest empires could crumble if not handled carefully.

As he approached the council chamber, he saw the third prince, Eonis, already standing outside, arms crossed as he waited.

"You're early, Leonis," Eonis said, his tone neutral but his sharp eyes betraying a hint of curiosity. "That's…unusual."

Leonis offered a small smile, careful not to show too much emotion. "I thought it was time to take these matters more seriously."

Eonis raised an eyebrow but said nothing more. It seemed his third brother, though calculating, wasn't one to pry too much.

The two brothers entered the chamber together, where the rest of the royal family was already gathering. At the head of the room sat Emperor Valerian Perdium, his presence commanding as ever, though there was a weight in his expression that hadn't been there the night before. Empress Isolde sat beside him, her elegant demeanor masking whatever thoughts lay behind her calm facade.

Caius, the second prince, leaned back in his seat with a smug look on his face, arms crossed. He acknowledged Leonis with a curt nod, but his disdain was still palpable. Caelum, the youngest, sat quietly, his gaze darting between his brothers and the emperor.

Around the large council table sat several high-ranking nobles and military officials, including Leonis's uncle, Lord Alistair Perdium, and his cousin, Marcellus Perdium, both prominent figures in the empire's military. Maps of the empire and surrounding lands were spread across the table, detailing the most recent reports of enemy movements along the borders.

Once everyone had gathered, the emperor stood, his imposing figure drawing the room's attention immediately.

"We convene today to discuss the growing tensions at our borders," Emperor Valerian began, his voice deep and authoritative. "The Orc and Goblin Empire continues its provocations, while our scouts report increased activity from the Demonic Empire. The situation cannot be ignored any longer."

Leonis listened intently, recalling everything he had read in the novel. He knew that this was a pivotal moment. The Orc and Goblin Empire would soon make their first aggressive move, while the Demonic Empire watched, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.

"The border skirmishes with the Orcs are a distraction," Leonis said suddenly, his voice cutting through the murmurs of the council. All eyes turned to him, and for a moment, the room was silent. "Their true goal is to test our response, to gauge our strength. They want us to spread our forces thin, so when the Demonic Empire moves, we'll be unprepared."

Caius scoffed. "And how would you know that, brother? You've barely attended these councils before."

Leonis held his gaze, unflinching. "Because it's exactly what I would do if I were in their position. It's simple strategy."

The room fell quiet again, but this time, it wasn't dismissive. Leonis's words had weight, and even Emperor Valerian seemed to consider them carefully.

"There is merit in what Leonis says," the emperor said after a moment. "We must not be drawn into their games. We will reinforce our southern borders, but we will not overcommit our forces. Instead, we'll focus on fortifying key defensive positions."

The council continued, and as each point was raised, Leonis found himself offering insight after insight, drawing on his knowledge of the novel's events.

By the end of the meeting, Leonis had earned some the respect of many at the table. His father even offered him a rare nod of approval, a small but significant gesture. As the council adjourned, Leonis felt a sense of accomplishment. It was only a small step, but it was the beginning of something greater. Very slowly he was no longer the disgrace of the royal family. And with the knowledge he possessed, he would forge his own path, one that would change the fate of the Perdium Empire... and maybe even save it from it's downfall...

As they filed out of the room, Caelum fell in step beside Leonis. The youngest prince looked up at his older brother, a mixture of admiration and curiosity in his eyes.

"That was…impressive, brother," Caelum said softly. "I didn't know you had it in you."

Leonis chuckled lightly. "Neither did I," he replied, though there was a confidence in his voice now. "But things are going to be different from now on."

Caelum nodded, a faint smile crossing his face. "I believe you."

The echoes of their footsteps reverberated off the marble floors as Leonis and Caelum walked side by side down the grand hall. The sunlight, filtered through the tall stained-glass windows, painted a spectrum of colors across the polished stone, casting a surreal glow around them.

For the first time since Leonis had taken over this body, he felt a glimmer of hope. He had managed to shift the perception of his family and some of the council members. But he knew the real test was still ahead.

"Brother," Caelum began, his voice soft but curious, "how did you know all that? About the Orcs and Demons? You've never shown much interest in these matters before."

Leonis paused for a moment, considering his response. He couldn't exactly tell his brother that he had read the entire story of this world in a novel. Instead, he opted for something close to the truth—albeit cryptic.

"I've always been watching, Caelum," he said, looking down at his younger brother. "Just because I didn't speak up before, doesn't mean I wasn't paying attention."

Caelum frowned slightly, though his eyes remained wide with awe. "I guess… I never thought about it that way."

Leonis smiled. He didn't need to explain further. The new Leonis was someone who had learned from the mistakes of his predecessor, and in the days to come, that knowledge would be invaluable.

They continued down the hallway until they reached an ornate balcony that overlooked the sprawling gardens of the Perdium palace. Leonis leaned against the stone railing, gazing out over the scene. The gardens were as grand as he remembered from the novel lush green hedges, vibrant flowers in every color imaginable, and marble statues that depicted the empire's greatest heroes, including his progenitor.

The statue of Lord Rhaegus Perdium, the progenitor and founder of the empire, stood tallest among them, his sword raised toward the sky in an eternal gesture of victory. Leonis stared at the statue, feeling a strange connection to it. The prophecy, the power within him—it all started with that man.

"Do you think you'll ever be like him?" Caelum's voice broke the silence, his gaze also fixed on the statue.

Leonis turned to his brother, the weight of his words heavy. Rhaegus Perdium wasn't just a legendary figure in the history of the empire; he was also the one whose spirit was said to reside within Leonis now. The prophecy foretold that his descendant would inherit three times his power, but Leonis knew it was still locked away, waiting to be unlocked

Before Leonis could respond, a guard appeared at the entrance to the balcony. The man bowed deeply, his face stern. "Your Highness," the guard addressed Leonis, "the emperor has requested your presence in the training grounds. He wishes to see your progress."

Leonis felt his heart skip a beat. The training grounds? He hadn't yet been called to train in front of his father since he woke up in this body. The old Leonis had a reputation for being weak and uninterested in martial arts, swordsmanship, or magic. The emperor likely had little expectation of him.

"Very well," Leonis said, standing tall. "Tell him I'll be there shortly."

The guard bowed once more and left. Caelum looked up at Leonis with a mixture of concern and curiosity. "Father never asks for you to train with him."

Leonis smiled, though inside, he felt the pressure building. "It's about time that changed, don't you think?"

Caelum gave a small nod, and Leonis patted him on the shoulder before turning and heading toward the training grounds. Leonis wondered what his father wanted. Was he angry? Had Leonis done something wrong? Either way, rejecting the emperor's summons would be a death wish, so he had no choice but to go to the training grounds.