Time passed swiftly. The year 1014 of the Imperial Calendar had faded into history, and now it was the first month of 1015.
With the burial of the late Emperor at the end of the previous year and the mourning period concluded, preparations for the coronation of the new Emperor were underway. The Imperial Capital once again bustled with renewed life.
The ascension of the new Emperor gradually dispelled the shadow left by the old monarch's death.
Thanks to Selene's overwhelming victory in the southern campaign, the Empire's prestige among its citizens remained strong. The surrounding tribes, cowed by the terrifying military might the Empire had displayed, kept their distance, unwilling to provoke its wrath.
On this day, the first month of Imperial Year 1015—a day destined to be recorded in history—the heavens seemed to smile upon the Empire.
There was no bitter winter wind, nor the heavy snow that usually blanketed the season. The earth remained covered in white, yet it appeared solemn rather than cold.
The sky over the Capital stretched vast and high, the sun radiant above, the air crisp and clear. Even the breeze that passed through the city felt gentle rather than biting.
Under that bright sun, in the heart of the Imperial Palace—the Grand Central Hall—the coronation of the new Emperor took place.
The old Emperor's only surviving bloodline, his youngest child, moved stiffly through the intricate rites, like a marionette pulled by invisible strings. His small frame, still frail and unsteady, was guided step by step through the ceremony.
At last, accompanied by Minister Honest and Great General Budo, he approached the throne—the very seat of absolute power within the Empire.
As the young prince took his seat upon the throne, the music faded. Thus, the thousand-year-old Empire welcomed the youngest ruler in its history.
"Rejoice! Kneel before him! Swear your oaths! The ruler who inherits a thousand years of glory—the shepherd of the world! Darkness shall crawl beneath his feet, and light shall forever guide him until the end of time... Behold, the sovereign of all! The Emperor of mankind!"
Under the golden light of the crystal chandeliers, the grand hall shimmered in dazzling splendor.
Seated upon the highest dais, the Young Emperor wore a coronation robe crafted by the Empire's finest artisans, woven from the rarest royal silks. A crown rested upon his small head. His short, dark-green hair, neatly combed to his shoulders, framed a pale, delicate face.
His small, unsteady hands grasped the scepter of Imperial authority with visible effort. Though his young face strove to maintain an air of solemn dignity, the faint unease in his pale-green eyes betrayed the turmoil within.
When Minister Honest and Great General Budo knelt in unison, the rest of the hall followed suit. In an instant, the throne room thundered with the voices of the assembled ministers and generals.
"Long live His Majesty! Glory to the Empire!"
...
A month passed. The new emperor had officially ascended the throne, and at long last, Selene's army reached the outskirts of the Capital.
Upon her return, Selene felt a strange sense of calm and ease. For now, the Capital thrived—peaceful and prosperous. Whatever storms might come, they were not her concern.
For the time being, the Empire's future appeared bright—its people content, its lands stable. Let Honest play his political games; they were of no consequence to her.
The Capital was as lively as ever. The return of Selene's army caused little disturbance to its daily bustle. In truth, she was no longer the center of public attention. Though her southern victory had once shaken the nation, the people had since moved on. After the cheers faded, life returned to normal.
The celebrations of her triumph had long ended. The headlines of the Empire now revolved around the Emperor's passing, the coronation of the new ruler, and Minister Honest's appointment as Regent.
Selene paid no heed to such fleeting public sentiment.
Meanwhile, Honest's influence had grown even greater. Acting as regent until the Young Emperor came of age, he now oversaw all affairs of state. With Budo bound by the ancient decree forbidding soldiers from interfering in politics, Honest's authority was unmatched.
Reining in her horse, Selene looked ahead at the familiar sight of the Imperial Guard's garrison on Lake Island. A faint smile curved her lips. "Hah... back at last. I almost missed this place."
"Order: divide the prisoners into groups of one hundred and send them to the labor camps. Enforce collective punishment—if one rebels, the entire group is to be executed."
...
At that same time, within the royal council chamber...
Petite in stature, youthful in appearance, yet the supreme ruler of the Empire—the Young Emperor—sat upon the grand throne, his face bright with excitement.
"Minister Honest, has Lady Selene entered the city today?" he asked eagerly.
Minister Honest bowed with a smile. "Your Majesty is most perceptive. General Selene has indeed returned to the Capital, bringing with her the captured chieftain of the rebellious southwestern tribes."
He added, feigning a tone of mild regret, "It is somewhat unfortunate, however. Of the three major tribal confederations, two—including their leaders—were utterly annihilated due to General Selene's... rather decisive methods."
Standing close beside the throne, Honest's position within the grand hall was now second only to that of the Emperor himself. With Budo refraining from political interference, Honest had truly become a man of near-absolute power—one step below the throne, and above all others.
By law, Budo, as Great General—the strongest warrior of the Empire and commander of the Imperial Palace Guard—was technically ranked just beneath Honest in the hierarchy. Though Honest lacked the means to oppose him directly, and Budo could easily overthrow him if he chose, on paper, Honest stood higher.
Below them, the rows of ministers and generals were neatly divided according to civil and military rank.
"Where is Lady Selene now? I can hardly wait to meet the Empire's greatest hero," said the Young Emperor, his eyes gleaming with youthful enthusiasm.
"Your Majesty need not be impatient," Honest replied smoothly. "General Selene is already waiting outside the hall."
"Then summon her at once!"
At the summons of the royal attendants, Selene finally entered the great council hall. Moving with unhurried grace, she stopped before the throne and bowed with flawless precision.
"Selene von Habsburg pays her respects to Your Majesty."
As a titled noble of the Empire and the victorious commander of the southern campaign, Selene was not required to kneel except during formal ceremonies such as coronations or imperial assemblies.
Lifting her head, composed yet confident, Selene regarded the young monarch before her with quiet curiosity. So this is the Empire's final emperor, she mused. He was, indeed, only a child—barely accustomed to the throne even after a month. His posture was stiff, his hands restless, betraying unease behind his attempts at dignity.
Her gaze might have bordered on irreverence, but she was not alone. Many officials in attendance looked upon the child Emperor with something less than reverence.
Such was the inevitable result of a boy's ascension—without majesty, respect gradually eroded. Yet for men like Honest, and ambitious figures like Selene, such weakness was welcome.
"Lady Selene..." the Young Emperor began, his voice trembling slightly as it echoed through the gilded hall.