The world awoke to the impossible.
At July 19th 6:30 a.m., Greenwich Meridian Time, the Roman Empire broke its silence. Every major media channel echoed the same emergency transmission.
"This is Aurelia Aurea Augustus, Empress of the Roman Empire."
Those words alone sent tremors across every living soul on Altera Earth. But what came next would change world politics forever.
"By Imperial Decree, the Imperial Guard, from this moment forth, will be temporarily placed under the command of Princess Hinesia Ahmose Rameses, daughter of Pharaoh Ahmose of the Rameses Bloodline. Her command supersedes all military hierarchies within the Empire until the end of this calamity."
There was no applause. Across screens, in parliaments, in war rooms and on the couches of millions, people stared in disbelief. It was unthinkable for an Empress to surrender the might of the Imperial Guard to a foreign royal from the Egyptian Kingdom. And yet, in the chaos of Italy's red dome, where over 300,000 lay dead and Faceless creatures roamed the ruins, this decree was more than symbolic. It was survival.
The House of Rameses had already proved itself in the blood and flame of the crisis. Under Princess Hinesia's command, rescue operations became miracles of precision. Whole districts of Rome were cleared in hours. The Imperial Commanders, normally answerable only to the Empress, now bowed to Hinesia.
The Empress continued:
"The Roman Senate, effective immediately, will hold absolute governing authority over the Empire. No longer will one throne dictate the course of countless nations. The Senate shall rule with the voice of the people and the wisdom of the states."
The decree meant one thing. It was the end of monarchy in the Roman Empire. No one believed it at first. Even the anchors paused before translating it for the live feed since it was in Latin. In political hubs, analysts were already tearing through implications. The people cheered, cried, or stared blankly, depending on which country they lived in. For those within the red dome, though, it meant order, hope, and a sign that someone still had a plan.
Then came a new name, one no one outside Rome had heard yet.
"There is one among us who has saved the lives of thousands of civilians, soldiers, and children alike. For her service to the Empire, I hereby bestow upon Verdamona Regenis of the House of Argemenes the title of Savior of Rome."
It was said that Verdamona, while exhausted and unconscious on a couch within the August Palace, never heard her title announced. But the world did.
The cameras cut to live feeds showing Verdamona in action. A woman covered in golden Xana, lifting collapsing concrete with one hand while shielding refugees with the other. She immobilized the Faceless with her chain sword, giving time for.refugees to escape.
The decree continued:
"Henceforth, the Savior of Rome will share command of the Imperial Guard alongside Princess Hinesia, operating under the support of the Houses of Argemenes and Rameses. They are to be granted unrestricted military and humanitarian jurisdiction within Imperial borders."
This was unprecedented. It was a house alliance forming within the Roman Empire itself. The camera zoomed closer as the Empress's expression softened.
"The House of Augustus will no longer rule the Empire. It will, instead, stand beside the Houses of Rameses and Argemenes as protectors, not rulers over it."
For the first time since the dawn of the New Roman Era, the bloodline of Augustus relinquished sovereignty. Nations who once feared Roman dominion began issuing statements of support. The Outerchat was brimming with comments.
Outer_334: Wait, she's letting go of her own dynasty?
Outer_019: Nah, there's something deeper. No ruler gives up power mid-apocalypse.
Outer_404: Princess Hinesia's fingerprints are all over this. She's pulling strings like a politician. She was not that relevant before and now she is? She's definitely an Outer.
But in Rome, the people wept because for once, their ruler wasn't clinging to power. The Empress paused, then lifted her head toward the cameras.
"To the World Forces and to the international coalitions, we thank you for your concern. But the Roman Empire requires no assistance. This is our land, our tragedy, and our redemption. We shall deal with this as intended."
The news spread like wildfire. Military councils across continents were stunned. The World Forces went into emergency debate.
"They're cutting themselves off," said one military official.
"With the red hemisphere active, no one could enter anyway. But to formally reject aid? That's… defiant."
And yet, to those trapped within Italy, it was a promise that their Empire had not fallen to despair. The broadcast ended with the Empress's final words:
"To the people of the Empire, I am not your ruler, but your fellow Roman. And we will endure. The age of thrones is over. Let a new age begin."
By noon, Rome's skies were filled with cheers and sobs. The August Palace became a fortress and a refuge. Lines stretched for miles. Refugees were screened carefully for Faceless shapeshifters, then guided into safety.
The Senate Hall reopened after a state of dormancy. They swore an oath to the Empire to rule it well and care for the people.
And for the first time in centuries, the words "Senatus Populusque Romanus" weren't just written on banners. They meant something again. The world watched as an Empire died and was reborn in the same breath.
°°°°°°°
The golden light of late afternoon poured through the windows of a balcony. Below them, the courtyard was alive again. Soldiers lined the square. Commanders barked orders, maps were unfurled and expeditions were underway.
At the center of it all stood Verdamona. Her hair tied in a short knot, her jacket half unbuttoned, radiating that strange, stubborn calm that made even veterans listen to her. She was pointing at a map, giving sharp gestures to the commanders beside her, and somehow, in her usual careless tone, commanding an army with ease. Hinesia leaned her elbows against the balcony rail, eyes narrowing with a small, satisfied smile.
"See her down there? She was born for leadership. Even when she was a child, she had that energy."
Aurelia stood beside her, her usual imperial posture softened. The white silk of her dress shimmered faintly under the sunset. For the first time in weeks, her hair was loose. Her shoulders was not weighed down by that crown she always carried.
"I can see that. The protagonist looks like she's been leading armies for decades. But she's still young."
"Age doesn't matter when you have instinct. Besides, the commanders will teach her how to handle protocol, formations, and chain of command. She'll just give her the broader strategy."
Aurelia turned to her with a faint laugh.
"You really didn't expect me to give up the Empire that easily, did you?"
Hinesia blinked, then smiled with a small chuckle.
"Not at all. I thought you'd fight me tooth and nail. I mean, you didn't want to let go of it when we met."
Aurelia chuckled softly, shaking her head.
"Dark Aurelia was furious when I did that. She still is, actually. I could hear her cursing in my head when I made the announcement."
Hinesia laughed that startled even the nearby guards.
"Of course she was! The woman has been ruling for centuries. Letting the legacy go must have been like cutting off her own arm."
Aurelia leaned her hands on the balcony railing. Her gaze was distant as the breeze lifted her hair.
"She's tired. She's been the face of an empire for too long. The House of Augustus has done enough ruling for centuries. It's time we do something different."
"So you're turning it into the Senate, huh? That's… clever. It keeps the name alive, gives it purpose, and avoids any revolt from the nobles who can't let go of tradition."
"Now the Senate can handle the politics. I can focus on helping people without all that bureaucracy. And honestly? It feels good."
"So you're basically doing what the House of Argemenes does in Antarctica. They stopped ruling the Human Kingdoms centuries ago, and now they just protect them. Who knew you'd copy their method?"
"Copy? Please. I call it borrowing inspiration."
Hinesia chuckled. "Fine, fine. Borrowing inspiration. Either way, it's smart. Now you can actually live and do things normal people do."
"Like what?"
"Oh, I don't know, eat without calculating the national budget. Sleep past midnight without thinking about trade laws. Maybe even find a husband from a Mid Tier Bloodline and have some kids. The Senate can rule, the Empire's stabilizing, and you're immortal. That gives you a lot of time to, you know, repopulate the House of Augustus."
Aurelia sighed dramatically. "I'll pretend you didn't just turn my bloodline into a breeding project."
"Relax, I'm not telling you to marry the first pretty noble that walks in. I actually have someone in mind for you. You want to marry the second male lead, don't you?"
Aurelia's jaw dropped.
"What— no! That's impossible. He's in Reversa, remember? And even if I wanted to, he—"
"—is immortal. And from what I recall from the conversations we have had for the past last day, you always liked him better than the protagonist."
Aurelia looked away, a hint of color on her cheeks.
"That's not— I mean, yes, but he's complicated."
"All men are. You think my fiancé, Phasnovterich, isn't complicated? The man lives halfway across the world and constantly forgets what day it is. But I still love him. I always did, even when he was just a character in a game."
Aurelia blinked, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
"You're engaged to him? The Phaser?"
"The one and only. And before you ask, yes, he's an Outer too. But this version of him is way better than the original. Calmer, smarter, somehow sweeter… I hit the jackpot. And now that you're free from ruling an Empire, you don't have to rush into anything. Just enjoy it. Go on walks. Watch sunsets. Sleep without political documents under your pillow."
Aurelia laughed softly. Hinesia wasn't as cold and analytical like she was yesterday.
"That actually sounds… nice."
"You've earned a break, Aurelia. The world can spin without you for a while."
They stood in silence for a moment, watching the courtyard below. Verdamona had started laughing with one of the commanders. The soldiers relaxed slightly at her tone, like they had found a leader who wasn't just powerful but considerate.
"You were right about her. She's special."
"Give her a few months and she'll be the one writing military doctrine."
Aurelia chuckled again, then sighed. "It still feels like a lot, though. Everything's moving so fast."
"Then slow down. If you want something whether it's peace, love, or a ridiculous immortal second male lead, go for it. You deserve to have something for yourself this time. I don't know how it feels for someone to have cancer and wait for death but I know you should relax."
"Thank you, Hinesia."
"Don't thank me. I just want to make my House stronger and maybe make friends with Outers while I'm at it. You're one of us now. We stick together."
"Then I'll hold you to that."
"You better because next time we meet, I expect wedding rumors or at least some scandalous gossip."
"Oh great..."