The lack of sleep is starting to get to her. For the life of her, she can’t keep her eyes open throughout the coronation process. Worse yet was the fact the room had cooling magic applied, making her even sleepier than ever before.
You can handle this. Just hold on for a couple more hours.
The ceremony won’t last until the afternoon, right? She needed a much-needed sleep so badly.
She looked around her, nobles filled the seats, from the highest Duke to the lowest baron. From the distinguished, to her, who isn’t supposed to be here. But here she is.
The herald in his ridiculous clothes shouted, “Please stand up for Her Majesty!”
It looks like it’s starting.
Ries forced herself to her feet, blinking rapidly to stay awake. The room was filled with a hushed reverence as the Empress entered, resplendent in her royal regalia. Ries could honestly care less, but she knew she had to be presentable somewhat.
The Empress was escorted by the Imperial Guards, who wore similar ceremonial uniforms. At her side were the Prime Minister and the Archon of the Temple, walking with measured, dignified steps. The grandeur of the occasion was undeniable, but Ries's fatigue dulled her ability to appreciate it fully.
As the Empress took her place, the herald continued to direct the proceedings, his voice booming through the hall. The nobles around her stood tall, their faces a mixture of solemnity and reverence. Ries mimicked their posture, doing her best to blend in despite her exhaustion.
The ceremony proceeded with speeches and oaths, each one seeming to drag on longer than the last. Ries's eyes threatened to close with each passing minute, but she fought to stay alert. She glanced around… looks like she isn’t the only one who’s becoming tired of all this, she saw some of them yawning and struggling to stay awake like her.
I get this is tradition, but come on! People have their own stuff to do!
Finally, the crown, a big and highly ornate one at that, was placed on the Empress' head, the herald announced, “Her Imperial Majesty, Lyrya Victorya Reyvrys Des Valerys, Sovereign of the Valerian Empire, Dragonness of Reyvrys, Defender of the Faith, Protector of the Realms, Queen of Man, Duchess of Valerya, Ruler of the Celestial Throne.”
At the end of the herald’s announcement, Ries was shocked when she heard multiple swords being unsheathed and rifles being aimed at the air with one hand too. Led by what she could assume to be the Imperial Royal Guard, the attendees shouted in unison, “Long Live Our Empress!” many times over.
Only she was looking confused and disoriented.
She blinked, trying to shake off the drowsiness and make sense of the ritual. The clamor of swords and rifles, combined with the deafening chants, felt surreal. She forced herself to join in on the chant albeit halfheartedly and a beat behind.
What felt like an eternity later, the ceremony finally finished, and the attendees began to file out, leaving her and the other ministers behind. Through her tired eyes, she spotted her superior, Eden, calling out to her with a wave. She sighed and reluctantly made her way over to him.
“You look like a Demon.” Eden seemed to be enjoying her fatigued appearance.
“I... haven't slept since last night,” she admitted, rubbing her eyes in a futile attempt to chase away the fatigue.
Eden chuckled, “Well, you’ve certainly been thrown into the deep end. But you handled yourself well today despite your condition. Come, the Empress wants to meet with us.”
Ries followed Eden to the private meeting room, where the Empress awaited them. The grandeur of the room was lost on her in her exhausted state. She noted that there were other ministers and others, such as military officials judging from their uniforms.
The Empress sat on an elevated seat, her presence practically radiating authority. Now that Ries had a closer look, she realized the Empress was not just beautiful, but strikingly so. Her expression was cold and stoic; if looks could kill, this might be it. She remembered that the Empress has 2 brothers, where were they?
The Empress lifted her hand, motioning for silence, “I will waste no time in conveying my agenda from this day forward.”
The officials in the room looked attentively at the Empress, waiting to hear what she has to say. Ries tried her best to listen.
“From today onwards, by my authority, the position of Prime Minister will be suspended indefinitely, and all laws must go through the royal court to be reviewed and approved.”
Gasps filled the room, Ries was too tired to even react to that declaration.
The Empress continued, ignoring the gaps, “This is to ensure that all governance aligns directly with the crown’s vision for the future, which necessitates a more centralized and efficient decision-making process.”
“All ministers will report directly to me,” the Empress declared. “There will be no intermediary. I have the authority to dismiss anyone that fails to meet my expectations. Dismissed.”
Ries didn’t waste any time to get up and exit the room. Today was hectic, no doubt about that. It was only her first day on the job, and already lost sleep time.
She still had many issues needed to be dealt with in order to maintain her façade, but that can wait. She needed sleep badly, everything could wait for a few precious hours of sleep.
It was in the afternoon when she almost reached her house. A small dilapidated but cozy house in an alleyway. In contrast to her fancy suit and title, she should buy a new mansion once she received her first paycheck.
She fumbled with the key, her exhaustion making the simple task feel monumental, “Come on… just slide in there!” she muttered, frustration mounting as the key refused to cooperate.
Finally, the lock clicked, and she pushed the door open.
Finally! She could get a much-needed rest!
Just a few hours!
Her excitement was short-lived. As the door creaked open, she was met by the end of a gun barrel. There was no time to react, no chance to defend herself. The last thing she saw was a pair of cold, calculating blue eyes before everything went black.
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Ries slowly opened her eyes, her vision blurry and her head throbbing. She was in a dimly lit room, which she recognized as her kitchen, and tied to a chair. The ropes dug into her skin, and she could feel a trickle of blood from where they had cut too deep.
Her mind was still hazy, and her vision was not quite clear. Every pulse of her headache felt like a hammer blow, making it hard to think straight. As her senses gradually returned, she noticed the faint scent of a freshly made soup. She didn’t make it, did she?
Blinking hard, she tried to focus on her surroundings. The dim light cast long shadows, making everything seem distorted. She could just make out the outline of a figure standing nearby.
“Great… just when I want to sleep…” she silently laments.
"Ah, you're awake," the figure said, stepping into the light. It was the same person she had seen before losing consciousness, a short-haired woman with those cold blue eyes, bowl of soup in hand.
Ries blinked, she knows who this is. She recalls having a conversation with Robert the bartender at the adventurer’s guild about an S-rank adventurer turned mercenary who hails from the west.
“Are you Azazel?” She questioned.
The figure hums, tilting her head slightly, “So you know me. Ironic that I’m supposed to know you, Anise.” She narrows her eyes at Ries.
“Wh- what do you mean?” Ries’ voice was shaky.
“I personally knew Anise. Not friends, but I know damn well for a fact that Anise wasn’t a Beastmen.” She said with a sharp voice.
Ries swallowed hard, her thoughts a jumble of panic and desperation, "I... I don't know what you're talking about."
Azazel put the bowl of soup down on the table with a clink, "Oh, but I think you do. You’re not Anise, you didn’t pass the Imperial Examination, and you aren’t a Human." She picked up a kitchen knife and, with a swift move, threw it at Ries.
Ries braced for the impact, but it never came. The knife embedded itself in the wall just inches above her head.
"The next throw won’t miss, I can guarantee you that," Azazel said in a cold voice, "So tell me, who are you and what did you do to Anise?"
Ries gulped, her fear mounting. She had to think fast, "I-I don’t know, okay? I’m just some random passerby who was suddenly mistaken as some sort of official because of how I dressed! I don’t even know who Anise is! It wasn’t my intention to impersonate her!"
Azazel's eyes narrowed, clearly not buying it, "Mistaken for an official because of how you dressed? That's a poor excuse, the Empire is many things but they aren’t stupid to assume someone like you, who is especially a Beastmen, to be someone important. Try again."
“Look, back then, I was hiding from western adventurers, adventurers like you who is hunting my kind for sport! And it’s not like I have any choice either! The soldiers escorted me to a room and one of the people there just assumed I was the new Deputy Minister!” Ries said with gnashed teeth, “The Empire is obviously better on how they treat their Beastmen!”
Azazel's expression didn't soften, "And they didn't question it? No background checks? No verification?" She scoffed at the part where Ries mentioned the treatment of Beastmen.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
"It all happened so fast," Ries continued, desperation creeping into her voice, "I was in the right place at the right time—or the wrong place at the wrong time, depending on how you see it. I didn’t correct them because I was scared for my life, do you know what the punishment for posing as an Imperial official is?! They just gave me the role, and I went along with it."
Azazel sighed, rubbing her temples as if trying to ward off a headache, "Do you have any idea how ridiculous that sounds?"
"I know it sounds insane, but it's the truth!" Ries insisted, "I was trying to survive, and before I knew it, I was in too deep to back out! Please, you have to believe me!"
Azazel locked her eyes with Ries, “If you’re lying to me, you’re not going to have an easy end.”
Ries nodded vigorously, "I understand. I'm telling you the truth."
Azazel broke eye contact and scoffed, "Fine. For now, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. But you’re not off the hook. You will help me find out what really happened to Anise. If you cooperate, I’ll help you survive and not get executed for impersonation."
Ries swallowed hard, "I’ll do whatever it takes. Just, please, don't kill me."
“Good. You look civilized for a Beastmen.” She remarks as she picks up the previous bowl of soup and took a spoonful.
“What is that supposed to mean?” Ries wanted to be angry, but not when she was still tied to the chair and at the mercy of this strange woman.
Azazel shrugged nonchalantly, "Just an observation. Most Beastmen I've encountered are wild, barely able to function in human society, even if they are free. They are still tribal in a sense. You, on the other hand, seem to have adapted quite well."
Ries bristled at the comment but held her tongue, "Thanks, I guess," she muttered, unsure whether to take it as a compliment or an insult.
Azazel set the bowl of soup down in front of her, "Eat. You'll need your strength."
Ries eyed the soup warily, then looked up at Azazel. "Untie me first."
Azazel hummed, before reaching behind her and untied the ropes, “don’t try anything stupid.”
Ries rubbed her wrists, feeling the sting of the rope burns. She picked up the bowl and started to eat, realizing just how hungry she was she forgot her fatigue. The soup was surprisingly good, warming her from the inside.
As she ate, Azazel watched her carefully. "Since you’re Deputy Minister, you’ll have access to important documents. I want you to search the Imperial Central Registry Office for any of her trace.”
Ries nodded between mouthfuls, "Okay… but what happens if I don't find anything?"
“We’ll do more digging. She can’t just vanish into thin air, can she? I’ll need your authority as Deputy Minister, so practice your… commanding presence, I guess?” She shrugged.
Ries sighed, setting the empty bowl down, "I can try, but I’m not exactly experienced in this role. This is all new to me."
“Well, you’re someone important now, act like it.” Azazel replied, sitting down on a dusty old couch which made her cough a bit.
Ries silently cursed her, she doesn’t like being told what to do, “alright, I’ll try my best.”
“Good… but, I have a question. A simple question really.” Azazel turned to Ries.
“what is it?”
“Do you even know the Empire you’re serving right now?” Azazel questioned.
Ries was taken aback, "I… I know the basics. I know its history, its laws, its structure. Why do you ask?"
“Alright. Tell me what you know.”
“is… are you trying to gain information from me? I know you’re from the west.”
Azazel rolled her eyes, “Please, I don’t care about this heretical empire. I probably know more than you. Now answer me.”
Ries thought for a moment, “The Empire of Valeria is… An empire ruled by the Empress and… sees itself superior?”
Azazel looked at her with deadpan eye, “yep, you’re clueless.” She sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose, “Look, you’re politically illiterate, I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt. The Empire is more than just a political entity. It’s a nation, and the Empress herself IS the nation.”
Ries frowned, “…What does that mean?”
Azazel leaned back, trying to find a way to simplify it, “Look, you were from a tribe, right? What’s the power structure there?”
“Well, my father is the Chief. He’s the leader, the protector, and the guide of our tribe. He is chosen from the council of elders and is the strongest member of the tribe.” Ries quickly explained.
“Exactly,” Azazel said. “In your tribe, the Chief isn’t just a leader, he’s the embodiment of your people’s strength, their will, their spirit, chosen by the experienced elders to guide the tribe, isn’t that right?”
Ries nodded, “Yes, the Chief is chosen to lead and represent our tribe because he is the strongest amongst them.”
“The Empress is the same, but on a grander scale. Her decisions, her policies, her presence—everything she does and represents—is the Empire.” Azazel explained.
Ries nodded understandingly, “So, every decision she makes, every action she takes, is seen as the will of the Empire itself?”
“Precisely.” Azazel nodded, “The Imperial governance stems from their religious philosophy, which dictates that the Empress is also the Archon of the Drakorian faith, and therefore she is the living incarnation of the law.”
Ries sat there silent. It was all new to her. Granted, she didn’t particularly care about the Empire all that much when she was an adventurer, a sentiment that is shared by a majority of the people.
“Which is why you should understand the position you’re in. Every action you take, every word you utter, will be seen as an extension of the Empress’ will.” Azazel finished.
Ries sighed, the weight of her new reality settling on her shoulders, “I understand. I’ll do my best.”
“Good.” Azazel says as she stood up, “Here, use this to contact me.” She threw a small orb at Ries’ direction, which she barely managed to catch.
“What is this?” Ries question as she studied the dim orb.
“A communication orb. It allows for instantaneous communication between us no matter where we are. Just pour your mana into it and it will light up.” Azazel pulls out her own communication orb from her robe and it shined into a bright blue color.
The orb in Ries’ hand began to light up, and after she hesitantly pours mana into it, she saw the face of Azazel and her surroundings—which included Ries herself—in the orb.
“Whoa…”
“Fascinating, isn’t it?” Azazel’s faces gave out a rare smirk, “The Empire isn’t the only ones making breakthroughs.”
“So I can call you anytime with this?” Ries put the orb down carefully on the table.
“Not anytime but when you feel it necessary.”
“Right… I’ll keep that in mind.” Ries nodded.
“Good.” Azazel turned to leave, pausing at the door, “Remember, keep your promise, and you won’t die. Got it?”
With that, she exited, leaving Ries alone in her house. As soon as the door closed behind Azazel, Ries let out a huge sigh she didn’t realize she was holding. She collapsed onto the sofa, sending a cloud of dust into the air.
The old couch creaked under her weight, and the dust tickled her nose, making her sneeze. She buried her face in her hands, trying to process everything that had just happened. The adrenaline that had kept her going was finally wearing off, and the exhaustion hit her like a ton of bricks.
“Ahh… Fuck my life.” She muttered before closing her eyes and drifted to sleep.
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She woke up quite late. The rays of sunshine shone through her windows and exposing the dust particles in the air. She slowly opened her eyes and lazily looked around her.
Small dim orb? Check.
Wearing an exquisite suit? Check.
She put her hand to the left of her chest. Imperial brooch? Check.
She reached for her pockets and pulled out a silver card. ID card? Check.
She thought for a moment that she seemed to have made a huge mistake, and contemplated what would’ve happened if she instead came out honest to Eden when she was escorted into that meeting room.
Surely they’d listen to reason, right? Eden has been nothing but nice to her.
She slowly got up and rubbed her eyes, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep. Her body still felt heavy, but the hours spent on sleeping for the rest of yesterday had done her some good. She knew she couldn’t dwell on what-ifs. The reality of her situation was pressing, and she had to move forward.
Ries glanced at the communication orb on the table, remembering Azazel’s stern warning and the task she had been given. She had to find out what happened to Anise, not just for the real Anise’s sake but also for her own survival. Truth be told she doesn’t want to die yet. She still had to prove her father that she is strong.
She made her way to the small bathroom, took a bath, and let the warm water wash away some of her tension. As the steam filled the room, she allowed herself a few moments of peace. She couldn’t afford to relax too much, but she needed this brief respite to gather her thoughts.
After finishing her bath, she looked at her reflection in the cracked mirror, she took a deep breath, trying to muster some form of confidence. She isn’t qualified to be a government official, she isn’t educated, she isn’t even the same religion as the majority of them. But she needed to act the part.
She needed to act like a real official. She needed to play the part of Deputy Minister, even if she felt completely out of her depth.
“Fake it ‘till you make it, right?” She mused at her reflection.
She didn’t need to be qualified. She just had to be convincing.
Ries dressed in her suit again, pinned the imperial brooch to her chest, tucked the ID card into her pocket, and picked up the communication orb. The orb felt strangely comforting in her hand, maybe it was because of Azazel’s reassurance? She carefully hid it inside her suit.
Before heading out, she checked her wallet and confirmed she is still wealthy. Courtesy of the small leisure fund Eden provided. She reached for her cupboard and picked up a bottle of very strong Valkorian alcohol. She eyed the bottle for a moment, contemplating whether she should take a swig to steady her nerves.
After a second had passed, she shrugs and opens the bottle.
“Might as well” she thought as she downed the bottle in one sitting.
The alcohol burned its way down her throat, but the warmth that followed was almost comforting. Ries felt a slight buzz as the tension in her shoulders eased a bit. She knew it wasn't the best way to handle her stress, but at the moment, it was the easiest.
She wiped her mouth and burps. Setting down the empty bottle and straightened her suit once more before stepping outside.
As she was walking down the street, Ries felt more relaxed as the alcohol dulled her anxiety. She was absentmindedly walking when she realized she could just hail a carriage to save time. But as she thought of that, she stopped in front of an expensive-looking tailoring shop. Eden did say that as long as the suit was black, she was free to modify it.
Ries looked at her reflection in the shop’s window, then back at the elegant designs displayed inside. Perhaps a little customization could help her feel more confident in her role.
She pushed open the door and stepped inside. She was immediately hit with the fragrance of an expensive shop. A well-dressed old man approached her.
“Good day, ma’am. How may I assist you?” he asked, his eyes assessing her current attire and noting the brooch she had.
“I’m looking to modify my suit,” Ries said, showing him her black ensemble, “I want it to be more… distinctive.”
The tailor nodded thoughtfully. “Of course. We can certainly make some adjustments to suit your needs. Do you have any specific changes in mind?”
Ries spent the next hours or so inside the tailor shop, the total price was 30 Virs, and the suit would be ready tomorrow. She exited the tailor shop and made her way to the Imperial government complex, where guards saluted her when she walked in.
She found her way into her office by remembering the directions Eden showed.
Now that she had a proper look at her office, it’s really neat. Behind her desk was a window that overlooked a wide field inside the complex mainly used for ceremonial purposes. There were also bookshelves filled with a variety of books so she could do her research into the Empire without going anywhere.
And hell, there’s even an aquarium with small, colorful fishes! Who wouldn’t love that?
She sat down on her desk and leaned in causing her to relax. She could get used to this…
A knock followed by a voice interrupted her from her decadent thinking, “Pardon me.”
She straightened her posture and cleared her throat, “Come in.”
And in came a petite girl pushing a cart filled with stacks upon stacks of papers.
“Good morning, Madam Deputy Minister. I am Clarissa, your assistant.” She bows before handing pulling up a stack of papers and setting it down with a thud on Ries’ desk, “This is today’s work.”
Ries paled upon hearing that. She actually had to work?!