Stepping back into the halls, I found myself surrounded by pretty, pouty faces. Though, Louise looked as if she knew what I was doing, but didn’t disapprove.
I just flash a smile, before saying, “Hey, everything is alright. We need to contact the Construction Guild, for the next portion of our day. Everyone take my hand.” They did as I requested, and we all took a step forward and ended up being transported directly in front of Construction Guild.
Stepping through the door, I could smell all the earthen materials found in cement and other building components. I walked over to the first Earth Demon I came across and I tapped him on the shoulder, “Yo, how much would it cost to build a circular tower with a radius of fifteen feet with four stories? Oh, and it needs to be in intricate design.”
I had only realized he was jotting the dimensions down on a notepad only when he turned around mumbling to himself. It sounded as if he was trying to come up with a fair price in his head. When he came to a solution he looked at me dead in the eye and said, “That will cost approximately: 145,063 gold and thirty coppers… Wait, wait, wait. I know you. Crown Prince? Oh, there is no need to pay, you do run this nation now. We will be grateful to help.”
I shake my head, “Too late, I will pay you what I owe.”
The Earth Demon had sweat going down his face, “And if we refuse to accept?”
Did he think I was going to ‘make him sleep with the fishes?’ “Look, you don’t have to be so nervous, if you really, truly desire no payment from me, let us at least strike a deal.” His face became that of a businessman’s. “I want you to put the Guild’s Seal somewhere on the building, as proof you guys built it. It will bring some fame to your dying guild, when you do a magnificent job building the tower, maybe more job opportunities will open up. Also, you guys will be granted access to the first floor of the Tower.”
He looked at me suspiciously, “What is the purpose of this building, if you don’t mind me asking.”
I look him square in the eye and tell him, “It will be a means of being everywhere at once. Imagine instantly travelling from here to the bustling city of Flamerest in Askines, or perhaps Halo’s Keep in Fuspijan. Or perhaps you fancy going to the Imperial Domain, you could be in Thornston in the Rosewood Kingdom.”
His face fell, “You… wait… what? Are you saying anywhere? How is that possible?”
I tossed around the idea if I should I tell him, “Let’s just say each archway you make on the walls, that will be a gateway to specific location. I will have strategic points all over the Zugrielia.”
It took him a few minutes to get over the awe of the idea, he then straightened up and grabbed my hand with his large stony ones and shook it vigorously, “You got yourself a deal.”
After shaking hands, I tell him to meet me at the palace courtyard around noon. Turning around, I addressed the girls that were standing behind me, “Now we must go back to Palace now that my business here is done. Next on the agenda is to officially receive the Duchess of Fuspijan. This will lead to subsequent firing of Captain Ceobal, I will hopefully root out the remaining corruption in my Kingdom.” The girls looked at me as a leader with a cool head, although I only thought of myself awkward calling the Kingdom mine. It didn’t feel right, but I have a duty to this nation and its people, now that my parents were no longer able to play the leadership roles.
These thoughts went through my head as we reappeared in the throne room and walked out into the courtyard. We walked out to place surrounded by the entire Palace Guard. They all were informed to show early as usual, only instead for drill they showed up for the receiving of the Dukes and Duchesses. The lower ranks were probably grateful for morning exercise being cancelled.
As planned Nikaia, Arne and Detlef escorted Duchess Periphoia through the thick of the forest with four of her personal guard following closely behind. Unbeknownst to the guards they only circled behind the Palace and pretended to just arrive. I made it a point to watch the Captain.
Captain Ceobal stood resolute in his stance of attention, though a noticeable line of sweat and eye bewilderment was evident on his face. I must say it was amusing to see him fret over his near future and try to remain at attention. Moving my attention from the Captain to the Duchess, I noticed after she left the tree line she slowly approached the soldiers that formed a path from the courtyard up the stairs, towards the Palace entrance behind me.
By the time she got to me, she spoke innocently but loud enough to for the Captain to hear, “We were travelling really fast, it was almost instant, am I the first one here?”
I then turned toward here and flashed the brightest smile I could, “Why yes my Duchess, you are the actually the first to arrive, despite Shienriech so close. It has been roughly half a day since I issued the order of inviting all of the Dukedom nobles to my Palace. I gave them two weeks. Actually,” I motioned for the Captain to join me, “I had a running bet with this man here. He didn’t believe these fine soldiers to return with you in tow within two weeks. Not only have they accomplished that, but they also arrived first.”
With my words out, the Duchess made a show of being impressed even though she already knew of the deal. The Captain however looked nervous and was looking at her up and down, to see find out if she was the real deal. I then demand the attention of everyone nearby. “Captain Ceobal. In front of the Palace Guard of which has been under your command. In front of these witnesses today, for corruption, misappropriation of power and failure of leadership, I hereby relieve you of your duty. Since this problem has not been addressed before, I am not throwing you in prison but will be satisfied with relieving you. Farewell, civilian.”
I turned my back on the ex-Captain, and escorted the Duchess and her personal guard into the Palace just as Duke Adolf flew toward us with a few soldiers in tow. As he landed by Duchess Periphoia, he looked her up and down, “Well, I’ll be. S’that Periphoia? It is! Ah, I’m woulda got ‘ere earlier but I hadda wait for ‘em.” He jabbed a thumb at a few guards that just now started to catch their breath. He then looked at me, beaming, “You gonna be king? I can’t wait.”
Ushering him inside with the Duchess I nodded before I spoke, “Yes, I shall be. In two weeks, I will hold my coronation. And after wards there will be a wedding ceremony, you are invited to that as well. You are welcome to stay as long as you like.”
For the next few hours we chatted and greeted a handful of Dukes from nearby Dukedoms. I expect most of the Dukes and Duchesses to appear over the next few days only leaving the furthest ones to arrive a while after that. After a few talks about Foreign policy with the Demon Realm, I dismissed myself from the conversion to walk over to the Ashley, who had been sitting on the stairs.
Ashley noticed my arrival and stood up, “Are we ready to go, Alexander?” There was a mix of anxiety with eagerness. I guess it was a mixture of wanting to go home and not wanting to, and maybe her problem she had back home had something to do with it as well.
I grabbed her by the hand and guided her to the empty conference room that I had been using as a temporary portal room. Dissolving the portal to Private Nikaia’s guest room in Fuspijan, I felt a slight influx of Mana. I guess I get a little back from dismantling them. With some of the Mana I gained from the portal I used it to repeat the process of opening portals to the Throne room of the Imperial Palace. Stepping through the portal we were immediately surrounded by guards, as expected. I raised my hands and waited.
None of the guards recognized me, since we never met, but they did notice my princely crown floating above my head and my purple skin. After a few moments there was chatter amongst the guard. Questions that ran along the lines of; “How did they get here,” “Is that a Void Demon,” and “Isn’t he that prince from that new kingdom?” After a while the noticed Ashley from under my wing, with the notice, they quickly stood at attention and said not another word.
From beyond the wave of guards I heard an old voice bellow out, “Who dares interrupt my meeting? Is there an intruder? Why are you standing still?”
I couldn’t see too well but I assumed that the voice belong to Keith Greenwood, current Emperor of the Imperial Domain. He is the son of Emperor Godfrey Greenwood, the Emperor who called a truce at the end of the Great War. At his voice the, the guards parted to give us full view the old Emperor sitting on his throne, the Imperial Prince, Sterling, standing beside him, and the backside of a rather large, robust Earth Demon kneeling in front of him, wearing the Demon Realms military suit. I think he is either the highest ranking General or maybe a Colonel, I couldn’t tell, the symbols look to much alike.
Since I was standing in presence of an emperor, I decided it would be rude to talk from across the room, I slowly approached the throne and kneeled beside the Earth Demon and spoke. “Pardon my intrusion, I wished to speak with you at the earliest time possible. It is an urgent matter that I would like to discuss with you.”
The old emperor raised an eyebrow, “Oh, it seems there are more urgent matters that keep popping up, I will get with you in a moment, or you might be able to join to the conversation, as it does seems to revolve around you. You are indeed the Prince of the newly formed Astral kingdom, correct?”
I nodded my head but steered the conversation back to the part that it pertained to me, “You said this involves me, your grace?”
He nodded and closed his eyes. It appears that his age and a huge amount of unseen stress has caught up with him in one moment. When he leaned down to look me in the eye, “The reason for your visit, is it to declare war on me, The Imperial Domain. A realm that has been around for at least a millennia, withstood many wars and has been passed downed from many Emperors to myself. You dare challenge me?” The more he went on, the angrier he got.
I didn’t say anything because I was taken aback by such a wild accusation. When I was able to speak it started out a little too stern, “Look your majesty, I don’t know where you got your claims, but that isn’t what I came here for. Actually you might say that it is a way to prevent a war.” The old emperor listened to my words and nodded.
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The emperor leaned back obviously relieved but turned his attention to the Earth Demon, “Forgive me for not being able to say your name, is just addressing you by rank sufficient?” When the Earth Demon nodded, the emperor continued, “Your concerns have been heard, but if it is as the Astral Prince has said, then I need not to be worried, depending on his solution. Though it is worrisome, with all the activities coming from Astral Kingdom, lately.” He looked back at me.
I looked up at the old emperor, “Worrisome, what is worrisome?”
The old emperor sat back and looked up at his ceiling that was high above us, obviously glad that I wasn’t deliberately trying to cause him worry for war. “A few of them are minor problems that could escalate, but one that has been pressing on my mind, that now has me confused. I was informed that my daughter had been kidnapped shortly after she ran away from the Palace. I see that she is escorting you today. Are you here to return her?” Inquired the old emperor.
“Actually, I did not kidnap her to begin with. I simple met her at my parents Coronation Ball, I had assumed she was the sole representative of the Imperial Domain. I had no idea she is a runaway. However I have gotten to know her for a while now, and would like to ask something of you that could lead to a long lasting alliance.”
The old emperor stared blankly at me for a while, “You ask for hand in marriage, Astral Prince?” After I nodded my head, I could feel Ashley’s blush from behind me. He spoke in a complete relaxed tone, “I am afraid that you are too late, I would love to have an alliance with you, but I would rather a closer tie with the Demon Realm, which happens to be a larger nation than your own, my apologies. I know your nation happens to be really close with Demon Realm itself due to family being friends and all, if I were to have a tie with either country, I would be on good terms with the other. I do realize that, I however am looking out for the best interest of my people. Might a war break out, I would rather go against you than the entire Demon Realm, for military reasons.”
I look the old emperor in the eye and put as much malice as I could into my voice, “Ho, you think you stand a chance against me? I have yet to set up a few programs that will triple my military power, without actually increasing manpower.” I could feel Ashley wanting to protest but before I let her voice her opinion, I continued. “I am not here to declare war on you, I merely came here to announce my coronation in a few weeks. I am here to invite all the humans, who wish to come. After the coronation, perhaps a week or two after, I will hold a marriage ceremony. Whether you intend to come to either ceremonies is up to you. If you are looking for a fight, I would rather you wait a while, but if one is necessary now I am willing to have a go. I fought an army myself and came out on top anyway.”
The emperor displayed an emotion that in between impressed, terrified and angry at the same time. “You are bluffing, the Astral Kingdom has yet to be even in a war. I am sure your mommy and daddy would try to prevent one. And besides boy, I know you are young, younger than I. I wasn’t even born when the Great War had ended, I’ve only had to handle civil wars. What do you know of war, boy?”
“Don’t underestimate me, Old man, it will be your undoing.” It took me a moment to notice that I was towering over the old emperor.
The old man looked terrified, but I let off and backed away. The Earth Demon had said nothing the whole time, he must’ve been well trained in diplomacy, but I remembered he was a General of the highest rank. He probably has been around since Demon King Orpheus. I don’t know why but I felt an ancient aura coming from him… It just felt powerful. Despite him kneeling, it felt I was at his feet for some reason.
I look back at the old emperor before I left his throne room, “I don’t want to be on bad terms with you, because I want to unite the whole Continent under one building. It will be an instantaneous crossroads if you will. In the tower I am having built today, over the next few weeks, I will have key places connected to that building. Should we get things sorted out, and you accept my proposal, I will tell you in great detail how it works and the exact function of it. So to bring up on my end, I will hear the other issues you have with the Astral Kingdom.”
The old man relaxed a little but the Imperial Prince seemed to puff up with anger as I insulted him or his ancient relatives. The Old man raised an eyebrow, “You would hear me out? Clearly you have no grasp of diplomacy, or that you are master of it, I cannot tell at the moment. Your idea does interest me, as I have had the same dream when I was wee lad such as yourself. One of the few problems my realm faces, is that all of the population is rapidly moving west.”
“West? Do the humans have a migration pattern?” I played dumb. “Or perhaps there is something in the west?”
The Imperial Prince glared at me, while the ever increasingly senile old man laughed, “Ah, well there is indeed something in the West. It is a shame that something is not in our borders.” He looked me in the eye, “Everyone has heard of your accomplishments and freedoms in your country. I would very like to have the same system that you are putting in place that allows for such productivity and prosperity but I fear for the many noble factions that would have my head if I were to take such actions. Also, I hear that there is affordable food that would put the finest chefs in the Imperial Palace to shame, available everywhere. Tasting it leaves you craving more leaving you unable to eat the food you had previous eaten your entire life. I had allowed some the restaurants to open within my borders, but only a few. I feared it was some sort of attempt of spying, but the peasants are many and the restaurants are few leaving the occupants busy. However these said restaurants are plentiful in your fiefdom and even in the Demon Realm. So we are going to experience a mass exodus in the next year that will decimate my nation as a whole.”
I listened to the old man and realized that my beneficial actions may be the end of the Imperial Domain if I were to leave things as they were, however, “I am sorry that I started making these radical reforms that started not only affecting my country but yours as well. This was a problem that I considered and had planned to address before it actually became a problem. I actually had a method of doing away with the unchecked, uncontrollable migration that would harm both of us. Your government would collapse over the sheer drop in numbers leaving all at once, there would be nobody to govern and there would be nobody to do the jobs. I would have nowhere to put everyone, leaving many homeless and my resources would deplete over time eventually putting me in your situation. I do have a plan, but I would like for you to agree on my terms, or we will both face the end of our nations, yours before mine.”
The old man started to stroke his beard, “Boy, I had you figured wrong. I had you pegged for a hot tempered, young blood who would surely be the cause of many lives being lost. I, however, realized that you are more adept in this than I previously imagined. You have perhaps have enough wit to pull this off. I decided to agr-”
The old Emperor was cut off by the Imperial Prince, “Father, are really going to believe in him. He obviously did this on purpose, come on listen to what he is saying, does it really make any since to you? How would population growth affect him to point of ruining his nation? If anything, he would have more manpower than does now. He is trying to buy off time then declare war on us while we are weak. We can’t just sit around and-”
It was now the Imperial Prince who was cut off, “You will be silent!” The old emperor demanded, with his voice the Imperial Prince said no more but fumed in silence. The old man continued, “Where were we?”
I looked at him almost mystified of how well he handled him, “You were about to agree to my terms, I would however would like to list them before you actually agree. First I would like to take your daughters hand in marriage, shortly after I am coroneted. Next, I hope you perform a census on all of your people, I would like for you to have all of your citizens identified by the government. This doesn’t take much, when you delegate the orders to the kings and dukes who will give the orders to their respective counts who will hire officials to go door to door to have everyone identified. Give them identification papers, with each person having their unique number, birth date, and place of birth printed on it. The government, you, will create a special department for handling this for as long as you remain a nation.”
The old emperor looked very intrigued so far, “So what will this do young Prince?”
I then replied, “It makes it easy to keep track of citizens.” He looked confused for a while, so I continued, “If you make it required to present identification papers, or the very least their ID number to do certain actions at certain facilities. Such as buying a home, moving across to a new country, joining the Armed Forces, or even just becoming a government official, they would need to have their papers or ID numbers.” The old man seemed to figure out what I was getting at. “Also, in doing so, we would need to set up a passport system, allowing citizens to move between the countries, while simultaneously allowing the countries to easily regulate the flow. Do keep note however, this allows you to have further control over your citizens as that you would have the general sense of what they are up to, I would caution you not to take advantage of it, or the people will find exploits the weaknesses in the new systems and there will probably be several revolts.”
When the old Emperor got the warning, I continued, “That being said, in a few years, it would be easier to track down criminals, since everyone will be in your system. I will be doing the same thing in my country, and I will try to get Demon King Magnus in on this as well, the Passport System won’t work unless we all do this, or rather, it wouldn’t be efficient. Lastly, I would like permission to open up instantaneous travel to each of your Kingdoms, Dukedoms, and maybe even the Counties. I will tell you the system I will have in place for them as soon as you agree to these terms.”
The Old Emperor looked thoroughly pleased with my plan, however he expressed his remaining doubts, “Why? Why would go this far, where do you benefit from all this? I see that it is indeed helpful, but it seems like you hardly benefit at all, but your citizens would reap most of the benefit. Why would you go so far as to do this, surely you have stayed up day and night to think of this highly complicated system, you would like to implement. It’s like you are trying to create a government from scratch.”
Except I got most of these ideas from Earth, but since copyright doesn’t exist here, I think I’ll borrow a few ideas. I turned to the Old Emperor, “By controlling and limiting what the population does in a small amount, will increase their freedoms to other things, that will lead to better morale and better productivity. If your people are happy, your country is happy. Anyway, I’d go this far to assure the future, for the future is in the children, the next generation. This generation is more or less set in their ways and if they decided to change locations, such as all of them entering my country all at once, it would go well for them until the whole country slowly sinks into poverty because the resources will become scarce. Well it would affect everyone, but it would affect the children the most, because they would have to be raised in said poverty, having them lead miserable lives. It wouldn’t take much for a local to take command, and turn their misery into anger, and that anger becomes a revolt, that turns into a civil war. Now, as I said, ‘if your people are happy, your country is happy.’”
Now the old man was slack jawed, “How, how do you know all this, if you don’t mind me asking?”
To that I answered, “I used to travel a lot, I would observe people in my surroundings everywhere I went. So, do we have an agreement?”
The old man then pondered for a while, the General and the Imperial Prince both waited for his reply. The Old Emperor then spoke aloud, “I understand that you have more to tell me about Identification papers, I can tell by your eyes that there is more to it, despite it already being so complicated. I also realize you can’t give me the details unless I agree to your terms, it must confidential information, but I would like to ask you something in return before I give you my answer.” When I nodded, he inquired, “This wedding, am I expecting Grandchildren already? Have you two…”
“No we haven’t! Dad, why are you always like this!” I turn around to see that Ashley was blushing profusely while yelling at her father. The old Emperor just smiled as he took a few insults and chuckled, “Alright, alright, I agree to your terms. All of them. I am expecting many great things from you young man, don’t you fail me now. Now please tell me about this instantaneous travel you were talking about. Is that how you traveled here?”