Master Antonin lifts his gaze from his scrolls, a smile radiating both kindness and seriousness lighting up his face. He seems to take a moment to consider Mero's request before replying.
— A wise proposition, Your Highness. He pauses, weighing the impact of his decision. It could be an additional challenge for you, but it's an excellent way to accelerate your learning. Therefore, I will gradually incorporate the Imperial language into my lessons. You'll need to concentrate more, but it will give you the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in this new language.
He picks up a scroll, slowly unrolls it, and begins speaking in the Imperial language, his voice calm but steady. His words are clear and well-articulated, ensuring Mero grasps the overall meaning before proceeding.
— Today, we'll begin with a summary of the major historical events that led to the formation of the Mor Empire. You've already heard about the war with the Kingdom of Fine, but it's essential to understand the broader context.
Antonin pauses and watches Mero to ensure he's following. He continues, gradually integrating explanations in the Imperial language.
— The Kingdom of Mor, before becoming an empire, was a powerful kingdom, but a decisive war against Fine sealed its fate. The war lasted several years and was marked by strategic alliances and maritime battles.
Master Antonin observes Mero carefully to ensure he's following the words and concepts.
— Do you recognize some words? It's important to try to connect concepts you know in your language with the new words you're learning. For example, "war" is "guerra" in Imperial, and "alliance" is "alliancia."
He continues using the Imperial language while explaining historical facts with gestures, drawings, and maps to aid comprehension. The goal is not merely to recount history but to strengthen Mero's linguistic understanding through visual contexts.
The pace is slow but steady. Mero remains attentive, though the difficulty gradually sets in. Each sentence is an effort, yet it slowly begins to make sense. The link between language and history becomes increasingly evident, and he starts to perceive the subtleties in how events are narrated in the Imperial language.
Minutes pass as Master Antonin guides Mero through historical events. Mero realizes that this immersion, though challenging, is exactly what he needs to master the language and understand the world he is entering.
Master Antonin, continuing to speak in the Imperial language, delves deeper into historical narratives. As he recounts the story of the Mor Empire, his eyes gleam with enthusiasm, as though each event still holds profound significance for him.
— The history of the Mor Empire is not merely a succession of battles and conquests, he says with a mischievous smile. It's also one of alliances and betrayals. You know, during the war with the Kingdom of Fine, there was a decisive moment when the Empire, despite its superior numbers, nearly lost due to a pact broken by one of its allies. It was a bitter lesson, but one that strengthened solidarity among the Empire's regions.
Mero, attentive, raises his hand with a slight smile. He is impressed not only by the history itself but also by the way Master Antonin brings each anecdote to life. He feels slightly more comfortable with the language, having already memorized some words and phrases during the lessons.
— Master Antonin, says Mero, these anecdotes make history come alive. You speak about this war with such detail... It's like being there. It's fascinating.
Master Antonin beams, pleased to see his student's growing interest, especially in such a complex and dense field. He straightens slightly and continues speaking more slowly, ensuring each word is understood.
— Well, Your Highness, history is alive, after all. It's not just a matter of dates and cold facts. It's a tapestry of human stories. What has always struck me about this war was not only the battles but also how the people under Fine's rule reacted. Some resisted the invaders, while others saw Mor's victory as an opportunity to restore their own power.
He turns to a map and points to a specific location.
— For instance, the city of Vézoul, a small southern Empire city. It was a key stronghold during the war. But what's interesting is that the city had always been independent, refusing to submit to any empire or kingdom. During the war, the King of Vézoul, a man known for his fierce resistance, formed an alliance with the Empire, but there was a betrayal. This was a turning point, as Vézoul's defeat marked the end of the last major independent resistances in the region.
Master Antonin becomes carried away by his recollections, his storytelling becoming more fluid and almost natural, his eyes gleaming with a passion for history.
— It was also a war of diplomacy. The Mor Empire, in its expansion, had to not only win battles but also win the hearts and minds of the people it conquered. In fact, there was a particular custom at court back then... A ritual to welcome conquered peoples: a feast where the defeated had to offer gifts to the rulers of Mor, a sign of submission but also a way to preserve their culture and give them a place within the Empire.
Mero listens attentively, his concentration divided between understanding the Imperial language and absorbing the historical details. He finds himself enjoying the deepening of the stories, visualizing the scenes in his mind. Each detail and twist makes history more tangible.
— Master Antonin, he says thoughtfully, you're right. What you're telling goes beyond history. It shows how the Empire forged bonds. It took time and perseverance, but today these peoples seem to live in harmony, even though they come from far away with such different traditions.
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Antonin nods, pleased with Mero's understanding.
— That's exactly it, Your Highness. The Mor Empire didn't just conquer lands; it forged a common identity over centuries. This requires compromises and sacrifices, but it's also what makes the Empire unique. It's not just conquest; it's integration, an evolution toward a sometimes complex but necessary unity.
Mero reflects for a moment. This vision of the Empire, with its difficulties and successes, prompts him to rethink his own future within this complex entity. He realizes that he, too, will have to play a role in this unity and that each action, each learning experience, is preparing him for it.
Master Antonin, a nostalgic smile on his lips, continues speaking passionately, delighted to see Mero's growing interest in the Empire's history. He becomes carried away by his recollections, and the story takes on a more mythological and captivating tone.
— Ah, King Mor, he begins, his eyes lighting up at the mention of the name, a fundamental figure in the birth of our empire. It is said that Mor was not just a man but a kind of embodiment of divine will, a hero chosen by the gods. Legend has it that he was born under quite extraordinary circumstances. His mother, the high priestess of an ancient cult, was visited by a divine apparition that foretold she would bear a child destined to change the course of history. Mor would unite all the warring kingdoms. But — and this is where the story becomes even more fascinating — Mor's mother, a woman of great wisdom, was gripped by doubt and, before giving birth, sought to thwart this destiny, as if she had sensed that her son would become a king... and a conqueror.
He becomes more pensive, pressing his finger on the map as if to underline the weight of past events.
— This is where the story takes a turn. Legend has it that before Mor was born, his mother went to a sacred mountain and, in a moment of despair, attempted to defy the gods' will by plunging a dagger into her belly. But at the last moment, a divine lightning bolt struck her, and the pain awakened a new energy within her. She gave birth to Mor in a burst of light, a perfectly formed child, untouched by misfortune. The gods, according to popular belief, had willed Mor's birth, and his destiny could not be changed. This child, as an adult, united the warring neighboring kingdoms and laid the foundation for what would later become the Mor Empire.
Mero listens intently, captivated by the mythological power of the story. Master Antonin, seeing his sustained attention, continues his narrative with renewed enthusiasm.
— Then there's the story of Queen Maude, the mother of King Gauvain, another key figure in the Empire's history. She was a sovereign of great wisdom and ambition. She was capable of manipulating political events like a true master strategist. However, her relationship with her son was complex, filled with love and betrayal.
He pauses, building suspense before revealing the next part.
— Queen Maude was determined to secure the Empire's future under her control, but when her son Gauvain began expressing ideas of reforms, centralizing power, and more equitable policies toward conquered peoples, she felt threatened. She couldn't bear the thought of her own son renouncing the principles she had consecrated her reign to. So, in a shocking and unthinkable gesture, she organized a revolution against him, overthrowing her own son. But the real tragedy, if you will, is that in an ultimate act of compassion, she chose to die alongside her son when he was captured and imprisoned, thus bringing the struggle to an end. A mother and her son, facing the same tragic fate.
Master Antonin pauses for a moment, his expression serious, as if the memory of this event still lingers in him. Mero, shocked by the story of family betrayal, takes a moment to reflect.
— It’s... incredible, he murmurs finally. She overthrew her own son...
Antonin nods slowly.
— Yes, Your Highness. It was an act of great cruelty, but also of great complexity. Queen Maude was driven by a deep conviction: she believed that the Empire, as it was designed, had to be protected at any cost. The tragic end of her reign shows the limits of such absolute power. But through these stories, you see how the royal family, and even the rulers of previous generations, had to face large-scale dilemmas. This is the story of the Empire: a mixture of ambition, betrayal, and sacrifices.
Mero thinks for a moment about what he has just heard. The violence and human passions that shaped the Empire were now clearer to him. Each reign, each historical figure had been marked by difficult choices. Nothing was simple, nothing was black or white. Just like the Empire, which was not only built on war and conquest, but also on compromises, alliances, and betrayals.
— Master Antonin, he says, you’re right. It’s a story of choices. Every king and queen shaped this empire with their decisions, even those that seem... unthinkable.
Antonin smiles proudly, satisfied with his student’s reflection.
— Exactly, Your Highness. You are beginning to understand what the history of the Empire really means. It’s not just about power, but about understanding the forces that shape us, the struggles and sacrifices we must endure to maintain a certain unity.
The story of the Empire continues to twist and complicate in the minds of those who study it. Each legend, each event seems interconnected, forming a whole that, though hard to grasp, is crucial to understanding the present and future of the Empire. Master Antonin continues, but Mero knows that these stories will continue to occupy him, shaping his own understanding of the world he is about to join.
Mero slowly gets up, his thoughts still occupied by the fascinating stories he has just heard. He leaves the classroom, his steps echoing in the ship's corridors, and heads toward the dining hall. The ship rocks slightly, still affected by the sea, but the storm's agitation seems to have calmed. The atmosphere is lighter, and the fading daylight reflects off the deep blue water.
In the large common room, the cook and his assistants are busy preparing meals for the crew. The scent of spicy, salty dishes mixes with the sea air. Mero sits at a table and notices the different crew members, some eating in silence, others sharing laughter. He thinks about what Leila told him about the people of the sea and their history. The sailors seem to live a different life from his, marked by waves and winds, but also by a discipline he will need to learn to respect.
He eats his meal, a dish of fresh fish with rice and vegetables, while observing the other crew members. Even in the way they eat, he can sense their sea habits, their energy, and their calm, as if everything is in its place, even amid this tumultuous sea. Once his meal is finished, Mero heads toward the training area, his mind still occupied with the day’s lessons.
The sailors are already there, ready to begin. Their discipline and seriousness always impress him. He recalls his tutor’s words, Master Antonin, about the importance of mastering weapons for any man destined to evolve within the Empire. Training, like studying, is part of the rigorous discipline he must adopt if he ever hopes to find his place in this empire.
He takes a position in the corner, waiting for the training to begin, while observing the others who are already warming up. He knows it will be another challenge to face today. He will have to withstand the intensity of the training while remaining focused on his long-term goal: his place at the Imperial Academy and, beyond that, his role in the Empire.
The weapons master approaches him and the other students, a man with a stern gaze, but a massive body, who seems capable of handling any weapon with disconcerting ease. He signals for them to gather around him to start the training.
Mero observes the students, all of them rookies. Some are very muscular, others more frail, but all have in their eyes that determination to surpass themselves.