The Emperor sat in his throne room, his face a mask of solemnity. He had just received news that the representative of Hallgerd had walked out of the Senate, furious at the decree to make Teradosa independent from the city. It was a blow to the Empire, as Hallgerd had been a loyal supporter for generations, and their loss would be felt deeply.

He knew that the decree would not sit well with the people of Hallgerd, but he had made a decision that he believed was in the best interest of the Empire. He was not blind to the fact that his actions may have soured any relationship with the southern fortress city.

As he sat there, lost in thought, he was interrupted by the arrival of five individuals. They were heroes, summoned to the throne room to discuss the current state of the Empire. They were passionate in their beliefs, speaking of the importance of self-determination and the rights of individuals to govern themselves.

The hero, a young man named Fujiwara Tetsuo, stood before the Emperor, his hands clasped in front of him as he spoke. "Your Highness," he said, his voice strong and clear. "I understand your concerns about the situation in Hallgerd, but I must urge you to consider the principle of self-determination. The people of Teradosa Highland have been oppressed for far too long, and they deserve the right to govern themselves and chart their destinies. By granting them their independence, you would not only be doing the right thing, but you would also be strengthening the bonds of loyalty between the empire and its people."

The Emperor looked at him skeptically, but Fujiwara continued. "Furthermore, by demoting Hallgerd, you would be sending a clear message that oppression and betrayal will not be tolerated. It may be a difficult decision, but I believe it is the only way to ensure the long-term stability of the empire."

The Emperor remained silent for a moment, considering her words. Finally, he nodded. "You make a persuasive argument, Fujiwara. I will consider your proposal."

Fujiwara bowed deeply, feeling a sense of satisfaction that he had been able to convince the Emperor to see reason. As he left the throne room, Fujiwara couldn't help but feel a sense of pride that he had been able to use his voice to make a difference and to stand up for what he believed in.

As Fujiwara Tetsuo walked back to his lodgings after the meeting with the Emperor, he noticed that he was being followed. Turning around, he saw four other summon heroes, three girls and one boy, who had also been summoned to aid in the war effort.

"Hey, Tetsuo, what's up?" said one of the girls, a blonde with a friendly smile.

"Not much, just had a meeting with the Emperor," replied Tetsuo, grinning.

"Really? How did it go?" asked another girl, a brunette with a mischievous glint in her eye.

"It was... interesting," said Tetsuo, his expression turning serious. "The Emperor has decreed that the Teradosa highland is to be granted independence from Hallgerd, and that Hallgerd is to be demoted due to their oppression."

The four heroes looked at each other, their expressions thoughtful. "That's a bold move," said the boy, nodding his head. "But I can see why he would do it. Self-determination is a basic human right."

The girls nodded in agreement, and Tetsuo felt a sense of camaraderie with these fellow heroes. Despite their different backgrounds and abilities, they were all united in their goal to bring peace to the land.

"Let's go grab a drink," said one of the girls, a redhead with a fiery personality. "We deserve a little celebration after all the hard work we've been doing."

While Tetsuo and his friends were enjoying a moment of respite at the nearby tavern, a different scene was unfolding in the city of Hallgerd. Augustus and his troops had returned with a captured weapon, sparking a tide of celebration. The people of the city were in a festive mood, with flags waving and music filling the air. However, there was an underlying current of nationalism that pulsed through the crowds, hinting at a deeper story beneath the surface of the celebration.

Augustus watched from his horse, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. He couldn't help but feel proud of his people, their loyalty to Hallgerd shining through even in the face of adversity. As they approached the city center, he could see banners bearing the city's crest waving in the wind.

And as he stepped onto the platform, gazing out at the cheering crowd. He felt a surge of pride at the sight of his fellow Hallgerdians celebrating their victory, but it was bittersweet. He knew that their triumph was marred by the betrayal of the empire.

"My fellow Hallgerdians," he began, his voice carrying over the crowd. "Today we celebrate our victory over the rebels who sought to tear our country apart. But we cannot forget the betrayal of the empire, who cast us aside like so much refuse."

The crowd murmured in agreement, their cheers turning to angry shouts at the mention of the empire's betrayal.

"But we are Hallgerdians, and we will not be defeated so easily!" Augustus continued, his voice rising. "We have proven that our loyalty to this land and its people is unwavering, even in the face of betrayal. And with the capture cannon in our possession, we will show the world that Hallgerd is a force to be reckoned with!"

The crowd erupted in cheers, waving flags and banners in the air. Augustus raised his fist in solidarity with his people, feeling a sense of unity and nationalistic pride. Despite the challenges they faced, he knew that Hallgerd would rise above it all, stronger than ever before.

The celebration continued well into the night, with feasts and fireworks lighting up the sky. But even as he celebrated, Augustus knew that they still had a long way to go. The loss of the Teradosa highland was a blow to their pride, and the betrayal of Alexandria Farrel still weighed heavily on his mind.

As he retired to his study that night, Augustus couldn't help but feel conflicted. He knew that the nationalism that ran through the city was what kept them strong, but he also knew that it could lead to dangerous outcomes. He would have to tread carefully in the coming days and weeks, as the wounds of the rebellion were still fresh and the people were still raw with emotion.

And as he sat at his desk, staring blankly at the reports his advisory council had presented him with. He knew that he needed to focus on the matters at hand, but his mind kept drifting to the issue of his betrothal.

Fleur had been his friend for years, and he couldn't deny the attraction he felt towards her. But at the same time, he knew that a marriage with Herrieta Von Wesend would strengthen their ties with the powerful port city, and potentially bring them much-needed resources.

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He sighed heavily and ran a hand through his hair, feeling conflicted. He couldn't let his personal feelings get in the way of what was best for Hallgerd. But how could he choose between loyalty to a friend and the needs of his people?

Finally, he made a decision. He would arrange a meeting with Herrieta and see if they were compatible. If they were, he would make the betrothal official. But if not, he would have to find another way to strengthen their ties with Wesend.

With a newfound sense of determination, Augustus picked up his pen and began to make notes for the meeting with Herrieta. He knew that the decision he was about to make would have far-reaching consequences, and he needed to be sure that he was making the right choice.

As the advisor and marshal finished their report on the status of Hallgerd's defenses, Augustus nodded in approval. The sloping of their walls and the reverse engineering of the captured cannon were vital steps in modernizing their army and strengthening their position against future threats.

He leaned back in his chair, considering his next move. "I appreciate your work on this matter," he said to his advisors. "But now, let us turn to another pressing issue."

He paused, gathering his thoughts. "As you both know, I must choose a betrothed soon. It is not a decision I take lightly, and I appreciate your counsel on this matter."

His advisors nodded in understanding. "We understand the gravity of the situation, Your Highness," the marshal replied. "But we trust that you will make the right decision for the good of Hallgerd."

Augustus nodded, his mind already turning to the meeting with Herrieta. He knew that the future of his people depended on the choices he made, and he was determined to make them wisely.

But he couldn't afford to falter. His people were depending on him to make the right decisions, no matter how difficult they may be. With renewed resolve, Augustus set aside his personal feelings and began to focus on the task at hand, determined to lead Hallgerd to a brighter future.

And as Augustus immersed himself in reports on the cost and rebuilding of Aildenburg, he knew that it would take a significant investment of resources to turn it into a true fortress capable of withstanding attacks from the traitorous Teradosa Highland. But he also knew that it was necessary, both for the protection of Aildenburg itself and for the security of Hallgerd as a whole.

As he pondered the logistics of the project, his mind drifted to his previous life as a scientist. He remembered the fascination he had felt as he studied the principles of steam power and the potential it held for revolutionizing transportation and industry.

Augustus couldn't help but feel a pang of regret as he realized that if he were still his past self, Hiro the rising star of the scientific community back on Earth before he died, he would remember the specific steps needed to build a steam engine. But now, those memories had faded, and he couldn't recall the precise details of the process.

He shook his head, feeling frustrated with himself, but then he had an idea. Perhaps he could pass on the concept of a steam engine to a trusted blacksmith in Hallgerd, someone who could work on experimenting and innovating with the technology to create their own version.

With renewed enthusiasm, Augustus made a note to speak to the blacksmith, and he continued to pour over the reports and plans for Aildenburg's reconstruction. He knew that he had a lot of work ahead of him, but he was determined to see it through and ensure the safety of his people.

The night was dark and quiet as Augustus sat at his desk, surrounded by flickering candles and stacks of paperwork. He had been lost in thought for hours, contemplating the feasibility of constructing steam engines to improve Hallgerd's transportation and industry.

Suddenly, he was interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching his chambers. He looked up to see the Marshal of Hallgerd standing before him, his face shadowed by the dim light.

"Your Majesty," the Marshal began, his voice low and serious. "I wanted to speak with you about an idea I had. What if we were to create a militia to supplement our army and act as border guards and patrols?"

Augustus listened carefully to the marshal's proposal, weighing the potential benefits against the risks. He knew that fielding a militia would violate the emperor's decree and could lead to conflict with other houses. But at the same time, he couldn't deny the potential advantages of having a secret force to supplement their army in times of war.

After a moment of thoughtful silence, Augustus spoke. "I understand the importance of having a strong and dedicated force to protect our borders and supplement our army in times of need. However, we must be cautious not to violate the emperor's decree limiting the number of troops fielded by each house. We could face severe consequences if we are caught."

As Augustus listened to the Marshall's proposal for a secret militia, he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. "I understand the need for additional protection, especially given the recent threats from the Teradosa Highland," he said. "But we must be careful not to violate the House Guard Decree. We cannot risk the wrath of the emperor and risk war between our own subjects."

The Marshall nodded in understanding, "I agree, my lord. That is why I propose that we keep this militia a secret, known only to a select few. And we would only activate it in times of war or dire need."

Before Augustus could respond, the door to his study opened, and in walked the Admiral of Hallgerd's naval forces, Captain Ebert. "My lord, I apologize for interrupting, but we must discuss the urgent need for new naval ships. The protection of our trade is at stake, and we need to be able to defend ourselves against any threats that may arise."

As Augustus looked between the Marshal and the Admiral, he could sense the tension between them. He took a deep breath and cleared his throat before speaking.

"Captain Ebert, I understand the urgency of the situation regarding the protection of our trade routes," he began. "But we must also consider the political ramifications of violating the Naval Act. We cannot risk bringing unwanted attention to Hallgerd and provoking the Emperor's wrath."

The Admiral looked frustrated but nodded in agreement. "I understand, my lord. But we must also consider the potential benefits of arming merchant ships with naval troops. It would allow us to protect our trade routes without technically violating the Naval Act."

The Marshal snorted in disbelief. "And what about the cost? We have already discussed the need for investment in fortifications and a militia. We cannot afford to spread our resources too thin."

Augustus raised a hand to silence the Marshal. "We will consider all options, including the possibility of a militia and arming merchant ships. But we must do so carefully and with a clear plan in place. Let us reconvene tomorrow and continue this discussion with a fresh perspective."

The Marshal and Admiral both nodded before taking their leave, the tension in the room dissipating slightly. Augustus leaned back in his chair, deep in thought about the best course of action for the protection of Hallgerd.

After the heated discussion, Augustus could feel the weight of his responsibilities bearing down on him. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves, but he couldn't shake the feeling of overwhelm. He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, feeling the tension slowly dissipate from his body.

As he sat there in silence, his mind began to race with thoughts and doubts. He was only sixteen and even with his past memories as Hiro he was not ready to be responsible for the safety and well-being of an entire region. How could he possibly live up to the expectations placed upon him?

The weight of it all felt suffocating, and Augustus felt a wave of panic wash over him. He took another deep breath, trying to steady his racing thoughts. He knew he needed a mental break, even just for a few moments.

He stood up from his desk and walked to the window, gazing out at the night sky. The stars twinkled above him, and for a moment, he felt a sense of peace wash over him. The beauty of the night sky reminded him that there was still wonder and magic in the world, even amidst the chaos of war and politics.

Augustus took a few more deep breaths, feeling his racing thoughts slowly begin to calm. He knew he couldn't let himself be consumed by the weight of his responsibilities. He had to find a way to rise to the challenge and become the leader Hallgerd needed him to be.