Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 421: That blue sky (1)

Arial is sitting on one of the room on the tower of his palace overlooking the sky outside. The blue sky and the gentle breeze. 

He takes a deep breath. And he opens his eyes. He is just back from what he called Ariadne Tower.

Once again he has persuaded her daughter to step outside the tower but like always he is rejected.

If only he knew why she rejected him. then maybemaybe he could persuade her but nothing works.

And once again he looks at the sky. The blue sky and feeling the breeze of wind. Everything used to be so simple. Arial mused.

Nowadays, peace has dawned in his empire, the administration is stable and the people of the continent has accepted Edenian rule. 

Maybe because the Human Continent is once ruled by Caelum Emperors accepting a new one is not that hard. 

But of course there is still some small skirmishes from some loyalist of the old regime but none that could threaten the Empire might. 

Usually they are destroyed before they could even grow to be a proper threat. The root has to be found and cut off before it sprouted. That is the teaching of the military of the Empire.

And with the new laws embraced by all of his subject, mostly common people, the approval for his rule is never higher. 

The fact that common people could rise to power and enter office of the Empire gives them a sense of equality.

Of course many nobles are dissatisfied but will they dare take their case with the Emperor? 

Even looking at Arial gives them chilliness in their heart, how could they even dare defy the Emperor edicts. 

Not to mention Arial has curbed the power of the nobles, military rested solely on the Hall of War. 

While the Empire becomes stronger because of the Departments in the governing of the Empire, the nobles lost their power in men and arms. 

While they can still claim their lands if one day the Emperor decide to take it what possible means they can use to wrestle it back? 

But Arial of course promised the nobles as long as they remain loyal to the Empire their rights will not be violated. 

He wanted to create an empire governed by laws and order.

Vanguan nobles were displaced by Caelum lords, Zettel ruled by a governor to replace the royal family until William of Aetherland could assume control. 

Since William will become his younger brother in law if the betrothal between Adriana and William is fulfilled, Arial intend to give the dominion of Zettel to his brother in law as a Vassal King or maybe even Archduke.

Lands are given in the former Vangua to some of the loyal lords that is loyal to the Vermont dynasty while the other becomes the Emperor lands. 

When he declares himself emperor he claims every land, every creek, every river, hills and mountains in the Human Continent as his. 

His law is the law of the world. His law is the law of the continent. Nobles used to rent their lands from kings, as Divine Right of the Kings dictate. 

The king allows it while the nobles are responsible for providing arms and men. But Arial has change the game is played. 

All the military power rested on his hand, loyal to his family, the Imperial Family, with clear goals and vision, and with the power to give all that he promised. 

He promises the people peace. He has fulfilled it. There is no longer any large scale war after Arial conquered Zettel. 

A unified Human continent. 

Even when during Montblanc dynasty they never conquered every single kingdom in the Human Continents. 

Some even have autonomous rule and enjoyed liberty from Montblanc dynasty rule. But Arial? 

He has absolute power; governed not by the council or some body of elders or even by some assembly. 

He is the Empire! The Empire is him. He has promised them prosperity. 

And he fulfilled it. Trades ports flourished, the roads are created called the Dragon Road stretching from northernmost point of his rule to the southern point of his empire. 

A large project that is only possible because of Zettel treasury and Vangua and Venicia combined

not once Arial uses the gold of his family, not one pennies spent from his treasury to finance these projects

It created millions of jobs all across his empire, traders, builders, carpenters, bricklayers and more.

He has achieved all that can be achievedso young and he already sits on top of the world, reigning over everything.

What more could he do? What else needs to be done? The years have been peaceful, the days has been stale. 

He is just walking through the motionwalking to unending days.

His purpose accomplished, his threats annihilated. And nowhe sits here looking at the blue sky.

Then from the open door of the room, Arial ears could hear calm footsteps coming inside the room.

'Alone, Arial?' the voice was a woman, gentle and kind.

Arial smile. He doesn't even have to turn back his face to know who is asking him.

'I thought you are at Venicia. Didn't think you would visit the Palace.' He said without even looking back.

'My husband returns to greet his father for a while at Aetherland court. May I accompany you, Arial?'

'Why even ask, old friend. I am lonely and in need of a companion to talk to. At least now that you are here, maybe we could trade old stories' the woman take one of the chairs in the room and bring it beside Arial.

'Old stories huh?' And she chuckles. 

'I have a lot of those' she said her face looks at Arial and Arial could see she has aged well

She is still in her prime, her eyes are beautiful and still contain that hint of innocence and the way she carries herself was full of elegance, not ostentatious but in the kind of way that is pleasant to the eyes, prideful but not vain.

'It has been a long time Lisa. How is your mother? I wish her well'

'She is doing fine. Though she always nagged Kyle to get married. I guess I now understand what you're going through when your minister nagged you to get married when you became Duke'

'Do not worry about your brother, Lisa. I think next year; your mother wish will be fulfilled. I could not guarantee it but your brother has found a candidate.'