Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 443: Snake slithers (2)

Silas was once the rookie member of the Council when Arial was a Duke. Derwin at the time was Lawkeeper of the ducal family.

But now, Silas is his superior. 

As Lord Regent Silas have the full power of the Imperial Office and also the full authority of the Imperial Army.

The Imperial Army is the military machine of the Empire that have overwhelming power and influence that reach every corner of the continent.

Derwin dare not offend.

He was about to sit down when Silas asked him again.

'The Church. What about them?'

Derwin then said.

'The Renasian Empress does not worship the One True God. The Church worries that our Emperor is bewitched by the Empress dark sorcery.'

Silas was about to laugh but he held it in. He also looks closely at Derwin. Derwin was his council senior member once. 

Silas was angry before because he needs to establish dominance. He is not truly angry. He only shows the appearance of being angry.

But he also does not want to make enemy. Silas does not want Derwin to have ill feelings towards him so he close his eyes and said.

'I will discuss this with the Holy Office. Lord Derwin.... your concern towards the Emperor is sincere and I know you have brought this news out of concern for the Imperial family. But the Emperor and Empress Rhyssa marriage will bring peace to the continent. A few ramblings of some backwater lords in some remote region must not trump the decision for the greater good of the realm. I am sorry if my outburst earlier upset you, Lord Derwin. I too, like you, am a loyal servant of the Imperial Family and the Empire'

Derwin hearing this feel his feeling a bit soothed. And he nodded agreeing. The other lords also nodded and look at Derwin in pride. 

Everyone is under the impression that Silas is truly sorry for his outburst and it is because of his concern towards his liege that push him so.

Silas then said

'It must have been hard travelling all around the Empire, hearing the complaints of these lords. I am not saying their voice means nothing in the Imperial Court but we who have been bestowed great position must see the bigger picture. While the Empress is not Caelum, neither she is Lucellian, the benefit that the marriage will bring to the Continent outweighs a few flaws. Lord Derwin, worry not. I will send my people to explain this matter carefully to them so they will be made to understand. Your service to the Empire will not be in vain. I will report this to the Emperor when he returns and he surely will reward your loyalty'

'I am not deserving of such praises, Lord Regent' Lord Derwin said, smiling now, all anger forgotten.

'Thank you Lord Regent' and Derwin sit down. Silas even apologized to him. At least this gives him some face to hold his head high up.

Another lord was about to sit up and give his report but then Silas put up his hand and the next lord who was about to report to Silas stopped rising up from his chair and sit back down.

'I have something to discuss with all of you before we proceed with other matters.' Silas said gravely

'What would be the agenda?' Lord Charles asked. He is one of the Council members and is of course has been informed of the Emperor secret expedition on the sea.

'The matter of the Throne Succession' Silas said nonchalantly. Everyone hearing this stopped and gasped.

'TREASON!' Leander yelled his voice echoes and reverberated inside the room, his hand pointing an accusatory finger at Silas. 

He was already standing up from his seat, his face was red flushed with anger.

Silas chuckles and shot back

'On what grounds?'

'The Emperor only orders us to administer the Empire while he-'

'While he's away adventuring. I know. I was there when Your Imperial Majesty said it.' Silas finished the word

'You said it right! And now you want to speak of succession. Our Lord is not dead, he is not sick. This is a conspiracy!' Leander shouted inside the room, his face is red with anger and disbelief.

Leander and his father Oliver has always hated the snake that slithers the court. Many of the nobles in the court called Silas behind his back, the snake that hides in the grass.

You do not know when he will bite his venom into you until it is already too late. Lord Charles standing up trying to mediate the tension situation. 

The other lords also look at Silas with some pained expression. They did not know what the snake is thinking. 

This is treasonous words, treasonous thoughts.

'It is not our place to talk about the succession matters. Talking about such things shows that you have no loyalty to the emperor, defying his Imperial Edict. Our duty is clear. To administer until he returns.' Lord Charles said, clearly dropping clues so that Silas move to another topic or apologizes for his statements.

'What if he does not return?' Silas then said smiling

'He will return' Leander reply. Silas look at him with a curious expression and smiles. This will be fun he mused.

'I admire your unwavering confidence to our Emperor, Lord Leander Crom, but if I may ask, how can you be so sure?' Silas ask

'Are you an oracle?' Leander was about to reply when Silas continues

'A seer perhaps? Or might you be a Prophet in politician disguise? Or do your eyes see hundreds of miles, looking at our lord all the times?'

Hearing this, Leander is also no idiots. Silas is playing with him. He calms his anger and trying to reply in his calmest tone.

'You are being childish Lord Regent. I am no Oracle, no seer.' And Silas open his arm wide and smile

'If you are not an Oracle, not a seer, and clearly you are not a prophet how could you be so certain that our lord will return? The Open Seas are fraught with untold dangers, and deadly beast, what if something happens that is out of our hopes and expectation?'

'It is loyalty towards the Emperor that will bind us together if such news arrives. Our loyalty and honor towards the Empire' 

Leander is the most loyal man Silas has ever seen and it is no wonder why. He served in Arial military campaigns, saved from the arrows and attack by the Emperor countless times.

And as he controls the Hall of War, he obviously revered the Emperor like a God.

Silas chuckles again.

'Honor? Loyalty? Honor and loyalty, this is good. But let's not throw caution into the wind because of these virtues. If something happens to the Emperor and we are late in addressing it, we might be in for quite a feast my lords.' The lords are also puzzled and they all exchanged glances with each other. 

What is Silas talking about? Leander closes his eyes and he asked

'What do you mean by that Lord Regent?'