Aurion, Imperial palace
Deep within the palace, inside a quiet chamber overlooking an endless ocean of golden water enclosed beneath a massive transparent dome, the emperor Calystrix Helion sat upon a sun chair as if leisurely enjoying his afternoon. In his hands rested an old leather bound journal whose pages he turned with quiet interest.
Beside him floated a small, polished orb projecting the broadcast, the voice of the anchor echoing softly through the chamber as the report about the war continued.
Behind Calystrix stood his trusted assistant Luthor, a folded white towel resting neatly over his arm as he waited silently.
"… a remarkable achievement for Baron Wein Voss…" the broadcast concluded.
Calystrix flipped another page of the journal before finally glancing toward the floating orb.
"So," he said casually, "the new lord of Voss is capable."
Luthor inclined his head slightly.
"It would appear so, your majesty. The results are intriguing for a common born new noble."
Calystrix chuckled quietly.
"Please Luthor, the Voss military is the best in their corner without a doubt. I heard Aurrelion got involved in the beginning of the war."
"It was a minor issue, your majesty" replied Luthor in a calm voice.
"Marcus must have been curious but even he would not focus on a common born so soon."
The broadcast ended and the orb dimmed slightly.
For a moment, the chamber grew quiet again, save for the distant sound of water gently moving beneath the glass dome.
Luthor spoke once more.
"The nobles will begin to flock to the new lord with his new fame."
Calystrix closed the journal slowly and placed it on his chair as he stood up.
"They will, we will see how he deals with the opportunities and investments coming his way… Neilson must have taught him well, he will be fine."
Then he dived into the golden water, sinking deeper like a submarine and began swimming, swooshing through the water underneath the dome that revealed the clear skies of Aurion.
Luthor only watched, not moving.
Calystrix moved through the golden water with slow, powerful strokes, his figure gliding beneath the shimmering surface like a shadow beneath sunlight. After a moment he surfaced near the far end of the pool resting one arm against the marble edge.
He looked toward the other side, quite a distance but he could still make out the journal resting on his chair. He pushed away from the edge and continued swimming, drifting back to the start position.
But beyond the tranquil palace of Aurion, the ripples of House Voss's victory were only beginning to spread.
Across the empire, noble courts, merchants guilds and officials began drafting plans to make connections with Voss. With some merchants journeying to help rebuild the fallen areas of Ulix-Ultra.
***
Velmora, Eclipseon
The walls of Voss's mansion had changed after the war ended. A chaotic frenzy filled everyone as there was too much work to be done. First, Voss had gained a large new population seeing as Ulix-Ultra was a heavily industrial planet and Voss took control of an entire continent.
It meant their population would increase significantly and they would need to rebuild the destroyed infrastructure as well as build secure bases, in case Ulix decided to try retaking the land back.
Wein's office was filled with administrators, officers and engineers who moved in and out during the course of the day. Each wore a serious face, carrying data pads and deep in planning. The war might have ended but their work had only gotten much worse.
The holographic maps of Ulix-Ultra floated inside the room, positioned at the top. On it were sections marked as belonging to Voss, with the damaged areas highlighted: from cities, districts, and transport networks.
Wein was seated on his chair going through the suggestions the administrators gave him in regard to how to govern this new land.
One of the engineers stepped forward during the discussion.
"My lord, reconstruction estimates for the eastern manufacturing belts have been completed. We can begin restoration as soon as materials are available, the reconstruction will take just a few months if we operate at our cheapest estimates."
One officer interjected.
"On that note, my lord. Many trade groups have inquired to assist us in rebuilding, we can begin negotiations to purchase the materials from them. They can bring them to the site lessening our burden of transporting from Velmora."
Wein nodded slowly.
"That is good" he began. "Begin confirming with them and visit the treasury, don't go overboard."
"Yes, my lord."
Another officer spoke up.
"We have also begun compiling the administrators of the new territories. However… there are still loyalists to House Ulix among the local leadership. And occupying their lands has earned us the enmity of the inhabitants."
Wein remained silent for that. Some of the Ulix-Ultra's citizens now found themselves under a different house's rule. It was certain they might not like their occupiers who disrupted their way of life.
"Remove anyone openly hostile and insert people from our sides. The rest can keep their positions, also increase the Troopers to maintain public safety."
The officer nodded, quickly noting the order.
"The casualties…"
The discussions went throughout the entire day, until Wein sent the officers and administrators away leaving him alone. The silence in the room brought him time to rest his mind.
Work had been harder these past days but he was getting ahead of it. He finally felt like a true governor, going over the needs of his people in times of need. Sure there were times he was not that certain of actions he took but for what it was, his rule was stabilising.
"My lord." Called a quiet soft voice from the entrance.
Wein turned slightly and saw Andrea standing at the doorway. Since arriving in Velmora several weeks earlier, she had begun adapting to life within the Voss estate. She still felt like a hostage but Wein was taking care of her, at least he was not antagonistic.
"Lady Andrea, how has your stay been so far?"
"I can't complain, my lord" she responded. Today, she wore a long formal black dress meant for meetings and corporate conferences.
Wein noticed how she looked but did not let himself linger.
"I apologise, I have not been able to attend to you as your host. It has been busy these last few weeks."
Andrea lowered her eyes, she stepped inside the room.
"I understand. The work is demanding, I know that much as the daughter of a viscount."
Wein smiled back.
"How do you find Velmora compared to your home?"
Andrea blinked slightly in surprise.
"Well.. it certainly is different."
She walked slowly around the room, glancing at the windows overlooking the city outside and the sculptures scattered around.
"The skies are clearer and it is more quiet compared to home. But the food here is the best thing I have ever had."
Wein smiled. "That is good to hear, I do hope your stay is pleasant."
"Yes, I even found time to return to some of my hobbies."
Wein looked mildly curious.
"Hobbies?"
Andrea nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes" she walked toward the window, looking out toward the distant city and back to Wein.
"Back home, I only get to do them in my own time. Father said, having a top notch skill in the field of noble interest was a duty and so I have become a master."
"And what hobbies might those be?"
Andrea smiled, clearly pleased by the question.
"Well… I enjoy painting and music. These are among the best to major in as a young noble in the empire."
"Is that so?" asked Wein, he was curious about the world of nobles.
"The lord might not know this but most nobles do not view physical strength and ability the pinnacle of nobility. To most being a noble is to be a dignified and elegant being, admired and adored."
As Wein listened a memory came back to him, the dinner with the Emperor and the other three Original Nobles. He remembered how the duke had disdain for violence and boasted about elegance.
"Besides, once you master some of these tools such as music, paint and even calligraphy it allows a calmness that stabilizes the mind increasing mental resistance."
Andrea could see the shock on Wein's face as if he did not know.
"Perhaps you should try finding one. Even warlords need something to do to relax and calm their minds."
Wein was silent for a moment before giving a small shrug.
"I will consider it."
Andrea laughed quietly.
Wein then stood from his chair, stretching slightly after the long day he had.
"Thank you lady Andrea."
She tilted her head slightly. "For what, my lord?"
"The conversation," he replied calmly. "It was insightful."
He paused for a moment before continuing.
"… Oh I will be leaving the city in a few days."
Andrea blinked in surprise. "Leaving?"
Wein nodded.
"There are several matters I must personally oversee now that the war has ended and I must prepare for meeting other heads. It may take weeks before I return."
Andrea folded her hands lightly behind her back.
"In that case, my lord, I suppose I will have time to prepare to see which hobbies you might be curious about."
"I will look forward to seeing them."
Andrea bowed slightly. "Of course my lord."
***
Beyond the shining mountains of Velmora, a sleek aircraft cut silently through the clear skies. Its engines hummed softly as it approached a massive fortress carved directly into the side of a mountain.
He had returned back to the stronghold of House Voss, its very own noble 'palace' which was carved of dark stone and reinforced steel.
Within the aircraft, Wein sat quietly near the window, watching the fortress slowly grow larger as they approached.
Wein had succeeded in the war but even more danger was coming his way, he needed something unique. An edge against the other nobles and there he would find it.