Inside a magnificent palace, where everything from the floors to the walls was a jet-black hue, an old voice remained the only thing those within could hear.
"Emperor Ferdinand III, crimes: conspiracy against the Hegemon, blasphemy against the Storm family, and incitement of revolts throughout the Germanic Empire."
I looked at the man receiving the sentence. His eyes were fixed on the floor; he could probably see his own reflection in the pitch-black surface.
"Honestly, I don't understand how it all ended like this."
Emperor Ferdinand ruled a vast territory within the numerous central empires. His family was prosperous and possessed a wealth envied by all other subjects of the Storm Lands.
"Then why? Why did he do something so stupid?"
After the proclamation of his crimes came the names of most of the noble families that formed the backbone of high, middle, and low power. No one was spared; all were guilty.
"King Gilbert.
King Gerald.
Duke Franz.
Count Heinch.
Marquis Hans."
Finally, after several minutes, the names stopped. The charges were the same.
Evidence? An investigation carried out by the "Cloudless Storms."
Nothing more was necessary. The moment the Hegemon's spies uncover your suspicious activities, they report immediately—or, depending on the severity of your crimes, they drag you in themselves.
The latter is what happened here. All these men were caught planning a large-scale insurrection, which led to their subjugation. Even I find it striking that such eminent figures in their territories were captured so easily, but there is nothing a normal human can do against an Awakened.
"Your crimes are numerous and severe; therefore, under the law of the Storm Empire, each and every one of you—along with your families and close blood relatives—is sentenced to death."
The spokesman's proclamation echoed through every corner of the hall.
The condemned looked in terror toward the Hegemon and me, but they could say nothing, as their mouths were gagged. What was being displayed here was nothing more than a spectacle to keep the rest of the empire's nobles in line: a demonstration of power and cruelty.
The spokesman stepped away from the condemned and knelt before the Hegemon's throne.
"My Hegemon, is it ratified?"
"It is ratified."
The Hegemon's voice, deep and cold, confirmed the sentence.
Two words.
Just two words, and now the central empires would witness how years of noble lineages and an entire system of power collapsed.
"This is deeply regrettable."
I truly didn't like the idea, but what else could I do?
I didn't ask these men to rebel, even knowing their actions would doom their entire families.
Then it was my turn.
The spokesman knelt before my great golden throne, which stood in stark contrast as the only thing in the entire palace that was not jet black. Above all, it was absurdly imposing—even more than my father's. Not for any particular reason; it's just that I couldn't sit on an ordinary throne.
I'm going to stand.
Yes, I will condemn all these people and their families to death. I want to do it while looking them in the eyes. There's a part of me that needs to know what kind of gaze they will give me.
"Hatred, perhaps? After all, along with him, his entire family will die."
I stood before Ferdinand III. The guards around the palace went on alert in case the condemned attempted anything. I could also hear the murmurs of the many nobles watching the trial unfold.
He was still staring at the floor, as if hypnotized. Even when I stood in front of him, he did nothing except keep staring at the ground like a dead fish.
"It's regrettable for an emperor to end like this."
One of this man's daughters was a candidate to become my wife, which only deepened the bitterness in my mouth.
"It is ratified," I said, raising my hand and extending it toward the sky as if trying to grasp something distant.
Far from protesting, the other nobles applauded the decision, and just like that, hundreds of people were sentenced to death.
I cast one last pitying glance at Ferdinand, who had finally lifted his head and was staring straight at me. The other nobles wore miserable expressions: kings crying like babies, dukes tearing their throats apart screaming, even though their gags allowed nothing more than pitiful grunts to escape.
But he was looking at me with… hope. A gaze filled with a strange calm and happiness, as if an enormous weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
Soldiers entered the palace and took the men away, one by one, to the dungeons.
The hall quickly became lively again, filled with discussions about how power would be redistributed in the Germanic Empire. However, this was not something that could be decided in a single day, so today's imperial session was adjourned.
The Hegemon and I walked side by side. From the outside, no one would likely imagine we were related by blood.
"Father and son, nothing more, nothing less."
Honestly, we had nothing in common. Both my eyes and hair were golden, while his were the color of the Storm God: jet black, like most things in this place. In fact, the more I looked at him, the less I found any resemblance at all. He is tall, yes—but not a damn giant like me.
"Regarding what you mentioned about going to the magic academy in the central lands, I still think it's better for you to stay here, learning more about your duties."
No. Truthfully, I'd rather clean the royal stables for a month than keep doing this kind of thing. Who knows what I'll become if I continue sentencing people to death like this.
"If you say no, then I'll tell my mother."
The Hegemon's face tensed; his usual expressionlessness became slightly rigid.
"Midas, you should stop referring to the God of Thunder in that way."
It's amusing to see how much it unsettles him that the God of Thunder himself treats me as his son.
"Father, not Hegemon, please. Come on, I have talent for magic. If I went to the academy, I could become much more powerful. There will be time later to learn how to rule."
I smiled.
"After all, you're still here, aren't you?"
He stopped.
"Midas, you don't know what the future holds. Who knows what new methods the Void may find to finally kill me."
The Void… instantly, my gaze darkened. Ever since I was a child, I've had dreams where the world is destroyed, though the only person I've told is my mother.
"Do you think the Void has something to do with this situation?"
Honestly, I'm certain of it—but I wanted to hear what this old monster had to say.
"Without a doubt, this is the Void's doing. I believe it's time someone paid a visit to the frozen lands of the north."
I froze for a moment.
"Father, you know… honestly, I think the frozen lands of the north suit you perfectly, don't they?"
I absolutely refuse. Why would I go live among a bunch of savages who hate me, in a hostile place with nothing to do but watch avalanches from time to time?
"You'd better get used to it. After all, when I'm gone, you'll have to go there occasionally to ensure everything is in order."
Besides…
He looked me up and down, maintaining his indifferent gaze, but his words somehow sounded like criticism.
"I feel it will help you develop some character."
Character? I have plenty of that.
"Very well, I'll go… only if I can attend the academy first."
"Agreed."
JUST LIKE THAT?
I've just discovered I'm terrible at negotiating.
"We will prepare the details of your departure soon. Now then… why are you still following me? Do you need something else?"
My gaze dimmed slightly.
"Yes, actually—I wanted to ask if I can speak with Ferdinand."
The Hegemon stopped and looked at the horizon for a few seconds.
"Very well, you may—but Dorien must accompany you."
That will do. I was a bit concerned about my safety as well; from what my mother said, it's never safe to deal with matters related to the Void.
"Thank you, Father."
I quickly made my way toward the palace dungeons, leaving behind the solitary Hegemon, who did not take his eyes off the distant sky.