The Infallible Monarch

"My late father Alberon is dead, but I am sure that if he was here, his will and loyalty shall still be with you, through thick and thin. I shall honor that." A man in his forties placed his fist and saluted him with respect.

"Ever since the Battle of Fortana, I have vowed to serve the competent King that stood in front of my eyes that day. I'm not about renege on that promise." A darker-skinned man in his twenties clasped his fists together as a sign of respect and allegiance to Reynald.

Everyone replied similarly to each other, only pointing out one fact; they shall serve the Emperor, through thick and thin.

Reynald, touched by their unswerving loyalty and respect, couldn't help but retract his regal aura, step down from his throne, and walk down the platform just to shake hands and hug every single one of them, which served to just strengthen their faith on the Emperor even more, for he placed down his status as Emperor just to show them his gratefulness towards them. In the future, this shall be known to everyone within the Empire as "The Humbling Caress", where the Infallible Emperor, a man who stood higher than everyone else, willingly abandoned his high standing for his loyal men. Songs of his noble humility shall be sung and praised by everyone who strives to experience that same honor.

Hours later, within the hall of the Suncrown Palace, the remaining ministers, Archduke Tuberios, Gunther Aron, and the Imperial Family continued the assembly, addressing the new concerns that would assail the Empire in the near future. Different ideas and measures to combat the matters in front of them were provided by the ministers whilst the higher officials such as the Grand General and the Archduke critiqued them bluntly. Rosy words that would lighten the mood cannot and will not be considered at this point in time.

While they were bantering, a knock sounded from outside the gate. Frowning, Archduke Tuberios shouted, "Come in."

The gates opened, and there came an Imperial Guard who, after bowing first, rushed forward, and reported to them. "Your Majesties, Lord Archduke, Grand General, and Honorable Ministers, I apologize for interrupting your conversations. I am to report that several messages have been sent by pigeon from throughout the realm, with many more coming as we speak. We are obligated to inform everyone here of every single one of them."

Reynald, knowing that they would've come sooner or later, beckoned the guard, saying, "Come. Read it to us."

Marching towards the front of the hall amidst the watching eyes of the officials inside, the Imperial Guard calmly faced the Emperor and opened one of the letters in his hand, and began to speak. "From the Grand Duchy of Ramussia, the retinue council of Aranya has written to the Imperial Family of the matters currently happening there after the announcement shook the people of the Empire. They say that riots and havoc have begun to erupt within the Cities of Cornorum, Tauvariagen, Bontorina, Avenhult, Mastatrate, and Pollum. With the latter three being an important cities on the path of the Musspellian-Aranyan Road, the Ducal City of Aranya is forced to implement martial law throughout the realm to prevent any other insurgencies from spreading uncontrollably. The ports of Hevistus, Lactopoma, and Altaria were also placed under strict military rule to prevent insurgents from utilizing the ports to launch a naval invasion against the Ducal City which can be assaulted by sea. They are currently asking for assistance from the neighboring Grand Duchy of Tuberios, and is yet to receive a reply from them at the time that they had sent the letter."

"From the Republic of Clauturia's President Swain, although he does not support the rebels, he also wants the Emperor to restrain himself to avoid unnecessary bloodshed throughout the Imperial Realm. The free people of Clauturia also seems to be in a struggle whether to support us or the Church."

"The Ducal City of Musspell in Tuberios, on the other hand, expresses their neutrality in the matter regarding the changes in religious practice, stating that they would side with the Empire as long as the Empire endorses academic freedom to its people. The letter also states that they have already sent the First Magi Company consisting of one hundred Tier 1-3 Magi to assist the neighboring Duchy." After finishing reading this letter, Aquineas, who was at the side, smiled smugly and said with a laugh, "That's my children. Never letting conventional problems affect their decisions as long as they can freely bury their heads in books and scrolls."

"It also seems like the Empires of Borbia and Sevia have heard of what was happening here and had sent letters in declaration of war against us, branding us as a 'realm of heretics and heathens'." After reading that last letter, the Imperial Guard stand down and stepped to the side. "They obviously want to use that as pretense for war and also a way to bring in the Church into their side of the conflict." Aquineas scoffed, clicking his tongue in a scornful manner.

The contents of the letters made everyone's worry greater than ever before. It seems that the two Empires who had long been against Asturas would immediately be making a move. Despite the domains under the Church's influence not having sent any letters yet, it would only be a matter of time. Not just the civil unrest, they even had to deal with an imminent invasion? Throughout all of these, Reynald kept a composed face. Seeing that, the ministers calmed down slightly. They're sure that the Emperor would find a way out of this.

Truthfully, Reynald himself is also worried, but as the Infallible Emperor in the eyes of his subjects, he cannot show any signs of faltering. It is true that he himself is powerful, being a Peak Tier-9 Magi who also had the Absolute Divine Eyes and that mysterious Pseudo-Creation Magic that the system rewarded him. If his assumption is correct, that alone would make him a Pseudo-Tier 10 Magi that can contend against a full blown Grand Magus. Coupled with having Aquineas and the entire Magi City of Musspell in the Grand Duchy of Tuberios, he would be able to contend against the combined forces of the entire continent and hold out.

But, putting the Grand Magus of the Sevian Empire and the Pope of the Holy State in the equation, things would take a big turn. That was the only matter he was concerned about. If those Grand Magi joins the battlefield, Asturas would be wrought in great peril.

He would need to think of a solution quicker.