Age of Heroes

The moment she disappears from the Emperor sights; the Emperor say to Silas who was present there.

Yes, he was there during this lively debate between the brother and sister.

He himself was shocked by how the way the Imperial Sister thinks and was awed by her thoughts.

The emperor said that if his sister was born in a peaceful era, then she would become a wise ruler, remembered through the ages. 

But, the emperor also said, since she was born in time of war, violence must first be used, then and only then when the world is pacified, that benevolence and righteousness could be practiced. 

When men acts like beast, the laws of men will not stop them. 

An invincible army and strict code of law. 

The Empire needed that while at the same time practicing the essence of benevolence in governing and righteousness in the practice of laws.

Arial said if he sees things as it is, then his sister sees things as it should be. A realist and an idealist.

Using this debate, she managed to stop Arial invasion of Aetherland and once again renew their alliance.

Not to mention if one day, the Imperial Sister born a son, her son would then become King and is still the Vermont family bloodline, even though his name might be Alan.

Instead of gaining Aetherland by engaging in warfare, the empire could get the Kingdom without expending an army. 

It was because the alliance that Adriana proposes, that the Emperor creates the Three Region Solutions.

'Lord Regent' hearing his title being called, he turned back to see the Lady, as the memory of the past dissipated in an instant. 

He then shows a sincere smile, which is rarely shown but the lady clearly did not show any sign of pleasure seeing his smile.

'My lady' he said.

'You've come' she said curtly as she take her seat on one of the stone chair in the garden and look piercingly at him.

Silas almost chuckles. It was like looking at the eye of a tiger ready to maul him.

Silas is confident that if the Princess and the Imperial Sister were to duke it out in terms of charisma and intimidating posture, the Lady of Arrandy will win.

'Looking at me like that…I don't really feel uncomfortable, my lady. It is almost like you see me as an enemy. It is enough that I have to contend with the Princess and the Edenian court, don't tell me I would not even get a warm welcome here' he said, with a slight chuckles, clearly enjoying teasing the lady.

'Then don't make me uncomfortable. I heard you summon the generals. This…..is troubling' she said and her gaze turns dangerous.

She out of all the minister in the court understand that the sleeping lions should not be awakened. 

Why bother the lions when they are slumbering? Why awoke them unless you need something to get mauled?

Silas is playing with the most unstable systems of the Empire which is the Twelve General system. 

The others might not know the backstory of the twelve generals and why she fears them so much but she knows the true story.

While it is true, that it seems the Twelve Generals are all loyal to the empire and give back the military seals to her brother, not all were as enthusiastic as the story describes them. 

They are some of the generals who at first almost decline in returning the seals which almost spark what would probably be the most devastating war for the Empire if not for her brother uncovering the plot of some of his generals that tries to retain their power and was threatened by the Emperor at sword point to their necks.

So, she is not pleased with Silas recent actions.

'I have a mission for them.' Silas replies

'The generals are not to be disturbed. Let them slumber' she said. Silas then insisted

'The matter is of the utmost importance.' He said in a persuading manner but yet, he shows no inclination to elaborate.

'And what matters is that they would require you to call Two Great Generals, a fleet of the Dark Lands led by Sang Wangsa and Taming Sari and a ship full of mercenaries and even recruits a Pirate Lord Yang? What matters requires so much great man and woman that they were all assembled under you?'

Silas smiles a weary smile. 

'It seems you have been spying on me.' 

Even though he said this, he clearly knows what the Lady is implying. She is implying that Silas is harboring treasonous thoughts towards the Empire when the Empire is in chaos.

'You think you are the only one who could spy people? Tell me, what are you planning to do with the two generals and why are you redirecting the military forces to the South? Better yet, while we are at this topic, explain why a large fleet of the Navy was sent to sail the Dark Sea. Where it is destination?' she asked a barrage of question.

There is too many of Silas action that could induce suspicions.

'That is a lot of question.' Silas said creasing his eyebrows.

'What is it you are planning, Lord Regent?' Silas takes a deep breath and then he answers as dignified as possible.

'The matters with the two generals are the matter of secrets of the Empire and My Lady has no authority to make me divulge that matter. For the matter of the military forces that I mobilized, it is to safeguard the southern border. For the navy, it was also the secret of the state.'

Secrets. She almost wants to snort. Secrets? Isn't that a convenient excuse? 

With his position as the Regent, he could of course declare everything a secret if he wanted to, but whether he is truly doing this for the court or himself, that is remain to be seen.

'Safeguard from what? You said you are sending army to the southern border for safeguarding. Safeguarding from what?' she asked, clearly indignant with Silas excuse. 

'From the Edenian court.' He replies and he stares right back at Adriana and she was shocked. 

She didn't want to think of it but then her expression was somber. She then said, with a fraction of hope of what she said will not be true.

'Could it be….my niece intends to start a true civil war?' Silas looks down with guilt and then he answers

'She has already started. The Tribes of Xenos, the Hersi clan was persuaded to join her and have already pass Zettel a few days ago and is now in a collision course to Aetherland.'

This time Adriana face contorted.

'You are thinking of using Aetherland!!!' She said as she slammed her hand onto the stone table.

Silas has always been guarded on the ally of the Empire and has always inquired this issue during his time in the court during Arial in session.

So, Adriana quickly caught on what Silas is intending to do. 

To even think of a way to use the attack as a pretext for gauging Aetherland attitude towards the Empire, truly, he is a snake that slithers around a tall grass waiting for the right time to strike.

'Do not be angry. After all, this is a rare chance whether to see that Aetherland is really intending to uphold their part of the alliance.'

But, Adriana knows that is not the only thing that Silas is hoping. 

This battle if it happens will not only gauge Aetherland attitude towards the empire but also it could weaken Aetherland military which will lessen the pressure of the Northern Lords of Arrandy.

Silas is intending on winning the hearts of the Lords of Arrandy who has always been complaining about the Aetherland Prosperity and military.

The Empire is not the only government experiencing its heyday. 

In time of peace, prosperity could be enjoyed together and Aetherland is also experiencing its most prosperous era in its history of founding.