Chapter 141: The Emperor’s next Summons
The courtyard remained silent long after the Imperial messenger finished speaking.
Every pair of eyes rested on the scroll in Kael’s hand.
An Imperial Council.
Summoned by Emperor Augustus Aurelius Asterion himself.
That alone was enough to make even seasoned nobles uneasy.
Kael rolled the decree shut.
"When does the Council convene?"
The messenger answered immediately.
"In five days, my lord."
Kael calculated the distance.
"If I leave before noon, I will arrive with time to spare."
The messenger bowed.
"That was His Majesty’s expectation."
Kael nodded once.
"You have ridden hard."
"It is my duty."
"Lily."
She stepped forward.
"Prepare a room for our guest."
The messenger raised a hand.
"My lord, I cannot remain."
"You should."
"I carry the same summons to three other territories."
Kael understood.
The Empire wasted neither time nor horses.
He reached into a small pouch at his belt and placed several silver coins into the messenger’s hand.
"For fresh supplies."
The man hesitated.
"My lord..."
"Your horse looks ready to collapse."
The messenger looked toward the exhausted animal and gave a grateful bow.
"My thanks."
Without another word, he mounted and rode back through the gates.
The sound of hooves faded into the distance.
Kael looked toward Captain Roland.
"I’ll be gone for several days."
Roland straightened.
"The Black Dragon will guard Blackwood."
"I expected nothing less."
Kael turned to Edwin.
"Continue the road construction."
The elderly butler nodded.
"It shall continue without interruption."
"Master Rowan."
The carpenter stepped forward.
"The new homes."
"They’ll be finished."
"Garrick."
The blacksmith folded his arms.
"I’ll have enough tools waiting to keep your workers busy for months."
Kael smiled.
"I knew you would."
Finally, he looked toward Lily.
She already understood.
"I’ll keep the records updated."
"And?"
She sighed.
"I’ll make sure you don’t return to complete chaos."
Ronan laughed.
"That sounds like the harder task."
By midday, Kael and Ronan rode south toward Aurelia.
Only six Black Dragon soldiers accompanied them.
Kael deliberately left the majority of his force behind.
Blackwood needed protection more than he did.
The road was noticeably different from the one Kael had first traveled months earlier.
Workers had already repaired several dangerous sections.
Merchants passed them in both directions.
One wagon even carried lumber bearing Blackwood’s mark.
Ronan noticed it as well.
"They’re already trading."
Kael nodded.
"Only a little."
"It wasn’t happening before."
"No."
Ronan smiled.
"You’ve changed more than you realize."
Kael remained quiet.
His attention drifted toward the villages they passed.
Farmers worked the fields.
Children waved as the Black Dragon rode past.
Travelers no longer hurried through the roads with fear in their eyes.
The changes were small.
But they were real.
On the second evening...
The walls of Aurelia appeared on the horizon.
Even after visiting the capital several times...
Kael found himself impressed.
The towering white walls stretched across the landscape like a mountain carved by human hands.
Golden banners bearing the Imperial Dragon fluttered proudly from every tower.
Above the city...
Massive airships drifted through the sky, their enchanted engines glowing softly as they crossed between districts.
Merchants, nobles, soldiers, scholars, and travelers streamed toward the gates from every direction.
Ronan let out a low whistle.
"No matter how many times I see it..."
"It still feels impossible."
Kael nodded.
"The Empire wanted the world to remember its strength."
"They succeeded."
The gates opened after the guards confirmed Kael’s identity.
The streets beyond were as crowded as ever.
Markets overflowed with goods from every corner of the continent.
Beast hides.
Silks.
Rare spices.
Fine steel.
Jewelry.
Magic crystals.
The scent of fresh bread drifted from a nearby bakery.
A bard played a lively tune while children danced nearby.
Kael slowed his horse.
His eyes moved across the crowd.
He noticed something now that he hadn’t before.
Infrastructure.
Stone roads.
Drainage channels.
Public wells.
Market districts.
Warehouses.
The capital had not become great by accident.
Someone...
Generations ago...
Had planned it.
Every road connected.
Every district served a purpose.
Kael quietly memorized everything.
Ronan noticed.
"You’re studying the streets."
Kael answered without looking away.
"If I want Blackwood to grow..."
"I should learn from the greatest city in the Empire."
The Imperial Palace rose above the capital like a mountain of white marble.
Its towering walls reflected the afternoon sunlight.
The Hall of Dragons stood at its center.
Imperial Guards saluted as Kael entered.
Inside...
The palace was unusually busy.
Servants hurried through the corridors carrying documents.
Officials whispered among themselves.
Several nobles walked quickly toward the council chambers.
Whatever had prompted the Emperor’s summons...
It had affected the entire court.
As Kael rounded a corner...
A familiar voice called out.
"Kael."
He stopped.
Standing near one of the palace balconies was Lucien Asterion.
The Second Prince wore elegant white and silver robes embroidered with ancient runes. Unlike many members of the Imperial family, he carried no weapon at his side.
His calm violet eyes studied Kael with quiet amusement.
"It has been some time."
Kael bowed respectfully.
"Lucien."
A faint smile crossed Lucien’s face.
"I heard Blackwood has become... busy."
"Word travels quickly."
Lucien looked toward the palace gardens.
"It always has."
Kael noticed several officials watching them from a distance.
Lucien noticed as well.
He lowered his voice.
"The Council is not being called because of politics alone."
Kael’s expression sharpened.
"What happened?"
Lucien’s smile faded.
"Three border forts stopped responding."
Kael remained silent.
"The last reports mentioned..."
Lucien paused.
"...unusual monster activity."
Kael immediately thought of the expedition.
The missing travelers.
The strange tracks.
The restored fortress.
Everything began connecting.
Lucien looked directly into his eyes.
"I believe this Council will change the Empire."
Without another word...
Lucien turned and walked toward the Hall of Dragons.
Kael watched him disappear beyond the massive doors.
Then he slowly looked upward at the carved dragons surrounding the chamber.
The Empire had summoned its greatest minds.
Not because of ambition.
Not because of succession.
But because something beyond its borders...
Was beginning to move.