The moon hid behind clouds, and an old fortress on the northern frontier lay draped in darkness. Damp stone walls reeked of moss, and the floors lay unclean, coated in dust.
Deep within, in a chamber lit only by flickering candles, the shadows stretched long across the walls. At the table's end sat Duke Parnos, half his face swallowed by darkness, lips curved in a faint smile. In his eyes, ambition burned hotter than any flame.
"Do you truly think the empire's peace will last?" His voice was low, measured. "Crown Prince Lian speaks of ideals, but politics is forged of reality. Fail to grasp that reality, and the empire becomes prey—for men like us."
Duke Marco snorted."Hah. Lian is a dreamer. He gathers races together and cries for peace, but without the resources and power we nobles command, the empire would not stand a single day."
Marquis Edwin, seated between them, slowly removed his gloves. The candlelight carved hard lines across his cold face."And should he divide resources 'fairly,' our share only dwindles. Strip the nobility of power, and the empire falls not into chaos, but into a vacuum. And who will fill that void? None but us."
The air grew heavier with each word. One candle flared violently, nearly snuffing out.
The Plan
Duke Parnos leaned forward, fingers drumming the table."Our desires are simple: more resources, greater power. While Lian busies himself 'solving' the races' quarrels, we prepare. The more he falters, the stronger we become."
Duke Marco laughed lightly."Conflict is fuel. The dwarves, the orcs, the humans—each harbors its grievances. Fan those sparks, and Lian himself will feed the blaze."
Marquis Edwin spoke the final piece."When the fire rages out of control, we shall appear as 'saviors.' And then—the empire, the palace, all shall fall into our hands."
As their voices wove together, the chamber thickened with menace. Outside, the wind rattled an old window.
The Hidden Listener
Near the meeting's end, faint footsteps brushed past the door. A shadow slipped beneath the gap, vanishing as quickly as it appeared. None inside noticed.
But an agent of Serena's intelligence service crouched beyond, recording every word in a small book:"Foment discord." "Seize resources." "Play the savior."
Every phrase etched as evidence.
With each flicker of candlelight, the spy sank deeper into the dark, and then disappeared into the night. Soon, that report would be in Lian's hands.
**
Episode Nine: How to Deal with the Nobles
Within the palace library, Lian sat reading the intelligence report on the nobles' secret meeting. With every page he turned, a heavy sigh escaped his lips.Parnos. Marco. Edwin…Merely seeing their names written on the paper was enough to thicken the air of the chamber.
Between Warrior and Leader
Lian looked out the window. Twilight painted the palace walls in deep crimson.With my strength, I could end this in an instant.The thought came honestly. He was the empire's mightiest warrior. In battle he had never once faltered when striking down an enemy.
But another thought followed quickly.If I wield that strength here… blood will flow once more. The people will remember war, not peace.
His hand drifted unconsciously to the hilt at his waist. The cold touch of steel lingered against his fingertips, then slowly slipped away.
Two Paths
On the desk lay two sheets of parchment.
The first held a military plan:— Mobilize the army. Pressure noble domains. Suppress resistance with force.
Lian studied it, then let out a slow breath."Swift… but far too bloody."
The second sheet outlined political measures:— Reform the laws. Restrict resource rights. Disperse noble power.
His finger traced the paper's edge."A longer, more tangled road. But one the empire could walk with less bloodshed."
Divide and Conquer
Then a third path formed in his mind.Do not strike them all at once. One by one.
He pictured the faces of Parnos, Marco, Edwin—each in turn. Their weaknesses. Their alliances. Their hidden fears.
"Divide them. Sow distrust. Isolate each until none can stand together. And if needed… strike from the shadows, swiftly and fatally."
His words were quiet, yet resolute.
The Decision
Rising, Lian opened the library window. Evening wind scattered the parchments; red sunset spilled across the chamber.
"Strength will remain my last resort. But preparations must be made."
He gathered the papers slowly, whispering to himself."If the empire can stand without bleeding, then I will choose whatever path it takes."
It was both vow and warning. He was a leader now—but ever ready to become a warrior once more.
**
Episode Ten: Political and Economic Countermeasures, Military Readiness
The Grand Council chamber of the palace was draped in a heavy air. Papers and maps lay scattered across the long table, while the evening sun cast long shadows through tall windows.
At the head of the table sat Lian, his gaze steady though weariness and resolve burned beneath it. Beside him were his twin sister Ria, Serena of the intelligence service, General Risa, Treasurer Kylon, political advisor Leonix, and military counselor Matthias. By the window sat Elena, their mother, quietly observing.
Breaking the Nobles' Grip
"Their weakness is resources," Ria began, her voice soft yet unwavering."The nobles cling to power through control of resources. But none can sustain themselves alone. Iron-rich regions lack food, fertile lands rely on river trade. If we seize these links, their unity collapses."
Kylon spread out a report, lines of red ink connecting noble territories."Your Highness, these are their lifelines. Iron, grain, water… if the empire directs the flow, we can bleed their power without ever drawing a sword."
Lian looked down at the maps, then raised his head."Then let us decide precisely how we will adjust that distribution."
Politics, Economy, and Division
Leonix placed his hand on the table, leaning forward."Your Majesty, economics alone won't suffice. The nobles form alliances to balance any loss. To break them apart, we must offer differing favors and plant seeds of distrust. If each suspects the other of receiving more—those alliances won't last."
A faint smile crossed Lian's lips."Political pressure with economic constraint—very well. We will unravel their unity piece by piece."
Preparing the Sword
At last, General Risa lifted her gaze, her eyes sharp as blades."Your Majesty, we cannot assume they will quietly fall into our net. Should they rise in rebellion, we must be ready to strike."
"And what preparations do you propose?" Lian asked.
"Show of force is its own deterrent," she replied without hesitation. "I will reposition small units at key crossroads. No need to march on them yet. But they must know—if they move, it ends."
Lian pondered, then nodded slowly."Good. The sword remains our last resort. Yet let it be sharpened, always within reach."
The Council's Resolve
The council dragged late into the night. Beyond the windows, the sky was black; candlelight wavered across scattered shadows.
At last, Lian gathered the reports into a neat stack. His voice was low, but it struck like iron."All that we resolved tonight—we will carry out. Break the nobles with politics and economy. And let the military remain our unseen blade."
**
Episode Eleven: The Grand Road to the Capital
In the imperial council chamber, a thick line was drawn across the great map spread across the table.
Tracing it with his fingertip, Lian spoke:"This will be the artery of the Empire. Not merely a road—this will be the path through which the Empire breathes."
The chamber fell silent. It was an immense undertaking. The road would connect the capital to the north, south, and west in straight lines, binding the realm together.
Doubts and Complaints
When the decree was announced, unrest rippled through the land.
"More labor demanded from us again?""What good will this road do for our lives?"
Farmers, smiths, and craftsmen grumbled. To them, the road seemed nothing more than the Emperor's indulgent fancy.
But Lian did not stop at issuing orders. He stepped onto the dais himself, addressing the people directly.
"This road belongs not to me, but to the Empire—and to you. Upon the stones you lay, your children will run. This is no conscripted toil but an investment. You will be paid justly, and when the road is finished, it will repay you with greater worth."
And it was not only words. The imperial treasury opened its coffers.
When wages reached the laborers, the markets stirred to life.
"With this silver, I can buy a new hammer.""This winter, we won't go hungry."
Coins flowed, expressions changed. Hard labor remained, but the road was no longer seen as a burden. It became a promise of change.
Concerns and Safeguards
Yet concerns arose.
In council, political advisor Leonix frowned."Your Majesty, the Grand Road will benefit us—but it may also serve the enemy. If left undefended, it could become their invasion route."
Lian nodded gravely."Which is why we shall raise fortresses along its course. Every major junction will host a military outpost. The road shall be both passage and bulwark."
Cities Along the Road
Lian did not stop there."Where the roads intersect, we will build new cities. This will not be a mere road but the lifeline of commerce. Markets will rise, people and goods will flow."
He pointed to the map."Here—between the northern mines and the southern farmlands. Build a city for merchants, and grain and iron will reach the capital swiftly."
The road became not only a chain binding the Empire but a living vein of prosperity.
No longer did the people complain. In their hands, wages. In their eyes, markets. In their minds, visions of cities rising along the stones. The Grand Road showed them the Empire's future.
**
Episode Twelve: Political Pressure and Noble Dismay
In the Emperor's study, rows of small flags stood pinned into the map, trembling in the still air.
Lian lifted one flag and set it down elsewhere."Raise the tax here. And delay the grain shipments from the south."
His voice was calm, but the cut of his decision was sharp as a blade. The gathered attendants held their breath.
The Nobles Strangled
The policies were carried out swiftly.
Tax decrees flooded into the northern iron mines, while edicts restricting river trade struck the southern farmlands.
At Duke Parnos's keep, a furious cry rang out."How can his commands arrive so quickly?"
His steward, frowning, held out a report."His Majesty has raised the rates. And tightened control on goods bound for the capital."
Parnos hurled a goblet against the wall, the crash of iron echoing through the hall.
Marco's Unease
Duke Marco struggled to steady himself.
The grain entering his lands had halved; revenues from iron sales dwindled."What is happening…?"
In his council chamber, his fingers drummed the table to mask his growing fear."I thought Lian was only a boy living in his father's shadow…"
His voice grew quieter."…But he hid a blade far sharper than I imagined."
Cracks in the Alliance
Marquis Edwin seized on Marco's unease."Marco, Lian's blade is at our throats. What we need now is not defiance—but compromise."
Marco's face hardened."Compromise? You mean surrender the power that has been ours?"
Their words clashed, and cold gazes darted around the table. The sound of trust splintering filled the air.
Lian's Move, Their Confusion
Parnos sought to rally his peers into a new alliance. Yet even he realized the truth.
Those who once vowed to stand with me… now watch my back in silence.
Setting down his cup, he muttered under his breath:"Lian… you are far more dangerous than I thought."
The Palace Report
In the quiet of night, Serena knelt before Lian, spreading her report upon the floor.
"Your Majesty, the nobles are no longer united. Parnos, Marco, Edwin—their voices now clash against one another."
Lian closed the report, eyes narrowing."Good. Where cracks appear, we shall drive the wedge deeper."
Conclusion
The nobles' power was fractured, their halls no longer echoing with laughter but with tense, whispered words.
Looking out the palace window, Lian murmured:"The heart of the Empire returns to the throne. And should they dare rise again—then the army shall march."